Chapter 193: Surpassing Five Divisions

“Shuangshuang, during your contact with Du Qiu, have you tried to find out if he was being held or controlled by someone?”

Upon hearing Director Mo suddenly ask this, Ning Shuangshuang’s heart skipped a beat.

On the surface, she remained calm and said, “I have tried before, it was actually you who suggested that Du Qiu might be controlled by the Americans.”

Director Mo looked at Ning Shuangshuang and asked another question, “Is there any possibility that his voice could have been synthesized by someone?”

“He has always been quite calm when he speaks, and although I can’t see his face, it should still be him. Director Mo, why are you suddenly asking about this today? Has something happened?”

Ning Shuangshuang felt it was better to take initiative rather than letting Director Mo probe and perhaps reveal something.

Director Mo sighed and said, “Minister Song just called and mentioned another possibility.”

“What possibility?”

“Du Qiu was rescued by an organization while in the United States, and this organization needs Du Qiu to develop a certain project for them.”

Ning Shuangshuang was taken aback and asked, “Why would there be such a conjecture?”

Director Mo explained, “You don’t know, but we have never stopped searching for Du Qiu’s whereabouts. After analyzing some intelligence, we’ve locked onto a person.”

Ning Shuangshuang’s heart thumped, and she eagerly inquired, “Who is it?”

“The mysterious Babylonian-Chinese shareholder of Dream Technology, Li Shennan.”

This was the first time Ning Shuangshuang had heard this name, and she asked in astonishment, “Why would it be this person?”

Director Mo said, “There are some vague areas in this person’s background information. The key point is that he appeared in the Tanga Federation investing in the construction of the Dream Technology Industrial Park after Du Qiu disappeared.

Dream Technology began expansion across the globe from that time on, quickly taking market share from some of the existing OEM groups.

Another important point is that the president of Dream Technology, RRein Leinar, and Haoren, the son of the President of the Tanga Federation, were both friends Du Qiu met during his college days.

In other words, this organization might have had contact with Du Qiu long before, and they rescued him when the United States was pursuing him.

Based on this information, we have targeted Li Shennan as Du Qiu, who has had plastic surgery and changed his appearance.”

Ning Shuangshuang exclaimed in surprise, “Why do you think that Du Qiu would have plastic surgery and change his appearance?”

Director Mo looked at Ning Shuangshuang and said, “Haven’t you also said that Du Qiu never video calls you?

We analyzed that he must have had plastic surgery to change his face, which is why he has not been able to meet with you via video.”

“Ah?!” Ning Shuangshuang was suddenly stunned.

Director Mo offered comfort, “Don’t worry, now that we have a new conjecture, your Du Qiu probably hasn’t had surgery.”

[Du Qiu, of course, hasn’t had any surgery; he’s just fine!] Ning Shuangshuang couldn’t help but retort inwardly.

“Then why is there another conjecture?”

Director Mo explained, “Because that Li Shennan is currently in South Sudan, but the incident that happened last night led President Mu Weini of the Tanga Federation to be honest with us.

Du Qiu is in the Tanga Federation and has established a defense company with his son to design and develop weapons. They’re working on a project to improve the weaponry of the Tanga Federation’s armed forces.”

“Last night’s incident? The one about the Tanga Federation’s battleship sinking the Asan country’s battleship?”

Ning Shuangshuang had also heard about this big event this morning. Having been looking after the shipyard for the past year or two, she did learn some knowledge about warships.

Of course, she was aware of how incredible this naval battle last night was.

Director Mo nodded, “Yes, the Tanga Federation’s warship is actually second-hand from us; we know that it doesn’t have the capability to sink an Asan country’s Aegis ship with a single missile.

Although the Asan country’s Aegis ship isn’t as good as our 052D, it is an Aegis ship known for its air defense capacity.

President Mu Weini hopes we can help, only then did he reveal that it was Du Qiu’s defense company that aided in the retrofitting. Your Du Qiu is truly talented.”

As he said this, Director Mo smacked his lips, “It’s the first time in my life that I played matchmaker, and it seems that I’ve done it right. Your father should really thank me.”

Ning Shuangshuang’s face turned a shade redder as she said, “He never told me that he was in the Tanga Federation, operating a defense company there.”

Director Mo’s expression suddenly turned serious as he said, “So we’re speculating that he might be compelled to work for Li Shennan’s forces for a time to help complete a certain project.

Of course, it might also be because he wants to repay the favor of Li Shennan’s forces for rescuing him, promising to help them complete a research task.

This is why he told you that he needs to complete a certain project before he can return to the country.”

Ning Shuangshuang was stunned; what Director Mo said seemed to make a lot of sense.

But in her heart, she felt that wasn’t the case, especially since when her mother was rescued, he personally appeared near the site.

Her mother also mentioned that Du Qiu arrived in a huge aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing, and the personnel from Iron Guard Security treated him with great respect.

From the subsequent video calls with Du Qiu, she could tell that Du Qiu’s smile was full of confidence.

Moreover, when Du Qiu said he needed to complete a certain research project before returning to the country, it seemed more like he needed to finish some kind of important reliance.

In other words, Du Qiu might be an important member of that force.

Of course, Ning Shuangshuang would not share her feelings and conjectures with Director Mo. She was no longer pure-hearted as she had been in the beginning, when she decided to keep secrets.

The man in her heart had caused her to lose her former fearlessness of giving up everything.

More than two years of separation hadn’t diminished her feelings for Du Qiu; on the contrary, they were like wine buried underground, improving with age and leaving an endless aftertaste.

“Don’t worry, the country is determined to bring Du Qiu back this time. You know, the aircraft carrier group is going to the Tanga Federation for a visit, and one important mission is to bring back Du Qiu.”

Director Mo looked at Ning Shuangshuang, who seemed to be deep in thought, and thought she was worried about Du Qiu’s situation, so he quickly comforted her.

Ning Shuangshuang’s eyes widened in disbelief; the country was actually dispatching an aircraft carrier group to pick him up?

“Minister Song said that if Li Shennan’s people dare to obstruct this time, the fleet will dispatch a special forces team to carry out a rescue mission and ensure that the person is brought back safely.”

Director Mo joyfully gave another reassurance.

Actually, Minister Song was also worried about another situation—that Du Qiu had already become a member of Li Shennan’s forces. However, Director Mo wouldn’t tell Ning Shuangshuang.

In fact, Minister Song also said something to Director Mo that was a quote from Minister Fang Tianji of the military, “If the Americans believed that Elder Qian could match five army divisions back in the day, then Dr. Du Qiu now certainly surpasses five divisions!”

This statement by Fang Tianji was because of the astonishing progress made in the latest combat robot research project. The preliminary test model exhibited combat power where one unit could withstand an entire battalion!

This battalion isn’t a regular infantry battalion but a new synthetic battalion under the current restructuring.

It has 2 armored command vehicles, 10 Type 99A main battle tanks, 30 armored infantry fighting vehicles, 6 120mm self-propelled howitzers. Additionally, there are 6 122mm self-propelled grenade launchers, 6 35mm self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, 3 armored reconnaissance vehicles, and 4 armored engineering vehicles.

With such a formidable array, just a single combat robot could withstand it, which has already changed the existing mode of combat.

The combat robot was able to exhibit combat power far beyond its initial design, thanks to an improved design provided by Du Qiu.

Of course, it also had to do with the fact that Du Qiu provided a new type of alloy material for the outer shell, making the combat robot particularly enduring, hence crushing the synthetic battalion like an indestructible cockroach.

However, Dream Technology did not provide the manufacturing process for the alloy material, only the finished product.

Fang Tianji didn’t mean to say that Du Qiu’s contribution and status surpassed that of Elder Qian, but rather that his contributions to the country definitely exceeded the value of five divisions.

Such a talent must be brought back at all costs!

Seeing that Ning Shuangshuang still looked incredulous, Director Mo grew a bit anxious, “Shuangshuang, don’t disbelieve it, this is what the higher-ups have personally ordered.

By the way, contact Du Qiu as soon as possible and tell him about this situation; we’ll guarantee to bring him back safely.”

Ning Shuangshuang nodded and said, “Okay, I will tell him as soon as possible.”

++++++++

“Hehe, now you know my capabilities, right?” Du Qiu listened to Ning Shuangshuang babble about what Director Mo said and couldn’t help but show a touch of pride.

He was aware of what the bigwigs discussed in their meeting, although the images were blurry, the sound was quite clear.

“You… can you really come back? Does that Li Shennan control you?” Ning Shuangshuang was still worried and finally asked.

Du Qiu laughed and said, “Li Shennan is me, so of course, I can control myself.”

Ning Shuangshuang was dumbfounded and said, “The Bureau initially also believed that Li Shennan was you, but now suddenly they’re saying that Li Shennan is in South Sudan, so they think you might have been rescued by Li Shennan and, out of gratitude to them, are under their tacit control.”

“They’ve woven a good story now; I plan to adopt this script. The Li Shennan in South Sudan is my double; I’m using him to set up a trap to bamboozle the GIA.”

“GIA is after you?” Ning Shuangshuang immediately became worried.

“Of course, after all, it’s the world’s number one intelligence organization. Just like you, they’re focused on Li Shennan, but they haven’t been able to determine a landing point, so they haven’t taken action yet.”

“What are you planning to do about it?” Ning Shuangshuang asked.

“I’ll definitely be returning with the aircraft carrier group; I must enjoy this treatment.

However, I will have Li Shennan also fly back to the country in a private plane, giving GIA a chance to strike.”

“Why would you give GIA the opportunity to go after Li Shennan?”

“Because GIA is convinced that Li Shennan is me. I want to see if GIA will change from pursuing to assassinating. That way, when I retaliate in the future, it will be justified.”

“I feel like you’re kind of entrapping them?”

“Haha, Shuangshuang, when you say that, it really is the case. Sometimes, if others don’t take a step first, it’s not good for you to make a big move yourself.”

Ning Shuangshuang hummed lightly and said, “Aren’t you going too roundabout? The Americans are hunting you down; isn’t that enough for a first step?”

“That’s not enough; the retaliatory measures I’m preparing go far beyond that.”

Today is New Year’s Eve, wishing all readers a joyous Spring Festival and all the best!