Chapter 206: Undoubtedly a Model Hero

For Yang Dingguo's request, Zhou Ming had no choice but to agree. He followed Yang Dingguo to a side hall where Vice President Du Zhongyuan, Su Han, and Du Peng also joined them.

After the award ceremony, Zhou Ming saw that Su Han was filled with tears of excitement. He knew she was proud and happy for him. However, Su Han's reaction wasn't surprising. After all, in such an emotional moment, even tough men might struggle to hold back their emotions, let alone a girl like Su Han.

Zhou Ming handed a handkerchief to Su Han to help her wipe her tears, and once her emotions had settled a bit, he took her to the side hall.

After everyone was seated, Yang Dingguo patted his chest and said to Zhou Ming, "This Red Star Medal is made of pure gold. It was originally planned to be awarded to outstanding soldiers in the summer of this year, but we have given it to you early. I trust you can feel the weight of this medal."

Indeed, Zhou Ming thought, it seems I wasn't mistaken. This Red Star Medal is indeed the latest version planned for this year.

"Yes, Elder Yang, this medal represents the importance you and the country place on me. I can certainly feel its heavy weight," Zhou Ming said.

Yang Dingguo smiled and waved his hand. "Comrade, there's no one else here. I called you over to have a heart-to-heart talk. Please don't feel any psychological burden, alright?"

Zhou Ming nodded, and Yang Dingguo continued, "This large-scale espionage case is the biggest national security case our country has faced since the reform and opening-up. I never expected that hostile foreign forces would be so audacious, infiltrating with so many spies, always ready to disrupt our country's unity and stability. If it weren't for the information you provided, the consequences would be unimaginable. It seems the hostile forces never give up on our downfall!"

"This situation is partly due to the secretive actions of the foreign hostile forces, with various spies deeply embedded. On the other hand, it's also because our intelligence work wasn't detailed enough," Yang Dingguo sighed. "I'm curious, Comrade Zhou Ming, how did you come to know about this? I heard from Comrade Zhongyuan that you also mentioned the situation in Eastern Europe. Could you elaborate on that?"

Zhou Ming wasn't surprised by Yang Dingguo's question. In fact, he had prepared for this when he was asked to stay behind.

As soon as Yang Dingguo finished speaking, Zhou Ming quickly responded, "Elder Yang, for business people like us, information is crucial. As long as I can obtain sufficient market information and first-hand data, I can seize the opportunity to make a profit."

Yang Dingguo nodded. "Indeed, business is like a battlefield, and using intelligence to seize opportunities is very important. So you discovered this large espionage case from the information you collected?"

"Yes, more or less," Zhou Ming said. "Elder Yang, you must know that I spent a long time in Port City. There, I had access to many Western media outlets and learned important information about the West through newspapers and television."

"What information?" Yang Dingguo asked.

"In 1983, the leader of the Polish Free Trade Union won the Nobel Peace Prize. Since then, the U.S. has been providing fixed grants to the Free Trade Union every year through a foundation. Last year, the U.S. Congress even gave the Free Trade Union a million-dollar subsidy. Other Western countries have provided numerous aids as well."

Zhou Ming paused and continued, "So why is this? Why would Western countries support a political faction in an Eastern European country so much? The reason is simple: the Free Trade Union is their bridgehead for plotting to overthrow the current regime in Poland!"

Yang Dingguo agreed with Zhou Ming's analysis. "There's no such thing as free help in the world. The U.S. is not a philanthropist. Their support for the Free Trade Union must have ulterior motives. What else?"

"Citizens of East Germany are fleeing in large numbers, and Western media are constantly promoting free capitalism in these Eastern European countries. The beliefs of the high-level officials in these Eastern European countries are also wavering," Zhou Ming said. "It's said that a thousand-mile dam can collapse from an ant hole, and these issues are no longer just small holes but significant breaches. If we don't address them, the only outcome will be the upheaval in Eastern Europe, with all these countries experiencing severe turmoil and the collapse of the socialist camp."

Zhou Ming's statement caused the room to fall silent. Yang Dingguo and Vice President Du Zhongyuan were both lost in thought.

Su Han and Du Peng, although they had heard Zhou Ming's analysis before, still felt their hearts race as they listened to him speak.

At this moment, a secretary from the central office entered and whispered something to Yang Dingguo. After the secretary left, Yang Dingguo took out a cigarette, took a couple of deep drags, and then gestured for Zhou Ming to continue, saying, "Keep going."

"If Eastern Europe undergoes dramatic changes, it will inevitably affect the entire socialist camp, and more importantly, it will impact the Soviet Union," Zhou Ming said. "As far as I know, the situation in the Soviet Union isn't optimistic either. The internal situation is chaotic, the living conditions of the Soviet people are terrible, and separatist factions have started to appear. If the Soviet Union doesn't take measures, this superpower could very well disintegrate."

Hearing Zhou Ming's conclusion, Yang Dingguo and Du Zhongyuan's breathing became noticeably heavier. Su Han and Du Peng looked at Zhou Ming in disbelief. After all, to them, the Soviet Union was the elder brother of all socialist countries. How could it end in such a humiliating way?

Yang Dingguo took another drag from his cigarette and, after a long pause, asked Zhou Ming, "Are you sure?"

"I'm very sure! As long as they don't take any measures and let the current situation develop," Zhou Ming said. "Since Western countries are targeting the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, they certainly won't forget about us."

Yang Dingguo sighed. "I must admit, I didn't realize this at first. It wasn't until I met that foreign girl who constantly promoted liberalism at Yanjing University that I suddenly realized this. That's why I asked Du Peng to urgently contact Chairman Du."

Yang Dingguo shook his head. "You have no reason to feel ashamed. Your insight and your ability to convey this information to the central authorities through Du Peng, both your intellect and your firm conviction are very admirable. Have you considered what you would do if your judgment were wrong?"

"I have thought about it. If I'm wrong, I'm willing to face the consequences. At least my country would be spared from a disaster, and that would be a consolation."

As Zhou Ming finished speaking, Yang Dingguo couldn't help but slap the armrest and said, "Hero! Comrade Zhou Ming, you are truly deserving of the title of Model Hero!"

"Yes! A hero who puts the country's interests first and completely disregards personal gain is worthy of everyone's respect," Vice President Du Zhongyuan also said.

Faced with the high praise from the two national leaders, Zhou Ming actually felt quite embarrassed. After all, he had been reborn and knew how future events would unfold. By conveying this information to the central authorities through Du Peng, it was a guaranteed win. He merely wanted to use this opportunity to gain more political recognition for himself.

Zhou Ming felt his actions were somewhat despicable, but he didn't expect that in the eyes of Elder Yang and Chairman Du, it appeared so noble and impressive.

Zhou Ming could sense that Yang Dingguo's reaction was genuine. As the actual leader of the country, years of political experience had made him a master of composure. His emotions rarely showed, as was evident when Zhou Ming analyzed the situation in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union earlier.

Yet now, this person who rarely showed his feelings was actually so pleased that he slapped the armrest. If other central leaders had been present, their glasses would certainly have shattered.

Zhou Ming felt a sense of pride that he could make such a legendary figure so happy.

"If everyone could be like Comrade Zhou Ming and have such a mindset, how could our country not prosper!" Yang Dingguo remarked.

"Please rest assured, Elder Yang. Our country will definitely prosper and develop as long as we adhere to the correct path of reform and opening up," Zhou Ming said.

Yang Dingguo nodded and asked Zhou Ming, "Do you know what the secretary just reported to me?"

Zhou Ming's heart skipped a beat, sensing something, but he shook his head. Yang Dingguo said, "Just an hour ago, the Polish Free Trade Union held a roundtable meeting. The result was the recognition of the Free Trade Union's legitimacy and a decision to proceed with parliamentary elections immediately."

Zhou Ming gasped. Although he had guessed that something might change in Eastern Europe given Yang Dingguo's actions, he didn't expect it to happen so quickly. In Zhou Ming's memory, the elections that would bring the Free Trade Union to power and mark the end of Poland's political system were supposed to happen next year or the year after. How could it start now?

At this moment, Zhou Ming suddenly realized that in his previous life, the foreign spies had been able to remain hidden and cause disruptions. But now, because he had alerted the central authorities, they had taken decisive action to eliminate these espion

age threats.

Such a major anti-espionage operation might not be known to the general public or cause social unrest, but it certainly wouldn't escape the notice of Western intelligence organizations.

Once Western countries received the news of China's secret anti-espionage campaign, they would immediately realize their actions had been exposed.

Generally, there are two ways to handle such exposed espionage activities: one is to cease operations. However, after half a century of Cold War, Western countries wouldn't easily retreat. 

Therefore, they would likely adopt another approach: adjust strategies and prepare for an early confrontation!