Xiang Ri's method was straightforward: to "copy" the contents of the blue booklet onto a computer and then transmit it to the other party.
Naturally, the "copying" process had to be done by him personally, given the gravity of the information it contained.
Initially, he had considered doing this at an internet café, but the idea was quickly dismissed due to the lack of privacy and abysmal security.
Fortunately, his apprentice had a laptop in her room, typically used for studying. He decided he could borrow it for this purpose.
After all, Xiang Ri had no intention of concealing his identity. For a "transaction" of this nature, any attempts at secrecy would likely prove futile. In a vast country like this, there was no shortage of skilled trackers; uncovering his identity would take no time at all.
Fully aware of this, Xiang Ri chose to face the situation head-on and contact the other party openly.
It took him over an hour to manually input all the data from the booklet into the computer—remarkable, considering the contents were in English. If they had been written in Chinese, the process might have been far more laborious.
Once everything was prepared, Xiang Ri dialed the classified number given to him by his "future father-in-law."
"Hello, this is Chen Guodong." A deep voice answered, carrying a faint but unmistakable military authority that left no doubt about the man's profession.
"General Chen?" Although Xiang Ri was confident about the identity of the person on the line, he asked out of polite caution.
"Yes, I am. Who are you?" The unfamiliar voice put General Chen on alert, his tone reflecting his wariness.
"I wish to propose a transaction," Xiang Ri said, bypassing the question and going straight to the point.
Meanwhile, in an underground laboratory on the outskirts of the capital, a middle-aged man with a square-shaped face was standing in front of a massive computer. Holding the phone in one hand, he gestured at the screen's icons with the other. Several researchers in white lab coats stood nearby, occasionally nodding in response.
"A transaction?" The square-faced man paused briefly at the unexpected term before regaining his composure. With a subtle hand motion, he signaled a young researcher standing closest to him to trace the caller's location.
It was rare for someone aware of his identity to contact him for a deal. This intrigued him. He wanted to see who the caller was—someone not only privy to his highly restricted contact number but also bold enough to speak so candidly. He just hoped it wasn't one of those political schemers; Chen Guodong preferred to steer clear of politics.
"What kind of transaction are you proposing?"
"Give me an email address—a highly secure one," came the response, the voice youthful and brimming with confidence. "Once you see the contents, you'll understand."
"No problem. I'll give it to you now. Take note," Chen Guodong said, reciting a string of digits.
As soon as he finished, the young researcher beside him leaned in and whispered two words into his ear.
"Beihai?" Chen Guodong rubbed his chin thoughtfully. There weren't many familiar faces associated with that place. If anyone came to mind, it was only one person—but the voice didn't match, and that individual wasn't the type to meddle in political affairs.
Before Chen Guodong could delve deeper into his thoughts, the voice on the other end interrupted, "You can check the email now. I believe its contents won't disappoint you. I'll hang up for now—review it, and then decide whether to proceed with the transaction." With that, the line went dead.
Chen Guodong wasn't offended by the abrupt end to the call. He immediately operated the massive computer and accessed the email. Sure enough, there was a freshly received message, which he opened at once.
"Theory and Practice of Stealth Aircraft." Although the document was written in English, it posed no difficulty for Chen Guodong to read.
At the sight of the title, his heart stirred, prompting him to scrutinize the contents even more closely. The deeper he delved, the more captivated he became. Despite his non-technical background, he quickly grasped the immense value of the information. Without hesitation, he called the surrounding researchers to join him—these were the true experts in the field.
A group of senior scientists, their hair turned white from years of dedication to their respective disciplines, gathered around. At first glance at the data, their eyes lit up with a fervor akin to enchantment. They stared at the screen, utterly mesmerized.
It was only after a long while that the researchers snapped back to reality, some showing expressions of sudden enlightenment, as if a persistent problem that had plagued them for years had just been resolved.
Not everyone was entirely satisfied, though. An elderly researcher, the apparent senior among them with a balding forehead, voiced his frustration: "Guodong, why is there only this portion? Based on the content, there should be a second half. If we had it, producing a fully functional stealth aircraft wouldn't just be a dream."
From their reactions, Chen Guodong became even more convinced of the document's significance. Yet he sought further assurance. "Dr. Fang, do you believe this could work?"
The eldest researcher nodded firmly. "Judging by the described methods and analyzed materials, there's a high likelihood. But with the second half, I'd feel even more confident."
He paused, then hesitated briefly before adding, "However, attempting such an endeavor would require at least hundreds of billions of dollars in funding, not to mention years of development. Guodong, may I ask where this document..."
Before he could finish, he felt a subtle tap on his waist. Turning around, he saw his closest colleague giving him a sharp glance and signaling for silence. He immediately understood and refrained from probing further.
In many nations, it's not uncommon for intelligence operatives to acquire breakthroughs from foreign research, but such matters weren't for him to question. Changing the subject, he asked, "By the way, Guodong, when can we expect the second half of the document?"
Chen Guodong, of course, noticed the subtle exchange between the two scientists but chose to feign ignorance. Some matters, he reasoned, were better left unexplained. Following the new question, he replied, "The second half should arrive soon. I'll make a call to expedite it." With that, he stepped aside and dialed the number he had received earlier.
"Are you ready for the transaction?" Before Chen Guodong could speak, the young voice on the other end preempted him, as if firmly in control of the situation.
"Yes!" For a document of such significance, Chen Guodong agreed without hesitation. However, he made a bold request: "Could you send the second half first?" He anticipated rejection, suspecting the other party had held it back to prevent betrayal.
Surprisingly, the response was immediate and affirmative. "All right, give me a moment." The sound of rapid keystrokes followed, and within seconds, the voice returned. "Done."
"You're not worried I might take the material and refuse to pay?" Chen Guodong, delaying his review of the new document, probed further. He was curious about the young man's mindset—such valuable information was a temptation few could resist, himself included.
Given Dr. Fang's earlier assessment, the required investment ran into hundreds of billions. Surely the other party was aware. Why, then, was he so forthcoming?
The reply once again defied Chen Guodong's expectations. "I trust that a patriotic and honorable nation wouldn't betray someone loyal to its cause."
"Well said," Chen Guodong acknowledged. He couldn't deny the sentiment, nor would the state allow him to. For every individual who contributed to the nation, the rewards would be commensurate with their efforts—this was a certainty.
Yet, a pressing dilemma loomed for the general: he had no idea what price to offer. In hindsight, he regretted not negotiating terms beforehand.
After all, this was an immense sum. Even a wealthy nation should economize where possible. He decided to broach the subject delicately. "By the way, we didn't discuss the price earlier. What are your expectations? You know our country isn't as affluent as the Western powers, so the amount might not be as high."
"I understand. If money were my primary goal, I could easily sell this elsewhere. As a patriot, however, my first thought is always for my homeland. Just give me a token sum—I'm not greedy," the young man replied, his tone carrying a hint of playful irony.
Chen Guodong wasn't naïve enough to take this at face value. Such a monumental expense wasn't within his purview to approve. "I'll need to consult my superiors on this matter. Can you wait a moment?"
"Sure, I have no problem with that. Let me know when you have an answer," the young man said before hanging up.
At that moment, a young researcher who had been quietly working on the computer approached. "Sir, we've traced the caller's information!"
"Hmm." Chen Guodong accepted the freshly printed report without hesitation, as if he had absolute confidence in the efficiency of his team.