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

house.

Chen Yuan greeted the group of researchers dispatched from the research institute.

These expatriates have one thing in common: they all wear Bluetooth headsets.

Needless to say, these people can't make decisions, but the person on the other end of the phone has the final say.

After returning from buying bath towels, Ah Yu busied herself again, constantly serving tea and water.

Chen Yuan felt very apologetic about this.

As the rain subsided in the evening, Ah Yu prepared to leave.

Unexpectedly, a lot of people arrived during that time.

Ayu was worried that Chen Yuan would be too busy, so she volunteered to stay and help.

She didn't rest at all this afternoon.

Chen Yuan could see the fatigue on her face and felt a pang of sympathy.

"Phew, a hot shower makes me feel so much better."

Xin Long, wearing Chen Yuan's old T-shirt, walked over while drying his hair with a towel.

He glanced into the crowd and exclaimed, "Hey, Director Liu, Xiao Wu, Xiao Qian, you're here so quickly?"

Xiao Wu said, "We arrived right after you went into the bathroom to take a shower. Why were you in such a hurry for those few minutes? You even got soaked."

Liu Wei, Xiao Wu, Xiao Qian, and others have been here for a while.

Xin Long sat down next to Chen Yuan and asked, "Mr. Chen, have you confirmed their identities?"

Chen Yuan shook his head and said, "No, I don't know how to confirm."

Xin Long said, "Simple, just have them show their work IDs."

"have."

"Mr. Chen, this is my work ID."

"Look, I really am an overseas staff member from the Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences."

A group of people rushed to pull out their work IDs, their gazes toward Xin Long filled with hostility.

These people knew who Xin Long was and what his status was in nuclear technology research, but now that various research institutes were vying for time, no one was willing to give way to anyone else, so naturally they had to fight each other.

Chen Yuan glanced at everyone's work badges. Li Nian from the Institute of Plasma Physics, Qin Liang from the Huaxia Institute of Engineering Physics, Zheng Xiaojun from the Institute of Nuclear and New Energy Technology at Tsinghua University, Shang Xiaoqin from the Black Dragon River Atomic Energy Research Institute, and others all had valid identities.

In addition to these state-owned enterprises, central enterprises, and public institutions, a private company called "Aoxing Energy Research Institute" also sent a representative named "Zhu Changjun." It is unknown how they obtained the information.

Xin Long looked at Zheng Xiaojun, puzzled, and asked, "You mainly conduct nuclear fission research, so how come...?"

Zheng Xiaojun blinked and said, "We mainly engage in nuclear fission research, but that doesn't mean we can't engage in nuclear fusion research. As long as Mr. Chen is willing, our research institute can fully cooperate with him in nuclear fusion research and development. We have funding and manpower; everything is negotiable!"

His tone was very arrogant, and it was clear that he was determined to get Chen Yuan.

Xin Long felt the pressure, knowing that Zheng Xiaojun was a formidable competitor.

He then looked at Zhu Changjun, "Hey, isn't Aoxing a private company? Does it have the capability to support Mr. Chen's nuclear fusion research?"

Zhu Changjun said confidently, "The chairman said that as long as Mr. Chen is willing to come to the company, he will do anything, even if it means selling everything he owns. Although our chairman is not one of the world's top billionaires, he is worth at least 70 or 80 billion. If all else fails, we can find someone to raise funds. We can support a large-scale nuclear fusion research and development project."

Xin Long: "..."

He never imagined that private enterprises could be so crazy.

Given the state of private enterprises, he naturally knew exactly how much money his two main competitors, the Institute of Plasma Physics and the China Academy of Engineering Physics, were willing to spend to win Chen Yuan over.

Upon realizing that something was wrong, Xinlong regretted it even more. Originally, he had no competitors, but because he arbitrarily thought that the "hydrogen bomb Dyson sphere" was nonsense, he got up and left, which led to him now having to compete with a group of powerful research institutes for people. He couldn't be more regretful.

There's no going back in life, so he could only pull himself together and think about how to persuade Chen Yuan to join Huazhong Nuclear Power.

At this moment, Zhang Shulin came out from inside.

He sneezed and said, "Xiao Chen, do you have any medicine at home? I think I'm catching a cold."

"Yes, I'll go get it for you."

Chen Yuan stood up and went into the bedroom to find cold medicine.

As soon as Xin Long saw Zhang Shulin, his mind immediately started working.

He knew that Zhang Shulin and Chen Yuan had a good relationship, and he wondered if he could use this to his advantage and play the emotional card.

A moment later, Chen Yuan returned with the cold medicine.

Ayu poured Zhang Shulin a cup of hot water.

Chen Yuan looked at everyone and said, "You all want me to work at your respective research institutes, but I'm too busy to be in two places at once. How about this, you tell me your requirements, and I'll go to whichever one I think is more suitable, okay?"

"it is good."

"Can."

"Although I am an expatriate, my supervisor said that my word counts. If the deal is reached, he will come to you immediately after he gets off the plane to discuss the details."

Shang Xiaoqin, Zheng Xiaojun, Li Nian, and others responded one after another.

Although Xin Long felt remorseful, he still responded hastily, expressing his willingness to accept Chen Yuan's proposal.

Qin Liang from the China Academy of Engineering Physics listened to the conversation in the earpiece before speaking first: "Mr. Chen, we cannot offer you a very high position at the moment. We are a national-level institution, and high-ranking positions require approval from higher authorities. However, we will try our best to apply for one for you. As for the salary... an annual salary of five million is generally not possible for our institution. Even the chief engineer's annual salary is only six hundred thousand. For you, we are willing to offer a higher salary, and we can guarantee it will be the highest within the academy. What do you think?"

Chen Yuan countered, "How much funding are you willing to provide for my research and development of controlled nuclear fusion?"

Qin Liang said, "If it's the 'hydrogen bomb Dyson sphere' project, our research institute will apply for at least 20 billion yuan in funding from above."

He wouldn't dare promise so much R&D funding for a typical nuclear fusion project, but major research institutes believe that this semi-controlled nuclear fusion project has a high probability of being realized. At that time, the global energy industry may be reshuffled as a result, and investing 20 billion in R&D funding is really not much.

To put it bluntly, it's fortunate that other companies are unaware of the situation; otherwise, let alone 20 billion, those crazy capitalists at home and abroad would probably be willing to spend 100 billion.

Whether it's salary or research funding, the China Academy of Engineering Physics has shown great sincerity.

Xin Long felt increasingly pressured.

Chen Yuan nodded slightly and looked at the others. "And you?"

Shang Xiaoqin said helplessly, "After hearing Mr. Qin's conditions, I can only admit that I am not as good as him. As a public institution of the second category, our Black Dragon River Atomic Energy Research Institute cannot match such high salaries or research and development funds."

Chen Yuan said, "It's alright, I'll listen to the others."

Zhu Changjun continued, "Mr. Chen, if you are willing to work for our Aoxing, the chairman said that the annual salary is 20 million, and we can accept technology as equity investment. The R&D funding will be no less than 30 billion. As long as you nod your head, he will raise the money overnight."

The biggest difference between private and state-owned enterprises is that there are no standardized requirements for salaries, allowing them to offer higher wages.

This is something that other state-owned enterprises, central enterprises, and public institutions at the scene cannot match.

No one expected that Zhu Changjun's offer would be even better than Qin Liang's.

Xin Long felt increasingly pressured and kept communicating with his superiors on his phone, trying to win this competition.

Chen Yuan still didn't give in, and looked at the others.

Subsequently, Zheng Xiaojun and the other people each stated their terms, all of which were very generous, with annual salaries ranging from one million to five million. In terms of R&D funding, except for one company that could only guarantee no less than 10 billion, the others all indicated more than 20 billion, but none of them mentioned as much as Zhu Changjun.

Currently, only two companies remain silent: the China Nuclear Industry and the Institute of Plasma Physics.

Xin Long glanced at his phone, already having a clear idea of ​​the situation, and said, "Currently, the highest-paid employee at Huahe Nuclear Power is the general manager of its subsidiary, Huahe Power, earning over 1.62 million yuan annually. If you're willing to take the position, we can offer an annual salary of 4 million yuan, with R&D funding of no less than 40 billion yuan. What do you think?"

He was very nervous. The salary offered by Huahe Nuclear Power was not as good as that of Aoxing Company, but it had the advantage in project funding.

Most people would consider their own needs first, and then consider the project funding.

Therefore, Xin Long feared that Chen Yuan would choose Aoxing instead of Huahe.

Li Nian, the representative of the Institute of Plasma Physics who had been silent for a while, listened to the voice in the earpiece. "We are a public institution, so we can't offer very high positions, but we have no problem with authority. As long as it's within a reasonable range, we can cooperate with Mr. Chen. Regarding salary and benefits, the dean said that the annual salary is 5.63 million, and the research and development funding is guaranteed to be no less than 50 billion. You don't need to worry about not being able to raise enough funds. For projects like the 'Hydrogen Bomb Dyson Sphere,' we can apply for the National Major Science and Technology Project to obtain a large amount of project funding. In addition, we can ensure sufficient funding through the National Natural Science Foundation of China, self-raised funds, and other means."

At this point, he appealed to people's emotions, saying, "I won't comment on the conditions of other research institutes, but they are far from Suzhou, while our Institute of Plasma Physics is only three or four hundred kilometers away from Suzhou, a four or five-hour drive, which is convenient for you to come and go."

Everyone thought that was the end of it.

Unexpectedly, Li Nian dropped a bombshell: "Our unit is affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences. If Mr. Chen is willing to join and achieves research results, we will contact the academicians, or through the China Association for Science and Technology, recommend you for academician status. At that time, you may become the youngest academician!"

Upon hearing this, Xin Long, Zhu Changjun, and the others all felt a chill run down their spines, knowing that it was all over.

As expected, Chen Yuan's face showed satisfaction. "The conditions are very good. If you can guarantee the research and development funding you mentioned, then... I agree to work for you."

Li Nian decisively replied, "This can be written into the contract; we can guarantee it!"

Upon hearing this, Xin Long, Zheng Xiaojun, Zhu Changjun, and the others couldn't help but sigh.

Xin Long, in particular, could have invited Chen Yuan to Huahe Nuclear Power with a slightly lower cost, but he missed the opportunity because he didn't have the patience to listen to Chen Yuan finish explaining the "hydrogen bomb Dyson sphere"!

At that moment, he was filled with remorse!

Unlike the others who sighed, Chen Yuan felt a surge of excitement.

I don't care about annual salary or not.

In the realm of quantum physics, making money is easy.

He doesn't care about the title of academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. If you're capable, why are you afraid of not having a title?

Chen Yuan is concerned about research and development funding.

This provides sufficient research and development funding to build a controlled nuclear fusion reactor.

Before contacting other research institutes, Chen Yuan thought that getting 20 billion yuan through negotiations with Huahe would be a good result.

Unexpectedly, after contacting a number of research institutes, the Institute of Plasma Physics was willing to offer a generous 50 billion yuan in research and development funding.

This is more than double the 20 billion I had expected.

it is good!

That's wonderful!

With so much research and development funding, I am confident that I can build a controlled nuclear fusion reactor.

Then, by utilizing the large energy output of the reactor, a cold fusion reactor can be created!

Chen Yuan was satisfied; his dream was finally about to begin.

He can't wait to go to the Institute of Plasma Physics and make his mark!