144: Chapter 144 Meeting

Chu Ge's carrier-based aircraft system was finally nearing completion after nearly twenty days of continuous work. During this time, he had also checked the progress of various research groups within the Military Research Institute. Everyone was essentially exceeding their quotas and working overtime to complete the tasks he had assigned. At this rate, Chu Ge felt that the aerospace carrier project could break ground even before the end of the year.

However, he hadn't yet found the time to check on the progress of the dockyards and the military factories responsible for the supporting subsystems.

Early this morning, he prepared to head to the Research Institute's cafeteria for breakfast. As he walked along the familiar path, he instinctively felt that the atmosphere today was somewhat unusual.

His colleagues at the Research Institute were all in a great hurry. When he arrived at the cafeteria, he discovered there weren't many people there. Usually, this was the busiest time, but today it was practically deserted.

While he was still wondering why, Academician Chen walked up to him.

“Xiao Chu, have you finished breakfast?”

“I'm finished, Elder Chen. I was just about to head back to the office.”

“There is a meeting regarding the aerospace carrier at the Research Institute this morning. As the Chief Engineer, you must attend. Furthermore, a Senior Leader is coming today, and he specifically asked for you to sit beside him.”

“Ah, alright, Elder Chen.”

Chu Ge now understood why his colleagues were so tense. It wasn't often that a Senior Leader visited the Research Institute; usually, the only places one saw such an elder were on television or in the news media.

Chu Ge and Academician Chen walked out of the Research Institute cafeteria. Chu Ge looked around and saw that guards had already begun their duty in the distance; the Military Research Institute was under lockdown.

“By the way, Elder Chen, I heard from Wang Yun that the road in front of the Research Institute is going to be under military control?”

Academician Chen nodded and looked toward the main gate. “It was only a matter of time. It was just moved forward because of those suspicious people recently. The security department detained a few people a few days ago and actually interrogated some information out of them. However, they were all small fry, nothing significant.”

“Our colleagues in the traffic department are already planning new elevated bridges to minimize the impact on the public. It’s unavoidable; otherwise, given our current sensitivity, the Bureau of Security would probably have to stake out here every day. Now, the perimeter of the Military Research Institute has been handed over to the Armed Police, while Special Forces are stationed inside. The airspace is also managed by dedicated personnel; any aircraft entering will be shot down immediately. This place is now an absolute vacuum zone.”

Chu Ge nodded. The project was at a critical stage, and all sorts of 'little ghosts' were starting to appear to scout for information.

As they spoke, the two arrived at the meeting room door. Academician Chen pushed the door open and walked in, with Chu Ge following closely behind. The lead persons for each system of the aerospace carrier were already seated. When they saw Elder Chen and Chu Ge enter, they all stood up to greet them.

Chu Ge responded to each one with a smile. Many of those present were Academicians from various Research Institutes or leading professors in their fields—true figures of leadership. Chu Ge scanned the room and noticed many people in military uniforms; they were likely from the military-industrial units responsible for specific construction or from the Armaments Department. The total number of attendees was quite large.

“Today, the heads of the aerospace carrier research units, the chief engineers of the construction units, and military leaders are all here. This is a three-way Coordination Meeting,” Academician Chen whispered to Chu Ge.

“Ahem.” Chu Ge coughed twice. He had realized the gravity of the situation because, in his scan of the room just now, he hadn't seen a single other young person besides himself.

This indicated that the level of this meeting was extremely high.

Inside the meeting room, everyone was currently engaged in low-voiced discussions; it was rare for everyone to be gathered together like this.

Just as Chu Ge was about to chat with a few Academicians nearby, a guard walked in, whispered a few words into Academician Chen's ear, and then left. Academician Chen smiled and said to Chu Ge, “Xiao Chu, the Chief has arrived. Come, follow me to welcome him.”

“Alright, Elder Chen,” Chu Ge replied quickly.

The two headed downstairs. A squad of guards stood at the entrance. When Chu Ge and the others arrived, the Senior Leader had just stepped out of his car. Dressed in military uniform, his eyes revealed a look of steely determination. Chu Ge was momentarily dazed; he had finally met this legendary elder. Academician Chen quickly went over to extend his hand, while Chu Ge followed beside him, feeling a bit nervous.

“Chief, you've arrived!”

“Mhm. Elder Chen, you're the patriarch here now. I just had Xiao Qu take me on a tour. The current scale of the Research Institute is many times larger than before, haha.”

“That is all thanks to the support of the Senior Leaders, haha.”

“You...”

“Chu Ge, Academician Chu, you are now a legend in our military—no, you could be called a national legend. Haha, not bad. In the prime of your life, with a promising future ahead.”

“Greetings, Chief!” Chu Ge gave a standard military salute. The Chief straightened his uniform and returned the salute.

After saluting, the Chief walked up to Chu Ge and held his hands firmly, then examined him closely with eyes full of affection. Academician Chen stood by, watching with a smile.

“Let's go, Colonel Chu, and talk about our aerospace carrier. Hmm? Elder Chen, is Chu Ge's military rank still Colonel?”

The Senior Leader suddenly remembered something and turned to ask Academician Chen behind him.

“Ah? It is, I believe. The military's intention was to wait until the aerospace carrier is completed to celebrate and then... then move him up a bit.”

“Oh, it is indeed time for a move. We old fellows will look into it later.” Listening from the side, Chu Ge felt a bit embarrassed. In truth, a military rank wasn't particularly necessary for him personally, but within the Military-Industrial System, the effect of such a rank was enormous. The direct way to manifest honor was through the promotion of military rank.

As Chu Ge and the others entered the meeting room, the crowd that had been whispering immediately sat up straight upon seeing the Chief enter. When Elder Chen and the others came to a halt, the people below all stood up and shouted in unison, “Greetings, Chief!”

“Greetings, comrades. Everyone, please sit. I am just here today to visit everyone. You are the protagonists of this meeting, so just treat me as a listener. Don't be constrained; feel free to speak your minds.” After the Chief finished speaking, he pressed his hands down, signaling for everyone to sit.

“Elder Chen, Chu Ge, you two sit next to me.”

“Yes, Chief,” Chu Ge responded quickly, found his seat, and sat down.

After the Senior Leader whispered a few words to Academician Chen, he turned to face the crowd below. Elder Chen cleared his throat.

“Alright, the meeting will begin. Today’s meeting is a Coordination Meeting. The research institutions, the military, and the military factories are all here. Let’s first lay out the facts and discuss the current progress.”

As the Chief Engineer of the aerospace carrier, Chu Ge naturally stood up first. He gave a brief report to everyone present regarding the recent direction of the work. According to his plans for the next step, the dockyard factory could now prepare to lay the keel.