Hiss!
With Ning An's explanation, Aluf instantly realized that he had played too big this time.
According to his own plan.
First, use the authority of the Daoist Association to pressure people, then pretend to burn incense and pray.
Finally, regardless of whether the prayer worked, he would insist that it didn't.
Everything was planned perfectly.
But who could have thought?
This Daoist had directly countered, mastering the public tactics brilliantly.
"The heavens are already dead, the yellow sky should rise! In the year of Jiazi, the world has great fortune! I, Zhang Jiao, respectfully invite the Han to die!"
"This little brat, did he forget what kind of lunatics Taoists are? Throughout history, officials first pacified Taoists, and when it comes to the rebellion gene, these Daoist Masters charge in fiercely."
"Actually, Aluf's plan was quite good, even pulling out the direct leadership unit of the Daoist Association. Generally speaking, there shouldn't be any problems, but who in their right mind cares about that stuff?"
Just as Aluf was being outmaneuvered, feeling furious.
On the outskirts of Kyoto, inside a concealed building.
A few elderly men with gray hair were at a table, engaged in a heated debate, their faces filled with anger.
Because just yesterday.
Yingjiang directly united with other Western countries to impose sanctions on Dragon Country's technology sector.
Among them was T30-level carbon fiber. If any Western country company sold this material to Dragon Country, it would be treated as treason.
Under this heavy pressure, many foreign manufacturers preferred to pay high compensations rather than go through with contracts.
But this was understandable. After all, Yingjiang is a superpower, and any sane capitalist wouldn't go against such a nation.
"Flipping the table when you can't win, truly shameless."
"Purely disgusting, isn't it?"
Everyone present seemed so grim as if water could drip from their expressions.
This issue even alarmed higher-level leaders, instructing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to severely condemn this unethical behavior, applying pressure on Western countries to lift the sanctions.
After all, T30 carbon fiber is very crucial. Without this material, Dragon Country's entire aerospace sector would come to a standstill.
"Our aerospace sector is at a critical stage of development, we absolutely cannot give up!"
"Easy for you to say, that damn Yingjiang demands tons of T30 carbon fiber in exchange for the same amount of rare earths, this predatory intent must be stopped immediately!"
"Having one's throat gripped, it's so suffocating! Secretary Wang, what does Elder An say?"
The elderly men present did not wear uniforms.
But their very presence lowered the room's temperature a few degrees.
Moreover, with armed soldiers on alert both inside and outside, it demonstrated the significance of the place.
The man called Secretary Wang was seated in the expert section, his work attire disheveled.
He stood up, pale as if he hadn't slept for days.
He leaned on the table as tears fell.
"What are you crying for! Like a woman!"
"Can you manage it or not? The nation is still waiting!"
An irritable old man with a cane blew his nose and stared.
Thinking back to the time he lost a leg facing the enemy, he didn't cry like this.
Bang!
The elder sitting at the head of the table frowned and slammed the table.
"You're not youngsters anymore, why are your tempers so fiery?"
"With such energy, why not go up and do research? Whoever figures it out, I'll vacate my place for them!"
Gradually, the noisy meeting room quieted down.
Then, the elder sitting at the head looked at Secretary Wang and calmly spoke:
"Secretary Wang, give us some insight. The country has invested so much, at least we should have the right to know."
"Besides, with Elder An overseeing, you shouldn't be having a breakdown even with difficulties."
Everyone collectively turned to look at Secretary Wang.
"Initially, progress was rapid, but..."
Secretary Wang wiped his tears and bitterly smiled:
"Elder An... doesn't have much time left."
"Without a leader, relying on us alone, it might take two or three more years."
"Two or three years? In two or three years, our country's resources will be drained dry, and then what?"
The fiery-tempered old man cursed, holding his cane.
"Ma Baoguo, sit down!"
The elder sitting at the head spoke sternly, Ma Baoguo laughed dryly and obediently sat back down.
Everyone understood his feelings.
Because everyone present shared his thoughts.
"It's not that I'm too impatient, Ma Baoguo, but Yingjiang's predatory intent is too great."
"You know how hard it hit Big Bear in the past, now it wants to use carbon fiber to freeze our aerospace, even if grandpa could tolerate, grandma couldn't."
"We're no longer that backward agricultural nation that was beaten!"
Ma Baoguo's complaints were not loud, yet ensured that everyone could hear.
With past lessons, they must learn from them. The chaos over the years often had Yingjiang playing tricks behind the scenes.
Everyone's faces became serious again.
Just then, a gentle voice spoke:
"Elder An, what do the doctors say about him?"
Secretary Wang gripped the table tightly, his voice hoarse:
"Incurable, medicine cannot help, the teacher has...little time left..."
Immediately, the entire meeting hall fell silent.
After all, in the realm of materials, Elder An was a global authority.
Without such a figure leading, T30 carbon fiber seemed a distant goal.
After a moment, the elder at the head spoke deeply:
"Despite having produced carbon fiber that can partially replace T30 functionality, neither its weight nor strength are sufficient."
"In technology, being backward not only invites beating but may permanently lose voice."
"Secretary Wang, you have a heavy task."
The elder sincerely spoke to Secretary Wang.
"Chief, this..."
Secretary Wang's words were abruptly interrupted by a hurried knock.
"Report!"
"Come in."
A sharp-looking soldier strode in, saluted respectfully, then said:
"Report, commanders, the nurse doing rounds just found that Academician An is missing..."
He hadn't finished before many stood up seething with anger.
"Bastards, it was bad enough to block technology, now they're targeting our scientists, damn it!"
"These bastards, playing dirty, aren't they?"
"What are you doing standing there! Check! Find him! Ensure Elder An's safety!"
Ma Baoguo was even more impatient, grabbing his cane to make a call:
"Go, mobilize my guard regiment, I'll immediately approve their weapon permits!"
The elderly there were filled with murderous intent, all were survivors from the dead, fearing none!
Not fearing their own removal, but fearing continued national throat choking leading to endless humiliation, more painful than death!
The scene left the young soldier stunned.
Knowing that the lowest-ranking commanders present were Major Generals.
Facing such overwhelming presence, no way a mere soldier could withstand.
"Don't panic, let me ask, is Elder An found yet?"
Though urgent, Secretary Wang was thoughtful and asked the crucial question directly.
After all, he couldn't believe there could be spies at a national base.
The young soldier was almost in tears:
"Comm...commanders, Academician An isn't missing… he only went to burn incense..."