21: Chapter 21 Crossroads of Fate
Long Zhantian placed the complete evaluation report regarding Lin Mo, along with his analysis of potential risks, in front of Elder Chen. Only the two of them remained in the command room, and the air was so heavy it felt as if it could be wrung out like water.
"Elder Chen, this is the worst-case deduction," Long Zhantian's voice was low and calm, devoid of any personal emotion, simply stating a possible fact. "If Lin Mo, or rather 'Patriot X', at some point in the future, due to a change in personal will, external temptation or coercion, or even a sense of inflation from his own growing abilities, leads to a wavering of his stance, what will we face?"
The report listed shocking possibilities: a cutoff of technology supply, leakage of critical information, or even the technology being used against Dragon Country... The consequences of each possibility were enough to deal a heavy blow to the rising Dragon Country, and might even cause all efforts to go to waste.
Elder Chen did not speak, merely flipping through the report in silence, his graying eyebrows tightly knit. He understood Long Zhantian's concerns; as a person in charge of national security, it was his duty to consider all potential threats.
"Zhantian, I understand your concerns," Elder Chen finally spoke, his voice slightly hoarse yet carrying an unquestionable firmness. "However, we cannot stifle hope now just because risks might exist in the future, let alone push an ally to the opposing side."
He stood up, walked to the massive star map, and pointed at the brilliant starry sky. "Look at the sky above our heads. Pretty Country and its allies are doing everything they can to pin us firmly to the ground, making even a glance at the stars feel like an extravagant hope. It is 'Patriot X', it is Lin Mo, who has given us the key to break free from our chains and rush toward the sea of stars!"
He turned around, his gaze burning as he stared at Long Zhantian. "From materials to energy, and then to power, which of the technologies he sent wasn't timely assistance? Which wasn't a pillar of the nation? Of everything he has done so far, which piece has harmed the interests of Dragon Country? Which piece wasn't him giving his all to help us?"
"We cannot guard against him or restrict him as we would an enemy just because he 'might' change!" Elder Chen’s emotions were somewhat stirred. "Trust is mutual! Any trace of distrust we show him now could become the beginning of a rift in the future! His willingness to contribute anonymously is in itself an expression of ultimate trust! We cannot betray that trust!"
Long Zhantian remained silent, Elder Chen's words striking his heart like a heavy hammer. How could he not know Lin Mo's value and contributions? But his duty forced him to consider the worst-case scenario.
"I'm not trying to treat him as an enemy," Long Zhantian said slowly. "I only hope for a more complete contingency plan, a more secure way to ensure this 'national fortune' remains forever in the hands of the nation, rather than being tied to a single individual."
"Then go protect him, guide him, and make him truly identify with this land, to see this country as the 'home' he must guard!" Elder Chen said decisively. "Instead of pushing him away with cold terms and surveillance! I believe that someone who can produce such technology and choose to offer it to the nation for free has a breadth of mind and a vision that neither you nor I can easily fathom. His goals likely surpassed personal gain or loss long ago, and perhaps even transcended the conflicts between nations."
Elder Chen walked up to Long Zhantian and patted his shoulder heavily, speaking with deep sincerity. "Zhantian, in extraordinary times, one must act extraordinarily, and one must have extraordinary courage and trust. I believe that when it comes to Lin Mo, we cannot afford to gamble, and even less can we afford to lose. But we certainly cannot be afraid to gamble on this sure-win game just because we're afraid of losing! My opinion is to maintain the current strategy: highest-level protection, limited observation, no interference unless absolutely necessary, and pouring out all our sincerity to earn his true sense of belonging!"
Long Zhantian looked at the near-burning trust and determination in Elder Chen's eyes, then recalled the clarity and steadiness in the young man's eyes when he played chess with Lin Mo. He was silent for a full minute, the only sound in the command room being the heavy breathing of the two men.
Finally, he took a deep breath and nodded heavily.
"I understand, Elder Chen. I accept your judgment." Long Zhantian's eyes regained their sharpness. "I will adjust the plan to incorporate 'trust' and 'the construction of a sense of belonging' into the core security strategy. We will show him that Dragon Country is worth entrusting everything to."
"Good! Excellent!" Elder Chen smiled with relief.
At the same time the core leadership of Dragon Country was making their final decision on how to treat Lin Mo, the atmosphere in James Craig's office at CIA headquarters was exceptionally oppressive.
A briefing from a peripheral intelligence station in Asia, marked as "low priority," was placed on his desk again by his deputy. It mentioned the "abnormally behaving college student" Lin Mo and the "coincidence" that he had recently seemed to find it easier to obtain certain "specific specification" metal materials.
"Sir, although the credibility is low, is this bit of 'coincidence' worth us looking deeper into..." the deputy suggested cautiously.
Craig waved his hand irritably; his mind was currently filled with how to respond to his superior's questioning regarding the "unusual calm" in Dragon Country's technological sector.
"A college student? A bit of metal material? Don't waste our precious intelligence resources on such insignificant trifles!" he snapped. "What I want is breakthrough intelligence on Dragon Country's national-level projects! Not this kind of street-corner rumor! Focus your energy on the right path!"
"Yes, sir!" The deputy dared not say more and silently withdrew.
Craig did not know that with this casual wave of his hand, he had completely pushed away an opportunity that might have unraveled the mystery.
At the fork in the road of destiny, Dragon Country chose trust and protection filled with sincerity, while Pretty Country, due to arrogance and prejudice, brushed past the truth. At this moment, Lin Mo's future was steered in a completely different direction.