Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Inspection Team

The following day, in the small plaza inside the laboratory, all members of the Energy Department had gathered. Standing on the low platform, Qian Zhongshu addressed them, "I believe everyone knows why I've called you together today, so I won't waste words."

"Shortly, the inspection team will arrive to conduct evaluations and collect certain information. Please cooperate when the time comes."

Upon hearing about the assessment, murmurs spread through the crowd.

"Old Qian, what use is it for the inspection team to investigate us? We can't even enter the control room."

"That's right."

"We have no access."

...

Seeing the noisy crowd, Qian Zhongshu clapped his hands for silence.

"You all know that a spy has appeared in the base. The inspection team is here to help us find that spy. If we don't catch them, are we supposed to live every day in fear of those around us? Besides, we don't even know how many spies there are. We have to examine everyone, one by one."

"Old Qian is right!"

A booming voice echoed from the elevator lobby, and three men emerged. All eyes turned toward them.

"Old Qian," said the leader—a middle-aged man who strode over to shake Qian Zhongshu's hand.

"And you are?" Qian Zhongshu was momentarily puzzled by their sudden arrival.

Standing beside Qian Zhongshu, the man addressed the crowd loudly, "Old Qian is right. Our inspection team is here precisely to root out the spy hidden among us."

"For that reason, we have sealed off the entire base. No one is allowed in or out. Everyone must undergo examination."

His words stirred the crowd into lively discussion.

Realizing his message hadn't settled the unrest, the middle-aged man continued, "But there's no need to be nervous. Our inspection team is determined not to wrong a good person. That's why we must examine everyone equally. The process isn't like what you see in movies—no punishment or torture involved. It's simply a conversation with our investigators. There's no need to be anxious."

The explanation eased the crowd's tension, though someone still asked, "If the examination finds we're not spies, how will you handle us?"

The man replied, "Let me introduce myself first. I am Wang Chong from the Second Division of the National Security Bureau, responsible for foreign intelligence. You can call me Xiao Wang."

"As for the question just raised, I assure you here and now: our Bureau will never falsely accuse a good person, nor let a bad one slip away. If the examination finds nothing amiss, your reputation will be upheld, and none of this will be recorded in your file. You have nothing to worry about."

Satisfied by Wang Chong's response, everyone nodded. For intellectuals, everything else could be surrendered, but their reputation must be preserved.

Seeing no further objections, Wang Chong turned to Qian Zhongshu, "Old Qian, do you have a relatively quiet room here?"

Qian Zhongshu quickly led him to the laboratory's sealed warehouse, which had been demagnetized and soundproofed—perfect for an examination room.

After a brief inspection, Wang Chong was pleased and beckoned his subordinates, who carried in several large crates.

"Old Qian, you will be the first to undergo examination."

"What? Me first?"

Wang Chong smiled, leaning close to Qian Zhongshu's ear, "Old Qian, we know your dedication to the base. As one of its original builders, we trust you completely. But to encourage cooperation, we need you to set an example for everyone."

Understanding, Qian Zhongshu nodded and smiled.

Returning to the plaza, he announced, "To cooperate with the national examination, I will go first."

With that, he entered the examination room.

Everyone watched as Qian Zhongshu went inside. If even someone of his stature must be examined, no one dared resist. They all pledged cooperation.

In the crowd, Zhang Mingyang was unconcerned about the examination. He made his way to his teacher, Lin Guangming.

"Teacher."

Seeing Zhang Mingyang approach, Lin Guangming pulled him down to sit with him.

"Why aren't you waiting your turn like everyone else? What are you doing here? Do you want them to think we're coordinating our answers?"

Zhang Mingyang stared in astonishment. "Teacher, where did you learn all this? You sound like you've trained in counter-espionage."

Lin Guangming tapped Zhang Mingyang's head and whispered, "You wish your teacher were a spy trained in counter-intelligence. I learned this from watching TV dramas with your mistress. Haven't you noticed that in those shows, they always forbid movement during interrogations? It’s to prevent suspects from collaborating."

Looking at Lin Guangming, Zhang Mingyang felt as if he hardly knew him. "Teacher, you’re at least the Deputy Minister of Energy. You don’t need to sit here with us, do you? Shouldn’t the leaders be checked first?"

As they spoke, Qian Zhongshu emerged from the room. Everyone stood to watch, and Lin Guangming was soon escorted to another area.

Outside, a young soldier began calling names, and those called entered the examination room one by one.

...

By eleven o’clock, only a tenth of the Energy Department had been examined. Teacher Lin Guangming was already finished and had been taken elsewhere, accompanied only by Hui Jun.

"Hui, are you hungry?"

Hui Jun smiled, "Is eating all you ever think about? Even now, you’re worried about food?"

Zhang Mingyang whispered, "It’s not that I want to eat, but it’s lunchtime. Naturally, I’m hungry. Aren’t you?"

"Actually, I’m not."

Before he finished, Hui Jun’s stomach growled.

"Haha..."

Zhang Mingyang tried to stifle his laughter, patting Hui Jun’s stomach. "Looks like your stomach thinks otherwise."

"I..."

Not only Zhang Mingyang, but others were hungry too. Someone asked, "Leader, are you taking care of lunch? It’s almost noon."

A leader appeared and reassured them, "Don't worry, lunch will arrive soon. None of our researchers will go hungry."

Relieved, Zhang Mingyang cared little for the examination; he was confident he’d pass and was much more concerned about his stomach.