Chapter 115 Negotiation
"Comrade Gu Baobao, this is a preliminary draft agreement on cooperation and profit sharing regarding the high-efficiency hemostatic powder technology, based on our previous communication and instructions from higher authorities."
You can take a look first! Feel free to bring up any ideas or conditions you have, and we'll discuss them thoroughly.
Gu Baobao did not immediately flip through the thick draft.
She sat up straight, gently folded her hands on her knees, and calmly looked at Huo Zheng, then glanced at Commander Feng and Zhang Yunxiang before finally returning her gaze to Huo Zheng's face.
She didn't look at the contract, but spoke first, her voice clear and firm:
"Before we discuss the specific details of the cooperation and the distribution of benefits, Comrade Huo Zheng, Commander Feng, I have a question, or rather, a premise that I most need to confirm."
She paused, seemingly considering the most accurate way to express herself:
"What I need to confirm, and what I need most right now, is the absolute safety of my family and my immediate family."
The office fell silent, and everyone stared at her.
Gu Baobao continued, her tone unhurried, yet every word struck a chord deep within:
"Everyone saw what happened yesterday. What are the consequences of being labeled a suspected enemy agent, especially when I am powerless to refute it?"
"The first to be affected will be my brother, Gu Dongguo, because he is the closest military relative to me."
Then, this fire would naturally spread to my grandmother and parents back in my hometown in Liaoning Province. They were just ordinary farmers, with no connections and no ability to withstand such a storm.
"I am not omnipotent. My medical skills and knowledge may allow me to prove myself at certain times."
But what if... what if there's a more elaborate, more insidious trap, leaving me unable to defend myself? What if in future work...
Is it because it infringes on the interests of certain people, or simply because I am unsociable or too outstanding, that I am being framed again in a similar way?
She raised her eyes, her gaze clear and sharp, looking directly at Huo Zheng:
"What will happen to my family then? How will they protect themselves? What kind of practical and effective protection can the organization provide for them, instead of just serious post-event handling and restoration of their reputation?"
"Reputation can be restored, but how can the shock, discrimination, or even potential physical harm suffered in the process be made up for? Some harms cannot be repaired afterward."
Her questions, one after another, were sharp, realistic, and pointed directly to the cruelest and most helpless aspects of this era.
She wasn't haggling; she was stating a bloody possibility, and seeking a truly solid talisman for herself and her loved ones far away.
Commander Feng's expression turned serious, and Zhang Yunxiang also frowned.
They understood Gu Baobao's concerns; yesterday's events had indeed exposed a huge hidden danger.
Huo Zheng remained silent for a moment. He did not avoid Gu Baobao's gaze, but instead scrutinized the excessively young girl in front of him even more carefully.
Her clarity of mind, her foresight, and her deep love for her family moved him once again.
This is not a researcher who only cares about his own future and interests; this is a warrior with flesh and blood, with weaknesses and armor.
"Comrade Gu Baobao,"
Huo Zheng spoke slowly, his voice steady and powerful.
“Your question is very timely and crucial. It’s not just your personal concern, but also an issue that the organization must consider and address.”
He picked up a pen, wrote something in the notebook in front of him, then looked up, his eyes honest:
"Regarding the safety and security of you and your family, I think we can discuss it as a separate and highest priority clause in the agreement, and it can even be determined before the technical cooperation clauses."
"We can discuss the specific form. For example, a formal acknowledgment of your innocence and contributions could be issued by a higher-level security department and filed on file."
Establish protective files for your immediate family members, clearly define responsibilities with relevant local departments, and ensure that they are not unjustly implicated or harmed because of your work under any circumstances. An emergency contact and intervention mechanism could even be established.
"Of course, these all require specific rules and authorizations."
Huo Zheng looked at Gu Baobao.
"But I can assure you on behalf of my superiors that your request will be given top priority and implemented in the most rigorous and effective manner."
Commander Feng also said in a deep voice:
"Baby, don't worry. What happened yesterday was the first time, and it must be the last! Regarding the safety of your family..."
On behalf of the Party Committee of the Island Military Region, I assure you that we will coordinate with local authorities and ensure the policies are implemented effectively! Anyone who dares to interfere again will be the first to be chopped off!
Zhang Yunxiang nodded vigorously.
Looking at them, Gu Baobao could sense their sincerity from their eyes and tone.
But she knew that verbal guarantees could never compare to written terms.
"Thank you, Commander. Thank you, Comrade Huo Zheng."
She nodded slightly, her tone softening somewhat, but she still insisted.
"Therefore, I hope that the specific terms regarding the safety of my family members can be clearly and thoroughly written into the first part of the agreement. This should include the scope of protection, the responsible party, the response process, and the consequences of breach of contract."
She picked up the draft and finally turned to the first page, her gaze calm:
"Then, we'll talk about how to cooperate on hemostatic powder, and... some other things in my head that might be useful to the country."
Looking at the clear-headed and unyielding young woman in front of him, Huo Zheng felt not displeasure, but rather even greater admiration and anticipation.
It seems that today's negotiations are indeed going to be a tough battle.
The opponent before him was far more powerful than he had imagined, and more worthy of his all-out effort to win him over and protect him.
Outside the window, the sun is shining brightly.
A negotiation concerning technology, interests, and even more importantly, responsibility and protection has officially begun.
Meanwhile, far away in the provincial capital, in that small gray building, Chen Yongkang had just received an encrypted phone call that made his eyelids twitch.
The phone call was brief, but it gave him a very unusual feeling.
"The target Ganoderma lucidum has been placed under higher-level protection, and the security level for the originally planned international trip has been raised to the highest level. All direct domestic operations are suspended. Backup contact points have been activated, pending further instructions."
The call ended.
Chen Yongkang stood by the window, holding the microphone, his expression shifting between light and shadow.
Higher level of protection? Highest level of security?
Gu Baobao... just who are you?
Or, just how important is what you've brought out?
He sensed that things were rapidly veering off course from what he had anticipated.
An uncontrollable restlessness and a deeper sense of apprehension quietly began to grow.
He turned and strode quickly toward the hidden compartment.
Some pieces may need to be moved sooner rather than later.
The storm has not subsided; it has merely changed direction temporarily, gathering even greater power.
The path Gu Baobao is about to take is destined to be full of thorns, but it will also lead to unparalleled glory.
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