Chapter 197: Concerning the Future of the Country (Part 5)

On Zhongguancun Street, Zhou Ming and Su Han were leaning against a utility pole, catching their breath. Zhou Ming lifted his hand to wipe the sweat off Su Han's nose and apologetically said, "Sorry for dragging you into this. You must be exhausted from running around."

Despite still looking a bit out of breath, Su Han smiled and shook her head, indicating that it was no problem.

"But I really didn't expect Yan University students to be so enthusiastic. If they had caught us, we'd probably have to spend the night at Yan University," Zhou Ming said, glancing back nervously as if expecting those enthusiastic students to come after them to pull them into clubs or ask for autographs, wanting him to recount the story of Weiming Lake using Korean drama tactics.

Zhou Ming then took Su Han to a nearby café to rest, rather than wandering around the street. First, they were tired, and second, despite Zhongguancun having become an electronics street, it was still far behind its future self, with Zhongguancun Garden not even in sight yet. It was just a commercial street with electronics, which was rather uninteresting.

Soon, Du Peng arrived in a car, rushing over. He approached Zhou Ming and said, "I knew Zhou Ming would never let me have peace. You two managed to create a campus idol just by strolling around. I'm really in awe!"

Du Peng's words made Zhou Ming unhappy: "Damn it! Du Peng, can't you say something nice for once? I didn't do anything outrageous at the school. Those students worshiped me of their own accord. How can I stop them?"

If someone else had said this, Du Peng would have criticized them for being narcissistic, but since it was Zhou Ming, Du Peng had no retort, because it was indeed the truth.

In the end, Du Peng, looking defeated like a rooster, said, "Zhou Ming, you really have to take all the good things for yourself and leave no room for others."

Faced with Du Peng's comment, Zhou Ming felt quite helpless. If one were to use a pompous phrase from the future to describe the situation, it would be: If being excellent is a crime, then I am deeply guilty.

Being admired by others is indeed a pleasant thing, but Zhou Ming, with a psychological age of fifty, would not become entangled in it or daydream all day. At this moment, Zhou Ming thought of another issue, which was also why he had called Du Peng immediately after leaving Yan University. He then asked Du Peng, "Have you heard of the name Theresia Caitlin?"

"Theresia Caitlin?" Du Peng frowned. "I think I've heard that name somewhere before, but I can't recall where. What's up?"

"She's a foreign girl I encountered at Yan University. She was traveling in an embassy car with a translator and a bodyguard. I ran into her while she was advocating for free thought in a Yan University lecture hall, which led to the students there admiring and chasing me. From my observation, she should have some special status," Zhou Ming explained and then recounted the events that happened at Yan University.

After hearing Zhou Ming's account, Du Peng was intrigued and said, "Zhou Ming, are you suggesting that this unidentified foreign woman has been promoting liberalism across various campuses recently? What is she up to? Doesn't she fear that she might really anger those students and get stuck in the campus?"

At this moment, a flash of inspiration struck Zhou Ming's mind, and a huge thought emerged: "Eastern European upheaval."

"Eastern European upheaval? What's that?" Du Peng asked, puzzled by Zhou Ming's words.

Zhou Ming didn't answer Du Peng directly but suddenly said, "Du Peng, can you contact your grandfather now? I have something very important to discuss with Chairman Du. It's crucial for the future of our country."

Zhou Ming's tone was very serious. Although Du Peng had no idea what was going on, he trusted Zhou Ming enough to immediately take him to Zhongnanhai.

The Eastern European upheaval refers to a series of political revolutions instigated by Western countries in the Eastern European countries under Soviet control. As a reborn person, Zhou Ming was well aware that this was one of the most significant events of the century's end. The upheaval in Eastern Europe had a direct impact on global developments, leading to the disintegration of a superpower and ending nearly half a century of Cold War between the East and the West.

This event is well-known in later generations, but since Zhou Ming's rebirth, he had been focused on making money and deliberately avoiding political issues, so he hadn't thought about this until his conversation with Du Peng sparked the memory.

As they say, "A frozen river is not a result of one day's cold," and the outbreak of the Eastern European upheaval surely wasn't caused by just one or two days. There must have been many preparations, and from the information revealed later, these preparations were essentially about promoting their own liberal theories, brainwashing the most passionate youth step by step, and ultimately achieving regime change.

The Western countries' approach was nothing more than a Cold War strategy, aiming to disrupt the Eastern bloc and cause it to collapse on its own. And as a major Eastern country, China was not exempt from their plans.

"My grandfather is inside, and he's not available to come out, but he will give us permission to enter."

Du Peng's voice interrupted Zhou Ming's thoughts. Zhou Ming nodded and said they should go in. Looking up, Zhou Ming noticed the worried expression on Du Peng's face and realized that entering Zhongnanhai wasn't something anyone could do casually. Without a valid reason, one could easily get into trouble.

Zhou Ming patted Du Peng's shoulder and said, "Don't worry. I know how to handle this."

Since Zhou Ming had said so, Du Peng didn't argue further. However, Zhongnanhai was strictly regulated, and while Zhou Ming and Du Peng were allowed in, Su Han had to stay outside. Zhou Ming didn't expect that leaving her outside would lead to another issue.

...

Zhou Ming and Du Peng got into another car and entered Zhongnanhai, stopping in front of an old building. Du Peng took Zhou Ming inside to a lounge where Du Peng's grandfather, Du Zhongyuan, was waiting.

Upon seeing Zhou Ming and Du Peng arrive, Du Zhongyuan looked up, gestured for them to sit, and said to Zhou Ming, "I heard you asked Pengpeng to contact me. Is there something important?"

Du Zhongyuan spoke casually, but Zhou Ming could sense the underlying meaning. If he couldn't present a genuine, urgent matter, he would be in serious trouble, especially since Du Zhongyuan was currently in a conversation with Elder Yang, making the situation even more critical.

However, Zhou Ming did not regret it. Perhaps the events of the past were no longer remembered even by those who experienced them, but now that he was faced with the situation, Zhou Ming felt he couldn't just ignore it. In this major event, if he was right, saving the future of the country would earn him a significant political leverage.

Moreover, thinking of the scene where he was chased by enthusiastic students at Yan University, Zhou Ming felt that even if it were not for himself, he had to do something for his adorable fans.

With this in mind, Zhou Ming looked up firmly and said, "Yes, Chairman Du, it is extremely important. It concerns the future of our country!"

Du Zhongyuan narrowed his eyes because he could see the ample confidence in Zhou Ming's eyes. Although he had only met Zhou Ming today, the conversation had given him some understanding of him. In his view, Zhou Ming was not a reckless person, so if he said it was important, it must be.

"Then you can speak now," Du Zhongyuan said.

Zhou Ming took a deep breath before saying, "Chairman Du, I've discovered that Western countries may be infiltrating our country through various means, preparing to carry out subversion activities against our entire nation."

Du Zhongyuan was shocked. His eyes fixed on Zhou Ming, he said, "What did you say? Say it again!"

Zhou Ming repeated himself, and upon hearing Zhou Ming's answer, Du Zhongyuan gasped. He had thought about why Zhou Ming was so eager to see him, but he never expected Zhou Ming would give such an answer.

Foreign forces subverting the entire country? Isn't that a fantasy? Even if that were true, the central government hasn't received any intelligence. How could an ordinary person know this? Could it be that you have special intelligence networks abroad?

If it were someone else, Du Zhongyuan might have dismissed it, but he just pondered for a moment before asking, "Why do you say this? Do you have any intelligence?"

"No, it's all just speculation," Zhou Ming answered honestly.

Du Zhongyuan was stunned, feeling his thoughts couldn't keep up with Zhou Ming: "You're just speculating?"

Zhou Ming nodded and then recounted everything he had witnessed at Yan University: "Chairman Du, you are a revolutionary veteran, and I believe you know that our country's students are very passionate. They oppose all forms of injustice and are willing to sacrifice everything for their ideals. Many of our revolutionary movements before the liberation were initiated by students."

"Now, from what I know, Western countries have been conspiring to overthrow all socialist regimes in Eastern Europe. First it was Poland, and now social unrest has

 begun there. I believe Hungary, Germany, and even the Soviet Union might soon experience similar unrest."

Zhou Ming concluded with his thoughts: "Given that the situation in Europe is already in turmoil, what about us? I know that Western countries certainly do not consider us their allies."

"Western countries always follow the law of the jungle. Since we are not friends, we must be opponents. When they carry out subversion in Europe, they will definitely send people to infiltrate our country and carry out subversion activities. I don't know exactly how they will do it, but there will surely be such propaganda. As long as the country pays attention to this and conducts strict inspections, I believe there will be results!" Zhou Ming said with conviction.