The Eastern Awakening Lion

  The former residence of the head of state, Yuan Shuifu Garden, is located at the end of a green path. The ancient-style wooden building surrounded by maple trees is where the head of state usually works. The fifth president of the Republic, Ji Youguo, would finish his daily work before sunset and have dinner with his family if there were no special events. Then he would spend two hours accompanying the first lady to tidy up the flowers in the greenhouse. At 9:30 pm sharp, he would tell bedtime stories to his granddaughter. On Saturday nights, he would also watch live basketball games on time. If he was too busy with work and couldn't watch the game on time, he would ask his secretary to record it and find another time to watch it.

  Apart from the special status as head of state and the special treatment and busy schedule that comes with it, Ji Youguo's daily life is not much different from that of ordinary people. This has led to criticism from many people, with some even thinking he is not a qualified head of state and does not deserve to be the highest leader of the Republic.

  In the three years since he took office, Ji Youguo has made little progress and achieved no remarkable political performance that attracts worldwide attention.

  Only those who understand him know that this sixty-year-old, with an ordinary appearance, less than 165 centimeters tall, and slender figure, is absolutely not as gentle and mediocre as people often think. The heart beating in his chest is by no means an ordinary one. A lion must go through years of training before becoming a king, heroes need to endure humiliation and hardship before stepping onto the stage of history, and great men with grand ambitions need to have an extraordinary mindset.

  On this day, Ji Youguo had no choice but to give up his family life.

  Luckily it's not Saturday.

  "Hang up the phone, Ji Youguo said to his secretary Wang Yuanqing who was helping him sort out files: "Little Wang, stop sorting files for now. General Peng Maobang is coming over later. Go prepare some fruit and snacks, and also brew two cups of new tea sent by Xiao Ji. Oh, and inform the gate guard that when General Peng arrives, let him come directly here."

  "Should I greet your wife?" Wang Yuanqing put down the documents in his hand.

  Ji Xiaoji is the only daughter of Yuanguo Ji, after studying abroad and returning to work at the Academy of Sciences of the Republic, she is now a senior researcher. Because Ji Youguo did not use his influence to give his daughter special treatment, after Qingming Festival, she never came again, probably because she was angry with her father.

  As the head of state's personal secretary, Wang Yuanqing was both Ji Youguo's chief assistant and half a member of his family.

  "Of course, otherwise Aunt Qin will have something to say again." Ji Youguo chuckled and said, "After you're done with your work, just head back home, there's nothing going on here tonight."

  "It's okay, I don't have anything to do tonight when I get back anyway."

  "By the way, didn't your Aunt Qin introduce you to someone? How's the relationship going?"

  "Director, we are just ordinary friends, it's not like that." Wang Yuanqing's face immediately turned red, and he looked very shy.

  "You're not young anymore, are you thirty-four? When I was your age, Xiaojie was almost in elementary school." Ji Youguo said while taking out a cigarette from the sandalwood box. Wang Yuanqing immediately took out his lighter and lit the cigarette for him. "There's nothing to be embarrassed about. You've been following me for almost twelve years now? I've always treated you like half a son, so it's time to settle down, have a child, and let your parents feel at ease. After all, the older generation has more conservative ideas, and as an only child, not getting married or having children until now just isn't right."

  "Boss, I've finished my work, and I'll send over the fruit dessert right away."

  "After going back, remember to give the other party a call and ask them out for dinner. After all, feelings need to be cultivated slowly."

  Seeing Wang Yuanqing rush out in a fluster, Ji Youguo smiled and shook his head. He knew that Wang Yuanqing had never found an object, not because he couldn't find a suitable one, but because he didn't want to bring negative influence to him. As the chief secretary of the president, Wang Yuanqing was also a focus figure of the Republic.

  About ten minutes later, the guard brought in fruit, pastries and two cups of Longjing tea that had not been infused yet.

  Wang Yuanqing definitely didn't go home after work, he just didn't want to be asked by the leader about his love affair, so he didn't deliver the things himself.

  Before long, a crisp and powerful, rhythmic footsteps came from outside the door.

  He didn't even need to guess, Ji Youguo knew it was Peng Maobang who had arrived. Only the most outstanding soldiers could produce such a special and distinctive footstep sound.

  "Director..."

  As the door opened, Ji Youguo had already walked to the side of the door. "General Peng, you've arrived. Have you eaten dinner?"

  "Eating on the road made the leader wait for a long time."

  "It's alright, I've just finished being busy too. By the way, won't there be any trouble on your wife's side?"

  "Haha..." Peng Maobang burst out laughing, and at the same time, he waved his hand to let the secretary who followed him leave the president's study. "It's okay, I called home when I went out."

  "Sit, please sit down." As he spoke, Ji Youguo also gave a nod to the guard by the door, and the guard closed the door. "This is this year's Mingqian Longjing tea. Little Jini was angry with me and only sent me a small box. If it were someone else, I wouldn't have taken it out to entertain guests."

  "Lao Ji, you're too polite." Peng Maobang changed his form of address when no one else was around.

  "No, I don't usually like drinking tea. When others give it to me, I use it to entertain guests." Ji Youguo poured two cups of tea and sat down in the chair beside Peng Maobang. "Old Peng, is there any news from that side?"

  Upon hearing this, Peng Maobang's expression immediately turned serious. He then pulled out the red-headed document from his pocket. "I received it before I got off work and rushed over here immediately. The goods are already in hand and are being transported, but there was a problem during the operation, so we must adopt a backup plan."

  "What's wrong?" Ji Youguo's expression also became extremely serious.

  Three pilots were killed and one was seriously injured; a carrier-based helicopter was lost; in addition, the submarine that went to rescue them was also suddenly attacked by an American nuclear submarine and suffered some damage.

  "How is the casualty?"

  "Not serious, has passed the critical period, and there are no missing arms or legs, can still serve after recovery."

  "Will the submarine be able to return safely?"

  Peng Maobang hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Direct return is definitely not possible, this matter has already attracted high attention from the United States, and the US military lost a nuclear submarine."

  "It's a fight!?" Ji Youguo didn't show any fear, only slightly surprised.

  "We've engaged and there's a second US submarine, probably a Sea Wolf. However, we've shaken off the American submarines but can't head back directly, must use backup plan."

  "After some contemplation, Ji Youguo said: 'Just using the backup plan is not enough, we must make every effort to eliminate all relevant clues and cannot let the US point its spearhead at us.'"

  "Don't worry, that American submarine sank to the bottom of the sea at a depth of over 5,000 meters and disintegrated upon impact. With current technology, it's impossible to salvage any fragments. Moreover, I've already had someone modify last year's exercise records, listing all the torpedoes on board 'Gun Octopus' as expended during the exercise. Even if the Americans manage to recover some debris from the combat zone, they won't be able to pin anything on us."

  "That's still not enough." Ji Youguo shook his head, and after a moment of contemplation, said, "The escort fleet also needs to make relevant arrangements, they must be made more stringent."

  "You mean..."

  "Didn't we lose a carrier-based helicopter and sacrifice three pilots?"

  "This......" Peng Maobang suddenly understood, "You mean, direct a pirate raid?"

  "Make arrangements as soon as possible and don't leave any traces. By the way, when is the battle taking place?"

  "Two and a half days ago."

  Ji Youguo stroked his chin and sank into thought for a while before finally letting out a long breath.

  "Lao Ji, is our current arrangement too late?" Peng Maobang also had some doubts in his heart because he neglected a very crucial detail.

  It's not Peng Maobang's fault either. Because this action is extremely related, it requires absolute secrecy, and fewer than ten people participated in the formulation of the action plan, most of whom are high-ranking generals who are loyal to the heart, without a single staff officer, so it's inevitable that small problems will arise during the action.

  "Not yet, it's not late." Ji Youguo stood up and walked back and forth in the room several times before stopping in front of Peng Maobang. "It's been two days, if the US side has linked this matter to us, the President of the United States will definitely call me through the hotline to probe my attitude. The President of the United States hasn't called yet, indicating that the US government still doesn't know who the sudden killer is. Even if the US government suspects us, as long as there's no evidence, they won't dare to act rashly."

  Peng Maobang deeply agrees with Ji Youguo's analysis.

  "Arrange the aftermath as soon as possible according to my previous instructions, and do not raise the alert level." Ji Youguo smiled slightly and said, "The US will definitely make a big fuss and even suspect that its allies are sabotaging it behind its back. As the US's suspects expand and point their spearheads at more countries, someone will naturally come out to stir up trouble. We'll take action when the time is right, as long as the goods return home, we're not afraid of what tricks the US plays."

  "I'll go take care of it right away." Peng Maobang immediately stood up.

  "How many years has it been, and yet still the same?" Ji Youguo chuckled, "Well, let's get things arranged as soon as possible, lest we have a long and sleepless night. Also, remember to arrange for domestic transportation, and have the experimental center make necessary preparations. Once the goods arrive, inspect them immediately."

  "After I go back, I will make the necessary arrangements. Lao Ji, I'll take my leave first, otherwise your wife will say that I'm not taking care of your stomach problem and come to bother you again."

  "It's okay, you still don't understand, your sister-in-law has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. You have a good trip, I won't see you off."

  He ordered the guard to send Peng Maobang away from the Presidential Palace, Ji Youguo returned to the study, closed the door, lit a cigarette, and walked behind the west window.

  Watching the setting sun in the west, Ji Youguo could not predict what tomorrow would be like for the Republic. He only knew that a new era belonging to the Republic might soon begin at his own hands.

  When the Eastern Lion, who has been sleeping for over a hundred years, wakes up from his dream, the whole world will bow down before him.