Chapter 430: Controlling the Yajiang, White Elephant Country Panics

He looked directly into the Vice Commander's eyes, his voice firm, "I request that the organization grant these energy projects the highest priority, concentrating the nation's strength to ensure the projects are implemented smoothly. At the same time, I need to obtain absolute resource dispatch authority in the energy sector so that I can quickly resolve various problems during the project's advancement."

This request was quite bold, and many of the high-level officials present gasped. Absolute resource dispatch authority meant that Li Mingyuan would possess the immense power to mobilize the nation's resources, which was almost unheard of in peacetime.

The Vice Commander pondered for a moment, "Are you certain these energy projects are crucial to the future of Long Country?"

Li Mingyuan nodded without hesitation, "I stake my reputation on it; energy is a key link in the rise of Long Country. If we cannot resolve our energy shortcomings as soon as possible, within ten years, Long Country will be in an extremely passive position in international competition."

The Vice Commander turned to the other leaders, "Do you have any opinions?"

A veteran committee member slowly stood up, "Chief Engineer Li's plan is indeed shocking, but I worry that excessively concentrating resources will affect development in other areas."

"It won't," Li Mingyuan immediately responded, "On the contrary, once the energy problem is solved, development in other areas will proceed more smoothly. To give a simple example, our steel mills are currently forced to reduce production capacity due to insufficient electricity, leading to tight steel supplies, which in turn affects downstream industries like machinery manufacturing and construction. If there is sufficient electricity, the entire industrial chain will benefit."

He pointed to the data on the projection screen, "According to my calculations, after the first batch of units at the Longjiang Hydropower Station goes into operation, industrial capacity in the East China region can increase by at least 30%. This means more machinery and equipment, more construction materials, and more consumer goods. This is not a zero-sum game, but a positive cycle."

The Vice Commander nodded thoughtfully, then looked around the meeting hall, "Are there any other opinions?"

No one raised any further objections. The problem of energy shortages was too obvious, and the solution proposed by Li Mingyuan, while grand to the point of being nearly insane, was the most comprehensive and long-term one seen so far.

"Good," the Vice Commander finally made the decision, "Considering the strategic significance of energy to national development, the central authorities have decided to approve Chief Engineer Li's energy plan and grant him special dispatch authority in the energy sector. Relevant departments must cooperate fully to ensure the project proceeds smoothly."

A surge of excitement stirred in Li Mingyuan's heart, but he remained calm on the surface, "Thank you to the Vice Commander and all the leaders for your trust; I will certainly live up to this responsibility."

After the meeting ended, people crowded around to talk to Li Mingyuan, wanting to know more details about the energy plan. The Minister of Water Resources excitedly grabbed his hand, "Chief Engineer Li, your hydropower station design is simply revolutionary! I have worked in the water conservancy system for thirty years and have never seen such a bold yet meticulous plan."

The Academician of the Academy of Sciences also leaned in, his eyes full of curiosity, "25% solar conversion efficiency... are you really certain you can achieve this? If you can, this will be a world-class breakthrough!"

Li Mingyuan smiled and responded to each one, though in his heart, he was already planning the specific implementation details for the next step. He knew that there was still a long way to go to turn these grand plans into reality, but the first and most critical step had already been taken.

Minister Zhang walked over, patted him on the shoulder, and lowered his voice, "Chief Engineer Li, congratulations on obtaining absolute dispatch authority in the energy sector; this is unprecedented!"

Li Mingyuan smiled, "This is just the beginning, Minister Zhang. When the dams on the Long River and Yajiang rise up, when wind farms cover the Dongbei grasslands and coastal mudflats, and when solar panels cover the northwest deserts, that will be the true shock."

He looked out the window, as if he had already seen that grand future landscape—the surging river water rushing down, intercepted by massive dams and converted into a continuous stream of electricity; countless windmills spinning on the grasslands, capturing energy from the sky; and across the vast deserts, tens of thousands of solar panels shimmering with silver light, silently absorbing the sun's gifts.

This would be a brand-new Long Country, a powerful nation with abundant energy and developed industry. And all of this would start from his report today.

"Energy is the true lifeblood of Long Country." Li Mingyuan repeated this sentence in his heart, his eyes filled with determination and anticipation.

The news that the Long Guo Super Hydropower Station Project had officially launched was like a bombshell, triggering a chain reaction in the international community. The news was initially conveyed to relevant countries through formal diplomatic channels in the form of a routine "Infrastructure Construction Memorandum," but soon, as more details were disclosed, the entire international landscape began to shift subtly.

Li Mingyuan stood before his office window, looking at the engineering preparation site outside that had already begun to bustle with activity, feeling both satisfied and vaguely worried. He knew that such a large-scale hydropower project, especially one involving a transboundary river, would inevitably lead to international disputes.

"It's here," Minister Zhang pushed the door open, holding a telegram, "White Elephant Country really couldn't sit still."

Li Mingyuan took the telegram and quickly scanned the content. The Ministry of Wajiaobu of White Elephant Country had issued a sternly worded statement, strongly protesting Long Country's plan to build a large-scale hydropower station on the upper reaches of the Yajiang, calling it a "serious threat to the survival rights of downstream countries," and demanding that Long Country immediately stop the relevant plans.

"As expected," Li Mingyuan placed the telegram on the table, his expression calm, "Of course they would protest; the Yajiang is the lifeblood of White Elephant Country's agriculture and population."

"How should we respond?" Minister Zhang asked, his brows furrowed.

Li Mingyuan walked to the map and pointed to the Yajiang basin, "Observe first. White Elephant Country does not have enough strength on its own to stop us; they will certainly seek support from Star-Spangled Country and Beijixiong Guo. The key is to see how these two great powers react."

Sure enough, within three days, more international repercussions began to emerge. The Star-Spangled Country embassy in Long Country issued a "statement of concern," expressing "concern over the issue of fair use of Yajiang water resources," implying support for White Elephant Country's position. Beijixiong Guo issued a subtly worded statement that neither directly supported Long Country nor openly opposed it, but instead called for "resolving water resource disputes through peaceful negotiation."

Li Mingyuan analyzed the true intentions behind these diplomatic niceties, "Star-Spangled Country is clearly taking this opportunity to win over White Elephant Country, while Beijixiong Guo is watching from the sidelines to see if they can profit from it."

Just as the Long Country Wajiaobu was busy dealing with international pressure, the intelligence department sent even more worrying news—a series of secret high-level meetings were being held in Made Cheng, the capital of White Elephant Country, with special envoys from Star-Spangled Country and Beijixiong Guo both participating.

"It seems things are even more complicated than we anticipated," Li Mingyuan frowned as he analyzed, "The two superpowers might be competing behind White Elephant Country's back, each trying to pull White Elephant Country to their side."

Made Cheng, a secret meeting room inside the royal palace.

Prime Minister Nalong Lazha of White Elephant Country slammed a document onto the table, his face gloomy, "This is a blatant provocation against our national sovereignty! Long Country has no right to control the water resources flowing into our country!"

The Star-Spangled Country Special Envoy, Johnson, leaned back in his chair, his tone calm but calculated, "We fully understand your country's anger; the importance of the Yajiang to White Elephant Country goes without saying. Star-Spangled Country is willing to support your country's position on the international stage."

He paused, a hint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes, "Of course, this requires us to strengthen our comprehensive cooperative relationship."

Nalong Lazha keenly caught the subtext in the other's words, "What specific cooperation are you referring to?"

Johnson took a document from his briefcase, "We hope to establish a 'joint military training base' in the southern part of your country, while simultaneously strengthening economic and technical cooperation."

The Beijixiong Guo Special Envoy, Ivanov, sneered, "Prime Minister Lazha, Star-Spangled Country's promises are not worth mentioning. They just want to use your country to confront Long Country and turn White Elephant Country into their outpost."

He leaned forward, "Beijixiong Guo can provide real help—we possess world-class water conservancy experts and engineers who can help your country build its own water conservancy projects on the lower reaches of the Yajiang, reducing your reliance on the upper reaches. At the same time, we are willing to provide military equipment and technical support to help your country strengthen its national defense."

The atmosphere in the meeting room suddenly became subtle and tense; the White Elephant Country officials exchanged glances, clearly weighing the different proposals from the two great powers.

Nalong Lazha was a seasoned politician; he knew that both superpowers had their own agendas and both wanted to use White Elephant Country as a pawn to confront Long Country. But at this moment, he had no other choice—Long Country's hydropower station plan indeed threatened the fundamental interests of White Elephant Country.

"We will carefully consider the proposals of both special envoys," he finally said, his voice calm but firm, "But the urgent priority is how to effectively stop Long Country's hydropower station plan. We need a concrete action plan, not just diplomatic rhetoric."

Johnson and Ivanov spoke almost simultaneously, then both politely stopped, signaling for the other to speak first. This subtle scene made the atmosphere in the meeting room even more complex.

Meanwhile, in Washington City of Star-Spangled Country, the Tuoyuanying Bangongshi.

The leader was listening to a report from the National Security Advisor, his expression serious.

"Long Country's Super Hydropower Station Project, especially the Yajiang project, will greatly enhance their influence in the Southeast Asia region," the security advisor analyzed, "Once the project is completed, Long Country will control the water resources flowing into White Elephant Country and gain strategic initiative."

The leader placed his hands together on the table, "Does this pose a threat to our interests in Southeast Asia?"

"A very serious threat, sir," the security advisor confirmed, "White Elephant Country is our important ally in Southeast Asia. If Long Country can pressure White Elephant Country through water control, our influence in the entire region will be significantly weakened. Even worse, this could trigger a chain reaction, causing other Southeast Asian countries to also lean toward cooperating with Long Country."

He opened a folder, "Our intelligence shows that Beijixiong Guo is also actively engaging with White Elephant Country, attempting to use this crisis to expand their own influence in the region."

The leader furrowed his brows, "Any suggestions?"

"We must strengthen cooperation with White Elephant Country," the security advisor suggested, "providing military aid, technical support, and diplomatic guarantees. At the same time, we can pressure Long Country on the international stage, demanding that they abide by the 'principle of fair use of international waterways,' and even consider implementing certain economic sanctions against Long Country."

The leader pondered for a while, "How is Special Envoy Johnson's progress in White Elephant Country?"