Chapter 178: This is a Provocation!

Wang Lao put on his reading glasses and carefully examined the blueprints, his brow furrowing tighter and tighter: "This... guidance system, what is the principle? I have never seen it before."

"Infrared guidance," Li Mingyuan explained,

"A simplified version of an infrared detector is installed in the rocket's nose, capable of locking onto the heat source generated by an aircraft's engine exhaust pipe. Before firing, the operator only needs to bring the target into the sight's field of view, and the system will automatically capture the heat source's signature. After launch, the rocket will autonomously track the target; even if the target performs evasive maneuvers, it can maintain a hit rate of over 70%."

"70%?" Wang Lao looked up in shock.

Li Mingyuan smiled slightly: "The key lies in semi-active tracking technology. Traditional anti-aircraft guns require predicting the target's position, whereas the 'Flying Dragon-1' chases the target's tail; these are essentially two different interception philosophies."

Wang Lao looked again at the design of the rocket body: "This warhead... is only 4 kilograms? Can it cause effective damage?"

"A high-explosive fragmentation warhead, paired with a proximity fuse," Li Mingyuan pointed to the design details,

"It doesn't need to hit the target directly; as long as it detonates within 5 meters of the aircraft, high-speed fragments can tear through the aircraft's vulnerable parts, especially the fuel tank and hydraulic system. The probability of a single munition severely damaging an aircraft is over 50%, and the probability of shooting it down is about 35%."

As the explanation deepened, Wang Lao's expression shifted from skepticism to amazement: "The launch device is designed so concisely... this is truly a genius concept! Can ordinary soldiers really operate it?"

"It only takes three days of training," Li Mingyuan answered confidently, "The entire operating procedure is simplified into four steps: power on, aim, lock, and fire. The launch tube uses a disposable design and is discarded after firing, reducing the soldier's burden. Each anti-aircraft squad is equipped with six launch devices and twelve rocket shells, enough to deal with medium-scale air raids."

Wang Lao took off his glasses and remained silent for a long time.

Li Mingyuan shook his head: "Time is tight. I need the machine shop to cooperate fully; the sample assembly must be completed within three days, and range testing must be conducted within five days."

"I will arrange it immediately," Wang Lao said firmly.

While Li Mingyuan and the technical team were buried in the research and development of new weapons, the situation on the battlefield thousands of miles away took a sharp turn for the worse.

……

Inside the research institute's conference room, Minister Zhao displayed the latest intelligence with a grave expression:

"According to frontline reports, the Star-Spangled Country's air force has significantly expanded its bombing range. They are no longer limited to targets within Baitou Mountain and have begun bombing areas near our country's border. Yesterday, three B-29 Bombers broke through the warning line, and the bombing location was only 10 kilometers from our border."

The atmosphere in the conference room suddenly became tense.

"This is a clear provocation!" a Military Representative said angrily.

Minister Zhao continued: "What is more troublesome is that we have detected that the Star-Spangled Country is deploying more tactical Mushroom Bomb launch devices in the border region. Intelligence shows that they have forward-deployed at least 12 Mushroom Bombs, with a range covering important cities and military bases along our border."

"Are they crazy?" someone cursed under their breath.

"No, they are very clear-headed," Minister Zhao said in a heavy tone, "This is naked threat and intimidation, intended to force us to remain neutral on the Baitou Mountain issue. But the top leadership has already decided that we will never yield to this kind of nuclear blackmail."

There was a silence in the conference room; everyone could feel the clouds of war rapidly approaching.

"The latest decision," Minister Zhao broke the silence,

"The elite troops originally stationed on the southeastern border will be urgently transferred north to strengthen border defense forces. This includes..." he paused, as if emphasizing the importance of what was to come, "the army commanded by Li Yunlong, the ace unit recognized by the entire military."

Upon hearing the name "Li Yunlong," a burst of low discussion erupted in the conference room.

This was a name almost everyone knew, a legendary commander from the war years, a victor of countless battles, hailed as the "Invincible Iron Legion."

"Chief Engineer Li," Minister Zhao turned to Li Mingyuan, "The higher-ups have given special instructions that you need to be personally responsible for the handover and usage training of the new weapons. General Li Yunlong's troops will be the first unit equipped with the 'Flying Dragon-1' anti-aircraft rocket, and they will also be prioritized for the allocation of Cloud Bombs and Improved Automatic Weapons."

Li Mingyuan nodded, though a strange emotion welled up in his heart.

"When does the handover begin?" Li Mingyuan asked.

"Three days from now," Minister Zhao replied, "They will arrive at our firing range for a week of live-fire training with the new weapons. Chief Engineer Li, you need to prepare a complete training plan and technical documentation."

After the meeting ended, Li Mingyuan immediately threw himself into training preparation work.

Facing this group of battle-hardened veterans, especially the command team led by Li Yunlong, ordinary technical explanations were far from enough.

What they needed was simple and direct combat guidance, as well as an intuitive demonstration of weapon performance.

Three days passed in a flash.

On the morning of the fourth day, the institute's firing range was ready, and various new weapons were neatly arranged in the display area, including Improved Automatic Rifles, Light Machine Guns, Individual Rocket Launchers, various models of Cloud Bombs, and the "Flying Dragon-1" individual anti-aircraft rocket that had just completed testing.

Li Mingyuan stood at the entrance, his heartbeat accelerating without him realizing it.

A cloud of dust rose in the distance as a convoy consisting of several military jeeps and trucks drove over.

Before the vehicles had even come to a complete stop, a burly middle-aged officer jumped out of the lead jeep and strode toward the entrance of the firing range.

Even without an introduction, Li Mingyuan recognized the man at a glance.

That upright posture, the resolute face, and the aura of natural authority radiating from him all signaled his identity—Li Yunlong, now a shining star in the Long Country's military.

"Chief Engineer Li?" Li Yunlong strode up to Li Mingyuan and extended a large, calloused hand.

"General Li, I have long admired your name." Li Mingyuan shook that hand, feeling a steel-like strength.

Li Yunlong looked Li Mingyuan up and down a few times, then suddenly burst into hearty laughter:

"Haha, I thought I would meet an old man with a white beard, but I didn't expect it to be a young lad! Brother, I've long admired your name!"

Without waiting for Li Mingyuan to respond, Li Yunlong had already wrapped an arm around his shoulder with such force that it nearly made Li Mingyuan gasp for air:

"Xiao Li, those gadgets of yours have really let us have a blast on the front lines! Especially that new type of automatic rifle and the ultra-light Mortar; they are damn impressive! Fighting the enemy with them is even more satisfying than fighting the Japanese invaders back in the day!"

Li Mingyuan was caught off guard by this enthusiasm, but he quickly adjusted and responded with a smile:

"General, you are too kind; those are just the results driven by frontline requirements."

"Forget it, don't give me that official talk," Li Yunlong waved his hand impatiently,