Break out of the courtyard

Following the conclusion of the 8th Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony, related science and technology news has been spreading around the world.

With the news that Hong Kong Island will pass a multinationality bill, investors who want to use the free Lifespan 120 drug and invest in high-tech enterprises have turned their attention to Hong Kong Island and Shenzhen.

With the help of certain individuals in the United States, a group of financial tycoons set their sights on the foreign exchange market in Southeast Asia.

The Thai baht has already been attacked multiple times by international financial speculators!

However, the foreign exchange market in Southeast Asia is not the real target of the US!
Their real target is the Hong Kong dollar and the Hong Kong stock market!
Zhang Heping returned home the following evening, and his concubine Chen Shuting reported to him on the fluctuations in the Southeast Asian foreign exchange market.

“Honey, the Thai authorities want our help to stabilize their exchange rate.” Chen Shuting took the soup bowl, frowning slightly as she said, “I refused, just as you said before!”

"We need to gather funds and prepare to buy their resources at low prices!" Zhang Heping said calmly, taking a sip of soup. "In addition, those international speculators should have arrived in Hong Kong, and they will most likely force us to intervene to save the market."

Zhang Nian, who had been transferred to the Hong Kong Island Police Department, casually asked, "Stepmother, will you take advantage of this situation to short Southeast Asian currencies?"

Chen Shuting laughed and said, "Your father said before that there's no need to short sell, as that would damage the group's reputation!"

Zhang Nan looked at his father, Zhang Heping, and asked, "Dad, do you think those international speculators will make a move before Hong Kong's return to China?"

"It's hard to say!" Zhang Heping replied, "Taking action before the handover will affect the withdrawal of investment by the Americans."

"If they take action after the handover, they need to worry about whether the mainland will step in to save the day."

While Zhang Heping was having dinner at home, Hua Lao and Yang Lao were still resting at a guesthouse on the Dapeng Peninsula.

After the test launch of space-based weapons targeting the Martian plains and north pole, a large cloud gathered over the plains and several white clouds appeared over the Martian north pole, affecting observations by satellites in orbit.

It was precisely because he couldn't observe the results of the battle on Mars that Zhang Heping returned home.

Only Elder Hua and Elder Yang, eager to know the power of the space-based weapon test, chose to remain on the Dapeng Peninsula.

It's worth noting that it rained on Mars the day after the test launch!
To be precise, it was drizzling in a localized area of ​​the Martian plains!
Because there are no other countries' satellites in Mars' orbit, the Hubble Telescope has recently been neglecting its mission, focusing instead on the Moon. As a result, anomalies occurring on Mars were not detected by foreign space agencies in a timely manner.

However, there are still many astronomy enthusiasts on Earth.

Even if you can't see clearly with a small telescope, you can still see the white polar cap at Mars' north pole, not to mention the large, professional telescopes at the observatory.

So, after feedback from some astronomy enthusiasts, someone finally posted photos of unusual clouds on Mars online in the early hours of July 9.

After the unusual photos of Mars were posted online, the US space agency did not react immediately, and was still using the Hubble Telescope to spy on the Moon's lunar base.

On July 10, Zhang Heping received news that the white clouds over the Martian north pole had dissipated, and the area of ​​white ice on the ground had expanded more than tenfold, obscuring the cracking damage caused to the north pole by space-based weapons and affecting on-orbit satellite observations.

Even so, Hua Lao, Yang Lao, and others still managed to see the destructive power of the Shenmao space-based kinetic energy weapon by comparing satellite images from before and after.

Just six "spears" shattered the Martian north pole landscape within a 6-kilometer diameter area.

As for the Martian plains, the rain is encountering mud rain produced by the dust storm, which is filling the craters and fissures created on the night of the 7th.

On July 11, as the Hubble Telescope in the United States turned towards Mars, observatories and astronomy enthusiasts around the world were paying close attention to the anomalies on Mars.

In their footage, the Martian plains are being ravaged by a dust storm, a dark cloud is moving and fading, and many white clouds are appearing in the atmosphere.

The damage caused by the test launch of the space-based weapon did not leave any obvious traces on Mars, and Zhang Heping did not continue to test the space-based weapon, which relieved Hua and Yang.

It's best to keep this kind of strategic weapon hidden, even if it's hidden for just one more day, it can make the enemy lower their guard.

Yang and his group are still at the satellite monitoring center on the Dapeng Peninsula, where they not only manage the satellites in orbit around Mars, but also the space equipment on Earth and the Moon.

Entrusted by Elder Yang and others, Elder Hua and Elder Li returned to the World Advanced Technology Research Institute on the 13th, and then sent Director Wang to inquire about the situation.

"Give me another identity with military-level treatment?" Zhang Heping stood by the artificial lake, turned his head to look at Director Wang Sumei, and said, "Aunt Wang, my Zhang Ping'an identity has been established for 16 years. Do you think it's still necessary to keep it?"

In 1980, Zhang Heping used the identity of Zhang Ping'an to transfer to a secret unit and enjoy regimental-level treatment; 16 years have passed in the blink of an eye, and his treatment has not improved in the slightest.

Now, suddenly telling Zhang Heping that he will be promoted six ranks and given military-level benefits has multiple layers of meaning.

Wang Sumei vaguely guessed some clues, but she didn't want to get too involved, lest she incur Zhang Heping's displeasure.

"I just came to ask for your opinion. If you feel it's unnecessary to stay, I'll take your words back with me!" Director Wang Sumei replied with a smile.

Zhang Heping turned to look into the distance and calmly said, "They gave Zhang Ping'an this military-level status simply so that I could use this identity to control the space-based weapon system."

"In this way, the military would have the right to restrict Zhang Ping'an's identity, thereby controlling the right to launch space-based weapons."

“If I disobey orders and use space-based weapons at will, the military can arrest me and bring me to a military court under the identity of Zhang Ping’an, or they can arrest me and put me in prison under the identity of Zhang Heping.”

"But if I disagree, the space-based weapon system will still be in the hands of Peace Space Company, and they will have to do whatever I say about how it is used."

"Aunt Wang, what do you think I should choose?"

Zhang Heping's words were very straightforward, and Wang Sumei didn't know how to respond.

If Wang Sumei had previously approved Zhang Heping's entry into the Party, she could have offered some empty rhetoric about ideological awareness. However, some people interfered for various reasons and rejected Zhang Heping's application.

Given that the issue of gun licenses for Umbrella Security Company remains unresolved, it's even less likely that Zhang Heping will relinquish control of the space-based weapon system!

That said, Zhang Heping has already granted the military aerospace forces the authority to urgently deploy space-based weapons.

But what Yang Lao and his group wanted was not control of the space-based weapon system, but rather to restrict Zhang Heping from using it!
"Or, I'll take my family back to Hong Kong Island first, let them think it over!" Zhang Heping said threateningly, then turned and left.

Wang Sumei went to Hua Lao's house with a helpless expression and roughly repeated the meaning of Zhang Heping's words.

Upon hearing this, Old Hua was also quite helpless, "I knew this kid would say he wanted to go back to Hong Kong!"

Old Li, standing nearby, frowned and said, "The problem is, even after Advisor Zhang returned to Hong Kong, he can still control the space-based weapon system!"

Secretary Chen chimed in, "I believe that even if Consultant Zhang goes abroad, he can still control the space-based weapon system!"

“He Ping is not the kind of person who lacks sense of proportion!” Liu Yuan retorted from the side.

Hua Lao took out his phone, looked at Yang Lao's number in his contacts, and frowned, saying, "The will of the state ultimately outweighs the will of the individual!" "If Zhang Ping'an's identity isn't good enough, then we won't use him! If we're worried about the military interfering too much, then we'll form an independent army!"

After saying that, Hua dialed Yang's mobile phone number.

……

After Zhang Heping rejected Director Wang Sumei's advances, his elder sister Zhang Zhaodi received a transfer order from the Capital Health Bureau a few days later to serve as deputy director, responsible for promoting the nationwide injection of Shouyuan 120 medicine.

Although my older sister's job title and benefits remained the same, her workplace changed from a local one to one in the capital, and the people and work she faced both saw a qualitative improvement.

The key point is that with Zhang Heping's medical expertise, Zhang Zhaodi was very likely to become a full-time employee of the Health Bureau before retiring in 2001.

Of course, working in the Health Bureau would allow one to build more connections, which would benefit the future careers of the Zhang, Chang, and Ma families.

Most importantly, Zhang Zhaodi had been away from the capital for more than two years and separated from her husband and children for more than two years, so she still longed to go back.

Zhang Heping had another perspective on his elder sister Zhang Zhaodi's transfer order.

The Health Bureau is responsible for the medical arrangements for important foreign guests. If we transfer my eldest sister there, will we also discuss the use of Shouyuan 120 medicine for external use in the future?
The reason for transferring Zhang Zhaodi, the eldest sister, to the capital this time is not only because the production of the Shouyuan 120 drug reached the upper limit of 450,000 doses in July, but also because of the influence of control over the space-based weapon system.

As soon as Zhang Zhaodi left, the military aerospace force was transferred from the capital to be stationed on the Dapeng Peninsula in Shenzhen.

July 27th, Saturday.

Standing outside the 3D printing lab in the underground base, Hua spoke with Zhang Heping, who had just been summoned out, and concluded by saying:
"That's the gist of it. As long as you agree, the Space Force will be secretly established on the 1st of next month. You will directly lead and train it, and the political commissar will be in charge of it during the rest of the year!"

Zhang Heping frowned and asked, "Independent of other military regions?"

When Hua Lao heard Zhang Heping ask this question, he glanced at Director Wang Sumei beside him and smiled, "Once your Guanghan Palace base is completed, it will probably be able to form a lunar military region. I'll recommend you to be the lunar commander then, what do you say?"

"Hehe!" Zhang Heping laughed, "I have difficulty even going abroad now, would you agree to let me go to the moon then?"

Old Hua replied with a smile, "Since you like being a hands-off manager anyway, I'll give you a title and leave the management to others, hehe!"

"I can agree to the position of head of the Space Force," Zhang Heping said. Seeing that Elder Hua and Director Wang's smiles had widened, he quickly added, "However, I have two requests!"

"First, the right to launch space-based weapon systems should be divided into active launch, passive defense launch, and retaliatory launch."

"Secondly, a charter needs to be drawn up for the maintenance, upgrades, and future research and development costs of space-based computing centers, space-based early warning systems, and space-based weapon systems."

Old Hua's smile faded, and he asked with a serious expression, "We'll discuss the second request in detail when we talk about compensation later."

"Could you explain your first request in detail? What do you mean by three launch rights?"

Zhang Heping nodded slightly, "The right to launch proactively, that's the kind of control you want, I won't go into details about that!"

"Passive defense launch rights, like passive anti-missile launch rights in space-based early warning systems, are reserved means for contingencies."

"The right to retaliate requires the pre-input of some hostile targets. Once our side loses ground-to-ground communication capabilities for a certain period of time, the space-based weapon system will automatically initiate the retaliatory firing mode until all predetermined hostile targets are destroyed!"

Old Hua frowned and pondered for a while before asking, "I heard someone say that there might be a possibility of misjudgment and accidental launch in passive anti-missile launch capability!"

“These kinds of things can all be solved with technology!” Zhang Heping said, stepping aside. “I have to get back to work now. You guys discuss it and then we can talk about other things!”

After speaking, Zhang Heping entered the 3D printing laboratory.

"Finally, they agreed!" Old Hua breathed a sigh of relief!

Director Wang Sumei laughed from the side, "It wasn't for nothing that you've been holding video conferences every day to try and get this done!"

“Actually, we all know that Heping is just trying to protect himself!” Old Hua gestured toward the jeep next to him and led Director Wang into the car.

"Unfortunately, we couldn't get the gun licenses from Umbrella Security Company!" Director Wang replied with a hint of regret.

Old Hua frowned and said, "If they want to keep their guns, they can join the Nanshan Guard Brigade or the ground crew of the Space Force!"

"Since Xiao Nian is arranging for bodyguards to enter the Hong Kong police force, she must know how to operate after peace is restored."

Director Wang nodded, "As the head of the space force, he will eventually have to place some of his own people in there. Fortunately, Umbrella Security Company has a decent reputation!"

From Hua Lao's proposal to Zhang Heping for a space force to its secret establishment on August 1st, in less than five days, the capital city successively proposed a compensation agreement worth hundreds of billions, a budget of 50 billion, and a staff of 10,000 people.

Just like what Hua Lao said when he held a video conference to persuade those people in the capital, Zhang Heping only cared about the title of person in charge and didn't care about management or military expansion. He basically left it all to Political Commissar Chen Mo.

Of course, Zhang Heping also has his own responsibilities, such as training the space force, as well as supporting brain-computer interfaces and virtual training dream systems.

The Space Force expanded by relying on the Military Space Force as its backbone. Political Commissar Chen Mo even considered Zhang Bei, Zhang Long, and Zhang Hu, but unfortunately, Zhang Bei and the others had no intention of joining.

If Zhang Heping's idea is correct, then the space force should be developed in a high-profile manner, forcing Europe and the United States to accelerate their space preparations.

However, the output of various commodities in China is increasing, which may lead to inflation.

Therefore, we must continue to develop the economy in a low-key manner in recent years.

Although Zhang Heping disagreed with this view, he did not voice it.

They've already built a lunar base on the moon, so how low can the mainland keep a low profile?

"Dad! Something terrible has happened!"

While Zhang Heping was cultivating a regenerated brain in the biological brain laboratory, Zhang Beixing rushed over and shouted, "Grass is growing on the Martian plains!"

"Hmm!" Zhang Heping responded casually, as if he had expected it.

But Zhang Bei was still very excited. He took his phone, pulled up the news, and showed it to his father. "Those foreigners are talking about miracles, but they don't know that this is the preliminary transformation plan for our Mars Yinghuo Base!"

"By the way, Dad! Countries like Europe and the United States are planning to launch probes to Mars. The satellite monitoring center asked me to ask you whether we should test-fire the space-based weapons on Mars a few more times?"

...(End of this chapter)