Building a Sci-Fi Empire: Starting with Cold Nuclear Fusion

In the afternoon, in Laboratory No. 6.

Chen Yuan is checking the nuclear battery prototype model for any problems.

If there are no problems, then we can start the testing and verification phase tomorrow.

Standing to the side, Lao Qin asked, "Xiao Yuan, what did Vice President Zhen want to talk to you about at noon?"

Xiao Yun, Zhu Yun, Ding Yang, and the others standing to the side couldn't help but turn their heads to look.

While inspecting the product, Chen Yuan said, "I took on a side job, and he suspected that the products I developed for other companies might contain advanced battery technology, so he talked to me about it."

"Hmm?" Zhu Yun frowned and reminded him, "Many people have done side jobs. As long as it doesn't involve the company's business, they generally won't be held accountable. But if you really violate the non-compete agreement, the consequences will be very serious."

Old Qin agreed wholeheartedly, saying, "There used to be a guy in our department named Gu Ning who was very capable. But he violated the non-compete agreement, and when Vice President Zhen found out, he immediately formed an internal investigation team, collected evidence, and filed a lawsuit. As a result, Gu Ning not only lost his job but also lost everything. You should be careful about these kinds of things."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yuan was taken aback, turned his head to look, and asked with great doubt, "Isn't the penalty for breach of non-compete agreements for technical personnel two million? At worst, we can sell our houses; we shouldn't end up bankrupt, right?"

Ding Yang, standing nearby, sneered, "As long as you have evidence, getting you is easy. If you look at the contract, you'll see a clause that says: 'The amount of liquidated damages should be reasonably determined based on factors such as the potential economic losses caused by the employee's disclosure of trade secrets and the total amount of economic compensation already paid by the company.' Although generally, liquidated damages should not exceed five times the agreed non-compete economic compensation, as long as they insist on the point that it might cause the company huge economic losses and don't terminate the employment contract, you won't be able to continue working until the lawsuit is over. At that point, you'll either have to obediently admit defeat and pay up to negotiate, or you'll be stuck in the legal battle until the judgment is issued and the two-year period stipulated in the non-compete agreement has passed before you can work again. What will you do then?"

A lawsuit is generally divided into several stages, including filing a lawsuit, mediation, trial, judgment, appeal, and enforcement.

For simplified procedures, the trial period is within three months from the date of filing the case, while for the more complex ordinary procedures, the trial period is within six months from the date of filing the case.

In special circumstances, the period may be extended by six months with the approval of the court president.

If further extensions are needed, approval from a higher court is required.

This is the first trial.

There was also a second trial, and the situation was somewhat similar to the first trial.

Although the second-instance judgment is the final judgment, it is still possible to apply for a retrial through some legal channels.

In other words, if what Ding Yang said is true, as long as the company collects certain evidence and is determined to target someone, it can likely drag it out for two to three years.

During this period, as long as the company does not acknowledge the termination of the contract, even if you have "legally" left the company after the judgment is issued, you will still need to wait another two years before you can work in the relevant industry.

In other words, after being dealt with like this, it is highly likely that one will be unable to work in the relevant industry for four or five years.

Although the company will pay the agreed-upon amount every month during the non-compete agreement period, technology is changing rapidly. If a technician does not work in their field for two years, they will likely fall behind when they return to work.

Moreover, lawsuits are time-consuming and laborious, so most people will likely have no choice but to accept their defeat in the end.

Most importantly, you won't get paid if you violate the non-compete agreement.

Therefore, in Gu Ning's case, it is highly likely that he couldn't hold on any longer and that's why he went to negotiate.

Xiaoyun and Lao Qin, who were close to Chen Yuan, had already begun to worry about him because they knew all this.

Surprisingly, Chen Yuan, as the person involved, showed no panic whatsoever. He even smiled and said, "I wondered what was going on. It turns out that in the end, he was just using the inability to work in the relevant industry to force others to submit."

Old Qin said speechlessly, "This isn't serious? Aren't you worried?"

Chen Yuan said nonchalantly, "I'm not worried. Sue me or not, I'll just quit the new energy research and development industry."

He genuinely didn't care, because his company's business didn't involve nuclear fusion, and what he wanted to do next was develop controlled nuclear fusion and cold nuclear fusion, which didn't conflict at all.

Chen Yuan now only wants to finish the nuclear battery project from beginning to end, then resign from the company and go about doing what he wants to do.

A few people were chatting.

Zhao Peng's assistant, Sister Xiao Ke, suddenly showed up with a temporary access pass.

Xiao Ke immediately said, "Xiao Chen, come out with me, I have something to talk to you about."

Chen Yuan had just finished inspecting the prototype of the nuclear battery and determined that there were some minor issues, which he could easily fix later.

Yes, it's a problem with the diamond flakes; the thickness is a bit off.

Although the thickness of the diamond sheet is within the acceptable tolerance range in the market, such tolerance is not allowed in this nuclear battery.

Chen Yuan had no idea that he hadn't used any professional instruments to measure micrometers; he had simply glanced at the problem with his naked eye.

The main reason is that he was so focused on the inspection that he didn't have time to think about anything else. After he regained his focus, Xiao Ke came over, leaving him no time to process how he could distinguish the thickness of the diamond slice with the naked eye.

Chen Yuan figured it was a minor issue, and he could work on it slowly after talking to Xiao Ke.

So he replied, "Okay."

Chen Yuan put down his work, went to the changing room to change his clothes, and then went outside.

Beside the flower bed outside the laboratory.

Xiao Ke looked around to make sure no one was nearby before lowering her voice and saying seriously, "The minister asked me to tell you that Vice President Zhen has set up an internal investigation team to investigate you. Be careful later."

Ok?

Why did the little shoes arrive so quickly?

Chen Yuan originally thought that Vice President Zhen would hold back for a few days before making a move.

Who would have thought that less than a day had passed on this side before the other side had already set up an investigation team?

Although he didn't really care about it, since he was already planning to resign anyway, he still said gratefully, "Sister Xiao Ke, please thank the minister for me. I know what to do."

Xiao Ke nodded. "Okay, I'll go back to work now."

Chen Yuan said, "Okay, have a safe journey."

Xiao Ke didn't say anything more and turned to walk towards the administration building.

Chen Yuan was preparing to return to the laboratory.

Suddenly, a relatively unfamiliar voice came from behind, "Xiao Chen."

Chen Yuan turned his head and saw Zhou, the legal counsel who had been walking with Vice President Zhen at noon, approaching from a distance.

He replied, "Old Zhou, what's up?"

Xiao Zhou approached and pointed to the location of the administration building. "President Zhen wants you to go there; he has some work-related questions to ask."

Chen Yuan knew it was the investigation team calling to talk to him, since Sister Xiao Ke had just reminded him, but he still pretended not to understand and asked, "What is it?"

Xiao Zhou gave a vague answer: "You'll know when you get there."

……

We arrived at a small conference room on the third floor of the administration building.

Xiao Zhou went in first.

After Chen Yuan followed him inside, he saw more than a dozen people sitting there.

He was familiar with Vice President Zhen, HR Manager Zhang Qing, and his own department head Zhao Peng, but he didn't have much of an impression of the others.

At this moment, Zhao Peng's expression turned somewhat grim.

Vice President Zhen and the others appeared very calm.

Vice President Zhen remained expressionless, simply pointing to the chair placed separately in the middle and saying, "Xiao Chen, sit down. We need to ask you something."

Chen Yuan walked over and sat down. "Okay."

Vice President Zhen glanced at Zhao Peng, Zhang Qing, and the others, then fixed his gaze on Chen Yuan. "I heard you recently designed a new type of cochlear implant for Zhejiang Jiangkangnuo Company. As far as we know, most mainstream cochlear implants on the market currently use lithium batteries for power, which happens to be our company's business. Therefore, to prevent you from violating your non-compete agreement, I specifically formed an internal investigation team, just to avoid wrongly accusing an innocent person. You have no objections, right?"

Chen Yuan looked over and said, "No."

"Very good." Vice President Zhen nodded slightly. "Although you haven't been with the company long, your achievements are evident to all. I don't want such a capable and promising young man like you to go astray. So, before I begin my questioning, I want to advise you: if you've done anything wrong, be sure to admit it. We're not heartless people; admitting your mistakes and correcting them is a great virtue, right? You understand what I mean?"

clear!

Of course I understand!

You're basically saying that I should hand over the removable lithium battery technology I designed for Connolly's new cochlear implant, so that I can seize the future market for cochlear implant power batteries.

Chen Yuan believed that as long as he made a statement, Vice President Zhen would not only stop targeting him, but would also, as promised in the cafeteria, quickly distribute the nuclear battery project bonus to him, and it would be the one million yuan he had promised.

If an ordinary person were faced with such coercion and enticement, they would probably give in without saying a word.

It's a pity that Chen Yuan, although he seems easy to talk to on the surface, is actually a tough nut to crack.

He directly refused, saying, "I have not done anything wrong. If I have, the company can sue me. I am willing to compensate the company according to the court's judgment."

Upon hearing this, Vice President Zhen's usually expressionless face visibly furrowed.

The expressions of Zhao Peng, Zhang Qing, and the others remained largely unchanged from before.

Seeing that Chen Yuan was stubborn, Vice President Zhen was too lazy to waste any more words and said directly, "Fine, then please provide some information about the cochlear implant technology you designed for Kangnuo Company so we can review whether it violates the non-compete agreement."

Chen Yuan was equally direct, saying, "I'm sorry, I can't do that. This involves Kangnuo Company's trade secrets. If you want to obtain evidence, you can contact Kangnuo Company, instead of asking me to provide confidential information that violates our business cooperation!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Peng's previously worried face broke into a smile, and he even winked at Chen Yuan, as if to say that the reply was good.

Vice President Zhen narrowed his eyes and said, "According to the non-compete agreement we signed with you, you are obligated to provide this technical information!"

Chen Yuan laughed. "I remember the non-compete agreement states that I'm only obligated to provide relevant technical information if I breach the agreement. Now you're asking me to provide it, does that mean I already have evidence of a breach? If so, I will certainly act legally and compliantly according to the terms of the non-compete agreement. But if you can't prove I breached the agreement, sorry, I have no obligation!"

Zhao Peng nodded repeatedly. As long as Chen Yuan stuck to this point, Vice President Zhen would be unable to continue the conversation no matter what.

Zhang Qing and the other members of the investigation team seemed surprised that Chen Yuan had the audacity to confront Vice President Zhen like this.

What Zhao Peng could think of, how could Vice President Zhen not have thought of?

He understood that he probably wouldn't get anything out of Chen Yuan today, but his purpose in seeing Chen Yuan today wasn't to find out anything, but to continue to put pressure on him and force Chen Yuan to eventually give in.

This is just one step; there will be more pressure tactics to follow.

So, Vice President Zhen decided not to ask any further questions and instead said casually, "Okay, I won't ask anymore. However, you may be involved in violating your non-compete agreement. In order to ensure that our company's rights are not further infringed, I must temporarily suspend you from your duties with pay while you wait for the results of our investigation. Do you have any questions?"

what?

Is there really such a good thing?

Chen Yuan originally intended to devote all his energy to the research and development of controlled nuclear fusion and cold nuclear fusion, but because Zhao Peng was too good to him, he couldn't be a heartless person, so he never took the initiative to resign.

Unexpectedly, just as he was about to resign, Vice President Zhen immediately offered an even better solution: he wouldn't have to come to work, he would have time to work on nuclear fusion research, and he could even get a salary while lying down.

That's wonderful!

It's like a pillow being delivered when you're sleepy!

Chen Yuan was overjoyed and was about to agree immediately.

Unexpectedly, an accident occurred.

Upon hearing that Vice President Zhen was to do this, Zhao Peng immediately exclaimed excitedly, "He's on suspended leave with pay, so you, Zhen, are going to take charge of the nuclear battery project?"