Zhang Yuli

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Zhang Yuli (张予理)
Alias(es)	Old Zhang; Dean Zhang
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Great Xia Academy of Sciences; Special Secret Group / Top Special Team
Occupation/Role	Dean of the Great Xia Academy of Sciences; leader responsible for Great Xia's contact and cooperation with the Great Wall Watch organization
Status	Active 303
First Appearance	Chapter 7

Background / History

Initial Contact with the Mysterious Benefactor

After the Great Xia Academy of Sciences received the F-22 fighter-jet blueprints, Zhang urgently reported the matter to higher authorities. The resulting directive was to protect the sender's safety at all costs, regardless of the conditions involved. 7

He immediately treated the correspondence as a top-secret security matter. Zhang required the Academy's email records to be sealed, the previously used computers destroyed, and all possible online or physical traces eliminated. 8 He later personally used passwords, retinal verification, and fingerprint authentication to access the dedicated mailbox for the mysterious sender. 17

When the sender offered Great Xia the ability to choose technologies from Eagle Country, Zhang consulted his longtime associate Zheng Lixing rather than deciding impulsively. 18 He also concluded that the sender's alternating use of “I” and “we” suggested that Great Xia was dealing with an organization rather than a lone individual. 27 28

Cooperation with the Great Wall Watch

Zhang opposed covertly investigating the organization, judging that such actions could damage a relationship beneficial to Great Xia. His preferred approach was to ask directly if information became necessary, while deliberately overlooking details the organization did not wish to reveal. 27 35

He and Zheng were assigned to a special task force responsible for the organization's affairs, including its request to build one thousand schools in Northwest Province. Zhang identified the shortage of qualified middle- and high-school teachers as the central obstacle and chose to prioritize areas with severe educational difficulties while increasing subsidies to recruit staff. 35

The highest authorities subsequently formed the Special Secret Group, naming Zhang its leader, Zheng Lixing its deputy leader, and Song Qinyi and Liu Zhixue its members. 45

Military, Industrial, and Economic Development

Zhang consistently evaluated transferred technology according to Great Xia's own development needs. After receiving B-2 bomber technology, he chose to use its strengths to accelerate the H-20 project rather than simply reproduce the B-2. 49 He also pushed the J-20 program toward its maiden flight and considered public disclosures as both strategic signaling and cover for the organization's activities. 63

Beyond military aviation, Zhang helped direct the application of advanced smartphone technology, battery technology, industrial processing equipment, and electric-vehicle planning. 59 101 143 274 He regarded the 10% net-profit arrangement for the smartphone technology as a fair contractual exchange and committed Great Xia to fulfilling it. 101

Organization Visits and Later Projects

As leader of the Special Secret Group, Zhang oversaw security, protocol, and reception plans for the Great Wall Watch's visits to Great Xia. He repeatedly demanded expanded restricted areas and maximum-level security where necessary. 170

When the organization's representative Ilena arrived in Yanjing, Zhang led the reception as head of the Top Special Team, welcomed her on Great Xia's behalf, and arranged the visit's high-level ceremonial schedule. 192 197 198 He later received another representative, “Mr. Li,” during a subsequent visit connected to room-temperature-superconductor technology. 298 299

By the later chapters, Zhang remained involved in coordinating aircraft-carrier readiness, room-temperature-superconductor verification, and preparations for further Great Wall Watch exchanges. 284 290 291 292

Appearance

Zhang is an elderly man with a graying beard. He is also shown using reading glasses while reviewing reports. 192 292

• Usually appears in formal work settings at the Great Xia Academy of Sciences.
• Often keeps tea nearby during extended discussions and document reviews. 67 210
• Is frequently depicted playing chess with Zheng Lixing during breaks. 18 73 96

Personality

Zhang is cautious, disciplined, and highly protective of confidential information. His response to the F-22 correspondence was not merely to encrypt records, but to eliminate every possible trace of the contact. 8 He applies the same caution to in-person diplomacy, insisting that security arrangements for Great Wall Watch representatives must be sufficient to prevent any incident. 170 187

He is pragmatic in dealing with the Great Wall Watch. Rather than letting curiosity jeopardize cooperation, Zhang favors preserving trust and accepting what the organization chooses not to disclose. 27 35 He nevertheless makes sharp deductions from limited information, such as recognizing the significance of the organization's changing self-references. 27 28

Although normally composed, Zhang becomes openly excited by major breakthroughs, including the J-20's progress, nuclear-submarine technology, aircraft-carrier milestones, and room-temperature-superconductor research. 96 176 262 291

Abilities & Skills

Strategic Technology Planning

Zhang evaluates foreign-derived technologies by their usefulness to Great Xia's domestic programs rather than treating them as finished products to copy.

• Proposed using B-2 technology to shorten H-20 development and control costs. 49
• Identified mid- to high-end processing equipment as a priority during Great Xia's manufacturing transition. 59
• Coordinated plans to apply advanced smartphone technology through existing manufacturers. 101 102
• Supported the development of electric vehicles around high-rate lithium batteries and Blade Battery technology. 143 274

Security and Information Control

Zhang manages highly classified communications and treats the safety of the Great Wall Watch's members as essential to continued cooperation.

• Ordered the sealing of email-system information and destruction of previously used computers. 8
• Holds the required access authority to unlock the Academy's dedicated top-secret mailbox. 17
• Required stricter restricted zones and potentially maximum-level security for organization visits. 170
• Directed rapid reporting and citywide alert preparations after the organization confirmed a visit date. 160

Diplomatic and Organizational Coordination

Zhang serves as Great Xia's principal coordinator for dealings with the Great Wall Watch organization.

• Led the Special Secret Group established specifically for the organization's affairs. 45
• Organized school construction and teacher-recruitment measures in Northwest Province as part of Great Xia's obligations. 35
• Negotiated military-export conditions with Saudi Arabia and Persia, linking advanced weapons sales to Middle East reconciliation. 87
• Led Great Xia's reception of Ilena and arranged ceremonial protocol for the organization's delegation. 192 197

Relationships

• Zheng Lixing — Longtime friend, chess partner, trusted adviser, and deputy leader of the Special Secret Group. The two jointly manage most Great Wall Watch communications and strategic decisions. 18 45 192
• Liu Zhixue — Academy colleague responsible for handling and safeguarding communications with the mysterious sender; later a member of the Special Secret Group. 8 17 45
• Song Qinyi — Aviation-research associate and friendly betting rival. Zhang supported Song's J-20 work and wagered prized tea and wine on its progress. 10 74
• Great Wall Watch organization — Zhang is Great Xia's principal liaison to the organization. He prioritizes trust, fulfills negotiated obligations, and manages the reception and protection of its representatives. 35 170 192
• Ilena / “Ms. Lu” — Great Wall Watch representative received by Zhang during the organization's formal Yanjing visit. 192 193
• Zhao Qing — Director associated with the Y-20 program. Zhang coordinated with him on transport-aircraft development and promised support for future super-large transport-aircraft research. 88 144
• Chu Zhentao — Longtime friend and commander of the East Sea Fleet, who petitions Zhang and Zheng for access to new naval equipment. 243 273

Notable Quotes

“Whether in reality or online, we cannot leave any trace!” — Zhang Yuli 8

“No need to investigate anything. How can you investigate among so many people in Northwest Province?” — Zhang Yuli 27

“If the other party wanted Great Xia to know, then they could simply ask. There was no need to investigate for answers.” — Zhang Yuli 35

Trivia

• Zhang treasures a bottle of fifty-year-old Nu'er Hong wine and once used it in a wager with Song Qinyi over the J-20's development schedule. 10
• He later chose to open the same prized Nu'er Hong during a major celebration. 303
• He is a regular chess player, though Zheng Lixing considers him capable of intentionally losing games. 96 143