140: Chapter 140 Docking

Chen Youhua rubbed his slightly throbbing temples, picked up his phone, and dialed the number of Engineer Yang Fan, who was in charge of the handover.

"Hello, Engineer Yang, it's me, Chen Youhua."

"Professor Chen, hello! Is there a question about the data? I'll be right over!"

Yang Fan's voice immediately responded on the other end of the line, sounding as if he were on standby.

"It's not a data issue,"

Chen Youhua quickly explained.

"But it's really not easy to explain clearly over the phone. If it's convenient, could you please come over?"

Since being assigned from HF to ZJ, Yang Fan had been staying here temporarily, dedicated solely to the handover work with Chen Youhua to ensure he could address technical details at any time.

This kind of long-term assignment away from headquarters was quite common among frontline engineers on major engineering projects.

However, Yang Fan's work was far more complex and critical than that of ordinary technical support, which often involved restarting systems first and then providing remote assistance.

In less than half an hour, Yang Fan arrived at the laboratory. Chen Youhua led him directly into his study.

Without much preamble, Chen Youhua picked up a thick stack of printed materials from the desk and handed them to Yang Fan.

"???"

Yang Fan stared blankly at the hefty document in his hands.

"Professor Chen, what is this...?"

"Oh, it's like this."

Chen Youhua's tone was flat, as if discussing the most ordinary of matters.

"I just finished with the live stream a few days ago. Over the past few days, I found some time to sort through several key issues in the data you previously gave me and did some optimization modeling."

He pointed at the stack of materials.

"Overall, the model's efficiency has been optimized by about 10% compared to your previous baseline.

Additionally, there are specific parameter suggestions and model descriptions regarding turbulence suppression, the trigger threshold for ELM prediction and warning, and resonance avoidance strategies for high-energy particle confinement. But..."

Chen Youhua frowned slightly.

"The issues of peak heat power transfer and the resistance of the first wall material to particle bombardment are indeed quite challenging.

I can provide some theoretical optimization solutions, but as for whether they can be practically implemented in engineering and whether the materials can withstand the conditions—that's beyond my scope."

Yang Fan was completely stunned, his hand holding the documents frozen in place.

Optimized... by 10%?

In just a few days?

He felt his understanding of things was being overturned.

This speed couldn't simply be described as fast; it was downright unbelievable!

He instinctively lowered his head and began flipping through the materials in his hands.

Inside were dense charts, complex mathematical expressions, detailed parameter comparison lists, and clear explanations of the optimization pathways.

Professional, rigorous, flawless.

But... is this even human?

The more he looked, the less confident Yang Fan felt, and a hint of panic even crept in.

This substantial achievement had arrived too quickly, too powerfully!

Without undergoing lengthy simulation verification on a supercomputer, without going through layer upon layer of review by internal experts in the project team—was he really supposed to take this directly back to Chief Engineer Yang?

And directly apply these parameters to adjust the east device?

What if... what if there was a tiny oversight somewhere?

A nuclear fusion device was not something to be taken lightly!

"Professor Chen..."

Yang Fan carefully chose his words, his tone filled with utmost caution and respect.

"Your efficiency and ability are truly... breathtaking.

However, nuclear fusion engineering is something that requires steady, step-by-step progress. These problems have troubled us for a long time; it really... really isn't urgent to solve them this quickly.

What do you think? Would you like to spend a bit more time to... double-check these parameters and models, or... perhaps we could run a simulation on a supercomputer first?"

He hurriedly added.

"Of course! I am absolutely not questioning your ability!

It's just... it's just that within our project team, sometimes just modifying a parameter like coil current—from proposing the solution, conducting demonstrations, running simulation verifications, to final implementation—can take several weeks or even months.

But you... solved so many core problems in just a few days. I... I can't possibly go back and report this as is."

Seeing the mixture of admiration, shock, and deep concern on Yang Fan's face, Chen Youhua instantly understood his apprehension.

He understood this caution; it was an engineer's sense of responsibility toward a major project.

But he was even more clear about the foundation and derivation process of the models he had built.

He didn't offer much explanation, simply nodding at Yang Fan to show his understanding. Then, he directly picked up his phone and, right in front of Yang Fan, dialed Chief Engineer Yang Zhenyu's number.

The call connected quickly.

"Chief Engineer Yang, it's me, Youhua."

"Youhua! Any new progress?" Yang Zhenyu's voice carried expectation.

"Yes. Based on your data, I've done some preliminary model optimizations. Efficiency improvement is roughly 10%. There are also solution ideas and parameter suggestions for several key issues. I've compiled them into a document and just handed it to Engineer Yang Fan." Chen Youhua was concise.

"Excellent! I knew coming to you was the right move! Such high efficiency? Truly..." Yang Zhenyu's voice was full of pleasant surprise.

"However,"

Chen Youhua glanced at the slightly nervous Yang Fan beside him.

"Engineer Yang here seems to have some concerns. He feels the results came too quickly and suggests I double-check or run supercomputer simulation verifications first."

There was a second or two of silence on the other end, followed by Yang Zhenyu's hearty laughter.

"Hahaha! Youhua, don't mind it! Yang Fan is a good engineer, highly responsible and steady in his work.

He's being responsible for the project! But rest assured, I trust your work completely! Is Yang Fan with you? Put him on the phone."

Chen Youhua handed the phone to Yang Fan, who quickly took it.

"Chief Yang, this is Yang Fan."

"Xiao Yang,"

Yang Zhenyu's voice became serious yet gentle.

"I have a clear understanding of Professor Chen's ability and rigor.

The reliability of what he produces is beyond doubt.

Your task is simply to bring the materials back safely. Our project team will handle the subsequent verification work.

We must have absolute trust and respect for Professor Chen. Understood?"

"Yes, Chief Yang! I understand!"

Yang Fan immediately replied, the worry on his face finally dissipating, replaced only by obedience to his superior's instructions and a deeper layer of awe toward Chen Youhua.

Chen Youhua took the phone back: "Chief Engineer Yang, there's one more thing I'd like to discuss with you."

"Youhua, you're too polite! Just say it, what is it?"

"After the New Year, I'd like to find some time to visit your EAST site for an on-site observation and learning session."

Chen Youhua said.

"Theoretical discussions alone always feel insufficient. I want to see our 'sun' with my own eyes, to experience the actual operating environment of the device.

Combining that with the on-site situation might reveal some issues not detectable through data models alone, helping you solve bottlenecks more precisely."

"Ah! That's fantastic!"

Yang Zhenyu's voice instantly rose, filled with delight and enthusiasm.

"Actually, I've been wanting to invite you over to guide our work for a long time!

But seeing how busy you've been lately with the prosthetic project and the live stream, I never felt comfortable asking!

For you to bring it up yourself is more than I could have hoped for!"

"Then it's settled."

A slight smile also appeared on Chen Youhua's face.

"After the New Year, I'll go see for myself how many steps we are still away from a true artificial sun."

After hanging up, Chen Youhua looked at Yang Fan.

Yang Fan now had no doubts whatsoever. He carefully stored away the thick stack of materials and said solemnly,

"Professor Chen, I will ensure these materials are delivered safely! When you come to EAST after the New Year, I will accompany you throughout, making sure you see everything clearly and understand completely!"

Chen Youhua nodded.