Visiting the Chief Scientist
A private room at Xiehe Hospital.
An elderly man lay in a hospital bed, while his family members waited outside the ward, their faces filled with worry and anxiety.
The old man was emaciated and haggard, and the breath of life seemed to be slowly leaving him.
The elderly man is Academician Han, the Chief Scientist of the "Project Starlight".
Shen Qi sat next to Academician Han, his heart heavy with sorrow.
Academician Han was rushed to the hospital due to a sudden Myocardial Infarction, but after emergency treatment, Academician Han was out of danger.
However, an even greater danger followed: Academician Han was diagnosed with cancer.
"Mr. Han, please focus on your recovery. You must get well soon," Shen Qi comforted him. He was also helpless; he had problems he couldn't solve, such as cancer.
"Everyone has to die... but I shouldn't die in a hospital..." Academician Han spoke slowly, his words coming out haltingly and unclearly.
In fact, Academician Han knew he had cancer long ago. He had been fighting on the front line of the "Project Starlight" and frequently traveled between the Capital Headquarters and the Northwest Ground Base.
Academician Han did not ask for sick leave, nor did he tell anyone about his condition. He just kept putting it off until it became an advanced stage.
Shen Qi was even more heartbroken. A life was unwilling to leave like this, and an elderly man on his deathbed was struggling before his eyes.
"The mission of Project Starlight... must be completed..." Academician Han spoke with great difficulty, as if entrusting his last wishes to Shen Qi: "The satellite must be launched... and it must be stable... Shen Qi, your job is... to ensure stability... control the turbulence... and guarantee absolute success..."
"I will do my best," Shen Qi said solemnly.
Academician Han shook his head with difficulty and said, "It's not about trying... it's about having to... I don't have much time left. After I die, you will become the chief... no, you should become the chief now..."
"Old Han, I guarantee I will complete the mission. Not just do my best, I absolutely must," Shen Qi said in the most formal tone. Then he gently comforted him, "Old Han, medicine is advancing. Cancer will one day be completely conquered. Don't keep talking about death. Everything will be alright."
Leaving the hospital, Shen Qi felt heavy-hearted.
He believes that cancer will one day be completely conquered, but he doesn't know if Mr. Han's health will hold out until then.
Shen Qi's initial intention in visiting Academician Han at the hospital was twofold: first, it stemmed from a young person's concern for a senior, and second, he wanted to learn about the specific details of the "Project Starlight" from Chief Physician Han.
However, Old Han had difficulty speaking even a few words, so all Shen Qi could do was let Old Han focus on his recovery and avoid talking to him too much.
Academician Han should be well aware of his physical condition. Even if he is discharged from the hospital, it will be difficult for him to continue to oversee and direct the entire "Project Starlight".
It is said that a dying man's words are good.
Old Han conveyed two messages to Shen Qi.
First, the "Project Starlight" must succeed; failure is not an option.
Second, Shen Qi was replaced as the Chief Scientist of the "Project Starlight".
Regarding the first point, all the Chinese people agree.
Regarding the second point, who will succeed Academician Han as Chief Scientist is not up to Academician Han or Shen Qi; only the state can decide.
Although Chief Scientist Academician Han was hospitalized, the "Project Starlight" is still proceeding in an orderly and efficient manner as planned.
The "Project Starlight" utilizes a variety of technologies, including aerospace technology, space orbit technology, materials technology, Mathematical Physics, chemistry, and Computer Science, to extract energy from the sun and deliver green and environmentally friendly energy to the ground through a space-ground integrated approach.
The end users of the "Project Starlight" are ground-mounted power plants, so the Energy Administration is the lead agency for this project.
In addition to the Energy Administration, the Aerospace Administration, the Science and Technology Administration, the Transportation Administration, the Social Security Administration, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Academy of Engineering also participated in the "Project Starlight".
Each department and unit performed its own duties, and everyone cooperated according to the division of labor in areas such as theoretical research, model building, track design, trial production and testing, engineering manufacturing, resettlement of immigrants, and logistical support.
Roughly speaking, it can be understood that several thousand scientists and Engineer, as well as tens of thousands of grassroots staff, are divided into two groups: one group is responsible for the space missions, and the other group is responsible for the ground missions.
The department responsible for coordinating and directing the space-ground linkage is the "Project Starlight" headquarters, located in the capital.
The general command team includes the Chief Scientist, Chief Designer, Chief Engineer, Ministry Special Commissioner, and Logistics Commander, all of whom are big shots. These big shots form the core command team of "Project Starlight".
Chief Scientist Academician Han is on sick leave, but the "Project Starlight" headquarters continues to operate normally, ensuring that the entire project will not be halted.
Just like an army, if the commander is killed, there is still the corps commander; if the corps commander is killed in action, the division commander takes over.
Unless the entire army is wiped out, the army will continue to fight according to military regulations.
This system is very reasonable; the entire project will not be ruined because of the absence of one person, even if that person is the Chief Scientist.
However, such a large project involves multiple national ministries and countless scholars and workers. Major national projects cannot be without Chief Scientist for an extended period of time.
A few days after visiting Academician Han at the hospital, comrades from the Organization System found Shen Qi.
Shen Qi knew in his heart that this time he had no choice but to go, whether he wanted to or not.
"Academician Shen, do you still remember me?" Director Xu from the Organization System smiled like Maitreya Buddha; he was chubby and quite approachable.
Shen Qi: "I remember, I remember, your son is in junior high school now, right?"
"Sigh, my good-for-nothing son is a terrible student and always causing trouble. Let's not even talk about him," Director Xu said with a wry smile, shaking his head. Then he said enviously, "Your daughter, Nofi, is amazing. She's smart, beautiful, witty, and brave. Academician Shen is so lucky."
Director Xu from the Organization System and Shen Nuo Fei from the Kindergarten System had no connection whatsoever.
Director Xu must have done his research to know that Shen Nuo Fei is smart, beautiful, witty, and brave.
Shen Qi, his spouse, his parents, his parents-in-law, and his ancestors for eighteen generations had all been investigated both openly and covertly before.
It's not that the country doesn't trust Shen Qi; it's just that the system works this way.
Shen Qi is the head of a core national research institution. He undertakes numerous key national research tasks and possesses a vast amount of national research secrets.
If Shen Qi betrays his country, the consequences will be unimaginable.
Of course, that won't happen.
But the Party's system must still be implemented; it's just a routine matter.
Key figures like Shen Qi are subject to political vetting from time to time, especially at crucial junctures such as promotions and important personnel appointments.
This political review was slightly different from the past; this time, even three-year-old Shen Nuo Fei was on the review list.
What does this tell us?
What does this signify?
Heaven is about to bestow a great responsibility upon this person.
Shen Qi is highly likely to receive an extremely important national mission or personnel appointment in the near future.
"How is Professor Ou's health?" Director Xu asked with concern.
Shen Qi sighed, "It's alright. My wife's illness is chronic; it's good news if it doesn't worsen. Honestly, health is more important than anything else, and money can't buy it."