Chapter 282: Negotiations and Mutual Deployments

Six chapters presented today.

……

Long Country underground laboratory.

Li Mingyuan led his team to work day and night, and a huge breakthrough was being nurtured.

"Look, this is the design blueprint for 'Longxin No. 2'." Li Mingyuan showed a complex drawing to Minister Zhang, who had come to inspect.

"512 transistors, the integration level is nearly ten times higher than 'Longxin No. 1', and performance is improved by at least five times."

Minister Zhang asked in shock: "This... has the technical upgrade been achieved so quickly?"

Li Mingyuan smiled slightly, "Actually, when I was designing 'Longxin No. 1', I was already conceiving the more advanced 'Longxin No. 2'. The development path for integrated circuits is very clear; as long as the basic principles are mastered, subsequent upgrades are a natural progression."

"Then, what about 'Steel Umbrella 2.0'?" Minister Zhang asked with concern.

"Progress is smooth," Li Mingyuan pointed to a set of equipment by the wall,

"This is the core control unit of the new generation anti-aircraft system, and preliminary debugging has been completed. Under laboratory conditions, the reaction speed is 3.5 times faster than the old system, and the theoretical interception rate can reach over 85%."

……

Di Guo military headquarters, a high-level meeting was underway.

Hansen, special assistant to the Leader's office, stood in front of the projection screen, facing a group of generals dressed in various military uniforms, his expression serious.

"Gentlemen, the intelligence that the Long Country's front-line defenses are weak has been confirmed by multiple sources." Hansen pointed to the map on the screen and said,

"There are major loopholes in their anti-aircraft system deployment, especially in the East Third Defense Zone, which is almost a blank slate."

A general wearing a gold star asked: "Could this be a trap?"

Hansen shook his head confidently: "Our spy network has infiltrated their high-level ranks, and intelligence from three different channels has confirmed this. More importantly, we have just learned that their new anti-aircraft system, 'Steel Umbrella', has encountered a major technical setback, and Li Mingyuan himself has fallen ill due to overwork."

A burst of low discussion erupted in the conference room; this was undoubtedly an excellent opportunity to attack.

The Leader stood up and looked around at everyone: "Gentlemen, after the last front-line failure, domestic public opinion has become increasingly unfavorable toward us. This opportunity is rare, and I have decided to approve the 'Thunder' plan to use our latest rocket artillery system to teach Long Country a bloody lesson!"

"But, sir," a civilian official interjected, "we have just signed a ceasefire agreement; will an open attack..."

"Who said anything about an open attack?" Peyton sneered, "We will continue 'peaceful dialogue' at the negotiating table while secretly deploying rocket artillery positions. Once the time is ripe, we will use Long Country's 'provocation' as an excuse to launch a surprise attack!"

"This plan is flawless," Hansen added,

"According to our simulations, a salvo of 500 rocket shells can destroy 70% of Long Country's front-line defensive facilities and troops within 15 minutes. Their so-called 'Steel Umbrella' anti-aircraft system won't have time to react, and even if it does, it cannot block a saturation attack of this scale."

An admiral wearing a navy uniform frowned and asked: "Are we sure Long Country has no backup plan? They have been overly confident in the previous few confrontations."

"Don't be scared, William." Air Force Commander Black scoffed,

"That bit of technology from Long Country is like a child's toy in front of us. The last success was just luck; this time our rocket artillery system is the latest model, with longer range, greater power, and higher precision."

"Indeed," Army General Maxwell echoed, "I just returned from the front line and saw with my own eyes that our rocket artillery is all in position. 500 rocket shells, each one capable of precisely hitting its target; Long Country's positions will turn into a sea of fire in a few minutes!"

Leader Peyton nodded with satisfaction: "Very good, the plan is settled. During the negotiations, the rocket artillery troops will maintain the highest alert, ready to fire at any time. Remember, on the surface, we must appear willing to solve the problem peacefully to give the international community a peaceful image."

"Understood, Leader." The generals replied in unison.

After the meeting ended, Defense Minister Roberts stayed behind alone, his face showing some worry: "Mr. Leader, I always feel that Long Country has been too calm recently, as if they are sure of success..."

"You are overthinking it, Roberts." Peyton patted his shoulder, "Long Country is just bluffing. When our rocket shells rain down on their heads, they will understand what true power is!"

……

At the same time, at the Long Country military command, a secret meeting was also underway.

"Di Guo has deployed all its rocket artillery troops to the front line, totaling 86 launch positions, with 6 rocket artillery pieces per position; theoretically, they can fire over 500 rocket shells in a short time." Chief of Staff Yang, the Intelligence Department Head, pointed to the sand table and said.

"They intend to launch a surprise attack during the negotiations?" A general asked.

"To be precise, they want to use the negotiations to delay time so that the rocket artillery troops can complete their final deployment." Chief of Staff Yang replied,

"According to our intelligence, they plan to use our 'provocation' as an excuse to launch a surprise attack."

The generals exchanged worried glances; a saturation attack of 500 rocket shells would be difficult for even the most advanced anti-aircraft system to fully intercept.

At this moment, Li Mingyuan walked into the conference room with a stack of blueprints in his hand.

"Leader, generals, do not worry." He said with confidence, "We have long since seen through the enemy's conspiracy. More importantly, the 'Steel Umbrella 2.0' system has completed its upgrade, and this is the best time to verify its performance."

"So fast?" Chief of Staff Yang asked in surprise, "As far as I know, your team was still having headaches over technical problems a few days ago."

Li Mingyuan smiled slightly: "That was just a smokescreen we laid. In fact, the integrated circuit control system has been successfully applied to the anti-aircraft system, and the theoretical interception rate has increased to over 85%."

"85%? Is... is this possible?" An old general asked in disbelief.

Li Mingyuan did not answer directly, but turned to the leader: "I suggest we proceed with the negotiations according to the original plan, letting the enemy think we are completely unprepared. At the same time, we will secretly deploy the 'Steel Umbrella 2.0' system and give them a surprise when they launch their surprise attack."

The leader pondered for a moment and nodded: "Agreed. This will be an excellent opportunity for a real-combat test, and it will also deal the enemy a heavy blow!"

He turned to the others: "The negotiating delegation will depart as planned; be sure to appear sincere and firm to buy us more time to complete the deployment. Comrade Li Mingyuan, is your anti-aircraft system ready?"

Li Mingyuan answered confidently: "Ready to welcome the enemy's 'raindrops' at any time."

Three days later, at a resort in a Zhongli Guo, inside a luxurious manor.

The negotiating delegations of Long Country and Di Guo sat on opposite sides of a long table, the atmosphere tense.

Di Guo's chief negotiator, Smith, was dressed in a sharp suit with an arrogant expression: "According to Article 3 of the ceasefire agreement, Long Country must withdraw from the disputed area, otherwise it will be considered a breach of contract."

Long Country representative Regimental Commander Wang calmly retorted: "The agreement does not explicitly specify a timetable for troop withdrawal. Moreover, the enemy's recent military movements in the border area clearly violate the spirit of the agreement."

"That was just a routine rotation, fully in compliance with the agreement." Smith sneered, "Speaking of violating the agreement, it is Long Country that has added new defensive fortifications in the disputed area; that is the real provocation!"

Regimental Commander Wang was neither humble nor pushy: "The defensive measures we take in our own controlled area are matters within our sovereignty and have nothing to do with the agreement. On the contrary, what is the intention behind your side recently secretly deploying a large number of rocket artillery pieces to the front line?"

Smith's face changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure: "I don't know what you are talking about. If Long Country continues to make unreasonable trouble, we will be forced to re-evaluate the possibility of a peaceful resolution to the dispute."

Under the negotiating table, Regimental Commander Wang's assistant quietly handed over a note: Enemy rocket artillery is all in position, ready to fire at any time.

Regimental Commander Wang did not change his expression and continued to parley with the other side: "We can discuss the possibility of a phased withdrawal, but the premise is that the enemy must also make corresponding commitments."

"What commitments?" Smith asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Stop sending heavy weapons to the border, including but not limited to rocket artillery systems." Regimental Commander Wang pointed directly to the crux of the matter.

Smith's face darkened: "This is an interference in our sovereignty! We have the right to deploy any weapon system on our own territory!"

"Then Long Country also has the right to deploy defensive facilities in the areas it controls," Regimental Commander Wang retorted tit-for-tat.

The negotiations reached a stalemate, and the representatives of both sides returned to their rooms to "rest," but in reality, they were reporting the situation to their respective rear commands.

Smith returned to his room and immediately dialed the Military hotline: "Long Country seems to have noticed our rocket artillery deployment, but they have not shown any vigilance. Continue to act according to the plan; I will try my best to delay the negotiation time."

Meanwhile, Regimental Commander Wang was also reporting to the Long Country command: "The enemy representative's attitude is overbearing, and they are clearly stalling for time. According to intelligence, they may launch a surprise attack tonight or tomorrow morning."

The voice of Li Mingyuan came from the other end of the phone: "Understood. The 'Steel Umbrella 2.0' system is fully in place, waiting quietly for the enemy to deliver themselves to our doorstep. Regimental Commander Wang, please continue the negotiations, but be sure to ensure the safety of our personnel."

At the same time, at the Di Guo Frontline Command.

"All rocket artillery positions report ready; a total of 516 Rocket Shells have been loaded and are ready to fire at any time," the operations staff officer reported to the commander.

……

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