Admiral Director Zhang

"Seeing you in person truly lived up to your reputation. You really are a young hero!"

Director Zhang—no, Admiral Zhang Zhaozhong—looked deeply moved. He was clearly somewhat surprised by Chen Mu's youth as well.

Although he had seen the photos, seeing Chen Mu in person still made him sigh. This young man was truly very young.

"Hello, Director Zhang—no, hello, Admiral!"

Chen Mu was startled as well. Admiral was practically the highest military rank in China. He had never expected such an important figure to come and meet him.

"Director Zhang?"

Admiral Zhang Zhaozhong smiled. He did not know what Chen Mu meant, but he did not take it to heart. Looking at Chen Mu, he said directly, "Sit. You've been on a plane for so long, so you must be hungry. Let's talk while we eat."

The dishes in the private room had actually been served long ago, but Admiral Zhang Zhaozhong clearly had not touched any of them.

"Thanks!"

Chen Mu did not stand on ceremony. Besides, he was already hungry. As soon as he sat down, he eagerly picked up some food and began eating.

"Can I call you Xiao Mu?"

Watching Chen Mu feast heartily, Zhang Zhaozhong did not blame him for his lack of etiquette. Instead, he looked at him with curiosity and asked, "Let me ask you directly. Did you really develop the firearm blueprints you gave Zhang Yong yourself?"

As expected of a soldier, he did not beat around the bush and asked bluntly.

"That's right. I developed them myself."

Chen Mu nodded. Since the Huaqiangbei System had developed them, they naturally counted as his. Besides, on the way here earlier, he had asked Xiao Ai whether he could publicly reveal the existence of the Huaqiangbei System.

If he could, everything he did would become much simpler.

Do not assume that once the country learned you had a system, it would control you, force you to do things, or simply treat you like Xiao Bai and slice you up for research...

None of that was possible, because doing so would be the stupidest possible course of action!

The amount of help a system could provide China was obvious. No fool would kill the goose that laid the golden eggs, especially not a country—let alone an ancient nation with five thousand years of history.

Once China learned about the Huaqiangbei System's abilities and functions, it would definitely find a way to maximize its value. Even if the cost was putting Chen Mu on a pedestal, there would be no problem with that!

For a country, especially a major power like China, treating Chen Mu as a "national treasure" would not consume many resources. In contrast, the help Chen Mu could provide China would be enormous!

Chen Mu knew his own limits. It was obviously impossible for him alone to make full use of Huaqiangbei. If China helped him, that would be even better!

As for being afraid of getting sliced up for research?

Only someone with an extreme persecution complex would have that kind of worry!

Who knew whether the system would disappear if its host died?

Who would dare take that risk and gamble on it?

If he openly revealed the existence of the Huaqiangbei System, China could make even better use of its capabilities, develop rapidly, and achieve the "revitalization of China" in no time at all, couldn't it?

Unfortunately, Xiao Ai's answer poured a bucket of cold water over Chen Mu. He was told that if anyone else learned of the Huaqiangbei System's existence, it would immediately disappear...

That gave him quite a scare. He no longer dared do that, no longer dared slack off, and could only honestly shoulder this responsibility...

"You truly are a promising young man."

Admiral Zhang Zhaozhong nodded and asked with a smile, "If that is the case, Xiao Mu, are you interested in joining the Military Headquarters?"

Hearing this, Chen Mu's father, who was sitting beside him, immediately lit up and looked at Chen Mu expectantly.

To be honest, when one person joined the military, the whole family was honored!

Naturally, his father hoped Chen Mu could enter the military system. That way, Chen Mu's future would be secure!

"No, I refuse!"

For the sake of his plans and to make things more convenient for himself, Chen Mu refused without hesitation. If he really did that, it would only become more troublesome for him, and many of his plans would be impossible to carry out. Even knowing the future development of this world would not be of much use.

In the strictly regulated military, his actions would be tightly constrained, and that was precisely what he did not want.

"Why?"

Admiral Zhang Zhaozhong asked curiously. He was not angry because of Chen Mu's refusal.

"Xiao Mu, opportunities like this are rare!"

Uncle Zhang could not help trying to persuade him as well. This could be considered a special enlistment, and personally recruited by an admiral at that. He might even work in weapons research. His prospects would be extremely promising!

"It's too exhausting, and I don't want anyone controlling me."

Chen Mu scratched his head. That was indeed one of the reasons.

"Everyone has their own ambitions, and I won't force you. Let me ask you this, then: what do you want to do next? Do you have any dreams?"

Admiral Zhang Zhaozhong did not blame Chen Mu. Instead, he asked with great curiosity, like an elder concerned for a junior.

"Director Zhang, as you can see, I'm very interested in researching things. So in the future, I'll start a large technology company, a major enterprise like America's Stark Industries, and then surpass them!"

"That's a good dream!"

Director Zhang nodded. He did not mind Chen Mu's form of address and continued, "But isn't that dream a little too difficult? Stark Industries has been developing since World War II to reach where it is today. Wouldn't surpassing it be far too hard?"

"Where there's a will, there's a way. I believe I'll succeed!"

Chen Mu spoke with great confidence. In truth, the technology he currently possessed was enough to accomplish that. Not only did he have all of Hammer Industries' advanced technology, but he also had most of Stark's technology. Furthermore, the Huaqiangbei System could modify and upgrade those technologies. Surpassing them would not actually be much of a problem!

"Young people should not aim too high. My personal suggestion is that you join one of the established research institutes first. Once you have achieved enough results, you can strike out on your own and establish a technology company. That way, you will not only have connections, but also be able to receive more investment, making it easier to realize your dream."

Director Zhang frowned, but he still tried to persuade Chen Mu not to aim too high.

"I have enough confidence!"

Chen Mu smiled mysteriously. Looking at Director Zhang with a serious expression, he said, "Of course, I wouldn't assume that a mere firearm blueprint would be enough to defeat them. But what if I have other things as well?"