Chapter 463: Response: We Are Launching a Missile, Passing Through White Elephant Country

Just like that, an international storm surrounding the Yajiang Hydropower Station rapidly brewed and took shape. Media from various countries reported on the matter with sensational headlines:

"Long Country's Water-Cutting Action Threatens the Survival Rights of Downstream Nations"

"Yajiang Crisis: Long Country Displays Regional Hegemonic Ambitions"

"Experts Warn: Hydropower Station May Provide Energy for Secret Military Base"

In the international public opinion arena, there was one-sided condemnation of Long Country as "irresponsible" and "deliberately threatening neighboring countries." At the alliance assembly, the Star-Spangled Country representative delivered a passionate speech, calling on the international community to "jointly stop Long Country's acts of aggression."

Beijixiong Guo ostensibly supported Long Country's "legitimate right to sovereign development," but secretly used various channels to spread the "Long Country expansion threat theory" to neighboring countries, attempting to sow discord between Long Country and its surrounding neighbors.

Long Country, at the center of the storm, seemed to have become the target of the international community. Media from various countries competed to report on how Long Country was "unreasonable and barbaric" and how it "threatened regional peace," and even some traditionally friendly countries began to maintain an attitude of "cautious neutrality."

At the 404 Military Base, Li Mingyuan stood before the window, watching the heavy rain outside.

Department Head Zhang walked into the office, his expression gloomy: "Chief Engineer Li, the international situation is becoming increasingly unfavorable. The Star-Spangled Country is uniting various nations to pressure us, and is even threatening to impose sanctions."

Li Mingyuan turned around, a faint smile appearing on his face: "No need to worry, this is the best time for us to accelerate the advancement of 'Beidou' and 'Kunpeng'."

"The best time?" Department Head Zhang looked puzzled, "The whole world is targeting us, how could it be the best time?"

"Precisely because everyone is focused on the Yajiang Hydropower Station," Li Mingyuan explained, "no one will think that we are advancing more important strategic projects. This disturbance has instead become our 'smoke screen'."

He walked to the map and pointed to the Yajiang River Basin in the southwest of Long Country: "Let them continue to hype this topic; the livelier, the better. At the same time, we will accelerate the deployment of the 'Beidou' system to provide space cover for the 'Kunpeng' project."

Department Head Zhang was thoughtful: "You mean, using the crisis they created to cover our true strategy?"

"Exactly," Li Mingyuan nodded, his eyes flashing with the light of wisdom, "they think they have found a breakthrough to attack us, little do they know they are playing right into our hands."

He paused for a moment and looked at the heavy rain outside the window that was gradually subsiding: "However, we do indeed need to resolve the Yajiang issue. I have a plan that can both ensure the construction of the hydropower station is not affected and appease the concerns of downstream countries..."

Just as Li Mingyuan was about to elaborate on his plan, a burst of urgent telephone ringing interrupted the conversation. Department Head Zhang picked up the phone, his expression changing abruptly.

"What? Are you sure?" His voice was full of shock, "Immediately raise the alert level and notify all relevant units!"

Hanging up the phone, Department Head Zhang turned to Li Mingyuan with a grave expression: "The Star-Spangled Country's 'Sawtooth' special operations team has secretly entered the country, and their target is you, Chief Engineer Li."

Li Mingyuan frowned: "It seems they have realized who the mastermind behind 'Changfeng' is."

"Not only that," Department Head Zhang added, "Beijixiong Guo's 'Red Star' agent network also has abnormal activity. Both major powers seem to view you as their primary target."

Li Mingyuan was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed: "Interesting, very interesting. Both major powers are willing to tear off their masks just to capture or assassinate me; it seems I am more 'valuable' than I imagined."

Department Head Zhang said nervously: "Chief Engineer Li, this is not the time for jokes! Your safety is tied to national security! We must immediately strengthen protection measures; perhaps we should transfer you to a safer place..."

Li Mingyuan shook his head, his gaze as firm as steel: "No, I am not going anywhere. The 'Kunpeng' project is at a critical stage, and the 'Beidou' system is about to launch its first satellite; I must personally supervise these tasks."

He walked to the table and opened a design blueprint: "On the contrary, this is the time we must accelerate our pace. Since they value me so much, it proves that our direction is correct."

Department Head Zhang was deeply worried: "But your safety..."

"Leave the safety issues to you," Li Mingyuan smiled and patted Department Head Zhang's shoulder, "My task is to ensure that 'Beidou' and 'Kunpeng' proceed according to plan. As for the agents sent by the Star-Spangled Country and Beijixiong Guo..."

His gaze suddenly became sharp, like a drawn sword: "Why not turn their own strategy against them and prepare a 'special gift' for them?"

Department Head Zhang was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood what Li Mingyuan meant, a knowing smile appearing on his face: "I understand, Chief Engineer Li. I will go and arrange it now."

After Department Head Zhang left the office, Li Mingyuan walked to the window again, looking at the sky clearing after the rain. In the distance, a rainbow spanned the firmament like a bridge leading to the future.

"Star-Spangled Country, Beijixiong Guo, you think you have discovered my secret," Li Mingyuan whispered, "little do you know, the real secret has only just begun..."

Outside the window, the sun set, and the rainbow on the horizon became even more brilliant, as if heralding the arrival of a brand-new era. And in this era of changing winds and clouds, Li Mingyuan, this transmigrator from the future, was quietly changing the trajectory of Long Country's destiny with his own strength.

The game above the firmament, Long Country had already quietly taken the lead to this extent...

And a greater storm was also brewing on the horizon.

Under the overcast sky, the 404 Military Base stood like a huge steel fortress, silent and indestructible. Inside the command center in the deepest part of the base, Li Mingyuan was sitting at a round table with Department Head Zhang and several high-ranking military officials, discussing plans to deal with the international crisis.

"The Yajiang matter is getting bigger and bigger," Department Head Zhang frowned, pushing over a stack of international newspapers, "The Star-Spangled Country's *World Herald* has already described us as an 'Eastern Tyrant,' claiming that we are trying to control all of Asia with water resources."

"White Elephant Country is even more insatiable," Staff Officer Chen from the Intelligence Division added, "They now not only demand that we stop the construction of the Yajiang Hydropower Station, but also demand 'ecological compensation' and 'guarantees for downstream countries' water rights'."

Li Mingyuan picked up his teacup, took a light sip, and remained expressionless: "What does our Wajiaobu say?"

"The consistent position," Department Head Zhang sighed, "reiterating that the Yajiang originates within our borders and that our country has full development rights, while also expressing willingness to consider the reasonable concerns of downstream countries. But this obviously cannot calm international public opinion."

Li Mingyuan was silent for a moment, then suddenly put down his teacup, a mysterious smile appearing at the corner of his mouth: "Everyone, I think we need to change our way of thinking."

Several high-ranking military officials looked up at the same time, curiously gazing at this "miracle creator."

"Instead of being passively beaten, it is better to take the initiative," Li Mingyuan's voice was calm and firm, "It is time to let the world pay attention to 'Changfeng' again."

"You mean...?" Department Head Zhang's voice dropped suddenly, containing a hint of disbelief and shock.

Li Mingyuan nodded, his eyes flashing with a dangerous light: "The 'Changfeng-Yi' model has already completed ground testing; it is time to give the world a 'surprise'."

The conference room instantly fell into a deathly silence; everyone looked at each other, shocked yet filled with a hidden excitement.

"But the risk is too great," Staff Officer Chen broke the silence, "In the current international situation, rashly test-firing a new type of missile is tantamount to adding fuel to the fire..."

"On the contrary," Li Mingyuan stood up and walked to the world map hanging on the wall, "This is the perfect time. Now everyone is focused on the Yajiang Hydropower Station, criticizing us. If 'Changfeng-Yi' were to appear out of thin air at this moment..."

His finger lightly traced across the map, extending from the northwest of Long Country all the way to the northern border of White Elephant Country, "The international focus will immediately shift, and the Yajiang dispute will instantly become a minor issue."

A hint of surprise flashed in Department Head Zhang's eyes: "You mean... using a greater threat to cover up a small dispute?"

"Not only that," Li Mingyuan turned to face everyone, "More importantly, through this test launch, we can send a clear signal to the whole world, especially the Star-Spangled Country and Beijixiong Guo: Long Country's technological progress will not stagnate due to external pressure, and no form of threat or sanction can stop our pace of advancement."

His gaze became sharp: "Moreover, the test launch of 'Changfeng-Yi' was already in the plan; now it is just a slight adjustment to the schedule."

Military Representative General Li pondered for a moment: "Chief Engineer Li's proposal makes sense, but how to operate it? Directly announce the test launch plan?"

"No," Li Mingyuan smiled and shook his head, "We need a little... artistic processing."

Three days later, the Long Country Wajiaobu press conference hall.

Wajiaobu spokesperson Zhao Liping straightened his tie, facing reporters from major global media outlets, his demeanor composed and his tone calm, as if what he was about to announce was merely a routine notice.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for attending today's press conference," Zhao Liping's voice was steady and powerful, "First, regarding the Yajiang Hydropower Station issue, I reiterate Long Country's consistent position: we have the sovereign right to develop rivers within our own territory, while also fully considering the reasonable concerns of downstream countries."

He paused, looking around to ensure all reporters were listening carefully: "Now, I want to announce an important piece of news related to Long Country's peaceful use of space technology: to verify the reliability of a new navigation system, Long Country will conduct a live-fire test of the new intercontinental missile 'Changfeng-Yi' at the northwest test range in three days."

The venue was instantly in an uproar; reporters stood up one after another, raising their hands to ask questions. Zhao Liping raised his hand to signal for quiet and continued to add in a flat tone:

"It needs to be specifically stated that this test launch uses a brand-new technical path, and the trajectory has a high degree of unpredictability. Additionally, because the technology is not yet mature, there may be parts or payloads that accidentally detach during the flight. According to our calculations, its theoretical trajectory may pass through the northern airspace of White Elephant Country."

This sentence was like a bomb, detonating in the venue. The reporters jumped up almost simultaneously, shouting to ask questions, and camera flashes flickered like a rainstorm. Zhao Liping remained calm, as if what he had just announced was merely tomorrow's weather forecast.

"My heavens! They are threatening White Elephant Country!"

"Isn't this just naked nuclear intimidation?"

"Passing through the airspace of White Elephant Country? This is simply an international crisis!"