Building a Sci-Fi Empire: Starting with Cold Nuclear Fusion

We're discussing serious business here.

Suddenly, Xiaoyun walked in from outside.

She went straight to Chen Yuan and Zhang Shulin, and greeted them, saying, "Engineer Chen, Professor Zhang."

Zhang Shulin nodded slightly. "Hello."

Chen Yuan looked over and asked, "Sister Xiaoyun, is something the matter?"

Xiaoyun pointed outside, "Minister Zhao wants you to go to his office. He says he has something to discuss with you."

Chen Yuan asked with concern, "Did he say what it was about?"

Xiaoyun shook her head and said, "No, they just said they wanted you to come over, but I just saw Zhen Yuhan go to Minister Zhao's office as well. Maybe you're new employees and there are some procedures or training issues that haven't been covered yet, so they wanted to have a chat with you."

That must be it, otherwise what else could have happened?

Without thinking much, Chen Yuan looked to the side and said, "Professor Zhang, I'll go see the minister first."

"Okay," Zhang Shulin replied, then reminded him, "Don't forget what I just told you."

Chen Yuan smiled and said, "No, I won't forget."

How could he forget something like this? After all, it concerned his own interests, and not just a little bit.

Although applying for a patent takes time, and logically speaking, even if he reaches an agreement with Huahe Nuclear Power, it may take a long time to receive the patent licensing fee. However, he believes that since Zhang Shulin values ​​carbon-14 nuclear battery technology so much, Huahe Nuclear Power must value it the same way. Perhaps he can get the money ahead of time.

Zhang Shulin just stated very directly that the initial basic cost would be at least five million.

Chen Yuan thought to himself, if he really had five million, not only would his life be much better, but he would also have spare money to buy materials and do his own research in private.

Anyway, with the quantum realm, I'm not afraid of not being able to research anything new and interesting.

Once cutting-edge scientific research results are achieved, a virtuous cycle will be formed.

If you apply for a patent yourself and then license it to others, isn't that a steady stream of money coming in?

Chen Yuan was very interested in and looked forward to Zhang Shulin's proposal to cooperate with China Nuclear Power.

As he walked out of the laboratory, he was still thinking about things in the field of quantum physics.

After these two research and development projects, he is now quite certain of the creative potential of quantum computing.

Therefore, if cold nuclear fusion can indeed be achieved, quantum computing will most likely be able to simulate it.

The problem now is that Chen Yuan has been using quantum computing to simulate cold fusion for more than two weeks, but there has still been no progress.

This made him doubt again: Is cold fusion really impossible?

Although Chen Yuan had such doubts, cold fusion is still in the simulation stage, which means that hope has not yet been lost.

In short, anything is possible.

……

Administration building.

In the R&D department head's office.

Zhen Yuhan stood dejectedly in front of Zhao Peng's desk, looking like a child who had made a mistake.

He would occasionally steal glances at Zhao Peng, who had been ignoring him for so long, out of the corner of his eye.

Zhao Peng, who was working on his computer at the moment, showed no emotion on his face and appeared unusually calm.

It was precisely this calm that made Zhen Yuhan even more terrified.

He had a bad feeling; Zhao Peng's behavior at this moment was somewhat like the calm before the storm.

Suddenly, Zhao Peng's phone screen lit up on his desk.

He picked it up, unlocked it, and looked at it. The face that had been completely devoid of emotion actually revealed a slight smile.

Seeing this, Zhen Yuhan was overjoyed, thinking that she could escape this calamity today.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Peng's smile only lasted for a moment.

When he looked up and stared directly at Zhen Yuhan, his expression instantly turned gloomy.

"Tell me, why are you in Lab One?"

Zhao Peng said in an unfriendly tone, "I don't remember your name being on the project team list. Tell me, why are you there!"

"I...I..." Zhen Yuhan stammered, "I...a leader asked me to go, saying...saying that I should go over there to do odd jobs and help out for the project team."

"snort!"

Zhao Peng snorted coldly and said, "The project team doesn't have an assistant, so they want you to go and do odd jobs? Which leader sent you? Tell me, and I'll go have a chat with this leader you're talking about!"

He knew perfectly well who had allowed Zhen Yuhan to go to the lab.

It was simply the other party's uncle, who was also the company's vice president, Zhen Youde.

If nothing had happened before, Zhao Peng would have given Vice President Zhen some face, since the other party was not only a vice president but also a member of the board of directors and held some shares in the company.

Now that a problem has arisen, and one that Zhao Peng believes is particularly damaging to the R&D department, he naturally won't tolerate it any longer.

Yes, Zhen Yuhan's uncle is the vice president, which is a very high position. However, Zhao Peng, as the head of the R&D department, is involved in the core of the company. So, in terms of position alone, he is basically on the same level as the vice president, except that the two have different jurisdictions.

Generally speaking, a vice president may be in charge of multiple departments, or assist the president or CEO in managing the company's daily operations and decision-making. A department head is the head of a specific functional department, so the department head's rank is usually lower than that of a vice president. However, Xinghe Company's articles of association are different. The department head's authority in the R&D department is no less than that of a vice president.

Of course, this is the internal level of Xinghe Company, and not every company is the same.

In some companies, the vice president is at a higher level, while the department head may be a middle-level manager. In other companies, the vice president has little real power, while the department head who leads a department is a middle-to-senior level manager with a lot of real power.

In addition, not every department head at Xinghe Company has such a high rank; some departments only have managers and no department heads at all.

Zhao Peng's high rank is entirely due to his position as the head of the R&D department. All of the company's production and technology are inseparable from him, and even adjustments to the operational direction must be discussed with him. This gives you an idea of ​​his status.

Therefore, the positions of vice president and minister cannot be compared in the same way in different companies.

Since they are equals in terms of position, why should Zhao Peng give them face when he has reached his limit?

He had already given her plenty of face because she was a board member and a minority shareholder, including holding a separate recruitment event for Zhen Yuhan and changing her mentor.

As a result, Zhen Yuhan was oblivious to the situation and even started a power struggle within the department.

Most importantly, it even involved Chen Yuan, whom Zhao Peng values ​​most right now. How could he possibly tolerate that?

Zhen Yuhan wasn't stupid; she knew she couldn't bring up her uncle at this time, otherwise the situation would change, and it would become that her uncle wanted to interfere in the R&D department's affairs. Her uncle had no say in the R&D department; the R&D department only dealt with the CEO and the board of directors.

The struggle for power and influence is a very serious matter and cannot be admitted lightly.

He quickly and tactfully begged for forgiveness, saying, "Minister, I was wrong, I was really wrong this time. I hope you can be lenient and give me another chance."

Zhao Peng said slowly and deliberately, "Saving face is mutual. I've always treated you well, and now that the company has such a crucial project, you're still stirring up trouble? I'd like to ask you, does my R&D department belong to the Zhen family?"

Zhen Yuhan was so frightened that she didn't dare to breathe, secretly groaning in her heart.

Zhao Peng ignored the other party's response and continued, "I'm warning you very seriously here: Chen Yuan is someone I value highly. If you continue to target him or report on him behind his back, don't blame me for firing you. Even if your uncle comes, it won't help. I, Zhao Peng, am saying this. You can try it if you don't believe me!"

Zhen Yuhan quickly replied, "I understand."

Zhao Peng hummed in agreement. "Alright, hand over your lab access pass, then go to HR for a month of training. Once you understand teamwork, you can come back to our R&D department. If you still can't understand these principles after a month of training, then you'd better ask your uncle to transfer you to another department, otherwise..."

Although he didn't say the last sentence, Zhen Yuhan knew what the other person was going to say, otherwise he would definitely have been fired by Zhao Peng!

He felt a chill run down his spine, realizing that Zhao Peng was serious this time.

This made Zhen Yuhan feel extremely bitter.

As a returnee from overseas with the backing of his vice president uncle, he originally thought he would be able to make great strides after joining the company.

Unexpectedly, just over two weeks after joining the company, he offended Chen Yuan, Zhao Peng's favorite, and was immediately sent to train on basic rules!

To be honest, he regrets it now. If he had known that targeting Chen Yuan would have such terrible consequences, he would have had to endure it no matter how jealous he was.

It's too late to say anything now; the "exile to the frontier" is a done deal.

It's unlikely he'll be able to turn things around in the R&D department anytime soon.

Although Zhen Yuhan was extremely upset because of this, he still obediently said, "Okay, I understand."

Just then, there was a knock on the office door.

Immediately afterwards, Chen Yuan's voice rang out from outside, "Minister Zhao, you wanted to see me?"

Zhao Peng had been frowning, but as soon as he heard Chen Yuan's voice, his face immediately lit up with a smile, and he hurriedly called out, "Little Chen, please come in."

When Zhen Yuhan heard the other party use the word "please," the bitterness in her heart intensified.

He knew that his status and position in the R&D department were no longer comparable to Chen Yuan's at this moment.

After Zhao Peng finished telling Chen Yuan to come in, he glanced at Zhen Yuhan with a slightly disgusted look. "Alright, go to the HR department for training. I have something important to discuss with Xiao Chen."

Helpless, Zhen Yuhan could only say, "Okay, goodbye, Minister."

Just as he turned to leave the office, Chen Yuan pushed open the door and came in.

The two passed each other by.

A face beaming with smiles.

One of them looked so lonely.

The two present a stark contrast.

Zhao Peng immediately greeted, "Xiao Chen, have a seat."

Without standing on ceremony, Chen Yuan walked to the leather chair in front of his desk, sat down, and asked with a smile, "What brings you here?"

"No rush." ​​Zhao Peng stood up. "What would you like to drink? Tea, or a soft drink? I have everything in my mini-fridge."

Chen Yuan stood up and waved his hand, saying, "Minister, you don't need to be so polite. I'm not thirsty. Just tell me what you need."

"Hey, even if you're not thirsty, have some. This tea of ​​mine is top-quality pre-Qingming Longjing, fresh tea leaves. You can taste it for me and see how it tastes."

Zhao Peng ran over and brewed a pot of tea, then turned around and poured a cup for Chen Yuan.

Chen Yuan quickly said thank you.

Finally, the two sat down and each took a sip of tea.

Chen Yuan hummed and said, "As expected of pre-Qingming Longjing tea, the taste is truly extraordinary."

Well, okay, he doesn't actually know how to appreciate tea; he's just flattering Zhao Peng for his good taste.

"I told you this tea was good, didn't I?"

Zhao Peng's face beamed with a smile as bright as a blooming flower. "If you like it, I'll give you three or five ounces later, that should be enough for you to drink for a while."

Chen Yuan declined, saying, "No need, no need. I appreciate your kindness, but I'm not very good at drinking tea and I'm afraid I'll ruin such a good cup."

"Tea is meant to be drunk. As long as it's in your stomach, it's not a waste. Don't refuse, I'll get you some later."

Zhao Peng insisted on giving it to him, and without waiting for Chen Yuan to speak again, he changed the subject, saying, "I called you here today to ask if you're satisfied with your work in the department these past two weeks?"

Chen Yuan said frankly, "I'm quite satisfied. The minister and manager have taken good care of me, and I also get along very well with my mentor and the other members of the project team."

Zhao Peng blinked and asked, "What do you think of Zhen Yuhan?"

Chen Yuan hesitated for a moment, but still didn't speak ill of him behind his back. Instead, he said vaguely, "I haven't had much contact with him, so I don't know him very well."

"Hmm." Zhao Peng didn't dwell on the issue too much, but said, "Since you're quite satisfied with your position in the department, and Manager Wang and I think highly of you, how about this: you fill out this 'Employee Probationary Period Completion Application Form,' and I'll send it to HR later."

what?

They just gave me a permanent position?

Chen Yuan had heard Lao Qin say before that he was actually qualified to be promoted, but he was slightly suppressed because of Zhen Yuhan.

He never expected that his performance today would lead Zhao Peng to disregard the fact that Zhen Yuhan's uncle was the vice president and directly promote him to a permanent position.

He was surprised, but he also knew it was perfectly reasonable.

After all, whether it was the previous 1175Ah battery cell project or this nuclear battery project in cooperation with Liyao, his contributions were outstanding.

Anyone with a bit of leadership ability would generally not let such an outstanding subordinate go to waste.

Therefore, Zhao Peng would definitely come to him as soon as possible and ask him to fill out the "Employee Probationary Period Application Form".

it is good!

That's wonderful!

I've finally been promoted to a full-time position!

Chen Yuan was in a great mood. Not only would his salary increase significantly after becoming a full-time employee, but it would also be much easier for him to make further contributions, get promoted, and receive a raise in the future.

He knew that he had now established himself firmly in the research and development department!