The Auspicious Omen

Borrowing two pilots from the relevant authorities looked like the easiest solution.

The trouble was that he had no contacts in the air force and did not know whom to ask. Just as he was considering writing a letter over such a small matter, the solution came to him.

In the second week after the Lunar Landing Project bidding conference, just as Lu Zhou had finished writing his letter, several unusual guests arrived at the Space Shuttle Assembly Center.

At the Aerospace Assembly Center's reception room.

Introduced by the secretary from the minister's office at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Lu Zhou met the head of the Air Force Equipment Department and Wu Kang, chief engineer of the Air Force Equipment Research Institute.

The elderly man in uniform wore a stern, meticulous expression. True to his name, he struck Lu Zhou as solemn at first sight.

"This is Minister Qin Zhuangyan, head of the Air Force Equipment Department."

"Hello, Minister Qin."

While Lu Zhou was still deciding whether to salute or shake hands, Minister Qin extended his right hand.

"A pleasure to meet you, Professor Lu."

After shaking hands with the experts from the Air Force Equipment Research Institute behind Minister Qin, Lu Zhou turned back to him. He was wondering how to broach the subject when Minister Qin got straight to the point.

"Professor Lu, I know you're busy, so I won't waste time on pleasantries. Please forgive me if I'm a little blunt."

Lu Zhou smiled and nodded.

"That suits me. I'm not one for pleasantries either."

Minister Qin nodded and continued, his expression serious.

"I believe the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology contacted you before we came. I have just one question: can your electric propulsion engine really produce 200 kN of thrust steadily?"