Chapter 453: Front Page Headlines

The headlines in global media lasted for a full week.

"Long Country's 'Changfeng' missile hits target with precision, error less than 10 meters!"

"Ultra-low altitude flight of 4000 kilometers, overturning the global strategic landscape!"

"Star-Spangled Country's defense system is a mere formality, Taiyang Fleet faces unprecedented threat!"

In this globally watched display of military technology, Long Country became famous in one battle, while the Star-Spangled Country and Beijixiong Guo faced unprecedented strategic challenges and psychological shocks.

Star-Spangled Country, Washington City, Tuoyuanying Bangongshi.

"What the hell is going on!"

The President was furious, grabbing an ornament from the desk—a small Statue of Freedom sculpture—and smashing it hard against the wall. The expensive artwork shattered into several pieces on the wall, fragments scattering everywhere.

The high-ranking officials in the room were silent as cicadas in winter, no one daring to speak. Secretary of Defense Maxwell was pale, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead. Director of Intelligence Foster's eyes wandered, not daring to look the President in the eye.

"I spent billions of Star-Spangled dollars building a defense system, and it can't even detect one damn missile?" The President's voice was distorted by extreme anger, "Is this the guarantee you gave me? Is this the technological advantage of the Star-Spangled Country?"

"Sir, Long Country's technological breakthrough exceeded our..."

"Shut up!" The President sternly interrupted Maxwell, "Don't talk to me about 'technological breakthroughs'! Six months ago you explained Long Country's satellite launch the same way, and now? Our scientists are still arguing over basic principles in the lab, while Long Country has already launched a missile to our doorstep!"

He turned to Foster, his eyes almost spitting fire, "And you, what is your intelligence agency worth? Paying a bunch of trash high salaries? The 'Changfeng' project proceeded so smoothly, yet you could only give me some vague guesses and outdated reports?"

Foster kept his head down, his voice barely audible, "Sir, Li Mingyuan's security measures are exceptionally tight, our infiltration..."

"Li Mingyuan! It's this damn Li Mingyuan again!" The President slammed his fist on the table, the coffee cup on the desk jumping, brown liquid spilling onto important documents, "I want to know everything about this person! Where he came from, what training he received, what his weaknesses are... I don't care what method you use, get me a detailed report!"

National Security Advisor Warren took a deep breath and gathered the courage to speak, "Sir, regarding the 'Falcon Project'..."

"That joke?" The President sneered, "Dissolve it, reorganize it completely. What are those so-called genius scientists doing? I want more funding, better talent, a brand-new direction. If Long Country can build 'Changfeng', we must build something better!"

Warren nodded and said in a low voice, "It has been arranged, sir. But there is one problem, the media and the public..."

"The media?" The President's voice lowered, becoming dangerous, "Are you talking about those bloodthirsty vultures? They must be enjoying the humiliation of the Star-Spangled Country right now."

"Public opinion is indeed not very optimistic," Warren said cautiously, "Domestic media has started questioning the efficiency of our military spending, while allied media are discussing the shift in global power balance..."

"Control them," the President said sternly, "Emphasize the threat of 'Changfeng' to global peace, announce a new round of sanctions, tell the public we have full preparations... anyway, make up whatever you want, as long as you can stabilize public sentiment."

Maxwell interjected, "Sir, regarding sanctions, our options are limited. Long Country's economic structure makes conventional sanctions have limited effect..."

"Then think of new ways!" The President stood up, paced to the window, and turned his back to the people in the room, "Increase the troop strength at the Taiyang bases, mobilize more carrier strike groups, all nuclear submarines enter combat readiness... I want Long Country to know that their little tricks won't scare the Star-Spangled Country."

He turned around, his eyes cold, "At the same time, I authorize a top-secret operation, codenamed 'Sawtooth'. Objective: obtain 'Changfeng' technology at all costs, including but not limited to defection, infiltration, theft... when necessary, one can also consider... more direct methods."

The atmosphere in the room solidified. Everyone understood the implication in the President's words.

"Yes, sir," Foster replied in a low voice, "I will be personally responsible."

The President's gaze swept over everyone, his voice low and dangerous, "Gentlemen, the dignity of the Star-Spangled Country has been challenged. I don't care what method you use, but I want results. Either give me a weapon system that can rival 'Changfeng', or give me the secrets of 'Changfeng' itself... otherwise, prepare to pack your bags and get out."

……

Compared to the hustle and anger of Washington City, a strange silence permeated the "Falcon Project" base. In the large conference room, dozens of top scientists and engineers sat pale and listless in their seats, with blueprints, calculation papers, and failed models scattered on the tables.

"We are still arguing over the thrust-to-weight ratio, and they have already sent a missile to the center of the Taiyang." Professor Wilson, a propulsion system expert from MIT, smiled bitterly and drank the coffee in his hand as if it were strong liquor.

"Ultra-low altitude flight of 4000 kilometers, precision error less than 10 meters..." Navigation expert Collins shook his head, "We haven't even finalized the design plan, and we have already lost."

"Who exactly is Li Mingyuan?" A young engineer suddenly asked, his voice full of frustration, "Is he an alien? How could he solve so many technical problems in such a short time?"

"Three months ago, I was still laughing at Long Country, saying their industrial base had trouble even producing precision screws." Aerospace engineer Thompson sighed, "Now I just want to crawl into a crack in the ground."

The door to the conference room was suddenly pushed open, and Doctor Mongomery walked in, dragging his exhausted body, holding a stack of documents. Everyone immediately quieted down, waiting for the project lead to speak.

"Gentlemen," Mongomery's voice was hoarse, "I have just received notice that the 'Falcon Project' will be reorganized. Some personnel will be transferred to the newly established 'Eagle Eye Project', focusing on the research and development of interception technology for ultra-low altitude missiles. The remaining personnel will continue to develop our own cruise missiles under a new framework."

"Using what technical route? We don't even know how Long Country did it!" Professor Wilson couldn't help but complain.

Mongomery smiled wearily, "We will receive more intelligence support... additionally, the budget has tripled."

"Money can't solve physics problems," the aero-engine expert frowned, "We need breakthrough ideas."

"Therefore," Mongomery placed the documents on the table, "we must rethink everything. No longer limited to known theories, but exploring brand-new fields. The President has given us six months; either produce results, or..."

He did not finish, but everyone understood the consequences.

The conference room fell into silence again. These scientists, who once prided themselves on being the world's best, felt unprecedented frustration and pressure at this moment. Long Country's "Changfeng" was not just a military threat, but a fatal blow to the Star-Spangled Country's sense of technological superiority.

"Alright," Professor Wilson finally broke the silence, "Since Long Country can do it, we can too. Let's forget past failures and start from scratch."

Others nodded, a glimmer of hope reigniting in their eyes. But everyone knew in their hearts that the road to catching up would be exceptionally difficult.

Beijixiong Guo, Kremlin underground conference room.

Compared to the hysteria of the Star-Spangled Country, Beijixiong Guo's reaction was much more restrained, but the internal shock was no less than that of their opponent.

The Leader sat expressionless at the end of the conference table, his fingers tapping the table lightly, his gaze fixed on the test flight footage of the "Changfeng" missile playing on the wall. This was the seventeenth time he had watched this footage, but each time he could discover new, unsettling details.

The footage finished playing, and the room fell into silence. The Leader looked up, his gaze sweeping over every high-ranking general and scientist present, finally stopping on Minister of Defense Sokolov.

"Your assessment?" he asked briefly.

Sokolov cleared his throat, his voice steady, "According to technical analysis, the 'Changfeng' missile is at least ten years ahead of our existing technology. Its propulsion system, guidance system, and aerodynamic design all demonstrate shocking advancement. The most worrying thing is its low-altitude penetration capability, which essentially renders most of our anti-aircraft systems ineffective."

The Leader nodded, his gaze turning to the President of the Academy of Sciences, Lebedev, "Can you replicate it?"

Lebedev hesitated, "Theoretically feasible, but it requires time. Our 'Thunder Project' technical route is completely different from 'Changfeng' and requires significant adjustments. According to preliminary estimates, it will take at least three to five years to develop a system of similar level."

"Three to five years..." the Leader repeated, his voice carrying a rare sense of helplessness, "Within three to five years, Long Country will possess a strategic strike capability that we cannot effectively defend against. This is unacceptable."

"We have other options," Chairman of the Intelligence Agency Kolbov interjected, "Technical intelligence acquisition..."

The Leader's eyes narrowed, "You mean theft?"

"Not just that," Kolbov said cautiously, "We can try to make direct contact with Li Mingyuan. He is the core figure of 'Changfeng', if we can persuade him... or use other means to bring him to Beijixiong Guo..."

The room was silent. Kidnapping a top foreign scientist was an extreme measure, but not unheard of during the Cold War.

The Leader pondered for a moment and nodded slowly, "Prepare a detailed plan. At the same time, adjust the direction of the 'Thunder Project' to prioritize the development of an anti-'Changfeng' system."

He stood up and walked to the map, staring at the country that was once regarded as a "little brother", "Long Country is no longer a pawn we can control at will. They are becoming an independent strategic force. This changes everything."

The Minister of Foreign Affairs gathered the courage to ask, "Then the policy towards the Star-Spangled Country...?"

The Leader revealed a cold smile, "The Star-Spangled Country is more panicked than we are. Let them continue to scramble. But at the same time, we need to re-evaluate our relationship with Long Country. We cannot let them lean completely towards the Star-Spangled Country, nor can we pretend nothing happened."

He turned to everyone present, his voice low and firm, "Gentlemen, the world is changing. We must adapt. What Long Country has displayed today is not just a weapon, but a determination—they are no longer content to be a vassal to any great power. We must rethink our global strategy."

Academy of Sciences President Lebedev could not help but ask, "Regarding Li Mingyuan... who exactly is he? Our background check yielded almost nothing."

"That is precisely the most unsettling part," Kolbov said in a deep voice, "a man with no past who can create technology that changes the future. We must find the answer."

The Chief walked back to his seat, sat down, and crossed his hands on the table, "Whoever he is, Li Mingyuan is now Long Country's most valuable asset and an intelligence target we must grasp. Kolbov, I give you the highest authority; at any cost, find out the bottom line of this person."

"Yes, Comrade Chief."

When the meeting ended, the Chief called for Kolbov and Minister of Defense Sokolov, and after everyone else had left, his voice dropped to a level that only the three of them could hear.

"Regarding Li Mingyuan, prepare a special operation plan. If his technology cannot be acquired, then... ensure that Long Country can no longer continue to use his talents. Do you understand what I mean?"

The two nodded with grave expressions. They knew full well what this order meant.