Chapter 1135 - Still A Secre

Of course it was important to have a meeting, but not giving other people a chance to speak was quite ridiculous.

However, that didn’t mean Lu Zhou had to adopt other people’s ideas.

There were always experiments to be done, and everyone wanted to start with their own research project. If they kept on discussing what experiment to do, nothing would get done.

Lu Zhou was an efficient person, he obviously didn’t like any delays.

After Lu Zhou told Secretary-General Luo Wenxuan to announce the meeting outcome, he immediately took on the role of a responsible academic leader and held a brief meeting with various departments. After delegating the necessary work, he put himself back onto the front lines of scientific research.

It had been quite some time since he researched physics. Even though the knowledge in his brain had not disappeared, he was a little rusty.

Fortunately, it was easy for him to pick up new knowledge. Since he reached mathematics level 10, re-reading papers he had read before gave him a deeper understanding than before.

But this wasn’t only about the 750 GeV peak.

It was also about his theory on the electrostrong interaction.

As well as the entire physics field...

“The United States Department of Energy sent an email. They asked us to reconsider our decision and host another board meeting. Otherwise, they might cancel their 2024 funding of the ILHCRC.”

Inside the chairman’s office.

Luo Wenxuan was standing in front of the desk, reporting to Lu Zhou regarding the phone call he received this morning.

There was evidence that this has spread from the physics community to the political community. The United States seemed to have plans of withdrawing from ILHCRC, or at least they threatened the possibility. This was to convince the ILHCRC to listen to the board of directors.

However, after hearing Luo Wenxuan’s report, Lu Zhou wasn’t shocked at all. He spoke quietly.

“What about their funding for 2023?”

“They already paid that in November this year... They paid about 70% of the full amount.”

Lu Zhou: “It’s fine then.”

Luo Wenxuan said, “What do you mean fine?”

Lu Zhou said, “They can’t withdraw, it’s an empty threat. If they really suspended their funding, we can freeze their ILHCRC board seats and fire their researchers at the ILHCRC. Eventually, they’ll be totally disengaged from the ILHCRC. I’m sure there are plenty of countries that would like to take their spot. Especially Europe, they can’t wait to join us.”

CERN took up a large amount of the European Union budget each year. Now that the ILHCRC was willing to take on the responsibility of advancing the physics field, the European Union would be happy to allocate the extra funds to the ILHCRC.

If the United States withdrew, it was likely that the American physics community would lose their influence and power.

If the United States thought that it was a good idea, Lu Zhou certainly didn’t mind.

The only thing he cared about was the ILHCRC having enough funds for him to do experiments.

Luo Wenxuan paused for a second and spoke.

“That’s not the best idea, right? If we make enemies at the beginning, will it bite us in the a*s later?”

“I’m doing this so we don’t get bitten in the a*s later. What if all of the future board meetings turn out this way?” Lu Zhou said, “Not to mention, we are the only people that are in control of a peta electronvolt collider. We’re not asking them to collaborate with us, we’re giving them an opportunity!”

Lu Zhou looked at Luo Wenxuan and spoke.

“Not to mention, words don’t mean anything, I will use results to prove I am correct.”

Luo Wenxuan: “... I understand.”

Lu Zhou nodded and continued.

“Then write an email to the United States Department of Energy, and tell them that we’re sorry to see them withdraw from us.

“There’s no need for us to pander to them.”

Luo Wenxuan walked out of the office and closed the door behind him.

He happened to see an old man and a middle-aged man walking in the corridor.

Luo Wenxuan looked at the old man and was instantly shocked. He smiled and spoke.

“Director Li? What brings you here?”

“What else? It’s Academician Lu.” Director Li sighed and looked at the office door. He asked, “Is he inside?”

Luo Wenxuan: “Yeah, he is...”

“Good, I have to talk to him.”

Director Li told his assistant to wait outside. He walked around Luo Wenxuan and opened the office door.

Director Li went inside the office. Before he said hello, he immediately placed a piece of newspaper on Lu Zhou’s desk and spoke.

“I read the newspaper today and found out that the Brookhaven Science Associates held a press conference, and the United States Department of Energy plans on suspending their funding? What is going on, why is this happening?”

They held a press conference?

Is that necessary?

Lu Zhou looked at the newspaper headline and didn’t read the article’s body. He looked up at Director Li and spoke.

“Do you trust me?”

“No sh*t! Who else am I supposed to trust,” Director Li said. “But that’s not the point.”

Lu Zhou: “Since you appointed me as the chairman, then we should follow my orders. Otherwise, you can replace me with someone else.”

Director Li was baffled.

It wasn’t like he had the power to fire and change the Chairman of the ILHCRC. This role was decided by the highest level government officials. He didn’t have the authority or right to fire Lu Zhou, nor would he ever do such a thing.

After all, angering the Americans was a trivial matter, but angering Academician Lu would not be a trivial matter...

Lu Zhou saw that Director Li wanted to say something. Lu Zhou suddenly smiled and spoke in a calm tone.

“Don’t worry, actually, this kind of thing is common in the physics world. The United States’ Department of Energy is just abusing their power, we don’t have to care about the complaints from the Brookhaven National Laboratory at all.”

Director Li: “... This is common?”

Lu Zhou said, “Way too common!”

Arguments among academic institutions were way too common.

However, the stakes this time were higher than usual, so the arguments were more intense.

After all, this would impact dozens or even hundreds of potential Nobel Prize laureates, with billions of dollars involved.

Since Lu Zhou took everything for himself, there were bound to be people who wouldn’t be happy.

Perhaps if he had used a softer approach, for example by convincing more than half of the board members, the rest of the board members would have to agree with him.

However, Lu Zhou didn’t have time to convince anyone.

Not to mention that he knew he was correct. He would much rather convince people with scientific results.

He was better at that.

Lu Zhou: “If you’re still worried, you can stay in Shanghai and wait for me to finish this experiment.”

Director Li shook his head and said, “I can’t just stay in Shanghai... All in all, take it easy, you should leave a bit of leeway for other people. Just don’t kick anyone. After all, they’re our international friends, backed by governments. We need their funding, right?”

Lu Zhou smiled and nodded.

“Don’t worry, I wouldn’t do such a thing.”

Well, I hope so!

Director Li didn’t speak his thoughts out loud.

Lu Zhou looked at Director Li and changed the subject.

“Speaking of which, how are the Dragon chips?”

“They’re good... Why?”

Lu Zhou smiled and said, “Nothing, I was just wondering. Also, I plan on creating this new thing.”

When Director Li heard this, he was instantly intrigued. He totally forgot about the complaints from the US Department of Energy and immediately asked, “What thing?”

Lu Zhou looked at Director Li’s intrigued face and smiled mysteriously.

“It’s still a secret.”

Director Li: “...”