Break out of the courtyard

Conference room on the top floor of the administration building at Shenzhen Peace College.

"The expert team has been in Hong Kong Island for three days, and we haven't seen Consultant Zhang, nor have we seen that so-called virtual reality game helmet. We can't just waste our time here!"

"Could Vice Dean Deng contact Consultant Zhang and help us arrange a meeting?"

"What good would facilitating a meeting do? Consultant Zhang proposed an equal exchange of technology; what do we have to offer him in return?"

"Some people have such nice words, saying that not handing over technology means you're not patriotic! I really wanted to ask them, how was it unpatriotic of Consultant Zhang to hand over so much technology?"

"Luckily you didn't say anything, otherwise your name wouldn't be on this batch of academicians' list!"

"Hmph! Those people are all talk and no action. When something really happens, all they think about is how to shirk responsibility!"

"Everyone!" Professor Qian placed his phone in front of Vice Dean Deng beside him and said loudly to the whispering attendees, "Please be quiet!"

With the attendees reminding each other, the noise in the meeting room quickly subsided.

"I just received a message from Professor Hua that two Americans sent some materials to Advisor Zhang. Two of the photos are quite special. I have already uploaded the photos to the album of this meeting's discussion group. Please take a look and share your thoughts. I will reveal the source of the photos later."

After Hua finished speaking, he looked at Vice President Deng beside him.

Vice Dean Deng was busy organizing his project research materials and had little interest in this meaningless meeting.

Unfortunately, the attendees were experts and professors from other universities or research institutions, and as the host, Vice Dean Deng could not refuse their invitation to the conference.

The key point is that if Consultant Zhang is willing to cooperate with the mainland in developing brain-computer interfaces, the relevant research will likely fall to these people.

"Old Deng, take a look at the photos!" Old Qian reminded him when he saw that Vice President Deng was engrossed in his own work.

Vice Dean Deng looked up in confusion, glanced at Professor Qian, and then, at Professor Qian's prompting, noticed a cell phone next to the documents in front of him.

Just as Vice Dean Deng glanced at his phone briefly, made no comment, and continued looking at his documents, Old Qian hurriedly leaned over and whispered, "The photo was given to us by Americans. Dean Zhang is worried that the hammer in the photo comes from an alien civilization!"

Upon hearing that the photo was related to Zhang Heping, Vice Dean Deng picked up Qian Lao's phone and carefully examined the photo.

"Mr. Qian!" A bald, middle-aged man was the first to ask after looking at the photo, "Seven or eight strong men are pulling a suspended hammer with a rope. Is this meant to show that those people can't move the hammer?"

"There's another photo where a hammer's silhouette appears in the black mist. Is this meant to tell us the origin of that suspended hammer?"

Instead of answering, Qian asked, "If the contents of the photo are true, what do you think?"

……

Hong Kong Island, Victoria Peak.

After telling Hua Lao his concerns, Zhang Heping carried two suitcases back to the villa.

Aside from the information about the strange tree mentioned by the Americans, there was also a suitcase containing the autopsy report and death certificates of the Brooks family.

After reviewing Old Bu's information, Zhang Heping summoned Zhu Chengguang, the manager of the security department, and asked him to arrange for someone to go to the US hospital to verify the bodies of Old Bu and his family, as well as the whereabouts of Little Bu's children.

Regarding the hammer in Area 51 that couldn't be pulled, Zhang Heping thought for a moment and finally asked Zhu Chengguang to contact Xiao Ke's personal secretary to arrange for someone to verify the authenticity of the hammer.

After finishing all this, Zhang Heping picked up the broken branches of the Jianmu tree and the stack of documents, and carefully examined them for an entire afternoon.

The stack of documents provided by the Americans mentioned two things: first, the Jianmu Divine Tree, which they translated as the Strange Tree, could emit a strange microwave that would disappear if it left the Strange Tree by one meter; second, the Stargate teleportation technology originated from that Strange Tree.

If the Americans had learned from the annihilation of Area 51, they should have archived research data related to the Jianmu Divine Tree!
With this in mind, Zhang Heping began to consider how to obtain more research data about the Jianmu Divine Tree from the Americans.

The Umbrella Security Department acted quickly, mainly because the US Embassy in Hong Kong processed tourist visas quickly.

Zhu Chengguang sent someone to take the documents over, and it was done in less than ten minutes.

The US must be eagerly anticipating these four trial slots, hoping Zhang Heping's people will verify the situation as soon as possible so they can pay for the drugs afterward.

However, Xiao Ke's secretary did not immediately agree to let the Umbrella Security Company's people go to Area 51, but instead asked Zhu Chengguang to send someone to the United States to wait.

Finally, Xiao Ke's secretary gave Zhu Chengguang a hard drive and asked him to pass it on to Zhang Heping.

If Zhang Heping hadn't been interested in the hammer, the other party probably wouldn't have given him the hard drive.

After receiving the hard drive, Zhang Heping did not plug it directly into his study computer, but instead connected it to an unused laptop.

He wasn't worried about the hard drive the Americans gave him having a virus; he was just being cautious and didn't want to risk his own computer.

The hard drive contains 30 video files, which are surveillance footage of the Stargate teleportation laboratory and its associated energy room in the half hour before the explosion at Area 51.

After watching the video, Zhang Heping made a copy and gave it to Hua Lao to send back to the mainland to assess its authenticity.

With Zhang Heping's computer skills, he did not find that the 30 video files were fake or spliced, unless the video content itself was fake.

With video evidence to corroborate his claim that the hammer was transported there via a star gate, Zhang Heping became 30% more convinced.

The remaining 70% must exclude the possibility of the US government staging the incident itself, as well as verification by personnel sent by the security company.

Zhang Heping could tell that Hua Lao didn't really believe in the existence of aliens, or rather, he didn't care.

In the following days, Hua continued to try to grant the mainland expert group the opportunity to experience the virtual dream game in advance, and to arrange for Zhang Heping to meet with the experts and introduce some technical aspects.

Unfortunately, Zhang Heping was determined to set the rules this time. He said it would be an equal exchange, so there was no room for negotiation.

Even though the virtual reality game helmet and the Frog Brain server will be unveiled on December 12, he did not make things easy for the mainland expert group.

Since he had already had Elder Hua and Director Wang try it out, it was their business if others didn't believe the virtual dream game was real. Zhang Heping didn't have the time to answer their questions.

If he doesn't come up with a concrete technology exchange plan, then don't expect to continue getting technology from him for free, unless he makes the technology public to the whole world.

To demonstrate its resolve, the Peace Group has acquired stakes in dozens of factories in Europe that manufacture machinery and precision instruments.

With the addition of castles acquired by Peace Property in the UK, France, and Germany, they are poised to immigrate at any time.

……

Capital, north bank of Houhai Lake.

Company Commander Zhao has recently been ordered to frequently visit Zhang Bing's home, mainly to persuade Zhang Bing to stay home and prevent his family from actually immigrating abroad.

It was almost lunchtime, and Company Commander Zhao still had his guards drive to pick up Lao Li and Lao Tang, and bring some wine and meat to Zhang Bing's house for a drinking party.

Ever since Lao Li and Lao Tang had their hands and feet repaired at Shenzhen Heping Hospital with Zhang Bing, their spirits have improved dramatically. They want to go out every day and can't stand staying at home. "Sister Xiuzhen, you won't mind if we come again, will you?" As soon as Company Commander Zhao walked in, he greeted Ma Xiuzhen, who was busy at the stove. "We brought our own food and drinks to freeload, you can't kick us out!"

"The old company commander is here! Please come in and have a seat!" Ma Xiuzhen ignored the other party's joke and greeted them with a smile, "Even if you come empty-handed, Lao Zhang and I would never leave you without lunch."

Zhang Bing was holding his two-year-old great-grandson Zhang Bo when he saw his three old comrades-in-arms arrive again, and he was naturally overjoyed.

However, when he saw the wine in the old company commander's hand, he subconsciously glanced at Ma Xiuzhen, worried that she would complain to her third son.

Seeing Zhang Bing's guilty look, Company Commander Zhao laughed and said, "I know you three can't drink too much, so most of this bottle is mine. You three can each drink two ounces. Xiuzhen, is that alright?"

“Alright, alright!” Ma Xiuzhen replied while searching for peanuts, “After the New Year is over, let each of them drink an extra two ounces.”

"I'll stir-fry some peanuts for you and cook a pot of dumplings. I'll invite Brother Zhou to drink with you later, so the old company commander doesn't get too drunk and get scolded by his wife when he gets back."

"Alright!" Company Commander Zhao placed the wine and meat on the large round table and asked his two comrades, Lao Li and Lao Tang, to get plates and wine glasses.

dong dong!

"Aunt Ma, there's a package from your family's consultant, Mr. Zhang. It's from Xishuangbanna, probably more mountain products from there!"

As they were talking, a postman came in carrying a bulging sack and placed it in the corner of the restaurant on the right.

"Two more sacks!" the postman said, and quickly walked out.

"Xiao Zhong, you've worked so hard! It's such a hassle to have you move in every year!" Ma Xiuzhen hurriedly got up, wiped her hands on her apron, and prepared to get a pack of cigarettes as a courtesy.

Zhang Bing exchanged a glance with Lao Li and Lao Tang. Before Lao Zhang could speak, the two comrades-in-arms walked out excitedly.

Old Li said, "In previous years, we received the mountain produce from your family. This year, it's our turn to put in some effort."

"Take it easy, you guys!" Ma Xiuzhen glared at Old Zhang, who was about to put down his great-grandson to move heavy objects, then grabbed a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes from the cabinet by the wall and strode towards the door.

Ma Xiuzhen arrived at the door and had Xiao Zhong take the second sack inside before scolding the two old comrades who were carrying the sacks: "My son said that you can't do heavy work for a year, but you all ignored him!"

After putting down the sack, Xiao Zhong hurriedly went to take the sack that the two old men were carrying. "Uncle, this is my job. Let me do it. I don't want to trouble you two."

Ma Xiuzhen laughed from the side, "Xiao Zhong! It's hard on you to carry them. These two are like my husband, Lao Zhang. They were also disabled veterans before. They only recovered their limbs this year and will have to wait until next year to do heavy work."

"Aunt Ma, this is really hard work, it's my job!" Postman Xiao Zhong quickly picked up the bag of vegetables and fruits that looked bulging but was actually very light. "I heard before that Consultant Zhang developed a regeneration and repair fluid that can repair broken hands and feet, but I didn't believe it at first."

"It wasn't until I saw Uncle Zhang walking normally that I had to admire Consultant Zhang's superb medical skills."

"I heard that the regeneration and repair fluid produced now is very limited, and it can only be used for disabled veterans first."

Following behind Xiao Zhong, Ma Xiuzhen replied with a smile, "Disabled children under the age of 12 can also apply for priority use, while disabled teenagers aged 12 to 16 should apply and wait in line according to their circumstances."

"Many disabled veterans are willing to rejoin the queue and give up their rehabilitation slots to younger people."

As she spoke, Ma Xiuzhen had already stuffed the pack of cigarettes into the postman Xiao Zhong's shirt pocket.

Postman Xiao Zhong put down the sack, smiled, took out a pack of cigarettes and placed them on a nearby cabinet, then walked around the table away from Ma Xiuzhen. "Aunt Ma, you really don't need to give me cigarettes every time. Delivering packages is my job."

"Although my job is very ordinary and cannot compare to Consultant Zhang's superb medical skills, I feel very honored to be able to deliver packages to your family. It's like I'm also doing my part for those disabled veterans and disabled children."

"Xiao Zhong, have some hot water before you go!" Zhang Bing said, holding a baby in one arm and handing the cup to Xiao Zhong, the postman.

After the postman finished drinking his water and left, Ma Xiuzhen returned to the stove.

Company Commander Zhao, who had watched the whole thing silently, was deeply moved.

Even though the Zhang family was wealthy and Zhang Heping was highly respected, Zhang Bing and Ma Xiuzhen treated people the same as before, without making them feel unapproachable or arrogant.

Therefore, in his view, the higher-ups' concerns about the Zhang family immigrating abroad were simply overthinking things.

As his sixth son, Zhao Jianguo, said, if He Ping wanted to immigrate, he would have done so quietly, just like when he went to Hong Kong back then. Why would he give others time to react?

……

Western Shu, the underground base of Sanxingdui.

"No means no! How can you build a brain-computer interface if you only know the functional modules but don't understand how they connect to each other?"

"Boss, the internal connection channels of this brain-computer interface are very complex. Just because we have the 3D architecture diagram of those functional modules doesn't mean we can definitely build it."

“There are so many cables and interfaces between the computer host and the monitor, keyboard, and mouse, not to mention the complexity of the functional modules inside the brain-computer interface. If one channel is connected incorrectly, all the work done before will be wasted. You expect us to finish it before the 12th? We're not geniuses like Consultant Zhang!”

"Boss, if you want to see results quickly, there is a way, but we need to add more people!"

“That’s right. Send us more people. With more people trying things out, we can find the correct way to connect the functional modules more quickly.”

"Boss, we've been researching for decades but haven't succeeded in creating a brain-computer interface. Even now, with the 3D architecture diagram drawn by Consultant Zhang, there are still many difficulties. Can't we really cooperate with Consultant Zhang?"

"If Consultant Zhang comes here, he could probably crack the operating mechanism between the Ruomu Brain-Computer Interface and the Ruomu Divine Tree in less than a year!"

Listening to the feedback from the laboratory staff, the person in charge of the base felt a bit overwhelmed.

He really wanted Consultant Zhang to come and advance the research on Ruomu Brain-Computer Interface, Ruomu Divine Tree, and the underground artificial sun project.

With the amount of research Zhang has conducted in Shenzhen and Hong Kong, anyone who isn't blind can't ignore his research and development capabilities.

But things are just so messed up; some people just lied through their teeth, sticking to the review standards and refusing to budge, effectively shutting Consultant Zhang out.

The nearly seventy-year-old base leader did try other methods, cooperating with Hua Lao to send some experts to the Shenzhen Peace Academy; he put in a lot of effort behind the scenes.

To his surprise, Consultant Zhang proposed an equal exchange, no longer providing technology free of charge!

Now look what's happened! The expert he secretly sent over to learn from is now unable to even get a meeting with Zhang Heping.

With the Virtual Dream Game Machine Technology Sharing Conference on December 12th fast approaching, only 5 of their experts were randomly selected to attend.

The key point is that this spot cannot be given away or sold privately. At that time, identity information and photos taken by video cameras when applying to participate will be verified.

Just as the person in charge was having a headache, his secretary rushed over and told him that there was an urgent external video conference that he needed to attend.

The person in charge was initially somewhat puzzled by this unexpected meeting.

However, when he drove to the conference room and learned that the question of whether Consultant Zhang could enter the Sanxingdui underground base needed to be re-discussed, his spirits suddenly lifted... (End of Chapter)