Chapter 78: Just wait!

As soon as those words were spoken, the air in the entire office seemed to solidify, oppressive enough to make one breathless.

"Diplomatic protests, military exercises… we've played those cards plenty of times before."

Zhang Yunfeng's voice was low, tinged with a hint of fatigue,

"But for those who are dead set on coming to your doorstep to provoke, these hardly hurt enough."

"They're not unafraid of pain; they think we dare not make them suffer, taking our strategic resolve as weakness to be exploited."

Luo Lao took up the conversation.

At this moment, Qin Hao's gaze swept over the two of them and Cheng Haitang, asking a question that everyone present had thought of but had desperately suppressed.

"Luo Lao, I just want to know, if we act now, what consequences would it bring?"

Zhang Yunfeng and Cheng Haitang's eyes simultaneously turned to Luo Lao.

"The banana people's strength is nothing to worry about; there's no need to fear them at all."

Luo Lao rose and walked to the map, lightly pointing his finger at the position of that Western power, "The real trouble they're considering is the possible intervention of the Eagle Sauce."

Having said that, his expression turned solemn as he began to carefully analyze the cost behind this for Qin Hao.

"Xiao Qin, remember, you may say the Eagle Sauce is bad, but you must never say it's weak."

After so many years of development, our country's comprehensive strength truly can stand equal to theirs, and in some fields we have even surpassed them.

But precisely because of that, should we ever go to all‑out war, the best outcome would still be mutual loss.

His finger moved from the previous spot, sweeping across the vast Pacific, then turning northward.

"Moreover, this world isn't only us and the Eagle Sauce. The polar bear to the north, although our relations are currently good,

"constantly calling us 'dear friends,' but if you truly go head‑to‑head with the Eagle Sauce until you're bloody, do you believe he wouldn't be the first to rush in, smiling as he tears a piece of flesh from you?"

"Between nations, there are no eternal friends, only eternal interests."

Luo Lao's words were like a bucket of cold water, dousing the impulse that had just ignited in Qin Hao's heart.

"Xiao Qin, the reason we have continually tolerated those jumping clowns' antics is that we lack the strength to break ties completely."

Zhang Yunfeng beside him took up the thread, his tone growing much heavier.

"Our soldiers fear no sacrifice; for the nation, they can give their lives at any moment."

"but we cannot let them die pointlessly; they are children raised with hardship by their parents, the pillars of their families."

"We strive for peaceful development, for more families to reunite, not to create more broken homes."

Having said that, a glint of warmth and reluctance appeared in Zhang Yunfeng's eyes.

At this moment, Cheng Haitang also spoke.

He took a document from his briefcase but did not open it, merely placing it on his lap.

"According to our strategic analysis, should we be drawn into the mire of a great‑power war, the painstaking construction of decades will be wasted,

the ending will be mutual loss, letting others reap the benefits, so we must still give it serious thought."

Qin Hao finally grasped some of the reasons behind this.

It turned out this was not merely a military‑strategic contest, but also a comprehensive political and economic showdown.

Only when there is no alternative does war become the last resort—and also the crudest, simplest means.

But what the Yanhuang Guo seeks has never been a simple military victory; it is for everyone to develop together in peace and achieve mutual benefit.

The office fell silent once again.

"That is why we must endure all the more."

Luo Lao's voice sounded again, his face regaining that composed air of a master strategist.

"Let the banana people play at being heroes who stir up the wind and clouds; we'll let them have their way."

They are merely a pawn; the higher they jump, the clearer it becomes to the whole world who is preserving peace and who is creating crisis.

He looked at Qin Hao, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.

"Furthermore, our biggest trump card has yet to be revealed."

Luo Lao shifted the topic, mentioning another matter:

"The construction of the lunar mining base has entered its final stage; at most another ten‑odd days and it will be operational."

"Once the system reaches level three, we can replicate the high‑tech weapons and equipment seen in sci‑fi movies."

"Imagine our fleet hovering above their warships, using not missiles but silent energy shields and high‑tech weapons,

"while the Eagle Sauce's carrier fleet hasn't even drawn near, being eliminated from orbit with pinpoint precision—what a scene that would be."

Luo Lao's description made Qin Hao seem to see a picture before his eyes.

"That would be a crushing war."

"I can strike you, but you cannot strike me; even if you do, it would cause no real harm."

"When that time comes……"

Luo Lao's lips curled slightly, "We'll then go give them a lecture on grand principles, or even launch a war directly, and our casualties can be reduced to the minimum—perhaps even… zero."

"All we need is to endure a little longer."

All the resentment and anger pent up in Qin Hao's heart vanished at that moment, replaced by an unprecedented anticipation.

"Seizing a momentary thrill, the bravery of a petty man."

"To act with thunderous force yet walk the righteous path of the king—that is the supreme strategy."

"I understand."

Qin Hao gave a faint smile, admiring the superior's layout, "Then let those banana people enjoy their smugness for a few more days."

At this moment, countless Yanhuang Guo people watching the screens felt as if a huge stone were pressing down on their hearts.

The online world, after a brief silence, instantly exploded into a torrent of disappointment and anger.

"Are they really starting just like that? Are we really just going to watch?"

I really broke my defense, brothers. What happened to the promised strong countermeasure? Just this?

Again condemnation, again protest, my ears are getting calloused! Can't we get something practical?

So frustrated! I did nothing all day, just waiting to see our Ascending Dragon fighter jet go drive them away, but what we got was this?

Last time Eagle Sauce's face got swollen, this time it's our turn? I can't accept!

Boring, turned off the news and went to sleep—out of sight, out of mind.

Various social media and news comment sections are filled with similar remarks.

The higher the expectation, the greater the disappointment, spreading like a virus. Previously how fervent the public sentiment, now how despondent.

However, amidst this sea of lamenting public opinion, a post quietly appeared in one of the country's largest military forums, with an unusually eye-catching title.

【Rational analysis: Why thunderous but little rain? Don't be swayed by emotions, the country is playing a bigger chess game!】

The poster is a netizen with the ID 'Zhi Qizhe', who has considerable prestige in the forum.

The post's content is not long, yet it expresses a rational view.

Everyone, calm down first, don't rush to lash out. I ask everyone a question: given our country's current strength, and our leadership's consistent steady style, does it look like we would fight an unprepared battle?