Chapter 274: Aid Plan and Material List

Patel's pride found it hard to accept the fact that he had been outsmarted by a "backward country," but the development of the situation seemed to have already exceeded his control.

White Elephant Country, this nation that prided itself on being a hegemon, was gradually realizing that they might have provoked an opponent far more terrifying than they had imagined. And what they found even harder to accept was that the neighbor, which once seemed weak, was now rising at an astonishing speed, shaking White Elephant Country's decades-long dominance in the region.

Patel clenched his fists, the flames of jealousy and unwillingness flickering in his eyes. This conspiracy against Long Country seemed to be turning into a dangerous game that threatened the security of White Elephant Country itself.

……

After reading the intelligence briefing on White Elephant Country, a cold sneer appeared on the corner of Li Mingyuan's mouth. As a transmigrator, he understood all too well the arrogance and prejudice of such regional hegemonies—White Elephant Country prided itself on being an ancient civilization, but in reality, it had been reduced to a pawn in the great power game, yet it still harbored delusions of riding roughshod over Long Country.

"Lao Liu, look at this." Li Mingyuan handed several design blueprints to Lao Liu, who was calibrating instruments. "This is the 'gift' list I've prepared for the small Pakistan country."

Lao Liu took the blueprints, his eyebrows gradually rising. "These... are all for the small Pakistan country?"

"That's right," Li Mingyuan nodded, his tone relaxed yet carrying a hint of cunning. "Isn't White Elephant Country quite capable? Then let the small Pakistan country teach them a lesson."

Lao Liu looked at the blueprints and couldn't help but marvel, "How come these designs of yours are not quite the same as our active-duty equipment?"

"These are simplified versions designed specifically for the small Pakistan country," Li Mingyuan explained. "Considering their technical level and usage habits, I made some adjustments to the original designs—simplifying the structure, lowering the precision requirements, and improving adaptability and maintainability."

The blueprints clearly listed five weapon systems:

"BK-1 Type Simple Rocket Launcher"—a 12-tube medium rocket launcher with a range 20% shorter than the original version, but with a greatly simplified aiming mechanism that any soldier who has received basic training can operate.

"Light Type 56 Rifle"—simplifying the classic rifle structure and adopting materials that are easier to process, sacrificing some precision but significantly improving durability and the ability to adapt to harsh environments.

"Portable Anti-Tank Rocket Launcher"—30% lighter than the original version with a slightly shorter range, but more convenient for individual soldiers to carry, making it especially suitable for mountain warfare.

"Ultra-Light 82 Mortar"—adopting Special Alloy materials, the weight is only 60% of the standard model, facilitating rapid deployment and relocation for mountain troops.

"Little Fierce Dragon Light Tank"—Li Mingyuan's pride and joy, retaining the core technology of the "Fierce Dragon" tank but with a significantly simplified overall structure and a weight reduction of nearly 40%, making it especially suitable for the combat needs of the small Pakistan country's mountainous terrain.

Lao Liu studied the blueprints and couldn't help but laugh, "You've tailored these for the small Pakistan country! If those plain-warfare troops of White Elephant Country encounter these weapons, they're in for a rough time."

"Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated." Li Mingyuan put away the blueprints. "That bit of window dressing from White Elephant Country is vulnerable in front of these weapons. The small Pakistan country's terrain is primarily mountainous, which is perfect for leveraging the advantages of these weapons. Besides," he smiled cunningly, "these are all simplified versions, and the key technologies have been processed; even if they fall into enemy hands, they won't be able to figure out much."

"You kid," Lao Liu shook his head and laughed, "your brain turns faster than a spinning top. When will these blueprints be delivered?"

"I'll send them to the Military Industry Commission for approval this afternoon; it should pass very quickly." Li Mingyuan packed up the blueprints. "Let's focus our energy on finishing the Lithography Machine and the Silicon Manufacturing Machine first; those are the real trump cards."

Three days later, the Military Industry Commission conference room.

"Comrade Li's proposal has been approved by headquarters," General Zhang announced. "The aid plan for the small Pakistan country is officially launched. These five types of weapons will be prioritized for production, with the first batch scheduled for delivery within two months."

"Two months? Is there enough time?" someone asked.

"Production is not a problem," Li Mingyuan said with confidence. "These designs all take into account the need for rapid production; the parts have high commonality, and the cost of converting production lines is low. The key is the transportation issue; White Elephant Country is currently cutting off our southern transport line."

General Zhang nodded, "We have already considered this. We will adopt a method of air transport combined with secret land transport to bypass the area controlled by White Elephant Country."

After the meeting ended, General Zhang kept Li Mingyuan behind alone.

"Xiao Li, I heard that your Lithography Machine project is progressing smoothly?"

Li Mingyuan nodded, "The main structure assembly is complete, and we are currently calibrating the optical system. If everything goes well, we will be able to conduct the first test very soon."

General Zhang patted him on the shoulder, "Good, very good! By the way, there is one more thing I need to trouble you with."

He took a document out of his briefcase, "Superiors require you to list the rare metals urgently needed for current scientific research and production, detailing their uses and required quantities. This concerns the next step of resource allocation and international procurement plans."

Li Mingyuan took the document, his expression becoming solemn, "As it happens, I have been considering this issue these past few days. Without sufficient rare metals, even the best technology will only be talk on paper."

"Then I'll leave it to you to submit the list as soon as possible, the more detailed the better." General Zhang stood up to take his leave, "The country will fully support your work."

That night, Li Mingyuan's office was brightly lit.

Several sheets of white paper were spread out in front of him, and he was earnestly listing a document that would be the strategic resources most urgently needed for the development of Long Country's electronics industry.

"Molybdenum..." he wrote down the first element, "used for High-temperature Alloy, especially for the manufacturing of precision parts for the Lithography Machine; current reserves are only enough to support three months of production..."

"Nickel..." the second element, "used for special steel and battery materials; domestic production can only meet 40% of military industry needs..."

"Titanium..." the third element, "lightweight and high-strength, used for aviation and precision instruments; current reserves are severely insufficient..."

"Lithium..." he paused; this was the core element of the future battery industry, but at present, its importance had not yet been widely recognized, "used for special alloys and potential electronic components; there is almost no domestic production..."

Li Mingyuan wrote down item after item, and the list grew longer: Niobium, Tantalum, Yttrium, Hafnium, Ruthenium... These elements, known in modern society as "rare earth metals" and "strategic rare metals," were the lifeblood of high-tech industries, but in the current industrial system, their importance had not yet been fully valued.

After writing the last item, Li Mingyuan leaned back in his chair and rubbed his sore eyes. As a transmigrator, he knew deeply the key role these resources played in future industry, but how to convince the current decision-makers to use limited foreign exchange and resources to purchase these metals that appeared to have "limited use" was a challenge.

He picked up his pen and added a note to the end of the list: