Old Ge

Biodata

Background and History

Old Ge graduated from Nanshan National Defense and spent decades working under an assumed name for his country. He initiated the 88 Plan, designed the Osprey System and trained many researchers. His work and that of his students contributed to space exploration and the development of new equipment 22 28 38 50.

Special Corrosion investigation

Old Ge joined Captain Chu’s meeting with Xu Chen to discuss Taihao and the recent disease outbreaks. He initially considered Special Corrosion a natural phenomenon, but agreed to investigate after Xu Chen requested records of damaged relics 19 21.

Xu Chen showed him that Stone Age remains bearing healed injuries or abnormalities were disproportionately affected. Old Ge calculated that the pattern was suspicious and proposed that someone might be destroying artifacts to erase traces of humanity. He arranged equipment from the Physics Institute, a military escort and a search for damaged remains at home and abroad 22 23.

Illness and death

Old Ge later suffered unexplained systemic organ failure and requested a private meeting with Xu Chen. At the hospital, he described a magnificent but dangerous dream and told Xu Chen that he was “more solid” than others and would not be “washed away.” During their conversation, a drug pump repeatedly administered propofol; Old Ge died of cardiac arrest from an overdose 27 28.

Investigators found that an extraordinary buildup of free radicals had caused his body to age rapidly, and ruled out chemical poisoning. A later government report concluded that the mysterious entity known as “He” had killed Old Ge and Academician Tang to prevent their discoveries from spreading 30 50.

Research after his death

Old Ge’s notebook contained dense, irregular circles rather than readable research notes. His student Meng Hua asked Academician Tang to work backward from the surviving experiment records; Tang found a possible clue in Old Ge’s description of matter and time solidifying into small pieces 31 39.

Old Ge received a state funeral, which Xu Chen watched online. National leaders later approved retaliatory measures against “He” following the deaths of Old Ge and Tang 38 50.

Appearance

Old Ge appeared gentle and refined, with white hair despite not looking particularly old. He wore an officer’s uniform without rank shoulder boards or collar insignia. By the time Xu Chen visited him in hospital, he appeared visibly older and weaker 19 27.

Personality

Old Ge was patient with Xu Chen’s hesitation but initially skeptical of his claims about Special Corrosion. Once Xu Chen presented a pattern in the damaged remains, Old Ge reconsidered the possibility and asked for evidence and a testable explanation 21 22.

He was normally attentive to his appearance, but the implications of the artifact discovery unsettled him enough to smoke while pondering them, despite his students’ concerns 22.

Abilities and Skills

Scientific research

Old Ge was known for exceptionally broad expertise, including biology, mathematics and physics. His Special Corrosion investigation involved experiments related to high-energy physics and thermodynamics 37 38.

• Memory and mental calculation: He had an exceptionally strong memory and could calculate difficult scientific and technological problems in his head, often counting on his fingers as he thought 22.
• Engineering: He designed the Osprey System and recalled having built a missile 28 38.

Relationships

• Xu Chen — Brought the suspicious pattern in damaged relics to Old Ge’s attention. Old Ge later requested a private conversation with him in hospital 21 22 27.
• Captain Chu — Worked with Old Ge on the Taihao and Special Corrosion investigations. Chu arranged for Xu Chen to visit him and later pursued his research 21 23 27 37.
• Meng Hua — Old Ge’s student, who sought Academician Tang’s help in reconstructing his research from experiment records 39.
• Academician Tang — Investigated Old Ge’s research after his death and found a possible lead in his final words 39.

Notable Quotes

“Someone is destroying cultural artifacts.” 22

“No, that won’t do. You’re... more solid than they are. You’re not afraid of being washed away...” 28

“That thing is... indescribable... beyond words... cannot be seen or heard. All things rejoice at one who understands...” 28