Chapter Nine: Gold

“Didn’t the central bank’s gold reserves only amount to about two thousand tons before? How did they suddenly increase by so much?” Huang Ze finally managed to compose himself, though his voice betrayed his confusion.

“That’s due to the country’s macroeconomic regulation,” Liu Weihan explained. “Gold has now become one of our nation’s key strategic resources. As a rare element in the universe, gold can only be formed under extraordinary circumstances such as supernova explosions or neutron star collisions. The quantity in any world is predetermined, making it a precious monetary metal as well as a valuable industrial material. In this new world, its value has risen even further. From what we’ve learned, gold is one of the best conductors for magical energy, and it is the most favored tribute for prayers to deities or bargains with demons—a universally treasured commodity among intelligent races, commanding an extraordinary price. However, gold reserves and stocks overseas are scarce. In terms of purchasing power, it’s nearly twenty times higher than within our borders! Naturally, our country must tighten regulation to prevent gold from flowing abroad and preserve our national wealth.”

Liu Weihan continued, “Currently, the state is using various policies and methods to absorb gold held privately. In just half a year, over six thousand tons have been reclaimed, and the number continues to rise. After all, our nation has always been the world’s largest gold market, with a conservative estimate of at least fifteen thousand tons in private hands. If we include untapped domestic reserves, the central bank’s gold hoard could even surpass thirty thousand tons in the future!”

“Thirty thousand tons!” Huang Ze was struck speechless.

The dragon’s blood pressure soared. Huang Ze’s draconic eyes rolled back, and he fainted from happiness at the news.

…

“How is the situation?” Guo Songmin, freshly arrived from Yangcheng, asked Liu Weihan, who had come out to meet him. “Is the dragon’s mood still stable?”

“I have the report here. Mr. Huang Ze is still relatively stable and has entered a deep sleep.”

“He hasn’t noticed anything unusual?”

Guo Songmin pressed further, “Any signs of abnormal behavior?”

“As of now, there’s nothing unusual,” Liu Weihan replied. “Mr. Huang Ze has acted perfectly normal—one could even say naïvely sincere. He’s been open and enthusiastic with us, showing no suspicion or hostility, almost completely trusting us.”

“What’s your take on it?” Guo Songmin pondered for a moment. “How likely do you think it is that he really was one of our citizens before?”

“Sir, I wouldn’t dare make such a judgment. That’s for the Academy of Sciences’ experts to determine.”

“I’m not asking for a conclusion, just your opinion,” Guo Songmin said. “Based on your first impression, how probable do you think it is that he was once a citizen of our country?”

Liu Weihan considered for a moment. “To be honest, sir, I’d say at least eighty percent.”

“Eighty percent… That’s enough.” Guo Songmin seemed relieved. He turned to his staff. “How’s the background check on Huang Ze coming along?”

“Sir, according to what we’ve uncovered, there was indeed a Mr. Huang Ze who disappeared on the very night of the crossing event. The dragon’s statements match his family circumstances. Our technicians also extracted his voiceprint from his phone. Comparison shows a high similarity between his and the dragon’s voiceprint.”

“So, you’re inclined to believe this dragon really is Mr. Huang Ze?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I see.” Guo Songmin nodded. “Does the technical department have any way to determine if what happened to Mr. Huang Ze is an isolated case?”

“Sir, that would be difficult.” The staff member sounded helpless. “Most missing persons each year are elderly, and most are eventually found. But since we can’t determine the trigger or probability, it’s impossible to say if some missing people actually crossed over into other creatures.”

“I understand.” Guo Songmin nodded, then picked up a pair of binoculars and studied the sleeping dragon in the distance.

A dragon’s hearing is exceptionally acute—they can pick up sensitive sounds from kilometers away, even across borders. For safety, the command center was set up two kilometers away in a residential building by the Beilong River military district. That’s right—the nation had established a dedicated command center for their compatriot who had returned as a dragon, organizing every detail, a sign of just how much importance was placed on Huang Ze.

“How soon will the expert team from the Academy of Sciences arrive?”

“About six hours, sir.”

“What about Mr. Huang Ze’s parents?”

“They’ll be later. They bought tickets for tonight’s high-speed train and are expected to arrive the evening after tomorrow.”

“Why so slow?” Guo Songmin frowned. “Even if we didn’t send a military plane, getting them two airline tickets shouldn’t be hard.”

“Sir, it’s like this—Mr. Huang Ze’s mother has been in poor health and gets airsick easily, so flying wasn’t possible. The high-speed train was the best option.”

“Very well.” Guo Songmin paused, watching the dragon for a while, then suddenly ordered, “Notify all units—arrange for large cranes and trucks. Prepare to transport Mr. Huang Ze back across the border as quickly as possible. Seal off all roads and checkpoints along the way. The utmost secrecy regarding Mr. Huang Ze must be maintained.”

“Yes, sir.” The staff accepted the order and immediately set to work.

“Sir, aren’t we waiting for the Academy of Sciences team?” Liu Weihan asked, confused. “We still can’t be completely certain about the truth of the dragon’s story. There’s a chance that this black dragon somehow obtained Mr. Huang Ze’s information and fabricated a story to deceive us. If we send him back, it could be like releasing a dragon into the sea—we’d lose control completely.”

“That’s possible, but we must consider another scenario,” Guo Songmin replied. “What if the dragon really is Mr. Huang Ze, who crossed over and took possession? If that’s the case, keeping him in the country would be irresponsible! The domestic environment isn’t suitable for dragons. If we delay too long, it could have lasting effects on Huang Ze’s health. It’s best to let him return.”

“I’ve already held video conferences with the Academy of Sciences experts, and based on what we know, they unanimously believe there’s a very high chance this black dragon is indeed Mr. Huang Ze. The central leadership also leans toward returning him abroad. If he truly is Huang Ze, ensuring his health and safety is paramount and aligns with our nation’s long-term interests. Even though there’s a chance the dragon is lying and might escape the moment he’s released, we can afford the risk.”

Guo Songmin’s explanation to Liu Weihan was also an attempt to reassure himself. It was a heavy responsibility; the central government hadn’t issued specific orders but had authorized him to decide based on the situation. It wasn’t an easy call. If he kept the dragon, he might harm Huang Ze’s body. If he let him go, it might all be for nothing—a dragon slipping through their fingers.

Guo Songmin was keenly aware that a wrong judgment could cause the nation tremendous loss—a black dragon weighing one hundred sixty or seventy tons, even dead, could potentially yield hundreds of tons of gold from its blood and flesh, let alone alive! The plan to collect gold from private hands had not gone smoothly—the gold belongs legally to the people, and the state can’t just confiscate it, nor can it afford to buy it all outright. The six thousand tons reclaimed were only possible through mandatory measures, seizing it from banks and gold stores; the ownership still rests with private citizens and businesses—it’s simply kept in the central bank, out of market circulation. Most of the gold is still tightly held by the populace.