Chapter 146 A Cunning Plan: False Intelligence
The atmosphere at the Haitang Technology Research Institute has been a bit strange lately.
Ever since that Chairman Bai used the tactic of "splitting into two" to turn the originally tense R&D department into two competing groups that were holding their breath against each other, the entire research institute has been as energetic as if it had been injected with chicken blood.
Bright lights were the norm, and the researchers passing by in the corridors had sparks in their eyes—not of hatred, but of a burning fighting spirit that said, "You wait, I'll definitely get it done before you."
Looking at this scene, Zhou Jimin felt both happy and worried.
The good news is that the internal friction has disappeared, and everyone's energy is now focused on working together to overcome the technical challenges.
What troubles him is that he has to cooperate with Director Bai in putting on an act.
That afternoon, another "fierce" argument broke out in Zhou Jimin's office.
"No! Absolutely not!" Zhou Jimin slammed a draft paper covered with complex circuit diagrams on the table, his voice rising sharply, his face turning red.
"This idea is too radical! Our existing simulation environment simply cannot support such complex parallel computing. Once overloaded, the data models we have accumulated may all collapse!"
Across from him, Bai Shu appeared relaxed, but his tone carried an undeniable forcefulness.
“Professor Zhou, I invited you here not so you could stick to the old ways.” Her voice wasn’t loud, but it was clearly heard by the researchers who happened to be passing by outside the door.
"I've got the equipment sorted out for you. I've also provided ample funding. Now you're telling me you're afraid of failure? Zhang Cheng and his team in Group A are taking a steady and methodical approach; they might have some initial results soon."
"That's different!" Zhou Jimin stood up anxiously and paced back and forth in the office.
“Zhang Cheng and his team are following a mature approach. What Sun Lei from Group B needs to do is to forge a new path! A new path means risk! Mr. Bai, you are a businessman, you don’t understand. In scientific research, a small mistake can lead to a huge error!”
“I really don’t understand scientific research.” Bai Shu stood up, walked to Zhou Jimin’s side, picked up the draft paper, and his eyes flashed with a light that Zhou Jimin couldn’t understand.
“But I understand human nature and the market. I’m only giving you three days. Within three days, I need to see a preliminary feasibility report for this plan. Otherwise, all of Group B’s resources will be redirected to Group A.”
After saying that, she put the draft paper on the table, turned around and left. The sound of her high heels hitting the ground seemed to pound on Zhou Jimin's heart.
"Chairwoman Bai! Chairman Bai!" Zhou Jimin chased after her to the door, but seeing her resolute back, he could only slam his fist on the door frame in frustration, his face full of resentment.
The office door was closed, shutting out all the probing gazes from outside.
Zhou Jimin let out a long breath, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and felt his calves go weak.
Acting with a rich girl is more tiring than doing research and development! I don't even know if her acting skills are up to par.
Meanwhile, in a corner of R&D Group A, deputy Zhang Cheng was looking down, seemingly focused on calculating data, but a glint of shrewdness flashed in his eyes hidden behind his black-rimmed glasses.
The atmosphere at the research institute became even more tense over the next two days.
The people in Group B are like madmen, staying in the lab all day, barely eating a few bites of food.
An atmosphere of "major technological breakthroughs are just around the corner" has quietly spread.
Qin Zheng reported to Bai Shu every day without fail.
"Miss, Zhang Cheng contacted Sun Lei from Group B at noon today under the pretext of asking for advice."
"At 11:05 p.m., he went into the archives again and stayed for nineteen minutes, five minutes longer than usual."
“Just now, he went to the break room and deliberately spilled Professor Zhou’s teacup. He then took the opportunity to apologize and stood next to Professor Zhou’s desk for thirty seconds.”
As Bai Zhu listened to the report, his fingertips lightly glided across the smooth mahogany table surface, his eyes calm and undisturbed.
The fish had been circling the bait for too long and had lost patience.
It's time to put the hook to its mouth.
On the evening of the third day, Bai Shu came to Zhou Jimin's office again.
This time, she wasn't there to "exert pressure".
She brought a cup of imported coffee that had been airlifted from Shanghai and personally brewed a cup for Zhou Jimin, whose eyes were sunken from working for two days and two nights.
"Professor Zhou, thank you for your hard work." Bai Shu handed over the coffee, his tone much gentler. "I was too hasty the other day, please don't take it to heart."
Zhou Jimin accepted the gift with a flattered expression, waving his hands repeatedly: "It's no trouble at all, it's my duty."
The two chatted for a few minutes about some trivial technical details. Bai Shu glanced at his watch and stood up.
"I won't bother you any longer, I'll head back now. Oh, by the way, please keep this core manuscript of the 'Dawn' project safe, it represents all our hard work."
She pointed to the draft paper on the table covered with "incorrect algorithms" and solemnly instructed him.
"Yes, yes, I know, I know!" Zhou Jimin nodded repeatedly, as if afraid that she would not trust him. He picked up the manuscript, opened the bottom drawer on the right, and casually stuffed it in.
Then, in front of Bai Shu, he picked up the keys, but "accidentally" dropped the keychain on the ground, making a crisp sound.
He bent down to pick it up, muttering, "Oh dear, people get old, their hands and feet aren't so nimble anymore..."
Bai Shu slightly curled the corners of his lips, then turned and left the office.
Zhou Jimin picked up the key but didn't lock the drawer. He simply tossed the key onto the table, then, carrying his coffee and looking exhausted, walked towards the lounge next door.
The office lights were still on.
The drawer containing the "core manuscript" was slightly ajar.
Everything seemed like a well-planned accident.
It's late at night, 11:30 p.m.
The corridors of the research institute were silent, with only the distant echoes of the patrolling security guards' footsteps.
A dark shadow, like a gecko, clung to the wall and silently slipped to the door of Zhou Jimin's office.
It's Zhang Cheng.
He glanced around to make sure no one was there, then took a thin wire from his pocket and pried open the lock in a few quick movements.
In the office, the miniature listening device that Qin Zheng had installed in advance clearly transmitted every subtle sound.
A slight creaking sound from the door hinges.
Suppressed and rapid breathing sounds.
There was a slight scraping sound from the wood when the drawer was opened.
Then came the rustling sound of papers being turned over rapidly.
Immediately following this was a very faint, continuous "clicking" sound.
That was the most sophisticated miniature camera of the 1980s, frantically devouring the secrets on paper.
The entire process takes no more than five minutes.
After succeeding, the shadowy figure quickly restored everything to its original state, slipped out of the office, and disappeared into the night.
Half an hour later.
In a secluded alley in Xicheng District, Beijing.
Zhang Cheng walked into a public phone booth, looked around nervously, and then took out a coin from his pocket and put it in.
He dialed a password-protected number that he knew by heart.
"Beep...beep...beep..."
The call was connected.
"It's me." Zhang Cheng lowered his voice, his voice trembling with barely suppressed excitement. "The bait is in hand."
A hoarse, processed electronic voice came from the other end of the phone: "Confirm?"
“Absolutely true!” Zhang Cheng said excitedly.
“It’s the core technical manuscript of the ‘Dawn’ project. I personally saw Bai Zhu hand it to Zhou Jimin, and Zhou Jimin locked it… and put it in a drawer! I took a picture of it with a miniature camera, so there’s no chance of anything going wrong!”
To claim credit, he omitted the details of how he picked the lock.
There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, as if they were assessing the value of the intelligence.
"Very good." The hoarse voice rang out again.
"Send the film to the usual place immediately. Zhang Cheng, you've done a great job this time. Once our plan succeeds, the Haitang Science and Technology Research Institute will be yours. That ungrateful Zhou Jimin should also step down."
"Thank you, boss! Thank you for your guidance!" Zhang Cheng held the phone, trembling with excitement, as if he could already see himself in power and enjoying a glorious future.
Haitang Technology, Bai Zhu's office.
Qin Zheng put down his listening headphones and looked at Bai Shu, who was calm and composed on the sofa, his face filled with undisguised admiration.
"Miss, it's all recorded. The fish has taken the bait."
Su Wantang picked up the cup of tea in front of her, blew away the rising steam, brought it to her lips, and took a small sip.
The tea's aroma was refreshing, just like the look in her eyes at that moment.
The net she woven was much larger than the other side imagined.
"Tell Uncle Du that they can prepare to receive the goods in Hong Kong." Su Wantang put down her teacup, her voice icy.
Qin Zheng nodded emphatically, then turned and left.
Silence returned to the office.
Su Wantang walked to the window, looked at the research institute still brightly lit in the night outside, and a cold smile appeared on her face.
A technical document laced with a deadly poison is about to be delivered to the enemy's dinner table.
She was eagerly anticipating the interesting expression on the Eagle's Nest's face when it accepted this "gift."
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