Chapter 99 - 95: Buying Tickets_1

"Today’s news includes... the second manned launch mission to the International Space Station in 2015, where the Russian Union’s TMA-17M spacecraft was suspected to have been hit by a meteoroid or space debris during launch, causing a fire in the service module. Three astronauts from America, Russia, and the Island Country found themselves in peril, touching the hearts of countless people."

"Within the mere 10 hours available for rescue, under the leadership of a joint command center composed of multiple space agencies, the H1 Space Shuttle built by China’s New Yuan Aerospace Power Company, called Unity, was used to launch the three astronauts into space to perform the rescue mission."

"Deng Lei, Zhang Zhiguang, and Li Sheng were all astronauts who had previously experienced space travel. Zhang Zhiguang undertook China’s first spacewalk. After the incident occurred, he promptly volunteered, fearless of difficulties and sacrifice, just like..."

"Seven hours following the start of ’Oriental Action,’ and three hours after the launch of Unity, all six astronauts landed safely, with good vital signs and no injuries."

"The central government decided to award the three astronauts the title of ’Space Hero’ and to issue a special medal for this rescue mission. The award ceremony will be held in the near future, with several countries set to..."

"The central news on August 2nd was extended by more than ten minutes, nearly all dedicated to the rescue operation. Of course, the highlight was the one-minute appearance of Lin Ju."

"In the footage, Lin Ju and a group of engineers stood together, sending a solemn message to the three astronauts, making a particularly positive impression. It was also reported that Xinyuan Company had become a model enterprise, with all participants in the rescue operation receiving various rewards."

"Elsewhere online, Lin Ju also became famous. The somewhat frivolous title ’Light of Humanity’ joined the tug-of-war between NACA and SpaceX, turning it into a three-way battle reminiscent of the ’Romance of the Three Kingdoms.’

"Old Ma, however, tweeted praise and support for the rescue operation and claimed that Chinese corporations were actually freer than America’s."

"He also indicated that every launch of the Second Generation Dragon Spaceship after this would carry rescue components, including a robotic arm."

"The significance of the space robotic arm was vividly demonstrated in the local mission, which is no surprise why the space shuttle’s reputation experienced a turnaround afterwards."

"A space shuttle heavy enough, stable enough, and capable of using a robotic arm might indeed be expensive, but in an emergency, it’s still more reliable than a spaceship, right?"

"..."

"August 4th, Beijing."

"Cheng Nankai arrived at the Capital International Airport with two young students, where they saw the welcome sign being held up."

"Cheng Nankai, 39 years old, a student from the Condensed Matter Physics Department of Beijing Aeronautics and Astronautics University, went to Europe for further studies after graduating at the age of 23 and served as a professor at the University of Bordeaux in France."

"As a scientist in a sensitive field, he faced no obstacles returning home."

"The reason is simple: Cheng Nankai’s capabilities were just average. With a mediocre EQ and professional competence, he managed to land an academic position thanks to his relatives abroad. His hands-on research capability was not notable, suitable for teaching perhaps, but not standout in research."

"People at Bordeaux University commented, ’Cheng is hardworking, but he clearly lacks the kind of inspiration that is essential, albeit modest, for the High Energy Physics Institute.’

"Thus, when Xinyuan extended an olive branch to him, he quickly decided to return home, especially since Lin Ju was willing to offer a 20-year guaranteed contract. Two years of work and he could look forward to retirement."

"Accompanying him were two assistants from within the country, for whom Xinyuan also offered high salaries."

"According to his schedule, he was supposed to fly directly to Xinyuan, but since Lin Ju was in Beijing to attend the award ceremony, he decided to meet with him and return together."

"Sitting in the luxurious business car, Cheng Nankai felt quite nervous inside."

"He was aware of his own level. Xinyuan’s invitation was surely not for teaching students, and if it came to research, he was destined to be the one doing the hard and tiresome work, with no hope of leading groundbreaking innovations."

"This salary feels like hot money... Turning to look at his two assistants, they seemed full of excitement, thinking they were outstanding steeds finally finding a worthy master, completely lacking self-awareness."

"As the business car drove on, Cheng Nankai suddenly heard a lot of noise outside. After opening the window, he heard the driver say:

"’The three ’Space Heroes’ have just returned to Beijing, and up ahead is their parade float, escorted by a police motorcade!’

"Deng Lei, Li Sheng, and Zhang Zhiguang sat atop the open-top parade float, dressed in casual attire, continuously waving to people on both sides."

"’Oriental Action’ was highly valued by the authorities, earning the government more initiative and say in international exchanges. Naturally, it was to be heavily promoted, and these three astronauts indeed deserved the honor. No matter how extravagant it might seem, it was all justified."

After disembarking, they first received a warm welcome from the Aerospace Bureau, then went on a short parade through the streets, and finally proceeded to the auditorium for the award ceremony.

Cheng Nankai naturally had no access to enter; he waited in the hotel for a full three days and only met the beaming Lin Ju late at night on the second day.

Lin Ju was thrilled. How thrilled was he?

First, he attended the award ceremony in the front row, then he received special mention and praise, the leader in charge of the ceremony gave him the title of "Model Entrepreneur," and there was even an opportunity for a face-to-face meeting.

Talking with the real decision-makers made all the difference: Lin Ju’s every hope—major involvement in the national space program, research on NAPE and A100 nuclear propulsion technology, support for international business cooperation, and so on—was agreed upon. In plain and simple terms, a matter was settled in minutes, with no need for any formal procedures.

Although it was just setting the tone, once approved from above, the undertaking was certain to be accomplished; specifics merely needed to be discussed.

Even though their exchange totalled less than three hours over several days, Lin Ju nevertheless made significant gains, clearing all obstacles for New Yuan and even breaking routine to celebrate with a drink.

Returning to the hotel, Lin Ju gathered the two system engineers and Cheng Nankai along with his two assistants and threw the nuclear propulsion research their way, then witnessed Cheng’s perplexed expression.

The latter, seeing terms like "sodium-cooled fast reactor" and "plasma confinement," could understand them, but just the thought of the sheer scale of those projects filled him with despair.

He was no Bohr or Heisenberg, neither Einstein nor Oppenheimer, so why did Lin Ju think he could handle these terrifying tasks within 36 months?

In the end, Lin Ju cherished the moments he and the two assistants enjoyed as ordinary humans, then decisively used an upgrade card.

One minute later, the System Research Institute gained a B+ level nuclear/high-energy physicist and two B-level nuclear engineers.

"Now what?"

Feeling his brain clearer than ever before, Cheng Nankai felt like his past self was as dumb as a blind pig.

"Given complete technical documentation, I’ll need an initial investment of 8 billion yuan for infrastructure construction and preliminary groundwork. The total estimated cost of the project will range from 200 to 300 billion yuan, and we’ll need no fewer than 100 personnel of C+ level, as well as the full support of the entire institute!"

Looking at the confident Cheng Nankai and his two young but B-ranked assistants, Lin Ju was very satisfied and quickly agreed to his demands.

As for money, there would surely be enough collected within four years. If not, they could take loans; with his reputation, securing a hundred or two hundred billion from the major banks shouldn’t be a problem. If necessary, he could shamelessly approach the leaders and cling to their coattails.

While Lin Ju was planning the next phase, good news also arrived from the international scene.

After a battle of wits with Congress, Lindgren’s widespread protest marches, and Ma Yilong’s financial support, Congress passed two resolutions:

1. To start supporting domestic companies in their manned spaceship programs, aiming to replace the Russian "Union series" with America’s own spaceships within two years to execute manned missions. NACA’s budget was increased again to accelerate the turnaround in the space race.

2. The International Space Station (ISS) would open up more launch missions to private space companies to increase efficiency, including Chinese enterprises, provided they are entirely private with no official backing. These companies would be exempt from the Wolf Amendment but subject to special review.

Meanwhile, NACA’s ISS chief, Montal, announced that the plan to transport three astronauts to the ISS on September 2nd would be postponed, and they might consider using spacecraft other than the Alliance Spaceship for the mission;

The Union TMA-17M Accident Investigation Team would award all six astronauts from this mission special commemorative medals and a substantial bonus.

They would also pay 200 million US dollars in rescue fees for the Unity mission, covering rocket launch, space shuttle usage, three astronauts’ extravehicular activities, supporting personnel services, and more.

This cost would be shared by the member countries of the ISS, with different contributions, Russia paying the most, followed by America and the Island Country, while the other member countries would make nominal contributions.

Lin Ju originally didn’t want to accept the rescue fees, but the Aerospace Bureau suggested he take them. There was no longer a need to use money to pressure public opinion; moreover, emergency launches were different from regular ones—the sum of 200 million US dollars was not only reasonable but somewhat of a bargain.

However, money wasn’t his main concern; he was much more interested in the scheduled manned space launch to the ISS in September.

It’s unlikely that the Union TMA-18M spaceship would be used, leaving only Ma’s Dragon Spaceship and New Yuan’s H1 space shuttle as the possible candidates for the task.

Now, it was time to vie for the order.