Every researcher in the central control room felt their heart jolt!
Troubleshooting!
Something had actually gone wrong!
While the researchers were still at a loss, Lü Yongchang made a few inputs on the computer in front of him.
A moment later, a temperature graph appeared on the central control room's main screen.
At the sight of those few seconds of abnormal readings, every researcher sucked in a sharp breath!
His expression grim, Lü Yongchang entered the curve data into his computer.
Within seconds, the verification results appeared on the main screen.
Everyone present fell silent as they looked at the temperature curve, which shot almost vertically upward ten minutes into the projection.
With a temperature curve like that... if Lu Hezheng had not spotted it early, the Pangu One Fusion Reactor would probably have been lost!
"Professor Lu, if I remember correctly, this curve shows the Magnetohydrodynamic Generator's temperature, doesn't it?"
Lü Yongchang frowned deeply and spoke after a moment's consideration.
After more than ten minutes to recover, Lu Hezheng's heartbeat had gradually returned to normal. Looking at the temperature curve on the main screen, he felt a flicker of lingering fear.
Lü Yongchang's question snapped Lu Hezheng back to his senses, and he nodded repeatedly. "That's right. It's the Magnetohydrodynamic Generator's temperature."
Lü Yongchang's frown deepened.
What could be causing the Magnetohydrodynamic Generator's abnormal temperature?
"Yongchang, come take a look. Something was wrong with the generator's power output!"
Fang Xu's voice reached Lü Yongchang as he pondered the problem.
Lü Yongchang's gaze shifted, and he hurried over to Fang Xu.
By then, Fang Xu had pulled up the graph showing changes in the generator's power output during the fusion reaction.
The power curve was very steady, remaining at around 10% output throughout.
At first glance, there seemed to be no problem.
After all, this had only been an ignition test, and they had not loaded much fusion fuel.
According to their calculations, the generator should have operated at roughly 10-15% of its rated power.
Yet this perfectly normal-looking curve concealed an enormous problem!
The moment Lü Yongchang saw that steady curve, he understood what Fang Xu meant!
"I see... there's a problem with the generator!"
The researcher responsible for monitoring the generator's power output stared in confusion at the steady curve on his computer screen.
"Uh... Professor Lü, the curve looks pretty steady to me. Shouldn't that mean everything's fine?"
At the researcher's question, Lü Yongchang began explaining with a grave expression.
"Quite the opposite. A curve this steady is precisely what tells us there's a problem!"
As he spoke, Lü Yongchang dragged the mouse, scrolling the graph all the way to the left.
"Look, the changes in the curve here are normal!"
"At 9:18 a.m., the fusion reaction began, and the Reactor started delivering energy. At the same time, the Magnetohydrodynamic Generator started running, and its power output began to rise slowly."
Then Lü Yongchang dragged the mouse again, moving to 9:23 a.m.
"Starting at 9:23, the generator's output stayed at 10% of its rated power for five whole minutes."
"But that was when the fusion reaction inside the Reactor was at its most intense!"
"According to our calculations, the generator's output should have reached 15%, but it stayed steady at 10%!"
By this point, the researcher understood what he meant.
His face went deathly pale. His lips trembled as he looked at Lü Yongchang and stammered, "P-Professor Lü, I... I didn't notice..."
The corners of Lü Yongchang's mouth lifted into a reassuring smile. He reached out and patted the researcher's shoulder. "It's all right. Relax. With something this big, a few problems are perfectly normal."
"You really ought to thank Professor Lu. If it hadn't been for him, we'd all have been in serious trouble in another ten minutes!"
As he spoke, Lü Yongchang smiled at Lu Hezheng beside him.
Lu Hezheng froze for a moment, then waved his hands repeatedly. "No, no, no. I was only doing my job!"
Lü Yongchang waved a hand, his expression earnest. "Please don't say that, Professor Lu."
"You spoke up and pointed out the problem as soon as you noticed it. That alone deserves our thanks."
After all, most people would not have had the courage to call for the Fusion Reactor to be shut down at a moment like that!
Inside Pangu One's Magnetohydrodynamic Generator room.
Lü Yongchang and the researchers were all frowning deeply.
After several days of troubleshooting, they had reached only one conclusion.
The Magnetohydrodynamic Generator assembly was functioning normally.
At least physically, none of the Magnetohydrodynamic Generators had any faults.
"Now we're in trouble..."
Lü Yongchang spoke quietly, his brows tightly furrowed.
The worst-case scenario had come to pass.
A fault in a large installation like this was not frightening in itself.
In fact, every large machine would develop a few faults to some degree.
But being unable to find the fault was frightening!
A heavy gloom now hung over the research team.
Every researcher wore a grim expression.
"The brightest star in the night sky..."
Suddenly, a ringtone broke the silence in the generator room.
Lü Yongchang hurriedly pulled his phone from his pocket.
The caller ID showed an encrypted number.
His gaze flickered, and he answered the call.
"Hello, may I ask who-"
Before Lü Yongchang could finish, an elderly voice came through the phone.
"Ahem... Yongchang, this is Senator Li."
Lü Yongchang's expression instantly turned solemn, and he blurted out in surprise, "Senator Li Chief?!"
In an instant, every researcher turned to look at Lü Yongchang!
Beside him, Fang Xu stared at him in astonishment, surprise and envy flickering in his eyes.
It was actually a call from Senator Li!
"Yongchang, I heard the Pangu One Fusion Reactor has run into a small problem?"
At Senator Li's words, a wry look flashed in Lü Yongchang's eyes.
Well, great!
The generator problem had dragged on so long that even Senator Li had heard about it!
"We have run into some trouble, but please rest assured. I'll resolve it as soon as possible."
There was a brief silence on the other end.
Then Senator Li's voice came through again.
"Yongchang, this isn't something you can rush. Take your time investigating it. Xia Country can afford to wait a little longer."
"You must make sure your own safety is protected while you investigate the problem!"
"Do you understand?"
Although Senator Li's words were stern, they left Lü Yongchang feeling a little warmth.
"Rest assured, Senator Li!"
At Lü Yongchang's reply, Senator Li sighed softly. "It's all right if Pangu One progresses a little more slowly. What matters is... your life and the lives of the researchers around you. Those are the most important things."
"I know every nuclear engineering project carries some degree of danger."
"But I want you to remember one thing."
"Xia Country's future needs scientists like you to support it, so you must stay safe!"
Lü Yongchang was moved.
He had never imagined that Senator Li held him in such high regard!
"Rest assured, Senator Li. If there's any danger, I'll arrange for everyone to evacuate immediately!" he said firmly. "I promise you, there will be no accidents whatsoever with the Pangu One Fusion Reactor!"
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