Chapter 427: Misleading

The director of the Central Intelligence Agency had a complex expression: "The evidence is insufficient, but there are some disturbing signs. First, Long Country has recently had large-scale secret construction in the northwest region; second, their progress in electronic technology is astonishing; finally, they are the only third party that could benefit from the simultaneous failure of both countries' satellites."

"But they don't even have their own satellites," the Secretary of State questioned.

The director of the Central Intelligence Agency took a deep breath: "That is exactly the most disturbing part. If they have already secretly launched satellites and mastered technology capable of interfering with our satellites, that would completely change the global strategic balance."

The leader's expression became unusually serious: "I need conclusive evidence. Dispatch U-2 Reconnaissance Planes to conduct high-altitude reconnaissance of the northwest region of Long Country. At the same time, prepare a diplomatic protest, but do not name names for the time being."

He looked around, a firm light flashing in his eyes: "No matter who destroyed our satellites, they must pay the price. Star-Spangled Country will not tolerate any challenge to our space sovereignty!"

After the meeting ended, intelligence officers acted quickly, beginning to prepare for the secret reconnaissance operation against Long Country. The space crisis had quietly evolved into a global intelligence war and psychological war.

Reports on the space disaster from major global media continued to ferment, with various speculations and conspiracy theories running rampant. Some media began to hint at the possible intervention of a "third-party force," indirectly pointing to Long Country.

At the Eastern Base, Li Mingyuan and his team members were analyzing the latest global intelligence.

"Star-Spangled Country has mobilized several U-2 High-Altitude Reconnaissance Aircraft, deployed at surrounding bases, clearly preparing to conduct reconnaissance on our country," an intelligence officer reported.

"Beijixiong Guo has also increased its reconnaissance activities on our borders while strengthening the protection of its satellite ground stations."

Li Mingyuan nodded, his expression calm: "As expected. They have started to suspect us."

Minister Zhang was somewhat worried: "If their reconnaissance planes fly over our airspace, how should we respond?"

Li Mingyuan was confident: "I have long been prepared. The ground version of the 'Storm' system has already been deployed on the northwest border. Any reconnaissance plane that enters our airspace will encounter 'Nature' interference—their navigation systems and communication equipment will fail, but the pilots will think it is just equipment failure or bad weather."

He turned to the large screen, which displayed the defense deployment map of the northwest region: "We will not shoot down their planes directly; that would trigger a diplomatic crisis. We will only make them lose their way, then they will return on their own."

Minister Zhang breathed a sigh of relief: "That's even better; they won't even know they were interfered with."

"Exactly so," Li Mingyuan laughed, "This is the art of modern warfare—a bloodless Victory."

The intelligence officer continued to report: "The media of both countries have begun to indirectly hint that Long Country might be involved, but due to a lack of conclusive evidence, the wording is relatively restrained."

Li Mingyuan thought for a moment: "It is time to give them some 'evidence'."

Everyone looked at him in confusion.

"Evidence? What evidence?" Minister Zhang asked, puzzled.

Li Mingyuan smiled mysteriously: "Fake evidence. We are going to create some 'clues' to lead them to think in the wrong direction."

He walked to the whiteboard and quickly wrote down a plan: "First, we will create some radio anomalies on the border of Beijixiong Guo, making them think we are testing some kind of interference equipment; second, we will spread some false intelligence about Beijixiong Guo's secret space weapons in areas controlled by Star-Spangled Country; finally, we will release news in the international media, hinting that the satellite failures of both countries might be related to the space arms race between the two sides."

Minister Zhang suddenly realized: "You want to make them suspicious of each other and divert their attention from us."

"Not only that," Li Mingyuan added, "but also to let the international community form an impression: the space arms race is dangerous, both countries should exercise restraint, while Long Country is a model of peaceful use of space technology."

A burst of low laughter erupted in the command center; the subtlety of this psychological tactic was admired by everyone.

"So talented, Chief Engineer Li!" Wang Gang gave a thumbs up, "This is even more powerful than directly interfering with their satellites!"

Li Mingyuan waved his hand modestly: "This is just a basic public opinion guidance strategy. The key is to be meticulous in execution and not reveal any flaws."

Just then, a technician ran over hurriedly: "Chief Engineer Li, our Radar System has detected a high-altitude aircraft approaching the northwest border, at an altitude of about 25,000 meters, suspected to be a U-2 Reconnaissance Plane!"

Li Mingyuan immediately turned to the operational map: "Position and heading?"

"Currently 300 kilometers outside the border, heading toward our northwest region, estimated to enter our airspace in 1 hour."

Li Mingyuan was calm and composed: "Activate the 'Storm' ground system and prepare for directional interference. Do not attack the plane; only interfere with its navigation and communication systems."

He turned to Minister Zhang: "Notify the Military to monitor closely but take no interception action. Let this plane circle in our airspace for a few laps, then 'naturally' fly back."

Minister Zhang nodded and immediately issued the order.

Two hours later, on the large screen in the command center, the trajectory of that U-2 Reconnaissance Plane was displayed in real-time—it had been circling the northwest border of Long Country for more than forty minutes, flying irregularly like a headless fly.

"Damn funny," Li Mingyuan took a sip of tea and almost choked from laughing, "Look at this guy, like a fly without a head."

Wang Gang couldn't help but snicker, "Chief Engineer Li, your metaphor... is too vivid."

"I bet the pilot is confused by now," Li Mingyuan put down his cup and said triumphantly, "Originally wanted to take pictures of our base, but ended up not even knowing north from south."

Minister Zhang looked at the chaotic flight path of the plane on the Radar screen and couldn't help but laugh, "It seems the 'Storm' ground system is working well."

"Of course," Li Mingyuan crossed his arms, looking confident, "The system I designed is meant to make the enemy not know they were attacked. This is much smarter than shooting it down—if you shoot down one plane, they will send ten; if you make him get lost, he will only suspect his own equipment and pilot."

Sure enough, half an hour later, that U-2 finally gave up the mission and turned back in the direction it came from.

"Gentlemen," Li Mingyuan stood up and looked around at the team members in the command center, "Now it is time to execute 'Mirror Operation'. I want to make the two superpowers suspicious of each other and divert their attention away from us."

Minister Zhang frowned: "Wouldn't this be too risky?"

Li Mingyuan patted his shoulder, "Don't worry, this is like falling in love; as long as you make two people suspicious of each other, it is hard for them to be as close as before."

"Falling in love?" Minister Zhang looked confused.

Li Mingyuan then remembered that the metaphor from before he traveled through time might not be very applicable in this era, so he changed his wording: "It's like playing chess; let the opponents check each other, so we can free up our hands to develop ourselves."

He walked to the whiteboard and drew a simple chart with chalk:

"Step one, technical misleading. We will use the 'Storm System' to create a series of electromagnetic anomalies on the border of Beijixiong Guo, but make these anomaly signals carry the characteristics of Star-Spangled Country's equipment. Similarly, in areas controlled by Star-Spangled Country, we will also create similar anomalies, but with the technical characteristics of Beijixiong Guo."

"Step two, intelligence Fishing. We will anonymously send some 'internal intelligence' to the embassies of both countries, hinting that the other side is testing a new type of electronic jamming device."

"Step three, academic induction. We will write several papers on electronic warfare technology under aliases, analyzing the 'new technologies' of both countries, and submit them to international journals. This will make their intelligence departments even more convinced that the other side is up to something."

The command center was silent; everyone was shocked by Li Mingyuan's plan.

"This... this is psychological warfare," Professor Chen pushed his glasses, his voice trembling slightly, "Too brilliant."

Li Mingyuan smiled slightly, "In an era of information asymmetry, creating chaos is more effective than direct confrontation."

He turned to the signal group leader, Professor Chen, "Prepare two sets of electromagnetic signal templates, one mimicking the characteristics of Star-Spangled Country, and one mimicking those of Beijixiong Guo. Be precise down to every frequency band, every modulation method, and even the signal startup sequence and shutdown characteristics must be exactly the same."

Professor Chen nodded, "How long will it take?"

"Three days," Li Mingyuan said decisively, "We must seize this time window while they are still in chaos over the satellite crash."

In the next three days, the Eastern Base was busy. The signal group worked through the night, meticulously crafting two sets of "camouflage signals"; the intelligence group collected the latest electronic equipment characteristics of both countries; even Li Mingyuan himself stayed up for several nights, writing two papers that seemed academically rigorous but were full of misleading information.

At dawn on the fourth day, "Mirror Operation" was officially launched.

"Release of anomalous signals on the border of Beijixiong Guo, start!" Li Mingyuan ordered.

The super Computer at the Eastern Base started the preset program and, through launch pads secretly deployed on the border, released a series of strange electromagnetic signals toward the border area of Beijixiong Guo—these signals were carefully designed, and their frequency bands, power characteristics, and modulation methods were extremely similar to the latest military electronic equipment of Star-Spangled Country.

"Release the anomalous signal in the Star-Spangled Country controlled area, begin!"

The same operation was carried out simultaneously in another direction, and the signal released this time carried distinct "Beijixiong Guo characteristics."

"Both sets of signals have been successfully released," Wang Gang reported excitedly, "now it just depends on whether they take the bait."

Li Mingyuan nodded with satisfaction, "Next, execute the intelligence Fishing plan."

He turned to the intelligence Group Leader, Colonel Lin, "Are those 'anonymous intelligence' reports ready?"

Colonel Lin nodded, "They are all prepared according to your requirements. We have found two retired intelligence officers; they will contact the foreign personnel of the Star-Spangled Country and Beijixiong Guo in the City of Cards and the Capital respectively to pass on those 'classified intelligence' reports."

"Perfect," Li Mingyuan said, "Remember, make them feel that this intelligence is priceless, but it cannot be too deliberate. It is best to make them feel that they obtained it 'inadvertently'."