“Given Professor Yang’s indisposition, I believe this debate is no longer necessary. I also trust that after hearing these arguments, all comrades have formed their own judgments,” stated an elder with white hair but a vibrant spirit, stepping forward to deliver the concluding remarks after Professor Yang’s departure.
“However, I must add a personal opinion: everything should prioritize stability and the people's livelihood. We would rather proceed slowly than rush blindly.” Though these words seemed unrelated to the debate, Professor Wang’s expression immediately fell.
While the conclusion wasn't explicitly stated, the implication was clear: immediate construction of the high-energy particle collider was not supported. The elder’s identity was also significant; he was the former president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, a revered figure of immense influence within the nation. His statement alone could sway countless people.
In the original historical timeline, after this debate concluded, a vote was held among eleven individuals. The decision to postpone the new high-energy particle collider project was narrowly defeated, with a final vote of 6:5.
“Esteemed colleagues, I wish to add one more thing. If you reject this plan today, are you not afraid that future generations will condemn us in decades to come?” Professor Wang stood up impulsively, speaking with passion.
However, his words did not cause much of a stir. Everyone present was a top-tier intellect, not easily swayed by a few sentences to alter their emotions. Their task was to make a rational judgment.
Of course, not everyone was so reserved. Among those present were journalists, specifically approved to record the debate. One of them couldn't help but interject, “Professor Wang, please calm down. Nothing has been decided yet. Furthermore, I’ve heard that a company in our country is preparing to independently initiate a high-energy particle collider project. You needn’t worry so much!”
“Nonsense!” Professor Wang scoffed, his face showing disdain. It was evident he didn't place much credence in this news. If even the nation was unwilling to invest in a high-energy particle collider due to cost concerns, how could they possibly expect a businessman to do so?
“But Professor Wang, the company creating this project is Jiangnan Group. It is said that Mr. Huang He, the chairman of Jiangnan Group, the founder of the Huang He Award, and also the world’s richest man, personally promised the family of the late Professor Zhao that he would build a new high-energy particle collider.”
“From what we know, Mr. Huang He has never told a lie. All promises made in public have been fulfilled. We should have some hope for this high-energy particle collider!” the journalist insisted.
“Impossible. That is merely a common publicity tactic employed by businessmen!” It wasn't Professor Wang who spoke, but Professor Yang, who had approached leaning on his cane.
He stated calmly, “I spent decades in the United States and understand capital very well. Capital invests the most in scientific research globally, but it is also capital that most impedes technological development.”
“These businessmen are willing to invest vast sums in research, but they will only focus on technologies and products that benefit their own business operations and development, and bring enormous profits.”
“A high-energy particle collider, however, is an apparatus that will not yield any profit to capital for at least a hundred years after its completion. It will continuously drain funds for its operation and maintenance. Merchants and capital will not undertake such endeavors!”
“Professor Yang!” This reporter, perhaps a devoted follower of Mr. Huang, was clearly displeased after hearing Professor Yang’s words. “Mr. Huang He is different from other businessmen. In the United States, businessmen are pure capitalists. But Mr. Huang He of China is an absolute patriotic entrepreneur; his love for our country is evident to all.”
“To mention nothing else, simply by establishing the Huang He Award and then allocating hundreds of millions of RMB annually to reward researchers who contribute to the nation, these are actions that capitalistic businessmen cannot achieve. On what basis do you conclude that Mr. Huang’s words are false, mere publicity, and that he will not truly build the high-energy particle collider?”
“Hahaha!” Upon hearing the reporter’s challenge, Professor Yang did not become angry. Instead, he chuckled. After a moment, he said, “My dear reporter friend, may I ask how old you are this year?”
“Thirty-six!” For a thirty-six-year-old, this was undoubtedly a rather rude question. However, this reporter had no recourse but to answer honestly, as there was no room for him to react.
The questioner was a ninety-year-old elder. In his presence, the reporter was indeed still a child, despite his thirty-six years.
“Therefore, you are still too young to truly understand this world!” Professor Yang smiled kindly and said, “When you reach my age, you will understand what I mean.”
The topic of Mr. Huang abruptly ceased. Both Professor Wang and Professor Yang treated the widely circulated news from the past month as a joke, or perhaps a shrewd business maneuver. No one genuinely believed it to be a reality.
After all, there was no precedent globally, and no company would invest tens of billions of dollars to build an apparatus like a high-energy particle collider, which offered no profit. Thus, it was undoubtedly a jest, nothing more.
Meanwhile, the attendees in the conference room began to depart. With the debate concluded, it was time for everyone to return and carefully consider the pros and cons before casting their vote on whether to proceed with the construction of this costly facility.
Professor Wang, revitalized, planned to find opportunities to speak with others and solicit their views and opinions.
It was at this moment that the conference room door suddenly opened, and a person in a hurry entered. Approaching Professor Wang, he said, “Director, there’s an emergency at the institute. The Party Secretary wants you to return immediately.”
“I have no time. Please inform the Secretary that he can make the decisions for the institute himself. I cannot return now; I still need to speak with several other professors and gain their support!” Professor Wang replied.
“There’s no need to seek their support. The Secretary has instructed me to tell you that our institute no longer needs to build the high-energy particle collider. This project is completely abandoned. There’s no need to waste any more time!” the messenger stated.
“What?” Professor Wang froze. He had never imagined that the enemy would breach their defenses before their own forces had even reached the city gates. Moreover, Professor Yang was standing right beside him, and others had also heard the words.
The dispersing crowd was also drawn by this astonishing news and spontaneously gathered. They were curious as to why the director, Professor Wang, was still striving for the project, while the institute’s Party Secretary had directly undermined it by completely abandoning the plan. The institute, after all, had been united in its efforts to secure resources and connections to push for the high-energy particle collider project.
Could there be some significant political implication behind this?
Indeed, everyone present was highly sensitive. They understood clearly that behind every decision lay layers of negotiation. This particular decision might signify a major development.
“Excellent!” At the same time, Professor Yang, standing beside Professor Wang, revealed a smile. He then patted Professor Wang’s shoulder and said, “It seems your institute has finally made the most correct decision! However, Professor Wang, you need not worry too much. My stance is the same as yours: the high-energy particle collider must be built, and it must be built now. We need to wait another twenty years. In twenty years, it will be the true time for its advent!”
“And rest assured, in twenty years, I will have turned to dust and will no longer be able to stop you. Your dream will surely be realized then!”
“Twenty years… I’ll be seventy years old then. Another ten years will make me eighty. Will I even live to see that day?” Professor Wang felt a profound sense of loss. While he would only be seventy in twenty years, his prime research years would have passed. Even if he were alive then, it would likely be the era of the younger generation, and how could he possibly lead the research and development of the high-energy particle collider?
Furthermore, the construction of such a facility would likely take another ten years. Wouldn’t that mean he would have to wait until he was over eighty to witness its completion? Would he even live to be eighty?
“Director, please don’t worry. You won’t have to wait until eighty; at most, you’ll see our country’s own high-energy particle collider when you’re sixty!” Seeing his director’s crestfallen demeanor, the staff member who delivered the message quickly reassured him.
“What do you mean? Sixty?” Professor Wang was bewildered again. The staff member glanced around at the crowd, appearing hesitant, as this was an institute secret.
But Professor Wang couldn’t wait. He stated directly, “Don’t worry. Everyone present here is more important than I am. Our institute’s decisions will eventually be presented to them. We have no secrets here. Tell me directly, what exactly has happened?”
“Uh, it’s like this: a document has arrived from the Ministry of Science and Technology. The ministry has approved Jiangnan Group’s application to build a high-energy particle collider and has urgently included it in the ‘12th Five-Year Plan’ major engineering project list. We are now required to mobilize all scientific and technological talents to cooperate with and assist Jiangnan Group in the research, development, manufacturing, and construction of the new generation high-energy particle collider. Concurrently, the institute’s original high-energy particle collider project has been canceled!”
“The Secretary wants you to return quickly for a meeting. Project members from Jiangnan Group are all waiting for you to discuss preliminary implementation plans!” the staff member explained.
“…………” The entire conference room fell silent. Many people had forgotten how to speak.