Chapter 16: Shocking the Commander-in-Chief!

On May 1, 1999, shortly after two 956E destroyers arrived at the port, nine top military defense experts from three different naval research institutes boarded the vessels to conduct their studies.

Upon realizing the true combat capabilities of these modern warships, several high-ranking officials, including Xu Dongguo, held an emergency meeting overnight. They decided that everyone would have to tighten their belts, slashing budgets for other scientific research projects to scrape together 1.5 billion in funding from an already strained military budget to focus on mastering the core technologies of the 956E.

This was the ambitious "Operation 951."

After nearly seven months, with the regional maritime situation growing increasingly tense and the research progress seemingly nowhere near completion, a decision was recently made to suspend the project.

"Operation 951... it succeeded?" Xu Dongguo was stunned for a moment.

Whether it was the decision to suspend "Operation 951" or the continued procurement of the two 956E destroyers, he had been under immense pressure. Yet, just as he was grappling with these difficult choices, Sun Yongguo told him that Operation 951 had succeeded! This surprise was so sudden that he couldn't react for a moment.

"Yes, Chief!"

"When did this happen?"

"Just... moments ago."

Moments ago?

Xu Dongguo didn't have time to think. He quickly asked, "Where? At the 335 Research Institute? I'm heading there now."

"Chief, the location is at the Zhang Gongnong Independent Laboratory at Harbin Institute of Technology."

"Why there?"

"Chief, it's not convenient to explain in detail over the phone. You'll understand once you arrive."

Xu Dongguo understood. Such a major military secret could certainly not be discussed in detail over the phone. After hanging up, he immediately shouted to the outside.

"Guard, prepare the plane. We are flying to Harbin immediately."

"Yes, Chief!"

While waiting, he suddenly recalled the details in Sun Yongguo's words. Moments ago? The Harbin Institute of Technology's Zhang Gongnong Independent Laboratory? Thinking of this, he quickly pulled out all the military funding project applications from the past few months. Soon, he isolated all the applications related to the 335 Research Institute and Zhang Gongnong. After scanning them for a while, his brow furrowed.

He realized something was wrong. Neither the funding applications nor Zhang Gongnong’s progress reports mentioned any major breakthroughs; they only stated that they were working hard on the 956E project. And yet, under these circumstances, there had been a massive turnaround! He pondered it, but he couldn't make sense of it.

Before long, the guard returned. "Report, Chief, everything is prepared!"

"Let's go!"

...

Outside the Zhang Gongnong laboratory at the Harbin Institute of Technology, people kept stopping by, curious about what was happening, while others constantly drifted away. Even Professor Zhou had visited twice, but he couldn't even enter the laboratory, let alone see the three examiners.

He felt quite helpless; his students were still waiting for the three examiners to review their final projects! He had even tried to ask the school leadership for information, but they were kept in the dark as well.

As time passed, a crowd began to gather around the lab. Wang Xin and Guo Xueyun had been waiting there for over three hours, still unable to see the guards leave.

"Senior sister, should we just go? Something must have happened inside; it's been cordoned off for so long," Wang Xin said, filled with anxiety. She was worried about Zhao Haikuo. If only a message could get out, she would feel much more at ease. "It's been over three hours since Professor Zhang went in, and only one person has entered since! Professor Zhou hasn't been allowed in either. I really don't know what's going on inside!"

"Why don't we go grab some lunch? It's past one o'clock already," Guo Xueyun suggested.

Just as she finished speaking, a commotion broke out in the distance. The two looked over to see a vehicle with military plates arriving, accompanied by several armed soldiers maintaining order. The crowd parted to clear a path, and the military vehicle drove right past them.

"Whose vehicle is that?" Wang Xin asked in surprise.

The moment Guo Xueyun saw the license plate, her expression changed drastically. "HA01xxx! Senior sister, that's a vehicle from the Naval District, and a high-ranking one at that! Something huge must have happened inside the lab!"

What? Someone from the Naval District? And a high-ranking official? Wang Xin’s heart began to pound. Even for elite graduate students like them at the Harbin Institute of Technology, if they didn't make major scientific breakthroughs or exceptional contributions in the future, they would never have the chance to see someone like that in person.

Before Wang Xin could recover from her shock, the two soldiers who had previously blocked their path stepped forward quickly. "Greetings, Chief!"

The moment these words were spoken, a buzz of conversation erupted through the crowd. The Chief? The Chief is here! What on earth happened to warrant the attention of such a high-ranking official?

Guo Xueyun quickly pulled Wang Xin back toward the edge of the crowd. She knew the importance of knowing when to step back. If the Chief was here, who dared to linger?

Major Wan also stepped forward quickly. "Greetings, Chief. I will go notify Senior Colonel Zhang right away."

"This is a matter of great importance. I will go in directly," Xu Dongguo waved his hand. "You continue to be responsible for security here. No one is allowed to enter."

"Yes, Chief. Mission accepted!"

Shortly after he entered the laboratory, the university president arrived in a hurry with several other school leaders.

"Director Chen, what is going on? Chief Xu is here; why didn't anyone notify me in advance?"

The office director standing beside him looked helpless. "President, I only just found out myself!"

"Forget it, let's not dwell on that."

As the president and the school leaders approached the laboratory, they were intercepted by Major Wan.

"Major Wan, I am..."

Before the president could finish introducing himself, Major Wan said, "I apologize, but the Chief has given orders: without his permission, no one is allowed to enter!"

The leaders, who had been in such a rush, were suddenly dumbfounded. What was going on?

"President, what should we do?"

"Comrade, can you notify..." The president’s words were cut off by Major Wan’s refusal. The president felt a bit awkward; despite his status, he had been turned away at his own institution. However, he knew deep down that if Chief Xu had arrived unannounced, something significant must have occurred. After a moment of thought, he turned to Director Chen. "Director Chen, clear the area."

"Yes, President, I understand."

Seeing that the president and the school leaders had been turned away, Guo Xueyun and Wang Xin had no choice but to leave, despite their burning curiosity.

Xu Dongguo, having entered the laboratory, headed straight for the independent office. Zhao Haikuo and the others, who were busy memorizing notes in the lounge, were startled as a group of people hurried past the door. They didn't recognize the man in the lead, but his demeanor made it clear he was a high-ranking figure.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Comrade Sun Yongguo, I'm here."

As the door opened, everyone stood up and saluted. "Greetings, Chief."

Xu Dongguo nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping across the room. When he saw Su Dingping, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes. He had not expected to see a young man in such a significant setting.

Xu Dongguo said to the guards behind him, "Stay outside and keep watch," then walked in.

Zhang Gongnong’s independent office was about 30 square meters, but it was currently piled with a large number of design blueprints, and a massive model stood at an angle. The room was already cramped with six people inside, and now that the Chief had arrived, it felt even more crowded.

Su Dingping looked at Xu Dongguo, feeling somewhat nervous. This was a man he had only ever seen on television in his past life, standing right before him, radiating an effortless authority.

"Chief, should we go outside to talk?" Sun Yongguo asked, noticing how crowded the room was.

"Right here is fine. I like it," Xu Dongguo said, turning his gaze toward Su Dingping. He had met everyone else present, but he had never met Su Dingping.

"And who is this young comrade?"

"Reporting to the Chief, this young comrade is named Su Dingping, a student of Zhang Gongnong! Now that 'Operation 951' has succeeded, Comrade Su Dingping deserves the primary credit!"