NOVEL WEB Chapter 31: Technology Competition
Unsurprisingly, this issue of *Science* stirred up quite a commotion in the academic circles of the United States and even the whole world.
Especially when people discovered that the paper published in the world - top journal *Science* was actually an undergraduate graduation thesis.
It triggered an outburst of heated discussions among countless people!
This paper even became popular beyond the academic circle!
On Twitter, numerous netizens expressed their shock.
"Good heavens, why is there such a huge gap between people?"
"What the fuck?! An undergraduate graduates with a *Science* paper. What's going to happen in the future?!"
"Are undergraduates in Xia Country this amazing?!"
"Wait, why are your focuses so strange? Shouldn't we be paying attention to the content of the paper? Since being kicked out of ITER, Xia Country's controlled nuclear fusion technology has surpassed that of the United States!"
"That's strange. I remember that ITER said Xia Country stole experimental data at that time. Does Xia Country really care about ITER's experimental data?"
"@Albert, Mr. President, come out and explain? Is the United States about to be surpassed by Xia Country?"
"@Albert, tell me, where has the money from us taxpayers gone?!"
...
Unlike those netizens on the Internet who enjoyed watching the excitement, the atmosphere in the Oval Office of the United States was extremely oppressive at this moment.
"Bang!"
Albert, with a head of blond hair, slapped the desk in front of him forcefully, looking at the man in front of him with a gloomy face.
"Anthony, I need an explanation!"
"Why does Xia Country suddenly possess such advanced controlled nuclear fusion technology?!"
"And what on earth is ITER doing? So many top - notch scientists, yet they can't even compete with an undergraduate from Xia Country?
"Are you kidding me?!"
"Do you know what my fans on Twitter are saying about me?!"
Anthony's face was gloomy. He opened his mouth but didn't say a word.
Professor Collins, with a head of white hair, stepped forward and said in a hoarse voice, "Mr. President, this matter... is my fault."
"The research speed of Xia Country on controlled nuclear fusion exceeded my expectations."
Seeing Professor Collins speak, Albert's face softened a bit. "Then... what do you think the United States should do next, Professor?"
Hearing the president's question, the light in Collins' eyes flickered.
After pondering for a moment, Collins slowly said, "Mr. President, the United States must speed up!"
"We must not fall behind Xia Country in controlled nuclear fusion."
Albert nodded thoughtfully. Then, his eyes moved slightly. He picked up a document from the desk and handed it to Professor Collins.
"Professor, Congress has approved your plan and even allocated 10% more funds."
A hint of joy appeared in Professor Collins' eyes, and he reached out to take the document.
But Albert's voice sounded again.
"However, there is one condition."
"Congress requires that the first controlled nuclear fusion experimental device must be built within three years!"
Professor Collins' face changed drastically. "Mr. President, this is impossible!"
"Three years is too short!"
Professor Collins shook his head like a rattle!
Are you kidding?
Build a large - scale Tokamak device in three years?
It took more than ten years to build that ITER thing!
Three years?
Probably not even the foundation would be laid!
"That's not my problem. That's what Congress said." Albert shrugged, saying indifferently, "If you can't do it, there are naturally others who can replace you."
Professor Collins' face darkened.
What he said was indeed true.
This was a lucrative job!
In the American academic community, countless people were eagerly eyeing this piece of fat!
Thinking of this, a bitter smile appeared on Collins' face.
"In that case... I'll do my best."
Albert nodded in satisfaction and repeated meaningfully, "Remember, you only have three years!"
Professor Collins nodded bitterly.
...
That night, Albert's Twitter account posted a video.
In the video, Albert sat behind the presidential desk with a serious face and said earnestly, "First of all, on behalf of the United States, I would like to congratulate Xia Country on the successful operation of controlled nuclear fusion in the laboratory."
"In the past two days, I've seen many people asking me a question on Twitter."
"Is the United States about to be surpassed by Xia Country? Or, how is the development of the United States' controlled nuclear fusion technology?"
"Here, I will respond to all of your questions in a unified manner."
"The United States has always been committed to the research of controlled nuclear fusion technology!"
"As of today, ITER will restart the controlled nuclear fusion experiment. At the same time, the United States will build a large - scale controlled nuclear fusion experimental device within three years!"
"Trust me, in three years, you'll be able to use electricity from nuclear fusion!"
...
At the exact same time that Albert posted on Twitter, the official Weibo account of the News of Xia Country released a piece of news.
News of Xia Country: As of today, the controlled nuclear fusion demonstration reactor project of Xia Country is officially approved for initiation.
Due to the time - zone difference, it was exactly 6 a.m. in the capital city of Xia Country at this moment.
Even so, within just a few minutes, countless netizens who came to watch the excitement flooded the comments section under the Weibo of the News of Xia Country.
"Damn! I'm really impressed!"
"So, it's a demonstration reactor? Does that mean... the controlled nuclear fusion technology is mature?"
"Fuck? Why do I feel like the world has changed overnight?"
"This is interesting. The United States also released a piece of news at the same time. Albert posted a video about controlled nuclear fusion on Twitter. Those who are interested can go and take a look."
"Begging for someone to repost it with subtitles!"
"+1 for reposting!"
"+10086!"
"..."
It has to be said that the efficiency of netizens is extremely high, especially when it comes to gossip - mongering. They can always unleash unprecedented potential!
Within ten minutes, a high - definition video with subtitles was posted on Weibo.
Someone even summarized the video content, converted it into text, and compared it with the content released by the News of Xia Country.
When the two contents were put together by someone with a discerning eye, public opinion exploded completely!
"Fuck, fuck, fuck?! It feels like Xia Country is going to go head - to - head with the United States!"
"Not gonna lie, it really has that vibe!"
"I remember the arms race the United States launched before."
"..."
With everyone's discussion, a new term quickly shot to the top of the Weibo hot - search list!
#Technology Competition#
Under the authorization of the high - level of Xia Country, the Weibo account of the News of Xia Country quietly updated another Weibo.
"During the ITER program, the humiliation endured by the scientific researchers of Xia Country, we will never forget!"
"Controlled nuclear fusion technology is the key to opening the door to the future interstellar era."
"Xia Country will never give away the controlled nuclear fusion technology!"
With just a few short sentences, the already heated atmosphere on Weibo was ignited!
Countless netizens were moved to tears!
For so many years!
Xia Country finally showed its strength!
"I have no regrets about being born in Xia Country in this life, and I hope to be reborn in this wonderful land in the next life!"
One neatly - arranged comment after another flashed under the Weibo of the News of Xia Country!