"Mr. Guo, please follow me."
A middle-aged man in his forties led him to a room.
"You are Guo Xuyang?"
An old man with white hair stood up and said.
"Yes."
"I didn't expect you to be so outstanding. Little Jiang has been praising you incessantly, and I didn't quite believe it. But the report card you presented is something no one can deny."
The old man said with a chuckle.
"You flatter me."
Guo Xuyang felt that the old man in front of him looked familiar, but he couldn't recall who he was.
"Take out all the communication equipment and electronic components you have on you."
The old man said.
"I've put them away," Guo Xuyang replied.
When he learned who was going to see him, he had stored all those prohibited items in his mind.
"Hmm?" The old man was clearly taken aback but then smiled.
"You are truly an interesting young fellow. Then, follow me."
Guo Xuyang followed the old man to a room door and gently knocked.
"Please come in," a voice with full of vigor came from inside.
"The person you wanted to see has been brought," the old man with white hair pushed open the door and said.
Even though Guo Xuyang had prepared himself, he was filled with excitement the moment he saw the old man, and for a moment he didn't know how to greet him.
"Guo Xuyang, you're quite a spirited young man. Don't be nervous, I'm not a tiger, what are you afraid of?"
The old man bridged the gap with a couple of sentences.
This calmed Guo Xuyang's excited heart a bit. "Greetings, Chief."
"Good, good, good. You are our great hero. The spaceships you brought are decades ahead of our country, and these technologies are second to none in the world. After they told me, I've always wanted to meet you and see if our hero truly has three heads and six arms. Hahaha…"
Guo Xuyang really didn't know how to respond and could only state the facts: "It was also a coincidence."
"There's always a reason in coincidence, and it primarily depends on your ability. If it weren't for your outstanding capabilities, it wouldn't have been so easy to bring back these behemoths. They came to commend you, and I approved."
"Thank you, Chief."
"This is what you deserve. If our country had more talents like you, why would we worry about technological development? But there are some parasites who lie on their laurels, feeding on the people's blood, treating the people as lab rats. Not only that, but they also poach our talent, causing many domestic industries to be swallowed."
The old man became more agitated as he spoke.
"Chief, please take care of yourself."
Guo Xuyang stepped forward, wanting to support the old man.
However, the old man waved him off. "I'm fine. This matter makes me very angry. I don't know what these people are thinking? The country hasn't mistreated them; in terms of food, clothing, housing, and transportation, while not catering to every single need, they have always been given preferential treatment. Many of the people uncovered this time are experts, even people who hold the lifeline of the nation. Little Guo, what would you do if you were in my position?"
Guo Xuyang didn't expect the old man to throw the question at him. If it were up to him, he would execute them all. However, facing the old man, he hesitated. He knew the old man's feelings were complex, otherwise, he wouldn't have said so much in front of him, a junior. It was true, as the old man said, many were the elites and experts in various industries, even those holding the nation's lifeline. But if they weren't killed, would they be grateful to the country? No. A person who forgets their roots and unhesitatingly gives national interests to others, how could they possess gratitude? However, the old man's words clearly indicated he wanted to give these people a chance.
"Chief, I know there are things I shouldn't say. But for those who have caused grave harm to the country, even threatening national security, even if you give them a chance to reform, they won't cherish it. Rather than letting these people continue to do evil, or even turn their guns on us, it's better to resolve them early."
Guo Xuyang said slowly after carefully considering.
"I know it's too cruel for you to issue such an order, and you want to give them a chance. But they are no longer ours. In wartime, they would be traitors, enemies. Kindness to the enemy is cruelty to oneself."
Guo Xuyang wanted to say more, but the old man with white hair gently tugged at him. He knew he had said too much and remained silent, looking at the old man.
"You are absolutely right, kindness to the enemy is cruelty to oneself. I'm a bit tired, you two can leave now."
The old man looked at Guo Xuyang for a while before slowly saying.
"Goodbye, Chief!"
Guo Xuyang said and followed the old man with white hair out.
…
"Young man, you spoke too much."
Arriving at the room of the old man with white hair, the old man said. Guo Xuyang looked at him without speaking. He knew he had been a bit impulsive just now.
"The position you are in and the angle from which you view things are merely your current perspective. There are many things you don't need to consider. Young people have drive, which is good. But as the head of a family, one has to strike a balance. There are countless things that cannot be solved with a simple 'kill'. This time, the list you provided involves several families, families that can be said to be the cornerstones of our country. A single move can affect the whole. If it were just an individual act, killing them would be that. But one cannot disregard the deeper implications, and that is the difficulty, the focal point."
The old man said slowly.
"Are we just going to let them run rampant without punishment?"
"Punishment is certainly necessary, but how to punish them? Whom to punish? This requires careful consideration."
"These matters are beyond my comprehension, and I cannot comprehend them. However, I still thank you. Director Jiang mentioned it to me."
Guo Xuyang said.
"That is what you deserve; you don't need to thank me for that."
The old man said with a smile.
"But I heard that your beef and mutton are quite good. Can you bring some for us to try?"
Guo Xuyang didn't expect the old man to be so playful, asking for things directly.
"Director Jiang told me when he called to prepare a thousand catties of beef and mutton, and I have people sending them over."
"The items are with Little Jiang?"
"They probably haven't arrived yet? They should reach the capital by tonight."
Guo Xuyang didn't tell the truth. There was no arrangement for anyone to send anything. Everything was stored in his mind.
"I must try them to see how amazing they are," the old man said.
"Chief, I suggest you eat some deer meat appropriately, and then start drinking the mutton soup."
"You haven't sent anything yet, how can I eat it? I heard you're also good at treating illnesses, can you take a look at me?"
"You are in good health, have a great appetite, and enjoy all foods. It's just that your liver fire is a bit strong, and you have a bit of a temper. Drink more cooling teas like Longjing in the future to reduce the heat."
Guo Xuyang said after looking at the old man.
"Is it just these?"
"Yes. The mutton is free, but the deer meat requires payment."
Guo Xuyang blurted out.
"Why?"
"I'm afraid Director Jiang might have too big an appetite and keep all the deer meat for himself."
"If he dares, I'll skin him alive if he tries to hoard it," the old man said, glaring.
"You see, you get angry just by mentioning it. The items haven't arrived yet, have they? I'll go to his place and tell him that you, an elder, want some too."
"You don't need to tell him, I'll tell him myself. Let's go, that kid is waiting at the restaurant he booked."
The old man was about to go out. This put Guo Xuyang in a difficult spot. If the old man went along, wouldn't his trick be exposed? How would he take out those items then? Isn't this like lifting a rock only to drop it on his own foot?