Put forward conditions
Zhong Ling listened quietly, and after he finished speaking, she slowly said, "Director Qiao should have conveyed my conditions."
The old man nodded. "We understand your request. Direct communication can improve efficiency and avoid misunderstandings. I agree with this."
He looked at Zhong Ling, his eyes sharper. "So, Comrade Zhong Ling, what kind of 'cooperation' do you hope for?"
Zhong Ling met his gaze without flinching. "It's simple. First, my life must be free from any form of interference or surveillance. Yunxi Village, this place, must remain as it is. I need absolute peace and freedom."
"Second, regarding the secret of cultivating vegetables." She pointed to the vegetable patch. "I can provide samples for your research or specific use. But I can't reveal the source. And you don't need to try to find out. It will do you no good."
"Third," she paused before continuing, "If you need my help or deeper cooperation, you'll need to offer something of equal value in exchange."
The old man listened quietly, tapping his fingers on the stone table, as if weighing something.
Zhou Zhenguo and Qiao Jianmin looked at each other and saw seriousness in each other's eyes.
The conditions proposed by Zhong Ling seemed simple, but were actually harsh, almost requiring her to be given complete autonomy and special treatment.
The air seemed to freeze. Zhou Zhenguo and Qiao Jianmin stood behind the old man, not daring to breathe.
Each of the three conditions Zhong Ling proposed was very assertive, especially the last one, which seemed to be demanding a certain superior status. This was no longer a simple negotiation for cooperation.
The chief researcher was originally looking at the vegetable garden, but when he heard Zhong Ling's words, he retracted his gaze and his expression became serious.
He looked at Zhong Ling with eyes full of inquiry and shock. He knew better than anyone that those seemingly ordinary vegetables might hide secrets that could change the world.
The gentle smile on the old man's face remained unchanged, and his fingers stopped tapping. He raised his eyes and looked back at Zhong Ling calmly, as if weighing something.
"Comrade Zhong Ling, I have heard your conditions clearly. I understand your concerns. Absolute peace and freedom are indeed necessary for a special research environment."
He nodded slightly, expressing a certain degree of approval for the first condition, but then changed the subject: "However, Yunxi Village is located in a remote area, with inconvenient transportation and relatively weak security.
You and your research are of extraordinary value, and leaving them here carries certain risks, both for you personally and for the country."
He did not refute it directly, but approached it from another angle and pointed out the hidden dangers in reality.
"As for the source," the old man continued, his tone frank, "the country respects your reservations. At this stage, we are more concerned about the application value of the results themselves. Exploring the source is not our primary goal."
Zhou Zhenguo and Qiao Jianmin breathed a sigh of relief at these words. They were both aware of the strange situation happening to Li Qiang. Forcing their way to the source would be risky and unknown. The old man had clearly chosen a more pragmatic approach.
"As for the third point, equal exchange," the old man paused, his gaze resting on Zhong Ling's face again, this time with a hint of caution. "The state is never stingy with its meritorious officials. If the technology you possess can be utilized for the benefit of the nation and the people, then your request is not off-limits."
Zhong Ling listened quietly, her expression expressionless, as if all this was within her expectations. She didn't interrupt, waiting for the other party to continue.
Seeing that she was unmoved, the old man knew that empty promises could not impress this young but thoughtful woman in front of him.
He leaned forward slightly, his tone becoming more earnest: "Comrade Zhong Ling, based on the above considerations, on behalf of the country, I would like to offer you a suggestion, or rather, a more optimized cooperation plan."
He paused, making sure Zhong Ling was listening carefully, and then slowly said, "We hope to invite you to Shangjing."
Going to Beijing?
Zhong Ling's eyebrows moved slightly.
"In Shangjing, we can provide you with an exclusive environment with superior conditions and a higher level of security."
The old man spoke slowly, but each word was clear and powerful. "An independent, quiet residence, equipped with all the living facilities you need, to ensure that your life will not be disturbed."
"At the same time," he emphasized, "the country can allocate a large-scale cultivation base for you with specially improved soil and climatic conditions, which will be much larger than your current small courtyard.
You have ownership of the base and can focus on your cultivation work."
"As for the fruits of your cultivation," the old man said, looking at the vegetables, "the state will purchase them at the most favorable price. We can discuss the specific terms in detail, and I guarantee you'll be satisfied."
"The resources, information, and security guarantees of Shangjing are incomparable to those of Yunxi Village." The old man finally said.
"There, your value can be fully realized, and your safety can be most reliably guaranteed. This may be the most responsible arrangement for you."
After saying this, he stopped talking and just looked at Zhong Ling calmly, waiting for her response.
The yard fell silent again, and everyone was waiting for Zhong Ling's answer.
Zhou Zhenguo and Qiao Jianmin's hearts were in their throats. After repeated deductions and weighing the pros and cons, they concluded that this proposal was the most likely to be accepted and the one that best served the national interest.
The only option is to keep Zhong Ling and her "secret" under control while giving them enough respect and benefits.
Zhong Ling lowered her head, her eyes falling on the rough texture of the stone table, as if thinking, going to Beijing?
Going to Beijing means a bigger platform, but also means more potential troubles and constraints.
But the conditions offered by the other party were indeed generous. Moreover, although she seemed to be free in Yunxi Village, she had been in trouble since she came here. She was afraid that she would never be able to have true peace again in the future.
She came to the small world for vacation because she is very powerful. She is afraid of trouble, but because she is powerful, she is not afraid of trouble.
She came to Yunxi Village before just to go with the flow and to resolve the original owner's knot, but now with her own advantages, someone can provide a better holiday environment, so why not? She never treats herself badly.
Zhong Ling weighed the pros and cons in her mind.
After a moment, Zhong Ling raised her head and met the old man's inquiring gaze, her face still calm.
"Go to Beijing..." She uttered these two words softly. Her voice was not loud, but it made everyone present feel nervous.
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