Chapter 531
I disagree!
"I disagree!"
After hearing Feng Boyun's words, Liu Yongsheng was the first to stand up, slamming his hand on the table and speaking in a forceful tone.
"Academician Liu, given Academician Wu Zhiming's status, since I invited him to the base, I should have shown him the prototype satellite. Why are you objecting?"
Feng Boyun never expected that Liu Yongsheng would react so strongly to such a trivial matter.
"The prototype satellite is about to be launched, and all information must be kept confidential before then. Even if Academician Wu Zhiming comes, he cannot visit freely. Who will take responsibility if the information is leaked? Besides, Academician Feng, you invited more than just Academician Wu, didn't you? Do you also want to take that young man to see the prototype satellite?"
At the satellite research and development base, Liu Yongsheng and Feng Boyun had a long-standing feud. They had both joined the integrated marine surveillance satellite project years ago; Liu Yongsheng had expected to be the chief engineer, but Feng Boyun was chosen instead. Although he was the head of the base, his influence was less than Feng Boyun's, which he resented.
Upon hearing that Feng Boyun was going to take people to inspect the sample stars, Liu Yongsheng immediately stood up to object. Since he disagreed, Feng Boyun couldn't force his way in.
“Academician Wu and Comrade Jiang Nian are both military personnel. It is perfectly reasonable for them to be shown the prototype satellite since they participated in this scientific research meeting.”
Feng Boyun frowned, his eyes filled with annoyance as he looked at Liu Yongsheng. He hadn't expected Liu Yongsheng to make such a big deal out of such a trivial matter, openly opposing him.
"Academician Feng, my word is final. The prototype satellite launch is imminent; no one can afford to take responsibility if something goes wrong. No one except base personnel is allowed to enter!"
Liu Yongsheng's attitude was firm and unwavering.
Just as Feng Boyun and Liu Yongsheng were arguing in the conference room, the door to the lounge suddenly opened from the outside.
The high heels clicked crisply on the floor, and Jiang Nian and Wu Zhiming looked up at the same time.
The person who arrived was dressed in a white business suit and looked capable and shrewd.
She walked up to Jiang Nian and Wu Zhiming with a serious expression.
"Academician Wu, I apologize for disturbing you. I am Meng Yali, Academician Liu Yongsheng's secretary."
Meng Yali first introduced herself, then solemnly looked at Wu Zhiming and Jiang Nian, "I'm very sorry, Academician Wu, you and this gentleman can no longer stay at our base."
As soon as he finished speaking, several armed guards entered from outside the door and surrounded Jiang Nian and Wu Zhiming with stern expressions.
It was as if they would immediately open fire if the two did not comply.
Wu Zhiming's face darkened completely.
"Secretary Meng, what exactly does Academician Liu mean by this?"
Wu Zhiming's voice was as cold as ice.
As the head of the military's chief research institute, a man of high status, he was actually asked to leave this satellite research and development base.
Besides, he didn't come on his own; he was personally invited by Feng Boyun.
That slap really landed hard.
"Academician Wu, I am very sorry. I am just a junior secretary, doing what my superiors tell me. I dare not disobey Academician Liu's orders."
Meng Yali's face was expressionless, and even her voice was flat and devoid of any emotion.
Wu Zhiming squinted, took out his phone, and dialed Feng Boyun's number.
As soon as the call connected, his sharp voice rang out:
"Academician Feng, the people at your base are really something—they actually sent someone to kick us out?"
Feng Boyun, on the other end of the phone, was so shocked that he dropped his phone to the ground.
He glared at Liu Yongsheng with a fierce look. "Academician Liu, you're really something! You actually dared to send your secretary to kick someone out? You'd better pray that Academician Wu doesn't get angry, otherwise, I think your position as the head of the research and development base should be replaced!"
After saying this, Feng Boyun stormed out of the conference room.
He needs to go and explain to Wu Zhiming right away!
Wu Zhiming heard the phone fall to the ground clearly. A cold smile curled at the corner of his lips. He glanced at Meng Yali indifferently, said nothing more, and simply put away his phone and sat down again.
Seeing Wu Zhiming's attitude, Meng Yali's heart began to pound. Given his status, if she truly offended him, even if she was Liu Yongsheng's secretary, Liu Yongsheng might not be able to protect her.
Thinking this, Meng Yali turned her gaze to Jiang Nian.
"Sir, please leave our base immediately!"
Meng Yali didn't recognize Jiang Nian; she only knew that he was brought by Feng Boyun. Wu Zhiming and he probably weren't very familiar with each other.
She always picks the weakest one to squeeze—she didn't dare to be forceful with Wu Zhiming, but her attitude towards Jiang Nian was much worse, and she didn't mind having someone forcibly take him away.
"Heh, Secretary Meng, you really know how to pick on the weak. But if you want me to leave, have the person who invited me here send me away. You—you're not in a position to kick me out."
Knowing that he was an easy target in the other person's eyes, Jiang Nian's tone became extremely cold.
He had visited so many research institutes, but this was the first time he had encountered something like this.
It seems that Liu Yongsheng and Feng Boyun's relationship is indeed very bad. Otherwise, why would he do something that embarrasses Feng Boyun like this?
Meng Yali's expression changed, and she immediately gave a wink to the guards surrounding Jiang Nian, signaling them to take action.
Jiang Nian raised her eyelids and suddenly sprang up from the sofa.
In a few quick movements, almost no one could see his actions clearly, and the weapons in those men's hands were already in Jiang Nian's hands.
Playing with the gun casually, Jiang Nian looked coldly at Meng Yali, "Secretary Meng, what do you think it would look like if a bullet entered your body? I think the scene of a beautiful woman being shot... with blood splattering everywhere, would be quite stunning."
At this moment, Meng Yali's composure had vanished completely. She stared in terror at the gun in Jiang Nian's hand, fearing that he would pull the trigger at any moment.
The shadow of death completely enveloped her. Her legs went weak, and she collapsed to her knees, unable to utter a single word.
Just then, Feng Boyun rushed in from outside, covered in sweat.
When he saw the scene in the lounge, his legs went weak.
"Academician Wu, Comrade Jiang Nian, are you alright?"
Upon seeing the guards who were still standing there dumbfounded, surrounding Jiang Nian and Wu Zhiming, Feng Boyun's face turned deathly pale.
He truly hadn't expected Liu Yongsheng to dare go this far!
If Wu Zhiming and Jiang Nian were to get into trouble with him, even if they were the heads of satellite research and development, the military would never let them off the hook.
At that point, even going to a military court would be considered lenient.
"Academician Feng, the hospitality of your satellite R&D base is truly an eye-opener! I've certainly experienced it firsthand today."
Wu Zhiming's face remained grim. Given his status and position, he was always fawned over wherever he went, but this time, he was directly ordered to be expelled.
He has completely lost face.
Even though he had a good relationship with Feng Boyun, Wu Zhiming was really angry this time.
"Academician Wu, Comrade Jiang Nian, I am truly sorry! I will definitely punish Liu Yongsheng severely. This was my oversight, please don't take it to heart, I apologize..."
Feng Boyun understood that Wu Zhiming was truly angry this time. He wore a pained expression, lowered his posture considerably, and apologized repeatedly with a sincere tone. "It's alright, Academician Feng, it's not your fault. Academician Wu and I haven't suffered any injustice. It's getting late, but I wonder if we'll still be able to see that star?"
This time, it was Jiang Nian who took the initiative to speak.
What he cared about most was still seeing Yang Xing. As for other matters, they could be dealt with later.
Besides, this is Feng Boyun's territory after all, so it's not good to embarrass him too much.
Upon hearing Jiang Nian's words, Feng Boyun's face showed a troubled expression.
"Comrade Jiang Nian, I'm really sorry... Yang Xing is currently a key person under protection on our side. I've spoken with the other leaders, but everyone agrees that for Yang Xing's safety, we can't just bring people in."
At this point, Feng Boyun himself couldn't continue.
He had just offended someone, and then immediately refused their request. Liu Yongsheng had really gone too far this time!
Feng Boyun made up his mind to punish Liu Yongsheng severely later.
"Heh, that makes you guys seem all that precious! Jiang Nian, in my opinion, those stars aren't anything special. Why don't we go back and see the aircraft carrier? That's what you call impressive!"
Wu Zhiming's tone remained cold and mocking.
"Comrade Jiang Nian, the prototype satellite will be officially launched in half a month. You'll be able to see it then!"
Feng Boyun dared not respond to Wu Zhiming's words, and could only smile apologetically at Jiang Nian. There was nothing they could do; they were indeed in the wrong today.
Jiang Nian squinted and pondered for a long time before slowly speaking: "Academician Feng, just as Academician Wu said, whether or not we look at the prototype satellite, I really don't care. However, since the launch time has been set, I still want to remind you: please check it carefully again and don't overlook any details."
Since the system has assigned a task, there must be a problem with the satellite. If Feng Boyun and his team fail to discover and resolve it, and the prototype satellite launch fails, it would be extremely embarrassing.
China is taking off, and the satellite launch must be successful; there can be no mistakes whatsoever.
"Don't worry, Comrade Jiang Nian! We will inspect it even more carefully and make sure you see a successfully launched satellite!"
Jiang Nian and Wu Zhiming did not stay at the marine integrated surveillance satellite R&D base any longer, but returned directly to the hotel.
Wu Zhiming was still quite angry, but he and Feng Boyun were old friends of many years, and he was aware of the complicated relationship between Feng and Liu Yongsheng. Therefore, in the end, he couldn't say anything more.
We can't make things too difficult for Feng Boyun at the base, can we?
Feng Boyun felt deeply guilty towards Jiang Nian and Wu Zhiming.
He sat in his office, a wry smile on his face.
He could understand Wu Zhiming's anger. But what moved Feng Boyun was Jiang Nian's attitude.
Even though Meng Yali treated Jiang Nian that way, Jiang Nian didn't say a single word of reproach in front of him.
This time, he took the initiative to invite Jiang Nian and Wu Zhiming to visit the base. Unexpectedly, he couldn't even fulfill Jiang Nian's small wish to see Yang Xing.
Feng Boyun genuinely liked Jiang Nian, this young man.
In particular, when Jiang Nian left, he didn't forget to remind him to perform another maintenance check before launch.
This made Feng Boyun feel even more guilty.
They hadn't even mastered the most basic hospitality, yet instead of complaining, the other person reminded him of these things. He was truly moved and ashamed.
Jiang Nian is indeed a very good person!
No wonder Wu Zhiming specifically brought Jiang Nian to this research conference. With such an outstanding junior, anyone would want to show him off.
After Jiang Nian and Wu Zhiming returned to the hotel, they were not in a hurry to go back to the military region.
“Jiang Nian, today’s matter was handled poorly by that old fellow Feng Boyun, but please don’t take it to heart. He and Liu Yongsheng have always been at odds, but I didn’t expect Liu Yongsheng to go so far this time, even disregarding my feelings.”
After adjusting his mindset, Wu Zhiming went to talk to Jiang Nian.
He could tell that Jiang Nian was indeed very interested in the integrated ocean surveillance satellite; otherwise, he wouldn't have taken the initiative to ask to see the sample satellite at the base today.
Therefore, fearing that Jiang Nian would dislike Feng Boyun because of this, Wu Zhiming decided to say some nice things.
“Academician Wu, I really don’t care. Academician Feng has had a tough time too. Besides, just because I didn’t see Yang Xing today doesn’t mean I won’t see him in the future.”
Jiang Nian genuinely didn't care.
He was certain that any difficult problem that was listed as a task by the system was not something an ordinary person could easily solve.
If Feng Boyun had had his men conduct a thorough inspection before the prototype satellite launch, they should have been able to find the problem. And this was a problem they probably couldn't solve.
In the end, they'll probably have to come back to him!
It was precisely because Jiang Nian understood this that he was so relaxed. After all, he wouldn't be the one getting anxious first.
"That's good. Although the theme of this research conference is marine satellites, many senior researchers are attending. It's a rare opportunity for everyone to get together, so I'll take you to meet them. Getting to know more senior researchers will also benefit you."
Seeing that Jiang Nianzhen didn't mind, Wu Zhiming brought up another matter.
This was something he had planned before coming—to let Jiang Nian show off in front of these seniors. Although Jiang Nian now has a wide range of knowledge, he might be able to improve even faster if he received guidance from the seniors.
The more Jiang Nian knows, the more advantageous it is for them.
Jiang Nian readily agreed to Wu Zhiming's suggestion. Since he had nothing else to do and couldn't return to the military region for the time being, visiting his seniors would be a good idea.
Time flies, and there is only one week left until the official launch of the prototype satellite.
Feng Boyun personally went to the maintenance team, found the captain, and solemnly instructed him: "Captain Yan, the success of this prototype satellite launch is of paramount importance, and there can be no mistakes whatsoever. Therefore, the final inspection and maintenance is entrusted to you!"
He patted Captain Yan on the shoulder and said nothing more.
He believed that Captain Yan understood what he meant.
"Yes, Academician Feng! I will definitely lead my team to conduct thorough testing and ensure that the sample satellite has no problems whatsoever!"
Captain Yan answered firmly.
They had always been responsible for the inspection and maintenance of satellite equipment and had never made a mistake before. This time, he absolutely could not allow himself to make a mistake.
Soon, Captain Yan led his team into the research lab where the sample star was located and began the final round of testing.
For some reason, Feng Boyun felt a little uneasy. Perhaps he was just too nervous?
Comforting himself with this thought, Feng Boyun followed them into the research lab, keeping a close eye on Captain Yan and his team's every move, afraid that they might miss checking any piece of equipment.
Captain Yan and his team's testing lasted for a full eighteen hours.
Feng Boyun stood guard by the side and waited for eighteen hours.
When Feng Boyun saw Captain Yan walk down the platform with a solemn expression, his heart suddenly sank. (End of Chapter)