Huayu 05, our science fiction movie universe

Chapter 633 The Wallfacer 1 (3)

"The core of Project Wallfacer is that the Earth United Government selects a group of strategic plan makers and leaders!"

In the council chamber of the Earth United Government, Secretary-General Sai passionately introduced the details of the "Wallfacer Project".

Through her words, the audience in the movie theater also learned what the so-called "Wallfacer Project" was all about.

Simply put, the program selects outstanding individuals from among humanity who possess exceptional intelligence, a long-term strategic vision, and strong psychological resilience to serve as Wallfacers.

These Wallfacers must independently develop strategic plans, and their true strategic ideas, steps, and objectives remain hidden only in their own minds, without being shared with the outside world.

Externally, the Wallfacers' thoughts and actions are meticulously crafted illusions, designed to mislead and deceive the entire world, including both their own and their enemies, constructing a labyrinth of illusions to delay the enemy's ability to discern humanity's true strategic intentions.

Wallfacers are granted high authority to mobilize and use a portion of Earth’s war resources without having to explain their actions and orders.

The program is overseen and controlled by the United Nations Planetary Defense Council, which is the only body authorized to veto Wallfacer directives under the UN Wallfacer Act.

"In carrying out their mission, the Wallfacers will face the most difficult task and the greatest pressure in human history."

They are true loners; no one will understand them, and they will completely shut their hearts out to the world and even the universe.

The only people who can confide in and communicate with are themselves.

They will shoulder this great mission and walk alone through the long journey of life.

Therefore, on behalf of humankind, please allow me to extend my highest respect to them.

A wave of applause erupted in the hall.

"Now, on behalf of the United Government, I will announce the three Wallfacers finally selected by the United Nations Planetary Defense Council..."

Everyone, from the delegates in the conference hall to the audience in the movie theater, was deeply captivated by the Secretary-General's speech.

They held their breath, waiting for the list to be announced, wondering what kind of people could undertake this incredible mission.

"The first Wallfacer: Frederick Taylor!"

"The second Wallfacer: Manuel Rediaz!"

Two names were called out, and Taylor and Radiáz walked onto the stage one after the other, standing behind Secretary General Say.

The crowd didn't react much to the selection of these two as Wallfacers.

Judging solely from their performance during the discussion on "escapism," they certainly have the qualifications to be Wallfacers.

Moreover, the two individuals represent the United States and the Third World respectively, which is a result of a balance and compromise of political forces.

So who will be the third Wallfacer?
In the council hall, names of world-renowned figures flashed through the minds of the people present. Luo Ji also looked curiously at the backs of the people in the first row of seats. The two Wallfacers had just walked up to the podium from there, and perhaps the last Wallfacer would be chosen from among them.

What was unexpected was that Sai slowly raised her right hand, and everyone's eyes followed that hand and found that she did not point to the first row of seats, but instead pointed to the fifth row.

This direction? It seems to be pointing in my direction.

Luo Ji subconsciously looked at Shi Qiang beside him, thinking that he was the third Wallfacer.

Well, that decision makes sense. After all, the other party is the head of the Chinese special affairs department, the so-called chief of agents, who has led many operations against the ETO organization and is the man who knocked on the door of ETO leader Mike Evans...

"The third Wallfacer: Luo Ji!"

"what?"

"Dr. Luo Ji, please."

The entire venue was silent, except for Secretary-General Sai waving at him, and Shi Qiang, who was next to him, also gave him a push.

Luo Ji stood up in a daze and walked mechanically toward the platform, feeling that everyone around him was so far away and the platform seemed to be on the horizon.

This short distance felt like an eternity to him, so long that he almost forgot the purpose of his visit to the United Nations.

Yes, Qin Yanni never told him the specific reason on the way she brought him here.

So the "wall-facing" plan had already been in effect since that time?
But why me?

Luo Ji walked up to the podium with a puzzled and helpless expression, stood behind Sai and next to Rediaz, and turned to face the hundreds of eyes in the hall that were focused on him.

These people casting their gazes represent 60 billion people from more than 200 countries around the world.

Many people were also curious about what was so special about Luo Ji, and why he was chosen as the third Wallfacer.
I have no idea what the subsequent meetings were about. It felt like a moment had passed, yet also like an eternity. The conference ended, and the delegates from various countries left.

The other two wallfacers also left, leaving only Secretary-General Sai and him on the podium.

"Dr. Luo Ji, I'm sure you have some questions to ask."

"Is there some mistake?" Luo Ji said in a daze.

Sai gave a polite smile, the meaning of which was clear: the Wallfacer Project had already been announced at the UN General Assembly in front of the global media, so how could it possibly go wrong?

"Then why me?" Luo Ji asked, echoing the sentiments of many, including many viewers on the big screen.

Fans of the Galaxy Cinematic Universe are quite familiar with the character Luo Ji.

The role is played by Chen Kun, a well-known Chinese actor. He first appeared in the post-credits scene of Wang Hao's movie "Source Code", where he met Ding Yi, played by Wang Jinsong, at Yang Dong's funeral.

After that, Luo Ji remained in hiding until Wang Hao's film "The Three-Body Problem 1," where he reappeared as a cosmic sociologist, joining the operation against Mike Evans on Ding Yi's recommendation.

However, Luo Ji's performance in that operation was not particularly outstanding; in fact, it could be described as quite ordinary.

In the opening of "The Wallfacer", Luo Ji still failed to show his charm as the protagonist. Apart from his handsome face, he gave the impression of being lazy, irresponsible and cynical.

Even through his conversations with female friends, one can vaguely discern that he harbors an opportunistic and sensationalist attitude in his academic research.

How could someone like that become a Wallfacer like human elites such as Taylor and Radjaz?
"I'm just an ordinary person!"

Luo Ji reiterated that many viewers in front of the big screen agreed with his statement, but Secretary-General Sai said indifferently:

"In the face of this crisis affecting the entire civilization, we are all ordinary people, but we all have our own responsibilities."

"But you didn't consult me ​​at all beforehand, I knew nothing about it!"

Sai smiled again. "Now you know, Dr. Luo Ji." "Then I refuse," Luo Ji said resolutely. "I voluntarily relinquish my status as a Wallfacer, all the rights granted to me, and I will not bear any responsibility that you have imposed on me!"

Luo Ji's words made many viewers in front of the big screen frown. Some felt that his behavior lacked responsibility and was too cowardly.

That's a Wallfacer, one of only three supreme strategists in the world, the leader of human civilization facing the Trisolaran civilization. What an honor and responsibility that is! The United Government chose him because they trusted him.

Of course, this idea is only limited to Chinese audiences.

For the Japanese audience, especially the male audience, who were in the same screening room as Satomi Ishihara, Luo Ji's escapist behavior was quite normal.

Responsibility? What's that?
If it were a few decades earlier, and the older generation of "Showa men," who were generally known for their bravery and decisiveness, had seen Luo Ji's performance, they might have even cursed him.

But perhaps the "Showa men" had too much staying power, or perhaps it was the influence of the Japanese government's later adjustment to a more relaxed education model that exhausted the fighting spirit of the Showa era, making the next generation feel that working too hard was not a good thing.

Today's Heisei men have long since become more Zen-like. A book published by a Japanese author, "The Low-Desire Society," astutely puts it:

"Japanese youth have lost their desires, dreams, and drive; Japan has fallen into a low-desire society."

When anime and manga culture became popular among young people in Japan, the Heisei generation of men, who seemed to have been spiritually castrated, were given the derogatory nickname "Heisei otaku."

"If the country needs my sacrifice to avoid destruction, then let the country perish."

The mindset of the "Heisei otaku" is somewhat similar to Luo Ji's current thinking, so most Japanese viewers are able to understand him better and even feel a sense of identification when watching the movie.

In contrast, Western audiences in Europe and America have a different view of Luo Ji.

Or to be more precise, they weren't particularly interested in a Chinese character like Luo Ji serving as a "Wallfacer".

In their view, the character Luo Ji is still the core of the story of "character transformation" in Hollywood superhero movies.

It describes how an ordinary person is suddenly given the huge responsibility of saving the world and becomes a "superhero". His peaceful life is disrupted, and he then experiences psychological cognitive obstacles and enormous pressure. Finally, with the help of family and friends, he faces his mission.

This kind of story has played out in Spider-Man, Iron Man, and Batman; it's not surprising that they always manage to pull themselves together in the end.

In contrast, Western audiences were more interested in the characters of Taylor and Diaz.

However, at this point, the main perspective of the movie is still on Luo Ji.

"can."

Sai's answer was concise, leaving Luo Ji's mind, which had just begun to think, blank again.

"Can I go now?" he asked.

"Of course, Dr. Luo Ji, you can do anything."

Luo Ji turned and walked out of the conference hall. Shi Qiang was waiting for him at the door, but Luo Ji, who was in a fit of anger, ignored him.

Then he was shot.

The gunman lay in ambush at the door, disguised as a reporter. Fortunately, to be on the safe side, he aimed at Luo Ji's chest, and Luo Ji happened to be wearing the bulletproof vest that Qin Yanni had given him.

Even so, the audience and he were still taken aback by the sudden attack.

Luo Ji felt as if he had been hit hard in the chest, and he collapsed to the ground. It took him a while to regain consciousness.

Do you need security protection?

He nodded weakly and was escorted to a specialized medical center by security personnel.

And the audience finally understood that the so-called "Wallfacer" position, while enjoying supreme power, was indeed extremely dangerous.

Moreover, some more astute viewers felt a chill run down their spines at Luo Ji's fate.

Even if Luo Ji himself voluntarily gave up his identity as a "Wallfacer," and even if the United Government announced Luo Ji's decision to the public, those who opposed the United Government would still only think that this was part of Luo Ji's "Wallfacer Plan."

Is it a strategic retreat? Or a covert maneuver? Or a deception?
Luo Ji, lying in his hospital bed, clearly understood this as well. Once the identity and mission of a Wallfacer are given, it is impossible to refuse or give up.

This impossibility does not stem from anyone's coercion, but rather from a cruel logic determined by the very nature of the Wallfacer Project.

When a person becomes a Wallfacer, an invisible, thick barrier is erected between him and ordinary people.

Luo Ji finally understood that the Wallfacer was indeed the most bizarre mission in history. Unless his life ended, those who opposed the "Wallfacer Project" would never let him go.

After all, how would those people know if Luo Ji was already working?
His face began to darken visibly. Luo Ji wanted to curse the guys who had put him in this position, curse all the representatives of the Special General Assembly and the mother of the Planetary Defense Council, curse the Trisolarans, and even curse all of humanity.

He wanted to jump up and smash everything in his hands and around him, but in the end, Luo Ji managed to control himself.

That's it, let it end. Destroy it, I'm tired!

Luo Ji was ready to give up. He was a very easygoing person, and among the three Wallfacers, he was the least qualified.

He had neither talent nor experience, had never seen war, and had never even led a small team of more than three people.

He wasn't an accomplished scientist, just a university professor who made a living by piecing together a few mediocre papers.

Everyone knows that humanities papers are the easiest to pad out.

So why was he chosen? He doesn't even plan to have children, so why would he care about the life or death of human civilization?

Perhaps the only value of my existence is "existence" itself.

Let's just consider it a way to divert some firepower from the other two Wallfacers.

However, given that the goal is to help divert attention and there is a risk of losing one's life at any time, it wouldn't be unreasonable to charge the coalition government some interest.

Luo Ji was in much better spirits after leaving the ward.

His first request after that was to get some high-end champagne from a magazine.

"I've been lying in the hospital for days, and my mouth is so bland."

I'm looking for a drink now, so I'll have this one, and then prepare a dinner that's worthy of this wine.

Since there are things we can't refuse, we can only accept them and enjoy them.

(End of this chapter)