“Hold on, Chen Feng. Ming Mountain District absolutely cannot undertake this crucial link in the cold nuclear fusion industrial chain,” Principal Luo directly stopped Chen Feng.
“Principal Luo, why are you so sure?” Chen Feng remained unruffled. As long as Principal Luo could converse with him calmly, there was hope of securing the task. What he feared most was silence from the other side, which clearly indicated no hope at all.
“The muon collider project, a vital link in the cold nuclear fusion industrial chain, is beyond Ming Mountain District’s overall capabilities,” Principal Luo stated the truth directly without hesitation.
“Principal Luo, muons are merely catalysts, not the core of the cold fusion reaction. If Sanshui University of Science and Technology keeps this segment in the provincial capital, it will only make their cold nuclear fusion project cumbersome and inefficient. Therefore, it must be decentralized. As for your concern that Ming Mountain District’s overall strength is weak, that is a misunderstanding on your part. After years of development, Ming Mountain District is already among the top three in economic development in Jiangcheng. This economic growth rate is absolutely worthy of the muon collider project,” Chen Feng explained with a serious expression.
“Alright, even if what you’ve said is true. The problem is, if the muon collider project is established in Ming Mountain District, who will be responsible for it?” Principal Luo tested Chen Feng. In other major cities, if the answer to this question was not good, they would uniformly suggest that the local top political leader head the project. Wasn’t that nonsensical? Such a high-tech project entrusted to an outsider. Therefore, despite the excellent conditions offered by these major cities, Principal Luo rejected them outright. The reason was simple: technology not only required consideration of efficiency but also in-depth development. An outsider leading the project would undoubtedly ruin high-end technology, and even with superior conditions, it could not be agreed upon. For high-precision, cutting-edge technology that involves the foundation of Huaxia, not a shred of carelessness could be tolerated.
“Principal Luo, I’ve already thought about this. If the muon collider is established in Ming Mountain District, the project director must be a nuclear physicist from Sanshui University of Science and Technology. Only he, and no one else, can ensure the successful development of the muon collider project,” Chen Feng replied with firm conviction.
“Aren’t you tempted by such a lucrative opportunity?” Principal Luo asked intentionally.
“Principal Luo, you misunderstand me. It’s true that I am a political official, and it’s true that I like money. However, I am clear about what money can be taken and what cannot. Huaxia currently lacks high-tech industries the most. Profiting extensively from high-tech industries will only lead to stagnation in Huaxia’s nascent technological sector. I will not do anything that hinders the future development of Huaxia. Furthermore, if I wanted to make money, I wouldn’t go through such a grand effort to come to Sanshui University of Science and Technology. Frankly, preparing speeches for both purified water equipment and cold nuclear fusion is time-consuming and labor-intensive. As the head of the Ming Mountain District Development and Reform Commission, I could easily find a few bosses in the industrial zone and deliberately create difficulties for them with policies, and the money would come.” Chen Feng patiently explained.
“That makes a lot of sense. You’re indeed going to great lengths to profit from the cold nuclear fusion project. However, some people aren't motivated by money, but by fame, by having something good to say. The title of General Manager or Chief Engineer for the cold nuclear fusion project, the halo of such a reputation, is something few can resist,” Principal Luo continued to probe Chen Feng.
“Principal Luo, you can rest assured about this. I enjoy other forms of fame and will not pass up opportunities. However, I am truly not tempted by fame in technology. To be honest, because of chips, and because of armed-and-unmanned aerial vehicles… the Huaxia military has several times offered me the title of military high-tech engineer, and I have refused them all. My idea is simple: once I accept such a title, I must devote myself entirely to chips and armed-and-unmanned aerial vehicles. Frankly, I cannot do that. My goal is to climb the political ladder step by step, reaching the highest echelons of Huaxia’s political arena, to change the political ecosystem and truly make Huaxia rise. I have the same idea for cold nuclear fusion. I am merely a Zhao Kuo in knowledge of cold nuclear fusion and cannot bear the title of engineer in this field. Moreover, I believe that in the future, Huaxia will not only lead in cold nuclear fusion but also in many other technological fields. Therefore, I am not really concerned about expert titles in cold nuclear fusion. My idea is very simple: the sustained development of Huaxia’s cold nuclear fusion and the accompanying economic development of Ming Mountain District, killing two birds with one stone.” Chen Feng revealed his innermost thoughts word by word.
After listening, Principal Luo was thoroughly convinced by Chen Feng’s vision. He immediately agreed to relocate several key segments of the cold nuclear fusion industrial chain from Sanshui University of Science and Technology to Ming Mountain District. Furthermore, Chen Feng would not need to worry about the relevant enormous funds, as Sanshui University of Science and Technology would directly apply for Huaxia’s high-tech development funds. In recent years, Huaxia’s investment in high-tech development funds has been substantial, fully demonstrating Huaxia’s emphasis on technology. This is also one of the reasons for Huaxia’s rapid economic development in recent years.
“Principal Luo, thank you.” Chen Feng bowed sincerely to Principal Luo.
“Chen Feng, please don't mention thanks. If thanks must be said, then I should be thanking you. As you said, you are not a nuclear physicist. However, your political vision and your talent in science and engineering… in the near future, these factors will lead you to guide Huaxia’s scientific community to the pinnacle of world technology. Scientists are very important, but it is even more important for the political leadership to respect scientists and utilize them effectively. And you, in the near future, will be that leader who respects and utilizes scientists,” Principal Luo said excitedly. Chen Feng smiled humbly. After chatting for a while longer, Chen Feng returned to Ming Mountain District. The president of Sanshui University of Science and Technology had already initiated the project to relocate segments of the cold nuclear fusion industrial chain. This project could directly increase Ming Mountain District’s economy severalfold. Under such circumstances, the issue of upgrading Ming Mountain District to a developed county-level city must be considered.
“Chen Feng, your prediction is correct. I just received notification from the provincial capital that preparations are being made to upgrade Ming Mountain District to a province-administered county-level city,” Qin Yan said excitedly.
“Finally, we’ve achieved some success,” Chen Feng remarked unconsciously.
“Mm.” Qin Yan’s demeanor suddenly shifted, and a sense of loss spread across her brow. Chen Feng had collaborated with Qin Yan for many years, and he immediately detected this subtle change in her expression.
“Director Qin, is there any bad news?” Chen Feng asked directly.
“No,” Qin Yan replied, feigning composure.
“Director Qin, I’m not someone who can’t handle things, so you don’t need to hide it from me. Besides, paper cannot wrap fire; it can’t be hidden,” Chen Feng said calmly.
“Chen Feng, since you’ve put it this way, I won’t hold back. The provincial capital has preliminarily drafted the leadership team for Mingshan City, and neither I, you, nor Cheng Lu are included in the leadership lineup. According to the higher-ups, we will be transferred to other districts, with our positions remaining unchanged…” Qin Yan dared not look at Chen Feng. Despite her full dedication and exceptional abilities, she still couldn’t escape the darkness of the political arena, and she truly feared that Chen Feng wouldn't be able to withstand this heavy blow.