The rejuvenation of a great nation: from educated youth to national treasure scientist

Österlund was also waiting for his arrival.

"Petrolov, how's it going? Has Long agreed?"

"I believe they will consider the bigger picture. They will definitely be happy to give us a chance to hitch a ride."

"Because it's also good for them."

Petrov gave a wry smile and said, "Your Majesty, I'm sorry, I failed to complete the task you assigned me."

Petrov then recounted the process and outcome of the discussion.

After listening, Österlund sighed and said, "I didn't expect them to be so wary of us."

"Aren't we family?"

"They share some of their glory with us, just to make their underlings more obedient."

"This has a significant impact on our camp."

Petrov didn't know what to say.

“Your Majesty, what I must say is that we have never been so generous to them in the past.”

"The vast majority of the help we gave them before was paid for."

"Moreover, I think they made a very good point: we haven't reached the highest stage yet, and everyone is living their own lives, so we definitely need to keep things separate."

"In fact, they have really helped us a lot over the past few years."

"I believe that our current success is inseparable from their support."

Österlund frowned slightly and said, "I know they helped us."

"However, they are clearly also ambitious towards us."

"I strongly suspect that they might actually be plotting something; that's entirely possible."

Petrov's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly said, "Your Majesty, who told you this?"

Österlund shook his head and said, "I haven't heard anyone say that."

"I just feel that the current situation is indeed not very favorable for us!"

"They are too strong."

"They could hold us by the throat at any time."

"And we are powerless to retaliate."

"This is clearly not fair."

Petrov didn't know what to say.

If Österlund thinks that way, then it's a bit dangerous.

After all, for a long time, Österlund was known for its affinity for dragons.

The relationship between everyone has always been quite good.

Of course, it was probably because the gap between the two sides had widened a bit that Ostrund's mentality was a little unbalanced.

Petrov said, "Your Majesty, I personally believe that we must accept reality."

"They have actually been very good to us all along."

"Although they are much stronger than us, they have never bullied us in any way."

"They have always been very kind to us."

"Yes, this time when I talked to them, they even showed me some intelligence."

"The eagles have been quite active lately."

"They're trying to incite a conflict between us and the dragon, ideally one where we both end up with our brains smashed. That way, they can reap the benefits."

As Petrov spoke, he took out some evidence from his bag.

It includes the contents of secret meetings of Department C and the cracking of telephone calls.

After reading it, Österlund shook his head.

"I've actually thought of that before."

"How could an eagle so easily disappear from the stage of history?"

"They're definitely going to cause trouble."

Petrov said, "Your Majesty, have some people recently told you that you have a chance to lead the Great Bear to a true summit?"

Österlund scratched his head and said, "Someone actually said that."

"Yes, at least two or three people have said that."

"I believe we still have a chance."

"Although the dragons are indeed stronger than us in some aspects, in terms of overall strength, we are really no worse than them."

"If we persist in development for a few more years, I believe we have a chance to overtake Long. What do you think?"

Österlund is clearly a bit naive.

He actually believed that it was possible to gain the upper hand by coming from behind in the fields of science and technology and industry.

Petrov sighed.

He said, "Your Majesty, do you think we are more advanced or less advanced than the eagle in the field of science and technology?"

Österlund hesitated for a moment and said, "Oh, well, it's hard to say."

Petrov smiled and said, "We have advanced chip production lines that Eagle doesn't."

"Eagle has always been importing Dragon's chip products, and almost all of its main components are imported from Dragon."

"Their radar is now also lagging behind ours."

"Our fighter jets are now ahead of theirs."

"They are behind us in almost every military field."

"Therefore, I believe that we have actually surpassed the Eagle in the field of military technology as a whole."

Österlund had actually heard about the reports before.

However, he had been skeptical in the past.

After all, starting with the Corn Emperor, the bear's ambitions have been almost completely worn down.

Back then, Emperor Corn really wanted to gain the eagle's approval.

This old man still fantasizes about forming a G2 alliance with the eagle to rule the world together.

However, the eagle wasn't so enthusiastic about the bear's suggestion and kept causing trouble, which made the corn emperor a little sad.

He was then forced to bite the bullet and continue fighting the eagle.

But generally speaking, the elite of the bears, starting with the Corn Emperor, have all been somewhat insecure in spirit.

They all believed that they were indeed far inferior to eagles in the field of technology.

This is mainly because the eagle's leading position in daily industrial products has almost shattered the bear's confidence.

They believe deep down that they are indeed inferior to eagles.

Because of this mindset, the elite members of the Bear Clan had very complex feelings towards the Eagle Lizard faction for a long time.

Their mindset is very complex.

They were driven mad by the lack of approval from the eagle.

Then he decided to do something to earn the eagle's approval.

Unfortunately, their light industry sector is a complete mess.

As a result, from the 60s to the early 80s, the gap between them widened.

In the end, they had to import many of their daily necessities, such as clothes, shoes, hats, household appliances, and machinery, from the Eagle Lizard.

They spent all the foreign exchange they worked so hard to earn on imported daily necessities.

When one of Eagle's fast food brands opens a store in Bear's territory, it can cause long queues.

This clearly demonstrates the gap in quality of life between bears and eagles.

It was precisely because of this gap that the bear's elite began to doubt that they had taken the wrong path.

They began to willingly accept the PUA tactics employed by the Eagle Lizard faction.

Thus, a great disaster was sown.

If things had followed the same trajectory as in his previous life, Xiong would probably have killed himself.

However, in this life, thanks to the rise of the dragon, the bear finally had a chance to save itself. Ostrund actually also had feelings for the eagle-lizard.

He also firmly believed that the bear was inferior to the eagle.

This is like a steel stamp; it's quite difficult to change it in a short period of time.

Österlund said, "Oh! I never could believe that we might be stronger than the Eagles."

Petrov smiled and said, "Actually, for a long time I couldn't believe it either."

"The reason I believe this now is because I have participated in too many events that ambassadors have participated in together."

"Especially at the electronics technology exhibition held by the dragon, the eagle-lizard people were so bewildered and so shocked."

"They are all elites!"

"But they seem to have never seen anything like the world."

"Only then did I realize that many of Dragon's products are actually leading the world."

"Furthermore, Your Majesty, as you know, Dragon prohibits Giant Eagle's military industrial enterprises from importing advanced chips and other components."

“But we bears are not restricted.”

"We can get many good things that we've never had before."

"But the Eagle Lizard cannot obtain it."

"This is also the main reason why I insist that we are ahead of Eagle in many areas."

Österlund nodded and said, "Your analysis is correct."

"At least in the last two or three years, our people have stopped buying so many things when they travel to Eagle Lizard Country."

"Moreover, the lifestyle of the Eagle Lizards is no longer as appealing to our people."

"From what I understand, even Eagle Express isn't as popular anymore."

Petrov chuckled, “Your Majesty, it’s not as simple as Eagle’s fast food being unpopular.”

"Now, hardly anyone wants to eat those Western fast food meals."

"Because everyone has started to think that fast food is junk food. Dragon food is more popular here."

Ostrom sighed: "Right now, what frustrates me the most is: why can't we beat Dragon in so many product areas?"

"We can import all of their machinery and equipment."

"We can replicate the capacity they built."

"However, our home appliances and cars are not as advanced as theirs."

"why is that?"

Petrov said, "Your Majesty, this is mainly in the area of ​​scientific and technological research and innovation, where we have fallen far behind them."

"Their products are better than ours, and they are also much cheaper."

The Eagle King sighed and said, "This is definitely not a good thing."

Petrov said, "Your Majesty, in fact, we have also been unable to catch up with Lizard in those product areas in the past."

“In the past, we had to spend more money to import products from Lizard Fang.”

"From what I understand, the home appliances we imported from Xifang in the past were generally much more expensive than the products that Julong is producing now. Take televisions for example."

“In the past, it cost us a thousand dollars to import a Japanese color TV.”

"And now, we can import even better color TVs from Giant Dragon for only 500 RMB."

"The reason why our people's lives have improved so quickly is mainly because we have products from Giant Dragon to replace them."

"These are all benefits that the dragon has brought us."

Österlund nodded and said, "You're right."

Petrov said, "Your Majesty, after comparison, the dragon is still better for us."

"And the eagles, in fact, have always been deceiving us and trying to destroy us."

“Think about it, they have carried out large-scale infiltrations into us in the past.”

“They bribed a large number of shameful traitors within our ranks.”

"Many of those traitors have even risen to high positions."

"If those guys really do reach the top positions, what kind of fate do you think we'll face next?"

Österlund sighed.

Actually, his rise to power was inseparable from the support of the dragon.

Without Dragon's intelligence to help eliminate those traitors and such, we wouldn't have been able to get rid of them.

How could Österlund possibly have a chance to go up there?

You have to understand, he wasn't even in the running for the top position.

It's a miracle that he was able to get up here.

He's just a little out of sorts right now: he thinks that if a dragon can handle something, then a bear definitely shouldn't have any problems either.

This idea itself is wrong.

Österlund said, "Comrade Petrov, what worries me most now is: does the dragon want to control us?"

"After all, they are very strong now."

"Under these circumstances, it's inevitable that they will harbor ambitions towards us."

Petrov smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I feel that your idea is definitely wrong."

"Because, I believe, the dragon is truly fulfilling the mission of the sages."

"They genuinely want to unite all of humanity."

"Let us all work together to form a harmonious federation, where there is no more war and killing, and let us live a good life wholeheartedly."

Österlund frowned and said, "If they are really that noble, then why won't they give us credit and let us share in the glory of the manned moon landing?"

Petrov said, "Your Majesty, this is because they must ensure that they have the strongest influence and appeal."

"This world must have a leader."

"Unfortunately, we may not be able to become the dominant force."

"But now, we have the opportunity to be the supporters."

"Even if we truly enter the era of the Earth Federation in the future, there will inevitably be a strong leader."

"Otherwise, it would be impossible to solve all the current problems on Earth."

Österlund was still a little unconvinced: "I hope we can also become the leaders."

Petrov nodded: "I also hope that we will be the leaders."

"But the reality is probably not optimistic."

Österlund pressed on, "Why would you say that?"

Petrov said, "Your Majesty, because dragons dominate technological development, and they possess the most powerful industrial production capabilities."

"They are even dominating global public opinion."

"In this situation, we can't win against them."

"I think that since we share the same ideas, values, and ideals, we shouldn't fight for dominance."

"What do you think?"

Österlund sighed, "This is really terrible."

"I think our people certainly wouldn't want to be second to anyone."

"I'm a little unwilling myself."

Petrov quickly replied, "Your Majesty, actually, I feel the same way."

"Why would I want to fall behind others?"

"However, in order to realize our great ideals, I think we should make some sacrifices."

Österlund said, "You're right."

"For the sake of the well-being of all mankind, perhaps we shouldn't argue with them too much."

“Ostrund, I want to call their leaders myself to congratulate them…” (End of Chapter)