Xinhua News Update:
To accelerate carbon emission reduction, tackle climate change, and build an environmentally friendly society, the State has issued a notice to intensify the "Coal Reduction Plan." Over the next ten years, coal output will be gradually reduced while aggressively promoting clean energy...
According to the Global Times:
The capital has launched a large-scale "Coal Reduction Plan," with nuclear energy expected to progressively replace coal-fired power generation, fulfilling commitments made at the climate conference...
The sudden announcement from Chinese authorities drew widespread attention.
It wasn't just that they were pushing a sweeping coal reduction policy—what stood out was the simultaneous, aggressive promotion of nuclear power. It was clear that nuclear power plants were being positioned to gradually replace traditional thermal power and fossil fuels.
This firm stance on reducing coal use had been circulating in policy circles for some time. But never before had there been such a bold and large-scale initiative. The move sent ripples across global coal markets, causing price fluctuations as uncertainty spread.
People everywhere were asking the same question: Why this sudden shift?
Currently, China still relied heavily on thermal power for its electricity needs. To cut coal use so drastically within just ten years, supposedly for carbon emission targets, struck many as implausible. Most analysts didn't believe the country would willingly slow down its development to meet such goals.
And the real head-scratcher—if nuclear power was to replace coal, what about the problem of nuclear waste from fission reactors? Not to mention the massive safety and infrastructure demands of building nuclear plants on a large scale.
Could nuclear power really replace thermal generation entirely at this stage?
Debates exploded across media and industry circles. Think tanks around the world tried to analyze the decision, but most conclusions ended in confusion. Many speculated that China had made a strategic miscalculation, overestimating the pace of clean energy development.
But Chen Mo knew better.
When he read the headlines, he immediately understood. This was the first step in the government's preparations for his upcoming announcement—controlled nuclear fusion. By releasing these signals now, they were softening the market impact for when the breakthrough was revealed two months later.
This was damage control.
A sudden announcement of fusion success would have triggered a global energy panic. But with this slow rollout, the coal industry would have time to brace for impact. Over the next two months, the government could quietly prepare job relocation programs and adjust market expectations—avoiding a sudden spike in unemployment and market chaos.
Two category-12 typhoons spaced apart were better than one catastrophic category-17 typhoon. The damage would still come, but it would be manageable.
After glancing through the news, Chen Mo turned his gaze toward the breakfast table.
Xiao Yu sat beside him. His mother was also present.
"Make sure to take care of yourself when you're out there. The weather's getting cold, so I packed your clothes—they're in the trunk," Xiao Yu said, placing a peeled egg on his plate.
"Got it." Chen Mo smiled and picked up the egg. "You focus on resting. I'll bring you back something nice."
"Don't worry about us. With me here, you just handle your business," Mother Chen said warmly.
With Xiao Yu pregnant and Chen Mo often working, she and her in-laws took turns every month or two to come help out. Xiao Yu didn't need to shuttle back and forth, and she was well cared for.
Mother Chen had taken a real liking to her daughter-in-law.
After breakfast, Chen Mo headed to the airport.
The Nobel Prize ceremony was just two days away, and it was time to depart.
When he arrived at the VIP lounge, Li Chengzhi entered with four people. Just by their demeanor, Chen Mo could tell they were elite professionals.
Li Chengzhi handed over a folder of their profiles.
Chen Mo skimmed it. All four were recently retired members of the Central and South Sea Security Forces. In old terms, they were palace guards—elite protectors of top leadership.
Two men. Two women.
The men were stocky and clean-cut. The women were dressed professionally—one with short hair and light makeup, the other with a high ponytail and black-rimmed glasses. To an outsider, they could easily pass for senior corporate assistants.
"The people protecting you this time are here," Li Chengzhi said. "This is their last mission before full retirement. You'll be receiving security treatment on par with national leaders."
He turned to the four. "Introduce yourselves."
"Yes, sir!" they responded in unison.
"Zhu He, codename Furong. You can call me that," said the woman with the high ponytail.
From the moment she stepped in, Furong had been quietly observing Chen Mo—just like the others. They already knew who he was: the world-renowned founder of Marching Ant Group. Younger than them, yet responsible for accelerating global technological progress. It was hard not to be impressed.
But what surprised her most was the two men standing beside Chen Mo—Black Eagle and Wang Hai. Their presence made it impossible for her to get a read on Chen Mo's true capabilities.
"Mr. Chen, I'm Yuan Pingshan. Codename Taishan," said the tall, muscular man who stood nearly two meters.
"My name is Luo Yu," said the woman with short hair.
"Zhong Lei," said the leanest of the group, speaking calmly.
"Furong and Luo Yu will serve as your secretaries and assistants. Alei and Taishan will handle external security," Li Chengzhi explained.
At this point, Chen Mo's safety could not be left to chance.
He wasn't just the architect of nuclear fusion. He was a pioneer in artificial intelligence, robotics, materials science, and physics. If he had been a formal government researcher, he'd be barred from international travel and guarded like a national treasure.
But Chen Mo was not bound by those restrictions.
Now, as the first Chinese physicist to receive the Nobel Prize, his trip was a matter of national honor. These four elite agents were here to ensure he returned safely.
After the introductions, Chen Mo turned to the group.
"When you retire," he said casually, "are you interested in working for me?"
The four looked at him in surprise.
"Three million a year," he added. "Full benefits. Everything you'll need."
Li Chengzhi smiled. This was what he had hoped for—using the mission to send talent Chen Mo's way.
"Yes." All four nodded without hesitation.
They'd been asked the same question earlier. Now that Chen Mo had spoken the words directly, they didn't hesitate. His offer was better than anything they'd get elsewhere.
With the team settled, Chen Mo pulled out his holographic phone and began playing a game to pass the time, not bothering to look up until the boarding announcement came through.
It was time to fly.