Break out of the courtyard

Upon hearing Zhang Heping mention the word "hypnosis," the eight brain-computer interface researchers who were initially eager to express their opinions fell silent and looked at their companions on either side.

“Advisor Zhang!” Xu Ning, a pretty female researcher, raised her right hand. When Zhang Heping looked at her, she asked, “May I ask what kind of ideological and moral training we will need to undergo if we choose to stay?”

“It’s what you’ve been learning since elementary school: socialism, serving the people.” Zhang Heping smiled at the little girl and patiently explained, “However, this time you need to read and memorize it in a virtual learning dream, and memorize it deep into your subconscious.”

"Reading and memorizing books in a dream?" one researcher asked, puzzled. "Consultant Zhang, the hypnosis you mentioned, is it about having us read books on morality and ethics?"

"Hmm!" Zhang Heping responded lightly, then said, "As the saying goes, those who walk different paths cannot make plans together! You should go back and discuss it properly, and also communicate with your superiors."

Female researcher Li Tong raised her hand and asked, "Advisor Zhang, can we take a look at those books first?"

"The books on the first floor of the Dream Library have been sitting there for ages, but hardly anyone's ever looked at them," Zhang Heping said casually as he stood up. "I'm going to the teaching building. You guys can do whatever you want."

"Get ready!" Zhang Bei said hastily, catching up with his father, Zhang Heping, and whispered, "Dad, are you going to teach them?"

“I don’t have time!” Zhang Heping turned to look at his eldest son and said softly, “When you were answering brain-computer interface questions in Shenzhen, you should have thought about the consequences of doing so.”

"Moreover, you've successfully constructed a dream within a biological brain!"

"Dad, I don't understand what you mean!" Zhang Bei followed closely behind, asking in confusion, "Next time I go to Shenzhen, do I still need to answer their questions?"

“If there’s one, there will be two, and then three!” Zhang Heping paused outside the library gate, patted his eldest son on the shoulder, and said, “You’re all grown up now, go ahead and do whatever you want, Dad will back you up!”

Zhang Bei watched his father turn and leave, overwhelmed with mixed emotions.

Memories from childhood to adulthood, the memories of his trip to Shenzhen, and his father's intention in letting the eight researchers choose whether to stay or leave all flooded into Zhang Bei's mind at once. It was as if he had grasped something, yet also as if he had overlooked many things.

Zhang Heping allowed the brain-computer interface researchers to choose for two reasons: first, Zhang Bei had discussed many core issues related to brain-computer interfaces at the Shenzhen Peace Academy; and second, Zhang Yi's brain-computer interface research team members had already learned to control their mental power.

If these brain-computer interface researchers are kept around, they will inevitably come into contact with more critical mental energy and brain-computer interface technologies, so hypnosis becomes the key to maintaining secrecy!
Zhang Heping didn't want to gamble on human nature, because over the years he had already experienced many betrayals.

But then another problem arises: if we only make those brain-computer interface researchers memorize books on ideology and morality, can we really keep them secret forever?

This issue was quickly reported to the leadership of the Chinese Academy of Sciences after the eight brain-computer interface researchers mentioned it to Zhang Yi and Luo Yi, which led to the video conference that evening.

Regarding brain-computer interface hypnosis, the Sanxingdui underground base has been researching it for so many years, so they are actually the most qualified to speak on the subject.

However, considering the efficiency of the meeting and the fact that Zhang Bei was going to take people to the Shenzhen Peace Academy the next day, the brain-computer interface expert team from Xishu was not invited to attend the meeting.

However, the brain-computer interface expert team at Shenzhen Peace Academy also includes experts transferred from the Sanxingdui underground base, so it doesn't matter if there are no nitpickers or dissenters!
"Comrade Zhang Yi, I heard from comrades at the Chinese Academy of Sciences that you have already read those books on ideology and morality. Could you tell us about the contents of those books?" asked Elder Yang, who was presiding over the meeting in the capital.

The meeting room on Zhang Yi's side was a suite rented by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region task force where his mother, Zhang Pandi, worked.

The video shows that not only were 16 members of Zhang Yi's team seated there, but also members of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's task force who came to attend the meeting.

Fortunately, those who were trying to get attention at the meeting knew what was important and sat properly in the back, not trying to steal Zhang Yi's thunder.

As soon as Zhang Yi turned on the microphone, he nervously withdrew his hands and clasped them together under the table. "Old Yang, we... although we've read those books..."

Many bigwigs were in the capital. Although many of them had attended Zhang Yi and Luo Yi's wedding, Zhang Yi still felt a little awkward and even stuttered a bit when he spoke.

Fortunately, microphones were muted in other venues, and members of his own brain-computer interface research team were also nervous, so no one laughed at him.

"But because of the forgetful nature of virtual dreams, I couldn't remember all the contents of the book, and can only give a general overview." After slowing down his speech, Zhang Yi finally stopped stuttering and regained some of his lecturer's authority.

At the capital venue, after exchanging a few words with Elder Yang, Elder Yang spoke into his microphone, saying, "Let me ask you another question: Do you think those books are different from or conflict with the ideological and moral textbooks you have studied before?"

"No!" Zhang Yi shook his head and then passed the microphone to Li Tong, who had raised her hand to speak.

"Good morning, leaders. My name is Li Tong. I graduated from the Department of Philosophy at the National Defense University..." As Li Tong introduced herself, many people realized the purpose of her statement, because she studied Marxism-Leninism and graduated from the School of Security at the National Defense University.

"After entering the virtual learning dream library for the first time, I briefly looked at the books on the first floor of the library. Today, I focused on reading the books about thought and morality."

"Although I can't remember the contents of those books very well now, I can confirm one thing: the contents of those books are basically the same as the contents of real books."

"In addition, Consultant Zhang told us to read and memorize books on our own in the Dream Library, instead of him teaching us, and he made it clear that we were to memorize those thoughts and morals deep in our subconscious."

"I believe this method can only be considered in-depth study, not hypnosis!"

After Li Tong finished speaking, she passed the microphone to Zhang Yi.

The venue fell silent for a while; you could only see people talking in the capital's main hall, but you couldn't hear their voices.

Meanwhile, at the Hong Kong Island venue, everyone was glancing at Li Tong, as if trying to remember this short-haired girl with a slightly chubby face.

After some discussion, it was decided that Li Tong would be in charge of the brain-computer interface research team's ideological and moral education in the dream library.

As for whether anyone chose to withdraw, Zhang Yi asked again after the meeting and confirmed that no one was willing to withdraw.

On one hand, there is cutting-edge technology that leads the world; on the other hand, there is returning to one's original unit to do ordinary work. Anyone with a bit of ambition would choose the former.

Moreover, Zhang Yi's 16-person brain-computer interface research team, apart from Zhang Yi and his wife Roy, consisted of 14 carefully selected members. How could they possibly fail at such a crucial moment?

So when Zhang Heping went to the library the next morning, Zhang Yi brought all the team members over and explained their choices.

After hearing that Li Tong would be leading their studies, Zhang Heping said noncommittally, "Take care of the hospital matters first, and come over when you have time."

Subsequently, Li Tong stayed in Hong Kong Island and followed Zhang Yi to the Hong Kong Peace Hospital to assist with brain-computer interface therapy. A male researcher then accompanied Zhang Bei and the others to the Shenzhen Peace Hospital.

But this isn't over yet!

That morning, Director Wang brought the Xie twins to Hong Kong Island, ostensibly to see Zhang Heping, but actually to lie down in the learning pod and read books on the first floor of the Dream Library. Meanwhile, the political education teachers at the Shenzhen Peace Academy were also busy. During their lunch break, they called Xu Ning and eight other researchers to the library, laid out a bunch of books on ideology and morality, and asked them to identify which books had appeared on the first floor of the Dream Library.

Whether the Ruomu Divine Tree and Ruomu Brain Machine, as artifacts of an ancient civilization, helped the rulers of that time hypnotize others remains unknown.

But after so many years of research, it can be confirmed that this brain-computer interface device has a very strong hypnotic effect!
It is precisely because this hypnosis problem is difficult to prevent that those opponents have the right to vehemently prevent Zhang Heping from entering the Sanxingdui underground base.

Zhang Heping was not unaware of the mainland's apprehension in this regard.

Therefore, when he uses brain-computer interfaces to hypnotize others, he always uses a subtle and repeated approach.

The key point is that Zhang Heping used an open strategy!

Like the virtual dream system on the third basement floor of his villa, he initially only had employees from both sides of Umbrella enter the dream to recite the company's rules and regulations.

These rules are also required to be memorized in the real world; anyone who dares to refuse to memorize them will be expelled.

Then there's the training in the virtual dream world for various personnel protecting the Zhang family.

If those bodyguards who have been protecting the Zhang family members in a virtual dream world for a long time, will they also subconsciously protect the Zhang family members when they return to the real world?

Then there's the virtual dream tiered classroom!

Although many place names, buildings, and characters in the virtual dream game "Nanjing Fall" cannot withstand scrutiny, its core anti-Japanese sentiment is deeply imprinted in the subconscious of players through the repeated torture and murder they endure.

Why did Zhang Heping dare to tell Hua Lao face to face that the Nanjing Fall Virtual Dream Game was hypnotizing players to hate Japan?
That's because this virtual dream game, like those anti-Japanese war movies, recreates history and has the same purpose of dissemination!
So, can we say that this virtual dream game is hypnotizing players?
Similarly, can it be considered hypnosis to have brain-computer interface researchers voluntarily enter the dream library to read and memorize books?
Zhang Heping agreed, and he admitted it!
However, Mr. Hua and Director Wang disagreed, feeling that Zhang Heping's wording was inappropriate and should be changed to "deepen memory"!
The reason for this change is that Zhang Heping showed them that he disdained that kind of missionary hypnosis!

"Heping, what do you think of the Nanjing Museum inspection team?" Director Wang Sumei followed Zhang Heping out of the library, preparing to go to Zhang's house for lunch, when she saw the Nanjing Museum people being stopped at the intersection by two bodyguards.

Zhang Heping glanced at the tactless people and continued walking towards the convoy. "I thought they were here for the Nanjing Fall game, but it turns out they're here to instruct me on how to improve it, haha!"

Director Wang followed closely behind and said softly, "The higher-ups have already sent people to investigate them. So far, they have found that three of them have financial problems and a large amount of money with unknown origins."

"You guys sit in the back, don't try to squeeze into the back!" Zhang Heping called out to the Xie twins before getting into the car.

Director Wang casually pointed to a car behind them, indicating that the two sisters should sit in the back, and then got into Zhang Heping's car.

As soon as the car door closed, Zhang Heping changed the subject, "What did the Xie family say?"

Director Wang was silent for a while before cautiously saying, "Heping, Aunt Wang treats Xiaobei and Xiaonan like her own grandchildren, so she doesn't want to talk to you about trivial matters."

"The Xie family is hesitant now, wanting their two daughters to date Xiaolong and Xiaohu first."

"Those two girls told me something about their family's intentions. They probably want to wait until Hong Kong is returned to China before they can formally meet to discuss their marriage."

"Then let's wait a little longer!" Zhang Heping leaned back in his chair, frowning slightly as he asked, "How's the progress of sending people from the mainland to Area 51 in the US to study the hammer?"

"Hmph!" Director Wang snorted coldly upon hearing this. "Those Americans have a good plan. Their condition for the exchange is to send people to the Shenzhen Peace Academy to participate in the research of the Longevity Potion."

"They also made an outrageous demand, guess what it was?"

Zhang Heping was amused. He had previously refused the American's participation in the research on life-extending drugs, but he didn't expect them to go to the mainland to talk about cooperation in this area. No wonder so many days had passed and he hadn't seen the American come to talk about brain-computer interface cooperation.

"It's just a research project on a hammer. Once they switch to researching longevity potions, they can forget about switching to other technologies." Zhang Heping said with a faint smile, "Do they also want the mainland to provide them with a batch of Longevity 120 potions every month for their research?"

"As expected, nothing can stump you!" Director Wang laughed. "Those American bastards actually dared to expect us to provide them with 100 doses of Lifespan 120 serum every month, until that damn research is finished!"

"Heh! 100 of them is 1.2 trillion RMB, and they're quite confident!" Zhang Heping sneered. "Is there anyone in the capital who agrees with the US's conditions?"

"Yes!" Director Wang said seriously, his smile fading. "You don't need to worry about this. Elder Hua and his team are already planning to deal with those who fawn over foreigners!"

Zhang Heping nodded and then said nothing more.

The convoy arrived at the Virtual Dream Lecture Hall. Zhang Heping went to the airport as usual to check the status of the Regenerative Brain server, while Director Wang and the Xie sisters stood by the car, looking at the densely packed line of people waiting to experience the virtual reality experience on the side of the teaching building.

After finishing this matter, Zhang Heping's convoy drove to the Heping Group, picked up Chen Shuting, and then headed towards Victoria Peak.

"Honey, we pushed down our gold futures price by 5% this morning, but the buyers were surprisingly aggressive and bought up all our positions!" Chen Shuting asked with slight worry.
"Did those people guess that we were buying gold to create brain-computer interfaces?"

"If that's the case, after they buy up the gold we're dumping, they'll probably drive up the price of gold!"

"Do we even need to guess?" Zhang Heping turned his head to look at his wife, who was still clueless, and laughed, "Those rich women are very gossipy. Someone must have spread the news that the brain-computer interface is made of gold."

"If you want to drive down the price of gold, didn't you at least inform those rich ladies, or even the women next door?"

"Hehe!" Chen Shuting hugged her man's left arm and laughed, "I've been thinking about big deals lately, I haven't even thought about going there."

Zhang Heping patiently advised, "Although they don't have as much gold as we do, we shouldn't underestimate them."

"Besides, how do you know that none of the people who bought gold futures were their husbands!"

Chen Shuting's eyes lit up. "Honey, you mean we should get those rich ladies involved in a sell-off, create a buzz, and like a snowball, drive down the price of gold?"

"Do whatever you want!" Zhang Heping said nonchalantly. "Before Hua Lao went back, he told me that the gold in the mainland would be reserved for us."

"In addition, I am also looking for alternatives to gold, and I may have to go to Western Shu someday."

...(End of chapter)