"Don't say that, Dr. Zhong..."
"I originally intended to hand over the Institute of Biotechnology to you, but due to this unforeseen event, things have to be postponed. You have more important things to do, and the responsibility will have to be shouldered by you, the younger generation."
"clear."
Old Zhong suddenly raised his eyes, smiled with relief, and patted Jiang Cheng's shoulder with his aged hand. "A few days ago, the leader and I discussed this incident. I've come to say something to you."
He lowered his eyes and said, “I have been doing scientific research all my life, so I naturally understand the mentality of us researchers. Once you get into this field, you have to give up a lot of other things. Only by focusing on one thing can you achieve the brilliance of scientific research. So I also hate complicated matters in essence.”
"But some things always have to be done by someone," Zhong Lao paused for a moment before continuing.
"Now that humanity is establishing a federation, what will be the defining moment of the next era? Most likely, it will be war, and I believe you understand that. Before, you were a researcher hidden in the lab, free from all worries, only needing to focus on your own work. But today, things are different..."
This statement aroused Jiang Cheng's doubt, and he looked at the old man with confusion.
"Logically speaking, it's a bit of a stretch to ask someone to step up... but there's no other way, someone has to step up. Your current position in the research community is unique, but the leadership intends to give you some other status."
"The status in different fields," Professor Zhong added.
Jiang Cheng's pupils constricted sharply. "War?"
"Yes, it seems you understand what I mean, which is war. Commanders are indispensable in times of war, but now no one can step forward to take over this position. Whoever comes, it will be difficult to convince the people. And this person cannot be from the high-ranking positions, nor can he/she be from any other class. Only you are innocent."
Jiang Cheng was stunned for a moment.
It wasn't that he was unwilling to accept the information that Professor Zhong was implying, but rather that he didn't think he could do it well.
The word "war" is a serious and mysterious term.
It exists in every corner of human civilization and in every chapter of history books.
It is the way for mankind to pursue peace, acquire resources, and resolve conflicts; it is an eternal and unchanging ultimate topic.
Where there is life, there will be war, whether it is visible or invisible.
Leaving aside humans, even two tigers in the same mountain will fight fiercely for their territory and risk their lives for a female—this is a vivid microcosm of war.
Wars are started to pursue something; once obtained, they can end; if not obtained, they will never cease.
This thing is cruel and bloody; it's not laboratory equipment, not a thrilling research process, and not a research topic in Jiangcheng.
Some will die, their bodies lying between heaven and earth, perishing in places overgrown with weeds, and disappearing into the vast universe.
Like Marlen, devoured into a skeleton, like Klin, whose internal organs were shattered and whose lower body was pierced. The destruction of lives is measured in millions and tens of millions. Gunfire and artillery fire, temperatures of thousands of degrees, all kinds of terrifying modern weapons, broken limbs and bones, throwing bodies into the blue sky—this is war.
Jiang Cheng was just an ordinary researcher. He deeply understood that war and scientific research were two different things. Although both required the use of the brain, they were worlds apart.
A vivid analogy can be used to explain why he hesitated.
On the battlefield, there were many brave soldiers. They all came from peaceful families. Some were ordinary working-class boys from Lanjing, while others were blond-haired, blue-eyed teenagers from the Pittsburgh River. With the belief that they should strive for the fate of the human community, they sang heroically and raised their weapons to declare war on the invaders.
Every decision the commander made was a choice of "life or death" for them, and it wasn't just one person's life or death, but a tragedy for a group of people, or even several families.
No one can afford this price.
Jiang Cheng was decisive and intelligent, but he was too soft-hearted. In fact, the position of commander was demanding for many people. Because those who could sit in this position were all of iron will, unbreakable, and no amount of bombing could shake their hearts.
When faced with an inescapable choice, he asked himself if his heart was hard enough.
When the captain ordered Krillin to go inside, he made a fateful decision for the young man, and Krillin died. Did the captain feel any guilt when he saw his teammate, whom he treated like a child, vomiting blood...?
Nothing can be obtained without paying a price.
Peace requires the accumulation of corpses.
And this is the meaning of war; it is a means, an essential path to pursue certain things!
For thousands of years, humanity has forged glory with blood and tears. What have they been pursuing?
Rights? The world? The people's peaceful and prosperous life?
Leaving aside the obvious, now that humanity has reached this stage of development, the pursuit is both simpler and more difficult.
All we want is peace.
Putting aside his abilities, Jiang Cheng didn't think he could shoulder this responsibility.
After all, he is nineteen years old this year.
What were other people doing at nineteen? Perhaps they were in love, a smile playing on their lips as they whispered sweet nothings, arms around their loved one on a rooftop, gazing at the gentle breeze and bright moon. Or maybe they were working in an electronics factory, dreaming of a future with a car and a house, a happy family, and a place to call home in the cold city. Or perhaps they were drifting aimlessly, waking up to eat, eating until they were full, then going back to sleep, lost and confused, lost in their confusion.
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