Hearing

"I'd already pulled the ladder out from under him."

When Lin Yuan said that, Luo Qiming still had no idea that his approval authority had become a string of grayed-out invalid code.

March 19, C.E. 71. Third Conference Hall of the National Defense Committee.

It was the same room and the same long table as the previous meeting on establishing the 811 Institute, but the atmosphere was completely different.

There were six more seats than last time, and two additional rows had been added to the observer section. The Atlantic Federation military liaison officer stationed in East Asia occupied the far-right seat, pen in hand, ostensibly taking routine notes.

Luo Qiming sat midway down the long table, with a thick stack of documents before him. To his left sat two officials from the Budget Audit Office, while to his right were three departmental representatives involved in technical cooperation projects with the United Army.

Lin Yuan sat at the eastern end, just as he had last time.

Sheng Lan sat in the attendance section, the manila envelope resting on her lap.

"Today's agenda is very clear." Luo Qiming was the first to speak. His voice was not loud, but every word carried a carefully rehearsed weight. "Since its establishment, the 811 Special Tactical Research Institute has suffered four experimental accidents, including one weapons-system barrel explosion during a test firing and one near-injury to personnel. Project progress has fallen seriously behind the milestones promised during approval, while budget consumption has already exceeded the quarterly limit by twenty-three percent."

He opened the first page of the file.

"I propose a comprehensive budget audit of the 811 Institute and a reassessment of whether its technical path aligns with East Asia's current military-industrial development direction."

The audit official on his left took over.

"From the financial data, the 811 Institute's equipment procurement list contains several unconventional expenditures, including four oversized vacuum hot-press furnaces and two sets of imported nanopowder preparation equipment. Their performance specifications far exceed the needs of East Asia's existing military-industrial projects. The stated reason for procurement is preliminary technical research, yet there are no corresponding phased achievement reports."

Luo Qiming turned his gaze toward Lin Yuan.

"Director Lin, could you explain the specific intended use of this equipment?"

Lin Yuan did not answer immediately.

He picked up the glass of water on the table, took a sip, and set it down.

"Director Luo, I've heard your question. But before I answer, I have a procedural point to confirm."

"Go ahead."

"Did you draft today's hearing attendance list?"

"The notice was issued by the National Defense Committee Secretariat."

"Then was the arrangement for an Atlantic Federation liaison officer to sit in the observer section also made by the Secretariat?"

Several people in the conference hall turned to look toward the observer section. The liaison officer's pen paused for an instant.

Luo Qiming's voice dropped half a degree colder.

"There is a mechanism of technical cooperation and mutual trust among member states of the United Army system. Military liaison officers attending non-classified meetings is standard procedure."

"Standard procedure." Lin Yuan pushed his water glass aside and activated the projection terminal in front of him. "Fine. Then I'll first answer your question about the equipment procurement."

The screen lit up.

But it did not display an equipment list.

It showed a chart of fund flows.

Three shell companies, two offshore accounts, and arrows leading from the South District of East Asia's capital, through Alaska, and finally to the Grove Family's private accounts.

Luo Qiming's hand lifted from the documents and froze in midair.

"What is this?" His voice remained steady, but his speech had quickened.

"This is intelligence procurement money that flowed from within East Asia to Atlantic Federation arms capital over the past six months. The total was 370,000 Federation credits, paid to acquire technical materials from the 811 Institute."

Lin Yuan switched to the second page.

IP addresses of transfer terminals, apartment resident information, and communication record summaries.

"The terminal used by the sender was physically located at 114 Cuiyuan Road, South District, East Asia's capital. The registered resident was Chen Weichang, administrative secretary at the National Defense Committee Coordination Director's Office."

The temperature in the conference hall seemed to drop several degrees.

Luo Qiming's lips tightened into a line.

"Director Lin, these accusations—"

"They are not accusations." Lin Yuan switched to the third page. "Chen Weichang contacted Hualian Metallurgy eleven times over the past six months, using disposable communication cards. Once Hualian Metallurgy's ownership was traced through, the registered location of its actual controlling party was Alaska. Henry Grove, executive director of the Atlantic Federation Arms Group."

He paused, sweeping his gaze around the long table.

"Everyone, the 811 Institute did indeed suffer experimental accidents. But the accident data was leaked into the National Defense Committee's internal briefing at the first opportunity, and the leak channel happened to be Chen Weichang's approval ID. That was no coincidence."

Lin Yuan shut off the projection.

Only the sound of air conditioning and breathing remained in the conference hall.

Luo Qiming withdrew his hand beneath the table.

"Director Lin." His voice was low. "Where did you get this material? Does the Special Equipment Bureau have the authority to monitor National Defense Committee officials?"

"Class-A Counterintelligence Authorization." Sheng Lan's voice came from the attendance section, clear and calm. "Issued by the executive director of the Special Equipment Bureau, transmitted through classified channels, fully compliant with procedure."

Luo Qiming looked at Sheng Lan, then turned back.

"This matter needs to be investigated by the disciplinary inspection and oversight departments, not at a hearing—"

"Director Luo." Lin Yuan's fingers rested on the tabletop without tapping. "Do you still wish to continue?"

Luo Qiming closed his mouth.

The silence lasted exactly ten seconds.

The deputy minister rose to his feet, his voice taut.

"Director Luo, the Committee Security Office will immediately open an investigation into Chen Weichang. Until the investigation reaches a conclusion, you will temporarily recuse yourself from all approval and oversight authority involving classified projects."

Luo Qiming's chair shifted back an inch.

He opened his mouth, seemingly intending to say something about the broader diplomatic situation.

But then he met Lin Yuan's eyes.

There was no anger in them, no triumph, not even contempt.

Only a level certainty.

As though he had just finished reading a report whose outcome he had known all along.

Luo Qiming stood, adjusted his collar, and headed for the door.

When he reached it, the Atlantic Federation liaison officer in the observer section also closed his notebook and hurried after him.

After the door shut, the deputy minister turned to Lin Yuan.

"Director Lin, regarding the 811 Institute's budget audit—"

"It won't be necessary." Lin Yuan stood and put away the projection terminal. "Starting today, the 811 Institute will be designated a confidential wartime preliminary research unit directly under the Ministry of Defense. Project approvals will be removed from the normal processing chain and reported directly to the Ministerial Office Council."

The deputy minister looked around at the others present.

No one objected.

No one dared to object.

Lin Yuan headed for the exit. As he passed the attendance section, Sheng Lan rose and followed him.

In the corridor, their footsteps echoed across the empty terrazzo floor.

"Director, the results from the third fake formula haven't come back yet."

"No need to wait."

"Why?"

"You saw Luo Qiming's reaction today. He didn't deny his connection to Chen Weichang. He only questioned the investigation procedure. That means he knew about it, but believed there was a layer separating him from it."

Sheng Lan slipped the envelope back into her pocket.

"The third fake formula sent through the National Defense Committee channel may never be touched. His people have already been spooked."

"It doesn't matter." Lin Yuan pressed the elevator button. "Two lines are enough. Once the disciplinary investigation completes its procedures, Luo Qiming won't keep his committee seat past this month."

The elevator doors opened, and the two stepped inside.

Sheng Lan pressed the button for the basement level and turned around.

"Director, one person's expression at the hearing was very interesting today."

"Who?"

"He Changying from the Space Force. He didn't say a word the whole time, but when Luo Qiming walked out, he set down his tea cup."

"Did he set it on the table, or push it away?"

"He pushed it thirty centimeters in front of himself."

The corner of Lin Yuan's mouth moved, barely.

"He Changying understands the rules. Pushing the tea cup away means he's drawing a line."

The elevator reached the basement level, and the doors opened.

Before stepping out, Lin Yuan turned back and said one thing.

"Sheng Lan, from today onward, the 811 Institute no longer needs to cater to anyone. East Asia does not need watchdogs for others."