Chapter 474: Personal Explanation

The overwhelming reports from major global media outlets were filled with mockery and disdain:

*Star-Spangled Times*: "Long Country Chief Engineer Li Mingyuan Personally Confirms 'Meteor Catching' Project," Subtitle: "Self-Humiliation or World-Shocking Miracle? 48 Hours to Reveal the Answer."

*World Herald*: "Madman or Genius? Long Country Leader Claims to Personally Weave 'Sky Net' to Intercept Intercontinental Missiles."

*Moscow Truth*: "A New Chapter in Eastern Mythology: Catching Missiles with a Net."

Television programs and radio stations vied to invite "authoritative experts" from various countries to provide commentary, almost without exception expressing intense skepticism and disdain.

Star-Spangled Country physicist Henderson spoke bluntly on a popular program: "'Saturated Interception'? 'Probability Airspace'? These flowery terms cannot mask the absurdity of their essence. Even if you launch a hundred interceptor missiles, each one trying to hit a high-speed flying missile remains like finding a needle in a haystack. This is not a technical problem, but one determined by basic laws of physics."

Academician of the Military Academy of the Polar Bear Nation, Petrov, was even more dismissive: "Mr. Li Mingyuan has perhaps read too many fairy tales. In the real world, no magic net can catch a meteor. 'Sky Net'? I think it's more like 'daydreaming'!"

404 Military Base, Li Mingyuan's office.

"It's truly one-sided." Minister Zhang put down a stack of international newspapers and smiled bitterly, "Even some of our own scientists are starting to waver. Yesterday, Lao Wang from the Physics Research Institute even told me privately that he worries this test will become a joke in the history of Long Country technology."

Li Mingyuan was drinking tea; upon hearing this, he just smiled lightly: "Humanity's greatest limitation is being imprisoned by its own cognition."

"Speak plainly."

"It means their imagination is too poor." Li Mingyuan put down his teacup, "But it's normal. Every breakthrough innovation in history was initially mocked by mainstream voices as 'impossible.' Henderson's argument about 'basic laws of physics' sounds a lot like someone in the late 19th century saying 'heavier-than-air aircraft will never be able to fly.'"

Minister Zhang asked curiously: "Chief Engineer Li, are you really that confident? Even our own system tests only have a success rate of about 60%."

"60% is already enough." Li Mingyuan stood up and walked to the window, "Do you know why I want to appear on camera to explain it myself?"

"Why?"

"Because when a scientist is willing to stake their own reputation and future on a technology, that in itself is the most powerful statement." Li Mingyuan turned around, his eyes suddenly becoming sharp, "Tomorrow will be a turning point in the history of Long Country technology. Regardless of success or failure, we have already left our footprints on the world stage of technology."

He paused, a flash of craftiness in his eyes: "Of course, if it succeeds, it will be very interesting to see the stunned expressions on those experts' faces."

Minister Zhang shook his head: "You fellow, even at a time like this, you're still thinking about watching others make a fool of themselves."

"This is called the 'victory of knowledge'." Li Mingyuan corrected him solemnly.

On the morning of the test, just as dawn was breaking, the 404 Military Base command center was already a scene of busyness.

Technical personnel shuttled back and forth, checking the status of various systems for the last time; security personnel stood at the ready to ensure the absolute safety of the test area; news team staff debugged cameras and live broadcast equipment to ensure the signal could be transmitted to major global radio stations and the few countries with television broadcasting capabilities.

"Radar array status normal!"

"Computing Hub running well!"

"Interceptor missile launch system ready!"

"Communication network clear!"

A series of reports echoed in the command center, the atmosphere tense yet orderly.

Li Mingyuan, dressed in simple work clothes, sat calmly before the main console with a cup of hot tea placed in front of him. He looked exceptionally relaxed, as if the impending event was not a major test that could change the world's strategic landscape, but merely a routine matter.

"Live broadcast starts in three minutes, everyone to your stations!" the head of the news team announced loudly.

Li Mingyuan picked up his teacup, took a light sip, and swept his gaze over the busy command center, unable to help but feel moved: If people of this era knew that in his time, mobile phones could broadcast globally at any moment, he wondered what they would think?

"Chief Engineer Li," Minister Zhang walked to his side and lowered his voice, "The leadership asked me to confirm one more time, are you really determined to do this? Once the live broadcast starts, there is no turning back."

Li Mingyuan put down his teacup and smiled slightly: "Minister Zhang, do you believe in me?"

Minister Zhang hesitated for a moment, then nodded firmly: "I believe."

"That's enough." Li Mingyuan patted his shoulder, "Go prepare, the good show is about to begin."

"Thirty seconds!"

The technical personnel returned to their positions one after another, and the command center quickly quieted down, leaving only the low hum of equipment running.

"Ten seconds!"

"Five, four, three, two, one—live broadcast starts!"

The red light in front of the camera lit up, and Li Mingyuan faced the lens, a faint smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.

Across the globe, countless people waited by radios and the few available television sets, anticipating this live test dubbed the "biggest joke in scientific history."

In the Star-Spangled Country, in the living room of an ordinary family, a family sat gathered in front of the television.

"Daddy, can that Easterner really catch a missile with a net?" a little boy asked innocently.

"Of course not, sweetheart." The father smiled and ruffled his son's hair, "That's as absurd as trying to catch lightning with your hands."

The television screen switched to the command center of the Long Country 404 Base, the camera focusing on a middle-aged man dressed in simple work clothes—Li Mingyuan.

The Star-Spangled Country television commentator's voice was laced with sarcasm: "Ladies and gentlemen, what you are seeing now is Long Country Chief Engineer Li Mingyuan, the scientist who claims to be able to 'weave a Sky Net to catch meteors.' Today, he will prove to the whole world whether he is a genius, or a..."

The commentator paused deliberately before saying: "... delusional patient."

In the Polar Bear Nation, inside a special viewing room at the Kremlin, the First Leader and a group of high-ranking officials were watching the live broadcast.

"Look at his expression," Kolbov commented, "surprisingly calm. Either he is an excellent actor, or..."

"Or he truly believes his system can succeed," Sokolov added, a trace of unease in his voice.

The First Leader waved his hand, signaling for silence: "Let us hear what this 'genius' has to say."

In the White Elephant Country, Digan and a group of ministers were also watching the live broadcast.

The radio commentator's voice was full of irony: "... this is the Long Country scientist who once set off fireworks over our country; today, he will attempt an even more incredible feat: catching missiles with a net! This is likely the most absurd challenge of all!"

At the 404 Base command center, Li Mingyuan faced the camera, his voice calm and powerful:

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am Li Mingyuan, Chief Designer of the Long Country 'Sky Net' missile defense system. Today, we will conduct the first intercontinental missile interception test in human history."