Chapter 470: Missile Defense? Are You Kidding Me?

Early the next morning, inside the test field of Military Base 404, Li Mingyuan was supervising technicians as they performed the final debugging of the "Sky Net" system.

"Radar array status is good," a technician reported, "all five stations have stable signals, and data transmission is normal."

"What about the Computing Hub?" Li Mingyuan asked.

"The simulation computing units are all online, and data processing capability has reached the expected standard," another engineer replied, "the ballistic prediction algorithm has completed final adjustments, and the error rate is controlled within an acceptable range."

Li Mingyuan nodded with satisfaction and turned to Minister Zhang beside him: "How are the interceptor missiles coming along?"

"All twelve interceptor missiles are in position," Minister Zhang reported, "the launch system has completed three rounds of testing, and the reaction time meets the requirements. The only problem is..."

"What problem?"

Minister Zhang lowered his voice: "The target missile. We are prepared to use a modified 'Changfeng' No. 1 as the target missile, but its flight characteristics are very different from the Star-Spangled Country's 'Falcon' or Beijixiong Guo's 'Blizzard'. If our 'Sky Net' system is optimized for our own missiles, then the actual effect on intercepting foreign missiles..."

"That is exactly the effect we want," Li Mingyuan interrupted, a cunning smile appearing on his face, "what I want is for the 'Sky Net' system to be able to easily intercept the 'Changfeng' No. 1, and this will precisely cause the two major powers to fall into a psychological trap."

"What trap?"

Li Mingyuan explained: "If we can intercept our own 'Changfeng', then according to their logic, we can certainly intercept their missiles as well. But in reality, the performance of 'Changfeng' far exceeds that of 'Falcon' and 'Blizzard', so when they discover this, they will fall into a dilemma: either admit that our missiles are indeed more advanced than theirs, or admit that our defense system is ineffective against their missiles. Whichever claim they choose, it is a dilemma for them."

Minister Zhang suddenly realized: "You are playing psychological warfare!"

"International politics is inherently a comprehensive contest of psychological warfare and strength," Li Mingyuan smiled indifferently, "only by seizing the initiative can one remain invincible."

Just then, Deputy Commander Liu walked over hurriedly: "Chief Engineer Li, everything is ready. The Wajiaobu has also followed the plan and arranged a 'routine' press conference. The time is set for three o'clock tomorrow afternoon."

Li Mingyuan checked his watch: "Very good, this gives us enough time to conduct one final full-system check. Additionally, ensure that all demonstration equipment can work properly; I want the visiting reporters to see the interception process with their own eyes."

"Reporters?" Deputy Commander Liu asked in surprise, "I thought this was a secret test!"

Li Mingyuan shook his head: "No, this must be a public performance. Since the two major powers want to play at live streaming, then we will let them see what true technological shock is."

The following afternoon, the Wajiaobu press briefing room was packed with reporters from all over the world. They had originally thought this was just a routine Q&A session with a Wajiaobu spokesperson, but a sense of tension was inexplicably permeating the air.

Wajiaobu spokesperson Zhao Liping walked onto the podium with his usual expression, scanned the venue, and began his routine speech: "Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. First, I would like to thank you all for coming on behalf of the Long Country Wajiaobu. The content of today's press conference is relatively simple; we will report on several latest diplomatic developments and then answer your questions."

He opened the document in his hand and began to read in a flat tone: "First, regarding the Yajiang Hydropower Station project, our side reiterates that Long Country possesses sovereign development rights over rivers within its own territory, while also being willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with downstream countries..."

The reporters were taking notes listlessly, and some even began to whisper to each other. This content was all cliché and had no news value.

Zhao Liping continued to read the script in a formulaic tone: "Secondly, regarding the recent international public opinion on Long Country's technological strength, we have noted some inaccurate reports and one-sided interpretations. Long Country always adheres to the path of peaceful development, and the purpose of technological progress is to benefit the people, not to threaten other countries..."

The chatter in the press section grew louder, and some reporters even began to quietly pack their things, preparing to leave early. This press conference seemed to have no highlights.

Just then, Zhao Liping suddenly closed the document. His tone remained flat, but the content was shocking: "Finally, I am authorized to announce that in order to test national defense capabilities, our country will conduct the first live-fire interception test of the national missile defense system, codenamed 'Sky Curtain', at a test field in the northwest three days from now, with the target being a simulated intercontinental ballistic missile."

The venue fell into an instant, deathly silence. All the reporters were stunned in place, even forgetting to take notes. Time seemed to have frozen at this moment.

A full five seconds passed before the venue erupted in gasps and questions:

"What? Missile defense system?"

"Are you saying... intercepting intercontinental missiles? How is this possible!"

"Live-fire interception test? What kind of concept is this?"

Facing the chaotic press section, Zhao Liping's expression remained calm, as if what he had just announced was merely tomorrow's weather forecast. But he knew in his heart that he had just dropped a nuclear bomb capable of changing the international strategic landscape.

A reporter from Beijixiong Guo's *Truth Daily* almost jumped out of their seat: "Mr. Zhao, could you explain in detail what a 'missile defense system' is? This sounds like a concept from science fiction!"

A reporter from the Star-Spangled Country's *World Herald* followed closely: "Does Long Country really have the capability to intercept intercontinental ballistic missiles? This kind of technology is still in the theoretical research stage even in the Star-Spangled Country!"

A White Elephant Country reporter asked shrilly: "Does this mean that Long Country has already developed a defense system capable of countering the missiles of the Star-Spangled Country and Beijixiong Guo?"

Facing the overwhelming barrage of questions, Zhao Liping simply raised his hand slightly to signal for quiet, then responded in a still-flat tone: "The 'Sky Curtain' system is a national missile defense system independently developed by Long Country, aimed at protecting national security and maintaining peace and stability. Regarding technical details, we will release relevant information after the test."

"This sounds too incredible!" an European reporter couldn't help but interject, "Just two weeks ago, the whole world was marveling at how advanced the missile technology of the Star-Spangled Country and Beijixiong Guo was, and now Long Country suddenly announces it has developed a system capable of intercepting these missiles?"

Zhao Liping smiled slightly: "Technological progress is sometimes just this surprising. As a philosopher once said: 'When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.' Likewise, when other countries develop offensive weapons, we are also thinking about how to defend."

This literary answer left the reporters even more confused. A Taiji Tiger reporter asked directly: "Mr. Zhao, does this mean that Long Country believes its level of technology has surpassed that of the Star-Spangled Country and Beijixiong Guo?"

"I did not say that," Zhao Liping maintained that annoying calmness, "evaluating who is advanced and who is backward is not the responsibility of the Wajiaobu. We are merely objectively reporting on a technological test that is about to take place. As for the strategic significance of this test, I believe you media friends have your own judgments."

The atmosphere in the venue became increasingly tense, with reporters scrambling to ask questions, some even shouting directly without regard for meeting rules. This originally dull, routine press conference had suddenly become the international focus.

A veteran military reporter raised their hand with a tremble: "Mr. Zhao, can you tell us the specific arrangements for this test? Will it be broadcast globally like the Star-Spangled Country and Beijixiong Guo did?"

The corners of Zhao Liping's mouth lifted slightly: "We will invite some international media to observe on-site, but there will not be a global live broadcast. In our view, a military technology demonstration is not an entertainment show, but a serious matter of national security."

This answer was like a slap, hitting the faces of the two major powers that had just held a "missile show". Some veteran reporters immediately grasped the sarcasm within it.

Just as questions were about to continue, Zhao Liping suddenly announced: "Due to time constraints, today's press conference ends here. We will release an official notice tomorrow regarding more details of the 'Sky Curtain' system test. Thank you all."

Having said this, he calmly closed his folder and turned to leave the podium, leaving the press section in an uproar.

The reporters even forgot to leave, all remaining in place to discuss this explosive news heatedly. A Star-Spangled Country reporter said to their companion with a grave expression: "If this is true, it's terrifying. You know, intercepting an intercontinental missile is a technology ten times harder than launching one!"

A Beijixiong Guo reporter shook their head and said in disbelief: "Impossible, absolutely impossible. This must be some kind of political propaganda. No country can develop a missile defense system in such a short time."

But no matter how the reporters argued, one undeniable fact lay before them: Long Country had just announced a technological breakthrough capable of overturning the global strategic balance. And this was less than 48 hours after the two major powers' missile test-fires had "re-established technological hegemony".

The international media world was deathly silent, and then, an unprecedented information storm was about to sweep the globe.

Just as reporters were rushing to the phone booths, vying to report this astonishing news to their headquarters, Li Mingyuan, far away at Military Base 404, was standing in the control center of the "Sky Net" system, looking at various instruments and display screens, a signature mysterious smile hanging on the corners of his mouth.

"The good show has only just begun," he whispered to himself, "let's see who is the true technological hegemon."

The explosive statement from the Long Country Wajiaobu was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, stirring up countless ripples that quickly spread to every corner of the globe. In the following twenty-four hours, terms like "missile defense" and "intercepting intercontinental missiles" occupied the front-page headlines of all newspapers worldwide and became hot topics on radio stations in every country.

In the Star-Spangled Country, the *Washington Morning Post* asked in a huge bold headline: "Is Long Country crazy? Claims it can intercept intercontinental missiles!"

In Beijixiong Guo, the *Moscow Guardian* reported with a satirical headline: "Eastern Fairy Tale: Can a net catch a missile?"

The White Elephant Country media was even more exaggerated; the *Delhi Morning News* used a cartoon illustration directly, depicting a ridiculous Easterner holding a butterfly net and trying to catch a rocket.

Almost overnight, Long Country's declaration became a global laughingstock.

At the Star-Spangled Country Academy of Sciences, an emergency press conference was underway. Nobel Prize in Physics laureate Professor Henderson stood on the podium, facing the lenses of dozens of media outlets with a serious expression.

"As a scientist, I have a responsibility to point out that Long Country's so-called 'missile defense system' is technically completely unfeasible," Professor Henderson announced in an authoritative tone, "it violates basic laws of physics. The speed of an intercontinental ballistic missile in the terminal phase can reach several thousand meters per second; trying to intercept it is like trying to hit one bullet with another bullet flying head-on, and that is when you can barely see it."

He paused and adjusted his glasses: "Furthermore, even if it were theoretically feasible, with current radar technology, computing power, and Rocket Propulsion Technology, achieving this goal would require at least twenty years of technological accumulation. Long Country's declaration is less of a scientific statement and more of a science fiction novel."

A reporter asked: "Professor, are you saying Long Country is lying?"

Henderson smiled slightly: "I will not comment on political issues. As a scientist, I can only say that this is technically impossible to achieve, unless they have violated the laws of physics, or... possess some kind of revolutionary technology we have yet to discover. But the probability of the latter is almost zero."

Another reporter pressed, "Then, what do you think the test announced by Long Country this time will be?"