Chapter 362: Too Absurd, How Could Long Country Have

"This is absurd!" Taiji Tiger Minister of Defense Pusan Zhen slammed the conference table and roared, "How dare Long Country test-detonate a mushroom bomb right at our doorstep? Do they want to drag the entire region into a mushroom catastrophe?"

President Li Chengye's face was ashen, his fingers tapping incessantly on the tabletop: "We are now beset by enemies on all sides. Can Di Guo really protect us?"

Minister of Intelligence Jin Taiyu shook his head: "Di Guo can barely protect itself now. Their frontline troops have already begun to waver, and morale is low. If Long Country truly succeeds in test-detonating a mushroom bomb, Di Guo will likely re-evaluate its entire Yuandong strategy, including its commitments to us."

"We cannot sit here and wait for death!" Minister of Defense Pusan Zhen said agitatedly, "We must immediately pressure Di Guo and demand they provide more military support and a mushroom protective umbrella!"

Vice President Huang Rende, however, proposed a shocking suggestion: "Perhaps... we should consider initiating a ceasefire?"

The conference room erupted in an uproar.

"A ceasefire? Surrender to them?" Pusan Zhen glared at the Vice President in disbelief.

Huang Rende responded calmly: "Not surrender, but a strategic adjustment. If Long Country truly possesses a mushroom bomb, continuing this war will bring us no benefits. We can explore the possibility of a peaceful solution through diplomatic channels."

President Li Chengye was silent for a long time before finally speaking slowly: "Perhaps Vice President Huang makes sense. This war has lasted too long and consumed too many of our resources. If Long Country becomes a mushroom power, the balance of power will be completely upset. Rather than waiting for Di Guo's potential withdrawal or defeat, it is better for us to proactively seek a dignified peace."

"Mr. President!" Pusan Zhen stood up in shock, "This is equivalent to admitting defeat!"

Li Chengye gave a bitter smile: "In the face of a mushroom bomb, winning or losing is no longer so important; what matters is survival. Pass down the order to secretly contact Long Country and the northern representatives to explore the possibility of a ceasefire. At the same time, strengthen air defense and civil defense efforts, and prepare for the worst."

After the meeting ended, President Li Chengye stood before the window, gazing at the distant sky.

"The mushroom era," he muttered to himself, "will completely change the rules of the game in this world. The Taiji Tiger nation must adapt, or it will be eliminated by history."

That evening, the Taiji Tiger Wajiaobu quietly dispatched a Special Envoy to contact Long Country and the northern representatives through secret channels to sound out the possibility of a ceasefire. At the same time, the Military began drafting emergency evacuation plans to prepare for a potential mushroom crisis.

Other countries around the world also reacted one after another; some expressed strong condemnation, some secretly rejoiced that Di Guo's monopoly had been broken, and even more were shocked and fearful—the rise of another mushroom power meant that the world order would undergo profound changes.

The international media was in an uproar, with major newspapers reporting this world-shaking news on their front pages:

"Long Country Successfully Test-Detonates Mushroom Bomb, Becoming the World's Third Mushroom Power"

"Power Balance Broken, World Enters New Mushroom Era"

"Di Guo's Mushroom Monopoly Ends, Global Strategic Landscape Reorganized"

Meanwhile, within Long Country, this news spread across the nation like lightning. People discussed it heatedly on the streets and in alleys, celebrating that Long Country finally possessed the ultimate weapon to safeguard national security.

"Have you heard? Our scientists successfully test-detonated a mushroom bomb!"

"Amazing! No need to fear Di Guo's threats ever again!"

"I heard it was a team led by a scientist named Li Mingyuan; he is truly a national hero!"

The top leadership of Long Country urgently convened a meeting to discuss the next strategic deployments.

"Di Guo has received our deterrent message; they will not dare to act rashly again," the Military Department director analyzed.

"But we cannot let our guard down; we must continue to push forward the mass production of mushroom bombs and establish a complete mushroom deterrent system," Minister Zhang added.

"At the same time, we need to actively carry out diplomatic activities to win the understanding and support of the international community," the Wajiaobu representative suggested.

Li Mingyuan was invited to attend this high-level meeting, and he offered his own suggestions: "I believe the successful test-detonation of the mushroom bomb is just the beginning. We should immediately launch a hydrogen bomb research program, and at the same time, promote the upgrading of rocket technology to develop a long-range Missile system capable of carrying mushroom bomb warheads. Only in this way can we establish a true strategic deterrent force."

The high-level officials nodded repeatedly, once again impressed by Li Mingyuan's foresight and wisdom.

"Chief Engineer Li, do you have any specific plans?" the Military Department director asked.

Li Mingyuan smiled slightly: "I do, and preliminary designs have already begun. I call it the 'Dongfeng Project,' and the goal is to develop a series of strategic missiles with different ranges, from short-to-medium range to intercontinental. This will be an important pillar of our national defense system."

A burst of applause erupted in the conference room, and Li Mingyuan's foresight and wisdom once again won everyone's admiration.

And just as the high-level officials of Long Country were intensely discussing future plans, the atmosphere at the Presidential Palace of Di Guo was terrifyingly heavy.

"We must re-evaluate our strategic choices," the Minister of Defense said in a deep voice, "Long Country's mushroom test has completely changed the rules of the game."

In the underground conference room of the Kremlin in Beijixiong Guo, the atmosphere was exceptionally tense.

"This is completely impossible!" General Aleksandafu slammed his fist against the table, "Where did Long Country obtain the Modan Jishu? How come our intelligence system didn't hear a whisper of it?"

Academy of Sciences President Kuznetsov adjusted his glasses, his expression grave: "From a technical perspective, it is indeed possible that Long Country has mastered the basic theory. They have excellent physicists, and..."

"And what?" Aleksandafu interrupted him.

"And in recent months, Long Country's technological progress has indeed been astonishing. That man named Li Mingyuan led a team to develop Remote Rocket Launchers and precision Guidance Systems far ahead of the era. If anyone could overcome the Modan Jishu in a short time, it would be him."

Minister of Defense Gregory had remained silent, but now he finally spoke: "The problem is not the possibility, but the certainty. Long Country might be bluffing, trying to scare off Di Guo in this way."

"Bluffing?" Minister of Intelligence Skeliabin sneered, "If it were a bluff, why would they choose to conduct the 'test-detonation' on the high seas? Isn't that just asking for humiliation?"

The conference room fell into a brief silence, with everyone pondering the answer to this question.

"I believe," Kuznetsov said slowly, "that Long Country is serious. Think about their recent series of technological breakthroughs—300-kilometer range rocket launchers, high-precision Guidance Systems, long-range communication technology... these are not coincidences. Long Country, or more accurately, Li Mingyuan, seems to have mastered some kind of technological secret we do not understand."

Aleksandafu narrowed his eyes: "Are you saying that the Beijixiong intelligence department has been infiltrated?"