Chapter 122 Head-on Confrontation

Director Zhang came again.

This time, instead of the black sedan, he arrived in an off-road vehicle directly from the new base. When the car came to a steady stop, it was exactly three o'clock in the afternoon, the hottest time in the Gobi Desert.

Lin Mo stood at the door of the Prefabricated Building, watching him jump down from the vehicle.

"Little Lin!" Director Zhang shouted from afar with a smile on his face, but that smile was a bit different.

Lin Mo went to meet him.

"Director Zhang, why did you come in person again?"

Director Zhang waved his hand and walked straight toward the meeting room.

"Something's up. Let's talk inside."

In the meeting room, Chen Xueming, Li Xiao, and Zhang Zhe were already waiting. Zhao Gang's video feed was also connected, and he looked solemn on the screen.

Director Zhang sat down and, skipping the pleasantries, spoke directly.

"Another document came down from above."

He took a file from his secretary and placed it on the table.

"The International Alliance's progress is faster than we anticipated. Smith's Team has already completed the preliminary testing of the First Wall Material, and they expect to begin prototype construction next year."

He looked at Lin Mo.

"Therefore, our plan must be adjusted."

Lin Mo didn't say a word.

Director Zhang continued, "Ignition must happen before the end of the year."

The meeting room fell silent for a second.

Chen Xueming was the first to speak.

"The end of the year? It's already July."

Director Zhang glanced at him.

"I know. That's why we must speed up."

Chen Xueming stood up.

"Director Zhang, do you understand Nuclear Fusion?"

Director Zhang's expression shifted.

"Professor Chen, what do you mean by that?"

Chen Xueming gave a cold laugh.

"I mean, you have absolutely no idea what ignition by the end of the year implies. The First Wall Material is still being tested, the Magnet System hasn't been assembled, there isn't even a shadow of a Vacuum Chamber, and research into the Tritium Cycle has only just begun—you say ignition by the end of the year, but with what?"

Director Zhang also stood up.

"Professor Chen, I may not understand the technology. But I understand schedules, I understand pressure, and I understand the expectations from above. Can the higher-ups wait while you guys take your sweet time with research? Can the country wait?"

Chen Xueming wanted to say more, but Lin Mo pressed down on his arm.

He stood up and looked at Director Zhang.

"Director Zhang, ignition by the end of the year is technically impossible."

Director Zhang looked at him.

"Little Lin, you've always been someone who sees the big picture. Why are you being so stubborn this time?"

Lin Mo shook his head.

"It's not stubbornness; it's a fact. Every stage of a Nuclear Fusion device requires rigorous testing and verification. Forcing ignition will only have one result—failure."

Director Zhang was silent for a few seconds, then said slowly:

"Then let it fail. It's a scientific experiment; how can there be no failure?"

Lin Mo's gaze turned cold.

"Failure is acceptable. But if failure occurs because of insufficient preparation and because scientific laws were violated, then that is irresponsibility."

He took a step forward.

"Director Zhang, let me ask you one thing—if ignition fails at the end of the year, who will take responsibility?"

Director Zhang looked at him and didn't speak.

Lin Mo continued, "The device is destroyed, and hundreds of millions go down the drain. Radiation leaks, and the consequences are unthinkable. Internationally, we'll be a laughingstock, with people saying the Chinese are eager for quick success. For all of this, who will take responsibility?"

Director Zhang's face changed.

"Comrade Lin Mo, are you threatening me?"

Lin Mo shook his head.

"It's not a threat. It's a statement of fact. Scientific laws cannot be violated; if something goes wrong, no one can bear that responsibility."

Director Zhang slammed his hand on the table.

"I will!"

The entire meeting room shook.

Li Xiao shrank back in fear. The pen in Zhang Zhe's hand fell to the floor. Chen Xueming stood up and blocked the way in front of Lin Mo.

Director Zhang stood there, his face flushed red and his eyes wide.

"Lin Mo, let me tell you—I, Zhang, have been in administration for decades; what storms haven't I seen? If a problem arises, I'll shoulder it! You just need to execute!"

Lin Mo looked at him and was silent for a few seconds.

Then he said slowly:

"Director Zhang, you can't shoulder it."

Director Zhang was stunned.

Lin Mo continued, "The First Wall Material fails, radioactive substances leak, contaminating hundreds of square kilometers—what will you use to shoulder that? Your position? Your pension? Or your life?"

Director Zhang opened his mouth but couldn't say a word.

"Scientific laws are not something administrative orders can change." Lin Mo's voice was calm, but every word was like a nail. "Today you slam the table and say you'll take responsibility, but if a problem occurs tomorrow, you won't be able to. When that time comes, the ones truly facing the consequences will be us technical people, the common people on this land, and this country."

The meeting room was deathly quiet.

Director Zhang stood there, the expression on his face shifting several times.

Finally, he slowly sat back down in his chair.

There was a long silence.

Then he looked up at Lin Mo.

"Little Lin, I'm not trying to force you guys. It's just... the pressure from above is too great."

Lin Mo nodded.

"I understand. But no matter how great the pressure, scientific laws cannot be violated."

Director Zhang sighed.

"Then tell me, what should be done?"

Lin Mo walked to the whiteboard and drew a new timeline.

"Ignition by the end of the year is impossible. But next June is something we can strive for."

Director Zhang looked at that line and was silent for a few seconds.

"Are you sure?"

Lin Mo shook his head.

"No. But we will do our absolute best."

Director Zhang looked at him for a long time.

Finally, he stood up.

"Fine. We'll go with what you said, next June. But when that time comes, I want to see results."

He walked to the door, then looked back once more.

"Little Lin, about today... don't take it to heart. I had no other choice either."

Lin Mo nodded.

Director Zhang pushed the door and left.

The car kicked up yellow sand and disappeared at the edge of the Gobi Desert.

The meeting room remained quiet for a long time.

Chen Xueming spoke first.

"Lin Mo, what you said today was quite harsh."

Lin Mo shook his head.

"It wasn't harsh. It was the truth."

Li Xiao said in a small voice, "Teacher Lin, aren't you afraid he'll make things difficult for you later?"

Lin Mo thought about it.

"I am. But some things must be done even if you're afraid."

Zhang Zhe nodded beside him.

Zhao Gang's video was still on, and he suddenly spoke.

"Professor Lin, I've been listening the whole time you were talking."

Lin Mo looked at the screen.

"Captain Zhao?"

Zhao Gang was silent for a few seconds, then said:

"You're right. Some responsibilities, he can't shoulder."

He paused.

"But you can."

Lin Mo was stunned for a moment.

Zhao Gang continued, "You aren't shouldering it for yourself; you're doing it for this land, for people like us. I, Zhao Gang, respect you for that."

Lin Mo looked at him, a warm current welling up in his heart.

Chen Xueming patted him on the shoulder.

"Alright, don't think too much. Back to work."

Li Xiao and Zhang Zhe also stood up and returned to their respective posts.

Lin Mo stood alone in the meeting room, looking at the whiteboard.

On it was drawn that new timeline—next June.

He knew that from now on, time would be even tighter.

But he also knew that this path had to be walked one step at a time.

It couldn't be rushed.

And there was no room for error.