Huayu 05, our science fiction movie universe

Chapter 634 The Wallfacer 1 (4)

Luo Ji learned how to be a Wallfacer very quickly.

And after having dinner prepared by a Michelin three-star chef, Luo Ji couldn't help but think that the identity of the Wallfacer wasn't without its advantages.

After dinner, Shi Qiang came over to say goodbye, saying that the Huaxia team would soon be returning to China.

While the Wallfacer Project is indeed very important, they can't keep revolving around Luo Ji forever, especially since Luo Ji currently has no plans whatsoever.

After pondering for a moment, Luo Ji said that he also wanted to return to China.

Although the identity of a Wallfacer seems intimidating and implies considerable power, after several days of calm reflection, Luo Ji has figured things out.

The three Wallfacers appear to be the executors of the "Wallfacer Project," but in reality, they are merely representatives pushed to the forefront by the three major forces.

Do they really think they can stir up global events on their own? Do they really think this vote was fair, just, and transparent? How come there just happen to be three Wallfacers of different nationalities?
Europe and America, the Third World, and China—this is the true source of confidence behind the three Wallfacers.

They are also the tentacles of various forces engaging in multi-faceted competition and gamesmanship in politics, economics, culture, and ideology in this new era. Under the immense pressure of an impending alien invasion, they are the firewalls that prevent conflict from escalating and confine the conflict to a small area.

So even if he had to lie down, Luo Ji would still follow the Party and obey its commands.

While Shi Qiang showed no outward reaction to Luo Ji's decision, the appreciation and satisfaction in his eyes were conveyed through Wang Jingchun's acting skills.

However, when Luo Ji boarded the warship to return home, he met an unexpected person on board.

Taylor? What's he doing here?

Luo Ji was also taken aback when he saw another Wallfacer, Frederick Taylor.

If he could see the other side of the "Wall-Facing Project," how could Taylor, who had been navigating the political arena for many years, not be unaware of it?

“Mr. Taylor will be going back with us. He has some things he wants to confirm with Dr. Ding Yi.”

Shi Qiang was introducing Luo Ji to Shi Qiang, but another thought popped into Luo Ji's mind.

Ally!

Are the West trying to win over China? Or do they have other plans?

Luo Ji never imagined that he would one day possess "political sensitivity," something he used to despise the most. It just goes to show that the environment can really make a person grow up quickly.

Luo Ji even drew parallels between himself and the situation.

Yes, why choose to be a "Wallfacer"?

He's clearly just a good-for-nothing scholar who's wasting his time and accomplishing nothing.

Unless, of course, what "they" want is a mediocre "fake" person with little ability.

Luo Ji thought of the "Zizhi Tongjian" he had read before, and thought of the art of emperors and balance.

When Taylor, representing Europe and the Third World, clashed with Diaz, a less threatening Wallfacer was indeed needed to intervene as a representative of neutral entities such as China to ease the tension.

If Luo Ji were also a genius, the situation of the "three powers vying for supremacy" might really get out of control.

Taylor certainly didn't expect that Luo Ji, a greenhorn who was still quite "naive" in his eyes, would make so many connections in his mind after seeing him.

He simply smiled slightly, took the expensive cigar from his mouth, and politely extended his hand to Luo Ji.

This respect is not for Luo Ji, but for the identity of the Wallfacer and the great Eastern power that this identity represents.

In this day and age, China has become a formidable force in the political, economic, and military spheres.

Putting aside everything else, the "macro-atomic fusion cannon" displayed by China during the conflict at sea last year, triggered by a super hurricane, is a super weapon of mass destruction (see The Three-Body Problem 1 for details).

At the time, Taylor was the U.S. Secretary of Defense, but he witnessed that shocking scene firsthand from the Pentagon's remote command center.

His trip to China was precisely for that "work of art" that would occasionally wake him from his sleep.

Yes, for a military enthusiast, the "macro-atomic fusion cannon" is indeed a "work of art" among weapons.

"You want to see macro-fusion weapons?"

After learning the purpose of Taylor's trip to China, Luo Ji looked at him, then at Shi Qiang beside him, his expression as if asking:
"Are you just going to watch an American like him go to China to see the most confidential and cutting-edge technology?"

Shi Qiang didn't take it to heart, after all, the other party was a "Wallfacer", representing part of the will of Europe, America and the United Government.

Moreover, with the threat of a Trisolaran invasion looming, and China not being the United States, it needs to have a broader perspective and a more magnanimous approach to many things. This is the "benevolent way" spirit learned from five thousand years of history and culture.

Since China has clearly taken the lead in the "tiered sharing" plan for technology at the conference of the United Government, it will naturally not keep its technology to itself and will set an example.

As the warship sailed on the sea, Luo Ji met with Taylor, but there was no further communication between them. They quickly returned to their respective lodgings on the ship.

However, another person who boarded the ship with Taylor was quite interested in Luo Ji.

She was a woman, a mature and beautiful woman with an intellectual air and a rather voluptuous figure.

Her name is Ryoko Tai (played by Masami Nagasawa), a female reporter for the United Government's official media organization. She had previously participated in in-depth reporting on the biological laboratories under the Brilliant Group (see "Aberration Crisis"). This time, she is also preparing to conduct an interview and report on Taylor and several Wallfacers under the United Government's instruction.

As for whether such interviews will have a negative impact on the Wallfacer Project or leak the secrets of the Wallfacers, that's unlikely.

After all, if the Wallfacers want to better execute their plans, the votes and choices of the United Government are not enough; they also need greater influence themselves.

The interviews and reports by the coalition government and media from various countries are part of the plan to build momentum for them and establish them as political opinion leaders.

"Dr. Luo Ji, you seem more confident than I imagined."

Upon meeting, Ryoko Taji immediately offered a compliment.

“We all know how great a responsibility it is to be a Wallfacer. It’s truly remarkable that you can remain calm and composed under such immense pressure, as if you have everything under control.”

"Confident and prepared?"

Luo Ji chuckled, remaining quite nonchalant about the pretty female reporter's compliments, even bordering on overly frank.

"I don't have any plans, I'm just going to live a life of leisure and waiting to die."

"Hehe, Dr. Luo, you're so humorous." Ryoko Taji covered her mouth and chuckled, her gaze towards Luo Ji filled with admiration.

Luo Ji was very familiar with this kind of look, because he had seen the same look in the eyes of many young women who knew he was a PhD.

This made Luo Ji's heart stir. He then glanced at the other person from the corner of his eye. The figure, the appearance, and the temperament were indeed the type he had rarely encountered before.

After all, although he was a PhD, his profession was ordinary, and he was still somewhat distant from the social elite.

The two chatted familiarly, one eager to get closer, the other wanting to release pressure under immense circumstances. Like dry wood meeting a raging fire, they quickly became very close.

Shi Qiang saw this but didn't say much.

The Chinese warships sailed very fast, or rather, the movie "Wallfacer 1" didn't show this part of the story much; anyway, the scene shifted, and they had already arrived in China. However, after arriving at the Chinese naval port, Taylor suddenly expressed his desire to visit China's newly established space force.

This unusual request caused the Chinese side to hesitate for a moment, but Taylor's request was quickly granted.

Shi Qiang, Luo Ji, and Tani Ryoko, among others, also hitched a ride with him and took the opportunity to visit the China Space Force, which was still in the process of being established and had not yet been publicly announced.

The person in charge of receiving the group was a "young man" named Zhang Beihai. He was considered young because it was extremely rare for someone his age to become the second-in-command of the Political Department of the Space Force, even in the Chinese military, which advocates for younger cadres.

However, when Luo Ji and his group met Political Commissar Zhang, they noticed that his face was somewhat thin and his complexion was not very good, but his personal temperament was quite unique.

Silent and reserved yet possessing hidden sharpness, it is like a vast, heavy earth beneath which lie long, dragon-like metal veins.

"Colonel Zhang, I've heard of you!"

Upon meeting Zhang Beihai, Taylor surprisingly adopted a humble attitude.

"To be able to survive alone on Mars for so long is truly extraordinary; it must have been a hellish experience."

“Actually, it’s alright,” Zhang Beihai said, “it’s just that I probably will never eat potatoes again.”

Unlike the other Chinese officers Taylor had met, he didn't display a mixture of curiosity, caution, and aloofness; instead, he seemed very sincere, which made the conversation much easier.

"Hahaha!" Taylor laughed.

Luo Ji then remembered that he seemed to have heard about Colonel Zhang Beihai on the news broadcast, that he had been stranded on Mars due to some accident.

“Your English is excellent,” Taylor said as he walked with Zhang Beihai, exchanging pleasantries. “You must be from the Navy?”

"Yes, I imagine the proportion of Navy personnel in the U.S. Space Force is higher than ours."

"Haha, you're absolutely right. This ancient branch of the military would never have imagined that one day their warships would be sailing in space..."

Frankly speaking, when Senior Officer Chang Weisi introduced you to me, I thought you were from the Air Force, because of your status as an astronaut, which is considered a privileged branch of the military.

Zhang Beihai clearly disagreed with his viewpoint, but simply smiled tolerantly and let it go:
"For our Chinese army, regardless of the branch of service, there is only one soul."

"very good!"

Taylor clapped his hands in satisfaction.

"Your performance has made me even more interested in the political and ideological work of your army, and I hope that I can conduct some in-depth investigations in the future."

"No problem. My superiors have given instructions that I will do everything I can to answer your questions within the scope of my duties."

"Thank you!"

Taylor thanked him, looked up, and found that Zhang Beihai had led him to a building with the words "Military History Museum" written on the door.

He glanced at the Chinese characters, then turned to face Zhang Beihai.

"The purpose of my trip is to obtain an answer, and I would like to ask you about this first."

"You're welcome, please go ahead and say it."

"Colonel, do you think... it's possible for us to restore an army with the spirit of the past?"

"What do you mean by the past?"

"Hmm...it's hard to say, the time frame is very broad, possibly starting from ancient Greece...and continuing until World War II. The key is that we share a common spirit, as I'm referring to."
Responsibility and honor are paramount; when necessary, one can sacrifice one's life without hesitation.

You've probably noticed that since World War II, this spirit has been disappearing from the military, in both democratic and authoritarian countries.

Zhang Beihai looked at him, smiled, and didn't respond to his words. Instead, he brought up another matter.

“Mr. Taylor, you know I’ve lived alone on Mars for hundreds of days, but do you know how I managed to keep going?”

“That truly is a miracle,” Taylor said with an admiring expression. “Your unwavering will is admirable. So what kept you going? The will to survive?”

"I remember you Chinese have a saying, 'to live in the face of death,' and another, 'to be reborn from the ashes'..."

It's about trust!

"Uh...trust?"

"Yes, I trust my country, and my country trusts me in return."

Mr. Taylor, I remember your country made a movie called "Saving Private Ryan," which explored whether it was worth sacrificing more soldiers to save one.

We won't discuss that now, but I'd like to ask you, how much would you be willing to pay to save a soldier or an astronaut?

Taylor fell silent, remaining speechless for a long while.

Luo Ji, standing to the side, was somewhat bewildered. Even with his intelligence, he couldn't understand the deeper meaning behind the conversation between the two.

“The army comes from society. To meet your requirements, the entire society needs to restore the spirit of the past that you described,” Zhang Beihai said, looking at Taylor.

"We share this view."

“But, Mr. Taylor, that’s impossible.”

"Why? Why can't we turn back?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Beihai pondered for a moment and gave a cryptic answer.

"You don't have enough time."

No matter how Luo Ji listened, he felt that Colonel Zhang seemed to be implying something.

Taylor nodded and sighed helplessly.

"It seems I'll have to go look around elsewhere."

But Colonel, where does your confidence in victory come from?

From our conversation just now, I can sense that you seem to be a staunch advocate of victory…

“I’m not a staunch victor,” Zhang Beihai interrupted him. “I just know who I am, and we know who we’re working for.”

Zhang Beihai's answer was vague, which meant that Taylor didn't get much more out of him. He just felt that this man's thoughts were very deep, like the ocean, and could not be seen through at a glance.

After visiting the military history museum and leaving the Space Force headquarters, Luo Ji passed by a sentry and their eyes met. When the soldier smiled shyly at him, Luo Ji remembered the sentries from other countries he had met at the gate of the United Government.

This is something you won't see in the militaries of other countries.

Looking at that young face, Luo Ji glanced at Taylor's somewhat desolate figure ahead and suddenly realized that perhaps what the other side needed in their plan was an army like China's.

(End of this chapter)