Zhang Beihai was the first to arrive at the office in the morning. Facing north, he respectfully kowtowed three times. This was his account to his father and the ancestors in the ancestral hall. In the Zhang family genealogy,
Zhang Beihai knew that Wade had once been a devoted core member of the "Civilization Perpetuation" organization. Before 2020, he had been bent on developing general artificial intelligence; technological progress was of paramount importance to him. Therefore, now that he had awakened, he certainly wouldn't obediently comply with any Lisbon Convention and had definitely made small moves behind the scenes already. As the newly appointed leader of this department, Zhang Beihai had to leverage Wade and promote capable people he could use on one hand, while suppressing and counterbalancing Wade on the other.
When Wade walked through the door today, Zhang Beihai noticed he was holding two jade-like bracelets that looked like some novel material, so he jokingly asked, "You aren't planning to gift me a pair of high-ice jade bracelets, are you?"
Wade smiled and said, "Actually, yes. It's the technology I introduced to you a couple of days ago—similar to electromagnetic ID badges used for patient monitoring. As we know, when people lie or intentionally conceal facts, their physiological responses undergo subtle changes, such as an accelerated heart rate, shifts in skin resistance, and fluctuations in certain biochemical markers, like elevated cortisol levels. Among these, cortisol is a key indicator of stress response. We used a specific isotope to tag cortisol molecules. This isotope shares essentially the same chemical properties as ordinary cortisol molecules, but differs in physical properties, especially its mass. This way, when the sensor in the bracelet detects an increase in cortisol concentration, it can verify it by measuring the concentration of this specific isotope. Using some simple algorithms to monitor the quantity and position of isotopes on the electromagnetic ID badge, it calculates your endocrine levels and so forth, thereby serving as a lie detector. Bat Corporation manufactured a few product samples over the past two days, and I brought some for you to see."
Zhang Beihai smiled and said, "Great, great, great. I was just thinking of going down to inspect Bat Corporation. I've been busy with meetings and reshuffling the department's personnel relationships these past two days, so I haven't had time to visit."
Wade added, "Take a look, this thing is quite fun." As he spoke, Wade slipped both bracelets onto his wrists and said, "If I lie, it turns red. For instance... I came here today to deceive Mr. Beihai... See that? It turned red."
Zhang Beihai nodded.
Then Wade spoke: "I am not a member of the 'Civilization Perpetuation' organization."
The bracelet glowed blue!
Then Wade spoke: "I am not a member of the 'Civilization Perpetuation' organization."
The bracelet glowed blue!
Zhang Beihai was dumbfounded. Truly not a member of 'Civilization Perpetuation'?
Wade continued, "You used to work in security agencies back in 2020. You might have received intelligence about me claiming I was a member of 'Civilization Perpetuation', but in fact, I was not. I merely sympathized with the organization. I love artificial intelligence technology and hope for its progress and development."
Zhang Beihai nodded, calculating in his mind: either he was fooling me with a fake lie detector—who knew if this glowing piece of junk was just an LED bulb; this wasn't a movie plot where something is a lie detector just because you say it is—or Wade indeed wasn't lying and wasn't a member of 'Civilization Perpetuation'. That would only indicate he never joined the organization, but had he cooperated with it? Had he joined before, only to leave later? Or had he been expelled? Or perhaps he was playing a word game: now that 'Civilization Perpetuation' had long ceased to exist, saying he wasn't a member of the organization was technically true anyway.
"Hmm," Zhang Beihai patted his shoulder and said, "I believe you, Wade. Back then, we indeed received some intelligence indicating that you were an important member of 'Civilization Perpetuation' and had participated in many of their activities."
Wade continued, "Indeed, I participated in many activities. However, back then, they were a legal organization. Conferences like IJCAI that they organized annually were top-tier academic conferences in artificial intelligence. As an AI technology enthusiast, what reason did I have not to attend?"
The bracelet remained blue!
Zhang Beihai could hardly believe his eyes. He was Wade, after all! I spent so much time studying him and analyzing him; I thought I understood him well enough. Yet in the end, he could still reveal sides of himself I never knew.
Zhang Beihai naturally knew that cooperating with him was the best choice under the circumstances.
So Zhang Beihai smiled and said, "Fellow countryman Wade, don't get worked up. Let bygones be bygones like drifting clouds; what's most magnificent is tomorrow morning's rosy dawn. Tell me about your plan, how about it? How do we make this force serve us?"
Wade said, "Alright, Mr. Beihai. First of all, this United Systems company I arranged for you originally manufactured weapons and is a global leader in automated weaponry. This company has also been consistently researching artificial intelligence technology. As you know, the most famous clause of the Lisbon Convention, Article 0817, states:
Without the approval of the General Artificial Intelligence Ethics Committee, no individual or organization may conduct artificial intelligence experiments.
In fact, since 2083, the Ethics Committee has not approved a single experiment. It has effectively become a supervisory body, conducting global inspections every year much like nuclear weapon verifications.
United Systems, however, took a different R&D route. Beginning with trajectory memory and compensation for robotic arms, it gradually developed a set of police equipment called 'Conditioned Reflex'. When a police officer comes under attack, the equipped automated weapons return fire almost instinctively, using high-voltage electricity, infrasound, rubber bullets, and other automated arms.
Last year, a researcher from their company was casually chatting with me and mentioned that United Systems had collected over a decade's worth of data on the 'Conditioned Reflex' system. If the Ethics Committee's scrutiny ever loosened one day, they could immediately produce robotic dogs, robotic cats, and similar electronic pets that have no real brains but possess fixed behavioral patterns.
Zhang Beihai asked a few more questions: 'Since it's all conditioned reflexes, what are the stimulus sources?' He told me that stimulus sources are ultimately just datasets. For example, when an electronic pet walks, you continuously feed it the stimulus source for walking; when it encounters an obstacle, it receives the stimulus source for walking plus obstacle. It's essentially mimicking animal instincts to make it resemble an animal..."
Zhang Beihai interrupted, "I can imagine that. But could such combinations of reflexes actually give rise to consciousness?"
"No, no, no. The last thing we need is for them to possess consciousness. First, if they developed consciousness, the Ethics Committee would definitely intervene. Second, if they had consciousness, we wouldn't know whether they'd be willing to stand on our side, and this force might not necessarily belong to us anymore."
"Hmm, that's true. But what we need right now isn't electronic cats or dogs. Can this technology be used to manufacture anything useful?"
"Of course. We'll use this technology to manufacture robots—humans without consciousness, without thought, driven purely by instinct. Moreover, we'll have United Systems use the finest materials and technology, power them with the cutting-edge solar tech, and use top-grade components to aim for maintenance once every ten years. Finally, we arm them, equip them with automated weapons, integrate the 'Conditioned Reflex' system, and enable just three robots to control an entire residential district."
Zhang Beihai thought to himself: as expected, this is still the ruthless Wade. The batch of robots he's producing now ought to be named 'Executioners.'
So Zhang Beihai inquired of this old fox regarding the procurement.
"Actually, I have some personal ties with the First Leader of the Ethics Review Committee. A large sum of funds was approved for their committee last year, so they loosened the scrutiny slightly for a few companies," Wade told Zhang Beihai. "If you truly want to procure a batch of products, you can approach this company." Saying this, Wade handed Zhang Beihai a business card.
"I'm just casually asking about this. The matter is extremely sensitive; besides, the department doesn't need them, and if the public found out, it would become a major scandal. Actually, I want to talk about a taboo topic. I just arrived here and don't know who else is suitable to talk to. After much thought, you're the only fellow countryman I can confide in. In short, I'd like to ask you: what do you think of the 2078 player suicide incident in the game 'Setting Sun'? What was really going on? Was it truly caused by artificial intelligence? Or was someone orchestrating it behind the scenes? After all, it caused general artificial intelligence technology to stall for nearly thirty years. I don't believe things are as simple as they appear on the surface."
Wade's gaze turned slightly distant. He thought for a moment before answering Zhang Beihai, "Nobody can change what has already happened. Regardless of the truth, the consequences of that event have already been manipulated. Does the truth even matter anymore? The reality is that the General Artificial Intelligence Ethics Committee was established, and AI technology was brought to a standstill. You don't know enough about that period of history. Without 'Setting Sun', there would have been a 'Rising Sun'. No matter how things unfolded, the outcome would inevitably lead to criticism of general artificial intelligence. After experiencing the 'Great Migration' of the 2050s and the 'Gaming Industrial Revolution' of the 2060s, humanity once again picked up that vulgar moralistic ethos stemming from the Renaissance. They became sentimental, unwilling to face moral risks, unwilling to confront ethical challenges, and unwilling to sacrifice a tiny fraction of people for overall progress—even if it meant sacrificing a damn NPC in some fucking idiotic game that might have had emotional capabilities..."
Wade grew somewhat agitated as he said this. Zhang Beihai knew he was still the same Wade who would advance at all costs.
Sensing that his tone had become a bit excessive, Wade softened his voice and said, "Holding history accountable and seeking the truth is meaningless. The key is dealing with the cowards currently before us."
Zhang Beihai adopted a sincere tone and expression to counter, "No, no, no, that's not it. Understanding history allows us to better understand the present. Probing the trajectory of the past enables us to know the direction of the future. To know where we are going, we must understand how we got here; looking backward is also looking forward. History is by no means a little girl to be dressed up at will, nor is the truth some moldy grain that nobody cares about."
Wade smiled. "Beihai, I've finished telling the history. A smart man like you should have figured out what really happened long ago. What the truth of those past events was is indeed unverifiable now; in this era of paperless offices, deleting things is always easy. You don't need to test me, either. No matter what, we are on the same side."
Zhang Beihai put on a surprised expression again and asked, "Oh? How so?"
"The procurement I've prepared for you is a force that can definitely help you. First, these robots, equipped with a minimal degree of decision-making ability, will only obey us once unlocked. This grants you a fresh, vital force, and I will arm them according to the most advanced police weaponry of today. Second, I will arrange for the original blueprints, models, code, and algorithms to all be destroyed, ensuring that only we have the capability to rapidly reproduce them. With such a force backing you, our situation will improve dramatically."
Zhang Beihai thought for a moment and said, "Fellow countryman Wade, I'm certainly willing to believe you. But holding such a private armed force in hand might make things more dangerous rather than safer, wouldn't it? As an old Chinese proverb goes, 'possessing a jade ring brings its own crime.' If the Presidium found out about this, wouldn't I be the first one suppressed? Besides, if you or someone on your side reported me, it would be a major merit for you."
Wade paused, then said, "You're worried about that? No way, we're in the same boat. I couldn't possibly do anything detrimental to you. Besides, you don't understand the Coalition Government. Nowadays, various departments under the Coalition Government all maintain a certain degree of military power. For example, the Health and Epidemic Prevention Department has established epidemic prevention troops, the Rescue and Charity Department has fire-fighting forces, and the Transportation and Aviation Department has flight duty units. This is a major characteristic of the Coalition Government, nothing out of the ordinary. Fellow countryman, don't you trust how I handle things? I've already scrutinized the reactions of all parties repeatedly. I can discuss the entire plan with you."
Zhang Beihai smiled and said, "Fellow countryman Wade, for the two of us to trust each other, besides being countrymen, there must be other reasons. You either tell me your purpose, or tell me your past."
"I agree very much with fellow countryman Wade's thinking, but could such robots actually get approved by the Ethics Review Committee?"
"Hahaha, naturally I won't say these things to the people on the Ethics Review Committee. Brother Beihai, you Chinese have a saying: 'Launch an expedition with justifiable cause.' Reality isn't a sci-fi movie where you can easily distinguish good guys from bad guys. As long as we give it a good name, most people will assume we are the good guys in the movie.
Of course, I won't tell the review committee and the public that this thing is a robot. I will still call it an electronic police dog, and then give it a cute puppy name, which will be enough to make the public let down their guard. As for the Ethics Review Committee, I'll tell them it's patrol equipment ordered by the Police and Security Department, a next-generation product newly developed by United Systems—except the previous 'Conditioned Reflex System' was worn by police officers, whereas now it's on an electronic police dog.
The Ethics Review Committee has been operating for twenty years. The catastrophe back then is long gone. The people currently working at the Ethics Review Committee just treat work as a routine job; their vigilance has vanished. Offering them a bit more budget will be enough to get it passed."
"What about the Police and Security Department?"
"I've already consulted with their First Leader, and they are also willing to procure such products. I'll handle the follow-up matters; you only need to approve this procurement proposal."
"Mm, excellent. Fellow countryman Wade, working with you really is a pleasure," Zhang Beihai said in an appreciative tone. "Let me think again if there's anything we haven't considered..."
Zhang Beihai paced back and forth in the room, silently evaluating the situation Wade was pulling him into. In the first round of confrontation, Zhang Beihai had secured the position of First Leader first, seizing the initiative and holding the power to veto his proposals. In the second round, Wade preemptively offered a proposal that seemed flawlessly advantageous to him and beneficial to their current alliance. But if he followed the steps Wade laid out entirely, he would lose the initiative—and the initiative was the greatest variable in a power struggle.
Zhang Beihai despised being manipulated above all else. Doing as Wade said meant relinquishing the initiative, but giving up this opportunity would be a terrible waste, after all, budget resolutions only happened once a year.
Just then, the indoor security system's alert sounded, and the voice system announced, "An appointment visitor has arrived."
"I didn't schedule anyone this afternoon, did I?" Zhang Beihai muttered, then opened the door video feed, only to find Wan Yining standing right at the entrance!
"No need to check, I invited Yining over," Wade smiled and said to me. His smile was warm and carried a touch of sincerity, like a heartfelt display of warmth between true friends.
Yet Zhang Beihai could not help feeling a chill deep down.
Wade continued, "I heard from Yining that you scheduled a meeting with Jiao Huanqi from the Presidium this afternoon, so I invited her over to hang out too. I saw that you didn't have much on your schedule this afternoon anyway."
Zhang Beihai thought: he made his move, just as expected. Two days ago, Zhang Beihai had contacted Wan Yining, asking her to help set up a meeting with Jiao Huanqi in the Presidium and telling her not to inform anyone.
Jiao Huanqi was the First Leader of the Gaming and Industry Commission, as well as a member of the Coalition Government Presidium. Based on his work experience, I deduced he was someone who supported the development of artificial intelligence technology, so I wanted to test whether Wade had organized a pro-AI force within the Coalition Government.
What surprised Zhang Beihai was that, first, Wade had evidently monitored my communication channels and learned of this call with Wan Yining; second, having Wan Yining come over was clearly meant to threaten Zhang Beihai. Zhang Beihai marveled inwardly: merely showing a hint of fondness for Wan Yining was enough for Wade to detect it and use it as a threat. Truly a ruthless man.
Zhang Beihai looked into Wade's eyes. His gaze remained clear and earnest, revealing not the slightest pretense or scheming.
Zhang Beihai smiled back at him and said, "Alright, I understand what you mean. Don't worry, this is a good opportunity, and I won't miss it." Zhang Beihai turned and sat back in his chair, saying, "But is there really a need to rush like this?"
Wade said, "Rule number one in the intelligence department: spend the most attention on the most important target. Our current objective is very significant, so we must seize this chance. I chatted with Yining the other day; she's willing to work in our department for a few months, so I arranged a position for her."
"Yining wouldn't happen to be one of your people too, would she?"
"Mr. Beihai overthinks it. Wan Yining indeed has no ties to me whatsoever; she truly is just a nurse working at the hibernation hospital in Canberra. You can look up her background yourself. She's working here purely with a fan's mindset. Her primary idol used to be me, but now it's you—I'm almost a bit jealous..."
"Hello, you two big stars!" In the midst of our conversation, Wan Yining walked in accompanied by her crisp laughter. "What are you talking about? Can I listen?"
Zhang Beihai saw her eyes, which carried the warmth of a spring breeze, and felt that this autumn had turned bright and sunny as well. I said, "Of course you can. We were just discussing your scope of work. How about becoming our department's First Adjutant? You'll get to wear a nice uniform."
"Hmph, is it because you don't like the person Li Geyu sent over?"
"How do you know that?" I couldn't help feeling a bit surprised.
"Isn't it an unwritten rule for the Presidium to assign a First Adjutant to certain departments? I interned at the United Nations for three months, so of course I know," Wan Yining said.
Wade said, "Since Yining has such experience, she will adapt to the work here even better. Mr. Beihai's First Adjutant probably won't assume office for another few months, so you can assist him during this time."
"Don't you Common Era people dislike girls coming to help you?"
Wade and I looked at each other and smiled. I said, "Did you get that stereotype from games? Not everyone from our era was a male chauvinist."
Wan Yining smiled softly. "Alright, Mr. Beihai, when do I start work?"
Wade said, "Right now? How about going to change into the uniform?"
"Awesome! I've only ever worn this kind of uniform in games. I want to wear 2020s clothes! By the way, call me after you two finish talking later. I don't really want to see him here; he'll nag me again then."
As Wan Yining bounced away, a tall, middle-aged man walked in.
He was clearly someone who exercised regularly; his muscles filled out his suit tightly, yet his footsteps were remarkably light. Zhang Beihai observed him out of the corner of his eye.
He showed a slight hint of surprise as he brushed past Wan Yining, but his expression showed no fluctuation when he saw Wade.
Zhang Beihai stepped forward to shake his hand: "Hello, you must be Mr. Jiao Huanqi?"