Chapter 288 I'll Manage It for You Since You Can't
Fang Jueyu's voting ceremony concluded in a harmonious atmosphere. He had achievements, contributions, and the strong support of leaders, making his academician title almost certain.
At the end of the meeting, the leader even invited Fang Jueyu to have a meal, which was a rare occurrence. It wasn't that the leader liked to put on airs, but he was simply too busy, and meals were usually taken in haste.
He would only sit down for a leisurely meal when meeting very important people.
The leader was considered an esteemed guest, so Fang Jueyu simply invited him to his home. However, with the leader present, he felt embarrassed to directly use the Solar Furnace for flying.
Fortunately, this was just a trip home. Although the journalists were still blocking the entrance, once Fang Jueyu entered the community, they had no way to stop him. Besides, there were the leader's men around, so there was no real obstruction. He returned home smoothly.
"What do you like to eat, Leader?" Fang Jueyu asked.
"I'll just eat anything. As I've aged, I prefer a healthy diet. I'll just have some porridge and vegetables." The leader spoke without any pretense; this was indeed how simple his everyday life was.
"Sister Zhuang Ying, have the chef prepare lunch. Make sure the ingredients are fresh, nothing too fancy, I don't want the leader to be upset," Fang Jueyu instructed.
"I understand, young master." Upon hearing Fang Jueyu's words, Zhuang Ying regarded him with increased respect; he was becoming more mature in his thinking.
"Xiao Fang, there are some secrets you have, and I won't ask about them," the leader, a wise person, said. "With so many achievements across various fields, there must be secrets you can't share. However, as an academician, you can't just have a title and do nothing!"
"Leader, just tell me, what do you want me to do?" Fang Jueyu knew the leader was starting to negotiate terms with him.
"Producing one or two major achievements a year isn't too much, right?" The leader didn't make outsized demands.
"Hahaha, that's not too much at all. I can produce five major achievements a year with no problem!" Fang Jueyu naturally had no objections if it meant strengthening his country. "And I assure you, the achievements I bring forth will greatly advance our nation's military, economy, environment, and more."
"With your assurance, I'm relieved!" The leader laughed heartily. "I can arrange for an Academician Workstation for you at Jiangnan University. You can also recruit some students yourself, which will aid in nurturing talents for the country!"
"I'll leave everything to you, Leader!" With Xiao Yi around, Fang Jueyu could easily devise a multitude of experimental exploration plans and just hand them over to the students. As for the workstation, being so wealthy, he could buy any equipment or materials needed.
"Hahaha, great, it seems my old face still has some clout." The leader laughed kindly.
"Leader, how did the blueprints for the fighter jet and nuclear submarine I gave you turn out?"
"Oh, we've already built the first prototype, and it has undergone multiple virtual trial flights. Its performance far surpasses the previous generation of fighter jets. Even though there's only 80% similarity, the warriors are very confident about the formal test flights."
"That's great! In a few days, I'll help organize the newest intercontinental missile, anti-tank missile, and anti-submarine torpedo blueprints for you."
Upon hearing this, the leader broke out in a sweat, wondering if there was anything else Fang Jueyu couldn't produce. Why not just create a Cosmic Battleship while you're at it!
"Then... I'll send someone to pick it up in a few days!" the leader said.
"No need, I'll just upload it to SkyNet; you can have someone retrieve it from there."
"SkyNet?" The leader was somewhat puzzled by what Fang Jueyu meant. "Xiao Fang, SkyNet is our nation's most secure network hub. How can you upload it there?"
"Leader, have you forgotten? I know CN!"
"Hahaha, stop pretending; you are CN, aren't you?" the leader laughed.
"Uh..." Fang Jueyu's expression froze. "Leader, please don't joke. How could I be CN? I just happen to know him."
"Oh? Is that so? Then how come I distinctly remember you telling me, 'I am forever a Huaxia person,' at some point?" The leader stared at Fang Jueyu.
"Ah, I slipped up!" Fang Jueyu slapped his forehead. He had indeed told the leader this line, but it was during a previous conversation under the name of CN. Didn't this just reveal his identity?
"Hahaha," seeing Fang Jueyu's embarrassed expression, the leader laughed again. "You little guy, how many more secrets are you hiding from me? But next time, don't go too far; after all, you should leave a little face for other countries."
"Hehehe, I understand, Leader."
Suddenly, Fang Jueyu remembered something. "Leader, there's something I want to discuss with you, related to internal affairs of our own country."
"Oh? I'm interested to hear it." The leader became intrigued.
"Leader, have you heard of the Ancient Martial Arts Association?" Fang Jueyu asked.
The leader's expression changed, "Ah, of course, I know. What's the matter? Did they come to impose a so-called management fee on you? I'll give them a talking-to!"
"No, I beat up those who came for the management fee and chased them away, and also demanded several billion in compensation for mental distress!" Fang Jueyu said a bit sheepishly.
"You can do that?" The leader's eyes brightened.
"To be honest, Leader, my family taught me some martial arts, very powerful ones. As for how powerful, I won't boast in front of you!"
The leader suddenly remembered what his bodyguard had said. Before his departure, the personal bodyguard had warned him to be cautious of Fang Jue, saying he wasn't an ordinary person. It seemed the bodyguard wasn't wrong.
"So, are you a superpower user or an Ancient Martial Artist?"
"I suppose neither!" Fang Jueyu answered. "Leader, these aren't the most important things. I just want to ask, are you aware of the excessive deeds committed by Ancient Martial Artists in secular society?"
At this, a somewhat guilty expression appeared on the leader's face.
"Of course, but some things just can't be helped," the leader sighed. "In other countries, superpower organizations are united, but in Huaxia, superpower users and Ancient Martial Artists are divided into two factions, each unwilling to submit to the other. The power is too scattered."
To maintain balance, the nation controlled the superpower users, but it was difficult to rival the superpower users of some other major countries relying solely on those under state control. At this point, the power of Ancient Martial Artists was needed.
However, they refused to endure the state's strict regulations. If relations were truly ruptured, the loss of this special force would greatly impact national strength. So the leader didn't ignore the issue, but rather the state's current power couldn't manage them without harming its own interests.
"Leader, would you like our nation's superpower users and Ancient Martial Artists to unite in the future?"
"Of course!"
"Then how about giving me some authority? I'll manage those you can't control, and you just need to keep an eye on me!"