Chapter 449: Chaos

Moshi, Kremlin

The First Leader sat before the desk with an expressionless face, but his knuckles were white from excessive force. The Long Country's announcement was like a sharp sword, piercing directly through the dignity of Beijixiong Guo.

"Is this your intelligence work?" he said coldly to the Intelligence Bureau Chairman Kolbov, "You didn't even discover the preparations for a missile test? Are your people just eating for free?"

Cold sweat seeped from Kolbov's forehead, "Comrade First Leader, we did indeed learn of the existence of the 'Changfeng Project', but the progress assessment..."

"Progress assessment my foot!" the First Leader roared, "They are already about to conduct a test! And you were all guessing that they were 'possibly in development'! This kind of intelligence is not even as good as an editorial in the *Truth Daily*!"

He turned to the Minister of Defense Sokolov, "How far is the 'Jiaoshi Island' chosen by the Long Country from the border of our ally?"

"Less than 800 kilometers, Comrade First Leader," Sokolov replied, "This means..."

"It means they are flexing their muscles to us and the Star-Spangled Country at the same time," the First Leader said gloomily, "What is even more terrifying is that the Long Country actually has the ability to independently develop such an advanced weapon system, completely detached from our control..."

The conference room was filled with unease and shock. Beijixiong Guo had always regarded the Long Country as its "little brother," assuming it should develop under its own strategic influence. But now, this "little brother" had actually developed, without any technical support, a strategic weapon that might surpass Beijixiong Guo.

The First Leader's eyes became unusually cold, "I want to know everything about this Li Mingyuan! His background, the source of his knowledge, every step of his actions! At the same time, raise the military alert level and dispatch an observation fleet to the test-firing sea area."

Global major cities, media and public reaction

The Long Country's announcement was like a bomb, instantly detonating the global media. Major newspapers vied to report this astonishing news with the most eye-catching headlines:

*New York Times*: "Long Country intercontinental missile points directly at the Star-Spangled Country's doorstep!"

*Luntai Daily*: "Cold War pattern changing? Long Country leaps to become a strategic major power"

*Bari Daily*: "Fuse for World War III? Long Country challenges the bottom line of a superpower"

Global stock markets plummeted in response, while military industry stocks rose sharply. Ordinary people scrambled to buy supplies in a panic, and many feared that a nuclear war was imminent.

Neighboring governments with territorial disputes with the Long Country urgently convened security meetings to assess potential threats. Those politicians who had once looked down on the Long Country were now silent as cicadas in winter.

"This is a historic moment," an international relations expert said in a television interview, "The Long Country is using practical actions to declare that it has already joined the ranks of the world's powerful nations. Regardless of whether the 'Changfeng' missile test is successful or not, this kind of strategic self-confidence has already changed the global balance of power."

In bars, cafes, and streets all over the world, people were heatedly discussing this event. Some were panicked, some angry, some confused, but everyone realized—the world was undergoing earth-shaking changes.

And in the Long Country, this news sparked a wave of patriotic fervor. Although ordinary people did not fully understand the specific meaning of "intercontinental strategic weapon," they could feel the rise of national strength and the return of national pride.

Just as the eyes of the whole world were focused on the upcoming missile test, Li Mingyuan stood in the command center of the 404 Military Base, calmly watching the various preparations on the big screen.

"System check complete," the Chief Engineer reported, "'Changfeng' missile status is perfect, launch platform is in position, everything is proceeding according to plan."

Li Mingyuan nodded, a mysterious smile appearing on his face, "The good show has only just begun."

……

Star-Spangled Country, Taiyang Command Center

"I want all available combat power, all of it!" Admiral Wilkinson, Commander of the Taiyang Fleet, roared into the communicator, his voice distorted by extreme anger, "The Seventh Fleet is to assemble in the Jiaoshi Island sea area immediately! The 'Wei' and 'Ai' carrier strike groups are to change course, maximum speed!"

The adjutants were as if facing a formidable enemy, their fingers dancing on the operational maps and communication equipment. Within just six hours, the entire Taiyang Command jumped from a daily alert state to an emergency deployment nearing wartime.

"What about the bombers?" Wilkinson asked, his eyes fixed on the large strategic map on the wall.

"The B-47 Squadron has already taken off and will maintain aerial patrols between Guang Island and Weike Island. The B-36 is being prepared and can reach the designated airspace within 12 hours," the operations officer replied.

Wilkinson nodded, his eyes cold. The B-36 "Peacemaker"—this six-engine behemoth could carry nuclear warheads, and its range could cover the entire Asian continent. This was a naked nuclear deterrence signal.

"What about the intelligence department? I want to know what that damn 'Changfeng' looks like!"

The Intelligence Officer hesitated, "Sir, we have already mobilized all available reconnaissance resources. Three U-2 Reconnaissance Planes have already taken off and will carry out high-altitude reconnaissance missions over the high seas. Two electronic eavesdropping ships are also approaching the target sea area."

"Not enough!" Wilkinson slammed his fist onto the operations table, "I need satellite imagery!"

"The 'Explorer 2' orbital adjustment is underway, but its imaging capability is limited..."

"I don't care if it can take a clear picture! As long as it can capture any anomaly, even if it's just a blurry shadow!" Wilkinson roared, "This is an emergency moment for national security, use every means!"

The communicator suddenly rang, a Communication Officer hurriedly answered it, then turned to Wilkinson, "Sir, the Department of Defense has ordered directly that all actions must be kept within the scope of the high seas and public airspace, and it is strictly forbidden to violate the Long Country's territorial airspace and waters."

Wilkinson's face turned livid, "Are they serious? The Long Country is preparing to show us a missile that might threaten our homeland, and we have to hide on the high seas like cowards?"

The Intelligence Officer whispered an explanation: "The President is worried that any direct act of intrusion might be used by the Long Country as an excuse to provoke a conflict..."

"Nonsense!" Wilkinson said angrily, but he understood that orders must be obeyed. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, "In that case, deploy with full force within the high seas. Tell the reconnaissance planes to fly right along the edge of the Long Country's airspace, don't cross the line, but don't let a single inch go unmonitored!"

At the same moment, Washington City, Department of State

Secretary of State Dulesi convened an emergency meeting, with attendees including the representative to the United Nations and ambassadors of major allies.

"Gentlemen, the situation is extremely critical," Dulesi said straight to the point, "The Long Country's provocative behavior has seriously threatened regional peace and the national security of the Star-Spangled Country. We need to act in unison and issue the strongest condemnation."

The representative to the United Nations, Smith, frowned and said: "Frankly speaking, this is tricky. The wording of the Long Country's announcement is very cautious, and there is no obvious violation of international law. They have the right to conduct military tests on the high seas, as long as they notify in advance..."

"This is not a legal issue, but a strategic threat!" Dulesi interrupted him, "The Long Country choosing that location to test-fire a missile is a naked provocation!"

"I understand, but at the United Nations, we need a legal basis," Smith insisted, "Otherwise it will be difficult to obtain enough support."

Dulesi sneered, "Then emphasize the security threat. Draft a motion condemning the Long Country's 'reckless behavior' and 'threat to regional stability,' and demand an immediate halt to the test-firing plan."

"I'm afraid the effect will be limited," the European liaison officer interjected, "According to preliminary feedback, most European countries tend to take a wait-and-see approach. After all, we have conducted similar tests ourselves..."

"Then apply pressure!" Dulesi slammed the table angrily, "Remind them that if the Long Country succeeds, the next target might be Europe!"

The conference room fell into a brief silence, and everyone felt unprecedented pressure. Finally, Dulesi's voice became low and firm:

"At the same time, prepare a diplomatic note with the strongest possible wording and deliver it directly to the Long Country's Wajiaobu. The contents include: First, firm opposition to conducting missile tests near our security zones; second, a warning that this behavior will lead to 'serious consequences'; third, a demand for the immediate provision of technical details and safety guarantees for the test-firing."

He looked around the room, "Gentlemen, we must make the Long Country understand that the Star-Spangled Country will not tolerate any form of strategic threat. No matter the cost."

Beijixiong Guo, Kremlin Underground Command Center

Compared to the clamor of the Star-Spangled Country, Beijixiong Guo's reaction was much more low-key, but the internal shock was no less than that of its opponent.

"This is the latest analysis report," Intelligence Bureau Chairman Kolbov placed a red folder on the conference table, "According to our judgment, the Long Country's 'Changfeng' missile is very likely to possess true intercontinental capability, with a range of over 5000 kilometers."

The First Leader was expressionless, but the rhythm of his fingers tapping on the table betrayed his nervousness, "Evidence?"

"Comprehensive analysis of multi-faceted information," Kolbov replied, "Including internal news provided by the 'Red Star', tracking of the Long Country's special metal procurement, and satellite image analysis of the 404 Military Base. Most crucially, the Long Country choosing 'Jiaoshi Island' as the target itself indicates that they are extremely confident in the missile's performance."

The senior generals and government officials in the conference room exchanged worried glances. Beijixiong Guo had always prided itself on being the "big brother" of the Long Country, providing it with technical and military support. Now, this "little brother" had actually surpassed it in the field of strategic weapons, which was simply a great humiliation to national dignity.

"Action recommendations?" the First Leader asked briefly.

Kolbov cleared his throat, "Divided into three directions: First, intelligence gathering; we have already dispatched the 'Crow' electronic reconnaissance ship and two Tu-95 Reconnaissance Planes to the target sea area, but all are keeping within international waters and airspace to avoid direct conflict."

"Second, technical assessment; we need to obtain first-hand data on the 'Changfeng' missile, including flight trajectory, speed, altitude changes, and guidance characteristics. These data are crucial for our 'Thunder Project'."

"Third..." Kolbov hesitated, "diplomatic contact. I believe we should attempt to establish a secret channel with Long Country to explore the possibility of technology sharing."

A burst of discussion erupted within the conference room. The Military Representative generally opposed sharing technology with Long Country, while officials from the Wajiaobu and the Academy of Sciences believed this was the fastest path to acquiring advanced technology.

"Quiet!" the head official barked sternly, and all discussion ceased immediately. His gaze swept across everyone's face, finally resting on the Minister of Defense, Sokolov, "Your view?"