Chapter 576: Agreeing to Initiate

He walked toward the projection screen and pulled up a complex flowchart: "The paper will announce the basic theoretical model and partial experimental results of the 'Yanlong' project, proving the feasibility of controllable nuclear fusion, but it will not involve any key material formulas, precise parameters, or engineering details."

He pointed to a certain link in the flowchart: "For example, regarding this magnetic field structure for plasma confinement, we will only describe its basic topological properties and will not provide specific magnetic field strength distributions or control algorithms."

He then pointed to another spot: "Regarding the composition of the first-wall material, we will only mention the concept of its nanocomposite structure, but we will not mention a single word about the specific material formulas or preparation processes."

Li Mingyuan looked around at everyone: "This is like showing them a print of the Mona Lisa, telling them that the painting truly exists, but not telling them how Da Vinci mixed the pigments or how he applied the brushstrokes. They know the goal, but they cannot replicate the process."

The atmosphere in the conference room changed subtly. Li Mingyuan's explanation was indeed somewhat persuasive, but the shock of nuclear fusion technology was so strong that many people still could not accept the idea of making it public in any form.

"However, Chief Engineer Li," Academician Chen of the Academy of Sciences asked cautiously, "even if we only publish the basic theory and partial results, it will provide the West with valuable research directions. Their scientific research strength cannot be underestimated; once they know this path is feasible, they will invest all their efforts."

Li Mingyuan nodded: "That's right, they will invest, they will catch up, and that is exactly the effect I want."

His words caused the conference room to fall into Silence once again, and everyone looked at him with puzzled eyes.

"Think about it," Li Mingyuan explained slowly, "after the first issue of 'Cangjie' is released, the whole world will be shocked by the three major technological breakthroughs of Long Country—Longxin-III, the 'Kunpeng' Ground Effect Vehicle, and 'Yanlong' nuclear fusion. The West will question and argue, but will eventually be forced to admit the existence of these technologies."

He walked back to the center of the conference table: "And then? What will they do?"

Without waiting for anyone to answer, Li Mingyuan continued: "They will chase frantically, investing unprecedented resources to develop similar technologies. But the problem is, as I said before, they lack two key elements—materials and computing power."

He picked up a page from the report, which contained a series of complex mathematical formulas and simulation results: "Verifying the 'Yanlong' theoretical model requires supercomputing power to simulate plasma behavior. Only our 'Kunlun' Supercomputing Center in the world possesses this kind of computing power."

"You mean..." Minister Zhang suddenly realized, "if they want to verify these theories, they can only apply to use our supercomputing resources?"

"Exactly," Li Mingyuan nodded, a shrewd light flashing in his eyes, "and this will bring two major strategic advantages to Long Country: first, the supercomputing usage fees will become an important source of our foreign exchange; second, the full monitoring of their research will ensure that we always maintain an information advantage."

The atmosphere in the conference room changed subtly again, and some people began to understand the strategic depth of Li Mingyuan's plan. This was not a simple disclosure of technology, but a carefully designed trap, luring Western countries to compete within the rules of the game set by Long Country.

"But this is too risky," an expert from the Military Industry Commission said, still worried, "what if they find some alternative solution and bypass our material and computing power limitations?"

Li Mingyuan smiled slightly: "Then let them try. Any alternative solution requires time, a massive amount of time. And in the years they spend fumbling, we will continue to move forward and maintain our lead."

He walked toward the projection screen and pulled up a schedule: "According to my plan, 'Yanlong-II' will be completed within three years, with a Q-value reaching over 10; within five years, we will build the first commercial demonstration power plant; within ten years, nuclear fusion power generation will cover the major cities of Long Country."

This grand schedule caused the conference room to fall into shock once again. Such a rapid development process was almost unimaginable on a conventional path of technological development.

"Chief Engineer Li," the representative from the Wajiaobu asked cautiously, "if all this is true, if we truly master world-leading nuclear fusion technology, then what kind of international reaction will making it public trigger? Will the West sit idly by and watch Long Country become an energy hegemon?"

Once this question was raised, the atmosphere in the conference room instantly became tense. Indeed, such a disruptive technological breakthrough would inevitably trigger strong reactions from Western countries, especially Star-Spangled Country and Beijixiong Guo. What measures would they take? Military threats? Economic sanctions? Or even more extreme actions?

Li Mingyuan seemed to have anticipated this: "They will be shocked, they will be afraid, they will be angry, but they will eventually accept reality. Because nuclear fusion is different from nuclear weapons; it represents the future of clean energy and is the hope for solving the global energy crisis. They can be hostile to Long Country, but they cannot be hostile to the direction of human progress."

He looked around at everyone: "More importantly, by then, Longxin technology will have already penetrated the critical infrastructure of countries around the world, and 'Pangu Net' will connect the world's major cities; our position will already be unshakable. They will have no choice but to adapt to the new world order."

Li Mingyuan's words revealed an unsettling confidence and foresight, as if he had already seen the future world landscape. Everyone in the conference room was thinking about the implications of these words and the profound impact they might bring.

"Chief Engineer Li," Minister Zhang finally spoke, his voice carrying a trace of imperceptible trembling, "are you sure this is the right path? Once 'Cangjie' publishes these papers, the world will change forever, and there will be no turning back."

Li Mingyuan looked at Minister Zhang, a flash of complex emotion in his eyes: "Minister Zhang, there is no turning back. From the moment we decided to develop Longxin-III, history has already changed its trajectory. Now, what we must do is not hesitate, but firmly move forward and lead humanity toward a brighter future."

The information implied in this sentence made Minister Zhang's heart shake. "History has changed its trajectory"—this was not an expression an ordinary person would use. It was more like something said by someone who knew how history was originally supposed to unfold. Minister Zhang became increasingly convinced of his own absurd guess: Li Mingyuan was truly a transmigrator, a person from the future.

But now was not the time to pursue this question. The atmosphere in the conference room had become incomparably complex; everyone was digesting the earth-shattering information Li Mingyuan had thrown out and thinking about the pros and cons.

"I propose," General Wang, the representative from the Military, stood up, his voice carrying a rare heaviness, "that we immediately organize an expert team to comprehensively evaluate the true status of the 'Yanlong' project and the feasibility and risks of the 'Cangjie' plan. Before that, all decisions shall be suspended."