Chapter 98 reports Gu Baobao as a suspected enemy agent.
Three days after the dinner party in the provincial capital, several earnest and alarming joint letters of complaint flew into the offices of several key departments in the provincial capital as if they had grown wings.
A letter came from a research institute under the Provincial Health Department. It was signed with a string of names, starting with the name of Deputy Director Liu Jianguo.
The letter expressed deep concern, stating:
Gu Baobao, a specially appointed expert at the island military hospital, has only a primary school education, her background is a mystery, and her so-called family medical skills are unverifiable.
Although Professor Qian Weiguo has made preliminary verification of the special hemostatic powder they provided, the data is too astonishing, far exceeding the current known levels at home and abroad, and its authenticity is questionable.
More importantly, this person quickly gained high-level attention with this drug and proposed sensitive foreign cooperation ideas such as exchanging drugs for foreign exchange. His motives and whether there are other forces manipulating him behind the scenes need to be thoroughly investigated.
To safeguard the integrity of my country's pharmaceutical research field and prevent damage to national interests and defense secrets, it is recommended that all of Gu Baobao's work be immediately suspended, and a special investigation team be established to conduct a rigorous review of her, her relatives, and the source of the drugs.
Another letter came from the families of some military region cadres and revolutionary masses, led by Zhao Dezhu's cousin Zhao Jinfeng, who worked in the logistics department of the military region.
The letter vividly describes Gu Baobao's extravagant lifestyle, pointing to her occasional plain-colored dresses and her fair skin, which is different from that of the locals.
She had ambiguous relationships with several high-ranking military officers, sought special treatment in the family compound, and distanced herself from the masses. It was alleged that she kept a low profile and was busy with research, and even implicitly suggested that she may have obtained certain classified medical technologies through improper means.
The letter concluded with an appeal:
We must not allow people of unknown origin and questionable character to infiltrate our pure revolutionary ranks, and we must not allow her to use military resources to achieve ulterior motives!
These letters bypassed the island military region, which was directly in charge, and were precisely delivered to the provincial health department, relevant departments of the provincial revolutionary committee, and even higher-level petition channels.
The letter contained a mix of truth and falsehood, seemingly reasonable doubts and malicious speculations, like honey laced with poison, deliberately poking at the most sensitive and taboo places in people's hearts.
Soon, the pressure was transmitted down through the layers.
The following morning, at the headquarters of the island military region, in Commander Feng Guozheng's office.
"Bang!"
Commander Feng slammed his hand on the heavy solid wood desk, making the enamel mug on the desk jump.
His face was ashen, his chest heaving violently. He pointed to several copies of documents and phone records spread out on the table, his voice trembling slightly with anger:
"Look! Take a good look, everyone! What enemy agent suspicion? What using beauty to steal secrets? What utter bullshit!"
Political Commissar Liu Bangzhen had a solemn expression, his brows furrowed in worry.
Zhang Yunxiang stood to the side, cold sweat beading on his forehead. He had just received a formal phone call from relevant provincial departments requesting his assistance in an investigation.
Although his tone was still polite, the coldness of his businesslike manner and the underlying skepticism ignited his anger.
"This is a whistleblowing that bypasses proper channels! It's malicious slander!"
Commander Feng's fingers almost pierced through those pages.
"Who is Comrade Gu Baobao? She is the one we personally witnessed snatching Old Tang back from the brink of death! She is the one who selflessly taught the soldiers her most treasured first aid skills!"
She's the one who came up with the hemostatic formula that could potentially change the landscape of battlefield medicine! What's she after? Huh? If she were an enemy agent, why would she go through all that trouble to save Old Tang?
What would she do with teaching the technique to our people? Wouldn't it be more in line with the logic of an "enemy spy" if she just kept the formula hidden or sold it abroad?!
He grew increasingly agitated as he spoke, pacing back and forth in his office, his military boots thumping loudly on the floor.
"It's obvious that someone can't stand to see her doing well! Can't stand to see our military region achieve results! Can't stand to see our country have good medicine! This is an attempt to discourage a meritorious person! An attempt to extinguish any hope that's just beginning to emerge!"
Liu Bang sighed and picked up a copy of the document:
"Old Feng, calm down. The problem now is that the whistleblower letter has already been submitted, and some of the words... were quite hurtful."
Even if we know these hats are fake, to outsiders they sound convincing.
Especially now, at this critical juncture, with her about to participate in an international exhibition involving foreign cooperation, potential patents, and foreign exchange, the situation is extremely sensitive. The higher-ups' inquiries are simply following procedure.
"Follow the procedures?"
Commander Feng abruptly stopped, his sharp gaze sweeping over Zhang Yunxiang and Liu Bangzhen.
"So tell me, if Comrade Gu Baobao is disheartened, backs down, or even... suffers some kind of accident because of these fabricated charges, who would be the happiest? The people who wrote the whistleblower letters? Or..."
He paused, his voice lowering further, yet growing even more chilling:
"Or are they truly hiding in the shadows, unwilling to see our country possess advanced medical technology, and unwilling to see us open up international markets?"
Zhang Yunxiang felt a chill run down his spine.
A counter-espionage plot by enemy agents?
Using internal jealousy and ignorance to stifle one's own talent and achievements?
This is more insidious than open warfare!
"Commander!"
Zhang Yunxiang immediately straightened his back.
"I understand! I'll go find Lu Zhanming right now! Increase security, and stay by his side at all times!"
We absolutely cannot allow Comrade Gu Baobao to be disturbed or harmed at this time! Anyone who wants to touch her will have to step over my, Zhang Yunxiang, first!
"It's not just about security!"
Commander Feng said in a deep voice,
"Immediately notify Lu Zhanming and tell him to be prepared for any possible investigation. Tell Comrade Bao Bao that the organization trusts her!"
Tell her to stay calm and continue with what she needs to do! Even if the sky falls, we old folks will hold it up!
"yes!"
Zhang Yunxiang turned around and was about to rush out.
"etc!"
Commander Feng called him back, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
"Be mindful of your approach. Those who come... aren't necessarily bad people; they might just be misled and manipulated. Try to... avoid direct confrontation. But on matters of principle, don't give an inch!"
"clear!"
Zhang Yunxiang practically ran away from the headquarters.
He was burning with anxiety; the foul language in those whistleblower letters was still swirling in his mind.
He couldn't imagine how heartbroken and angry Gu Baobao would be if she saw those things.
I dare not even imagine what would happen if something unexpected occurred...
Damn it!
Zhang Yunxiang cursed angrily and quickened his pace.
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