Upper Beijing.

In an antique house, an old man with gray temples is sitting on a wicker chair, meticulously reading the newspaper in his hand. When he saw a certain location, his brow couldn't help but furrow slightly, and at that moment, there was the sound of footsteps outside.

Looking away from the newspaper and seeing Director Li who walked into the courtyard with the footsteps of the guards, the old man cast an unexpected glance at him, smiled mildly and said.

"What's wrong? Early in the morning. ”

"I just came from Jinling." Director Li took a deep breath and restrained the excitement in his voice.

A glint flashed in the old man's eyes, as if he had guessed something, but he continued to ask.

"What's going on over there in Jinling?"

"Miniaturized Experimental Reactor for Controlled Fusion...... Under the leadership of Professor Lu, the ignition has been successful! ”

The moment he heard this, not only the old man's face, but even the guards standing behind Director Li showed a surprised expression on their faces.

After saying "yes" three times in a row, the old man smiled and closed the newspaper in his hand and stood up from the rattan chair.

Passing by Director Li, standing next to the bluestone brick road path, looking at the big willow tree in the courtyard, he sighed from the bottom of his heart.

“…… It is an honor for the country to have a scholar like Professor Lu! ”

"Yes......" Director Li also sighed in agreement.

But although it is agreed, this is indeed his innermost thoughts.

Nuclear energy flowing through the grid is breathing new blood into the flagging manufacturing industry, and the endless energy is changing people's lives for the better, and he uses his knowledge to change everything in this country and push the door to the future.

That alone was enough to elevate him to the level of a great man.

The old man lowered his head and thought for a while, then suddenly spoke.

"Who knows about this?"

Director Li's expression was slightly furnished, and he said: "Except for the researchers involved in the research, only me, Academician Wang Zengguang, chief engineer of the Nuclear Industry Group, and his two students know...... I have already spoken to Professor Lu and asked him not to make a noise about this matter for the time being. ”

The insiders are all original members of the STAR stellarum project, and they are all trustworthy people, so it is not difficult to keep secrets.

After listening to Director Li's report, the old man nodded approvingly.

"Well, you did the right thing, this matter really shouldn't be too public."

Research on controlled fusion has stalled, and negotiations on controlled fusion technology have come to an end from a tug-of-war.

Although the experimental reactor in California borrowed from the Pangea reactor to a certain extent in terms of technical route, because several key issues have not been resolved, even if China has temporarily relaxed the export of SG-1 superconducting materials, the test results of all components except superconducting magnetic rails have not met the expected standards.

As for ITER, it is still the same, although it is huge, but it can't be a big deal......

Now Western countries are losing patience with their own researchers and are returning to the negotiating table with good faith. And China is also very happy to reach a consensus with other countries on technology exchange, in order to exchange those that they do not have, as well as political and political exchanges. governance interests.

At this time, if other countries know that China has made a breakthrough in controlled fusion miniaturization technology, it will undoubtedly have a negative impact on the negotiations. One is the fear that their appetite will grow, and the other is the miniaturization of controlled fusion...... Compared with civilian fusion reactors, it is still somewhat sensitive.

Seeing the approving expression on the old man's face, Director Li's shoulders loosened slightly, slowly breathed a sigh of relief, and continued.

"What about astronautics?"

Old man: "Aerospace? ”

Director Li hesitated, but still expressed his worries.

"Hmm...... If fusion batteries are used in spacecraft, I'm worried that the news might leak. In addition, in the event of an accident, there is no guarantee that the technology will not be leaked. ”

This concern is not unreasonable, after all, the spacecraft is not good, as long as it is launched, there is a certain risk of failure. If it falls on the territory, it is better to say that the troops in various places can quickly control the situation, but if it falls on the high seas, or even on the territory of other countries, then the matter is big.

After listening to Director Li's worries, the old man smiled and said.

"Just be careful, but don't choke on food. Besides, the miniaturization of controlled fusion itself was developed from the space program, and the space program was stopped because of this concern, do you think this is appropriate? ”

"This ...... You're right, I was negligent. Director Li lowered his head.

The old man glanced at him and continued.

"You don't have to worry about Professor Lu's side, you just need to instruct the Naval Equipment Research Institute to improve the controllable fusion miniaturization technology. It's still a bit early for a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, but I think nuclear submarines can still give it a try! ”

Director Li nodded earnestly and memorized every word the old man said.

"Yes!"

……

At the same time, at the Jinling Institute for Advanced Study, Lu Zhou summoned researchers from the controlled fusion miniaturization project team to a conference room for a brief impromptu meeting.

“…… The Bureau of Science and Industry said hello to me, and the controllable fusion miniaturization technology is not suitable for public publicity, so let's keep it secret for the time being. The commendation meeting may not be able to be held, and then you can only invite everyone to a meal or something. ”

Sheng Xianfu smiled and said: "Forget about the commendation conference or something, it was only held once at the beginning of the year, and it hasn't been a year yet." ”

Professor Li Changxia also nodded.

"It's all about the big picture."

Several of the other researchers nodded in understanding.

Although it is a pity that I can't write this honor on my resume, being able to participate in a historic project is a thing to be proud of for a lifetime.

What's more, most of the people standing here are still quite young, and the oldest is only in their forties. Even if it is not declassified for thirty years according to the standards of top secret, most people can wait until the day when it is declassified.

And take 10,000 steps back, even if you can't wait for that day, the honor will be engraved on their tombstones.

So, there's nothing to worry about at all......

"Also, it's about where you go in the future."

As he spoke, Lu Zhou looked at Sheng Xianfu.

"The controllable fusion miniaturization project will be gradually withdrawn, and it will be announced that the experiment has failed, and it is found that there is no research value...... The position of director of the 585 Institute is still reserved for you, and there is still a lack of a technical director on the side of East Asia Power, whether you want to go back to the research institute or the enterprise, or other places, you can tell me, and I will write a letter for you. ”

Without any hesitation, Sheng Xianfu said with a smile.

"Let's go back to the 585 Institute, if you hadn't dragged me to work on this project, I would have planned to go back there after Pangudui was completed."

Professor Li Changxia patted him on the shoulder, smiled and quipped: "I understand, wealth does not return to the hometown, such as brocade clothes at night." ”

Sheng Xianfu touched the bridge of his nose embarrassedly, and the corners of his mouth were grinning.

"What kind of rich and noble people return home, am I that kind of person?"

"I will write a letter to the Nuclear Industry Group and the Ministry of Science and Technology for you, and you will receive the letter of appointment in about a week," Lu Zhou nodded with a smile and continued to look at Professor Li Changxia, "What about you?" Do you want to go back to Nanhua, or do you want to go to East Asia Electric Power, or other research institutes? ”

Professor Li Changxia hesitated.

"I want to stay."

Lu Zhou looked at him unexpectedly: "Stay?" ”

"Well," Professor Li Changxia nodded, "The environment of the enterprise is not suitable for me, and Nanhua is ...... The room for development is still a little inferior, so I want to stay. ”

Lu Zhou: "There are many research institutes in China, so it doesn't have to be with me. ”

Li Changxia smiled and waved his hand: "Is there any other research institute in China that is more promising than you?" Why don't you recommend one to me? ”

"That's okay," Hearing him say this, Lu Zhou stopped persuading, pondered for a while and continued, "It just so happens that Jin Dae is planning to take out the nuclear physics piece and set up a separate nuclear physics research institute to train talents in the direction of nuclear physics for the country, and let me help me think of a way." You came out of the STAR stellar project, and you should be familiar with nuclear physics, so you will be the director. ”

Li Changxia looked happy and said sincerely.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome," Lu Zhou smiled and said softly, "This is what you deserve." ”