"Comrades, the study of the origin of the universe and the exploration of many mysteries of the universe unknown to us have always been the subject of our human pursuit, from the time of Copernicus for hundreds of years to the present day, scientists all over the world, especially astronomers, have come forward one after another, so that we can understand many mysteries of the universe more clearly. However, the mysteries of the universe are endless, which requires us scientific and technological personnel engaged in astronomical undertakings to take a farther field of vision in order to understand more fields. For example, life and civilization in outer space have been revered by many generations. Don't our generation have the ambition to unravel this mystery? Comrades, in the past, our country lagged behind some developed countries in science and technology for many years, which made us look at the empty air and sigh, but with the reform and opening up, the national economy has developed by leaps and bounds, and science and technology must also change with each passing day along with the leapfrog development of the national economy. In the field of astronomy, our generation of scientific and technological workers needs to undertake more missions and make greater breakthroughs in the field of astronomy, which requires us to look further. In order to do this, we must set up a heavenly eye that belongs to our China in the vast universe, and it must be more sensitive than FAST in any country in the world. Only in this way will our vision be able to reach the realm of space and the unknown mysteries of the universe that humans have yet to see. ”

Nan Binghuai's words made all the scientists present moved, and they exchanged their heads and ears for a while...

The top leaders of the Chinese Academy of Sciences who attended the meeting had no choice but to pat the table: "Comrades can put forward any opinions one by one, don't mutter." ”

A gray-haired scientist stood up: "Dr. Nan, the FAST project you proposed should see farther and be more sensitive than that of countries M and D, but all this is premised on not only mature technology, but also the construction of larger instruments than them. With the biggest machine on the ground and the biggest project of the 20th century, how big do you envision FAST? ”

Nan Binghuai hesitated, and suddenly stretched out a slap: "We want to build a radio telescope with a diameter of 500 meters!" ”

As soon as Nan Binghuai said this, he was immediately shocked, and even the top leaders of the Chinese Academy of Sciences who participated in the meeting frowned slightly, and muttered for a while before lowering his voice and questioning the man next to him: "Professor Nan, will this 500-meter caliber plan not quite conform to the reality of our country?" ”

Nan Binghuai replied in a low voice: "What do Vice President Ding think is not in line with my country's national conditions?" ”

"At present, the most developed countries dare not do things, will it be risky for us to rush into this project?"

Before Nan Binghuai could answer, a scientist in the audience had already proposed: "Professor Nan, building such a huge radio telescope will be an unprecedented challenge both economically and technically. Excuse me, does our country have such conditions at the current level? ”

Nan Binghuai hesitated, and before he could express his position, another female scientist also stood up and spoke: "Leaders, I am a staff member of a local observatory, and my vision of the vast universe is no worse than anyone else's, but if we are eager for quick success, if the project fails, then we will really do something that costs people and money." Therefore, I ask all leaders to be cautious. ”

When Vice Dean Ding heard this, he couldn't help but glance at Nan Binghuai again.

Nan Binghuai chased after the female scientist before he sat down: "May I ask that female comrade, should we give up the opportunity to seize the world's scientific and technological frontier just because we have gained and lost?" ”

The female scientist's cheeks heated: "Of course I didn't mean that, and I didn't agree with this project, but I just felt that your proposal for a high 500 caliber FAST was a bit like a fantasy." ”

A middle-aged Xie Ding scientist next to the female scientist immediately agreed: "Yes, the risk of engaging in such a big deal is really too big, and it is better to have a smaller caliber." ”

"Smaller? How small? ”

As soon as the middle-aged scientist heard Nan Binghuai personally ask himself, he stood up: "Since we want to do it, at least we can't surpass the developed countries." In this way, we can build on the successful experience of others. Otherwise, we won't have anything to draw from. ”

Nan Binghuai sneered slightly: "I heard that this comrade means that we are only worthy of chasing behind other people's butts, and we don't have the courage to surpass?" ”

"This... I didn't mean that, but I was still afraid that I would cause irreparable economic losses to the country because of quick success. ”

At this time, a respected old astronomer who sat side by side with Nan Binghuai on the rostrum spoke: "For us scientific and technological workers, no matter what scientific research we do, there is a price, even very heavy, and the success rate is not too high. It can be said that we often put in a hundredfold effort, but we do not reap a single fruit. Therefore, some tuition fees in our country must be paid in terms of scientific research. ”

The middle-aged scientist, like the female scientist next to him, sat down silently.

Calm was restored to the meeting for the time being.

At this time, Vice President Ding glanced at the respected old astronomer: "Is there anything else Academician Chen would like to say?" ”

This old astronomer, whose name is Chen Deming, has been working at the observatory for nearly 50 years, is a senior national astronomer, and has published hundreds of papers on astronomy.

At this moment, Chen Deming was a little excited: "When I saw the young faces in the audience, I couldn't help but feel a lot of emotion. I am glad that the motherland has so many young scientific and technological reserve forces, because many young scientific and technological workers here are still post-80s. Alas, I have been engaged in astronomy research for almost 50 years, and I dream that I can see the world outside of me clearly, and study it clearly. However, due to the limitations of objective material conditions, I have studied almost all my life, but there are still countless mysteries of the universe that cannot be revealed to the world. This is the regret of our generation. ”

Chen Deming's words made the scientists on and off the stage sigh, and they listened to him continue to talk with their ears down...

"Colleagues, for most of us who are engaged in scientific research, most of them cross the river by feeling the stones, and it is inevitable that they will not take detours and will inevitably encounter failures. However, failure is not terrible because it helps us accumulate successful experiences. Failure is the mother of success, and it is even more reflected in our scientific research workers. Colleagues, please think about it, whether it is our country or those countries with developed scientific and technological levels, which scientific and technological achievements are not built on the basis of countless failures? Our generation is old, and there are no more years to toss, but you are all full of vitality, are you afraid of failure? ”

Most of the scientists in the world are middle-aged, and there are also people between middle-aged and young people, and when they listen to the words of the old astronomer, they can't help but be in awe.

Chen Deming continued to talk eloquently: "You should not be afraid of failure, in our line of work, you may have put in a hundred times the effort, and you can't harvest a single fruit, but this is not the reason for us to stop, we must be like a soldier who charges into battle, the front has fallen, and the back has to continue to move forward bravely." Because our previous sacrifices have opened up a bloody path to victory for those who come after us. So. In this sense, you, as the younger generation of technologists, have to be brave enough to take on more difficult challenges. Because you are the pillars of our country's present and future, not only for yourself, but also for those astronomy enthusiasts, the country's infinite expectations of the whole world. More importantly, there are your unfinished dreams. ”

Bang Bang Bang!

The young and middle-aged scientists in the audience were infected by the words of the old astronomer and burst into warm applause.

Nan Binghuai on the stage resonated in his heart at this time, and the applause was warmer than anyone else.

Vice Dean Ding was also very encouraged, and when a burst of applause passed, he turned his gaze to Nan Binghuai on the other side: "Professor Nan has anything else to say?" ”

Nan Binghuai took off his glasses, wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes, and put them back on.

At this moment, the solemn eyes of both the audience and the audience were on him.

Nan Binghuai was reserved for a moment, and finally issued an excited voice: "Comrades, what Chen Lao said just now has touched my heart, I have received a very high honor from the country since I returned from studying abroad, and I have also done some work. However, I feel ashamed in my heart because I have not made scientific and technological achievements that I can be proud of. Now, I have entered the age of sixtieth, but for the sake of the dream since childhood, I would rather start again. No matter how many challenges we endure and how many ups and downs we experience, as long as we can do our part in the astronomical cause of our country, we will die without regrets. ”

The scientists in the audience applauded excitedly, including those who cast questioning glances.

As soon as Vice President Ding saw that the time was not early, he stood up and announced: "It is now the time to adjourn the meeting, please comrades discuss it again in private, and wait until the afternoon meeting to continue the discussion." ”

The scientists in the audience stood up one by one and walked along the evacuation door to the outside of the venue-

Of course, there are also some young and middle-aged scientists who are not in a hurry to go out, but to the rostrum.

When Nan Binghuai saw them coming, he also hurriedly walked down to face them.

They all said to Nan Binghuai: "Teacher Nan, you have spoken so well. We've got your back! ”

Nan Binghuai nodded excitedly at them: "Thank you for your support." ”

It turned out that they were all students brought out by Nan Binghuai himself.

One of the students immediately said: "Mr. Nan, if this project is established, I will be the first to sign up for this team." ”

"Me too."

"I'm going to take on the challenge with Teacher Nan too."

Nan Binghuai smiled with relief: "Thank you, classmates, with your support, I am more determined." ”

At this time, a young staff member of the venue came over and greeted Nan Binghuai politely: "Professor Nan, Vice President Ding invites you to attend the closed-door meeting in the West Conference Hall. ”

Nan Binghuai nodded from the staff: "Okay, I'll go over immediately." ”

The staff did not leave, apparently to take him there personally.

Nan Binghuai had no choice but to turn back to his students and explain: "I'm going to discuss with the leaders. Let's talk to the rest of the people. ”

"Okay, goodbye Mr. Nan." The students nodded knowingly.

Before turning to leave, Nan Binghuai explained to his students again: "I hope you will have a scientific attitude, not blindly support me just because I am your mentor, but also listen to those opposing voices, and listen to them at the same time." ”

"Okay, we got it." They couldn't help but be moved by the teacher's open mind.

Nan Binghuai immediately walked towards the west conference hall with his head held high under the guidance of the staff-

A national mega-project is about to begin.