Old Zhang

Biodata

Background / History

Professor Zhang was among the experts and academicians who worked through Chen Yi's dense technical formulas at Rongfei; after more than five hours, they finally understood Chen Yi's engine plan 42. Following the project's completion, Zhang delivered Chen Yi's Special Advisor certificate, Party Member certificate, Second-Class Hero Model recognition, and badge 43.

He later became the principal intermediary between Chen Yi and higher authorities, handling classified intelligence, explaining institutional procedures, relaying requests, and coordinating Yifei's military technology with Headquarters 92 147. His role expanded as Chen Yi's inventions moved from aircraft and lasers to orbital weapons, biotechnology, and interstellar defense.

Personality

Old Zhang is cautious, pragmatic, and acutely aware of the danger posed by Yifei's accelerating technology. He frequently reacts to Chen Yi's strategic weapons with alarm, keeps quick-acting heart-saving pills nearby, and urges restraint over impulsive displays of force 155.

Despite his caution, he is open-minded enough to investigate extraordinary claims himself. He requests a life-meme test because he considers the safety of humanity and civilization more important than his skepticism 160. His rapport with Chen Yi is informal and argumentative: he regularly scolds him, worries over his inventions, yet remains one of the few people Chen Yi consistently consults.

Expertise and Responsibilities

Aerospace Research

A top aircraft expert, Zhang participates in weapons research, technical evaluations, exercises, and strategic planning 99. He recognizes the potential of Chen Yi's designs even when their technological pace exceeds conventional research expectations.

• Helped assess Chen Yi's aircraft and engine-related research at Rongfei 42 43.
• Reviewed Yifei's ground-assault tank plan through tank-weapon specialists 95.
• Took part in exercise-related planning and introductions at the Echeng base 97 99.

Headquarters Liaison

Zhang acts as Chen Yi's trusted channel to Headquarters, particularly because Chen Yi dislikes institutional constraints and direct administrative dealings 92.

• Conveys classified intelligence, procedures, directives, and strategic concerns to Chen Yi 92 167.
• Arranges military testing, transport, procurement, and deployment for Yifei-developed equipment 110 119.
• Coordinates samples and intelligence concerning Western Europe's cell-repair and lifespan-potion technology 170.

Strategic Counsel

Zhang consistently presses Chen Yi to consider political, ethical, and civilization-level consequences rather than only technical feasibility.

• Warned that force is a last resort and that wars which cannot fully eliminate an enemy only create enduring hatred 155.
• Proposed moving Yifei's Biology Laboratory to the Moon after recognizing its potential to create planet-level biological weapons 159.
• Supported a joint directive placing Yifei's population-cleansing plan under formal orders, seeking to protect Chen Yi and Yifei from public blame 167.

Relationships

• Chen Yi — Research collaborator, institutional liaison, adviser, and frequent target of mutual teasing. Zhang serves as Chen Yi's bridge to Headquarters while attempting to moderate his more extreme technological and strategic impulses 92 155.
• Headquarters — Participates in high-level discussions and carries out or conveys joint decisions concerning Yifei, civilization stability, and the transition into the space age 147 167.
• Yifei — Coordinates the evaluation, transport, testing, and military adoption of Yifei's technologies; he later remains informed of its strategic biological and space-based capabilities 110 159.

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Rongfei research project — Works with senior experts to understand Chen Yi's formula-based engine plan and later recognizes his contributions 42 43.
• Yifei–Headquarters liaison — Becomes Chen Yi's main contact for classified intelligence, military orders, and strategic coordination 92.
• Military exercise and weapons development — Receives Yifei's tank design, supports the Red Team exercise, and repeatedly confronts the disruptive scale of Chen Yi's weapons 95 97 98.
• Space weapon escalation — Publicizes Chen Yi's completed space-based ion cannon to fellow experts, proudly using Yifei's achievement to answer colleagues who had previously mocked his field 110.
• Biotechnology and civilization governance — Raises concerns over planet-level biological weapons, lifespan technology, and the political consequences of Yifei's expanding power 147 159.
• Population-cleansing directive — Delivers the joint directive assigning Yifei to execute the plan, framing it as an official order to preserve Chen Yi's and Yifei's reputations 167.
• Alien-contact crisis — Joins Chen Yi and Lin Qian in analyzing the Lizardfolk Nomad Civilization, while remaining suspicious of both alien intentions and Chen Yi's possible contingencies 180 186.
• Retirement — After Yifei becomes the effective leader of human civilization in the interstellar era, he largely retires, though he still visits Chen Yi when major plans arise 213.

Notable Quotes

“War is just an extension, the last resort, not the only resort.” 155

“You and Yifei are the future of the space age. Such matters should not be attributed to you.” 167

Trivia

• Old Zhang was sixty-two during the space-based ion cannon incident 110.
• He keeps a thermos of goji berry water and uses quick-acting heart-saving pills when anticipating Chen Yi's latest revelations 110 155.
• He once tried calling Chen Yi immediately after receiving classified information, only to reach Chen Yi's automated message saying he was already asleep; the message had been sent less than two minutes earlier 110.