133: Chapter 133 Two PhDs, but it's all for naught.

When Zhao Yang left the Bai family home, no one knew if his face was still symmetrical, but Bai Xiaohe's cherry lips were slightly red and swollen. Bai Erru and Yang Jingqiu saw everything but said nothing, feigning ignorance.

The following days became busy again. To meet the nationwide demand for solving major criminal cases, the Joint Laboratory of Intelligent Investigation launched an expansion of its computing cluster, and the Ministry of Public Security was also preparing for a nationwide rollout.

Zhao Yang always maintained a clear understanding of this System, constantly emphasizing its limitations—for instance, the need for professional criminal investigators to provide process constraints and professional data entry personnel to extract case features. One could not expect a single System to solve every problem.

At the same time, he planned the upgrade of the hardware System and compiled a systematic report. One of the most important recommendations was for the state to initiate research on Computing cards, specifically GPUs, hoping to gain an advantage in the AI competition twenty years later.

A month later, Zhao Yang returned to that Soviet-style building and received all the experimental data from General Feng. Looking at the report in his hands, he had a look of surprise: "Elder Feng, how did the experiments finish so quickly? I thought it would take at least two months."

General Feng patted his shoulder: "They were anxious to verify some new ideas, so they expedited yours. The General Staff Department asked me to pass on a message."

"Go ahead. If they still want to poach me, forget it."

"Not that," General Feng said earnestly. "They hope you hold your ground in officialdom and recognize your own value. Do not let yourself go astray, because your value is worth ten divisions."

Zhao Yang touched his forehead: "What have I done to deserve such praise?"

General Feng smiled meaningfully: "I think they underestimated you."

Zhao Yang grinned: "So where is the defense scheduled?"

"The Great Hall of the People."

"What?" Zhao Yang's eyes widened, thinking he had misheard.

"A side hall. Mainly for security reasons."

"Oh..." Zhao Yang sighed in relief, "You almost scared me to death. But even a side hall is intimidating enough... who exactly is going to listen?"

"None of your business. The defense is next Friday at 3:00 PM. Just be there at 2:45 PM; don't worry about the rest."

Zhao Yang swallowed hard, not daring to overthink or ask more. He just nodded: "Fine, I'll be there on time. It's just a doctoral dissertation defense, why make it feel like a major project inspection?"

"You kid!" General Feng couldn't help laughing, "Those things you gave the military have spawned no fewer than three major projects. If I hadn't stopped them, they would have kidnapped you long ago."

Zhao Yang gave a sheepish laugh: "I really didn't expect that. Sorry for the trouble."

General Feng waved his hand: "Off you go, prepare well and present well. Try to be as detailed as possible; there won't be a time limit."

"Understood. I'm leaving then."

After Zhao Yang left, General Feng walked into an office, picked up the red telephone on the desk, and dialed a number: "Old leader, it's me. I gave the data to Zhao Yang."

"Mm. That kid still doesn't want to join the General Staff Department?"

"He has no intention of doing so whatsoever."

"Understandable. A twenty-four-year-old deputy division chief—a career in officialdom is indeed more attractive."

General Feng asked tentatively: "Since he wants a career in officialdom so much, why not speed things up for him?"

"Oh? You think he's still slow?"

"I feel that the higher his position, the greater the role he can play. And..." General Feng slowed his speech, "Based on his background, he can be considered an absolutely reliable candidate."

"Mm, you have a point. I'll consider your opinion. Keep an eye on him."

"Yes, sir."

Hanging up, General Feng exhaled. Zhao Yang, I've done everything I can to help; the rest is up to you. Don't let me down.

Friday afternoon, Zhao Yang's doctoral dissertation defense started on time in a side hall of the Great Hall of the People. Although he was a doctoral student in the Shuimu Computer Science Department, only two people from Shuimu University participated in this defense—one was Professor Lin, and the other was the head of the Shuimu University leadership team.

Zhao Yang stood on the stage and looked; boy, they were all unfamiliar faces. The back row was filled with men with crew cuts.

He took a deep breath, picked up the microphone, opened the presentation document, and began. As General Feng had instructed, he spoke in detail, even passing out dozens of prepared terminal devices for the attendees to experience. After a full two hours of speaking, the defense moved to the next stage.

It should have been a Q&A session, but no one stood up to speak. Instead, a man with a crew cut walked onto the stage and handed him over a dozen small slips of paper. The handwriting was all different, clearly from different people, but none were signed. Zhao Yang smiled bitterly to himself; passing notes at a dissertation defense—this was certainly making history.

Most were asking him to expand on a specific direction, and Zhao Yang answered them one by one.

He held back carefully in some areas, not daring to be too advanced. He noticed no fewer than ten old men in the audience with gazes like hungry wolves.

After the whole process, four hours had passed. The defense ended successfully, and Zhao Yang received his doctorate from the Shuimu Computer Science Department. Dual doctorate achievement unlocked! But to no avail; the System didn't give any rewards.

After returning to Shuimu, he suddenly discovered that five of the terminals he had collected were missing. When he asked the staff, they actually said they were accidentally lost. Zhao Yang rolled his eyes. Losing things in the Great Hall of the People? Who are they kidding!

He didn't bother pursuing it. If he really tried to get them back from those old guys, he felt he might end up like those terminals—never coming back.

...

Half of 2002 had passed, and Zhao Yang hadn't forgotten the "Sorrow of a Lifetime" mission. He had prepared everything he could—mask production lines, portable infrared thermometers, hypochlorous acid disinfectant production lines, and protective suit production lines had all entered stable production. Once a health crisis occurred, they could immediately switch to full power and produce enough supplies within a month.

But Zhao Yang still hoped these backup preparations wouldn't be needed, and that it would be best to nip the health crisis in the bud. Fortunately, General Feng had mentioned that a task force from the Health Department had already gone to Jinghai, indicating that what Zhao Yang had done was having an effect.

That day, Zhao Yang was watching a 3D demo developed by Lu Xiaofei's project team when Meng Dehai called: "Zhao Yang, are you busy lately?"

Zhao Yang was stunned for a moment: "Uncle Meng, just tell me if something's up."

"At 7:30 tonight, watch the News Broadcast, the international section."

Zhao Yang's heart skipped a beat: "Okay, I'll definitely watch it. Is it good news?"

"Yes, good news."

Zhao Yang couldn't help but smile: "Great!"

"When you're not busy, come over to the house."

"Sure."

Hanging up, Zhao Yang clenched his fist tightly. The flapping wings of this little butterfly were really going to stir up an international storm this time.

Is the Dragon nation in this timeline going to show its teeth internationally? Truly bold!

At 7:00 PM, Zhao Yang turned on the TV right on time. The familiar melody played, and Zhao Yang waited patiently. Domestic news, international news.

"The following is a report we have just received..."