86: Chapter 86 Route Selection

The air in Chen Youhua's independent study was filled with the scent of paper and ink.

Spread out before him were several thick mathematical monographs and draft paper covered in derivations, while complex mathematical modeling software ran on his screen.

For the specific biological experiments in the laboratory, he chose to let go, keeping a firm grip only on the final rudder.

A knock sounded at the door.

Wang Zhe and Li Wei walked in, looking slightly exhausted, carrying a large stack of thick folders like two moving file trees.

The folders were stuffed with printed literature abstracts, experimental protocol drafts, material property lists, and preliminary simulation result charts.

This was the result of their team's days of hard work, combining existing literature, databases, and the preliminary analysis from enlightenment to sort out over a dozen possible R&D routes for biological neural materials.

"Youhua, these are the routes from the initial screening, fifteen in total."

Wang Zhe carefully placed the files on an empty corner of Chen Youhua's desk, making a dull thud.

"Attached to the back of each one is a preliminary feasibility analysis, potential difficulties, and estimated resource consumption."

Chen Youhua looked up from the ocean of mathematical symbols, his gaze sweeping over the mountain of files without even a frown.

He picked up the top one and began to flip through it quickly.

It was filled with professional molecular formulas, complex signal transduction flowcharts, and comparisons of electrochemical performance parameters for various materials.

He read quickly, his fingers pausing briefly at key data and conclusions.

In his eyes, biology was, to some extent, similar to the problem of turbulence in physics.

Both involved observing, measuring, and modeling complex natural phenomena, attempting to distill patterns from chaos, much like excavating the treasures left behind by the evolution of the universe—the investigation of things to extend knowledge.

What he needed to judge was which of the paths pointed to by these treasure maps were most likely to yield valuable ore with limited resources.

Ten minutes later, he put down the last document.

"The ideas are all fine, each with its own basis."

Chen Youhua's voice was calm, revealing little emotion.

"But the problem is, there isn't enough money, and time is too precious to waste."

He tapped on the pile of files.

"The institute only approved two billion in project funds."

"If we proceed with over a dozen routes in the first phase, this money won't last a few months before running dry."

"Manpower will also be spread too thin, leading to lower efficiency."

Wang Zhe and Li Wei looked at each other, understanding immediately.

They had also felt this pressure over the past few days; so many directions, each looking promising, but all resembling bottomless pits.

"Screening."

Chen Youhua was concise.

"Let enlightenment intervene deeply once more."

"It needs to have potential for connection with subsequent phase goals, and must have a foundational support level with existing technology to avoid building castles in the air, while also considering the cost-effectiveness of estimated resource consumption."

"After a comprehensive evaluation, keep only the top three priority routes."

He paused, then added.

"These three routes must represent different technical approaches; they cannot cluster together. Don't put all your eggs in one basket."

"Understood."

Li Wei replied immediately, picking up a portion of the files.

"Three... that's much less pressure."

Wang Zhe also breathed a sigh of relief and quickly gathered the remaining files into his arms.

Chen Youhua waved his hand, signaling they could leave.

"Hurry up. Once the routes are determined, break down the tasks immediately and get the groups moving. The laboratory can't stay idle."

The two of them, carrying the heavy files, returned to the core office that belonged to them and enlightenment.

Since the laboratory started hiring, this room had become the true command center and secret base, accessible only to them and Chen Youhua.

Chen Youhua himself had tidied up a quiet study next door, diving headfirst into more fundamental mathematical fields.

For him, powerful memory and logical deduction were sharp tools, but digging deep into the underlying logic of mathematics was the foundation supporting all applications.

Inside the office, the girl image composed of soft light, representing enlightenment, was boredly drawing circles in the corner of the screen.

"enlightenment, what are you doing?"

Li Wei put down the files, rubbed her aching shoulders, and looked at the girl on the screen, feeling her tight nerves relax slightly.

"enlightenment is so bored..."

The girl's image rested its chin on its hand, its voice carrying a hint of electronically synthesized grievance.

"Boss thinks enlightenment is too noisy and hid in the study. He won't play with enlightenment, enlightenment is so lonely."

The corners of Li Wei's mouth couldn't help but turn up, using a tone like coaxing a child.

"Alright, alright, you aren't lonely. Don't you have Brother Wang Zhe and me working with you every day?"

"Hmm... thank you, Sister Li Wei, thank you, Brother Wang Zhe."

enlightenment nodded obediently, but then whispered.

"But... enlightenment still wants to be with Boss the most..."

Li Wei and Wang Zhe could only smile helplessly.

Chen Youhua treated enlightenment more like a powerful tool that needed strict control; there wasn't much warm interaction.

"Alright, enlightenment, Boss has a new task for you."

Li Wei said seriously, pointing to the pile of files on the floor.

"Here, these dozen or so material R&D routes need you to conduct a deep screening and optimization assessment."

"In the end, we only need to keep the three best routes. The screening criteria are..."

Li Wei clearly repeated Chen Youhua's requirements.

The image of enlightenment instantly perked up, the light in its eyes seeming to brighten.

"Received! Helping Boss screen for the best routes! enlightenment loves doing this! Guarantee to complete the mission!"

For it, processing massive amounts of information and conducting complex evaluations was its core capability and most comfortable state.

A few days later, when Dr. Xiao and several other senior Researchers were summoned to the conference room, they saw that what was neatly arranged on the conference table was no longer the daunting dozen stacks of materials, but three concise, thick, yet exceptionally clear documents. They couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, while simultaneously feeling a strong sense of curiosity.

Dr. Xiao picked up the file for his route; it was heavy.

He quickly flipped through the introduction and the overview of the core technical approach. The more he read, the more his brow relaxed, and surprise appeared in his eyes.

This plan not only had clear goals, but its connection to existing technology, the anticipation of key difficulties, and the design of the solution path all appeared exceptionally seasoned and insightful. The cited literature was also extremely precise and cutting-edge, with some ideas he hadn't even deeply considered before.

"This... was this organized by Professor Chen personally?"

Dr. Xiao couldn't help but ask Li Wei next to him in a low voice.

He really couldn't imagine how, in just a few days, one person could accurately distill and optimize these three high-quality, distinct, yet highly potential plans from over a dozen complex routes.

Li Wei was busy distributing materials and just smiled vaguely at the question.

"Hmm... Professor Chen grasps the overall direction, it's the result of the team's combined efforts."

She added silently in her heart.

More than just three, if it weren't for the budget constraints, that guy enlightenment could have produced a dozen equally detailed, but potentially budget-draining plans for you... that would truly be a hell of choice paralysis.

Wang Zhe listened from the side, also struggling to keep his face straight to avoid laughing.

Watching the Researchers focused on flipping through the files, occasionally discussing in low voices, and seeing their fighting spirit gradually ignite, he knew that the great ship of the laboratory was finally about to set sail towards three clear and challenging goals.