Part 2 Hello, Mr. Major General I'm Gu Nianzi

287. Not just a task!

"Colonel Bai has the required security clearance?" Huo Shaoheng opened his computer to check the internal system. There were a total of 18 security clearance levels within the Huaxia Imperial Military, with the highest level further branching into levels A, B and C. Level A was the highest clearance possible.
Bai Yueran held a Level C in the highest clearance. Although it was the lowest level in the highest clearance, she was qualified as one of the people privy to Gu Nianzhi's car accident six years ago.
"Let her join the meeting." Huo Shaoheng dialed Bai Yueran's direct line and she arrived quickly. As soon as the doors shut when she entered the small conference room, anti-interference and anti-surveillance capabilities were initiated to transform the room into a dead zone impenetrable to even the most sophisticated satellites. Zhao Liangze read off his laptop to concisely summarize the event from start to finish. Bai Yueran listened to the briefing carefully and grew stern. She looked at Huo Shaoheng, "Mr. Huo, I already opposed sending Gu Nianzhi abroad from the very start. I believe it's imperative that we retrieve her immediately."
"Retrieve her? How would we do that? She's being sued. It's not like she can abscond from bail?" Chen Lie was the first to object.
"That's the best option." Bai Yueran's gaze was firm as she rapped her slender fingers on the conference table. She had long, black hair with natural curls that made her seem especially charming. However, she clipped it back most the time to look more serious.
Zhao Liangze also objected, "No. If Nianzhi absconds from bail, she will never be able to live freely again. We can't have that." He, Yin Shixiong, Huo Shaoheng and Chen Lie were all the closest people to Gu Nianzhi. Emotionally, he would never be able to stand seeing Gu Nianzhi suffer.
Bai Yueran turned her head to hiim, eyes were full of indifference, "Secretary Zhao, I know that you all were responsible for caring for Gu Nianzhi the past few years. You're only human, so it's natural you care about her. It's understandable that you feel sorry for her, but you also have to remember that you are soldiers and that Gu Nianzhi is a task, not a family member."
Zhao Liangze didn't look at Bai Yueran directly, but he could see her expression from the corner of his eye. He clutched the mouse, lowering his eyes to focus on his laptop monitor and scanning it for a way to help Gu Nianzhi. He was a soldier, but Gu Nianzhi wasn't just a task--he saw her as his own younger sister, so he couldn't agree with Bai Yueran. However he couldn't give a direct rebuttal.
Chen Lie was speechless for some time as well. He snuck a glance at Huo Shaoheng and only saw his impassive expression. It was like Bai Yueran's words had no effect on him. He was truly Mr. Huo. This unwavering disposition is worthy of his title of General and not something ordinary people possessed.
Chen Lie rolled his eyes and intentionally remarked, "Colonel Bai, what do you mean? When did we treat Gu Nianzhi like family? Of course she's a task, otherwise why would Mr. Huo agree to use her as bait and send her to the States to lure out the enemy? --Mr. Huo, isn't that right?"
Huo Shaoheng's face remained stony, but the slight twitch in his eyes didn't escape Chen Lie's keen observations. Chen Lie smiled inwardly and shifted his gaze to Bai Yueran as he spread his palms, "Now there is a problem with the mission, so we must find a solution for it. Colonel Bai, is your solution to admit that our plan to lure out the enemy has failed?"
Bai Yueran's eyes flashed as she looked at Huo Shaoheng, and failed to detect any change on his handsome yet cold face. On the other hand, Chen Lie's round face appeared amiable, but his tongue was scathing.
Bai Yueran's eyes flitted, "...Of course we can't admit failure."
"So I object Colonel Bai 's proposal. --What about everyone else?" Chen Lie scanned everyone in attendance.
Bai Yueran's two subordinates also shook their heads to disagree.
Zhao Liangze spoke plainly, "I agree with Chen Lie. We can't just retrieve Nianzhi back like this. Our mission cannot fail, and Nianzhi is not just a task."
Bai Yueran didn't push her cause when everyone else opposed her proposal. She looked at Huo Shaoheng, "Mr. Huo, what do you think?"
Huo Shaoheng clasped his hands and placed them on the conference table. His expression was so icy it caused palpitations, "We will resolve any problem that arises and respond accordingly." He spoke to Bai Yueran, "Director Bai, this may require the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to step in, you're in charge with contacting them and have them prepare." He paused before continuing, "But the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has to keep this confidential. Before the final hearing concludes in the States, I don't want to hear any word escape. --If there's any leakage, the offenders will be subject to military punishment."
"Roger!" The personnel in the small conference room immediately rose from their seats and called out in unison. After the meeting, Huo Shaoheng and Zhao Liangze had a video call with Yin Shixiong.
"Mr. Huo, Little Ze, what is your decision?" Yin Shixiong asked calmly, "What do I have to do?" Zhao Liangze passed the receiver to Huo Shaoheng.
Huo Shaoheng answered in a low voice, "Find He Zhichu first, and tell him what happened. The US Military is backing Xin Xinggao again, go see how he reacts."
He Zhichu had taken the US Military to court for Gu Nianzhi before. Now this lawsuit was another slap to his face, so what would he think of it?
"Roger, I'll call He Zhichu right now." Yin Shixiong paused the video call to dial He Zhichu. On the other end of the line, Zhao Liangze sat before his computer and was researching online as he asked Huo Shaoheng worriedly, "Mr. Huo, are we going to the States?"
Huo Shaoheng's eyed the webcam steadily and responded after a long moment, "You go, and have Big Xiong come back."
"Huh?" Zhao Liangze was instinctively happy at first, then realized that Yin Shixiong was being called back because something had gone wrong on his side. He couldn't bear it and asked, "Big Xiong"
"It's not Big Xiong's fault, but he's not suitable for caring for Nianzhi in the States." Huo Shaoheng opened his computer to start the satellite tracking program "We need a computer expert over there, so it's better for you to go."
Zhao Liangze understood what he was implying, Huo Shaoheng was shouldering the blame of Gu Nianzhi getting in trouble. As the general, it was his misjudgement for not directing his personnel properly--that way, Yin Shixiong wouldn't get demoted.
Zhao Liangze quickly rose and said with sincerity, "Mr. Huo, don't worry. I'll take good care of Nianzhi in the States and will not allow this kind of thing to happen again."
Huo Shaoheng didn't turn his head and answered dryly, "It's not a big deal if these kinds of things happened. It would've be a waste to send her away if nothing were to happen."