36: Zhang Yuanhang receives the Order of China

“Phew!”

Comrade Zhang Yuanhang breathed a sigh of relief when he realized that Lin Yun's profuse sweating was due to his own nervousness.

Lin Yun’s sweat had even led Comrade Zhang Yuanhang to mistakenly believe that the insulation layer in his mech cockpit had developed a problem.

“Comrade Xiao Zhang!”

At this moment, China's Top Leader spoke. Seeing this, everyone stopped talking and remained quiet; some researchers even consciously moved away.

Although they didn't know what Comrade Zhang Yuanhang and China's Top Leader would discuss, they felt it was probably not something they should hear.

In a flash, only Comrade Zhang Yuanhang, Lin Yun, Elder Wang, Leader Jia, and Academician Wu remained on the scene.

“Comrade Xiao Zhang, on behalf of the people of Hua Xia, I thank you.”

Through the video, Comrade Zhang Yuanhang saw China's Top Leader stand up and bow deeply to him.

Lin Yun and the others watched China's Top Leader in the video in shock; they hadn't expected China's Top Leader to treat Comrade Zhang Yuanhang with such respect.

Elder Wang, however, watched this scene calmly. He knew that China's Top Leader deeply respected every scientific researcher.

“Chief, you exaggerate. These are all things I should do as a citizen of Hua Xia.”

Comrade Zhang Yuanhang quickly waved his hands. At this moment, Comrade Zhang Yuanhang truly hadn't expected China's Top Leader to bow to him, and for a moment, Comrade Zhang Yuanhang didn't know where to put his hands.

“It is Hua Xia's good fortune that you possess such a mindset!”

China's Top Leader looked at Comrade Zhang Yuanhang with a smile, his eyes filled with satisfaction. “However, our government cannot let you contribute in vain like this.”

China's Top Leader said sternly. Comrade Zhang Yuanhang was willing to selflessly dedicate everything he had, but the country could not simply accept all of it without giving back.

Looking at Comrade Zhang Yuanhang’s young face, China's Top Leader pondered, wanting to award him the Hua Xia Medal, the highest honor in Hua Xia. Originally, China's Top Leader had only planned to award Comrade Zhang Yuanhang an Outstanding Youth award.

Because at the time, China's Top Leader thought that the mech could not be exposed, and giving Comrade Zhang Yuanhang too high an honor was inappropriate. He had originally intended to wait for a suitable opportunity to gradually bestow all honors upon Comrade Zhang Yuanhang.

But now, Comrade Zhang Yuanhang first went to Rong City to develop and manufacture the most advanced engine on Blue Star for the Domestic Large Aircraft Project, and before he could rest for a few days, he then had to tirelessly manufacture Nuclear Reactor Devices for the navy's aircraft carriers.

If Comrade Zhang Yuanhang was not given adequate treatment, China's Top Leader's conscience simply couldn't bear it, so he made a direct decision on the spot.

“Xiao Zhang, you will receive a Hua Xia Medal this year!”

As China's Top Leader's words fell, the scene immediately quieted down. The assistants in China's Top Leader's office in the Capital all widened their eyes, looking at China's Top Leader.

“Gulp!”

Everyone swallowed their saliva.

Du Youguo was very satisfied with the award given by China's Top Leader. In his opinion, only Comrade Zhang Yuanhang was qualified to receive this award this year!

Academician Wu and the other two looked at Comrade Zhang Yuanhang with envy, jealousy, and hatred. They had toiled for decades and had not received the Hua Xia Medal, which only had three recipients each year.

This young lad, Comrade Zhang Yuanhang, had actually received it directly.

“Chief, isn’t this a bit too much?”

“Comrade Xiao Zhang is still so young. Awarding him the Hua Xia Medal this year, won’t it be counterproductive?”

Leader Jia leaned into Elder Wang's ear and spoke slowly, a hint of worry appearing in his eyes. There were countless examples of young people achieving fame only to fall from grace in reality.

Leader Jia worried that the promising Comrade Zhang Yuanhang might also end up going down that path.

“Xiao Jia, I think you’re overthinking it.”

“A person who can calm down and spend several years meticulously building a mech, piece by piece…”

“…is unlikely to be tempted by outside influences and lose his true self.”

Elder Wang looked at Comrade Zhang Yuanhang and said slowly. Leader Jia nodded, but in his heart, he hoped Comrade Zhang Yuanhang would not end up like some young people who achieved fame early and then went down a path of no return.

“Thank you, Chief.”

Comrade Zhang Yuanhang was very happy! Comrade Zhang Yuanhang himself hadn't expected to receive the Hua Xia Medal, which only had three recipients each year.

He used to watch on TV as those who had dedicated their lives to Hua Xia received awards. This year, he was actually going to go up there himself, and Comrade Zhang Yuanhang was a little excited.

“Alright, Xiao Zhang, I won't bother you anymore. You've been busy for most of the day.”

“Get some good rest. The aircraft carrier’s Nuclear Reactor Device will rely on you later.”

China's Top Leader glanced at the time, then at the unhandled documents on his desk, and said with a smile.

“Alright, Chief, rest assured, it won’t be long before our country’s aircraft carriers will be nuclear-powered.”

Comrade Zhang Yuanhang patted his chest and said slowly.

“Good, good. Goodbye, Comrade Xiao Zhang.”

China's Top Leader smiled and ended the video call.

At this moment, an assistant beside China's Top Leader stepped forward, “Chief, the list of the three recipients for this year’s Hua Xia Medal has already been confirmed. How should Comrade Zhang Yuanhang’s situation be handled?”

Everyone looked at China's Top Leader with troubled expressions. It was a dilemma; how should this be handled???

“Give me a copy of the information on the three recipients of this Hua Xia Medal.”

China's Top Leader extended his hand.

One of the assistants immediately found several files and handed them to China's Top Leader. China's Top Leader took the files and read them carefully.

When he saw that one of them, named Zhang Hai, was a nuclear energy expert, a solution emerged in China's Top Leader’s mind.

“Later, send Comrade Xiao Zhang’s recent experimental data and video to Zhang Hai. After he watches the video, I believe he will willingly cede this medal to Comrade Xiao Zhang.”

“Tell Zhang Hai that he will definitely receive the Hua Xia Medal next year.”

“Oh, and send Comrade Xiao Zhang’s data and experimental video to the Nuclear Energy Research Base as well, so they can see it.”

China's Top Leader said slowly. China's Top Leader hoped that the Nuclear Energy Research Base could learn something from Comrade Zhang Yuanhang.

That it could be helpful to their research.

“Understood, Chief.”

The assistants immediately sent the data and experimental video that had just been uploaded from Mountain City to Zhang Hai and the Nuclear Energy Research Base via internal channels… “Teacher, you have an email here, it’s from the Chief’s office!”

“It must be the confirmation that Teacher, you have received the Hua Xia Medal.”

At this moment, Zhang Hai’s student was incredibly excited. News had circulated a month ago that his teacher had received the Hua Xia Medal, and now the official document had finally arrived.

Just thinking that his mentor was a recipient of the Hua Xia Medal made this student extremely excited.

“It shouldn’t be, should it? It’s probably a work email!”

“I’m still far from receiving the Hua Xia Medal.”

Although Zhang Hai said this, he scurried over.

“Teacher, if you’re not even worthy of receiving this year’s Hua Xia Medal, then…”

Zhang Hai’s student hadn’t even finished flattering him when he saw the three big words on the email China's Top Leader sent to his teacher: I’m sorry!

His teacher’s face also turned green, his entire face green with anger, and his whole body trembled uncontrollably.

No way!

Could it be that his teacher wouldn't receive the Hua Xia Medal this time???