Chapter 377: Insufficient Insight, Planning the Setup

Zhang Lixin's expression immediately turned serious, "Why are you suddenly interested in this?"

"A client wants to enter the defense sector and needs to understand potential international competitors," Li Mingyuan fabricated an excuse.

Zhang Lixin stared at Li Mingyuan for a few seconds, then lowered his voice, "Lao Li, I don't know why you're suddenly interested in this, but some things are indeed very suspicious. The Star-Spangled Country's economy has been declining in recent years and their military budget is tight, yet they have invested staggering resources into a project codenamed 'Clock Rollback'."

"Clock Rollback?" Li Mingyuan frowned, his heart skipping a beat. Why did this name sound so familiar?

Zhang Lixin looked around to confirm no one was paying attention to them, then pulled a micro storage device from his pocket and quietly pushed it toward Li Mingyuan.

"Lao Li, you and I have been birds of a feather since our university days. If you want this, it certainly isn't as simple as a normal client request. Here is some data I can give you, but remember, delete it after reading; I don't want to be invited for tea by the organization department tomorrow."

Li Mingyuan took the storage device and nodded at his old friend: "Thanks, brother, I owe you a big meal."

"Hehe, based on your current net worth, it has to be at the Number One Courtyard, right?" Zhang Lixin said half-jokingly.

After returning to his apartment, Li Mingyuan couldn't wait to plug the storage device into his computer and began browsing the top-secret data inside.

【Star-Spangled Country Top-Secret Project: Clock Rollback】

【Total Project Investment: 297.3 Billion Star Dollars】

【Project Location: Nevada Desert Underground Base】

【Project Lead: Doctor Robert Cohen (Quantum Physicist)】

The more Li Mingyuan read, the more shocked he became. This was no ordinary military project; it was clearly a full-blown space-time travel device!

The terms described in the document, such as "Multi-dimensional Information Transmission," "Time Node Anchoring," and "Historical Path Reconstruction," convinced him that the Star-Spangled Country was attempting some insane plan to alter history.

"Damn it!" Li Mingyuan slammed his fist on the table, "These bastards can't afford to lose and want to reshuffle the deck!"

Li Mingyuan calmed down and began to think of countermeasures.

Relying solely on himself at this time, he could not stop the Star-Spangled Country's plan at all.

But if he could accelerate Long Country's technological development in that era and make Long Country the world's number one technological power decades ahead of schedule, completely suppressing the Star-Spangled Country, then the Star-Spangled Country's conspiracy might fail.

"System, I need to collect as much high-tech data as possible before traveling back."

【Collecting... It is recommended that the host focus on the following fields: Quantum Computing, Artificial Intelligence Architecture, Nanomaterials, Aerospace Technology, Brain-Computer Interface】

Li Mingyuan immediately took action, using his advanced permissions at Longteng Technology to frantically download all kinds of cutting-edge technical data.

Chip Design Principles, Quantum Communication Protocol, Neural Network Architecture, Space Propulsion Technology, High-Energy Physics Experimental Data... he spared no effort to collect every piece of frontier technology he could think of.

A few hours later, Li Mingyuan's brain felt like it was about to explode.

All kinds of profound theories and technical details flooded his mind, and he tried to use the "Heaven-Defying Comprehension" provided by the system to quickly absorb this knowledge.

"System, help me quickly master the essence of these technologies."

【Warning: Current Insight Value is insufficient to complete a knowledge leap; please continue to accumulate experience and foundations】

"What?" Li Mingyuan was stunned, "Don't I have the system's blessing? How can my comprehension be insufficient?"

【Host's current Insight Value: 12,560; Insight Value required for full mastery of Quantum Computing: 50,000; Insight Value required for full mastery of Artificial Intelligence Architecture: 35,000...】

Li Mingyuan laughed in spite of himself: "So my cheat isn't big enough?"

He quickly adjusted his mindset; since he couldn't master it immediately, he would have to proceed step by step.

He quickly organized a technological development roadmap, sorted by difficulty and practicality, and planned a feasible path for technological advancement.

"Can't be overly ambitious, have to take it one step at a time," Li Mingyuan muttered to himself, "Lay the foundation first, then talk about leapfrog development."

System prompt: 【Space-time travel function is ready; return to the 50s immediately?】

"Execute!"

After a familiar sensation of spinning, Li Mingyuan returned to the military industrial base.

He rubbed his temples, adjusting to the physical discomfort.

Dean He walked in hurriedly: "Chief Engineer Li, good news! The highest directive has been issued to fully support your 'Thunder Project' and the technological development roadmap! All resources will be prioritized for your team!"

Li Mingyuan smiled slightly: "Good, then we must speed up."

In the days that followed, Li Mingyuan led his team to fight day and night.

He first pushed for the upgrade of electronic and mechanical infrastructure.

In the field of electronics, he used his limited but advanced knowledge to guide the team in manufacturing Long Country's first generation of Numerical Control Machine Tool and primary Third-Generation Computer.

Although they still used primitive architecture, they were at least five years ahead of the most advanced computers in the world at the time.

However, there was still a great deal of room for improvement.

Just as the Long Country military industrial base was fighting day and night, an emergency meeting was underway at the Kremlin, far away in Beijixiong Guo.

"Unbelievable!" Beijixiong Guo Defense Minister Gruchenko slammed the table, "Long Country has actually mastered Modan Jishu in such a short time! This completely shatters our strategic planning!"

Academy of Sciences President Dobrov pushed up his glasses: "What's more worrying is that according to our intelligence, that young man named Li Mingyuan is now leading a series of advanced technology projects. If he is allowed to continue developing, within ten years, Long Country's industrial and military strength might catch up to or even surpass us!"

The Leader was silent for a long time before finally speaking: "Di Guo is collapsing, Long Country is rising, and the global landscape is about to spiral out of control. If we let things develop, it will not be a good thing for us."

"Then what should we do?" the Minister of Foreign Affairs asked.

A flash of cold light passed through the Leader's eyes: "Send a Special Envoy, publicly urge for peace, and propose the 'Three-Nation Armistice Framework.' We must intervene to control the development of the situation."

Three days later, the Beijixiong Guo Special Envoy arrived in the capital of Long Country, bringing a "peace proposal." The top leadership of Long Country immediately convened an emergency meeting to discuss how to respond.

Minister Zhang announced solemnly: "According to the news brought by the Special Envoy, Beijixiong Guo has proposed the 'Three-Nation Armistice Framework,' hoping that we and Di Guo will end the war as soon as possible and jointly maintain regional peace."

The director of the Military Department snorted: "Heh, they know to urge for peace now? When Di Guo was invading us, where were they?"

The representative from the Wajiaobu analyzed: "Beijixiong Guo's move is clearly out of fear that after Di Guo completely collapses, the rise of Long Country will threaten their interests. This is a strategic intervention, but it is also our opportunity."

Minister Zhang nodded: "That's right, the key is how to utilize Beijixiong Guo's intervention to maximize our national interests. Chief Engineer Li, what is your opinion?"