Chapter 214 A Difficult Journey 1
The fifteen-minute recess turned into thirty minutes.
In the conference hall, people gathered in twos and threes, discussing something in low voices. Lin Mo sat in a corner, staring motionless at the photo of Wang Zhenguo on his phone screen.
That photo was taken last year; Wang Zhenguo was standing in front of the tokamak-3 device, smiling like a child.
"Academician Lin."
Lin Mo looked up; it was Wang Jianguo from the National Development and Reform Commission.
"Director Wang."
Wang Jianguo sat down next to him, was silent for a few seconds, and then said:
"I watched that video from just now. To be honest, I was moved."
Lin Mo did not speak.
Wang Jianguo continued, "I previously questioned the timing, the investment, and the necessity. Those doubts were sincere. But now—"
He paused and looked at Lin Mo:
"I want to ask you a question."
"Please go ahead."
Wang Jianguo said, "If this project fails, will you regret it?"
Lin Mo thought for a moment, then shook his head:
"No."
"Why?"
"Because if we don't do it, I will regret it," Lin Mo said. "The space elevator is not a question of whether it can be built, but when it will be built. If we don't build it now, ten or twenty years from now, others will. By then, we will only be able to watch as others occupy space."
He looked at Wang Jianguo:
"Director Wang, do you know what I fear the most?"
"What?"
"It's not failure. It's that twenty years from now, a young person will ask me: Academician Lin, back then you had the opportunity to build the space elevator, why didn't you?"
Wang Jianguo was silent for a long time.
Then he stood up and patted Lin Mo on the shoulder:
"I understand. In the vote in a moment, I will vote in favor."
At four in the afternoon, the meeting resumed.
The moderator looked around and spoke slowly:
"After full discussion, we will now vote on the preliminary research project approval for the sky ladder project."
The conference hall was so quiet that one could hear breathing.
"Those in favor, please raise your hands."
Lin Mo's hand slowly raised.
Then it was Director Liu, Wang Jianguo, Elder Guo, and Academician Zhou Deming, who had questioned him earlier—
One, two, ten, fifty, eighty...
Lin Mo counted rapidly, his heartbeat getting faster and faster.
Ninety-three.
What about those opposed?
Some people raised their hands—fewer than those in favor.
Eighty-six.
Abstentions?
Twenty-one.
Lin Mo's heart almost stopped.
Ninety-three in favor, eighty-six opposed, twenty-one abstentions.
Seven more votes in favor than opposed.
A slim margin.
The moderator announced:
"The preliminary research project approval for the sky ladder project is passed."
Applause rang out in the conference hall. It wasn't enthusiastic, but it was clear enough.
Lin Mo stood up and bowed to those around him.
His eyes were a little wet, but he held it back.
This was just the first step.
The real challenge had only just begun.
After the meeting ended, Lin Mo was surrounded.
Director Liu came over first and shook his hand: "Congratulations! What are your plans for the next steps?"
Lin Mo said: "First, establish an expert group and refine the plan. Then, apply for funding and launch the verification of key technologies."
Director Liu nodded: "Our Aerospace Group will cooperate fully. If you need any resources, just say the word."
Wang Jianguo also came over: "Academician Lin, what I said earlier still stands. If there is anything you need to communicate about in the future, come to me directly."
Academician Zhou Deming walked over, his expression somewhat complex:
"Academician Lin, although I voted against it, I respect the result. I hope you can verify the key technologies within two years. If it is truly feasible, I will vote in favor then."
Lin Mo shook his hand: "Thank you, Academician Zhou. I will certainly not let you down."
Academician Zhou Deming nodded and turned to leave.
Elder Guo came over last and patted Lin Mo on the shoulder:
"Kid, your teacher didn't misjudge you. Work hard."
Lin Mo nodded solemnly.
By the time he walked out of the Great Hall of the People, it was already six in the evening.
Lin Mo stood on the steps, took out his phone, and dialed Wang Zhenguo's video call.
It rang twice, then connected.
On the screen, Wang Zhenguo was lying in a hospital bed, his complexion better than it had been in the morning. Seeing Lin Mo, he smiled:
"How was it?"
Lin Mo took a deep breath and said:
"Teacher, it passed."
Wang Zhenguo was stunned for a moment: "It passed?"
"It passed. Ninety-three in favor, eighty-six opposed, twenty-one abstentions. A seven-vote margin."
Wang Zhenguo was silent for two seconds, then smiled, his eyes turning red:
"Good, good…"
Lin Mo looked at his teacher on the screen, a complex emotion welling up in his heart:
"Teacher, thank you. Without your video, it might not have passed."
Wang Zhenguo shook his head:
"Don't thank me. You fought for this yourself."
He paused and continued:
"Lin Mo, this is just the beginning. It will be even harder later on. Two years for key technology verification, five years for a thousand-ton production line, fifteen years to build—every step is a hurdle. Are you ready?"
Lin Mo nodded solemnly:
"I am ready."
Wang Zhenguo looked at him, his eyes filled with relief:
"Good. Then I can rest easy."
Lin Mo said: "Teacher, please rest well and recover. When you are better, I will take you to see the space elevator."
Wang Zhenguo smiled:
"Silly child, I might not live to see that day. But you will. You go, and see it for me."
Lin Mo's eyes turned red again.
After hanging up the video call, he stood on the steps, watching the traffic on Changan Avenue.
In the Beijing night, the evening lights were just beginning to shine.
He remembered what Wang Zhenguo said:
"This is just the beginning."
Yes, just the beginning.
But it has already begun.
In the evening, Lin Mo returned to the hotel.
His phone rang; it was a message in the team group chat.
Li Xiao: "Senior Brother! I heard it passed?!"
Chen Xueming: "Old Lin, you're awesome!!! The project team here is boiling over!"
Zhao Gang: "What do you need me to do?"
Lin Mo looked at the three messages, feeling a warmth in his heart.
He replied: "It passed. Two years for key technology verification. We'll be busy from here on out."
Li Xiao replied instantly: "I'm not afraid of being busy! I'm only afraid of not having anything to do!"
Chen Xueming: "Old Lin, the power station here is stable; I can make time to go back and help you!"
Zhao Gang: "Base security is on standby."
Lin Mo smiled.
He replied: "Don't rush. Stick to your duties. When I need you, I will say so."
Late at night, Lin Mo stood by the window alone.
Outside the window, the stars were not visible in the Beijing night sky.
But he knew they were there.
Thirty-six thousand kilometers away, there was a place waiting for humanity to build a sky ladder.
He remembered Wang Zhenguo's words:
"You go and see it for me."
I will, Teacher.
I definitely will.