"How is that possible? You're a big shot in the political arena of the capital, how can there be anything you can't do?"
Wang Ziwei looked at Wang Jianshan with disbelief.
"You're a doctoral student at Capital University, a professor. You should know the meaning of the idiom 'When you're in the jianghu, you're not in control of yourself.' I am indeed a big shot in the political arena of the capital, and I can be arbitrary and do whatever I want in minor matters. However, in major matters, I cannot do as I please; I must consider the overall situation."
Wang Jianshan explained earnestly.
"Consider the overall situation? What overall situation could there be in a dirty trick like chip fraud?"
Wang Ziwei asked, puzzled.
"Of course there's an overall situation. Think about it, why would chip matters be lied about to the national level? Is it because people in the country are really so foolish that they can't see through such a scam? To tell you the truth, this is a typical case of 'The Emperor's New Clothes'."
Wang Jianshan replied word by word.
"The Emperor's New Clothes? Dad, you mean the state actually knows, but they just don't say it?"
Wang Ziwei asked, her worldview shattered.
"Yes, that's exactly what I mean. In other words, they are willing to be deceived. It's like women; they know a man is bad, but they still lie to themselves, thinking they can change this bad man."
Wang Jianshan explained.
"It seems to make sense, but the question is, will the chip fraud really be ignored?"
Wang Ziwei continued to press.
"I want to manage it, but would it be useful? You can never wake up someone who is pretending to be asleep."
Wang Jianshan sighed deeply.
"Dad, I'm thinking about something. If no one exposes the fake chip issue, won't China's chip industry remain in a state of false prosperity, and then never catch up with the United States or the European Union?"
"This is not a question that you or I should be thinking about."
Wang Jianshan didn't know how to respond to Wang Ziwei and could only give a perfunctory answer.
"Dad, I think Chen Feng's idea is correct. If in small matters, people deceive themselves, the problem isn't that big. However, in major matters of science and technology, if it's like this, it's too dangerous. Originally, China had the ability to catch up with the United States in science and technology. But being deceived by false prosperity and not striving for progress means they will always be far behind the United States. As a responsible Chinese person, how can I allow such a thing to happen?"
Wang Ziwei explained seriously.
"Ziwei, your dad isn't a three-year-old child. I understand what Chen Feng is saying. But what can be done? To quote a former great figure in China, 'If corruption is not tackled, the country will perish. If corruption is tackled, it will perish…'"
Wang Jianshan sighed deeply.
"Dad, since you know what that great Chinese figure said, you should also know the final outcome. The country and... both perished. Some things cannot be hidden, nor can they be ignored; they must be faced."
Wang Ziwei said, still with a serious expression.
"Ziwei, since your thoughts are consistent with Chen Feng's, and you want to thoroughly resolve the chip issue, you can. I stand with both of you. However, before you do, I must remind you of something. If you trace the chip incident to its roots, there will only be one outcome: an earthquake in the capital's political arena. If I can control this earthquake, it's fine, but if I can't, Chen Feng will be in great danger."
Wang Jianshan took a deep breath.
"I know, Dad. In Chen Feng's words, 'To die for the country is a worthy death'."
Wang Ziwei said earnestly.
"'To die for the country is a worthy death?' What spirit, what ambition! Since Chen Feng thinks this way, I won't hesitate anymore. Let's pursue accountability with great strides."
Wang Jianshan said with admiration.
Wang Ziwei didn't waste any more words, nodding to signal Wang Jianshan to start dealing with the chip fraud incident immediately.
Wang Jianshan was not hesitant. He immediately called his trusted aides and, following the clues provided in Chen Feng's ten-thousand-character whistleblower letter, began investigating and prosecuting the relevant personnel.
It had to be said, Chen Feng was truly amazing.
Based on the evidence in his ten-thousand-character whistleblower letter, the relevant personnel didn't put up much of a defense and directly confessed their guilt.
In one week, the Tiger Chip incident was completely resolved.
It unfolded exactly as Wang Jianshan had imagined, causing an earthquake in the capital's political arena.
Dozens of high-ranking officials were imprisoned.
This incident also caused a stir internationally.
The international community was awed by the boldness of China's top leadership. The ability to imprison so many high-ranking officials in the capital at once fully demonstrated the Chinese government's determination to reform!
To protect Chen Feng, Wang Jianshan found a scapegoat, attributing the ten-thousand-character whistleblower letter to the Deputy Director of the Capital Development and Reform Commission.
To quell the anger from all sides, Wang Jianshan also had the Deputy Director of the Development and Reform Commission imprisoned.
The Deputy Director of the Development and Reform Commission cooperated fully by going to prison because Wang Jianshan promised him that after the chip incident was over, he would be sent abroad as an ambassador five years later, after his release from prison.
Not only that, but his son could also be promoted into the capital's political arena.
It had to be said, this offer was too tempting to refuse.
The outcome of the chip incident surprised Chen Feng. According to the usual rules, as the instigator of the ten-thousand-character whistleblower letter, he should have been implicated to some extent.
However, the result was that he was not affected at all.
"Teacher Wang, thank you. If you hadn't helped in the middle, I would definitely have gone to jail."
Chen Feng immediately found Wang Ziwei to express his gratitude.
"You don't need to thank me. China has regulations strictly protecting whistleblowers' interests."
Wang Ziwei said calmly.
"This is what ordinary people believe. However, those who have worked in the political arena know that retaliation against whistleblowers is all too common. Some retaliation happens before, and some happens after."
"Chen Feng, it seems you have a very clear understanding of China's political arena. To be honest, my dad found a scapegoat to protect you."
Wang Ziwei was impressed by Chen Feng's clear-sightedness.
"What? Your dad protected me? With something this big, your dad could protect me? Teacher Wang, can you tell me, what kind of family is the Wang family of the capital?"
Chen Feng asked with great interest.
Wang Ziwei paused for a moment.
"Oh no, I got too carried away and accidentally let it slip."
"Chen Feng, it's not that my dad is powerful, but the connections my dad has are powerful. Alright, there's no need to get to the bottom of some things. Since the chip incident has been resolved, your next work focus will be on the chip project in Mingshan Town."
Wang Ziwei changed the subject.
"Teacher Wang, thank you for reminding me. For the Mingshan Town chip project, I need to go to the capital next."
Chen Feng said, suddenly enlightened.
"Go to the capital for what?"
Wang Ziwei was taken aback.
"For the Mingshan Town chip project, funding is not a problem. As long as the project is viable, raising funds is simple. What China lacks now is everything except capital! The problem now is that the fake chip issue has been resolved, and we need to go to the capital to solve the genuine chip problem."
Chen Feng explained seriously.
"Chen Feng, there are indeed chip research institutes in the capital. However, compared to European and American chip technology, they are far behind. My suggestion is, why don't I accompany you to the United States to see if we can acquire the most advanced chip technology?"
Wang Ziwei suggested cautiously.