NOVEL WEB Chapter 22: Councillor Li's Doubts
In the face of Councillor Li's affirmation, a faint smile appeared on Lü Yongchang's face.
Looking at Lü Yongchang's rather calm expression, a hint of surprise flashed in Councillor Li's eyes.
In his impression, hardly anyone could remain so composed under his praise.
Councillor Li pondered for a moment and then slowly said, "Yongchang, what do you think about the future direction of Xia Country's technological development?"
As soon as the words fell, a hint of excitement already appeared in Hong Qiming's eyes beside him.
Here it comes!
Judging from Councillor Li's previous attitude, he was certain that as long as Lü Yongchang answered this question properly, the heavy responsibility of being the leader of the new generation would surely fall on him!
Lü Yongchang's eyes flickered slightly.
Just like Hong Qiming, he also sensed the meaning behind Councillor Li's words.
The words Hong Qiming had told him before entering the office flashed through his mind.
Although he understood the hidden meaning in Hong Qiming's words, he couldn't answer this question in a proper way.
The scene of the sun's helium flash kept appearing in his mind. How could he slow down his pace!
Lü Yongchang took a deep breath and slowly said, "Councillor Li, I think Xia Country should set its sights on the universe!"
Hong Qiming was slightly taken aback, and then a hint of anxiety flashed in his eyes.
This kid!
He had clearly told him not to talk nonsense!
Lü Yongchang continued on his own, "At present, we have successfully ignited the spark of nuclear fusion."
"It can be said that Xia Country is now only half a step away from completely mastering controlled nuclear fusion."
"Councillor Li, as a researcher and a scholar, I have the obligation to remind you that the controlled nuclear fusion technology is extremely important and concerns the fate of the country!"
"Xia Country is now standing at a turning point of the era. The door to the new world is right in front of us. Whether to push it open or step back depends on our next actions."
Councillor Li slightly furrowed his brows and looked at Lü Yongchang, who was talking eloquently in front of him, thoughtfully.
"Yongchang! You..."
Hong Qiming beside him couldn't hold his patience anymore and called out to Lü Yongchang in a low voice, trying to interrupt his words.
Councillor Li suddenly raised his left hand and made a gesture to interrupt Hong Qiming's action.
He gave Hong Qiming a meaningful look and slowly said, "Let him finish!"
Then, Councillor Li turned his head to look at Lü Yongchang again and said meaningfully, "You mean Xia Country needs to develop controlled nuclear fusion as soon as possible?"
Lü Yongchang nodded slightly, "Not only that, Xia Country needs to look beyond the Earth."
"Beyond the Earth?"
"Exactly." Lü Yongchang's eyes were firm. Ignoring the doubts in the eyes of Councillor Li and Hong Qiming, he continued, "The Moon, Mars, or... beyond the solar system."
"Ahem! Yongchang!" Hong Qiming coughed to remind him, "You're getting a bit carried away!"
Councillor Li slowly shook his head and a hint of a smile appeared in his eyes, "It's okay."
"Young people should have some dreams after all."
Hearing Councillor Li's comment, Hong Qiming let out a slight sigh of relief.
He secretly glared at Lü Yongchang.
This brat!
He really dares to say anything in front of Councillor Li!
When they got back, he had to teach him a good lesson!
As for Lü Yongchang, a hint of regret appeared in his eyes.
Sure enough, it was still too early to say these things.
It would be a year later, when signs of the sun's aging emerged, that he could officially put the plan in his heart on the table.
And now, what he needed to do was to accumulate all kinds of necessary technologies for the Star Ocean Plan a year later.
Councillor Li was silent for a moment and then said again, "Yongchang, don't worry. The controlled nuclear fusion project will be the focus of Xia Country's development in the next few years."
"Now, what you need to do is to perfect the controlled nuclear fusion technology in the laboratory as much as possible. When the time is right, Xia Country will naturally build a controlled nuclear fusion demonstration reactor."
Lü Yongchang nodded silently.
"Alright, you can go out first. I have something to talk to Minister Hong about."
...
As soon as the office door closed, Hong Qiming said eagerly, "Councillor Li, this kid Lü Yongchang... he's just too young, he..."
"Alright, alright." There was a smile all over Councillor Li's face, "I know what you mean."
"Of course I know this kid Lü Yongchang is a talented person worthy of cultivation."
"I asked you to stay for another matter."
As he spoke, Councillor Li handed a document in his hand to Hong Qiming.
Hong Qiming let out a slight sigh of relief and reached out to take the document Councillor Li handed over.
"This..."
The moment he saw the document, Hong Qiming's brows furrowed tightly.
"This is the investigation result of the Second Bureau of National Security of Xia Country."
Councillor Li said casually.
Hong Qiming's pupils suddenly shrank, and his hands holding the document trembled slightly.
It was actually the intelligence from the Second Bureau of National Security of Xia Country!
This was an intelligence agency on a par with the CIA of the United States, MI5 of Country Y, and the KGB of the Soviet Union!
Councillor Li's eyes were deep, and he said in a low voice, "According to the investigation, although Lü Yongchang had excellent grades before, he... didn't seem to show any outstanding features."
Hong Qiming swallowed slightly, "You mean... there's something wrong with Lü Yongchang?"
Councillor Li slowly shook his head.
"There's no problem, actually."
"I've also seen the information about his parents. It's very clean."
"Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to enter this office."
Councillor Li's tone was very calm.
But a chill rose up Hong Qiming's back.
He quickly asked, "Then what do you mean..."
Councillor Li didn't answer immediately. Instead, he pressed a button beside the desk.
"Has the result come out?" Councillor Li said in a flat tone.
The next moment, a steady male voice came from the office, "From entering the office to leaving, it was a total of eleven minutes and twenty - five seconds. During this time, Lü Yongchang's heart rate fluctuated twice, accompanied by a series of conditions such as pupil contraction."
"When?"
"The first time was during his response to your question, and the second time was just before leaving the office."
Councillor Li nodded thoughtfully and asked again, "What did the psychological assessment say?"
"... According to the assessment, Lü Yongchang probably doesn't have any bad intentions. Everything he said should be from the bottom of his heart."
"But he's hiding something."
Councillor Li slowly nodded.
That made sense.
Ever since he saw Lü Yongchang, he had had this feeling.
It seemed that... there was a huge secret hidden in Lü Yongchang's heart.
Hong Qiming swallowed slightly and asked in a low voice, "Councillor Li, should we... remove Lü Yongchang's title as the chief engineer of controlled nuclear fusion first?"
The corners of Councillor Li's mouth turned up slightly, and a meaningful smile appeared on his wrinkled face.
"Not in a hurry."
"Having a secret isn't a problem. Everyone has secrets, including me, and you too."
As he spoke, Councillor Li's eyes briefly rested on Hong Qiming's face.
Hong Qiming's heart skipped a beat.
After a pause, Councillor Li continued.
"I just need to know that he has no ill intentions towards Xia Country."
"Moreover, he has made such great contributions to controlled nuclear fusion. Xia Country is definitely not a country that kicks away the ladder after reaching the top!"
Hong Qiming looked at Councillor Li in confusion, "Then..."
Councillor Li pondered for a moment and then slowly said, "Let him continue to be the chief engineer."
"Besides, start the second experiment as soon as possible."
"I hope that within a year, the light of fusion can shine on the land of Xia Country!"