Chapter 77: A Blank Canvas Is Ideal for Painting

At the Tianfu Aviation Research Institute, Li Fu and four others enjoyed a full day of rest. Early the next morning, Li Fu rose before dawn and made his way to the plasma engine research group led by Liu Shiying.

"Good morning, Li," Liu Shiying greeted him, already at work when Li Fu arrived, a smile lighting up his face.

"Good morning, Academician Liu." Li Fu nodded with a smile, then glanced over. Before Liu Shiying stood a cylindrical structure, several people tall, perfectly round and silent, immediately drawing the attention of Li Fu and the others.

"This is the plasma engine we've built so far. Though we call it a plasma engine, it doesn't really function as one—it's not even capable of ionizing air," Liu Shiying said, a trace of helplessness in his tone as he caught Li Fu's expression.

"That shouldn't be the case. Ionizing air on the ground should be possible with high voltage electricity; it's not as if we're flying in the sky where carrying huge amounts of power is impossible," Li Fu replied, frowning. Ionizing air should be a straightforward task—just apply high voltage and the job is done. How could it be impossible?

"Ionizing air is indeed simple; just connect a high-voltage line. But to ionize air within such a small engine..." Liu Shiying shook his head with a smile. Many research institutes can conduct air ionization experiments in a large laboratory, but to achieve it in the confined space of a small engine cylinder is an entirely different challenge.

Listening to Liu Shiying, Li Fu circled the massive cylinder, inspecting it closely. Its body was jet-black, sleek and streamlined, reminiscent of props from a science fiction film. Inside, precision-crafted blades formed dizzying patterns. There was no doubt that once activated, this engine could compress air to the utmost, and when confronted with atomized or vaporized fuel—or air ionized by ultra-high voltage electricity—the compressed air would instantly expand as if exploding, producing unparalleled thrust.

"Wait..." Li Fu halted abruptly, voicing his confusion. He had studied many plasma engines from the Super Civilization Seed, and he knew the internal structures intimately. This engine, despite its name, was no different from a traditional fuel jet engine.

"What's the matter?" Liu Shiying immediately noticed Li Fu's expression.

"Could I see the internal schematic of this engine?" Li Fu asked, brow furrowed. While plasma engines and fuel jet engines both relied on compressed air for explosive expansion, they were fundamentally different. Continuing with the structure of a fuel jet engine was the wrong approach; innovation was needed.

"Of course," Liu Shiying replied after a moment's thought. He operated the computer, and the giant monitor displayed the engine's internal schematic.

With just a glance, Li Fu understood why the engine couldn't even ionize air—it was essentially a fuel jet engine, with the fuel inlet simply replaced by a high-voltage input. Such a design could never achieve high-voltage ionization.

The plasma engines from the Great Han Science Empire of the Super Civilization Seed differed dramatically. While both designs compressed air for explosive expansion, the plasma engine's process of ionizing air made it fundamentally distinct. The current domestic jet engines lagged behind their international counterparts largely due to inferior air compression capabilities; weaker compression meant less expansion and thrust from the fuel combustion chamber.

But a plasma engine operated by ionizing air, not burning fuel, required an entirely different design. The adoption of a fuel jet engine structure could not meet the requirements.

"Academician Liu, since we're researching plasma engines—a wholly new generation of engine technology—I believe we should completely abandon the old design philosophy of fuel jet engines. Think of it as a blank sheet; we should first consider how to achieve air ionization with high voltage, then tackle the issue of air compression," Li Fu said thoughtfully, sharing his idea.

Smack! Liu Shiying was stunned, then his eyes shone. He slapped himself sharply, drawing the attention of everyone nearby.

"That's it! How did I not see it before? No wonder there's been no breakthrough—my thinking was still trapped in fuel jet engine design. No matter how hard we tried, there was no progress," he exclaimed. "I've let down the country's trust—countless experiments wasted resources, yet I still used outdated thinking to design a new plasma engine."

It was as if Liu Shiying had been struck by a bolt of enlightenment. He was a top expert in aerodynamics, among the best in China and the world. Leading many researchers, his methods had never been questioned—after all, following the traditional approach seemed logical.

But Li Fu's insight woke him instantly; it was like building a structure. Starting with a foundation allows quick progress, but the foundation also limits the shape and height. Without any foundation, the process is more difficult and directionless at first but allows for limitless possibilities—a blank canvas to create anew.

The principle was simple, but no one had ever pointed it out. Only someone like Li Fu, who had studied with the Super Civilization Seed, could see it instantly. Otherwise, they would continue research along existing lines.

"Li Fu, inviting you was the right decision. This is only your second day, and already you've brought such a tremendous breakthrough. Previously, I had little confidence in developing a plasma engine, but now—with you here—I am full of hope," Liu Shiying declared.

"Sigh, I made such a grave mistake. If you hadn't awakened me, I don't know how much time and resources would have been wasted, nor how much we would have delayed the country's plasma engine research. We might have fallen behind others, and I, Liu Shiying, would have been a traitor to the nation," Liu Shiying said, filled with guilt, feeling he had betrayed the country's trust. The state had entrusted him with such an important task, yet he had made no progress and risked hindering national advancement in this new field.

He was also grateful to have recruited Li Fu; amazed that on only the second day, Li Fu had pinpointed a major issue just from a glance at the engine and its schematic.

"You flatter me. You're the expert; I just offered a casual suggestion," Li Fu replied, smiling and shaking his head. At this moment, he saw in Liu Shiying the same sense of mission and responsibility he had observed in his own teacher—a profound duty to fulfill the nation's mandate. For these senior scientists, failing to achieve results meant failing the country, possibly delaying progress and becoming enemies of the nation.

Such dedication and sense of mission inspire respect—something the younger generation can hardly comprehend, seen only in their elders. From Liu Shiying's willingness to personally welcome Li Fu for the sake of new methods and thinking, it was clear he carried immense internal pressure—not external, but a historical sense of responsibility. China hoped to surpass the West in aviation, and much hope was placed in the plasma engine.

As the leader of the plasma engine research group, Liu Shiying imposed upon himself a tremendous sense of mission and historical responsibility. Knowing Li Fu specialized in biotechnology and likely understood little about aviation, he still seized the slightest opportunity, recruiting Li Fu simply because he had heard of theoretical breakthroughs.

And it proved worthwhile. Since Li Fu and his colleagues joined, the plasma engine research group quickly found its stride. Li Fu, Chen Bin, Yu Liang, Cao Haitao, and Yang Yiping started with little knowledge, asking about the most basic concepts.

Yet soon the group noticed their exceptional abilities—their capacity to learn and comprehend was astonishing. Often, they grasped concepts after seeing or hearing them just once. In less than half a month, they were already comparable to veteran researchers.

Especially Li Fu—everyone finally understood what it meant to be a genius. His terrifying learning and comprehension, remarkable reverse thinking and deduction skills astounded the entire team.

One by one, the challenges faced by the group were solved thanks to Li Fu's extraordinary abilities. The plasma engine was discarded and redesigned from a blank slate, and progress was remarkably swift.

One month later, a brand-new plasma engine stood before them.

PS: Thanks to Loli's Strange Uncle for the 600 reward, and to reader 2017110****1920 and Ni Shurong for the 100 reward.