Chapter 1031: Chapter 1029: Everything Is Ready Except for the East Wind
“Thank you.” Richard expressed his gratitude, took the list handed over by Inogova, glanced at it briefly, and quickly noticed several materials that had not yet been gathered, all marked with cross signs.
What hadn’t been found, to be precise, were two types.
First, on the list the na is Rhein Stone, but it’s actually Rhenium.
This is a silvery-white tal, very hard, wear-resistant, corrosion-resistant, insoluble in salt acid and hydrofluoric acid. This tal has an excellent trait, naly heat resistance, with a lting point of 3180°C, ranking third among tals, and a boiling point as high as 5627°C, the highest among all tals.
This tal also possesses a “Rhenium Effect”; when manufactured into an alloy, it can significantly enhance the strength and plasticity of tungsten, molybdenum, and chromium. Adding a small amount (3%—5%) of rhenium can increase the recrystallization starting temperature of tungsten by 300°C—500°C. That’s why, after igniting high explosives in an implosion-type nuclear weapon, Re-W alloy can remain unaffected under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions, squeezing the nuclear material.
Second, on the list the na is Sweet Green Stone, but it’s actually Beryllium.
This is a gray tal, brittle at room temperature, with an elastic modulus about 50% higher than steel, yet with relatively low density, hence very high sound speed. Under standard temperature and pressure, sound travels in it at a speed of roughly 12.9 km/s—under the sa conditions, sound travels through air at just over 300 ters per second.
Of course, none of that is important. What’s important is that except for trace amounts of radioactive isotopes caused by cosmic rays, natural beryllium is almost entirely composed of the Be-9 isotope, with the nuclear spin of 3/2. This results in a relatively large cross-section for high-energy neutrons, with a cross-section exceeding 6 barns for neutrons with energy above 10 keV, rapidly reducing neutron thermal energy to below 0.03 eV, making it an excellent neutron reflector and neutron moderator.
Simply put, using it as a reflector layer can restrict neutron activity within a certain range, allowing a continuous nuclear chain reaction to proceed, thereby helping to increase the atomic bomb’s power.
anwhile, beryllium, upon impact with a deuterium nucleus and proton, will also release neutrons, so under certain conditions, it can act as a neutron source to trigger a nuclear explosion.
In short, these two materials are both crucial for the manufacturing of an implosion-type atomic bomb.
Rhenium being hard to find, he could understand.
After all, this tal is quite rare and was discovered relatively late on Earth, so if truly unable to find it, he might attempt to substitute other materials.
But beryllium being hard to find was sowhat difficult to accept.
Beryllium is far more common than rhenium; not to ntion elsewhere, it’s present in certain types of green gemstone alone.
Putting down the list, looking up at Inogova, Richard asked for confirmation: “Inogova Wizard, regarding the two materials missing from the list, have you truly not found a single trace?”
“Well…” Inogova hesitated a little, thought about it, and said, “Please wait a mont.”
After speaking, they started searching through piles of docunts on the table, taking several minutes to finally find a new file. After carefully reading through its contents, they spoke up again: “Wizard Richard, according to the reports submitted, we’ve actually found so Sweet Green Stone, and there are traces regarding the other Rhein Stone; both are concentrated in a mineral city called Laisi within the Soma Alliance. However, to gather the required quantity and transport it back, it might take one or two months, so the status of these materials on the list remains vacant.”
Upon hearing this, Richard frowned slightly and asked, “Is Laisi City in Soma Alliance far from Pompeii?”
“Not really far; Laisi City is relatively close to the southern border within Soma Alliance, so if you travel at full speed, it might only take two days to reach there,” Inogova replied.
It sounded similar to the distance to Saint Louis City… Richard raised an eyebrow, pursuing further, “If that’s the case, why would it still require one or two months?”
“Primarily because the situation within Soma Alliance is a bit unstable recently, and our influence there is very limited. Unable to directly control people for matters, in these circumstances, we can only patiently wait for the situation to improve before handling it, hence so wasted ti,” Inogova shrugged.
Gazing at Richard’s furrowed brows, they thought for a mont and then proposed, “Of course, if you’re really in a hurry, Wizard Richard, you could also leave Pompeii and personally go to Laisi to handle it, which will naturally be much faster. Just make sure not to leave and never return, staying out for over a year—if that’s truly the case, you’ll need to register with and handle the domicile procedures.”
“I see.” Richard nodded.
…
Soon, Richard returned to Eden.
Sitting at the ring-shaped lab bench in the main laboratory, Richard lightly tapped his fingers on the tabletop, creating a rhythmic “tap tap tap” sound, pondering Inogova’s proposal at the transaction point.
He was quite aligned with Inogova’s proposal. After all, the nuclear weapon research and manufacturing plan has reached this point, everything is ready except for so materials, absolutely can’t delay for one or two months due to a minor material shortage.
Considering all aspects when coming to Pompeii, he’s not forgotten: his true identity could be exposed anyti, staying in Pompeii is akin to being in enemy-occupied territory. Utilising Pompeii’s resources to quickly complete the nuclear weapon research and manufacturing plan, then leave and escape the danger.
In that case, he must make a trip to Laisi, and the sooner the better.
With this thought, he didn’t hesitate and stepped out of the laboratory.
Soon, he found Pandora on the open ground in front of the main laboratory, briefly explained his departure, and handed over a Crystal Ball.
“I will be gone for just a few days at most, will handle matters quickly and return as soon as possible,” Richard cautioned, “anwhile, in my absence, Eden must continue to absorb energy, produce, and store nuclear material as much as possible, so it can’t be moved frivolously. In the process, you must watch over it, especially be vigilant about the tree in the room. Although I think the chance of it causing trouble is very low now, it remains a hidden danger that should not be underestimated.”
If it indeed causes trouble, don’t be polite, deal with it directly. If the situation is urgent, contact through this Crystal Ball, and I will drop everything and return. I have already taught you how to use the Crystal Ball before, rember?”
“Of course.” Pandora put away the Crystal Ball and nodded emphatically, responding with shining eyes, “Don’t worry, everything will be fine. In fact, if that tree really causes trouble, that’s great; I haven’t had a fight in a long ti and am itching to get into action.”
“Ha.” Richard couldn’t help but laugh, thought of sothing, and asked aloud, “Speaking of, would you wait for to leave and then deliberately provoke the tree for a fight?”
“Can I?” Pandora’s voice slightly elevated with so excitent, eyes lighting up.
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