"Sorry, it really wasn't my intention for things to turn out like this.
"I … didn't plan to publish that paper, but I didn't expect my students to act so fast. I contacted the Institute of Physics yesterday, and they withdrew the paper, but it seems to be useless. "
The phone call was from Academician Qiu Mingrui.
His voice was full of exhaustion and self-blame.
Lu Zhou could hear that it was not his intention for things to turn out like this. He did not expect that this academic debate would be used as a political tool by people with ulterior motives.
Looking at the old man in the video window, Lu Zhou comforted him.
"You can't be blamed for this. Even without your thesis, what's going to happen will happen."
Just like without the gunshots in Sarajevo, a war would eventually break out. Lu Zhou did not think that the foundation hiding in the dark would let him go and watch the second-generation controllable fusion research project be launched.
Whether it was because of the old grievances from a century ago or the conflicts of interest in the new century, they were placed on the opposite side.
"Thank you, you can understand my difficulties …"
Qiu Mingrui looked at Lu Zhou gratefully. He hesitated to tell Lu Zhou about the matter, but thinking of that person's last warning, he finally held back.
After all, he was just a scholar. Even as an academician, he only had a dazzling academic aura compared to ordinary people. In the face of real power and the threat of death, it was nothing at all.
Not to mention being involved in their conspiracy …
"That's it, I still have an important meeting … If you have any new clues, call me again."
Glancing at the time on the holographic window, Lu Zhou estimated that Li Guangya, who was sitting across the conference table, was getting impatient, so he ended the conversation and hung up the phone.
Although he had a hunch that the old man had not told him something, it was not important anymore.
As early as when the chaos in Guanghan City had just happened, he instructed Xiao Ai to focus on Academician Qiu Mingrui. Although he did not think that this riot was related to Academician Qiu, after all, he was in the center of the vortex of public opinion, and he was a chess piece full of variables. There was no reason that the foundation would not contact him.
In a sense, his actions were also a form of protection.
If nothing unexpected happened, the fish hiding in the dark should have already started to bite the bait.
Whether it was a big fish or a small fish, he just needed to wait patiently for the results …
After the call, Lu Zhou reached out his index finger and swiped in the air, turning off the holographic window.
Seeing that he was finally done, Li Guangya, who was sitting across the conference table, asked casually.
"Who called?"
"Academician Qiu."
"Qiu Mingrui?"
"Yes."
As if there was no topic to talk about, the conversation between the two came to an abrupt end.
Li Guangya and Lu Zhou stared at each other. Nothing could be seen on Li Guangya's face, but he was having a headache in his heart.
Whether it was to calm the grievances of the residents of Guanghan City or to correct his attitude, as the chairman of the Pan-Asian Cooperation, it was necessary for him to talk to the East Asia Power.
However, he didn't know what to talk about after he invited them over.
To put it bluntly, there was nothing to talk about.
Sitting across from him was the greatest scholar from a hundred years ago. If he had the ability to question him academically, he wouldn't be the chairman.
Looking at the indifferent Lu Zhou, Li Guangya sighed and spoke euphemistically.
"Since so many people are against you, can't we take down the space elevator first?"
Hearing this unexpected sentence, Lu Zhou was slightly stunned. He didn't figure out the relationship for a while.
He calmed down and spoke.
"The space elevator … involves too many things. I only have 30% confidence at most. However, after a hundred years of research, the time is now ripe for the second-generation controllable fusion. "
"The time is ripe, but the problem is that you have to consider what everyone wants." Li Guangya said with a headache, "At least in my opinion, the first-generation fusion technology is completely sufficient, even if it lasts for another 50 years, it won't be a problem. Can't we solve the problem in front of us first, and then consider the option that we can choose or not to choose? "
"In my opinion, this is the problem at hand." After a moment of silence, Lu Zhou continued, "The second-generation controllable fusion technology is the prerequisite for interstellar navigation. Relying only on the first-generation controllable fusion technology, we can only cruise in the solar system at most, but if we master the second-generation controllable fusion technology, we can even go to the world several light-years away. "
Li Guangya: "No room for negotiation?"
Lu Zhou shook his head.
"If it doesn't work, I will think of another way, such as going to the Lagrange Space Base or Mars with large wastelands to do this experiment."
Although this was not a suitable choice, it was indeed a backup option. Lu Zhou had seriously considered it, but these two backup options might be troublesome.
Moving the reactor to the space station was the least likely to cause controversy, but it would increase the maintenance cost and safety risks of the reactor. The unlimited responsibility system and centralized autonomous management of Tiangong City might be more convenient than the Guanghan Special Zone. Even the death of two people on Mars wouldn't be considered news. However, the tough people and the proliferation of weapons might have an unpredictable impact on the progress of the experiment.
There was also the threat of space pirates …
Unless it was a last resort, he didn't want to send his researchers to such a dangerous place.
"But if this is the case, the cost will be very high." Li Guangya touched his chin and said thoughtfully, "I heard that the fuel for the second-generation fusion is helium-3 and deuterium. These two things can only be obtained on the Moon and Earth, respectively."
Looking at Li Guangya, Lu Zhou suddenly didn't quite understand what Li Guangya wanted to do.
"… Yes, and the energy demand on Mars is not as large as the Earth-Moon system. My original idea was to build a moon-based second-generation fusion reactor on the Moon, then use high-power laser transmission technology to transmit electricity to the repeater in the geosynchronous orbit, and then to the Earth power grid, creating an Earth-Moon energy corridor."
After a pause, Lu Zhou shrugged and continued.
"But now it seems that my idea may have ignored the feelings of the residents of Guanghan City."
Li Guangya: "You really haven't considered it. In your eyes, there are only your research and papers. You forget that they are all living people! Of course, people will be afraid, and they will be incited because of fear, unless the disaster happens to others! If it were me, I would definitely not be so direct. For example, for the space elevator, I would first conceive a reason that sounds reasonable, and then try to arrange a mascot to make people believe in me, or believe in themselves. Building this elevator is their faith and the mission given to them by the times!
"Just like in war, you have to give them the courage and honor to face death first in order to make them not afraid of death. Or you can only use a whip to whip their butts and force them to charge. But think about it, this is the 22nd century. Is that even possible?! "
Lu Zhou frowned.
"Mascot?"
"Ahem … I mean to set up a few glorious examples. Why don't you listen to the main point?" Li Guangya coughed and forcibly changed the topic. He continued, "Let's make a deal. I help you, and you help me. Helping each other is good for both of us. We can all leave a name in history. "
Leave a name in history …
It feels like a distant word.
Although he was not interested in leaving a name in history, Lu Zhou still had a trace of interest in his proposal.
"What do you want me to help you with?"
"The space elevator." Li Guangya said, "I will help you settle the matters in Guanghan City. In exchange, I hope you will serve as the chief consultant for the scientific development of Pan-Asian Cooperation and the chief designer of the space elevator! Even if it's just in name. "
In other words, do you want me to stand for the space elevator plan?
Lu Zhou took about half a minute to think about this matter and finally spoke.
"I can, but I'm afraid I have to wait until the second-generation controllable fusion technology is completed before I can be free."
Li Guangya asked with a frown.
"How long will it take to build this second-generation fusion reactor?"
Lu Zhou thought about it and replied.
"One year, maybe two years. My intuition tells me that the final result is not far away."
"Then set a preset period of one year." Li Guangya continued, "After one year, you will serve as the chief consultant for the scientific development of Pan-Asian Cooperation! Regardless of whether you participate or not, I need your name! "
"Deal."
Although Lu Zhou saw the cunning in this guy's eyes, he still agreed.
Whether it was for fame or for profit, the result was always good.
Speaking of selfishness, everyone had their own selfishness, including himself.
This kind of insignificant thing, perhaps only a child would care about it when he went back.
At this moment, the watch on Lu Zhou's left wrist suddenly flickered slightly, and the icon of a phone notification popped up.
Noticing this scene, Li Guangya suddenly showed a speechless expression on his face. He sighed and said.
"Why do you have so many calls?"
"Maybe it's because I'm busy … I'll go out and pick it up."
"Can't you just pick it up here like just now?"
"No, because it's not very convenient."
After dropping this sentence, Lu Zhou got up and walked out of the conference room.
Looking at the empty conference room, Li Guangya leaned back in his chair and waited impatiently for about two minutes.
Finally, the door opened again, and Lu Zhou walked back from outside.
Li Guangya noticed the strange expression on Lu Zhou's face. His eyebrows raised a curious arc as he asked casually.
"What is it?"
Returning to the chair and sitting down, Lu Zhou replied casually with a weird expression.
"Nothing, I just caught a big fish."
Moreover, it was an unexpected big fish …
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