Chapter 213 Wang Zhenguo's Video
The debate had been going on for three hours. The atmosphere in the conference hall was becoming increasingly tense. The supporters and the skeptics each held their ground, and neither could convince the other. Lin Mo stood on the podium, answering various questions over and over again, his throat already beginning to go hoarse.
"Academician Lin, let me ask one more time," an expert from the Ministry of Finance stood up, his expression solemn, "An investment of 1.3 trillion, which accounts for one-third of the national technology budget for the next five years. How can you guarantee that this money won't go down the drain?"
Lin Mo took a deep breath: "Any scientific research carries risks. But the technological foundation for the space elevator—Carbon Nanotubes—we have already broken through. Room-Temperature Superconductivity is already mature. Nuclear Fusion has already succeeded. We have all three key technologies in hand, and the risk has been reduced to the minimum—"
"Reduced to the minimum does not mean zero." The expert interrupted him, "What if problems arise halfway through? The money will have been spent in vain. What if we find out it's not feasible halfway through construction? All the previous investment will go down the drain. Who will bear this risk?"
Lin Mo was silent for a second.
"I will bear it," he said.
The whole room went quiet for a moment.
Lin Mo continued: "If the project fails, I will take full personal responsibility. I will resign from all positions and accept any punishment."
Someone sneered: "Can you bear it? 1.3 trillion, how much is your life worth?"
Lin Mo looked at him, his gaze calm:
"I know I cannot bear it. But I believe it will not fail."
The expert shook his head and sat down.
Someone else raised their hand—it was another senior veteran in the aerospace field, surnamed Zheng, over eighty years old, who had always been skeptical of the space elevator.
"Little Lin," Elder Zheng's voice was a bit hoarse, "I'm not against you. I just feel that the step is too big. Why not establish a moon base first, then Mars landing, and take it one step at a time? Why must we jump straight to the space elevator?"
Lin Mo looked at him: "Elder Zheng, you are right. Taking it one step at a time is the safest way. But—"
He paused and pointed outside the window:
"There are people outside waiting for us."
Elder Zheng frowned: "Who?"
Lin Mo was silent for two seconds, then said:
"I'm sorry, I cannot answer that question."
Low murmurs arose in the conference hall. Some were confused, some were skeptical, and some began to whisper to each other.
The director of the National Development and Reform Commission, who was presiding over the meeting, tapped the table:
"Quiet. Academician Lin, if there is something you cannot say, you can report it privately after the meeting. Now—"
Before he could finish, the door of the conference hall was suddenly pushed open.
A staff member walked in quickly, holding a tablet computer in their hands, walked to the director's side, and whispered a few words.
After listening, the director froze for a moment, then looked at Lin Mo, his gaze somewhat complex.
"Academician Lin," he said, "someone has sent you a video."
Lin Mo was stunned.
The staff member handed him the tablet. On the screen was a familiar portrait—Wang Zhenguo.
Lin Mo's heart tightened abruptly.
The video was projected onto the big screen.
In the footage, Wang Zhenguo was lying on a hospital bed, his face pale, connected to monitoring equipment. But his eyes were very bright, like two lamps.
He faced the camera and spoke slowly:
"Leaders, experts, I am Wang Zhenguo."
The conference hall instantly fell silent. Everyone was staring at the screen.
Wang Zhenguo's voice was somewhat weak, but every word was clear:
"I am eighty-three this year, and I have been lying in this hospital bed for a month. The doctor said to let me speak less and rest more. But I must speak at this meeting today."
He paused, caught his breath, and continued:
"I have worked in aerospace my whole life. In 1965, I was twenty-five, working on liquid rocket engines at the Fifth Academy. Back then, I wondered, would I be able to see Chinese people go to space in my lifetime? Later, the project was canceled, and I didn't get to see it."
"Later, I switched fields to work on Nuclear Fusion. Some people said, why are you doing this? Aerospace is the big thing. I said, once Nuclear Fusion succeeds, energy will be cheap, and then aerospace can be done. I waited my whole life, waiting for Nuclear Fusion to succeed."
His eyes were a bit red:
"Last year, Lin Mo and his team ignited the Nuclear Fusion. I was lying in the hospital watching the live broadcast, and I cried. I knew I had waited for it."
In the video, Wang Zhenguo's lips were somewhat chapped, but he continued:
"The space elevator project, Lin Mo discussed it with me. I have studied his proposal, studied the Carbon Nanotubes data, and studied all the technical details. My conclusion is—it is feasible."
Low murmurs arose in the conference hall.
Wang Zhenguo continued:
"I know what you are worried about. Too much money, too much risk, too long a time. Lin Mo has considered all these issues. He is not a reckless youth; he is the youngest Academician in our country and the person who achieved Nuclear Fusion."
He paused, his voice becoming somewhat choked:
"The biggest regret of my life is not seeing Chinese people step off Earth. Now, lying on this hospital bed, I may not have the chance to see it. But Lin Mo and his team have the chance."
He looked at the camera, his gaze full of earnestness:
"Please give him a chance. Give this group of young people a chance. Let them try, let them forge ahead, let them see the outside world for us old folks."
He took a deep breath and used all his strength to say the last sentence:
"I beg of you."
The image froze.
The conference hall was deathly silent.
Three seconds.
Five seconds.
Ten seconds.
No one spoke.
Lin Mo stood on the podium, staring at the image on the screen, his eyes red. He gritted his teeth, not letting the tears fall.
Elder Guo, sitting in the front row, slowly took off his glasses and wiped the corners of his eyes with a handkerchief.
The expert from the Ministry of Finance who had questioned Lin Mo just a moment ago kept his head down, saying nothing.
Elder Zheng leaned back against the chair, looking at the ceiling, his lips trembling slightly.
The director presiding over the meeting stood up, was silent for a few seconds, then said:
"Recess for fifteen minutes."
Fifteen minutes later, the meeting continued.
But the atmosphere had completely changed.
No one questioned the technical feasibility anymore, and no one argued about the return on investment. Everyone knew that the video just now had brought this debate to a higher level.
That was not a debate about technology.
It was a witness to one generation entrusting their dreams to the next.
The director looked around and spoke slowly:
"Everyone has heard the words of Academician Wang Zhenguo. Now, I propose—a vote on the preliminary project initiation for the 'sky ladder project'."
He raised his hand: "Those in favor, please raise your hand."
One, two, ten, fifty, one hundred—more and more people raised their hands.
Lin Mo watched those raised hands, and the tears finally couldn't be held back. He turned around and bowed deeply to the image on the screen.
Teacher, did you see that?
After the meeting, Lin Mo rushed to the hospital immediately.
Wang Zhenguo was lying on the hospital bed, his face paler than in the video. But when he saw Lin Mo come in, he still smiled.
"How was it?" he asked.
Lin Mo walked to the bedside and held his hand:
"It passed. The preliminary project initiation, passed unanimously."
Wang Zhenguo froze for a moment, then smiled, smiling very happily:
"Good, good."
Lin Mo looked at him, his eyes red again:
"Teacher, why did you record that video?"
Wang Zhenguo patted his hand:
"Because I knew you needed someone to speak for you."
Lin Mo shook his head: "But your health..."
"It's fine." Wang Zhenguo interrupted him, "I won't die. Even if I did, it would be worth it."
Lin Mo could not speak.
Wang Zhenguo looked at him, his gaze full of paternal love:
"Lin Mo, remember what you promised me."
Lin Mo nodded solemnly:
"I remember. Go to space and see it for you."
Wang Zhenguo smiled and closed his eyes.
Sunlight shone in through the window, spilling onto his face, warm.