Chapter 183: The Ambivalent Polar Bear Prepares to Head North

"We are already in contact with the polar bears," the General said. "However, their attitude is ambiguous; they seem unwilling to be directly drawn into the conflict."

Li Mingyuan sneered, "Of course they won't easily state their position. They are dying to see us and the Star-Spangled Country both suffer, so they can profit from it. But the situation is different now. If the Sun Country falls completely into the hands of the Star-Spangled Country, the polar bears' strategic interests in the Yuandong will also be severely threatened. We can use this point to persuade them to provide substantive support."

A flash of admiration crossed the General's eyes. "Chief Engineer Li makes sense. I will immediately report to my superiors to strengthen the intensity of our negotiations with the polar bears."

The meeting lasted for a full three hours, ultimately determining a series of emergency response measures: border regions would enter a state of combat readiness, elite troops from various military regions would be urgently moved north, all national military factories would begin full-scale operations, and priority would be given to producing the new weapons designed by Li Mingyuan.

Walking out of the conference room, Li Mingyuan was called back by the General. "Chief Engineer Li, come with me for a moment."

In a small conference room, the General closed the door and looked straight into Li Mingyuan's eyes. "Mingyuan, tell me the truth: do you think we can win?"

This question came suddenly, but Li Mingyuan had long been mentally prepared.

"Yes, and we must win," Li Mingyuan said firmly.

"Although the Star-Spangled Country has advanced technology and well-equipped gear, they are fighting far from their homeland, their supply lines are long, and their forces are limited. We, however, are fighting on our home turf and have the advantages of terrain and popular support. As long as we can effectively constrain their air superiority, we will absolutely not lose the ground war."

The General stared intently at Li Mingyuan's eyes, as if trying to see how much of his words were true and how much were false.

Finally, he sighed. "I hope so. By the way, there is a mission I need to entrust to you. In three days, you will take the core technical team to the Dongbei; there is a better industrial base there, which can mass-produce the weapons you designed."

Li Mingyuan nodded. "I understand, Chief. I will go prepare right now."

Walking out of the headquarters building, the night had grown deep.

The night in Jingcheng was still brightly lit, but there were significantly fewer pedestrians on the streets. Everyone seemed to be able to feel the tense atmosphere of a storm about to break.

……

Jingcheng, a secret conference room.

"You polar bears are truly cunning," the Long Country Ambassador stared at the polar bear ambassador opposite him, his tone filled with dissatisfaction. "You clearly promised full support, yet now you keep making excuses."

The polar bear ambassador, Ivanov, spread his hands with a helpless expression.

"Dear comrade, you must understand our difficulties. Sending troops to support you directly would cause our relationship with the Star-Spangled Country to deteriorate further, which benefits no one."

The Minister of Foreign Affairs sneered, "Then tell us, how do you plan to support us? Just saying you support us with your mouths won't do."

Ivanov pondered for a moment. "We can provide Military Advisors, technical support, and limited weapons and equipment. As for sending troops directly..." He shook his head, "I'm afraid that is very difficult."

At this moment, the door to the conference room was pushed open, and a burly middle-aged man walked in. Everyone stood up immediately, including the polar bear ambassador.

"Sit, don't be formal," the middle-aged man waved his hand and took his seat at the head of the table. "Comrade Ivanov, I hear that you polar bears have been somewhat hesitant lately."

Ivanov revealed a forced smile. "Respected comrade, we are merely considering the most appropriate way to provide support."

The leader lit a cigarette and took a deep drag.

"Comrade Ivanov, let us speak frankly. If the Sun Country falls completely into the hands of the Star-Spangled Country, it will be a major threat to both of us. The Star-Spangled Country will establish a powerful military base in the Yuandong, directly threatening your Yuandong territory. By then, it will be too late for you to support us."

Ivanov's expression changed slightly. "What you say makes sense, but..."

Interrupting him, "There are no 'buts.' We need substantive support, especially air power. If you can provide air force support, we can effectively contain the Star-Spangled Country's air superiority and protect our ground troops."

Ivanov hesitated for a moment before finally nodding. "I will immediately report your suggestion to Mocheng. However, even if we agree to provide air force support, it will require a certain amount of preparation time."

The leader looked at him deeply. "Time waits for no one, Comrade Ivanov. I hope to hear your good news tomorrow."

After the meeting ended, the Ambassador and several high-ranking Military officials remained.

"They will definitely agree," he said firmly. "The polar bears are very shrewd; they know clearly what the Star-Spangled Country controlling the Sun Country means for them."

"I hope so," a General said with deep concern. "If we don't have the polar bears' air support, we will face immense pressure."

Pondering for a moment, "Regardless of whether the polar bears support us or not, we must make our own preparations. Pass on my order: the whole country is to enter a state of combat readiness, all military factories are to produce 24 hours a day, and border troops are to prepare for battle in full."

"Yes!" everyone replied in unison.

He asked again, "How is Li Mingyuan's new weapon coming along?"

"Progress is smooth," a General replied.

"The 'Flying Dragon-1' man-portable air-defense rocket and the Cloud Bomb he designed have already begun production, and the results are excellent. We plan to send him and the core team to the Dongbei in three days; the industrial base there is more suitable for mass production."

The leader nodded with satisfaction. "Good, Li Mingyuan is a rare talent; we must protect him well. His weapon innovations will be our important bargaining chip in this war."

Jingcheng, Red Star Research Institute.

Li Mingyuan was inspecting the final batch of equipment about to be loaded onto trucks.

These were the core equipment for producing the "Flying Dragon-1" anti-aircraft rockets and Cloud Bombs, and they were worth a fortune.

"Have you finished checking everything?" Minister Zhao walked over hurriedly, his face filled with anxiety. "The train is about to depart."

Li Mingyuan nodded. "The core equipment has all been loaded, and the technical documents are all prepared as well."

"Good." Minister Zhao patted him on the shoulder.

"Mingyuan, this mission is extremely important. Although the industrial base in the Dongbei is better than in Jingcheng, it also faces the direct threat of the Star-Spangled Country's air force. As soon as you arrive there, you must organize production immediately."

Li Mingyuan understood the importance of this mission. "Don't worry, Minister, we will definitely complete the mission."

Just as he was about to leave, a communications officer ran over hurriedly. "Chief Engineer Li, there is an urgent call for you!"

Li Mingyuan followed the communications officer to the office and picked up the phone.

"Chief Engineer Li, this is Li Yunlong," a familiar voice came from the other end of the line.

"We have already reached the Dongbei border, and the situation is worse than imagined. The Star-Spangled Country's Bombers are active near the border line every day, and Sun Country refugees are pouring toward us in droves; the scene is chaotic beyond words."

Li Mingyuan frowned deeply. "General, how is the situation with the troops?"