Chapter 468: The Star-Spangled Country of the Polar Bear Star-Striped Nation Also Wants a Global Live Broadcast

Department Chief Qian's gaze was like an invisible sharp sword, seemingly wanting to pierce through Li Mingyuan's back to see clearly the secrets on this young man. But at this moment, Li Mingyuan was immersed in the joy that the Sky Net system was about to be approved, completely unaware.

After the meeting ended, the leader kept Li Mingyuan behind alone, and the two spoke in low voices in the corner of the conference room for nearly an hour. Although others could not see the content, from the leader's rare smile and frequent nodding, one could guess that the Sky Net plan had already received preliminary approval from the high-level officials.

However, just as Long Country was quietly advancing the Sky Net system, in the underground command center of the White House in the Star-Spangled Country on the other side of the ocean, a storm was brewing.

"This is fucking ridiculous!" The President slammed the folder on the table onto the floor, the shredded paper scattering like snowflakes. "An Eastern country that just crawled out of the ruins of war has actually surpassed us in missile technology? This is a blatant humiliation to the dignity of the Star-Spangled Country!"

Secretary of Defense Maxwell's face was livid, the veins on his forehead bulging: "Sir, according to our technical analysis, the 'Changfeng-Yi' indeed demonstrated shocking precision control capabilities. Those fireworks... that damn golden dragon... it is simply declaring their technological superiority to the whole world."

"Not only that," Director of Intelligence Foster added, his voice as low as a funeral bell, "our satellites captured images of large numbers of people on the streets of White Elephant Country discussing this matter. Those who once viewed us as saviors are now all talking about the rise of Long Country. Some are even publicly questioning whether our protection is still of value..."

The President slammed the table, emitting a deafening bang: "Unacceptable! Absolutely unacceptable! I want the 'Falcon' project to speed up immediately, at any cost! I don't care how much money it takes, I don't care what needs to be sacrificed, within three months, I want to see our own missile test launch succeed!"

"Three months?" Maxwell widened his eyes, "Sir, this is an almost impossible mission. The 'Falcon' project still has many technical difficulties that have not been solved; the most optimistic estimate is still a year and a half to two years..."

"Then bring all the Germans here!" The President roared, "I know we took in quite a few Nazi rocket experts; it is time to let them prove their value! Offer them any conditions, as long as it lets 'Falcon' take off as soon as possible!"

Foster hesitated for a moment: "Sir, even if we use these resources, completing it within three months is extremely risky, and the success rate cannot be guaranteed..."

"You didn't understand my meaning," the President's voice was low and dangerous, "I am not asking for opinions, but issuing an order. Three months, not a single day more. I want to prove to the whole world that the Star-Spangled Country is the true technological hegemon!"

He turned to Secretary of State Hopkins: "Additionally, I want a global live broadcast. Yes, you heard me right, a global live broadcast! When 'Falcon' takes off, I want every household in the world with a television to be able to see it. Let those Easterners also take a good look at what true technological power is!"

At the same time, deep in the Kremlin of Beijixiong Guo, the Chairman was also holding a secret meeting.

"Ridiculous, simply ridiculous!" The Chairman did not throw a tantrum like the Star-Spangled Country's President; his voice was instead surprisingly calm, but everyone present could feel the raging fire beneath that calm surface. "The technological image we spent decades building has actually been shaken by a 'backward' Eastern country."

Minister of Defense Sokolov spoke cautiously: "Comrade Chairman, we must admit that Long Country's 'Changfeng' series indeed demonstrated an astonishing technical level, especially that kind of precision control capability..."

"I don't need you to tell me how powerful Long Country is!" The Chairman suddenly raised his voice, the temperature in the conference room seemingly dropping several degrees, "What I need is a solution! How is the 'Blizzard' project progressing?"

"According to the original plan, it still needs at least eight months," Sokolov replied, "but if we increase resource investment and appropriately simplify some testing procedures..."

"At any cost, the first test launch must be realized within two months," the Chairman said decisively, "Use national resources, have the military factories produce 24 hours a day, and even if the scientists don't sleep or rest, make the 'Blizzard' roar!"

"Two months?" Sokolov almost jumped out of his chair, "This... this is an almost impossible mission!"

"In the great Beijixiong Guo, there is nothing that is impossible," the Chairman said coldly, "How many miracles did we create during the war? Now, facing a technological race in peacetime, are we going to admit defeat?"

He stood up and walked to the world map hanging on the wall, his finger tapping lightly on the location of Long Country: "This Li Mingyuan... is truly an interesting character. Where did his knowledge come from? Why is his technology so advanced? Put these questions aside for now; the top priority is to demonstrate our own strength."

The Chairman turned to the Chairman of the Intelligence Bureau, Kolbov: "I have a special mission for you. I want the 'Blizzard' test launch to be broadcast live globally, letting the whole world see our technological power. More importantly, I want to ensure that every high-level official in Long Country, especially that Li Mingyuan, can see this broadcast. I want them to witness with their own eyes what a true superpower is!"

404 Military Base, Li Mingyuan's office.

"You look like you're in a good mood," Minister Zhang walked in and handed Li Mingyuan a newspaper, "Ever since the 'Changfeng-Yi' battle, international public opinion has changed its tune; even the 'World Herald', which has always been unfriendly to us, used a headline like 'The Rise of the Eastern Dragon'."

Li Mingyuan took the newspaper, flipped through it casually, and a faint, imperceptible smile appeared at the corner of his mouth: "It's just superficial glory; the real trouble has only just begun."

"Trouble? What trouble?" Minister Zhang looked confused, "Now that we have technological leadership and strategic initiative, even White Elephant Country doesn't dare to bring up the Yajiang Hydropower Station matter anymore; isn't this a great situation?"

Li Mingyuan put down the newspaper and cast his gaze out the window: "A single flower blooming does not make spring; a hundred flowers blooming makes the garden full of spring. The Star-Spangled Country and Beijixiong Guo will not just admit defeat like this; they will definitely step up their own missile research and development. The stimulation I gave them was just too great; I estimate that in the laboratories of both countries, the lights are probably burning all night."

"So what?" Minister Zhang was dismissive, "Even if they accelerate R&D, it will take at least a year or two to catch up to us, and by then, our Sky Net system will already have taken initial shape, and the 'Kunpeng' project will also have made significant progress. Being one step ahead is being ahead; they will always be chasing."

Li Mingyuan shook his head, his expression becoming serious: "You underestimate human creativity under pressure. In history, how many seemingly impossible missions, under national will and the full investment of resources, eventually became reality?"

He stood up and walked to the map in the office: "If I'm not mistaken, within three months, the Star-Spangled Country's 'Falcon' missile will be test-launched; within two months, Beijixiong Guo's 'Blizzard' missile will appear."

"So fast?" Minister Zhang was shocked, "That's impossible, right? No matter how deep their technical foundation is, they can't break through so many technical bottlenecks in a short time!"

"That's not necessarily true," Li Mingyuan smiled mysteriously, "By the way, notify the technical team to upgrade our radio monitoring network; I want to know the news of the two countries' missile test launches at the first opportunity. At the same time, accelerate the initial construction of Sky Net, especially the Computing Hub part; once there is their missile flight data, input it into the system for analysis immediately."

Minister Zhang was full of confusion: "You mean... you have already anticipated that they will soon successfully test-launch?"

"Not only will they successfully test-launch, but..." Li Mingyuan's voice suddenly became meaningful, "they will also conduct a global live broadcast."

"Global live broadcast? What kind of joke is that!" Minister Zhang almost laughed out loud, "That is a military secret among secrets; how could it be broadcast for the whole world to see?"

Li Mingyuan was noncommittal, only saying faintly: "Wait and see."

One month later, Long Country high-level conference room.

"Intelligence confirmed, the Star-Spangled Country has completed the final tests of the 'Falcon' missile and plans to conduct the first test launch within two weeks." Department Chief Qian's voice was calm and professional, but the shock in his eyes could not be hidden, "What is even more surprising is that they have actually announced they will broadcast this test launch process globally via radio and television."

The conference room was in an uproar.

"Absurd!" A military general slammed the table and stood up, "How can a missile test launch be broadcast live? Isn't that making military secrets public to everyone?"

"It is indeed unbelievable," another official echoed, "This violates all the basic principles of military secrecy!"

Only Li Mingyuan sat there, his expression calm, as if he had already anticipated all of this.

Department Chief Qian continued to report: "According to reliable information, Beijixiong Guo is also stepping up the final preparations for the 'Blizzard' missile, expected to test-launch within ten days, and also plans to conduct a global live broadcast."

Now, the entire conference room completely exploded; everyone was discussing it, and only Li Mingyuan maintained a puzzling calmness.

The leader knocked on the table, signaling for silence, and then looked at Li Mingyuan: "Chief Engineer Li, what is your opinion on this?"

Li Mingyuan slowly stood up and looked around: "This is exactly the psychological impact our 'Changfeng-Yi' has caused them. They not only want to catch up in technology but also want to win back a round in psychology and public opinion. A global live broadcast is to prove to the world that they are still the technological hegemon, and it is also an open challenge to us."

"Then how should we respond?" the leader asked.

Li Mingyuan smiled slightly: "Closely monitor, record the whole process, and analyze in detail. Their live broadcast gives us an excellent opportunity to understand their technical level. Especially the flight parameters regarding 'Falcon' and 'Blizzard', which will provide valuable target data for our Sky Net system."

He paused, his gaze becoming sharp: "Additionally, I suggest organizing the Technical Backbone of major military industrial units and scientific research institutes to watch the broadcast collectively, letting them witness the technological level of the two great powers with their own eyes; this will greatly stimulate our own R&D motivation."

The leader nodded: "Proceed according to Chief Engineer Li's suggestion. Additionally, accelerate the construction progress of the Sky Net system; we cannot let the technical gap become too large."

Two weeks later, major global media were all reporting the same shocking news: Star-Spangled Country's "Falcon" missile test launch successful!