Chapter 378: The Window-Breaking Theory

Li Mingyuan stood up and scanned everyone in the conference room, a mysterious smile hanging on the corners of his mouth: "Since they want to urge peace, then we should 'make peace' properly."

He walked to the map and pointed at the location of the Star-Spangled Country: "We should propose a series of conditions—not ordinary peace conditions, but conditions capable of thoroughly crushing the Di Guo."

The Military Department director's eyes lit up: "What do you mean?"

Li Mingyuan cleared his throat, his eyes flashing with wise brilliance:

"First, economic sanctions are to be fully lifted; the Di Guo must pay at least 50 billion Star-Spangled coins in 'war reparations,' to be repaid via a 30-year ultra-low-interest loan. This money will be prioritized for Long Country's technological development."

The air in the conference room instantly solidified; everyone held their breath.

Li Mingyuan continued: "Second, resource supply guarantees. The Di Guo must export oil, rare metals, and other strategic minerals to Long Country long-term at prices 30% below market value, for a period of no less than 20 years."

Dean He gasped; this was practically demanding the Di Guo's life!

"Third, key technology transfers. The Di Guo must open up certain civilian high-tech patents, including but not limited to large-scale machine tools, communication systems, aviation materials, and other fields, and send expert teams to assist Long Country in digesting and absorbing them."

Minister Zhang's eyes widened like copper bells; this was no peace agreement, it was naked plunder!

Li Mingyuan had no intention of stopping: "Fourth, the Di Guo must withdraw all of its military bases in the region, promise never to interfere in Long Country and its surrounding affairs, and publicly announce the 'Long Country Absolute Safety Zone.' Any military provocation will be regarded as an infringement on Long Country's sovereignty."

The Military Department director's jaw nearly hit the floor; such conditions, even a victorious nation wouldn't dare propose!

"Fifth, the Di Guo government must publicly admit war responsibility at the UN General Assembly, apologize to the people of Long Country, and compensate for the economic and personnel losses caused by the war, in an amount no less than 30 billion Star-Spangled coins."

The Wajiaobu representative said with a trembling voice: "Chief Engineer Li, this... this is not very likely..."

Li Mingyuan waved his hand to interrupt: "Finally, Long Country shall enjoy priority procurement and pricing rights for the Di Guo's major commodities on a global scale for a period of five years. Not a single one of these conditions can be missing."

The conference room was silent; everyone stared at Li Mingyuan, dumbfounded, as if looking at a madman.

These conditions were not negotiations, but naked humiliation! How could the Di Guo possibly accept?

The Military Department director finally regained his senses: "Chief Engineer Li, you are..."

Li Mingyuan smiled slightly: "Why, do you all think the conditions I proposed are too excessive?"

Minister Zhang wiped the sweat from his forehead: "It's not excessive... it's simply impossible to achieve! The Di Guo would rather fight to the last man than accept these conditions!"

Li Mingyuan sat back in his chair and took a leisurely sip of tea: "Who said I wanted them to accept?"

The people in the conference room were even more confused.

"I proposed these conditions precisely to make them refuse," Li Mingyuan explained.

"In this way, it becomes clear who the party truly obstructing peace is. Beijixiong Guo wants to be the peacemaker? Fine, then let them see that it is the Di Guo that is unwilling to negotiate, not us."

The Military Department director suddenly realized: "Brilliant! This way we occupy the moral high ground!"

"Not only that," Li Mingyuan continued to analyze,

"After the Di Guo refuses these conditions, we can appropriately 'make concessions' and propose some slightly milder conditions. But even these 'conceded' conditions will be enough to significantly weaken the Di Guo, while simultaneously winning us time and resources for development."

Minister Zhang couldn't help but applaud: "Chief Engineer Li, this isn't a scientist's way of thinking, it's the vision of a strategic master!"

Li Mingyuan, however, was secretly laughing inside: "This is just a trick learned from later commercial negotiations: open with an outrageous price, then slowly pull it back."

Of course, it is also the famous Window-Breaking Theory.

The Wajiaobu representative raised a question: "What if Beijixiong Guo sees through our intentions?"

Li Mingyuan was confident: "They will certainly see through it, but that is exactly what we want. Beijixiong Guo is currently in a dilemma; they neither want to see the Di Guo collapse completely, nor do they want Long Country to be too powerful. Our conditions seem outrageous, but in reality, they are forcing them to make a choice—either admit that the Di Guo truly should pay the price, or admit that they don't care about peace at all, only their own interests."

The Military Department director nodded in admiration: "Wonderful! This is playing with Beijixiong Guo's psychology!"

Li Mingyuan stood up and scanned everyone in the conference room:

"Everyone, this negotiation is not just to end the war, but to lay the foundation for Long Country's development over the next fifty years. Believe me, if we act according to this strategy, within twenty years, Long Country will become the most powerful nation in the world!"

Enthusiastic applause erupted in the conference room; everyone was convinced by Li Mingyuan's foresight.

And Li Mingyuan stood amidst the applause, his expression exceptionally calm.

This game of chess had only just begun, and the Star-Spangled Country's "Clock Rollback" plan could be activated at any time; he had to seize every minute and every second to accelerate Long Country's development and prepare for the future space-time war.

"Di Guo, you want to reshuffle the deck?" Li Mingyuan sneered in his heart, "Then come on, this time I will make you lose even more thoroughly!"

……

The moment the news reached the capital of Beijixiong Guo, the Head of State convened an emergency meeting.

Beijixiong Minister of Foreign Affairs Novikov held the list of peace conditions proposed by Long Country, his face so gloomy it could drip water.

"This is simply an exorbitant demand! What does Long Country take us for? A messenger?" Novikov slammed the document onto the conference table in anger, "These conditions of theirs are simply humiliating the Di Guo!"

Minister of Defense Malinov took the document and, after reading it carefully, furrowed his brows:

"Fifty billion Star-Spangled coins in war reparations? Forced technology transfer? Withdraw all military bases? Where are these peace conditions? This is clearly forcing the Di Guo to commit suicide!"

Academy of Sciences Dean Dobrov, after finishing it, fell into deep thought:

"The strange thing is, although these conditions are harsh, they are not entirely unfeasible. Especially those technology transfer clauses—they are all technologies that the Di Guo truly possesses and Long Country has not yet fully mastered."

The Head of State crossed his hands in front of his chin, his gaze like a torch: "Comrade Novikov, do you think the Di Guo will accept these conditions?"

"Absolutely impossible!" Novikov said decisively, "They would rather fight to the last man than accept such humiliating conditions!"

The corners of the Head of State's mouth lifted slightly: "Then, why would Long Country propose these conditions that they know cannot be accepted?"