Qian Wenzhao's unconventional way of presiding opened up a new angle, and the entire venue fell silent for a few seconds.
Then, intense dissatisfaction and protests erupted.
"What? The hearing hasn't even been held yet, and you're already going straight to a vote?"
"I've prepared a ton of evidence here and haven't said a single word! Are you siding with Qin Siyang?"
"Qian Wenzhao, do you even know how to preside over a hearing? You're a host forcing extra scenes onto yourself, aren't you?"
The few people on the stage also looked toward Qian Wenzhao, thinking about what exactly he meant.
Amid the chaos, Qian Wenzhao's smile didn't change, yet he didn't rely on having a microphone to overpower everyone with his voice.
Only after the arguing gradually died down did he speak again, "Researchers, professors, please calm down and hear me out while I explain my reasoning."
Because Qian Wenzhao had, from beginning to end, allowed the overwhelming waves of insults to hit him without any improper behavior, the people present were willing to listen to his explanation.
Qian Wenzhao slowly said, "A typical hearing is meant to listen to arguments from both opposing sides, and then a third-party organization with higher standing makes the judgment. In that situation, a hearing is indeed necessary, allowing both sides to present evidence before the third party considers everything and gives a result. But this time, our paper hearing is different."
"A paper hearing is initiated by the Paper Review Committee. Its members refute Qin Siyang's paper, while Qin Siyang's side defends it, and in the end, the standing directors of the Paper Review Committee determine the result."
"In other words, the party presenting evidence and the party judging it are the same organization."
At this point, Qian Wenzhao could feel countless sharp gazes shooting toward him.
Jiang Hao, the white-bearded elder seated at the center of the stage, spoke leisurely, "Director Qian, some things are better not said carelessly. Our hearing is absolutely fair and impartial."
"President Jiang, you've misunderstood me. I have no intention of speaking up for Qin Siyang's side, nor do I think there's anything improper about this hearing. I'm just stating facts to support what I said earlier."
"I believe that no matter how much evidence everyone lays out, the final decision still rests in the hands of the five standing directors. And since these five standing directors are the initiators and organizers of this paper hearing, I believe they must have already studied the matter thoroughly and reached a fair judgment."
"Based on this, I think the hearing portion isn't necessary. So I intend to let the standing directors vote directly and save everyone's time."
"If each person saves three hours, and there are over a hundred people here, that's three hundred hours saved. More than ten days' worth of time, enough for everyone to accomplish many things. I don't think I've done anything wrong."
"This…"
Everyone fell silent.
Although Qian Wenzhao's math made everyone feel like he was a genius, what he said wasn't without reason.
But who came to a hearing to listen to reason?
Very quickly, the people present all became anxious.
They hadn't even extorted Qin Siyang yet. How could they go straight to a vote.
"Director Qian's words… do have some merit. But we still believe it's necessary to hold this hearing. Standing directors, what do you think?"
"Yeah, we should also hear Qin Siyang's side of the story. What if we've misunderstood him?"
"I don't agree with Qin Siyang's actions, but I will defend his right to speak to the death!"
In an instant, the members of the Paper Review Committee present all switched sides and became supporters of Qin Siyang.
Qin Siyang, Li Tianming, and the others watched with smiles.
A group of accomplished researchers really had no shame left.
Of course, anyone with shame wouldn't have come to this hearing today.
Jiang Hao's brows gradually furrowed, as if considering how to handle this sudden situation with dignity.
At this moment, Qian Wenzhao spoke again, "I'm responsible for presiding over the paper hearing. Once I finish, I can leave. If everyone feels there are still other matters worth discussing, you can hold a donation meeting with Qin Siyang and the others afterward."
"A donation meeting?"
Everyone was quite puzzled by Qian Wenzhao's words.
"Yes, a donation meeting. Since ancient times in Eastern Country, there has been the saying of buying official positions with money. In European countries, there's also the tradition of sponsoring one's way into school. If the standing directors vote against his paper, but Qin Siyang is willing to donate funds to the Paper Review Committee to support the development of papers and scientific research within the safe zone, allowing his paper to pass, that wouldn't be impossible."
After hearing Qian Wenzhao's explanation of a "donation meeting," everyone present fell into silence once again.
It actually… made sense.
After the vote, negotiating terms with Qin Siyang wouldn't be a bad idea.
And Qian Wenzhao had even provided a respectable way to negotiate, calling it a donation meeting.
They weren't doing something dirty. They were raising funds for scientific research development within the safe zone.
With that said, no one continued insisting on holding the hearing.
They all turned to look at the people on the stage.
The five standing directors exchanged glances and felt there was no issue.
Xiao Zhigang sensed something was off, but he didn't intend to interrupt at this moment. He just wanted to see what kind of trick Qin Siyang had up his sleeve.
Jiang Hao said calmly, "Since everyone has no objections to Director Qian's proposal, then let's proceed with the vote first."
Qian Wenzhao nodded, "Alright. There are seven standing directors in the Paper Review Committee. Today, Directors Zhu Haifeng and Zhong Dingming are absent due to other matters, so only five standing directors will participate in the vote: Jiang Hao, Guo Jiuxiao, Jerry Warren, Chu Zhongxiong, and Gu Weihong."
"Please express your support or opposition to Qin Siyang's signed paper, and vote publicly in order. Professor Guo Jiuxiao, please begin."
Skipping over Xiao Zhigang, who was seated at the very edge, Guo Jiuxiao spoke first, "Oppose."
Qian Wenzhao recorded it, "One vote against. President Jiang Hao."
Jiang Hao also said, "Oppose."
"Two votes against."
Everyone present had already expected the result of the standing directors' vote.
Needless to say, it would definitely be five votes against.
But Qian Wenzhao started to feel uneasy.
'Two consecutive votes against?'
'Isn't Qin Siyang's expression earlier said everything has been settled?'
'Did I misunderstood?'
He secretly glanced at Qin Siyang and found him calm and composed, clearly still having something up his sleeve.
"President Jerry Warren."
When it was Jerry's turn to vote, he didn't speak immediately but looked toward Qin Siyang.
Eyes as blue as Sally's, golden hair, filled with an unclear meaning.
Qin Siyang felt his anxiety flare up.
'This foreigner won't change his mind at the last moment, would he?'
Jiang Hao urged from the side, "President Jerry, please save time and cast your vote quickly so we can proceed to the donation meeting and discuss follow-up matters. These old bones of mine can't sit for too long."
Jerry finally spoke, "Support."
The tension inside Qin Siyang vanished, and he let out a long breath.
And his tension was inherited by everyone else present, multiplied.
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