Chapter 36: Is This Something That Can Be Said?

"Student! First of all, please rest assured! We will not pursue any secrets you may hold! As long as you do not wish to speak of them, you may keep them forever, and absolutely no one will attempt to probe into them in any way! I can give you this commitment on behalf of the authorities!"

Zhao Zizhen’s tone was exceptionally solemn.

"Secondly, I must ask you to feel completely at ease! The value our nation places on talent far exceeds what netizens might imagine!"

"We would never harm any Shangxia compatriot! Excluding, of course, those who are criminals!"

"Finally, I want to say that if you do not wish to reveal your identity, that is perfectly fine. It is enough for us to know that you are safe!"

Lin Yang was slightly taken aback. He had only been joking, and he had not expected Zhao Zizhen to be so earnest.

Hearing these sincere words, Lin Yang explained, "Dean Zhao, you take it too seriously. I was just joking. Of course, I believe in our motherland!"

"I know you were joking, student. Although I am getting on in years, I am not someone who doesn't use the internet. Haha, I read those viral memes too! Don't mistake me for some stubborn old fossil; I just wanted to tell you seriously: please, rest easy!" Zhao Zizhen laughed.

Lin Yang couldn't help but smile. This Dean Zhao was quite interesting—not at all like the stern, aged academic he had imagined.

Zhao Zizhen continued, "Furthermore, what matters most about a person is their own ability and talent, and those things cannot be 'researched' out of someone!"

"After all, there is currently no technology in the world capable of extracting talent and thoughts from a person's brain. If we were to tie someone up just because they are capable, that would be like killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. We certainly wouldn't do something so foolish!"

"Student, don't you agree with my reasoning?"

Lin Yang burst into laughter. "Agreed, absolutely agreed! Dean Zhao, you are quite a character. I had assumed all you academicians were incredibly serious."

"Haha, we are human too, not stones! Of course, we have all sorts of emotions. Sometimes we just have to put on a stern face—how does that saying go? To maintain a certain 'image'!" Zhao Zizhen laughed along.

On the listening device, Ye Guhong, hearing the two of them chatting and laughing, grew somewhat anxious. He couldn't help but interject, "Old Zhao, stop laughing for a moment. Help us ask him if he has any research in the field of weaponry!"

This was a question Ye Guhong and his team had been itching to ask ever since Lin Yang's last call.

The 0.1-nanometer lithography machine Lin Yang provided was so far ahead of its time that they didn't even dare to expose it easily without sufficient military strength to back it up.

And this time, he had provided controlled nuclear fusion technology.

This thing was even more capable of driving people to madness than the 0.1-nanometer lithography machine!

If even a shred of news leaked out, Western nations, led by the United States, would stop at nothing to seize it!

The reason there was still a degree of balance between nations was that no single party possessed something or some technology with enough appeal and overwhelming significance.

However, if a country suddenly possessed something or some technology far beyond current capabilities—and it was something that could not provide immediate military protection—it would essentially become a sitting duck!

If the world found out that the nation now possessed such technology, those Western powers would surely prefer to start a war rather than let them develop in peace!

When Lin Yang provided the 0.1-nanometer lithography machine last time, Ye Guhong wasn't particularly nervous, because a lithography machine could be hidden, and the related industries could be improved gradually.

For instance, with chips, they didn't have to manufacture the most advanced ones all at once; they could take it slow, step by step, producing increasingly sophisticated chips to avoid exposing too much too soon.

But now, with Lin Yang providing controlled nuclear fusion, Ye Guhong felt a sudden sense of urgency—one might even say panic!

Because!

The advancements brought by controlled nuclear fusion were massive and undeniable!

Once development based on this technology began, there would be no way to hide it.

Unless they gave up the opportunity for rapid development and forced a suppression of progress.

But if they were to force such a suppression, it would be a great disservice to Lin Yang for providing the technology, and it would slow down their chance for a true resurgence.

After all, this was the best opportunity to truly "overtake on a curve" and leave the major Western powers in the dust!

If they were forced to suppress it and delay development, it would be like having a treasure in hand but being unable to use it—that feeling was far too painful!

Therefore, Ye Guhong was anxious.

He desperately wanted to know if Lin Yang had any research in weaponry.

As mentioned before, although Shangxia was strong, it was not yet capable of standing against the entire world.

Yet, controlled nuclear fusion was exactly the kind of thing that would drive other nations to stop at nothing to seize it.

Once it was deployed on a large scale, they had to ensure they could withstand the pressure from the rest of the world!

Otherwise, it would be very dangerous.

An opportunity could easily evolve into a crisis.

Hearing Ye Guhong’s urging, Zhao Zizhen immediately regained his serious demeanor. He, too, understood the gravity of the situation.

Through the video conference, he and Ye Guhong exchanged a glance, both reading the thoughts in the other's mind.

If Lin Yang had no research in weaponry, then even if they hated to do it, they would have to forcibly suppress the application of the controlled nuclear fusion technology.

The next moment, Zhao Zizhen asked solemnly, "Student, I would like to ask one more thing. Do you have any research in the field of weaponry?"

"Weaponry? Dean Zhao, what do you mean by...?" Lin Yang was not entirely sure what Zhao Zizhen was getting at.

Zhao Zizhen coughed lightly, lowered his voice slightly, and said slowly, "I mean weapons in the conventional sense. In other words, have you delved into the field of armed forces?"

"Uh... is this something I can talk about?" Lin Yang paused, slightly surprised.

"Of course you can. Why wouldn't you be able to?" Zhao Zizhen asked back, quite seriously.

"Well... then I'd like to ask you, Dean Zhao, do you have a specific plan in mind for asking this?" Lin Yang did not answer directly, but asked a question in return.

However, even without a direct answer, his words made the eyes of both Zhao Zizhen and Ye Guhong light up.

As long as he hadn't denied it, it meant there was a possibility!

Zhao Zizhen looked at Ye Guhong through the video feed, and after seeing him nod, he cleared his throat and spoke without reservation:

"It’s like this: the controlled nuclear fusion technology you provided is far too advanced, its range of application is too broad, and it is too important. To put it mildly, it is enough to change the entire course of our human society's development!"

"We have an old saying in Shangxia: 'The possession of a treasure is a crime in the eyes of the covetous.' I’m sure you know what that means. Right now, this technology is so advanced that once we start applying it, the Western powers will certainly stop at nothing to seize it. We currently do not have enough strength to confront the entire world, so..."

"So, we must have corresponding military force to guarantee our deterrence. Is that what you are trying to say, Dean Zhao?"

Lin Yang’s eyes flashed; he understood the implication behind Zhao Zizhen’s words.

"Yes, that is exactly what I mean. That is why I asked if you have any research in this field!"

Zhao Zizhen nodded, feeling both expectant and nervous.