Break out of the courtyard

The capital city, Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.

“Mr. Anderson, you may have misunderstood something!” The head of negotiations in the foreign affairs department smiled and said, “Facilitating our accession to the WTO is just a condition.”

"Right next to this hall, our representatives are communicating with representatives from 17 countries about bilateral trade."

"Therefore, whether or not we can reach an agreement on cooperation, or whether or not we join the WTO, will not have much impact on our import and export trade."

"On the contrary, it is your United States that, after our accession to the WTO, has made it easier and more secure for your businessmen to invest in our country. What do you say?"

After a series of gibberish translations by the US translator, the bald-headed US representative whispered a few words to his entourage.

"This is our latest research data on that hammer, and there are some other research projects following!" The representative from the US handed a black folder to the mainland Chinese man across the negotiating table, and then continued:

“The conditions you attach for WTO accession can be discussed later. We can talk about scientific research cooperation first.”

The representative from the United States paused here, waiting for the mainland negotiator to glance at the documents in the folder before continuing:
"We are very interested in your country's Lifespan 120 drug, regenerative repair fluid, brain-computer interface, semiconductors, batteries, levitation technology, and more!"

"We hope to send people over to exchange ideas and discuss these technical fields..."

The American's remarks made the mainland's negotiators frown.

Not long after, the mainland side suspended the negotiations, saying that it needed to hold an internal meeting to discuss the matter.

……

When Zhang Heping was climbing the Great Wall with his family, Hua Lao called and asked out of the blue, "Have you revealed the levitation technology to the public?"

Zhang Heping leaned against the wall, looking at his panting family members, and laughed, "I only showed the levitation device to the public once, at the indoor stadium."

"Before and after that meeting, I emphasized to my family that the levitation technology should not be disclosed to outsiders."

"What? The Americans know?"

There was silence on the other end of the phone; clearly, Mr. Hua hadn't expected Zhang Heping to guess it was the Americans.

The negotiations with foreign countries over Diaoyutai had just been suspended when the American mentioned the top-secret levitation technology, which reached Hua Lao's ears. He wanted to confirm whether Zhang Heping had "leaked" this top-secret technology, because this guy loves to show off his skills to the outside world.

However, when Zhang Heping denied revealing the information and stated that his family would not disclose it either, the matter became serious. How did the American know about the top-secret levitation technology?

It should be noted that the meeting held that day in the indoor stadium, apart from the Zhang family, all other attendees had signed confidentiality agreements and were people who had long been involved in confidential work.

If it wasn't someone from the Zhang family who leaked the levitation technology, then it could only be someone involved in the secrecy work who leaked it!

Recalling the two previous leaks at Shenzhen Peace Academy, Hua Lao couldn't help but sigh, guessing that Zhang Heping's sudden display of the levitation power device last time was mostly a test.

If the leak of the levitation technology is proven to be not the work of the Zhang family, then Zhang Heping's other technologies, especially brain-computer interface technology and longevity potion technology, will not be so easy to obtain!

"Mr. Hua, I'm climbing the Great Wall right now. You can investigate the leak at your leisure!" Zhang Heping listened to the other end of the phone for a long time, but when he didn't hear a response, he hung up the phone.

Brain-computer interface technology involves invisible mental attacks; how could Zhang Heping possibly release it so easily!
The demonstration of the levitation propulsion device was indeed a deliberate act by him to test the participants.

Zhang Heping believes that the reason why Americans can resist the temptation of brain-computer interfaces is because brain-computer interfaces have not yet demonstrated much strategic role in the military field.

But the levitation propulsion system is different. Once this device is equipped on military equipment, with sufficient power, even the Peace aircraft carrier trapped in the Yangtze River in Wucheng can be instantly transformed into a space carrier, not to mention other equipment!
Therefore, as soon as the levitation propulsion device was introduced, just like the regeneration and repair fluid, all parties immediately saw its strategic value!
Given that the US representative had recently discussed scientific research cooperation in the capital, Zhang Heping immediately guessed from Hua Lao's words that the levitation propulsion device had been leaked.

Just to be on the safe side, Zhang Heping asked his panting wife and children again to confirm that they had not disclosed the levitation propulsion device before continuing to climb the Great Wall.

When Chen Shuting heard her husband mention the levitation propulsion device, she couldn't help but lean closer and hug Zhang Heping's left arm, asking, "Honey, when will that levitation propulsion device be installed on our car and sold to the public?"

"Should we establish a wholly-owned hovercar plant at that time?"

Zhang Heping bent his left hand in front of him, leading his exhausted concubine Chen Shuting uphill, and explained with a smile: "Once hovercars are introduced, how many car, ship, and aircraft manufacturing plants around the world will go bankrupt? How many people will lose their jobs as a result?"

"The interests involved here are enormous, no less so than those of the longevity potion. Don't let short-term gains blind you!"

"We can wait for Elder Hua and the others to inform us about this matter. There's no need for us to keep sticking our necks out!"

"It's like the regeneration and repair fluid again!" Chen Shuting said somewhat unwillingly, "At their rate of research and development, they probably won't let us produce and sell it for the next twenty years!"

Zhang Heping smiled confidently, "With the longevity potion technology in hand, what's wrong with waiting twenty years!"

"I'm afraid of delaying your space program!" Chen Shuting softened her tone.

"No need to rush. After I finish the brain-computer interface project, I'll continue researching longevity potions," Zhang Heping casually added.

When Chen Shuting heard that Zhang Heping wanted to continue researching the Longevity Potion, although she didn't know which one, she vaguely guessed that the Longevity 200 Potion might have been successfully developed because of the previous medication experience of her uncle Ma Zhiyi and his wife.

After all, so much money had been invested in building the Lifespan Space Capsule, and Zhang Heping had developed the Lifespan 160 drug. There was no reason to abandon the development of the Lifespan 200 drug halfway through.

Judging from the fact that the Lifespan Space Capsule and Dragon Egg Spaceship have recently been used by other research teams, Chen Shuting has reason to believe that her man has already developed the Lifespan 200 potion, but due to some external factors, it is inconvenient to disclose this matter.

"Have you rested enough?" Zhang Heping changed the subject, teasingly saying, "You usually exercise the least, and now you're trying to slack off? Even Xiao Hao has outdone you!"

After speaking, Zhang Heping withdrew his left hand and slapped his concubine Chen Shuting's bottom, which made her let out a coquettish cry before he chased after his family ahead.

……

After the research cooperation negotiations with the United States were suspended, the experts and advisors in the capital were gathered together to study and discuss the research materials sent by the Americans.

"The United States' chip manufacturing process is still at 350 nanometers; their semiconductor technology lags far behind ours!" A middle-aged male expert in the computer field said first after reviewing the US materials distributed to him.
"However, the Shenzhen Virtual Learning Dream Library has an introduction to immersion lithography technology, which can advance chip manufacturing processes to 90 nanometers." "I heard that when that virtual learning brain-computer interface was placed in Hong Kong, there were no restrictions on American citizens entering the Dream Library. I wonder if the Americans stole this technology!"

"Hmph!" another computer expert sneered, "The Americans are still living in the illusion of their technological superiority. They talk about collaborative research and development, but they don't even have the basic humility of seeking knowledge from a master!"

"I do not agree with cooperating with the Americans to develop semiconductors!" an elderly expert with gray hair said with a frown. "The level of advancement in chip manufacturing processes affects the decisive advantage in information warfare."

"Therefore, I believe that in the semiconductor field, we can accept American students to study related majors in universities, but we cannot allow them to enter related research institutions."

The meeting moderator was a small, elderly man wearing a white short-sleeved shirt. He wrote a few words in his notebook and then interjected, "Students from the United States have always been allowed to study computer-related majors."

"In terms of chip manufacturing processes, can we use older technologies to keep them on their toes?"

The computer experts exchanged glances, and finally the middle-aged male expert said, "The chip manufacturing process in Japan and Europe should have advanced to 250 nanometers!"

"If we want to keep the Americans in check, we'll probably have to come up with chip manufacturing technologies at the 180nm and 130nm levels. Is it worth it?"

"Whether it's worth it or not is hard to say right now. Let me collect your opinions first, and then report it up." The meeting host copied down two data points and turned to look at experts from other fields.

"We can't make decisions about batteries!" an elderly expert with white hair frowned and said, "The battery-related technology patents are all in the hands of the Peace Group."

"Without the Peace Group's consent, we have no right to disclose their battery technology to any organization!"

"Multi-axis machine tools too!" a mechanical expert joked. "When Omega restricted the sale of mechanical equipment to us back then, it never imagined that it would be begging us to open up its technology today."

"Unfortunately, many of the patented technologies related to machine tools are also in the hands of the Peace Group!"

The meeting moderator frowned and asked, "Haven't you developed any technology independently over the years?"

“Yes! Many mechanical inventions have even won the Nobel Peace Prize!” a middle-aged mechanical expert laughed. “However, after these inventions were published, most of the inventors accepted the technology acquisition by the Peace Investment Company, or chose to invest their technology in joint ventures to set up factories.”

"Therefore, if you want to collaborate on mechanical research and development projects, you basically can't avoid the Peace Group!"

The meeting moderator frowned even more deeply as he looked at the other party's smiling face. "What if the Peace Group withdraws the patent license? What will happen to the domestic machinery factories? Will they still be able to produce?"

A seasoned and experienced mechanical expert gestured to the smiling middle-aged mechanical expert and then said, "The situation you described is specifically mentioned in bold in the relevant cooperation agreement."

"As long as the relevant factories and units do not disclose the relevant patented technologies to the outside world and do not violate the cooperation agreement, they can continue to have priority in obtaining relevant patent authorizations."

The meeting moderator frowned, wrote a few lines, and then looked at the others.

"It depends on which type of nuclear power technology the US wants to cooperate on!" an expert in the nuclear power field said solemnly. "If it's thorium-based molten salt reactors or controlled nuclear fusion technology, then let them forget about it!"

"Why can't we cooperate with the people of the United States on thorium-based molten salt reactors and controlled nuclear fusion technology?" the meeting host said, while taking two more notes in his notebook.

The surrounding technical experts exchanged glances. Even those not in the nuclear power field knew that thorium-based molten salt reactor nuclear power plant technology was mature and could not be revealed to the Americans.

As for controlled nuclear fusion technology, due to some secrecy reasons, only a small number of people in China know about the research project on controlled nuclear fusion power devices. On the contrary, more foreigners know about this research, which is thanks to Zhang Heping's subtle leak.

An expert in the nuclear power field frowned and said, "Top secret technology, it's impossible for us to open it to foreigners!"

The old man who chaired the meeting gave the veteran nuclear power expert a deep look, and then made a note in his notebook.

As the old man who was chairing the meeting asked more and more questions, more and more people realized that his understanding of scientific research projects was very superficial.

Someone, without anyone knowing, secretly took out their phone and sent text messages to Vice President Qian and Vice President Deng of the World Institute of Advanced Technology, inquiring about the scientific research cooperation discussion meeting in the capital, wondering why they didn't see President Zhang Heping participating.

……

After Zhang Heping led his family to climb the Great Wall, they strolled around the city before returning to the Capital Hotel to have dinner with his mother, Ma Xiuzhen, his cousin Ma Lili, and others.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, as expected, we met Elder Hua, Elder Li, Director Wang, and others.

“Peace, this is a research report given to us by the Americans. Take a look and see which projects are worth cooperating on?” As he spoke, Old Hua took a stack of photocopies from the guard, Xiao Qin, and handed them to Zhang Heping.

"You haven't eaten yet, have you?" After taking the documents, Zhang Heping didn't rush to look at them, but instead told the people to go to the restaurant first.

Hua Lao walked beside Zhang Heping and said softly, "The Americans have proposed to cooperate in the research and development of levitation technology. We are investigating which link in the chain leaked the information!"

“Money can move people’s hearts!” Zhang Heping laughed. “If it’s a technician from Shenzhen, the Space-based Computing Center, in cooperation with the Shenzhen Smart City Management Center, should be able to find some clues.”

"Yes!" Old Hua nodded. "Secretary Chen has already contacted Comrade Zhao Jianguo for cooperation, and I believe it will be ready soon..."

Before he could finish speaking, Mr. Hua's phone rang. The caller was Secretary Chen, who was far away in Shenzhen.

When Mr. Hua answered the phone, he simply said "hmm" and followed Zhang Heping into the restaurant without stopping, where he sat down with Zhang Heping and his group.

A moment later, Mr. Hua hung up the phone with a gloomy face.

"Are they from the brain-computer interface research team?" Zhang Heping asked casually when he saw that Elder Hua was silent.

In fact, Zhang Heping had already sensed Secretary Chen's voice when Mr. Hua made the phone call, since they were so close!
When Li Lao, Director Wang, and others heard Zhang Heping's words, their hearts skipped a beat for no apparent reason, but unexpectedly, Hua Lao nodded at that moment.

Zhang Heping looked at Old Li and Director Wang and said with a smile, "That little girl Li Tong didn't do a good job of ideological work in the virtual learning dream. It would be best to send a few more experienced teachers to give them more patriotic education!"

...(End of chapter)