That night, Li Xiuzhu invited Dean Lin for dinner. At the table, the two of them talked about the recent battle of mecha standards in the Federation. The data from the Federal Academy of Science and the Shell Motor Company had already been handed over to the government. As for who the government would choose in the end, it was still a long process of struggle. However, from Dean Lin's side, Li Xiuzhu had obtained some inside information and was relieved. As long as the Purple Sea MX from the Academy of Science could completely suppress the little white flower from the engineering department in terms of technical specifications, it would be much more natural for him to take advantage of the situation and do some tricks outside the decision-making level.
Generation after generation of aristocratic children appeared in the Federation, but there weren't many who could truly lead the society for a time. Li Xiuzhu was the first in line to inherit the Li family, but this was the first time he had appeared on behalf of the family alone. He had gone deep into the political circle to stir up trouble. This matter involved the presidential election and his own future, so he naturally couldn't allow his performance this time to fade into the crowd or even become a laughingstock.
Today, the Federal Academy of Science had already been tied to the election war chariot of the two candidates. Even if Li Xiuzhu had too many opinions about Lin Yuanhu, it wasn't convenient for him to show them now. After all, if the Academy of Science lost the standards battle, the plagiarism controversy wouldn't be able to calm down even if it wanted to. This would also have a responsible impact on the presidential election. As a nephew, he wouldn't be so presumptuous as to show a black face to the leader of the Federation's academic community at the dinner table, but he really didn't have much interest in catering to the other party.
Lin Yuanhu still had that noble and respectable expression on his face, as if he wasn't affected by the rumors accusing him of plagiarism among the people. Speaking of which, it made sense. After sitting in the position of the head of the Federal Academy of Science for so many years, his tenure was much longer than that of the presidents. This kind of important figure would only smile slightly towards the discussions of the ordinary people and not care at all.
After a dinner that wasn't very tasty ended, Dean Lin received the promise of continued support from Li Xiuzhu, and Li Xiuzhu also received the assurance that there wouldn't be any problems with the Academy of Science. They didn't taste much of the food, but both parties were quite satisfied with this interaction.
Li Xiuzhu politely sent Lin Yuanhu out of the restaurant and walked toward the car outside the hotel's revolving door. He was like a real nephew showing respect.
The old man and the young man were escorted by their secretaries and subordinates. When they were about to leave the hotel, they saw six or seven people coming in from outside. Those people were young and wore very ordinary clothes. However, in the gloomy autumn day, they gave people a sense of calmness and experience.
This high-class hotel was filled with high officials and nobles. With so many people coming and going, it was very lively. It was very normal to meet someone at the entrance of the hotel. Li Xiuzhu's footsteps slowed down a bit. At the same time, he noticed a man with small eyes in the group. He looked a little familiar.
Secretary Lu's eyes flashed with a strange color. He leaned close to Li Xiuzhu's ear and whispered, "They are from the Nutshell Engineering Department. The small-eyed man in the middle is Xu Le."
Li Xiuzhu's eyebrows jumped. He was a bit surprised, but he immediately remembered that the Federation was in the middle of reviewing the standards. The Nutshell Engineering Department would definitely send a technician over. He turned around and glanced at Xu Le imperceptibly. He also noticed a woman with an impressive figure and a pair of glasses beside Xu Le. He smiled and said softly, "The people from the Nutshell Engineering Department this time seem to be quite young."
"Shang Qiu, the key person in the twin-engine technology," Secretary Lu said softly.
Li Xiuzhu's eyes were filled with surprise. He was just admiring the female engineer's temperament and impressive curves. He didn't expect this woman to be such an important person.
"Say hello to your father for me." Lin Yuanhu walked to the side of the car and said lightly, "At the same time, tell Senator Macklin that the small fries in the Federation are nothing to be afraid of. Just like the hills under the moon, why should we be afraid of the wind coming from all directions?"
Li Xiuzhu smiled slightly and replied softly. However, he didn't tell the other that the brat that the Federal Academy of Science hated the most was right behind them right now. He lowered his body and held the old man's hand with both hands. He was extremely respectful and kind. It was impossible to see the disgust he had for the old man in his heart.
…
…
Bai Yulan went to handle the confirmation procedures for the room. Xu Le sat on the sofa in the lobby. His eyes were misty as he looked at the crowd beside the car outside the hotel. He narrowed his eyes. The old man beside the car seemed to be an extraordinary person. But who was the man who had sent him off? He was so beautiful that he could compete with Shi Qinghai.
Shang Qiu sat beside him. She took off the strappless black slippers on her feet and casually stepped on her bare feet. She hugged her knees and looked especially cute. These past few days, the technicians from the Nutshell Engineering Department had participated in four seminars on mecha standards in accordance with the government's requirements. They had been running around the special administrative region of the capital city and were really tired.
She followed Xu Le's gaze and looked over. She smiled slightly and said, "Do you know that important person?"
Xu Le shook his head.
"Director Lin Yuanhu." Shang Qiu's smile had a trace of playfulness. She pressed her face against her knees and yawned. "The person you can't forget. I didn't expect you to not know him at all."
That old man was the leader of the Federation's academic community? Xu Le narrowed his eyes. He had seen enough important people in his life, but Lin Yuanhu was the first person he had to defeat. So, at this time, his feelings were inevitably complicated. Since the old man was Lin Yuanhu, then the identity of the handsome young man who had sent the old man out of the hotel was naturally obvious. Other than the young master of the Li family, who else could be so devilishly beautiful and yet so calm?
He turned his head and looked at the sleepy Shang Qiu. He couldn't help but shake his head. In the lobby of a high-class hotel, she could still be so relaxed and carefree. If the company had not reserved a room in advance, this hotel might have kicked them all out.
A pair of small, white feet stepped on the edge of the sofa, a piece of leaf stuck to the heels. Xu Le's gaze flickered, and he saw that face without any make-up but still clean and pretty. Also, because of her current posture, the curve of her chest was stubbornly bouncing up and down under the pressure.
He had to admit that Shang Qiu did have the ability to charm people. It was just that her brain was already good enough; there was really no need to show off anything.
The Nutshell Company was one of the leading corporations in the Federation. This time, when it came to the competition for the new mecha standards, the company naturally would not be stingy in terms of funding. They had directly booked the entire 24 floors of this high-class hotel that the politicians and wealthy businessmen of the Federation loved.
The technical team took up 6 of the rooms, and the remaining rooms were handed over to the security team sent by the Whitewater Company. The remaining few rooms were left for Major Lan Xiaolong and his soldiers. Although it was said that the upper management of the Nutshell Company had some objections to the Ministry of Defence sending personnel to protect their own employees, when they thought of what the independent director had done that rainy night, the company's upper management could only remain silent.
After that independent technical director had left Hong Kong that night, he had been staying in the hospital. The board of directors of the Nutshell Company had already passed the resolution to remove him from his position as a director. They were just waiting for the shareholders' meeting to officially pass the resolution, and then report it to the management committee of the Federation.
Xu Le didn't care about that director's future. He stood by the window, looking at the square below the 24 floors, and the presidential residence further away, surrounded by green buildings. For the safety of the presidential residence, the height of the buildings in this area of the capital special district was strictly controlled. It was said that this high-class hotel named Green Sun was the tallest building in the district.
The competition for the new mecha standards of the Federation would come to a conclusion tomorrow at the presidential residence. Xu Le thought of this, and his mood became heavy. The competition for the standards wasn't sent to the Ministry of Defence, nor to the academic committee. President Sieg had directly put it on the agenda of the office. What did this mean?
Bai Yulan knocked on the door and came in. She helped him tidy up his clothes, made a cup of green tea, and then walked behind him. Following his gaze, she knew what he was thinking. She said softly, "The Academy of Sciences seems to be very confident in the past few meetings."
During the meetings, the two sides hadn't shown any specific technical data. Xu Le thought of the scene where Shang Qiu had confronted those old professors, and couldn't help but laugh bitterly. Shang Qiu's confidence came from her and her own abilities, but where did the Federal Academy of Science's confidence and even pride come from?
"Their data is definitely better than ours," Xu Le said, "and they must have obtained Little White Flower's data through some means."
"No confidence?" Bai Yulan passed the tea to him and asked softly.
Xu Le took the teacup and looked at the swirling tea leaves in the water. After a moment of silence, he said, "I only hope that the company's influence is big enough for Mr. President to give both sides a fair chance to compete."
"What would be a fair chance to compete?"
"Of course, it would be a mecha battle." Xu Le lowered his head and took a sip of the tea, savoring the fragrance in the slightly hot tea. He turned to look at Bai Yulan and smiled. "MX is a new thing. I believe that no one in the Federation is more familiar with its controls than you. Do you have confidence?"
Bai Yulan lowered her head and was silent for a long time. She would only express her confidence when she considered all the factors involved. From the first MX test to this year when Xu Le brought her into the Nutshell Engineering Department, she had seen it all. She had even participated in it personally and provided a lot of experience for the technical staff. Xu Le wasn't wrong. No one in the entire Federation was more familiar with this new mecha than her.
"I have confidence. Even if the ace of the military came, it would be the same," Bai Yulan answered with her eyes lowered.
"The Purple Sea from the Academy of Science might have a higher output power than Little White Flower," Xu Le reminded her.
"Although I don't know what you did in the past, I think that Purple Sea definitely has a fatal problem." Bai Yulan raised her head and looked at him calmly. "As long as the pilot the Academy of Science is looking for is not Madman Li, then it's fine."
Xu Le nodded. He had also considered the issue of test pilots before. Madman Li's ability was indeed terrifying, but the Lees of Philadelphia had always been on good terms with the Tai family. At such a crucial time, Madman Li couldn't be involved in this matter.
Bai Yulan suddenly thought of something and frowned. "The key is that the Academy of Science might not agree to the request for a mecha battle. They have the advantage in terms of data. If they only use a written evaluation, the Federation's new standards may very well be based on theirs. Why do they have to do this?"
"This matter is not up to them." Xu Le picked up his teacup and took another sip. He thought to himself that Secretary Shen's side had probably already made their move. The battle between the Federation's new MX mecha was definitely going to happen.
…
…
The autumn rain had stopped long ago. Only a thin layer of fog hung over the streets of the special capital district. The other professors in the technical team obviously didn't sleep well. They were probably worried the entire night because of the standard confirmation meeting today. On the other hand, Xu Le and Shang Qiu seemed to be full of energy. Shang Qiu's confidence came from the things that Xu Le had told her, as well as a kind of fanatical worship of technology. Xu Le … didn't have much confidence at all. He only believed in the influence that the Tai family had on the Federation. He even vaguely guessed that the meeting today at the President's Office wouldn't be able to set the standards for the new mecha at all. They would only come up with a method to set the standards. Of course, what he hoped for was a mecha battle. This was the simplest and most direct way to slap the opponent in the face.
The Nutshell Company's car picked them up from the entrance of the hotel. After only five minutes of driving, they arrived at the edge of a large green lawn. Everyone got out of the car and began to undergo strict security checks. The workstations that they brought with them were also moved to the President's Office by specialized personnel.
Xu Le looked at these Special Task Force agents who were wearing black suits and white earphones. They weren't unfamiliar to him. When he was with Tai Zhiyuan, he had seen many of them. When he thought about how important the Tai family was to President Sigurd, he was much more confident about today's standard meeting.
They walked along the path in the middle of the lawn toward the President's Office in the distance. The white President's Office was faintly discernible in the thin fog, but it didn't feel like it was floating. There was only a sense of solemnity from history and the awe of power. The President's Office of the Federation would have its outer walls repainted every ten years. The color of the outer walls was decided by the citizens through online voting. This decade, the color of the outer walls was white.
From time to time, black cars would drive past them. Xu Le, Shang Qiu, and the others stepped to the side to let them pass. Looking at these custom-made luxury cars and the eye-catching special license plates on the cars, they knew that these people were all important people of the Federation who were here to attend the standard meeting today.
"Commander of the First Military Region, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Miles." Bai Yulan looked at the black car with the military license plate that had just driven past and whispered to Xu Le. He was from the 17th Armored Division of the First Military Region, so he was naturally very familiar with the car of this military leader.
The cars of these important people naturally didn't need to go through the outer security checks. Xu Le narrowed his eyes and looked at the cars that disappeared into the fog. He knew that the National Security Advisor, the leaders of several major military regions, and many other important people were here. At this moment, his previous confidence was suddenly shaken.
If these important people of the Federation were all inclined to adopt the standards of the Federal Academy of Science, would President Sigurd still care too much about Lady Tai's influence and the wishes of the Nutshell Company?
He stopped thinking about these things and just looked at the cars that slowly drove past. As he looked at the President's Office that was getting closer and closer, he felt some other emotions. This was the core of the Federation's power. These people were the embodiment of the will of tens of billions of citizens of the Federation. When he was at Donglin's Zhonglou Street, he didn't dare to imagine that he would one day enter the President's Office and pass by these important people.
…
…
It was still early when they entered the President's Office, so the meeting hadn't started yet. The technical team of the Nutshell Company was arranged to wait in the lounge. Shang Qiu was going to represent them to give the final concluding speech. At this moment, she was not just silently eating the snacks on her plate.
"Are you a bit nervous?" Xu Le gently clenched his fist and looked at the oil paintings on the walls of the lounge. Thinking that these were the things that the presidents of the Federation had seen with their own eyes and even touched with their own hands, even though he was extremely slow when it came to power, he still felt a trace of the weight of history and the oppression of power.
"A bit." Shang Qiu said vaguely. She was wearing a light blue formal suit today, which set off her beautiful figure. "When I think about letting those politicians and generals listen to the lecture and explaining those complicated technical terms clearly, I feel a bit of a headache."
"I thought your nervousness was the same as mine, because we are in the President's Office." Xu Le smiled bitterly.
"I came here once when I was in the third grade." Shang Qiu wiped the crumbs from her mouth and looked at Xu Le's shocked expression. She explained with a smile, "The President's Office is open to tourists once a week. What's so strange about it?"
Xu Le scratched his head awkwardly. He was an orphan from Donglin, so he naturally didn't know about these things.
An official from the President's Office came to inform them. Shang Qiu followed him into the tightly shut conference room. The technical team of the Nutshell Company, including Xu Le, began to stare blankly at the door at the end of the corridor. They didn't know what was going on inside and whether Shang Qiu's presentation would be successful.
It didn't take long for Shang Qiu to come back with a computer. She sat beside Xu Le, shook her head, and said, "I can't see any signs."
"Then let's wait." Xu Le said.
No one would have thought that this wait would go on for an entire day and night. The biscuits of the President's Office were indeed delicious, and the tea was truly a product of Mountain Mist. However, it wasn't a good idea to keep eating like this. Xu Le looked worriedly at the door, a very bad feeling growing in his heart.
Those important people had actually discussed for so long without a conclusion — one could imagine how intense the situation in the conference room must be. He was very worried. If the Federation government didn't even give the Nutshell Company a chance to battle mecha, what else could he do?
"Everyone has seen the technical data." The National Security Advisor rubbed his somewhat numb forehead and said, "The Federal Academy of Science's Purple Sea has the overall advantage."
He looked at the President sitting at the back of the office and said with a smile, "Hu Fu, we've already given the Nutshell Company enough chances."
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