Capital City.
Inside the First Ring Road.
The Head Councillor frowned at Lü Yongchang. "You're saying... those three astronauts want to join Xia Country?"
Lü Yongchang nodded lightly and added, "And they volunteered all sorts of data on the Mars Module."
"They even..." Lü Yongchang's expression turned strange. "They even dug out the Black Box."
The Head Councillor: "???"
The Head Councillor raised a hand and gently rubbed his brow. "Wait... that's a lot to take in."
After a brief moment of thought, the Head Councillor said with a deep frown, "You're saying... they offered NASA's Mars Module data as proof of their allegiance?"
Lü Yongchang shrugged. "That's more or less it."
"It sounds a little unbelievable, but when you think it through, it makes sense."
"After all, they can't return to the United States anymore."
"As far as the United States' records are concerned, they're practically dead."
The Head Councillor gave Lü Yongchang a searching look. Rather than offer his own opinion, he asked, "What do you think?"
"Me?"
Lü Yongchang paused, then answered without hesitation, "We should accept them, of course."
"People of their caliber would be a great help to Xia Country's future."
"But what if they're spies?" the Head Councillor asked pointedly. "History has no shortage of cases like that!"
At the Head Councillor's reminder, the corners of Lü Yongchang's mouth lifted slightly.
"Head Councillor, don't forget that we have Zero. Even if they're spies, they won't be able to cause any trouble."
Senator Li paused, then laughed and clapped his hands. "Good, good!"
"My memory's getting worse with age."
"We caught quite a few spies with Zero's help a while ago, and I've already forgotten..."
Then Senator Li abruptly changed tack. "Yongchang, remember this: whether now or in the future, you must always consider every