Chapter Fourteen: This Is a Secret

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Previously, the system had mentioned that once the Academy of Sciences finished manufacturing the lithography machine, it would notify him automatically. This implied that the system must have the capability to monitor progress at all times. Now, several days had passed; surely the Academy must be nearing completion. Given their strength, the earlier failure to produce one was due to deliberate Western technology embargoes, but with the manufacturing manuals now in hand, creating an advanced lithography machine should not be too difficult.

Lin Yang pondered this, and the system’s response confirmed his thoughts. “Host, the Academy of Sciences has completed the lithography machine and is currently conducting final trial operations. If the operation succeeds, you will be able to complete the second phase of your mission.”

“Already finished? That fast?” Lin Yang was surprised to hear the system say it was already completed. He had expected it to be mostly done, but not fully assembled and undergoing the final tuning.

“It seems I have somewhat underestimated the power of my great nation. Once technological barriers are removed, the manufacturing capacity is simply unbeatable!” Lin Yang felt a surge of pride.

He then instructed the system, “I will continue collecting artifacts. Inform me immediately when the trials are finished.”

He had not been idle these past few days, traveling through various regions in search of artifacts, hoping to complete more artifact repatriation tasks. Unfortunately, other areas rarely had artifacts that met the criteria.

...

At the Academy of Sciences.

The Academy had been sealed off for several days. Without a pass, not even a fly could enter or exit. Around the campus, two squads had been temporarily stationed, patrolling nonstop day and night. Over a hundred ultra-high-definition night-vision cameras were installed in secret, monitoring every angle without a single blind spot. All this was to ensure that no information about the lithography machine could leak.

Inside, all those privy to the project, led by Zhao Zizhen, had their communication devices confiscated. Specialized signal jammers prevented any external transmissions. Every outgoing message from the Academy was monitored by a dedicated department. The level of control was absolute.

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Yet, no one expressed dissatisfaction; on the contrary, everyone cooperated fully. Particularly the academicians responsible for manufacturing the lithography machine—they wished for complete silence and no distractions. Indeed, these academicians personally handled every aspect of manufacturing!

After days of nearly sleepless overtime, the first lithography machine built strictly according to the manual was finally completed.

“Everyone, now is the moment to witness the fruits of our labor!” Zhao Zizhen spoke excitedly, his eyes bloodshot but shining brightly.

“Old Zhao, do you really think this thing can run successfully?” an academician suddenly asked.

“What do you mean by that, Old Yuan?” Zhao Zizhen replied with a sharp glance.

“No offense, but at this critical moment, it suddenly feels somewhat unreal,” the academician who spoke earlier said, lightly touching the machine with a trembling voice. “We built this ourselves, so logically I shouldn’t have these doubts, but I just can’t help it—I truly fear even the slightest problem!”

His words immediately resonated with the others. “Ah, Old Yuan, now that you say it, we feel the same. It’s nerve-wracking!”

Zhao Zizhen paused briefly, then his eyes gleamed with determination. “I understand how you all feel now, but I assure you, this machine will have absolutely no issues! Absolutely!”

Seeing Zhao’s resolute expression, Old Yuan and the others exchanged looks, then asked, “Old Zhao, we all have a question for you.”

“What question?”

“Though we confirmed from the start that the manufacturing manual is genuine, there’s always been a lingering unease. But you’ve seemed to trust it completely from the beginning, especially these last two days. We’re all curious—why haven’t you shown even a hint of doubt?”

Old Yuan voiced the doubts of the group, and all eyes turned to Zhao Zizhen.

Zhao was momentarily taken aback; he hadn’t expected this question rather than technical ones. Then he smiled and said, “I’m afraid I can’t say—that’s a secret.”

“A secret?” The academicians were puzzled.

“Yes, a secret!” Zhao Zizhen said seriously, looking at each of them with a subtle expression.

In truth, he had worried at first. But after learning that the Cultural Relics Bureau had announced receiving artifacts donated anonymously by an overseas individual, he no longer had any doubts about the lithography machine’s successful operation.

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Though the Bureau said the donor was anonymous, Zhao knew it was definitely that person. And the manufacturing manual for the lithography machine had come from that same donor.

Therefore, Zhao Zizhen now brimmed with unwavering confidence!

The academicians, seeing Zhao’s sincerity, did not press further.

Zhao Zizhen composed himself, scanned the faces around the room, and said solemnly, “Now, let’s begin the operation!”

He did not want to wait another moment.

With his words, the expressions of the gathered academicians turned serious as their eyes fixed tightly on the machine starting up.

One minute, two minutes…

Each minute seemed to stretch endlessly.

The tension grew with every passing moment. Even Zhao Zizhen, who trusted the machine with absolute certainty, felt a flicker of nervousness in the final seconds.

At last, under everyone’s anxious gaze, the lithography machine operated successfully!

“It worked!”

“Hahaha, it’s really working!”

“This is wonderful, wonderful!”

Several elder academicians couldn’t help but shed tears of joy.

Though the lithography machine was not the fruit of their own research, having this machine meant Shangxia would no longer be constrained in many scientific fields.

These academicians had devoted their lives to the progress and development of Shangxia, so even if the machine was not built solely through their efforts, their excitement and happiness were genuine.

Zhao Zizhen wiped the corner of his eye, took a deep breath, and said to everyone, “You’ve all worked hard these days. Now that the lithography machine has been successfully built, please go rest. I will report this news immediately!”

Zhao was ecstatic.

With the lithography machine successfully manufactured, great leaps in various fields were about to begin!