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

After saying goodbye to Fang Wenbin, Chen Yuan was preparing to leave the research institute to move.

Suddenly, Xu Gang received a phone call.

He mumbled a few "uh-huhs" and handed the phone to Chen Yuan, saying, "The dean wants to see you."

Chen Yuan took the phone and held it to his ear. "Good afternoon, Dean."

"Good afternoon, Mr. Chen," Shen Yun's voice came through. "Have you met the driver and the assigned vehicle yet?"

The research institute had promised to provide a car, but Chen Yuan hadn't seen it yet, and he thought the institute assumed he already had a car and wasn't entitled to one.

Without thinking much of it, he casually replied, "I just met with Xiao Fang, but I haven't seen the car yet."

"Okay, no rush, you'll see it in a bit."

Shen Yun said in a serious tone, "Do you have time? I have something important to tell you."

Chen Yuan said, "Yes, please speak."

Shen Yun didn't keep them in suspense and explained the reason: "I received a call this morning and immediately went to Beijing on a business trip. I had a Q&A session with leaders from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and other relevant departments before the 'semi-controlled nuclear fusion' project application was submitted. The leaders asked me to ask if you have 100% mastered the hydrogen bomb nuclear fusion technology?"

Chen Yuan affirmed, "Yes, one hundred percent. You wouldn't be applying for the 'Hydrogen Bomb Dyson Sphere' project, would you?"

Shen Yun chuckled and said, "How can we apply for research funding if we don't get the 'Hydrogen Bomb Dyson Sphere' project approved soon?"

Chen Yuan's expression turned serious. "I understand what you mean, but you don't understand what I mean."

Shen Yun asked in confusion, "What do you mean by that?"

Chen Yuan glanced to the side and said, "Could you please stand a little further away? I need to discuss something confidential with the dean."

"it is good."

"You guys talk first, we'll go over there."

Xu Gang, Chu Yingying, and Fang Wenbin were quite sensible and went to wait by the administration building about 10 or 20 meters away.

Chen Yuan walked to the flower bed in front of him and continued, "This time, we can't apply for 'hydrogen bomb Dyson sphere,' but rather 'controlled nuclear fusion.' Note that it's not semi-controlled nuclear fusion. The project application must clearly state that it is controlled nuclear fusion."

"Huh?" Shen Yun exclaimed in surprise, "Controlled nuclear fusion? You wouldn't happen to...?"

Chen Yuan did not answer directly, "Whether it is the nuclear fusion research and development project in the current experimental stage or the hydrogen bomb Dyson sphere, their purpose is all to serve the realization of controlled nuclear fusion. What we need to do is not only to develop semi-controlled nuclear fusion technology, but to achieve controlled nuclear fusion as much as possible. Therefore, this application for project approval must be for controlled nuclear fusion."

Shen Yun seemed to understand something, and said with great surprise, "Okay, I understand what to do. However, the application for project approval requires providing the basis for the project, research content, technical route, expected results, budget, and information on team members. Everything else is easy, but how should I write the research content and technical route?"

Chen Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Leave these two aspects to me."

"Okay," Shen Yun agreed. "By the way, the leader said that the project we're working on this time might be classified as 'top secret,' so the project won't be made public for a certain period of time. A large project may involve many sub-projects, and often involves many companies and universities working together. These all require open bidding, but if it's a top secret project, then it can't be put out to tender. In that case, our unit will need to work with you to select suitable companies and universities as targets, and then send out invitations for cooperation interviews. You need to be mentally prepared for this."

A large-scale scientific research project may involve several to dozens of companies and universities.

Systematic and platform-based innovation initiatives can cover hundreds or even thousands of organizations.

It is perfectly normal for large-scale scientific research projects like controlled nuclear fusion to involve collaboration among hundreds of institutions.

Selecting partners one by one, sending out interview invitations, and conducting interview reviews would indeed be a huge undertaking for both Chen Yuan and the Institute of Plasma Physics.

Chen Yuan knew that the burden on his shoulders would be heavy, but he still said forcefully, "Understood. Once the project is approved and the funds are in place, we will send interview invitations to the selected partners as soon as possible."

Shen Yun said, "Well, although there is about a six-month gap between the application and approval process, now that we have decided on the project, we will definitely have to do a lot of preliminary work during this period. Be prepared."

Chen Yuan frowned and asked, "Does it really take this long to get approved?"

Shen Yun said with a wry smile, "Half a year is considered fast. Normally, such a major project would go through many procedures, such as a first round of review and a second round of defense. All of these take time. We are applying for a national-level major scientific research project, not an internal project of a private enterprise."

Chen Yuan asked, "Is there any way to get the approval faster?"

Shen Yun said helplessly, "No, under normal circumstances, we don't. We can only apply for emergency project approval in case of an emergency. How could our project possibly be in an emergency? The higher-ups definitely want us to be as thorough as possible, and thoroughness takes time to prepare. You understand what I mean?"

Chen Yuan said, "Understood."

Shen Yun didn't waste any more words, gave a few brief instructions, and hung up the phone.

Half a year is too long.

I don't have any specific work at the research institute, so I can't just sit idle, can I?

Chen Yuan pondered how to obtain approval as soon as possible.

He couldn't think of it right away, given how huge the project was.

Without prior review, it's impossible to confidently approve a project.

Chen Yuan didn't continue thinking about it and called Xu Gang, Chu Yingying, and Fang Wenbin over.

The four continued walking towards the parking lot.

Perhaps because Chen Yuan was preoccupied, he remained silent, and the others did not speak either.

A moment later, we arrived at the parking lot.

Chen Yuan was about to take the car keys to open the Audi that A Yu had lent him.

Suddenly, Fang Wenbin took out his car keys from his pocket and said, "Mr. Chen, please take the car provided by the research institute. Miss Chu can help you drive your car back."

Xu Gang, seemingly afraid that Chen Yuan would refuse, seized the opportunity to say, "The car our research institute has provided for you is very safe, Xiao Chen, don't drive your own car."

The Audi would eventually have to be returned to Ayu, and Chen Yuan couldn't keep driving it forever, so he didn't object to the research institute asking him to change cars.

He nodded and asked, "Okay, which car should I take?"

Fang Wenbin pointed to a lane not far away: "This one."

Chen Yuan looked in the direction he was pointing.

There was a Hongqi car over there, its model unknown, but it was very aesthetically pleasing.

He was taken aback when he saw the Hongqi car, because it was unlike any other model on the market.

Chen Yuan walked towards the car and asked curiously, "Which model of Hongqi is this?"

Fang Wenbin introduced it as "Hongqi N701".

"Never heard of it."

I've never heard of Chen Yuan.

Upon hearing the introduction, Chu Yingying was inwardly shocked.

She knew what kind of car the Hongqi N701 was.

This is a top-of-the-line official vehicle, entirely handmade.

We do not accept orders from individuals, nor do we export.

But that alone was not enough to horrify her.

Chu Yingying was horrified because the Hongqi N701 was a special vehicle equipped with bulletproof, fireproof, and medical systems.

Unlike the Hongqi L5, which can be purchased after passing a political review, this vehicle doesn't even offer the opportunity for a political review and is generally used as a ceremonial car to entertain top foreign dignitaries.

Is it suitable for this car?

At this moment, she realized that Chen Yuan's "boss" status was not simple at all!