Experts Still Have the Final Say

Shangjing.

Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

The slightly balding, somewhat aged man sitting behind the desk finished reading the report in his hand. He shook his head and gently tossed it onto the desk.

"This wasn't handled very appropriately."

Yesterday at noon, the Lunar Landing Project bidding conference had concluded, and the details of the meeting were quickly delivered to his desk.

Although the Lunar Landing Project was mainly being handled by a subordinate second-level bureau, the central government attached great importance to it. The Elder Council had personally inquired about it several times, so as the head of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, he had no choice but to treat it with utmost seriousness.

Yet who would have thought that such a major disagreement would arise just as the Lunar Landing Project was getting underway?

Electric propulsion or chemical propulsion?

If possible, having both advance side by side would naturally be best. Unfortunately, the Lunar Landing Project's funding was not unlimited. Although the nation's investment in scientific research was substantial, it was not without limits.

How to make the trade-off was indeed a difficult question.

Seeing the leader fall silent, the relatively young middle-aged secretary standing before the desk said nothing, quietly pondering the meaning behind the minister's earlier remark.

Was he dissatisfied with Director Li's handling of the matter?

Or was he troubled by the situation?

After hesitating for a moment, he cautiously asked.

"There's no written contract for this wager, only a verbal agreement recorded in the meeting minutes... Should I discuss it with both sides and have each make a concession, then cancel the bet?"

Hearing the secretary's suggestion, the minister smiled and shook his head.

"There's no need for that."

No need?

Hadn't he just said this had been handled inappropriately?

The