Chapter 172: The Star-Spangled Country Officially Enters the War

Silence suddenly fell over the testing ground; the atmosphere of joy from just a moment ago was instantly replaced by tension.

The content of the telegram was like a basin of ice water, jolting everyone awake from the joy of Victory.

Li Mingyuan glanced at Minister Zhao's taut face and immediately realized the situation was worse than imagined.

"Report the detailed content," Zhou said in a deep voice.

Minister Zhao took a deep breath: "The Star-Spangled Country's Seventh Fleet has fully arrived in the Taiyang waters. Over three hundred combat aircraft, including the latest F-86 Sabre fighters, have begun bombing targets within Taiyang. At least fifty thousand ground troops have crossed the border to support the Taiji Tiger, and more troops are on the way."

"Damn it, so fast!" an officer couldn't help but curse.

Li Mingyuan looked at the distant mountain peaks, his heart feeling somewhat heavy.

He knew the trajectory, but witnessing it all with his own eyes felt completely different.

This sense of powerlessness was like watching a disaster; knowing it would happen, yet finding it difficult to stop.

"We are returning to headquarters immediately," Zhou decided quickly. "Chief Engineer Li, suspend the Fire Control System testing and commit fully to the production and deployment of the 'Divine Eagle' Drone."

On the way back, Li Mingyuan sat in the backseat of the jeep, watching the mountains and forests flash past the window.

The atmosphere in the vehicle was heavy; almost no one spoke.

"You knew it would be like this all along, didn't you?" Minister Zhao suddenly asked in a low voice.

Li Mingyuan was slightly stunned, then nodded: "I was only analyzing based on the war situation. The Star-Spangled Country would not allow Taiyang to fail; it concerns their overall strategy in the Yuandong."

Minister Zhao gave him a meaningful look: "Mingyuan, your 'analyses' are always surprisingly accurate."

Li Mingyuan did not respond, simply thinking silently about the development of the situation ahead.

……

Inside the conference room of the headquarters building, the air was almost frozen.

The large map on the wall was densely marked with various colored thumbtacks; each thumbtack represented a battlefield, a battle, and perhaps countless lives.

"According to the latest intelligence, the Star-Spangled Country has dispatched over six hundred sorties of aircraft to bomb important facilities in Taiyang," the Intelligence Department Chief said, pointing to the map.

"Mainly B-29 Superfortress bombers, with F-80 Shooting Star and F-84 Thunderjet fighters as escorts, and their latest equipped F-86 Sabre has also appeared in some areas."

"What is the effect?"

"Devastating," the Intelligence Chief's voice trembled slightly. "The vast majority of Taiyang's airbases have been destroyed, and ground troop positions have been subjected to continuous bombing, making it almost impossible to organize effective resistance. The Frontline Command has sent multiple requests for aid, stating that without reinforcements, they will face a total collapse along the entire line."

A burst of low discussion erupted in the conference room.

Li Mingyuan stood in the corner, observing the expression of everyone present.

As a technical staff member, he usually did not attend such meetings, but today was an exception—Minister Zhao had specifically brought him along, hoping he could provide advice from a technical perspective.

"What is the reaction from the Polar Bear side?" a general asked.

"According to the embassy telegram, the Polar Bear official stance is that they will continue to provide 'technical support' and material aid, but there are no signs of them sending troops."

As expected! Li Mingyuan sneered inwardly.

"This is impossible!" an elderly officer slammed the table and stood up. "They promised before that if the Star-Spangled Country intervened on a large scale, they would provide full support!"

"Perhaps they have their own considerations," Li Mingyuan couldn't help but speak up. Everyone's gaze immediately focused on this young Chief Engineer.

"From a strategic perspective, the Polar Bear would rather see us enter the war and then directly confront the Star-Spangled Country, exhausting both sides' strength so they can sit back and reap the rewards."

"Chief Engineer Li, does this kind of political judgment exceed your professional scope?" a civilian official frowned.

"Purely a personal observation," Li Mingyuan said, neither humble nor pushy.

"If Taiyang is destroyed, our country's north will directly border the Taiji Tiger, which is equivalent to being face-to-face with the Star-Spangled Country's military. From a geopolitical view, this is not necessarily a bad thing for the Polar Bear—they can take the opportunity to pressure us and strive for more benefits, such as port usage rights and resource extraction rights in the Yuandong region."

The conference room fell into silence once again.

Although Li Mingyuan's analysis was blunt, it struck at the doubts in many people's hearts.

"Then what should we do?" Minister Zhao asked. "Just watch Taiyang get destroyed?"

"Comrades," a leader finally spoke, "the situation is indeed more complex than anticipated. We need to take action immediately; on one hand, tighten defensive preparations, and on the other..."

Before he could finish his sentence, a communications staff officer hurried into the conference room and handed over a telegram.

After the leader quickly scanned it, his expression became even more grave:

"According to frontline reconnaissance, the Star-Spangled Country has begun deploying Mushroom Weapon delivery vehicles in the northern region of the Taiji Tiger."

This news caused an immediate uproar in the conference room.

"Mushroom Weapon? Are they crazy?"

"This is a threat to us!"

"We cannot sit idly by!"

Li Mingyuan's heart sank.

"Quiet!" the highest-ranking officer shouted. The conference room immediately regained order. "Now is not the time for panic. I need everyone to think of countermeasures with a clear and calm mind."

Turning to Li Mingyuan: "Chief Engineer Li, how is the development progress of your 'Divine Eagle' Drone and Fire Control System? Can they be put into actual combat as soon as possible?"

Everyone's gaze focused on Li Mingyuan once again.

The pressure was like a mountain, but Li Mingyuan was surprisingly calm.

"The 'Divine Eagle' Drone has completed its maiden flight test, and its performance exceeds expectations. If we produce at full capacity, the first batch of twenty can be delivered within a month, and thirty more can be produced each month thereafter. The Fire Control System needs optimization, but the first batch can be deployed within two months."

"Twenty in a month? So fast?" surprised discussions erupted around him.

"We adopted a modular design and automated production lines, which greatly improved efficiency," Li Mingyuan explained simply, without detailing that these were actually production concepts he brought back from the future.

The leader pondered for a moment: "Good, start the emergency production plan immediately. Chief Engineer Li, your project has the highest priority; ask for whatever resources you need."

"Yes!" Li Mingyuan stood at attention and replied.

"Regardless, although we have not yet officially entered the war, please everyone be prepared!" the leader said the final sentence and hurried away.

After the meeting ended, Li Mingyuan followed Minister Zhao out of the building; the night was deep, and the starlight was like a wash.

"Do you really have the confidence to deliver twenty drones within a month?" Minister Zhao was deeply worried.

Li Mingyuan nodded: "A full set of production plans is already prepared; as long as the manpower and materials are in place, it is not a problem."

Department Head Zhao sighed deeply: "Mingyuan, I find it increasingly difficult to see through you. You are always able to come up with a solution at the most critical moments, as if... you had been prepared long ago."

Li Mingyuan smiled, but did not respond.

"Regardless," Department Head Zhao patted his shoulder, "the country needs you now. Go, and create some miracles."

Watching the back of Department Head Zhao as he left, Li Mingyuan knew that the days ahead would be an unprecedented challenge.