Just after seven o'clock in the evening, Consul Fan and a large group of people arrived at the courtyard of the old Zhang family on time.
As a veteran in the political arena and a birthday boy over a hundred years old, Zhang Hao naturally stayed in the living room with peace of mind and did not need to take the initiative to greet the other party.
As soon as Fan Huaping stepped through the door, she smiled broadly and congratulated her loudly: "Happy birthday, old leader. I wish you happiness like the East China Sea and longevity as long as the Southern Mountains."
There is actually a reason why Consul Fan calls Zhang Hao "Old Leader", and it is not just a polite word. This "Iron Lady" once served as an intern at the Consul's residence for two years, and the consul at that time was Zhang Hao.
Therefore, this title of "old leader" is well deserved.
Seeing the person coming, Zhang Hao stood up tremblingly with the support of his little daughter:
"Consul Fan..."
"Old leader, you'd better call me Xiao Fan. It sounds friendly and makes me feel younger."
Archon Fan made a little joke.
"Okay!" Zhang Hao nodded with a smile and immediately changed his address: "Xiao Fan, sit down quickly. You are usually so busy at work, so I will treat it as a rest."
Consul Fan stepped forward and held the old leader's right arm, and said politely: "Okay, old leader, you are the birthday boy, and I will listen to you today."
Immediately afterwards, the two sat on the sofa together.
After some pleasantries, Archangel Fan said that in addition to celebrating his birthday, he also had an important purpose for coming here today, that is, he came here specifically to "learn lessons."
Zhang Hao was suddenly full of curiosity and couldn't help but ask: "What happened? You actually need an old man like me to come forward?"
"Old leader, I won't hide it from you." Consul Fan paused, and then said: "You must also know that the economic situation has become more and more severe in recent years, and fiscal revenue has seriously failed to make ends meet, so there are many
People propose to completely abolish controllable nuclear fusion and aerospace, the two most expensive projects..."
"What? How can this be possible? No matter how difficult it is, we cannot stop these two projects, especially controllable nuclear fusion, which is our hope for the future."
Zhang Hao made no reservations and expressed his attitude on the spot.
Consul Fan showed a bitter look on his face: "Old leader, I don't agree with this either, but the financial pressure in the past two years has been too great. If we continue to indulge like this, within a few years, either the federation will go bankrupt or be destroyed.
If the people overthrow it, there is no other way to choose."
As we all know, the total social wealth every year is finite and cannot be increased out of thin air. In the final analysis, all the people have to foot the bill for excessive currency issuance.
"We can't give up food because of choking. Controllable nuclear fusion is our last hope. We must not give up. Otherwise, ahem... we will regret it sooner or later... ahem..."
Zhang Hao tried his best to persuade.
Zhang Guoxin, who was on the side, saw that the old man was feeling unwell, so he quickly reached out to help and patted his back: "Dad, don't get excited. Let's talk about it slowly if there is anything."
"Yes, old leader, this matter is still in the discussion stage for the time being, so you don't have to be too anxious."
Archon Fan followed closely and echoed.
Zhang Hao took a breath and waved his hand slightly: "I'm fine, you don't need to be nervous."
"Old leader, what you mean... I will consider it carefully. Don't worry, I won't make fun of everyone's future." Consul Fan made a promise on the spot.
Zhang Hao nodded happily, and then did not forget to add: "If there are really difficulties, then stop the aerospace project! To be honest, interstellar immigration is a bit too optimistic. No matter how bad the Blue Star environment is, it is still much better than the moon and Mars.
There is absolutely no need to sacrifice the near for the far.”
"Oh, this may be difficult!"
Archon Fan sighed deeply.
Zhang Guoxin couldn't help but asked curiously: "Consul Fan, how do you say this?"
Zhang Hao also looked puzzled.
Consul Fan shook his head and explained helplessly: "In the past two years, Shuguang Company has made new breakthroughs. They are preparing to send experimental devices into space. If we want to continue to tackle controllable nuclear fusion, then the aerospace engineering cannot give up.
"
"Sent into space?" Zhang Hao couldn't help but be surprised, "Is it necessary to build a fusion power station in space in the future? Isn't the cost too high?"
"I don't know the specific situation. Anyway, this is what Sugon Company plans. As far as I know, they plan to use ten years to build a third-generation experimental device in space or on a lunar base."
Archon Fan's face was full of confusion.
Zhang Hao took the water cup from his little daughter, took a sip of water, and then said: "No wonder someone wants to shut down Shuguang Company and move the complete set of experimental equipment into outer space. The cost is simply unimaginable."
"Actually, even if Sugon does not move into space, Sugon will still spend hundreds of billions of dollars every year. Everyone has long been dissatisfied, and there is strong opposition not only from within us, but also from the public."
Archon Fan added casually.
Zhang Hao shook his head secretly. This female consul's acting style was indeed not as decisive as the male consul's, and she was too easily swayed by public opinion.
I originally thought that choosing such a female leader to take over could effectively ease conflicts between superiors and subordinates, but now it seems that the disadvantages far outweigh the advantages.
Fortunately, Fan Huaping's term is less than two years, so even if the other party makes a wrong decision, there is still time to correct it.
…
Half an hour later, Consul Fan ended his condolences and led everyone out of the courtyard. The trip that was originally thought to be ten minutes ended up being delayed for half an hour.
Zhang Hao specially asked his youngest daughter to represent him and send off the governor and his party. He also wanted to take this opportunity to let his youngest daughter talk about the difficulties in the zoo.
Thinking about it, for Zhang Hao's sake, Consul Fan should more or less help solve some funding problems, at least to get rid of them this year.
Soon, Zhang Guoxin returned to the living room.
Seeing that his youngest daughter was absent-minded, Zhang Hao quickly asked with concern: "What's wrong? Consul Fan refused?"
"No." Zhang Guoxin shook his head and then explained: "I didn't mention the zoo at all."
"Are you embarrassed to speak? In that case, I'll just call you tomorrow. You don't have to worry. This matter is absolutely certain."
"Dad, no... no need."
"Why have you changed your mind again? Without funds, the zoo will probably have to close next month." Zhang Hao frowned.
Zhang Guoxin waved the juniors out of the living room, and then revealed the reason:
"Dad, after listening to your conversation just now, I understand the truth. An insignificant department like the zoo will have to close sooner or later. In this case, it is better to close it earlier!
Just like what you said before, there is a federal animal and plant gene bank anyway, so there is no need to worry about the extinction of animals and plants. Besides, closing the company early will also allow everyone to find another way out earlier. It is difficult to find employment now, so the sooner they change jobs, the better."
Zhang Hao smiled happily after hearing this: "Just figure it out yourself. No matter what time, people will always be more important than animals."
"Dad, let's not talk about this anymore. Can I ask a question? You must answer it truthfully."
Zhang Guoxin suddenly changed the topic.
"go ahead!"
"Will Garbo's generation ever move to the ground one day?"
Zhang Guoxin asked solemnly.
Jiabao, who has just turned one year old this year, is Zhang Hao's great-great-grandson and the youngest child of the old Zhang family.
Zhang Hao shrugged: "I don't know. You've read all my internal reference materials. Seriously, I don't know more than you."
"I thought Dad, you had some inside information?" Leslie Cheung said with a disappointed face.
"Don't be disappointed. Taoyuan Special Economic Zone has been improving various infrastructures over the years. No matter how the situation changes outside, it will not be affected here."
"I just feel that little Jiabao and the others are so pitiful. Now that planes can't fly, they are doomed to never see the sun for the rest of their lives." Zhang Guoxin said sadly.
"You are worrying so blindly. It would be great if you can have enough to eat and grow up smoothly these days. There are a lot of people outside waiting to move here and there is no chance!"
Zhang Hao spoke with great care and sincerity.
(Complete book)
ps: If all goes well, the new book will be released next week, the last part of the apocalyptic trilogy.