Chapter 754 - 352: Feng Shui Master

"I’m not here for a PR report." Leo crossed his arms. "I just want an answer. A week has passed. Have you found a plan to restart it within 24 months?"

Alan fell silent for a moment.

He glanced at his colleagues, who were still arguing, then turned his head to look at Leo.

"On a purely technical level... it’s not a major problem."

Alan pulled a thin booklet of a dozen or so pages from the messy pile of documents on the table and tossed it to Leo.

"This is the preliminary assessment we came up with after pulling seven all-nighters."

Alan began to explain, "First, I need to clear up a common misconception perpetuated by the media."

"The unit that had the accident in 1979 was Three Mile Island Unit 2. Its core melted down; it’s a complete write-off. The one we want to restart is Unit 1."

"After the accident, it underwent comprehensive safety upgrades and operated safely for forty years. It was only shut down in 2019 for economic reasons—specifically, it couldn’t compete with Pennsylvania’s ridiculously cheap shale gas."

Alan pointed to the 3D model on the screen.

"It hasn’t been shut down for long. The integrity of the core equipment, like the twenty-centimeter-thick reactor pressure vessel and the more-than-a-meter-thick reinforced concrete containment structure, is very well preserved."

"We don’t need to start from scratch like we would with a new nuclear plant. That saves us at least five years."

"What we need to do is carry out a large-scale modernization and upgrade."

"Replace the aging main transformers and turbine blades, complete pressure tests and safety assessments for all core systems, and then load new fuel rods."

"Technically, these are all routine procedures. There are no insurmountable obstacles."

After finishing the technical part, Alan’s expression grew solemn.

"The real trouble isn’t technical, it’s administrative."

He pointed at the experts who were arguing incessantly in the conference room.

"We need a large number of experienced nuclear engineers and licensed operators. After Three Mile Island shut down, many of them either retired or changed careers."

"Every single component in a nuclear power plant is absurdly expensive—a single safety valve can cost several hundred thousand US Dollars. We also need a cash flow that’s free from any political interference."

"Finally, there’s policy and regulation."

Alan looked at Leo, his gaze sharp.

"Those bureaucrats at the Federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission... they don’t have the word ’expedite’ in their vocabulary."

"Even if we solve all the technical problems, if they delay us for a few months at any stage of the safety review, our two-year timeline becomes a joke."

"So, Mr. Mayor, technically, we’re ninety percent certain we can do it. But administratively..." Alan shook his head. "I don’t see even a ten percent chance of success."

Leo nodded. This was the answer he was looking for.

He glanced again at the experts beside him, still arguing until they were red in the face over the model of some cooling pump.

’In the eyes of a bureaucrat who doesn’t understand the technology, this kind of argument would be interpreted as a major technical disagreement within the project.’

’At times like this, you need a translator—one who understands both technology and the language of bureaucracy—to tell the people in power what the trivial details are and what the core issues that truly need attention are.’

"The funding and administrative problems are my responsibility."

Leo closed the booklet and stood up.

"Doctor, you just need to lead your team and ensure that the moment that reactor starts up, it doesn’t turn Pennsylvania into another Chernobyl."

"Keep up the good work, Doctor. You’re making history."

Leo left Carnegie Mellon University.

The technical problems were sorted out. Now it was time to solve the issues of money and legal hurdles.

The next day, Leo’s private car drove into Chestnut Hill in Philadelphia.

Just as he entered the gates of Saint Claude Manor, Leo saw William Saint Cloud, dressed in a pair of garish beach shorts and holding a butterfly net, chasing a butterfly across the lawn.

He looked utterly blissful, completely lacking the dignified composure expected of a Governor.

Seeing Leo’s car stop, William halted, slung the butterfly net over his shoulder, and walked over with a grin.

"Hey! Leo! What’s a busy guy like you doing here?"

William leaned against the car door without any sense of formality.

"I’m here to see Evelyn." Leo got out of the car, looking at the eccentric Governor.

"Her? She was just inside, throwing a fit." William pursed his lips, looking like he was thoroughly enjoying the drama.

"Throwing a fit? Why?" Leo was a little surprised.

"Oh, you’ll have to ask those old geezers about that."

William leaned closer to Leo and said conspiratorially.

"Let me tell you something wild. You know, yesterday I went to some boring dinner for the Pennsylvania Historical Heritage Preservation Society. Then, some old guy in a monocle secretly slipped me a note."

William pulled a crumpled piece of paper from the pocket of his beach shorts and handed it to Leo.

"He said that if I was willing to use my governor’s veto on a few upcoming environmental bills, their association would nominate me for some Outstanding Citizen of the Year award and sponsor my entire vacation to Tahiti next month."

Leo took the note.

The signature on it vaguely pointed to several traditional energy Lobbying Groups that had been entrenched in Harrisburg for years.

"Did you agree?" Leo looked at William.

"Of course not!" William rolled his eyes. "I’ve been to Tahiti countless times. There’s nothing new about it."

"Besides, Evelyn warned me that I can’t sign anything unless she approves it. If I sign things without permission, she’ll cancel my credit cards."

William shrugged.

"But those old guys seemed pretty desperate. I think they’re really scared of that nuclear plant thing you’re working on."

"I thought it was pretty interesting, so I showed the note to Evelyn."

Leo gripped the note, his eyes turning cold.

’The old, suppressed powers were starting to bypass him, trying to find a breakthrough with this seemingly foolish Governor.’

"William, you did the right thing." Leo clapped William on the shoulder, his tone serious. "If anything like this happens again, tell me and Evelyn immediately. Don’t make any decisions on your own."

"I know, I know." William waved his hand impatiently. "I’m not an idiot."

Leo was about to turn and leave.

"Wait, Leo."

William suddenly called out to him.

"There’s one more thing."

Leo’s temper flared instantly. The intimidating aura he projected, even without overt anger, made William instinctively shrink back.

"Did someone else approach you? What is it this time?"

"N-nothing..." William, intimidated by Leo, waved his hands frantically. "It’s not a big deal, forget it."

"Speak."

Leo’s tone left no room for argument.

"Alright, alright." William said, sounding aggrieved. "A few days ago, a very strange guy came to see me."

"He was wearing a Tang suit and was rambling on about strange things. He said he was... right, what they call a Feng Shui Master in the Eastern States."

"A Feng Shui Master?"

Leo frowned. ’What kind of play is this now?’

"He said the Feng Shui of the villa I recently bought is bad. The main gate is facing the wrong direction, and it will affect my fortune."

"He wanted to help me adjust the layout, saying it would help me reach the next level in the future."

Leo looked at William, unable to tell for a moment whether this was a new conspiracy or just a simple scam.

"Hmm..."

Leo mulled it over for a moment, then told William to wait.

He needed to see Evelyn first. The situation seemed to be getting more complicated.