While the United States is finding another way to regain its advantage from China, on Chen Nian's side, various tasks have entered the intense but dull "standardized" research and development stage.
If he knew that the United States had actually begun to think about the military use of quantum computing in this era, and had begun to try to break the traditional RSA encryption algorithm, he might really feel strong pressure.
After all, this is technology that can literally kill a game.
Once the United States really develops a quantum computer, once they really break the RSA encryption system, in what direction will the situation develop?
First of all, the financial system around the world has become unsafe. As long as banks and financial institutions covered by the SWIFT network, it is impossible to escape the fate of being cut off by the United States.
Because the current security of banks is based on the RSA algorithm!
By that time, the saying "the money in a bank card is just a string of numbers" will really become a reality.
On the other hand, the secrecy of the military intelligence system will also become a joke.
Although China's confidentiality measures are more conservative than those of the United States, and even many top-secret files are still stored in paper and physical ways, but after the large-scale paralysis of the intelligence network, it wants to organize a threatening war , it has completely become a luxury.
Because the United States can even directly enter the Chinese command system and issue orders to various combat units in China.
To avoid this situation, the only way is to completely abandon the mature electronic system, cut off the data link, and completely return to the era of radio command.
And what about the old Americans?
They still have to continue to promote ADTS.
By that time, under the circumstances of ebb and flow, no matter how advanced and powerful your weapons are, without the crucial condition of "information", they can only be reduced to piles of useless scrap metal.
It must be said that the US's thinking is extremely leap-forward, extremely risky, but also extremely advanced.
They are always able to keenly capture the slightest opportunity for a comeback in the most difficult circumstances.
Is this probably their national character?
From the beginning of the westward expansion movement, from the cowboys, robbers, and rangers active on the plains, this kind of national character has been deeply rooted in the bone marrow of everyone in this country.
Being able to make such a decision and obtain official approval does indeed prove their so-called "unity" to a certain extent.
Any country that once held world power cannot be underestimated.
Of course, Chen Nian doesn't know this yet.
After discussing the latest theories about American plasma control, he and various departments of the Spark Team entered the intense, high-pressure but leisurely "standardized" research and development process.
For more than a month, he almost never left Cheng Fei.
Either he would shut himself in the office to absorb relevant knowledge about the subsequent first wall materials, or he would discuss the optimization plan of the Zhanlu project with Wang Jiancheng.
Or, just spend time in the laboratory with members of the Tinder Group, constantly advancing the related theories of plasma control.
In fact, they're making rapid progress.
Although the original purpose was just to run the team together, after a long period of research work, a lot of results, large and small, were produced.
But unfortunately, these results are still one step away from truly meeting the "available requirements" for plasma control.
It seems easy to get over it, but when you actually start, it is extremely difficult.
Even after the EAST plasma small test device is built and a certain range of experiments and data simulations can be carried out, this step will be difficult to overcome.
It is precisely because of this that the atmosphere in the entire group is a bit heavy.
In the office, everyone gathered in a circle silently, and Chen Nian was in the middle summarizing the latest progress.
".So based on the current experimental and simulation results, several theories proposed by the other party have not been confirmed."
"Of course, this may be because the scale of the device we used for the experiment did not meet the requirements, or the data from the simulation system did not reach the level of reliability."
"But at least one thing is certain, that is, the other party's idea of using low-activation steels such as F28H and CLF-1 as tritium breeding cladding is unrealistic, because according to the simulation results, materials with low magnetic saturation The impact on waviness is relatively limited”
Chen Nian was talking enthusiastically in the middle, but many team members outside were not very interested.
This is of course not because of disrespect for Chen Nian. To put it bluntly, it is because the importance of these results really does not meet their psychological expectations.
Finally, when Chen Nian finished speaking, they entered the discussion session, but unlike before, this time everyone did not focus on specific technologies at all, but began to discuss follow-up plans worriedly.
Pan Qingwei was still the first to speak. As one of the leaders, his views are relatively neutral.
"Actually, we all know what everyone is thinking."
"It's just that I feel that there is a limit to the height that I can reach in a limited time."
"But at the same time, the progress of the project is there. The infrastructure construction is about to be completed. If we can't make breakthrough theoretical progress, the new EAST device may be an upgraded version of the HT-7. That’s all.”
"Am I right in saying that?"
After hearing his words, everyone present nodded.
Li Min, who was sitting aside, answered:
"Yes, that's the heart of the matter."
"There is a mismatch between the project schedule and our theoretical capabilities."
"Let me tell you frankly, the problem cannot be blamed on ourselves. After all, the theoretical basis of the entire country's plasma field is there. Even if it is not us, but we bring over the veterans of the country, we can actually The effect achieved is also limited.”
"Ultimately, this is a matter of heritage."
"We must objectively admit the gap. Compared with the United States, we are still a little far behind."
Li Min's words are not self-pity. On the contrary, he has always been the most optimistic and radical one in the group.
But at the same time, he is extremely rational about his own situation.
The two contradictory qualities come together in him, but they are not inconsistent at all.
"So, how should we go in the future?"
"Should we apply for a project extension and then take a gamble, or should we build things under limited conditions first?"
"I recommend that the project be postponed."
"I also suggest that the project be postponed - the two plasma control-related experts we recruited before, Sebastian and Eichendorf, have roughly the same views."
“This project should not be rushed, but stability should be the priority.”
At this point, everyone's eyes were focused on Chen Nian.
After all, he is the real decision-maker.
This decision may be difficult to make, right?
He is still so young, but he has to bear so much pressure.
No matter what choice he makes, his merits and demerits will be tied to him. If he is not careful, his reputation may be ruined——
However, at this time, Chen Nian did not feel any pressure at all.
It's still early.
There is still more than a month until the infrastructure construction is completed, so there is no need to be in such a hurry.
So, he just answered:
"We will not make a decision on this issue for the time being. I will give you a formal answer within the next few days."
"But everyone can rest assured that EAST will definitely be built."
"And, it won't be the HT-7 Plus, it will be the real 'Eastern Hyperloop'."
After finishing the discussion with Huorong, Chen Nian did not get off work and return to his residence immediately.
It's not that he doesn't need a break, it's that he has an appointment.
Sebastian.
In fact, during this critical period of the EAST project, he was supposed to stay in AH and stay on the Science Island, but his family happened to fly to China and landed in Chengdu, so when he came to greet him, he also planned to Stop by to see your "old friends".
Of course, he still doesn't know Chen Nian's true identity, but through Eichendorf's description, he also realizes that Chen Nian's ability is not just as simple as what is shown in front of him.
Therefore, he has high expectations for Chen Nian.
Of course science has national boundaries, and there is no need to question this at all.
But as a scientific researcher, my love for talents has no national boundaries.
In particular, the field he is engaged in has special "universality". At certain times, even if they are hostile forces, talents will cherish each other.
Not to mention that he had already decided to join the EAST camp.
So, the two made an appointment to meet at a restaurant near Chengfei, and Chen Nian happened to take him to experience the authentic Sichuan hot pot.
As a reward?
After all, there was actually quite a lot of wool collected from him.
The research on the suppression of escaping electrons by external resonant helical fields and the exploration of slide-away discharge characteristics were inspired by him.
At 8 o'clock in the evening, Chen Nian arrived at the restaurant they had made an appointment with. Sebastian was already waiting at the door. Dressed in a suit and leather shoes with a serious expression, he was incompatible with the surrounding environment. If it weren't for his slightly old appearance, Due to his appearance, diners who came to dine would probably think he was a guest invited by the store for an event.
However, as soon as he saw Chen Nian, Sebastian's expression immediately became lively.
"Chen, long time no see!"
What he said was in Chinese, which sounded a bit lame, far less skillful and fluent than Isaac's.
"Professor Sebastian, long time no see."
Chen Nian answered and led him to the store to sit down.
"How is your family? Is it settled?"
"Everyone has settled in. Huaxia's logistics service is very considerate. They will stay in Chengdu temporarily for some time to come."
"Although we are still separated in two places, I can fly over to see them during the holidays."
"This is enough. After all, any large-scale project does not support researchers to bring their families with them."
"Thank you for your understanding."
Chen Nian smiled slightly, then spread out the menu and began to teach Sebastian how to order.
Most of the dishes have a certain acceptance threshold for Westerners. Sebastian ordered very cautiously, while Chen Nian followed the guests' orders and did not order anything that seemed a bit "weird" to him.
The two of them chatted about home affairs without a word, until they were almost finished eating the hot pot, Sebastian said while drinking cold water to suppress the spicy taste in his mouth:
"Chen, actually I'm here this time not just to chat with you."
"I know that you may have some special positions in the EAST project, so I want to ask you what are your thoughts on this project?"
"In the past period of time, we have been focusing on research on plasma control theory, but I have to admit that the progress has not been great."
"Chen, believe me, both I and Eichendorf have done their best."
"But there are some things that cannot be solved simply by increasing work intensity. This involves a problem of marginal benefits."
"The time is too tight and I'm worried that you will be frustrated."
"Worried that we will be frustrated? Why?"
Chen Nian asked puzzledly.
It's easy to understand that Sebastian lacks confidence in the project, but his concerns are a bit strange.
Hearing his question, Sebastian frowned slightly and explained:
"The strings of this project are too tight. You know, I have been working on the front line since I came to China."
"I saw with my own eyes that many researchers stayed awake in the laboratory without even taking a bite of food."
"I admire their commitment, but I also have to tell the truth."
"That is, it is almost impossible to complete this project within the limited time."
"And once the worst outcome happens, huge pressure will be poured on them, and your entire team will be directly crushed."
Chen Nian opposite shook his head and replied:
"They will not be overwhelmed. Our researchers are not as vulnerable as you think."
Sebastian looked at Chen Nian solemnly, and then said:
"Chen, have you ever thought that these people I mentioned include you?"
"It is precisely because it includes me that I can answer so firmly."
"Aren't you worried that your future will be ruined by such a project? No, it should be said that there is no problem with the project itself, but there are big problems with the planning of the project."
“Have you ever thought that what ruins you is not an unrealistic goal, but an overly arrogant decision-maker?”
"."
As soon as he said these words, Chen Nian couldn't help but choked on the spot.
"An overly arrogant decision-maker", isn't this what I am referring to?
It seems that the outside world has basically the same view on the EAST project.
They really didn't think that China could bring this project to fruition in such a short period of time.
Chen Nian couldn't refute Sebastian, so he had to say:
"No matter what, we have to give it a try."
"We have an old saying that there must be a road before the car reaches the mountain. If we don't walk, we will never know where the road is."
Hearing Chen Nian's words, Sebastian nodded silently.
He was not going to persuade him any more.
At the beginning, he just wanted to use Chen Nian's relationship to try to express his voice to his superiors.
But now it seems that Chen Nian's views are highly consistent with those of his superiors.
Then there is no need to struggle, just let nature take its course.
After all, at the end of the day, this is still “their” project, not entirely “their”.
Of course, what he didn't know was that when Chen Nian said, "There must be a road before the car reaches the mountain," he had already prepared the sharp ax to split the mountain.
(End of chapter)
