Chapter 361: Sakura: They Must Have Done It On Purpose

Time was tight; the base immediately entered a state of highest alert, and everyone threw themselves into the final preparations without a moment's rest.

Led by Dean He, the Mushroom Egg R&D team conducted final inspections and debugging of the device.

"Pressure sensor calibration complete."

"Neutron initiator parameters normal."

"Safety Interlock System fully activated, seven-fold insurance in place."

Li Mingyuan paced back and forth in the laboratory, personally checking every critical component.

"Chief Engineer Li, you haven't closed your eyes for three days; would you like to take a rest?" Dean He asked with concern.

Li Mingyuan shook his head: "We'll talk after the test explosion is successful. Time is life; the Di Guo could press the button at any moment."

At the same time, the missile system modification team was also working intensely.

"The missile modification is quite difficult," Lao Liu said, frowning, "The weight distribution of a conventional warhead and a Mushroom Egg warhead is different, which will affect flight stability."

Li Mingyuan thought for a moment: "We can add counterweights to the tail while adjusting the control system parameters. The key is to ensure the Mushroom Egg safely reaches the target area and the detonation altitude is precisely controlled at 600 meters."

The modification work lasted for a full 24 hours; everyone forgot to eat or sleep, all to finish this life-and-death gamble before the Di Guo took action.

Finally, in the early hours of the next day, everything was ready.

"The Mushroom Egg has completed final assembly and testing, and all parameters are normal," Dean He reported to the command center.

"Missile system modification complete, control program updated; the detonation altitude can be precisely controlled," Lao Liu reported immediately after.

Minister Zhang looked at Li Mingyuan: "Chief Engineer Li, the final decision is yours. Shall we launch 'Shuguang Operation'?"

Li Mingyuan took a deep breath, his gaze firm: "Launch!"

The command center immediately became busy, with all departments coordinating closely to make final preparations for this unprecedented operation.

At the same time, the top leadership of Long Country decided to disclose this test explosion to the whole world.

"Get me the international news channel," Minister Zhang ordered, "Long Country will announce our decision to the whole world."

A diplomat drafted a short and powerful statement: "Long Country will conduct a test explosion of a new type of strategic weapon in the high seas area between Taiji Tiger and Yinghua Guo. This is an important measure for our country to defend peace and maintain national security. We solemnly warn any country not to operate near the test area to avoid causing unnecessary casualties."

The statement was sent via encrypted telegram to major world news agencies and national foreign affairs departments, and the shocking effect was immediate.

The Di Guo leader had just finished a meeting with the Chief of Staff when an Intelligence Officer rushed in in a panic.

"Mr. Leader, urgent intelligence! Long Country has just announced to the whole world that they will test-explode a certain new type of strategic weapon in the high seas area. Based on the wording and safety warnings, we believe... this is very likely a Mushroom Egg!"

The leader's face turned deathly pale in an instant: "What? This is impossible! How could Long Country possess Modan Jishu?"

The Chief of Staff was also shocked: "Intelligence indicated they were indeed working intensely on something, but I didn't expect the progress to be this fast... This must be the work of Li Mingyuan!"

"Convene an emergency meeting immediately!" the leader roared, "At the same time, accelerate our own Mushroom Egg preparations; stop Long Country at all costs!"

The reaction from Polar Bear Country was equally intense. The Head of State convened the Mushroom Heart Think Tank to urgently discuss countermeasures.

"Long Country actually mastered Modan Jishu? This will completely change the world landscape!" the Minister of Foreign Affairs exclaimed.

"We must closely monitor this test explosion and send a team of scientists to conduct remote monitoring and data collection," the Defense Minister suggested.

The Head of State pondered for a moment: "Establish direct contact with Long Country immediately; we need to understand their true intentions. At the same time, pressure the Di Guo and warn them not to act rashly."

Countries around the world reacted one after another; some expressed strong condemnation, some supported it in secret, and more were shocked and waiting to see. For a time, diplomatic telegrams flew toward Long Country like snowflakes, containing both well-intentioned advice and strong protests.

The Wajiaobu of Long Country was busy beyond measure, but the domestic preparations were not affected in the slightest.

……

In the Yinghua Guo leader's residence, the emergency meeting room was brightly lit and had fallen into unprecedented panic.

"This is simply a nightmare!" Defense Minister Tanaka stood in front of the map, his fingers trembling as he pointed to the scheduled test explosion sea area,

"Long Country chose to test-explode the Mushroom Egg only 300 kilometers away from our territorial waters! They must have done it on purpose!"

Leader Yamaguchi closed his eyes, his face livid: "Have you confirmed the intelligence source? Does Long Country really have this capability?"

Intelligence Chief Sato pushed up his glasses: "According to our analysis, a month ago, we could have asserted that this was impossible. But ever since that Li Mingyuan demonstrated the Remote Rocket Launcher and Precision Guidance System... honestly, we dare not jump to conclusions easily anymore."

"Damn it!" Foreign Minister Kobayashi clenched his fists, "This is a direct threat to Yinghua Guo! We are surrounded by the sea on all sides; once Long Country masters Modan Jishu, we will be completely exposed to their threat!"

Vice Commander Nakamura, however, proposed a different view: "Gentlemen, have we considered another possibility? Long Country chose to test-explode in the sea area near us, perhaps to send a signal to the Di Guo—that they can threaten all of the Di Guo's allies in Yuandong."

The meeting room went quiet instantly; everyone realized the weight of this point.

"If Long Country really succeeds..." Science Advisor Inoue muttered, "The power gap between us and them will expand irreversibly. For the next few decades, Yinghua Guo will have to live under the Mushroom shadow of Long Country."

Leader Yamaguchi opened his eyes abruptly: "Contact the Di Guo embassy immediately! I want to speak directly with the Di Guo leader! At the same time, dispatch all available reconnaissance ships and aircraft to monitor the test explosion sea area. The Defense Force will enter a Level 2 combat readiness state, and coastal areas will prepare evacuation plans."

"Mr. Leader," the Foreign Minister asked cautiously, "If... after Long Country successfully test-explodes, should we reconsider our relationship with them?"

Yamaguchi took a deep breath: "It must be re-evaluated. If Long Country becomes a Mushroom power, we must establish a new balance. Yinghua Guo cannot rely on the Di Guo's protective umbrella forever, especially when this umbrella may no longer be reliable."

After the meeting ended, Leader Yamaguchi remained in his office alone, pondering while looking at the map on the wall. Yinghua Guo, this former East Asian hegemon, was forced to accept the protection and control of the Di Guo after its defeat in World War II. Now, as Long Country is likely to become a Mushroom power, the East Asian power landscape is about to be reshuffled once again.

"Perhaps," Yamaguchi said to himself, "we need to learn to maintain a balance between the two Mushroom powers. The future of Yinghua Guo cannot just be bet on the side of the Di Guo."

……

At the same time, at the other end, the leadership of Taiji Tiger was also plunged into unprecedented panic.