Chapter 275 Why don't we just recruit him directly? I guarantee I'll treat him like royalty.

The two women complained wildly in their hearts, completely unaware that a trace of jealousy, which they hadn't even noticed themselves, had unknowingly mixed into their angry emotions.

When Jiang Jing wanted to leave, naturally no one stopped him.

Under the gaze of the researchers who looked at him as if he were a "deity," Jiang Jing left the Laboratory with his security team.

Just after stepping out of the Research Institute's gate, Jiang Jing was slightly startled by the scene before him.

He saw that the perimeter of the Research Institute was already guarded every five steps and monitored every ten.

Heavily armed soldiers stood with solemn expressions, and armored vehicles were parked quietly in the shadows.

Searchlight beams swept across the night sky from time to time, sealing off the entire area like an iron bucket—it was truly impenetrable.

Jiang Jing rubbed his nose, and under the gaze of the soldiers, he got into the arranged vehicle and returned to the hotel in the city.

Upon returning to his comfortable suite, Jiang Jing kicked off his shoes, took off his jacket, and threw himself directly onto the soft, large bed.

He fell asleep almost instantly, his breathing becoming even.

His carefree appearance made it seem as though he wasn't the one who had stirred up such a massive storm today.

In stark contrast to him, Zhou Wanqin and Lin Hong, who were staying in the adjacent suite, were tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.

Images kept flashing through their minds: the silhouette of Jiang Jing working intently in the Laboratory, the way he teased them with a wicked smile, and his scumbag expression...

These various images intertwined, leaving them with restless hearts.

And this night in the Imperial Capital, it was destined that many people would not be able to sleep peacefully.

Under the city's night sky, the roar of armed helicopters hovering at low altitudes was more frequent than usual.

On the streets, the frequency of flashing red and blue police lights also seemed much higher.

Police cars silently drove into certain high-end residential communities or hidden corners, and many people were invited to "have tea" over seemingly trivial matters.

Among those taken away, some were intelligence peddlers who had been active in the gray zone for years.

Some were "scholars" with intricate ties to foreign forces.

Some were rats that had been deeply embedded, having made no moves for many years...

Some rats that were hidden even deeper and had luckily escaped detection were hiding in dark corners, watching the scenes unfold with trepidation.

They had no idea what earth-shattering event had occurred to trigger such a swift and thorough purge.

"What... what exactly happened?"

"Why... are so many people..."

"The wind is too tight! Hibernate! Everyone hibernate! Cancel all operations!"

In the Imperial Capital at night, on a level imperceptible to ordinary people, a silent yet exceptionally intense storm was taking place.

Just as Jiang Jing was fast asleep without a care in the world, the Research Institute in the northern suburbs of the Imperial Capital remained brightly lit, with a heated atmosphere.

The testing finally came to an end.

Elder Qin, Academician Chen, and a group of other scientists carefully packaged the encrypted hard drive containing the engine's heaven-defying performance data, along with the engine itself, and solemnly handed them over to Political Commissar Wang Jianguo.

Political Commissar Wang Jianguo escorted them personally, and under the protection of an elite special operations team, they drove toward the Central Theater Command headquarters.

Inside the headquarters, Commander Zhao Tieshan had been waiting for a long time.

He finally saw the strangely shaped silver-gray engine with his own eyes and finished listening to Political Commissar Wang Jianguo's detailed, emotionally charged report.

Upon learning of those data points that were so spectacular they felt unreal, he couldn't help but slam his hand on the table, his tiger-like eyes flashing with sharp light.

His chest heaved violently as he shouted in his heart: [Heaven protects our Dragon Kingdom! This is truly a great blessing!!!]

Without any hesitation, Commander Zhao Tieshan led the team personally, riding in a specially modified vehicle.

Under the cover of night, they sped toward the most core area of the Imperial Capital.

In a simple, old-fashioned study, Commander Zhao Tieshan met the old man.

Facing this figure who was like a pillar of stability, Commander Zhao Tieshan suppressed all his excitement.

With the most rigorous and objective attitude, he reported everything that happened at the Research Institute tonight, including how Jiang Jing personally manufactured it, as well as all the astonishing data obtained from the tests.

When he heard that this engine could output such stable and powerful energy using only ordinary water, and that it had infinite potential.

Even for this old man who had seen all kinds of storms, a flash of irrepressible surprise and joy could not help but erupt in his eyes.

He slowly stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the heavy night outside, as if he could see a bright, broad road stretching out beneath the Dragon Kingdom's feet.

"Good! Very good!" The old man turned around, his voice steady yet carrying a trace of imperceptible trembling.

"With this thing in hand, the energy shackles can be broken, the vast seas can be traversed, and we can roam freely above the firmament!"

"This is no longer just a device or an object, but... the foundation for reshaping the universe!"

Especially when he heard Commander Zhao Tieshan relay Jiang Jing's vision of applying this technology to aircraft carriers, fighter jets, and other heavy national equipment, the old man nodded repeatedly, a long-lost, heartfelt smile appearing on his face.

After the excitement passed, the old man's expression returned to its usual seriousness.

He looked at Commander Zhao Tieshan, his tone extremely solemn: "Comrade Tieshan, the safety of Jiang Jing during his time in the Imperial Capital will be entirely the responsibility of your Central Theater Command!"

"I want not a single hair on his head to be missing; it must be foolproof!"

"Yes! Please rest assured, Sir! I guarantee to complete the mission!" Commander Zhao Tieshan immediately straightened his back and accepted the order solemnly.

This was clearly within his expectations.

After reporting the official business, Commander Zhao Tieshan hesitated for a moment, then leaned in closer, lowered his voice, and suggested with a bit of "selfishness":

"Look... this kid Jiang Jing, his ability is truly too monstrous!"

"Keeping him outside, no matter how tight the security is, I just don't feel at ease."

"What do you think... should we just make an exception and recruit him directly into the military?"

"Just put him in our Central Theater Command, and I guarantee you, I will absolutely treat him like a national treasure. I won't let him lose a single hair, and it will allow him to better contribute to the national defense cause."

What kind of person was the old man? He saw through Commander Zhao Tieshan's little scheme at a glance—he was trying to poach talent for his own theater command.

He glanced at Commander Zhao Tieshan, did not express an opinion immediately, but pondered for a moment.

In all fairness, what Commander Zhao Tieshan said was not without reason.

The military, especially the core theater commands, was indeed the place with the highest security level and the best ability to isolate external disturbances.

Although Jiang Jing had already been equipped with a top-tier security team, compared to the protection of a full-scale military unit, it was ultimately lacking.

Placing such a "national treasure" in the safest environment seemed reasonable.

Seeing the old man pondering, Commander Zhao Tieshan thought there was a chance and couldn't help but feel a surge of joy.

However, after thinking for a moment, the old man slowly shook his head and said: "Let's put this matter aside for now."

Commander Zhao Tieshan was stunned, somewhat confused.