The moment the word "National Security" was uttered, the atmosphere in the office suddenly changed.
Chen Feng wasn't surprised to see two National Security agents approaching.
He knew it was inevitable they'd be here.
He just didn't expect them to arrive so soon. If he had emerged from the scroll world later, he might have been caught red-handed. He'd better be more cautious in the future.
"I'm Chen Feng"
Chen Feng said, rising from the sofa.
Two men with crew cuts approached Chen Feng, produced photos, and compared them.
"Please come with us. We have something to ask you."
The men were polite, not handcuffing Chen Feng.
Zhang Dong couldn't sit still.
"Comrades, what crime has Boss Chen committed? Why have you been alarmed?"
He was discussing cooperation with Chen Feng, and if Chen Feng was about to be taken away, there was no point in discussing it.
"State secrets. No comment."
With that, the two men led Chen Feng out.
Zhang Dong and his female secretary immediately followed.
As they exited the office, Zhang Dong froze.
Because within the factory, seven or eight military vehicles were parked, with soldiers armed with live ammunition standing near them.
All were fully armed.
The factory employees had also been gathered together.
Fear was evident among the employees, and there were constant chatter.
"What's going on? Aren't we a mining factory? Why are there so many soldiers?"
"I don't know. They look like they're here to arrest the boss."
"Has the boss broken the law? The National Security Bureau and the military have been dispatched."
Zhang Dong had originally considered using his Chinese company's influence in Longguo to speak up.
But seeing this scene, he hesitated for a moment. He simply whispered to the female secretary,
"What's going on at your factory? Are they building a nuclear bomb?"
Zhang Dong couldn't imagine anything else that could warrant such a large-scale event.
"I don't know," the female secretary said, her face pale with fear.
The military had taken over the entire factory, and soldiers were stationed at the gate.
The two National Security officers didn't take Chen Feng away from the factory.
Instead, they took him to a military vehicle.
Upon entering the car, Chen Feng spotted three people.
One was dressed in a military uniform.
The other two were elderly men, both wearing glasses, staring at Chen Feng with curiosity.
The man in military uniform extended his hand to Chen Feng.
"Hello, Mr. Chen," he said. "I am Liu Mu, Director of the Strategic Equipment Department of the Western Theater Command of the Army. These two are Dean Hu, Director of the Longguo Institute of Basic Materials Science, and Professor Li Busheng of the Institute of Metals."
Chen Feng was surprised to hear their names.
Each of these three was a leading figure in the Longguo government.
Chen Feng shook Liu Mu's hand and asked,
"Three leaders, have I committed a crime?"
Liu Mu smiled.
"Mr. Chen, you haven't. This happened suddenly because we want to keep it secret. We're here to talk to you about Yanyang Iron."
Chen Feng knew these three were definitely here for Yanyang Iron.
Whether it was the Basic Materials Science Institute or the Institute of Metals,
it was immediately clear that they were related to Yanyang Iron.
Li Busheng from the Institute of Metal Research took over.
"Let me explain. Our research on the Yanyang Iron produced by your factory has revealed that 70% of this metal contains materials we've never seen before. Its strength and lightness are comparable to carbon fiber."
Li Busheng's face was filled with excitement as he spoke.
It was originally just a minor car accident, and the researchers, out of curiosity, went to take a look.
They discovered this astonishing Yanyang Iron.
Not only is it lightweight, but its strength surpasses 90% of all metals on the market.
What a concept!
If this material were used in the army's tanks and the air force's fighter jets, it would bring a huge improvement.
Furthermore, the price of this metal is much cheaper than carbon fiber.
If it could be widely used in military equipment, annual military spending could be significantly reduced.
Dean Hu of the Basic Materials Department also spoke up.
"Based on our preliminary judgment, this metal is likely synthetic. I'd like to know who synthesized it at your factory."
Everyone's eyes fell on Chen Feng.
If it were an ordinary person facing the questioning of three top leaders, they would have confessed their entire family.
But Chen Feng had been in the dangerous world of the scroll for a long time and had seen it all.
"This is something I developed independently, and I can only produce a small amount at the moment."
Boom!
The atmosphere suddenly became quiet.
Independently developed!
A small private factory owner had actually independently developed a metal comparable to carbon fiber?
And it worked.
At this moment, the three people lost their composure.
They looked at Chen Feng as if they were looking at a precious treasure.
"Mr. Chen, don't be nervous. The country won't steal your metal technology, nor will we hold you hostage. We're here mainly to discuss cooperation!"
Liu Mu spoke again.
Dean Hu and Li Busheng also nodded.
Many talented people in the country are leaving in large numbers now, and once they have acquired some technology, they go abroad.
It seems that Longguo can't retain talent.
"Cooperation? How to cooperate?" Chen Feng was a little surprised.
He had originally thought of just perfunctorily getting away with it, saying that it was his own research.
If he was asked to hand it over, he would have dragged it out. He didn't expect that they would now ask for cooperation.
Liu Mu said,
"From today on, your factory's Yanyang Iron will only be provided to our military. It cannot be sold outside. Export of this metal is also prohibited. Of course, we will provide your factory with the utmost support and assistance."
"Also, we need to set up a small research lab within your factory and house our researchers. Is that okay with you?"
Liu Mu was very polite.
He had to be polite; he had to win over Chen Feng.
"This..."
Chen Feng was stunned for a moment. What was happening was completely different from what he had expected.
He had expected to be taken to a secret room for questioning.
"Boss Chen, don't worry. Our researchers won't spy on your core technology. They're only helping you to take Yanyang Iron processing to the next level."
"Feel free to tell them anything you need."
Li Busheng, assuming Chen Feng was worried about his technology being stolen, explained.
"Okay, I agree."
Chen Feng agreed. He had no choice. This was a good outcome, in his opinion.
While there was still some state oversight, it certainly didn't interfere too much.
As for building a research lab in the factory, that's fine too. Just keep an eye on these people and prevent them from entering the warehouse where the scroll is.
(End of this chapter)