Chapter 433: Intercontinental Missile Project

Li Mingyuan thought for a moment, "Notify the border troops to heighten their vigilance, but do not act rashly. At the same time, strengthen security measures at the Yajiang Hydropower Station construction site to prevent infiltration or surprise attacks by agents."

Major Lin recorded Li Mingyuan's instructions, "There is one more thing, Chief Engineer Li. Our signal monitoring station has intercepted some encrypted communications, showing a significant increase in contact between the White Elephant Country and the Star-Spangled Country's military. There is reason to believe that the Star-Spangled Country may be providing intelligence and tactical support to the White Elephant Country behind the scenes."

"What about Beijixiong Guo?"

"The situation is complex," Major Lin replied, "On the surface, the relationship between Beijixiong Guo and the White Elephant Country is also strengthening, but our analysis suggests they are more interested in profiting from the situation rather than genuinely helping the White Elephant Country oppose us."

Li Mingyuan nodded; this was consistent with his expectations. Both superpowers wanted to use the White Elephant Country as a pawn to disrupt Long Country's hydropower station project, yet neither was willing to be directly drawn into the conflict.

"I need to return to the capital as soon as possible," Li Mingyuan decided, "The hydropower station project must continue, but we also need to prepare to deal with potential military friction. At the same time, I have a new project to propose to the Military, which could change the strategic balance of the entire region."

Major Lin looked at him curiously, but Li Mingyuan did not say more. As a transmigrator, he knew that in this era, what could truly deter opponents was not conventional weaponry, but strategic weapons capable of striking across continents.

Two days later, Li Mingyuan returned to the capital and urgently requested a high-level military meeting.

White Elephant Country border military base, a secret command post deep in the valley.

Commander-in-Chief Supachai and several senior officers sat around a map table, studying the detailed topographical map of the Long Country border.

"According to our plan," Supachai pointed to several points marked on the map, "we will increase our military presence in these disputed areas, especially in locations close to the Yajiang Hydropower Station construction zone. The goal is not to launch a full-scale war, but to create border friction and create conditions for international intervention."

The Military Intelligence Chief Kusa added, "The Star-Spangled Country has promised that once a conflict occurs, they will support us on the international stage and pressure Long Country to stop or modify the hydropower station project."

"How certain are we that this won't trigger a full-scale war?" an experienced general asked worriedly.

Supachai's expression was serious, "The risk does exist, but according to our assessment, Long Country is currently fully committed to the hydropower station construction and does not want a large-scale military conflict. Their most likely reaction will be a limited counterattack, followed by seeking a diplomatic solution."

Kusa nodded, "Our intelligence shows that the Long Country leadership attaches great importance to this hydropower station project and views it as a national strategic priority. They will not give it up easily, but they also won't risk a full-scale war because of it."

"What about the specific action plan?" another officer asked.

Supachai unfolded a detailed operational plan, "We will implement this in three phases. Phase one: increase the frequency and intensity of border patrols and establish temporary outposts in the disputed areas. Phase two: conduct limited harassment of Long Country border outposts, including small-scale shelling and reconnaissance operations. Phase three: under the attention of the international community, propose a 'peaceful resolution to the border dispute' while demanding that Long Country stop or modify the hydropower station project as a condition for easing border tensions."

Kusa added, "The Star-Spangled Country's representative to the United Nations is already prepared to introduce a motion at the appropriate time, demanding 'fair use of transboundary water resources' to provide international legal support for our actions."

Supachai looked around at everyone, "This is a dangerous game, but for the sake of the country's water security, we have no other choice. Once Long Country's hydropower station is built, we will be in a passive position forever. Now is our only chance to change the situation."

The atmosphere in the conference room was heavy and tense; everyone realized they were about to step into a dangerous gray zone, and a border conflict centered on water resources was on the verge of breaking out.

Long Country capital, a secret conference room in the military command center.

Li Mingyuan stood in front of the projection screen, looking around at the high-ranking military officials in the room. Present were Vice Chairman of the Military Commission General Wang, Chief of Staff General Liu, Director of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense Lieutenant General Zhang, as well as various service commanders and technical experts.

"Thank you all for taking the time to attend this emergency meeting," Li Mingyuan said, getting straight to the point, "I have gathered everyone here to discuss two urgent issues: first, the military movements of the White Elephant Country at the border, and second, a brand-new strategic weapon project I wish to propose."

He opened the first slide, showing the movements of the White Elephant Country's troops in the border region.

"According to our intelligence, the White Elephant Country is massing troops in the border region, especially in locations close to the Yajiang Hydropower Station construction zone. They may be preparing to create border friction to provide an excuse for the international community to intervene in our hydropower station construction."

Li Mingyuan pointed to several key points on the map, "The borders in these areas are disputed, the terrain is complex, and these are the most likely places for conflict to occur. The White Elephant Country has already increased patrol frequency and troop strength in these areas."

General Wang frowned, "Are they that bold, daring to provoke us directly?"

Li Mingyuan explained, "They have the support of the Star-Spangled Country behind them. According to the communications we intercepted, the Star-Spangled Country has promised to support the White Elephant Country on the international stage and pressure us to stop or modify the hydropower station project."

General Liu analyzed calmly, "This is a carefully orchestrated political and military game. The White Elephant Country knows they are no match for us, but they hope to trigger international intervention through limited military conflict to achieve the goal of stopping the hydropower station construction."

Li Mingyuan nodded, "Exactly. They dare not and do not want to launch a full-scale war, but they will attempt to create border friction to create conditions for international intervention."

"How should we respond?" Lieutenant General Zhang asked.

Li Mingyuan was confident, "First, remain vigilant but do not act rashly. Strengthen the defensive deployment of border troops, but avoid active provocation. Second, be prepared diplomatically to refute any unreasonable accusations the White Elephant Country might make. Third, and most importantly, accelerate the progress of the hydropower station construction and strive to complete the key parts as soon as possible."

General Wang thought for a moment, "Militarily, we can appropriately demonstrate our strength to let the White Elephant Country know the severity of the consequences."

Li Mingyuan nodded in agreement, "This is exactly the second topic I want to discuss—a brand-new strategic deterrent weapon."

The atmosphere in the conference room suddenly became more focused, and everyone looked at Li Mingyuan with curiosity.

"Gentlemen," Li Mingyuan took a deep breath, "I propose that Long Country immediately launch a research and development program for an Intercontinental Cruise Missile."

There was silence in the conference room; everyone was stunned. After a few seconds, someone broke the silence.

"Intercontinental... cruise missile?" General Liu repeated, his tone filled with disbelief, "What kind of weapon is this?"

Li Mingyuan walked to the projector and switched to a set of brand-new blueprints, "Simply put, this is a long-range missile capable of striking targets across continents with precision. Unlike traditional ballistic missiles, cruise missiles fly at a lower altitude, can fly close to the ground to avoid radar detection, and can change direction multiple times during flight, greatly increasing the difficulty of interception."

He displayed a missile design diagram, "This type of missile uses a rocket engine for boost-phase takeoff, then switches to a jet engine for cruising. The range can reach over 5,000 kilometers, enough to cover all of Asia and parts of Europe."

The experts in the conference room exchanged incredulous looks. At the time, such a weapon was almost something out of science fiction, far exceeding the technical level of any contemporary country.

"Chief Engineer Li," an expert from the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense couldn't help but ask, "Is this technology... feasible? We are still in the R&D stage for even ordinary missiles."

Li Mingyuan smiled slightly, "It is feasible, and more feasible than you imagine. I have already completed the preliminary design, including the missile structure, propulsion system, guidance system, and warhead design."

He switched to the next slide, showing more detailed technical parameters, "The missile adopts a modular design, about 8 meters long, 0.5 meters in diameter, with a takeoff weight of about 2,000 kilograms. The maximum flight speed is 0.8 Mach, and the cruising altitude can be as low as 100 meters, which means it can traverse complex terrain and avoid radar detection."

The military technical experts began to discuss in low voices; some shook their heads in doubt, while others showed expressions of shock and excitement.

"What about the guidance system?" a general from the Ministry of Aviation asked, "Precision strikes at such long distances require extremely advanced navigation technology."

Li Mingyuan nodded, "This is one of the biggest technical challenges. I have designed a multi-navigation system that combines inertial navigation, terrain matching, and celestial navigation. Through pre-inputted terrain data and real-time image comparison, the missile can precisely locate its position without any external signals."

He pointed to a key part on the blueprint, "This is the 'brain' of the missile, a high-speed computing unit capable of processing navigation data in real-time, guiding the missile to fly along a preset route while dealing with potential interference and obstacles."

The atmosphere in the conference room became exceptionally tense; everyone was shocked by this unprecedented weapon system.

"What about the warhead?" General Liu asked straightforwardly.

Li Mingyuan's expression became serious, "Both conventional warheads and special warheads can be carried. A conventional warhead has a power equivalent to 10 tons of TNT, enough to destroy a medium-sized military base or command center."

He did not explicitly mention nuclear warheads, but everyone present could understand the implication in his words. If this missile could carry a nuclear warhead, it would completely change the regional and even global strategic balance.

General Wang pondered for a moment, "If this weapon is successfully developed, it will bring us huge strategic advantages. But the technical difficulty and resource investment..."

"Huge, but worth it," Li Mingyuan said bluntly, "This weapon will provide Long Country with true strategic deterrent capability. We don't need to mass-produce it; we just need potential opponents to know we possess this capability to gain greater say in international games."