212: 212. Put away dangerous thoughts.
The informal dinner, originally intended to build trust and foster a warm atmosphere, had completely changed its nature due to Lu Feng's shocking revelation in the tea room.
That night, the State Guesthouse area appeared calm, but in reality, undercurrents surged. Security levels were silently elevated to an unprecedented degree, and all information flows were strictly blocked.
Lu Feng was arranged to rest in the highest-level suite, and The Helmsman held a secret all-night talk with him for several hours.
No one knew what they specifically discussed. When The Helmsman left before dawn, his face bore an extremely complex expression: weariness, profound shock, and a certain determined resolve.
On the other side, in a quiet but heavily guarded courtyard, which was The Helmsman's residence, Lü Chenxing had been waiting for a long time.
He was restless, and the tea had been refilled several times but remained untouched.
His silence and solemnity infected the entire family atmosphere. Although The Helmsman's family did not know exactly what had happened, they could feel the tension of an impending storm. Even the servants dared not speak loudly.
The atmosphere was extremely oppressive.
It wasn't until they saw The Helmsman return, covered in dew and fatigue, that all his family members collectively breathed a sigh of relief, as if their pillar of strength had returned.
The Helmsman said little, only reassuring his worried wife with a glance, then gave a slight nod to Lü Chenxing. The two walked into the study, one after another. The heavy wooden door slowly closed, isolating the inside from the outside.
Inside the study, the lights were bright. The Helmsman did not rest immediately. Instead, he stood by the window, gazing at the gradually awakening city outside. His silhouette in the morning light appeared somewhat heavy, yet it exuded a determined resolve.
After a long while, he finally turned around. Although his eyes were bloodshot, his gaze was as sharp as ever.
He did not explain the specific content of last night's conversation. Instead, he immediately began to issue clear and decisive orders, his voice deep but carrying an undeniable power:
"First, immediately elevate the security level of Lu Feng and all associated enterprises and personnel to the highest, code-named 'Cornerstone.' Use all necessary force to ensure his absolute safety, with priority above all else."
"Second, establish a top-secret special working department, code-named Ninth Bureau, directly under your responsibility and my vertical leadership. The working group's sole mission: to coordinate all national resources to unconditionally meet any reasonable demands put forward by Lu Feng and his team in scientific research, industry, and even his personal needs, clearing all obstacles. Remember, it is unconditional; no department may delay or question for any reason."
"Third, comprehensively seal off and re-examine all past information related to Lu Feng and his family, initiating the highest level of information purification procedures to erase all unnecessary traces and potential risk points."
"Fourth, adjust the national medium- and long-term scientific and technological and industrial development plans, taking the Tingfeng System's technological path and strategic direction as the core reference system and accelerator, to fully integrate and prioritize them."
These orders completely bound Lu Feng and the power he represented to the core destiny of the nation, granting him unprecedented status and authority.
Lü Chenxing quickly recorded, cold sweat seeping from his palms, his heart surging. He knew that the nation's trajectory would undergo a profound shift starting from this night.
When the orders were issued, he finally couldn't hold back. He looked up, his voice trembling almost imperceptibly, and asked the most crucial question: "The Helmsman... he... Mr. Lu... is this... an unstable factor that we cannot comprehend? Can we... control him?"
He used extremely subtle phrasing, but the meaning was clear: facing such an existence beyond comprehension, how could the bottom line of national security be guaranteed?
The Helmsman heard this, raised his eyes, and looked sharply at Lü Chenxing, a gaze that made Lü Chenxing's heart clench.
"Control?"
The Helmsman suddenly turned back, his gaze like lightning, directly at Lü Chenxing, his tone carrying unprecedented severity: "Comrade Chenxing, abandon such dangerous thoughts! Immediately! Completely!"
He took a deep breath, his tone softened, but every word was as heavy as a thousand pounds: "He is not an 'unstable factor'; he is the 'Cornerstone'! He is the 'Cornerstone' of whether our nation can stand firm, or even lead the trend, in the future great changes! As for control..."
The Helmsman's face showed a complex, inscrutable, and even somewhat reverent expression: "Abandon such dangerous and impractical thoughts. The level of ability that gentleman possesses... is different. It is by no means something we can measure by common sense, let alone something any worldly power can control, do you understand?"
Just then, there was a gentle knock on the study door. An old professor with white hair and an elegant demeanor, who had been waiting outside, was led in.
He was a leading authority in domestic cognitive science and consciousness research, summoned urgently, and still had a hint of confusion on his face.
The Helmsman did not exchange pleasantries, but asked with a grave expression: "Professor Chen, I have a theoretical question for you. Suppose, just suppose, if... I mean if, there exists a person who can completely control dreams, and even... interfere with others' consciousness. Then, what does this world mean to him?"
Although Professor Chen was puzzled as to why he was summoned late at night to answer such an abstruse question, he still pondered meticulously for a moment, pushed up his reading glasses, and replied earnestly: "The Helmsman, if such a person truly exists, then from the perspective of cognitive science, this reality we inhabit, constructed by sensory information and collective consensus, will hold almost no secrets for him."
He further explained, his tone carrying an academic wonder: "Because all information ultimately needs to be perceived and processed through consciousness. His ability to manipulate consciousness means he can read the memories, knowledge, and even subconscious thoughts in the minds of any individual he comes into contact with. For example... this conversation we are having right now, as long as it is within his perceptual range, will be presented as data in his consciousness, unable to be hidden."
The old professor paused, then stated an even more chilling possibility: "Even... this is not just reading. Theoretically, if the ability is strong enough, he might be able to... tamper with information within consciousness, or... add some memories or cognitions that were not originally there..."
Upon hearing these words, Lü Chenxing felt a chill instantly rush from the soles of his feet straight to the crown of his head, and all the hairs on his body stood on end at that moment!!!
He finally fully understood why The Helmsman had so sternly corrected his wording, and why he emphasized not to have other thoughts!
Control?
In the face of an ability that can freely read, and even potentially tamper with, your thoughts and memories, any attempt at control seems so ridiculous, so pale, and... extremely dangerous!
All your plans, all your trump cards, even your supposedly independent thoughts, might be completely transparent in the eyes of the other party.
To be an enemy of such an existence, or even to harbor a single thought of control or utilization, would be tantamount to courting disaster!
This has already transcended the checks and balances of power, entering a dimension where mortals face a deity!
The Helmsman looked at Lü Chenxing's instantly pale face, knowing that he had understood the gravity of the problem, and said in a deep voice: "Now, do you understand? The relationship with Mr. Lu can only be one of honest cooperation, absolute trust, and... heartfelt respect. Any superfluous thought is a path to disaster, and even a destruction of national strategy."
"Moreover, the other party could clearly use the ability to tamper and make you and I puppets, but he still chose to be frank. This is already the best outcome."
Lü Chenxing fell silent. Indeed, it was true; such an existence would find it very simple to take over a nation.
The Helmsman waved his hand, dismissing Professor Chen, who was also startled by his own deduction, to go back and rest, and demanded absolute secrecy regarding the content of tonight's conversation.
Only the two of them remained in the study.
Lü Chenxing took several deep breaths to barely suppress the shock in his heart. He looked at The Helmsman, his eyes devoid of any doubt, leaving only absolute obedience and clear understanding: "The Helmsman, I understand. Mr. Lu is an absolute ally, a spark of civilization. Our duty is to give everything, to serve and collaborate, to ensure his safety and stability, and to jointly face all future challenges."
The Helmsman nodded, tired but relieved. Lü Chenxing had thoroughly grasped this most important lesson.
Cooperation with Lu Feng must be built on absolute trust and common interests. Any trace of calculation or reservation could lead to unpredictable and catastrophic consequences...