At the airport in the capital of the Dragon Country, it was already midnight when Jiang Fan and his group arrived.
As the airplane doors opened and Jiang Fan stepped out, breathing in the air of his homeland, he felt an overwhelming sense of relief. This journey had deepened his love and pride for his country.
"Jiang Fan, welcome home!" A familiar voice rang out.
Jiang Fan turned to see his mentor, Long Lao, standing beside Zhou Huaide.
Jiang Fan quickly descended the steps from the plane. "Professor, Uncle Zhou, what brings you here?"
Long Lao clapped Jiang Fan on the shoulder and circled around him, checking him from head to toe. Only when he confirmed his student was unharmed did he relax.
"You're not injured, are you?"
"No!" Jiang Fan replied.
"That's good!" Long Lao's eyes were filled with affection, like a father doting on his child.
"Xiao Fan, welcome back!" Zhou Huaide, standing beside Long Lao, also patted Jiang Fan's shoulder.
"Uncle Zhou! What brings you here? What about the northern base?" Jiang Fan asked.
"The northern base is bustling now, with 200 research personnel. As for you, you scared us! Your teacher was so anxious, he secretly wiped away tears!"
Hearing this, Long Lao frowned. "You're making me look bad in front of my student!"
"You know nothing! My eyes were full of dust!" Long Lao retorted, but Zhou Huaide only laughed. Despite Long Lao's fiery temperament and strict manner, he was extremely concerned for Jiang Fan.
"Xiao Zhou, are you asking for a beating?" Long Lao said, raising his hand to give Zhou Huaide a playful slap.
Zhou Huaide didn't flinch, letting Long Lao's light slap land on his back.
"Professor, Uncle Zhou, thank you both!" Jiang Fan said with gratitude.
"No need to thank us!" Long Lao replied with a wave of his hand. "Originally, I was supposed to bring a few leaders to greet you, but I told them you preferred a low-key arrival, so they let me come as a representative."
Jiang Fan felt a bit embarrassed. "Professor, I'm just a junior. I even caused quite a bit of trouble in France!"
"Let's not talk about that now. I'm sure you haven't eaten. I've arranged a meal." Long Lao said, and soon, they sat down to enjoy a meal together.
The next day, the top three technology companies in the Dragon Country, including Ziguang Technology, were investigated for leaking national secrets. All suspects were arrested, with the chief culprit being a representative from Ziguang Technology who had attended the summit with Professor Wu.
Meanwhile, the international academic community launched an all-out attack on the Dragon Country.
The World Mathematical Organization declared internationally:
"Due to accusations of intellectual property theft, the Dragon Country must issue a public apology within three days. Otherwise, it will be permanently excluded from the World Mathematical Organization!"
The prestigious American journal SIAM Review, along with several other leading international scientific journals, issued a joint statement:
"Due to the Dragon Country's involvement in academic theft, we demand a public apology within three days. Otherwise, we will no longer accept any academic submissions from the Dragon Country and will impose a complete academic blockade."
The news triggered a massive stir in the academic world. Countries around the globe began to attack the Dragon Country online.
Germany: " the Dragon Country must apologize, or we will block them!"
America: "What a disgrace for Blue Star to have such a country!"
Japan: " the Dragon Country is nothing but garbage. Unable to produce their own results, they resort to theft! Disgusting!"
South Korea: " the Dragon Country stealing your academic achievements is nothing! In our 5,000-year history, they even claimed our Dragon Boat Festival, traditional medicine, and movable type printing as their own. It's laughable!"
Japan: "South Korea, are you joking? Those are the Dragon Country's!"
South Korea: "Shut up! Japan, aren't you the ones who claimed the Dragon Country originated from your country?"
"..."
Countries waited with bated breath, eager to see how the Dragon Country would respond.
The president of the World Mathematical Organization, Austin, and Professor Holt from America held a video call.
Austin: "Professor Holt, rest assured, our cooperation will ensure the Dragon Country apologizes. Hehe..."
Holt: "Too bad we couldn't capture Jiang Fan, or we would have reaped significant rewards."
Austin: "Who knew the Dragon Country would go to such lengths, sending 10 J-20 fighter jets, a carrier, and launching thousands of intercontinental missiles? Our country can't withstand such pressure..."
Holt: "Their military strength is far inferior to ours!"
...
The news also caused a stir in the Dragon Country.
Several top universities in the Dragon Country, including Huqing University, Peking University, JingDou University, and Longke University, convened an emergency meeting of senior professors.
Among them was Qiao Shan, a respected professor from Huqing University, who initially did not want to attend. Given the global academic blockade, he felt it was more a matter for higher authorities to decide. However, as a pillar of the university, he knew that without him, no one could command the situation.
Looking at the nearly 100 professors gathered, he slowly spoke:
"If anyone has thoughts, please speak freely."
"Should the international academic world impose an academic blockade on the Dragon Country, it would have a devastating impact on our country's development."
"At this stage, our nation's academic research in various fields is still underdeveloped. We urgently need international collaboration, so I propose an apology."
"Apologize for what? Our Dragon Nation has never stolen anyone's academic work!"
"I also believe the Dragon Country is innocent of plagiarism, but given the current situation, we cannot afford to be disconnected from the global academic community. Otherwise, it will severely affect our future development."
"..."
Hearing half of the professors support an apology, Qiao Shan was infuriated. Finally, unable to contain his anger, he slammed the table and shouted:
"Our Dragon Nation has survived for 5,000 years, and we are the only one of the four ancient civilizations to still exist. It is because of our pride..."
...
In the office of the State Council of the Dragon Country, a middle-aged man with thick eyebrows and a square face, exuding a natural air of authority, stood before Jiang Fan. He was none other than the top leader of the Dragon Country.
"Academician Long, you've raised an outstanding talent for the country! Hehe..."
Long Lao smiled with pride at Jiang Fan.
"Jiang Fan's research on the IERT magnetic material was entirely his own. I didn't contribute much," Long Lao replied humbly.
Jiang Fan's breakthrough in IERT magnetic material had already been reported to the top leadership by Zhou Huaide.
While they were talking, the leader received a phone call. After a brief conversation, he hung up.
Long Lao noticed the leader's furrowed brows and immediately asked, "Is there a problem?"
The leader then informed them about the World Mathematical Organization's joint statement with SCI journals. Jiang Fan couldn't help but laugh upon hearing it.
The leader, intrigued, asked, "Jiang Fan, do you have any good solutions?"