Chapter 16: Shaking the Chief!

On May 1, 1999, after two 956E vessels arrived at the port, nine top military industry experts from three naval research institutes boarded the ships to conduct research.

After understanding the true combat capability of modern warships, in order to tackle the core technologies of the 956E, several leaders, including Xu Dongguo, held an overnight meeting. They decided to tighten their belts and minimize other research projects to squeeze 1.5 billion yuan out of the already strained military budget to fund the breakthrough.

This was the massive "Operation 951."

Lasting nearly seven months, the operation was ultimately decided to be suspended a short while ago due to the sudden increase in maritime tension and the fact that the technical breakthrough remained far in sight.

"Operation 951... was successful?"

Xu Dongguo froze.

Whether it was suspending "Operation 951" or continuing to purchase the two 956Es, he had been under immense pressure.

But just as he was facing this difficult choice, Sun Yongguo actually told him that Operation 951 had succeeded!

The surprise came so suddenly that he couldn't react for a moment.

"Yes, Chief!"

"When did this happen?"

"Just... now."

Just now?

Without time to think, Xu Dongguo asked hurriedly, "Where? The 335 Research Institute? I'll head over there immediately."

"Chief, the location is Engineer Zhang Gongnong's independent laboratory at Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT)."

"Why is it there?"

"Chief, it is inconvenient to discuss the details over the phone. You will know once you arrive."

Xu Dongguo understood that such a major military secret certainly could not be discussed in detail over the phone.

After hanging up, he immediately shouted toward the outside.

"Aide, prepare the aircraft. Fly to Harbin immediately!"

"Yes, Chief!"

While waiting, he suddenly recalled the details in Sun Yongguo's words.

Just now?

Engineer Zhang Gongnong's independent laboratory at HIT?

Thinking of this, he hurriedly pulled out all the military budget application forms from the past few months.

Soon, he had extracted all the budget applications related to the 335 Research Institute and Zhang Gongnong.

After flipping through them for a while, his brow furrowed deeply.

He discovered something was wrong.

Whether in the budget applications or Zhang Gongnong's performance reports, they only mentioned that the 956E breakthrough was being worked on; there was almost no mention of any major research breakthroughs.

And yet, under these circumstances, a massive reversal had occurred!

He thought and thought, but he couldn't make sense of it.

Before long, the aide returned.

"Reporting Chief, everything is ready!"

"Let's go!"

...

At HIT, people were constantly stopping outside Zhang Gongnong's laboratory to see what was happening, and others were constantly leaving.

Even Professor Zhou had come twice; forget seeing the three examiners, he couldn't even get into the laboratory.

He felt helpless. His student was still waiting for the three examiners to come and grade the final thesis! He had even approached the university leadership to inquire, but they were also kept in the dark.

As time passed, a crowd had gathered around the perimeter of the laboratory.

Wang Xin and Guo Xueyun had been waiting here for over three hours, and the guarding soldiers had still not left.

"Senior Sister, should we just leave? Something must have happened inside the lab; it's been cordoned off for so long."

"It's been over three hours since Professor Zhang went in, and only one person has entered in the meantime! Professor Zhou was denied entry several times; I really don't know what's going on in there!"

Wang Xin was filled with anxiety.

She was very worried that something might have happened to Zhao Haikuo.

If only any news could be released, her heart would be much more at ease.

"How about we eat lunch first? It's already past one o'clock."

Just as Guo Xueyun finished speaking, a commotion suddenly erupted in the distance.

The two looked toward the source. A vehicle with military license plates suddenly arrived at the edge of the crowd, and many heavily armed soldiers were maintaining order.

The crowd parted to both sides, clearing a path, and the military vehicle drove right past the two of 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 Navy Command vehicle, and it's a high-level one! Something huge must have happened in the lab!"

What?

People from the Navy Command are here?

And high-level ones at that?

Wang Xin's heart pounded wildly.

Even for excellent HIT graduate students like them, unless they made major scientific breakthroughs and outstanding contributions in the future, they would never see the people inside such vehicles up close in their entire lives.

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

"Greetings, Chief!"

As soon as these words were spoken, an immediate uproar broke out.

A Chief?

A Chief is here!

What on earth happened to even stir a Chief into action?

Guo Xueyun hurriedly pulled Wang Xin toward the edge of the crowd.

She knew the importance of knowing when to observe and when to stay away.

With a Chief present, who would dare to crowd around for excitement?

Major Wan also stepped forward quickly: "Greetings, Chief. I will go and notify Colonel Zhang immediately."

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

"Yes, Chief! Mission guaranteed!"

Not long after he entered the laboratory, the University President arrived in a hurry, accompanied by several university leaders.

"What's going on, Director Chen? Chief Xu is here, why wasn't I informed in advance?"

The Office Director beside him looked helpless.

"President, I just found out myself!"

"Alright, let's not talk about that."

Just as the President and the others approached the laboratory, they were blocked by Major Wan, who was guarding the perimeter.

"Major Wan, I am..."

Before the President could finish his introduction, Major Wan spoke.

"Apologies, the Chief has ordered that no one may enter without his permission!"

The several leaders, who had been in a rush, were momentarily stunned.

What was going on?

"President, what should we do?"

"Comrade, could you please notify..." Before the President could finish his sentence, he was rejected by Major Wan.

The President felt slightly embarrassed; to be turned away at his own university given his status. But he also understood that Chief Xu's unannounced visit meant something major had happened.

After a moment's thought, he said to Director Chen.

"Director Chen, send someone to clear the area here!"

"President, I understand."

Seeing that the President and the university leaders had been turned away, Guo Xueyun and Wang Xin could only leave in a hurry, despite their immense curiosity.

Upon entering the laboratory, Xu Dongguo went straight to the independent office.

Zhao Haikuo and the others, who were reciting texts in the lounge, saw a group of people rushing past the door. The sheer momentum of it made their hearts race.

Although they didn't recognize the man leading the group, they could tell by his bearing that he was a very important figure.

*Knock, knock, knock—*

"Comrade Sun Yongguo, I have arrived."

As the door opened, everyone saluted in unison.

"Greetings, Chief."

Xu Dongguo nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over everyone. The moment he saw Su Dingping, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes.

In such a major occasion, there was actually a young man present! This was unexpected.

Xu Dongguo said to the aide behind him, "You stay on guard outside," and then walked in.

Zhang Gongnong's independent office was over 30 square meters, but at this moment, the room was piled with a large number of design drawings, and a massive model was leaning against a wall.

Originally, the six of them felt a bit cramped, but now that the Chief had arrived, the room suddenly became crowded.

Su Dingping looked at Xu Dongguo, feeling somewhat nervous.

A great figure he had only seen on television in his previous life was now standing right in front of him, possessing an aura of natural authority.

"Chief, perhaps we should speak outside?"

Seeming to notice the crowded room, Sun Yongguo quickly suggested.

"Right here is fine. I think it's quite good."

As he spoke, Xu Dongguo fixed his gaze on Su Dingping.

He had seen everyone else present, but he had never seen Su Dingping.

"And this young comrade is?"

"Reporting Chief, this young comrade is Su Dingping, a student of Engineer Zhang Gongnong! With the success of 'Operation 951,' Comrade Su Dingping is credited with the primary merit!"