Chapter 169 International Observer Group

The countdown to ignition is at nine days.

The morning sun had just climbed over the horizon when Director Fang's car drove into the base.

When she got out, she was holding a red-headed document, and the expression on her face was somewhat complex.

Lin Mo was already waiting at the entrance.

Seeing her expression, his heart stirred: "Director Fang, what happened?"

Director Fang shook her head and handed the document to him: "It is not a bad thing, but it is not a small matter either."

Lin Mo took it and unfolded it to look.

"Notice Regarding the Invitation of an International Observer Group to Witness the Ignition Ceremony of the tokamak-3"

His gaze moved down, landing on that line of the list:

"Head of the Observer Group: Professor Smith (Nobel Prize in Physics laureate, Chief Scientist of the International Nuclear Fusion Alliance)"

"Members: A total of 23 experts in the field of Nuclear Fusion from 12 countries"

Lin Mo looked up and looked at Director Fang: "Did the state decide to invite them?"

Director Fang nodded: "It is the intention of the higher-ups. If the ignition is successful, we need recognition from the international community. Letting them see it with their own eyes is more persuasive than publishing a hundred papers."

Lin Mo was silent for a few seconds, then asked: "Did they agree to come?"

Director Fang smiled: "Why wouldn't they agree? Smith said to the media last time, 'If they succeed, humanity will enter a new era.' Now that there is an opportunity to witness it with his own eyes, how could he not come?"

Lin Mo stared at that list for a long time.

Smith.

That man who once questioned the Lithium Extraction from Seawater, was shocked by his paper, and proposed a "joint action" at the closed-door meeting of the International Science and Technology Alliance.

Now, he is coming.

The news quickly spread throughout the entire base.

In the control room, Li Xiao stared at that list, her eyes wide: "Twelve countries? Twenty-three people? General Manager Lin, can our small place accommodate them?"

Before Lin Mo could answer, Zhao Gang rushed in from outside: "General Manager Lin! I heard that more than twenty foreigners are coming? What about security? Who is responsible? I don't have enough manpower!"

Chen Xueming was quite calm. He walked over holding a teacup, took a look at the list, and then said: "Smith is coming? Good, let him see how we perform the ignition."

In his tone, there was an indescribable confidence.

Lin Mo looked at the three of them and suddenly smiled: "One by one. Brother Zhao, Director Fang will coordinate the security matters. Li Xiao, logistics is already arranging the accommodation. Teacher Chen—"

He looked at Chen Xueming: "You are responsible for receiving Smith."

Chen Xueming was stunned for a moment: "Me?"

Lin Mo nodded: "You two have dealt with each other before. During the Lithium Extraction from Seawater incident, he questioned you, and you slapped him in the face. This time he is coming, you continue."

Chen Xueming thought for a moment and suddenly smiled: "Fine. I will make him convinced."

That afternoon, Lin Mo gathered the team for a short meeting.

In the conference room, Director Fang briefly introduced the situation. The observer group will arrive on May 6th, visit the device on May 7th, and witness the ignition on-site on May 8th. The whole process will take three days; security, reception, and technical explanations—every link must be foolproof.

Zhao Gang raised his hand first: "Director Fang, when foreigners enter the base, how will security checks be handled?"

Director Fang was well-prepared: "Everyone must submit their names in advance and undergo a comprehensive review upon entry. After arriving at the base, everyone will be issued a pass and can only move within designated areas. Any violation will result in immediate removal."

Li Xiao raised her hand second: "What about the technical explanation? Who will explain it? How deep should it go?"

Chen Xueming replied: "I will do it. I will explain the principles, the design, and the data. I will not discuss core parameters or process details. Let them know we succeeded, but do not tell them how we did it."

Lin Mo nodded: "Teacher Chen is right. What we want is for them to witness it, not to teach them."

Director Fang added at the end: "There is one more thing—on the day of the ignition, it will be broadcast live globally. The observer group's reactions will be transmitted to the whole world simultaneously. Therefore, no matter what happens, keep calm."

She looked at Lin Mo: "Especially you. When the ignition happens, the whole world will be watching you. You cannot panic, and you cannot be chaotic."

Lin Mo was silent for a few seconds, then nodded: "Understood."

After the meeting, Chen Xueming stood alone in front of the window, looking outside.

Lin Mo walked over and stood beside him: "Teacher Chen, are you nervous?"

Chen Xueming shook his head, then nodded: "It would be a lie to say I'm not nervous. I know Smith. When he comes, he will definitely ask many tricky questions."

Lin Mo smiled: "Then answer him."

Chen Xueming turned to look at him: "What if I can't answer?"

Lin Mo looked at the huge device in the distance, his voice very soft: "If you can't answer, just admit it. We are not gods; we can't know everything. But we can let him see—this device is here, it is real, and it can ignite. That is enough."

Chen Xueming stared at him for a long time, then suddenly smiled: "Old Lin, your words are more effective than anything else."

In the evening, Lin Mo called Wang Zhenguo.

On the other end of the phone, Wang Zhenguo's voice sounded much more vigorous than before: "Xiao Lin, I heard that Smith is coming?"

Lin Mo smiled: "Teacher, you are very well-informed."

Wang Zhenguo also smiled: "Of course. My old bones are still keeping an eye on you."

He paused, and his tone became solemn: "Xiao Lin, letting Smith come is the right thing to do. Although he is arrogant, he has one good point—he respects reason. As long as it is true, he will eventually acknowledge it. During the Lithium Extraction from Seawater incident, he acknowledged it. This time, he will acknowledge it too."

Lin Mo nodded: "Teacher, I understand."

Wang Zhenguo continued: "Also, on the day of the ignition, I will definitely be there. Even if I have to crawl, I will crawl onto the Gobi Desert."

Lin Mo felt a soreness in his nose: "Teacher, please don't push yourself."

Wang Zhenguo laughed: "It's not pushing myself. I'm waiting to see you ignite it."

Hanging up the phone, Lin Mo stood in front of the window, looking at the night outside.

Nine more days.

In nine days, the whole world will be watching this place.

He looked at the device standing quietly in the distance and said softly: "Then let them look."