The off-road vehicle drove for about ten minutes inside the Canglong Military Region and finally stopped in front of a three-story office building.
There were two armed sentries at the door, their eyes vigilant.
Director Cheng was the first to get out of the car, and a soldier with the rank of colonel on his shoulder quickly came forward, giving a standard military salute:
"You must be Director Cheng of the Fifth Bureau of National Security. Commander Liu is already waiting in his office."
"That's me," Director Cheng nodded, then gestured to the side, "This is Comrade Qin Hao."
Zheng Kai's gaze lingered on Qin Hao for a moment, a hint of curiosity in his eyes, but he quickly returned to a professional expression, nodding slightly:
"Comrade Qin Hao, please."
Qin Hao followed behind Director Cheng, while Zhou Wei and the other two stayed slightly behind.
The group was led to an office on the second floor, which had a sign that read "Commander's Office."
Zheng Kai gently knocked on the door.
"Come in," a deep, steady voice came from inside.
Zheng Kai pushed open the door and made a "please" gesture.
Qin Hao and the others entered the office one by one.
The office was quite large but simply furnished, with a wide desk, a bright red national flag behind it, and a military flag standing beside it.
Behind the desk sat an old man in a dark green uniform, with golden general's stars shining brightly on his shoulders.
He was about sixty years old, with some graying hair, but it was meticulously combed. His face was resolute, exuding authority without anger, and his eyes were sharp.
It was General Liu Zhijun, the supreme Commander of the Canglong Military Region.
"Director Cheng, you're finally here," Liu Zhijun stood up, a smile on his face, and extended his hand.
"Commander Liu, I apologize for the intrusion," Director Cheng shook his hand, seemingly familiar with him.
Liu Zhijun's gaze then turned to Qin Hao, his sharp eyes scrutinizing him from top to bottom, wanting to see through the young man.
Qin Hao felt an invisible pressure coming at him, an aura naturally exuded by someone who had seen much combat and held great power.
He involuntarily straightened his back, trying to appear less awkward.
"This must be Xiao Qin, right?" Liu Zhijun's tone was calm.
"Hello, Commander," Qin Hao quickly responded, feeling a bit nervous.
"Don't be so nervous, relax, make yourself at home," Liu Zhijun noticed Qin Hao's discomfort and said with a smile.
Then he turned to his subordinate and said, "You can go back to your work now."
"Yes!" Zheng Kai responded and then left.
The conference room door was also closed.
"Let's all sit down and talk!" Liu Zhijun casually pulled out a chair and sat down, motioning for Qin Hao and the others to also sit.
"Before you arrived, Old Yang called me and said you had something very important, concerning the future of the country. What exactly is it? You can tell me now, can't you?"
Liu Zhijun spoke first, his gaze fixed on Qin Hao.
As for Old Yang he mentioned, he was the head of the National Security Bureau.
Qin Hao composed himself and briefly reiterated what he had told Director Cheng earlier, emphasizing the ability to replicate matter and the currently known method of electrical energy charging.
Liu Zhijun listened quietly, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the table, his eyes deep.
After Qin Hao finished speaking, he was silent for a few seconds, then slowly began:
"So, theoretically, as long as there's enough energy, you can replicate anything you touch, from a grain of sand to an aircraft carrier?"
"Theoretically, yes," Qin Hao nodded.
"But the energy required to replicate an aircraft carrier, I don't know how much it would be. Also, I need to touch the physical object."
Liu Zhijun nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping across the table, finally resting on a water cup.
He picked up the water cup and handed it to Qin Hao: "Then I'll trouble Xiao Qin to show me. Can this water cup be replicated?"
Although Director Cheng and Zhou Wei had already witnessed it, they still held their breath at this moment. They knew that the upcoming demonstration would directly determine the General's attitude and the extent of the country's subsequent investment.
Qin Hao took the water cup, held it in his right hand, spread his left palm upwards, and silently chanted "replicate" in his mind.
The conference room was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.
Almost the moment the thought fell, under the incredulous gaze of Liu Zhijun and Director Cheng, an identical water cup appeared out of thin air in Qin Hao's left palm!
Liu Zhijun's body shot upright, his pupils suddenly constricting!
He almost lunged forward, taking both water cups from Qin Hao's hand and placing them side by side on the conference table.
Under the light, the two water cups showed no difference in color, texture, or size.
So Liu Zhijun observed carefully.
"This..."
Even though Liu Zhijun had spent his life in the military and had seen many storms, he couldn't help but gasp at this moment, his voice hoarse with disbelief.
He turned to look at Director Cheng, his eyes filled with shock.
Although Director Cheng had seen it before, witnessing it again still made her heart pound. She nodded heavily: "Commander Liu, it's absolutely true."
Zhou Wei and the other two also showed excitement. They knew that this Yanhuang Country General had been completely stunned!
Liu Zhijun put down the water cups, leaned back slightly in his chair, closed his eyes, seemingly calming the tumultuous waves within him.
After a full half a minute, he slowly opened his eyes, a terrifying glint bursting forth.
"Xiao Qin, how much energy did it take to replicate this water cup?" He spoke again, his voice much more solemn than before.
"If we were to replicate some... well, for example, the blades of an aero-engine that our current technology cannot fully conquer, or a certain special alloy, as long as you can get a sample and have enough energy, you can perfectly replicate it, right?"
"Yes, Commander Liu. Replicating the water cup just now only used 3 energy points. This item isn't very valuable, so the energy consumption is small."
Qin Hao answered affirmatively.
"As long as the system can scan it and there's enough energy, the replicated object will be exactly identical to the original in all physical and chemical properties."
"Good! Good! Good!"
Liu Zhijun said "good" three times in a row, slammed the table, stood up, and paced back and forth in the conference room, his excitement evident.
He stopped, his eyes fixed on Qin Hao:
"You said the system can also be upgraded, and it needs ten billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, right?
Xiao Qin, don't worry! Forget ten billion, even a trillion kilowatt-hours, as long as it can upgrade your system and make it play a greater role, the country will go to any lengths to get it for you!"
The General at this moment no longer had any of his usual composure, his face full of excitement!
In his mind, countless thoughts surged.
Those core technologies tightly blockaded by Western countries, those cutting-edge equipment eagerly sought but unobtainable, if they could all be replicated...
Wouldn't the aero-engine problem that had plagued Yanhuang Country for many years be easily solved?
As long as they got one most advanced blade, they could replicate countless blades!
And those Lithography Machines that restricted their high-end chip manufacturing, if they could get one... even if it was just a sample of the core components...
Not to mention various new materials, precision instruments, special equipment...
This was simply a super cheat tailor-made for Yanhuang Country!
What technical barriers, what patent blockades, in front of the Wanwu Fuzhi System (All Things Replication System), they would all become a joke!
Yanhuang Country would completely break free from being constrained by others in many high-tech fields and achieve true scientific and technological take-off!
Thinking of this, Liu Zhijun felt his blood boil, wishing he could immediately report this news to the highest levels.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm his excited emotions, and looked at Qin Hao again, his eyes filled with gratitude.
"Xiao Qin, you have rendered immense service to the country and the nation!" Liu Zhijun said sincerely.
"Rest assured, the country will never mistreat any meritorious official, especially a hero like you, who selflessly dedicated such a national treasure!"
Qin Hao, being praised so highly by a General, even with his improved psychological fortitude, couldn't help but blush at this moment.
He scratched his head: "Commander Liu, you flatter me. I am also a descendant of Yanhuang. Only when the country is strong can we common people stand tall and not be bullied. I just did what I should do."
"Well said! Well said!" Liu Zhijun heavily patted Qin Hao's shoulder, "With young people like you, how can our Yanhuang not prosper!"
He turned to Director Cheng: "Director Cheng, you handled this matter very promptly and very well! You and Comrade Qin Hao are both great heroes!"
Director Cheng smiled slightly: "Commander Liu, this is all our duty."
Liu Zhijun nodded, his expression becoming extremely serious:
"From now on, Comrade Qin Hao's safety will be elevated to the highest level. In addition, regarding the system, apart from those present and a very small number of core high-level officials, no one else must ever know! This matter concerns the fate of the nation, and there can be no mistakes!"
"Yes!"
Director Cheng and Zhou Wei and the other two responded in unison.
Qin Hao looked at the majestic General before him, and the slight apprehension he had felt about handing over the system now vanished into thin air.