The fact that Jiang Feng, wearing those mechanical legs that gleamed with a cold, hard metallic sheen, attempted to walk in Liu Wenjun's yard was like a supernova thrown into a calm lake, instantly triggering an unprecedented shockwave within the core circle of the military region's high command!
In just two days, the news spread like wildfire, from the military hospital to the research institute, and then to the highest-level leader's office.
The first reaction of everyone who saw that blurry image was disbelief!
How could a soldier who lost his left leg walk so steadily? The fluid movements and precise support are something that no known prosthetic limb of this era can achieve!
"A miracle! This is an epoch-making miracle!" The old general, with gray hair and in charge of logistics and equipment, slammed his fist on the table and stood up, his voice trembling with excitement.
"This must be reported immediately! Top secret! This technology... this technology could change the fate of so many wounded and disabled soldiers!"
Another leader's eyes gleamed with ecstatic joy.
"That Mingzhao... Howard's wife? How... how did she do it?" After the initial shock came endless questions and a desire to explore.
As Huo Hua's direct superior and the first to know about Ming Zhao's "abnormalities," Wang Lü bore the greatest pressure and also saw the most profound significance.
He knew that this was not just good news for Jiang Feng, but also a hope for countless soldiers who had lost limbs on the battlefield and had to retire from active service in despair to stand up again!
Even more so... if it is extended to society and benefits more ordinary people who are disabled due to work-related injuries, its significance is immeasurable!
Following an emergency, small-scale high-level meeting, Wang Lü, carrying a heavy responsibility and filled with barely suppressed excitement, personally arrived at the Huo family's courtyard.
He was followed by only one absolutely reliable bodyguard, who looked serious.
The courtyard gate was ajar. Wang Lü pushed it open and entered, only to find this scene before him:
Mingzhao was squatting in the corner of the courtyard, holding a disassembled old alarm clock. She deftly connected several thin, hair-like wires to a palm-sized metal cube that shimmered with a faint blue light. Howard sat on a small stone stool nearby, peeling an apple, the peels thin and long, stretching endlessly. The bandage on his shoulder had been removed and replaced with a lightweight support strap. Although his face was still somewhat pale, his spirits were noticeably better.
Upon seeing Wang Lü enter, Howard immediately stood up and saluted: "Commander!"
Mingzhao merely glanced up, her gaze lingering on Wang Lü for less than half a second before returning to the little trinket in her hand, as if it were just a gust of wind that had entered.
Wang Lü waved his hand, gesturing for Huo Hua to sit down, but his gaze remained fixed on Ming Zhao, with an unprecedented solemnity and a hint of barely perceptible earnestness: "Comrade Ming Zhao, I'm sorry to bother you."
Mingzhao didn't respond, her fingers flying across the wires and the metal cube.
The pale blue light flickered rhythmically with her movements, emitting an extremely faint hum.
Wang Lü took a deep breath and cut straight to the point, his tone deep and powerful: "Comrade Mingzhao, on behalf of the military region and countless soldiers who have been injured and are eager to stand up again, I extend my highest respect to you! We saw the mechanical leg you made for Comrade Jiang Feng! It was a miracle! A miracle that could change the fate of countless people!"
He paused, observing Mingzhao's reaction. Mingzhao kept her head down, focused on adjusting the wire, as if Wang Lü's passionate speech was less important than the copper wire in her hand.
Undeterred, Wang Lü continued in a deep voice, "Comrade Mingzhao, the country and the army need this technology! They need it to help more heroes like Comrade Jiang Feng! So, I've come today with a sincere request!"
He finally revealed his core objective: "The military region hopes that you will agree to authorize the design blueprints of this technology, namely the 'first generation of basic neural connection assistive exoskeleton' you mentioned, to Hongxing Machinery Factory for subsequent research and development and production! Hongxing Factory is one of the top precision machinery manufacturing plants in our country, with sufficient technical reserves and confidentiality capabilities! Rest assured, the country and the military will never fail to reward your contributions! The honors, rewards, and benefits you deserve will be implemented at the highest level!"
Howard, listening nearby, felt a pang of anxiety. He knew the importance of this technology, but he also understood Mingzhao's character even better.
She researches things seemingly purely out of interest or to solve a specific problem, and seems to have no concept of honors, awards, or national strategies.
Will the leader's request backfire?
After Wang Lü finished speaking, he held his breath, staring intently at Ming Zhao, awaiting her response. The air seemed to freeze.
A few seconds of silence. The only sound was the faint buzzing of the wire in Mingzhao's hand touching the metal cube.
Finally, Mingzhao stopped what she was doing. She raised her head, her clear eyes looking at Wang Lü, without any excitement, hesitation, or difficulty, as calm as if she were deciding what to have for dinner.
She nodded.
A huge surprise instantly flashed in Wang Lv's eyes!
It's done! He could barely contain his smile!
However, Mingzhao then shook his head.
Wang Lv's smile froze instantly, and his heart sank.
She shook her head? She disagreed? Why? Was she dissatisfied with the terms? Or did she have other concerns? Howard's heart also tightened.
"Comrade Mingzhao, is there something you're worried about?" Brigade Wang asked hastily, his tone urgent. "Just tell me what you need! As long as it's within our capabilities, the military region will do its utmost to meet your needs!"
Mingzhao tilted her head slightly, seemingly puzzled by Wang Lü's sudden nervousness.
She had no reservations. On the contrary, after Howard's injury during the last mission, Mingzhao was very willing to share what she knew.
Soldiers! Should not be injured because of outdated weaponry! This was her original intention as a researcher!
Once upon a time, just moments before the garbage planet exploded, it was soldiers who risked their lives to save Mingzhao's life!
She stood up, patted the dust off her hands, the movement as casual as if she were brushing away some dirt.
Then, looking at Wang Lü, she posed a question in her signature, calm yet crystal-clear tone that instantly petrified both Wang Lü and Howard:
"Just the legs?"
Wang Lv: "...??" He wondered if he had misheard.
"Just the legs? What does that mean?"
Mingzhao seemed to sense that he hadn't understood, so she added, speaking slowly and clearly, each word enunciated with her characteristic straightforwardness and honesty:
"A robotic arm. That can also be done."
boom--!
Wang Lü felt as if a bomb had been dropped into his head! It blew his mind blank! His ears were ringing!
hand? !
A robotic arm?!
A miracle similar to that mechanical leg that allowed people to walk again?! She...she can even make mechanical arms?!
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