Chapter 905
The World's Science and Technology Center Remains in Tang Capital
At nine o'clock the next morning, Lu Cheng boarded a special plane bound for Beijing with the report in his hands.
At 11:30, the report was delivered to an office.
At 2 PM, an urgent notice was issued from somewhere: "The following comrades are requested to attend a meeting in the conference room at 4 PM today."
The list includes the heads or supervisors of more than a dozen departments.
At four o'clock, the meeting room door closed precisely on time.
On the conference table, each person had a thin report in front of them—a summary of the key points extracted from Wang Donglai's original manuscript, only twenty pages long.
But the original manuscript of over three hundred pages had already been sent to higher levels.
The leader presiding over the meeting looked around and said calmly, "Today's meeting is about a suggestion. This suggestion was submitted by Comrade Wang Donglai from Galaxy Technology."
Someone frowned slightly.
An entrepreneur making suggestions to superiors?
The leader continued, "This is the second time he has made a suggestion on this issue. Last time, we didn't take it too seriously, and what was the result? In three months, more than two hundred families reported the case, more than 30 million yuan was defrauded and smuggled out of the country, and more than a dozen lives were lost there."
The meeting room fell silent.
"This time, he attached a set of data. I'll read a few numbers: 8 people, 1200 billion, 470 lives lost."
"In just three years, 8 people have been swindled out of 1200 billion yuan and 470 lives right under our noses."
The leader's tone remained calm, but beneath that calm, everyone sensed the weight of his words.
“He’s an entrepreneur, not an official. But he understands what these numbers mean better than many of us.”
"So the only topic I've invited everyone here today is: how exactly should this matter be handled?"
There was a long silence in the meeting room.
Then, someone spoke up.
He was the head of the hat department.
"We have carefully studied Comrade Wang Donglai's suggestions. To be honest, we had considered many of his suggestions before, but they could not be implemented due to various factors. For example, we have talked with Shan State many times about cross-border law enforcement cooperation, but there has been little progress. As for the recovery of funds, it involves multiple countries and multiple channels, and there are many technical difficulties and legal obstacles."
The leader nodded and asked, "So now? Any new ideas?"
The leader paused for a moment, then said, "My suggestion is to establish an inter-departmental joint working group based on this recommendation. The leader would take the lead, with the participation of departments such as foreign affairs, industry and information technology, and the head office, to specifically study and resolve the issue of cross-border telecom fraud. At the same time, we should promote high-level dialogue with relevant countries and strive for breakthroughs in law enforcement cooperation. In addition, we can learn from Galaxy Technology's experience in technology; their AI capabilities are stronger than ours."
A leader from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology chimed in, saying, "Wang Donglai mentioned in his suggestion the need to establish an 'anti-fraud AI brain.' This idea is feasible. We can cooperate with Galaxy Technology to utilize their computing power and algorithms to establish a unified national anti-fraud technology platform."
The head office leadership said, "Regarding fund tracking, we can take the lead in establishing a cross-border fund abnormal flow monitoring system. Technically, we also need the quantum computing support from Galaxy Technologies."
Finally, the foreign ministry leader said, "We have been negotiating with Shan State. Now, with this proposal, we can put forward more targeted cooperation plans. If necessary, it can be elevated to the topic of high-level dialogue between the two countries."
After listening, the leader nodded.
"Okay. Let's follow this approach and set up a working group. Within a month, we'll come up with a concrete implementation plan."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.
"Fellow countrymen, 8 people have been scammed, 1200 billion yuan has been lost, and 470 lives have been lost—this is no small number. If we cannot even protect our own people, how can we talk about the rise of a great power? How can we talk about national rejuvenation?"
“I’ve noted down something Wang Donglai said: ‘If we don’t act today, we become accomplices.’”
"I don't want to be an accomplice. Do you?"
No one answered.
But everyone has the same answer in their hearts: they don't want to.
……
At the same time, in Tangdu.
Wang Donglai sat in his office, watching the sun gradually setting in the west outside the window.
"boss."
Nuwa's voice rang out: "There's news from the capital."
"What is it?"
"A cross-departmental joint working group has been established, led by the Hats Department, and a concrete implementation plan will be produced within a month. Most of your suggestions have been adopted. In particular, your suggestions on establishing an 'anti-fraud AI brain' and a cross-border fund monitoring system have been listed as priorities."
Wang Donglai nodded without saying anything.
"Boss, aren't you surprised?"
"There was a slight surprise, but not much."
Wang Donglai said, "This report lists so much detailed data and information. If it still doesn't make them take it seriously, then that would be a surprise."
"So what are you thinking about right now?"
Wang Donglai paused for a moment.
“I’m thinking that the guide should have received the compensation by now. When will the victims’ families get an explanation?”
"Also, I'm thinking, if this report had been written three years earlier, would there have been fewer of those 470 lives lost?"
Nuwa did not speak.
"Wa, you know, sometimes I feel very powerful. I can build rockets, I can develop AI, and I can make the whole world listen to me. But sometimes, I also feel very insignificant. I can't help those who really need help."
"You have already helped a lot."
Wa's voice was soft as she comforted her, saying, "Lin Xiaoyu is just the beginning, and the Firefly Foundation is also a ray of light."
Wang Donglai looked out the window without saying a word.
After a long while, he suddenly asked, "Wa, what do you think those people in the park are doing now?"
Nuwa paused for a moment, as if gathering information.
“Based on the analysis of intercepted communications, the atmosphere in several industrial parks in Shan State has been very tense in recent days. They may have heard rumors or felt the pressure. Some parks have already begun to relocate personnel and destroy evidence.”
Is it useful?
"From a technical standpoint, it's not very meaningful. Because the real core data has already been moved to the 'cloud'. But their reaction itself illustrates one thing..."
“They’re scared,” Wang Donglai added.
"Yes, your report has frightened them."
Wang Donglai's lips curled up slightly, but there was no warmth in that smile.
"It's good that you're afraid."
"Fear is what makes them stop. Fear is what makes them run away. Fear is what makes them release those they have imprisoned."
He turned and walked to his desk. "Wa, keep an eye on things. Tell me immediately if there's any movement."
"Okay, boss."
The office fell silent again.
Wang Donglai sat in a chair, looking at the draft report on the table.
The words "470 lives lost" on the cover were particularly glaring under the light.
He recalled Lin Xiaoyu's last words: "You said that the suffering I have endured can become a light to illuminate others."
Now, that light has illuminated many people.
For him, it was just the beginning.
……
It has only been a few days since the end of the Century Academic Conference.
Galaxy Technology's official website released a message.
There was no media coverage or live broadcast; it was just a brief statement posted directly on the official website.
Galaxy Technology announced the official establishment of the "Frontier Science Research Institute". The institute will focus on cutting-edge fields such as fundamental physics, quantum materials, and life sciences, and is committed to promoting the deep integration of basic research and industrial applications.
Along with this message came a document.
When the curious person opened it, they were immediately stunned.
Professor Edward Witten, a renowned theoretical physicist and Fields Medal winner, has been appointed as the honorary president and chief scientific advisor of the institute.
Professor Zhang Sheng, a renowned condensed matter physicist and expert in topological insulators, has been appointed as the director of the Quantum Materials Research Center at the institute.
Professor Martin Streler, a renowned superconducting materials scientist and former director of the Max Planck Institute in Germany, has been appointed as a senior advisor for materials science at the institute.
Professor Fabiola Giannotti, a renowned particle physicist and former Director General of CERN, has been appointed as an advisor on high-energy physics at the institute.
This cutting-edge scientific research institute is not the National Advanced Technology Research Institute that Wang Donglai mentioned above.
After all, the identities of these overseas scholars and experts are still quite complicated.
Since it involves national security secrets, it is naturally impossible for them to have access to it.
However, their abilities and reputation are something we need if they join us domestically.
Therefore, they directly established a cutting-edge technology research institute under the name of Galaxy Technology.
This can also create competition.
Avoiding stress also leads to a lack of motivation.
This list was posted online by a busybody, and it immediately attracted attention from the entire internet.
After all, the buzz surrounding the 21st Century Academic Conference is still going strong.
The fact that so many internationally renowned scholars have joined China's research institutes is a source of pride for the Chinese people.
But for those overseas, it's a different story.
Some more impartial sources, such as the journal *Nature*, published a commentary that same day: "This is the first time in the history of science that so many top scholars have joined a corporate research institute at the same time. This signifies that the center of global scientific research is shifting from traditional Western academic centers to the East."
Science magazine stated, "Wang Donglai is doing something unprecedented: using the power of a single company to gather the world's brightest minds to tackle the most cutting-edge scientific challenges. His success will determine the direction of science for decades to come."
These voices are good; they help maintain the purity and impartiality of academia.
But like another magazine, it makes no attempt to hide it.
The Wall Street Journal featured an article in its main section titled "China's Talent Harvest: A Well-Planned Century-Long Plunder."
"This is not an ordinary academic exchange; it is an organized, planned, and premeditated talent harvesting operation."
"Sources revealed that over the past three years, Galaxy Technology has used its AI system 'Wa' to conduct in-depth analysis of the research directions, career paths, and personal preferences of top scientists worldwide, creating detailed 'talent profiles.' Meanwhile, during the Century Academic Conference, Wang Donglai himself engaged in private one-on-one exchanges with over 200 top scholars, with carefully crafted conversations that directly addressed each scholar's 'pain points.'"
"Professor Witten was promised: unlimited research funding, support from the world's most powerful quantum computer, the right to independently form a research team, and... the opportunity to directly participate in the experimental verification of string theory. This is something he couldn't get in his forty years at Princeton."
"A European scholar, who wished to remain anonymous, lamented: 'They're using the methods we invented—better conditions, more respect, greater freedom—to poach our people. It's ironic, but also fair.'"
Various opinions have appeared on online platforms.
However, the situation is reversed in the country.
Public opinion was in an uproar, almost entirely filled with excitement and agitation.
After all, the perception among Chinese people is that the top talents we cultivate are desperate to go to the United States or Europe to work.
Only a small number returned, not to mention the top researchers.
And now?
A landmark academic conference was just held in China, showcasing so many cutting-edge technologies that are leading global technological development.
It had just ended, and here we see this news.
How to avoid exciting Chinese netizens.
"Witten is here? He's the greatest living physicist!"
"Holy crap! Holy crap! Holy crap! It's Witten! The father of string theory! The Fields Medal winner! A living legend! He's at Tangdu Jiaotong University!!! I'm stunned. I'm going to wait outside the university gates tomorrow, just in case I bump into him!!"
"As a physics student, my hands were shaking when I saw this news. Witten coming to China is even more shocking than the Chinese national football team qualifying for the World Cup! Do you know what this means? It means that the world's leading research center for string theory will be right here in China! It means that our papers will no longer need to wait for Western reviewers! It means that our students can directly conduct research under the guidance of a living legend!"
"Is the person upstairs stupid? They're still praising Witten. Don't they know that the authority on string theory has become Academician Wang Donglai? If it weren't for Academician Wang Donglai's breakthrough in string theory, Witten wouldn't have come to China, let alone stayed."
"Indeed, no matter how amazing foreigners are, they are still foreigners. Our Academician Wang is the most amazing."
"Professor Zhang Sheng is back in China! That's wonderful! Our own top talent has finally returned!"
"I was at Stanford, just finished class, when I saw the news of Professor Zhang Sheng's resignation. I was completely stunned. I saw him in the department just last month, and he even asked me with a smile, 'How's your Chinese?' Turns out he was serious! He really is going back to China! As a Chinese-American PhD student, I really cried. Not because I was sad, but because I finally saw a way out. It turns out we don't have to stay here; we can go back too."
"What is Galaxy Technology trying to do? Is it trying to build a scientific empire?"
"Wang Donglai is truly amazing. He's doing technical work, basic research, and recruiting talent all at the same time. I'm impressed by his vision!"
"Witten's arrival in China, Zhang Sheng's return to his home country, von Klitzing's permanent residency, Berger's collaboration... all of this is because of that press conference a few days ago. Wang Donglai stood on the stage, alone, for four hours, answering all the questions and conquering the world's brightest minds. Then he said: 'Do you want to stay?'"
"That's what perspective means."
"Will the future world science center be located in Tangdu?"
"As a resident of Tangdu, I am incredibly proud! This ancient capital has finally become an academic center again! From now on, if anyone asks me what Tangdu has to offer, I'll say: The world's scientific center is right here!" (End of Chapter)