37: Chapter 37 Zhao Yang: The matter was accomplished in secrecy; there is only one copy.

The meeting was highly classified. Outside the door, everyone's phones were placed into signal-blocking bags. Guided by a middle-aged officer, Zhao Yang and Meng Dehai walked into the conference room.

There were only two people in the conference room.

One was in his forties, wearing glasses, refined and scholarly, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

The other was older, with graying hair, a tall build, and wheat ears on his shoulder boards—a terrifyingly high rank.

On the display cabinet behind them sat two airplane models: an Il-76 heavy transport aircraft and a Tu-16 bomber.

Zhao Yang's lips curled up slightly. Quite fitting; these military representatives were interesting.

After the two entered, the middle-aged officer closed the door and left.

The Lieutenant Colonel walked up proactively and smiled, "Mayor Meng, we met yesterday. Let me introduce you; this is General Feng, who rushed here overnight from the Imperial Capital."

Meng Dehai's expression tightened. A general from the Imperial Capital was no small matter. He quickly nodded slightly, "Hello, General Feng..."

General Feng laughed heartily and waved his hand, "Hello, Mayor Meng. This must be Comrade Zhao Yang! A first-class merit recipient from the Ministry of Public Security, the student who earned a master's degree from Shuimu University in the shortest time, and also a bestselling author! To be honest, my old man at home is hugging that book of yours while reading it."

Zhao Yang nodded with a smile, "I didn't expect General Feng to know so much about me."

"If we didn't know you this well, we wouldn't dare believe the information you provided!" General Feng made a "please" gesture, "Let's sit and talk, let's sit and talk."

The group took their seats.

Meng Dehai and Lieutenant Colonel Zhou did not speak—today's protagonists were Zhao Yang and General Feng.

"Comrade Zhao Yang," General Feng got straight to the point, "I believe with your knowledge, you surely know what those things mean for the country. Let's hear your thoughts first."

Zhao Yang nodded, his expression becoming serious.

"Whether this can succeed or not comes down to one word—fast. They are looking to sell the An-225 airframe number two. As far as I know, Antonov's focus is on the first completed aircraft; the second is seventy to eighty percent complete, and they don't intend to continue manufacturing it, so the difficulty of shipping it back in parts is not high. However, the Tu-160 will involve America, and they are watching quite closely, forcing Ulan Country to destroy it as soon as possible. From the information I have obtained, this is the last Tu-160 in Ulan Country, and it has just finished being dismantled. This is the final time window to bring it back."

General Feng nodded, "You are right; it's about the same as what we understand. We have also had such thoughts, but the difficulty is too great. How do you intend to operate?"

Zhao Yang paused, slowing his speech, "Purely private activity, without any participation from official Dragon Country agencies. It will be divided into two lines—the overt line is a purely commercial transaction for buying scrap metal, and the covert line is responsible for cover and final cleanup work."

"Oh? Tell me specifically about the overt and covert lines."

"On the surface, both lines are the actions of private companies. All personnel for the overt line come from the private sector; official personnel can be deployed within the covert line." Zhao Yang smiled, "Actually, if it goes smoothly, there will be no need to use the covert line for cover. For the specific action plan, General Feng can take a look at this."

After speaking, he handed over several A4 sheets filled with handwriting.

General Feng's expression shifted, "Handwritten?"

Zhao Yang nodded, "This is the only copy; there are no electronic traces."

General Feng looked at him approvingly and lowered his head to read it carefully.

The only sound left in the room was the rustling of paper.

Half an hour later.

General Feng narrowed his eyes, his index finger tapping the tabletop lightly. After thinking for more than ten minutes, he finally took a deep breath.

"In my personal opinion, the feasibility of this plan is extremely high. I will return to the Imperial Capital immediately and hand it over to the relevant personnel at the General Staff for further discussion."

"General Feng!" Zhao Yang's expression was serious, "The action must be fast. Also, success lies in secrecy; you must restrict the scope."

"Rest assured, Comrade Zhao Yang!" General Feng smiled, "I can guarantee with my honor that the number of people who have seen this plan of yours, including me, will absolutely not exceed five. I will contact you directly when there is news. Little Zhou, you are responsible for hosting Mayor Meng and Comrade Zhao Yang from here on. I am returning to the Imperial Capital immediately."

Watching his hurried retreating figure, Zhao Yang's lips curled up.

Soldiers are always swift and decisive.

Meng Dehai subsequently chatted with Lieutenant Colonel Zhou for a while about supporting the military and their families, and then left with Zhao Yang in that Passat.

The car drove all the way to the hotel, and Meng Dehai also got out.

In the room, Zhao Yang poured tea for Meng Dehai and smiled, "Uncle Meng, is there something you want to instruct me on?"

Meng Dehai let out a long sigh, "I really didn't expect your perspective to be so grand now. Zhao Yang, do you plan to return to Jinghai or stay in the Imperial Capital?"

"I'll be in the Imperial Capital for the time being. Professor Lin won't let me leave and is forcing me to pursue a PhD." Zhao Yang gave a wry smile, "And my university mentor, who is now a doctoral supervisor for Criminal Investigation at the Handong University of Political Science and Law, is urging me to pursue his PhD and become his first Disciple. He has already pulled the strings and said if I don't agree, he'll come to the Imperial Capital to fight me to the death."

Meng Dehai couldn't help but laugh, "Others try their hardest and still can't get in, but you, it's the teachers who are trying their hardest to get you. So which one do you plan to choose?"

"I can't refuse either of them, so I'll take both." Zhao Yang spread his hands helplessly.

Meng Dehai opened his mouth, and it took a good while before he blurted out, "Good heavens, a double PhD! If you can pull off this matter at hand, plus your academic qualifications, by the time you reach my age... I dare not even imagine it."

"Uncle Meng, don't talk about me. I see you seem to have something on your mind; has something happened?"

Meng Dehai gave a wry smile, "I was always in the public security sector before, but now I've become the Deputy Mayor and have to handle Jinghai's economy. A profession is like a mountain; it's hard to cross over!"

Zhao Yang smiled slightly, "Uncle Meng, how about I offer you some advice?"

"Sure, let me hear the high opinion of our double PhD!" Meng Dehai smiled.

Zhao Yang didn't refute it—after all, a "double PhD" was only a matter of time. He counted on his fingers and said, "Jinghai's dark, evil forces and black umbrellas have all been swept away; it is at its cleanest now, which is the most favorable condition for our Jinghai to develop its economy. We must maintain this in the future."

Meng Dehai nodded, "That is certain; there will be special operations every year in the future; we must never turn back."

Zhao Yang continued, "Our Jinghai isn't big; a few star enterprises can develop the economy. After the Construction Group stabilizes, it can make great achievements in the real estate market. The hongdou phone can serve as our Jinghai's high-tech business card."

"hongdou phone? Are you saying it's a Jinghai enterprise?"

Zhao Yang couldn't help but laugh, "Yes, it's very popular now; the products are even selling in the Imperial Capital."

"Seeing their phones are so stylish, I thought it was some foreign brand."

"As these two enterprises grow and strengthen, with them as leaders, they can definitely drive Jinghai's economy."

Meng Dehai pondered for a while and nodded, "I must go to hongdou phone to inspect it recently. I'll go first; I have another meeting soon."

"Take care. I have to return to the Imperial Capital this afternoon, too; some things must be prepared in advance."

Meng Dehai patted his shoulder, "Be careful in everything."

...

Back in the Imperial Capital, Zhao Yang sat in front of the computer, his gaze falling on the little penguin icon on the desktop, and suddenly he slapped his forehead.

"I was so focused on national affairs, I almost forgot about my little money!"