Chapter 678: Confrontation in the Interrogation Room

In the days that followed, He Yuzhu was so busy he barely had a moment to rest.

He was managing affairs at the Rolling Mill while simultaneously teaching Qin Jingru the Wubi Input Method.

At the same time, inside the Time Cabin within his space, he began developing a Wubi Chinese character typewriter similar to an English typewriter.

Currently, commercial desktop computers had not yet entered mass production, and bringing one out rashly would easily lead to a leak of secrets.

It would be better to first make a Wubi typewriter that could directly type out Chinese characters.

He Yuzhu's space contained a Time Cabin; ten days outside was equivalent to one hundred days inside.

Through He Yuzhu's efforts, the Wubi typewriter was finally completed.

He took it out and began letting Qin Jingru practice with it; within a few days, she was already typing with fluid ease.

He Yuzhu also put her through devilish training, ensuring that even if she had just woken from a dream, she could clearly and articulately explain the process of character decomposition she had known since childhood.

Just then, the Joint Investigation Group quietly moved into the Rolling Mill.

Early in the morning, just as He Yuzhu arrived at work and before he had even settled into his seat, the Investigation Team came knocking.

A Cadre announced with an expressionless face, "According to a joint decision by the Ministry and relevant municipal departments, regarding your suspected abuse of power for personal gain, please cooperate with the investigation. Come with us now."

Soon, a notice was posted: He Yuzhu had been suspended from his duties to undergo investigation.

The bulletin board was crowded with people.

Some were happy, some feared being implicated, and many others had their minds racing—if this group around He Yuzhu really was in trouble, could they move up into the vacated positions?

The interrogation room was set up in a temporarily cleared room at the Beijing Second Reception House.

A long table sat in the middle, and the lights were bright, leaving not a single expression on one's face hidden.

Seven people sat behind the table: Secretary Zhao of the Ministry's Discipline Inspection Commission, Director Chen who was in charge of the case, three comrades from the city, and one recorder.

He Yuzhu was invited to sit in the chair opposite them.

Director Chen flipped through the materials and said in a deep voice, "He Yuzhu, sit up straight. We are the Joint Working Group of the Ministry of Heavy Industry and the city. Today, we are here to verify the situation regarding the reports made by the masses against you. I hope you will adopt a proper attitude, explain things truthfully, and do not conceal anything or engage in sophistry."

He Yuzhu smiled faintly, "Ask whatever you wish; I will certainly tell you everything I know without reservation."

Director Chen asked, "We know you spearheaded the founding of the Computer Laboratory, but it has already been handed over to the Military Factory, and you are no longer the primary person in charge. Why did you still privately arrange for unqualified personnel to enter the laboratory? Is it just because the current person in charge, Liu Siman, is your student?"

"What you said is not entirely correct. I am still a Consultant for this laboratory and have the right to recommend people I believe have the ability or potential to the laboratory."

"The state has repeatedly emphasized that scientific research positions must possess corresponding academic qualifications and professional foundations, correct? How do you justify putting someone with only a junior high school education into the laboratory as a Researcher?" Director Chen said.

"Academic qualifications do not represent one's level of ability; practice is the sole criterion for testing truth. I have always acted strictly according to this standard, and there is nothing non-compliant about it," He Yuzhu said righteously.

Director Chen sneered, "Then explain this: why did the new laboratory recruit Qin Jingru, who was in a service position when she joined, enter the project team after such a short time and get promoted to a Researcher in the laboratory?"

The person in charge of recording nearby paused their pen, and their gaze also fell upon He Yuzhu.

Secretary Zhao also looked directly into He Yuzhu's eyes.

He Yuzhu frowned slightly, "Mr. Hua Luogeng only had a junior high school diploma, yet he became a member of the Academy. I happened to discover that Qin Jingru also has talent; can I not give her a chance?"

Director Chen was stunned for a moment, then shook his head, "Computers are cutting-edge technology. You recruited someone who doesn't even know what a computer is? And you promoted her directly to Researcher—isn't that too much of a farce!"

"It seems you have a misunderstanding about the computer industry. I recruited Qin Jingru not to have her do programming, but because she possesses a very special skill. The facts have also proven my judgment was correct," He Yuzhu said calmly.

Director Chen's expression darkened, "We have received a signed report stating that you and this female comrade have an improper relationship!"

"Do you have concrete evidence?" He Yuzhu's voice also became serious.

"Of course we do. Bring Xu Damao in!"

Soon, Xu Damao was brought in. As soon as he entered, he pointed at He Yuzhu and said loudly, "Leaders, He Yuzhu is abusing his power for personal gain! This Qin Jingru had dealings with me before; she is quite snobbish and must have been bewitched by He Yuzhu. He and Qin Jingru have been messing around in the East Cross Courtyard of the Ninety-Five Compound for a month; if you don't believe me, you can go and ask around. This He Yuzhu has always had an improper style of conduct; he must not be let off lightly!"

Director Chen raised a hand to signal, "Xu Damao, watch your language. What I want to ask you is, what evidence do you have that Qin Jingru lacks talent and is not qualified for the position of Researcher? Do not talk nonsense about other matters!"

"She's just an ordinary village girl; what the hell could she know about scientific research? I don't believe it!" Xu Damao said, agitated.

He Yuzhu spoke unhurriedly, "I ask the leaders to go and look into it: Liu Siman of the laboratory was also discovered by me in the countryside back then, when she was only in her teens. Over ten years, she became a top-tier computer talent in the country. Does my eye for discovering talent still need to be questioned by others?"

A Cadre from the city suddenly asked, "What I am more concerned about is, if you felt Qin Jingru had talent, why didn't you recruit her directly as a research staff member instead of having her join in a service position?"

"Because I discovered she had talent, but at the time, I wasn't sure if this talent would be helpful to the laboratory. Actually, Liu Siman also entered as a service worker back then. This is an unwritten rule of this laboratory... before a piece of raw jade is carved, it just looks like a stone. Are you satisfied with my answer?"

The Cadre from the city nodded.

Secretary Zhao suddenly spoke up, "Although we don't understand computers, could you briefly introduce to us exactly what kind of talent this Qin Jingru has?"

He Yuzhu smiled and said, "Secretary Zhao has asked the most crucial question. What Qin Jingru is best at is being able to break down Chinese characters into several parts. This is very useful for computer character input. Once this technology achieves a breakthrough, our input will be as simple as English."

As soon as he finished speaking, the whole room was shocked.

"Then, should we verify this on the spot?" a Cadre from the city said.

"I request that Liu Siman and Qin Jingru be brought over, and that the specialized equipment be transported here as well, to verify on the spot whether Qin Jingru is qualified to serve as a Researcher," He Yuzhu said.

Upon hearing this, Director Chen nodded immediately, "Then notify them immediately to bring Liu Siman, Qin Jingru, and the relevant equipment over."

At this moment, Xu Damao stood up abruptly, "Leaders, don't be fooled by He Yuzhu! I request that the leaders immediately remove him from his post and deal with him severely!"

Secretary Zhao had already been somewhat dissatisfied with the overly biased interrogation, and seeing Xu Damao rambling here, he immediately slammed the table, "Director Chen, take this person out; do not disrupt the order of the interrogation."

Soon, two staff members entered from outside and took Xu Damao out, one on each side.

Xu Damao was still struggling, "Leaders! He Yuzhu is a bad person; you must investigate clearly!"