Volume 1, Chapter 25: Rapid Verification

That sudden silence was more powerful than any roar that had come before.

The cheering crowd froze, every movement suspended in mid-air. All attention was fixed upon the metallic beast on the runway, its fury just extinguished, and the pilot slowly climbing out of the cockpit.

Du Yuze’s movements were not hurried, but each step was terrifyingly steady. He jumped down from the ladder, his military boots striking the concrete runway with a sharp, crisp "tap."

In that absolute silence, the sound reached everyone’s ears.

He did not walk toward Shen Qingyun and his team; he ignored the factory leadership and the investigation team. He began to move forward, one step at a time, with a clear target: the dejected figure standing in the crowd.

Tian Weijun.

The crowd instinctively parted, creating a path. At one end of that path stood the stunned Tian Weijun; at the other, Du Yuze, who had just performed a miracle.

A silent trial had begun.

Shen Qingyun’s heart tightened. He let go of Pang Qingquan and braced himself. He was afraid Du Yuze might resort to violence. Deep down, this young man harbored a wild beast that no one could contain.

Zhou Zhenhua also sensed something was wrong. Just as he was about to speak, Wang Lishan, the head of the investigation team, reached out to stop him.

Wang Lishan said nothing; he simply shook his head. He took two steps forward, standing to the side of the path, neither blocking nor retreating. He wanted to watch.

Du Yuze walked slowly, but in covering those few hundred meters, he projected the aura of an entire army.

Tian Weijun’s body began to tremble. He wanted to run, but his legs felt like lead. He wanted to scream, but his throat felt clogged with cotton. He could only watch as that figure drew closer, becoming ever more defined.

"Stop."

A calm, emotionless command was issued.

It wasn't Du Yuze. It was Wang Lishan.

Du Yuze stopped, less than ten meters from Tian Weijun. He did not look at Wang Lishan, keeping his eyes locked on Tian Weijun.

Wang Lishan walked to the center of the tarmac, positioning himself between Du Yuze and Tian Weijun. He glanced briefly at the sleek "Longque" before turning his gaze back to Tian Weijun.

"Comrade Tian Weijun." Wang Lishan’s address was formal, yet chillingly devoid of warmth.

Tian Weijun’s lips moved, but he could not utter a word.

"Regarding your anonymous report to the Joint Investigation Team, alleging that the 'Longque' project’s chief designer, Shen Qingyun, and test pilot, Du Yuze, had falsified technical data, disregarded flight safety, and concealed major design defects..." Wang Lishan read aloud, word by word, in front of everyone.

Each word struck Tian Weijun’s heart like a heavy hammer.

Tian Weijun’s complexion shifted from pale to ash-gray.

"...Following the investigation team’s on-site verification," Wang Lishan paused, raising his voice, "the 'Longque' prototype's taxi test data is authentic and valid, with performance far exceeding design specifications. All allegations are—"

He dragged out the final syllable, sweeping his gaze across the crowd.

"—maliciously fabricated, a pure and simple false accusation!"

The final four words landed with resounding impact!

The crowd was silent for a moment, then erupted into uncontrollable discussion. So that was it! He was the one pulling the strings behind their backs!

"No! That's not true!" Tian Weijun finally found his voice, letting out a raspy, guttural roar. "They cheated! The hydraulic system! There must be something wrong with their hydraulic system! You’ve all been deceived!"

"Is that so?" Wang Lishan retorted. "Data can deceive, but can this aircraft sitting right here deceive you?"

He pointed to the "Longque": "It just came to a full stop at over three hundred kilometers per hour with perfect posture. Tell me, which hydraulic line failed?"

Tian Weijun was struck dumb; he could only shake his head frantically: "Impossible... This is absolutely impossible..."

"Nothing is impossible." Wang Lishan stepped forward, closing in on him. "You abused your power to reassign key project personnel; you retaliated and maliciously slandered frontline researchers; you even intended to sabotage a strategic national asset! Tian Weijun, you have a lot of nerve!"

This was no longer an interrogation; it was a sentencing.

Two security guards in uniform emerged from behind the crowd, standing on either side of Tian Weijun.

Tian Weijun completely collapsed. He suddenly turned to Zhou Zhenhua, pleading: "Factory Director! Director Zhou! You have to believe me! I did it for the good of the factory! I was thinking of the country's property security!"

Zhou Zhenhua’s chest heaved violently. Looking at the deputy he had once trusted, he spat out each word through gritted teeth: "For the good of the factory? You pushed Workshop 207 to the brink, cornered Chief Engineer Shen and his team, and threw the 'Longque' into a fire pit! Is this what you call acting for the good of the factory?"

"I..."

"Take him away!" Wang Lishan did not give him another chance to argue.

The guards hoisted the limp Tian Weijun up and dragged him away. He no longer struggled or shouted, hanging like a dog whose spine had been pulled out.

The farce had finally come to an end.

Wang Lishan turned to Zhou Zhenhua, his expression softening: "Director Zhou, we will coordinate with you and the factory committee regarding the follow-up. But for now, on behalf of the investigation team, I must first apologize to Chief Engineer Shen, to Comrade Du Yuze, and to all the comrades who participated in the 'Longque' project!"

He bowed deeply.

Shen Qingyun, Pang Qingquan, and the others hurried forward to help him up.

"Team Leader Wang, you mustn't!"

"I must." Wang Lishan stood straight. "It was our lack of diligence that allowed you to suffer such great injustice."

Zhou Zhenhua strode to the front of the crowd. He took the microphone, cleared his throat, and shouted with every ounce of his strength: "Comrades! I have an announcement!"

The entire venue fell silent once more.

"By the decision of the Factory Party Committee, and with the approval of our superiors! The previously issued order to dissolve Workshop 207 is hereby rescinded, effective immediately!"

"Wooo—!"

The cheering was more intense than ever before! The workers of Workshop 207, the veteran masters who had nearly lost their livelihoods, embraced each other, tears streaming down their faces.

Zhou Zhenhua raised a hand, signaling for silence.

"Not only will it not be dissolved, but we are also increasing your responsibilities!" His face glowed with excitement. "From today on, the former Workshop 207 is officially upgraded to the 'Factory 303 Aviation Technology Rapid Verification Center'!"

The crowd was stunned.

From a workshop about to be shuttered to a... center?

"Funding! Personnel! Equipment! Whatever you need, you shall have!" Zhou Zhenhua waved his arm forcefully in the air. "We at Factory 303 will spare no effort to support you in achieving greatness! To build a world-class aircraft!"

Shen Qingyun and Li Guishou exchanged glances, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes.

This wasn't just rehabilitation.

This was a windfall, an unprecedented opportunity!

"Additionally," Zhou Zhenhua’s gaze searched the crowd, finally settling on the young man who had remained silent throughout. "The newly established Rapid Verification Center needs a leader who understands the technology, dares to make decisions, and can carry the burden."

He looked at Du Yuze and announced in an uncompromising tone:

"The position of Chief Technical Officer shall be held by Comrade Du Yuze!"

The crowd was in an uproar.

Letting a pilot in his twenties serve as the head of a technical center?

That was unheard of in the history of Factory 303!

Du Yuze was also stunned. He looked at Shen Qingyun, then at Zhou Zhenhua.

Shen Qingyun nodded heavily at him.

Pang Qingquan gave him a hard slap on the back: "Kid! What are you standing there for! Thank the Factory Director!"

Du Yuze finally snapped back to reality. He didn't speak, but instead turned toward Zhou Zhenhua and gave a solemn military salute.

He had reclaimed everything that belonged to him.

No, what he had gained was far more than what he had lost.

Zhou Zhenhua walked over, laughing heartily, and patted Du Yuze firmly on the shoulder.