Chapter 238: A Difficult Mission!
Chapter 238: A Difficult Mission!
If anyone else had spoken to Tang Chen like this, he’d probably have slapped them long ago. But facing this old man, he didn’t dare. Not just because of his status, but also because of all he’d done for Great China throughout his life, sparing nothing. Tang Chen simply couldn’t act that way.
The old man placed the teacup in his hand on the table. He frowned slightly and said gravely, “I don’t doubt the truth of what you’re saying, because Elder Du has also vouched for it. I trust Elder Du’s character. What angers me is how impulsive and reckless you are! If Liu Tianze really did this, you could have exposed him. Posting it online would have been an option. The last thing you should have done was come to the territory of Jingdu and beat Liu Tianze and Comrade Sun Guofan into critical condition. Do you realize you committed an enormous crime?”
Though the old man didn’t openly show anger, the fury in his words was clear to Tang Chen. He gave a bitter smile and shook his head. “Do you know how often such things happen in China every year? How many people petition or ‘expose’ things, but how many real offenders actually get brought down? I’m just an ordinary citizen. I respect you, and I wouldn’t say anything offensive in front of you. But I have to say, you’re so high up in your position. How can you understand the hardship of common people like us? We common folk all know the saying: All crows are black under the sun. You expose things; you petition. Even if it reaches a leader’s ears, how do you know that leader is truly fair, selfless, willing to stand up for us, and solve the problem? For all you know, he might choose to shield them or just brush it off! Because this has gone on for so long, many people have gradually lost faith in the so-called law. People say the law now only serves the rich. I think that’s painfully right.”
Tang Chen stood up, his speech firm and clear. Clenching his fist, he said seriously, “I, Tang Chen, don’t consider myself a good man, but I’m not a bad person. I hate bullying others, and I can’t stand seeing ordinary people get bullied. This didn’t just happen to my good friend, Police Sister. Even if it happened to any ordinary citizen, I’d do everything in my power to take action! Forget Liu Tianze or Sun Guofan being high-ranking officials; even if he was the King of Heaven himself—if he committed such a crime against conscience, I, Tang Chen, would storm into his house, chop him up and feed him to the dogs!”
Tang Chen grew increasingly agitated as he spoke, thinking of Fang Qian’s husband. Hadn’t that incident been suppressed from above too? Complaining? Worthless!
The old man and Elder Du were both stunned. Having lived to their age and reached their positions, they rarely encountered anyone who dared shout in their faces. With such powerful figures before them, who would dare court death with loud yelling?
Yet Tang Chen dared. He was wild, utterly recklessly wild. But he had his principles. What he despised most was innocent people being bullied. You could say it was just his hero complex acting up, but that was Tang Chen’s character!
Elder Du gave another bitter smile. He glanced at the silent old man, his heart skipping anxiously. With an awkward chuckle, he said to the old man, “Old friend, don’t take it to heart. Young Tang is young, a bit rebellious. Please don’t hold it against him.”
Elder Du was exasperated. Young Tang, oh Young Tang! While he personally admired the young man’s spirit, why couldn’t he show a bit of restraint in front of someone like this? Didn’t he realize this man held the power of life and death over him with a single word?
No trace of anger appeared on the old man’s face. He merely raised his eyebrows and sighed, “Getting older really does make one lose the passion of youth. Little Tang, do you know why I don’t want to punish you? It’s because I see my younger self in you. I was a reckless youth too once, afraid of nothing, unwilling to endure the slightest injustice. But the higher I’ve climbed, the smaller my courage has become.”
Looking at the old man’s bitter smile, Tang Chen suddenly felt a pang of sadness. He sat back down and was silent for a moment before saying, “It’s not your fault. You didn’t become timid; it’s just that your responsibilities are heavier, your considerations are many. You can’t afford to be as impulsive as I am.”
The old man laughed heartily, sounding relieved. “I’m glad you understand me. I won’t punish you severely for this incident. But letting you off without any consequences wouldn’t be fair to Liu Tianze and the others either.”
“En,” Tang Chen responded coolly, flashing a broad smile. “I understand. Punish me however you see fit. Whether it’s jail time or execution, I’ll accept it. I don’t regret what I did because I didn’t do anything wrong.”
The old man was astounded by Tang Chen’s stubbornness. Annoyed, he said, “Are you trying to position yourself morally above me? I already said I won’t punish you harshly. However…” He paused deliberately. “…I have a mission for you. It’s extremely dangerous. If you succeed, I’ll bury this incident—wipe the slate clean. If you fail… it could cost you your life. Think carefully.”
A mission? Tang Chen was taken aback. Was this the old man’s way of offering him an out? Tang Chen felt a wave of relief. The fact that he hadn’t immediately declared a punishment meant Tang Chen still had value to him. While being used was unpleasant, keeping his head down now was wise.
“Tell me what the mission is first, then I’ll consider it,” Tang Chen said, not committing immediately. He burned with curiosity—what task could possibly strike someone like the old man as dangerous?
The old man’s eyes sharpened. He spoke slowly and deliberately, “Little Tang… you know our country has been researching nuclear weapons these past few years, right?”
“Nuclear weapons?” Tang Chen blinked, puzzled. “Of course. I often watch military channels. I know a bit about our nation’s military. Haven’t we developed many nuclear missiles and such? Wait… what does that have to do with my mission? Are you asking me to research nuclear missiles? No way! I can’t do that. Just execute me already!”
Tang Chen looked utterly shell-shocked. Having him beat people up was one thing, but researching nuclear weapons? Was he being set up to fail?
The corner of the old man’s mouth twitched in exasperation. “Don’t think so highly of yourself. I’ve checked your background. You’re just a student. Sending you to research nuclear weapons? Impossible.” He paused, his expression turning serious again. “Little Tang, I need you to go to the United States. Find a man named Liu Jianfeng. And retrieve our country’s latest nuclear weapons research data from him.”
Elder Du, clearly in the know, paled drastically. Hurriedly, he exclaimed, “Old friend! Are you sending Little Tang to kill that traitor? That’s far too risky!”
“Traitor? Nuclear weapons research data? Elder Du! What are you two talking about?” Tang Chen was utterly baffled. He felt like he’d fallen straight into a carefully woven trap…
The old man gave Elder Du a meaningful look, then turned back to Tang Chen, his expression deadly serious. “Little Tang, this matter is a state secret. I trust you by telling you this. You must never breathe a word of it to anyone. Understood?”
Tang Chen gave a confused, “En.” He felt like he’d been dragged into something completely unfathomable.
The old man nodded, satisfied. A flicker of anger crossed his face as he began to explain, “It started three months ago. The M78 nuclear missile project our country was researching”—he paused briefly—”(Just nonsense here. Don’t take it seriously! Little rumors!)—had entered its final stage. Success would have meant China developed its third independently invented nuclear missile”—another pause—”(Also nonsense! The author didn’t check. Don’t overthink it!) The project was led by Wang Jianfeng, the Chief Professor of Xinhua University. Everything was going smoothly… until one day, the research team reported: Wang Jianfeng had vanished!”
“Scientists working on such cutting-edge projects are usually based in desert facilities in the northwest, unable to return home for months, sometimes a year. But because Professor Wang was the Chief Professor at Xinhua University, he had special permission to return home monthly. He was on one of those permitted trips home when it happened. He left the facility… and simply never returned. His entire family vanished without a trace. Losing a single professor might not have been disastrous, but the critical thing was: Wang Jianfeng took all the research data from the M78 nuclear missile project with him! Little Tang, you know our country isolated itself for years. Technologically, we lagged behind others. We had finally made breakthroughs in developing our own nuclear technology, finally on the verge of inventing a third-generation nuclear missile… and Wang Jianfeng taking the data was like a sucker punch!”
“I immediately ordered a thorough investigation. Our Special Operations Bureau conducted a meticulous search. Their findings? Wang Jianfeng’s disappearance wasn’t spur of the moment; it was planned. Months earlier, he’d begun sending his family to the United States. Not all at once, but in groups over time. The day he finally left, he took his wife. Agents searched his home and discovered a locked briefcase and… a small tool he’d left behind—probably forgotten in his haste. Technical staff unlocked it. Inside, they found only one saved number… a United States number!”
“Our technicians traced the number to the US. They discovered… the number belonged to a landline within the US FBI! This means one thing: Wang Jianfeng had likely been in contact with American operatives long before! He waited for the right moment, stole our nation’s nuclear weapons data… and committed treason!”
“Treason?” Tang Chen was stunned. Such events happened only in novels or spy dramas in his mind. Facing the reality now, he was shocked by the intensity of his own fury.
“That bastard! Worse than vermin!” Tang Chen cursed furiously, fists clenched tight, wishing he could kill Wang Jianfeng right then and there! Any patriotic fellow countryman would find such betrayal intolerable… Tang Chen especially!
The old man’s expression was dreadful too. Hadn’t he raged just like Tang Chen upon learning the news? But outrage alone… solved nothing.