Chapter 484: Is Long Country Building an Aircraft Carrier?

"These photos clearly indicate that Long Country is conducting some kind of large-scale military construction in the Penglai region," Intelligence Department Head Thompson said, pointing to the scattered construction sites in the photos. "But this layout is very strange; it doesn't match any shipyard or naval port pattern we are familiar with."

"Could it be an aircraft carrier?" a navy admiral asked. "They might be imitating our shipbuilding technology."

Thompson shook his head: "Not likely. A traditional aircraft carrier requires a massive dry dock, while these scattered small docks... look more like they are building some kind of modular structure."

"Then, what are they building?" Secretary of Defense Maxwell asked bluntly.

"It's impossible to determine at the moment," Thompson admitted. "But based on the scale and layout of these sites, we can rule out conventional warships. Those long, strip-like structures might be wing components for some kind of large aircraft, and the circular sites might be... I'm not sure, perhaps some kind of special weapon system?"

"Wait, look at this." A technical expert pointed to a circular building in the corner of the photo. "This structure is very much like the foundation for a nuclear reactor containment vessel."

"A nuclear facility?" Maxwell's expression turned grave. "Are you saying they might be building nuclear-powered vessels?"

"Or worse," the technical expert swallowed hard, "a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier."

Silence filled the conference room. If Long Country were truly building a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, it would completely alter the balance of power in the Taipingyang.

"I don't think so." A senior shipbuilding expert spoke up suddenly. "Even for a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the construction pattern shouldn't be these scattered small docks. This is more like... some kind of new weapon system we haven't seen before."

Maxwell stood up and looked around: "Whatever they are building, it is clearly a major military project. After the 'Sky Net' system shocked the world, Long Country is secretly developing new strategic weapons again. We must strengthen surveillance, mobilize all possible intelligence resources, and figure out what on earth that damn Li Mingyuan is up to!"

Beijixiong Guo, underground conference room of the Kremlin.

The Head of State sat with a gloomy face, listening to the report from the satellite intelligence department. The satellite photos spread out on the table showed the peculiar construction activities at Penglai Base.

"... According to infrared imaging and optical photo analysis, Long Country is conducting large-scale military construction in the Penglai region, involving multiple scattered sites and suspected nuclear facilities." Intelligence Department Head Kolbov pointed to the photos. "This construction pattern is very unusual and does not conform to any known military facility standards."

"What is the specific analysis?" the Head of State asked briefly.

Kolbov opened another set of photos: "Our experts believe these scattered sites might be components for some kind of modular military equipment. Based on the dimensions and shapes, it is unlikely to be conventional ships or submarines. The outlines of certain parts resemble aircraft wings or floats, but they don't fully match the structural characteristics of any known aircraft or ship."

"Could it be an aircraft carrier they designed themselves?" a general asked.

"Unlikely." Military technology expert Xie'er'gai shook his head. "Even the most basic aircraft carrier requires a massive dry dock for integral construction, not these scattered small sites. Unless..."

"Unless what?" the Head of State pressed.

"Unless they have adopted some kind of brand-new modular construction method, breaking down a large weapon system into multiple independent components and assembling them at the end," Xie'er'gai mused. "But this is unprecedented in modern shipbuilding history, and the risks are extremely high."

Kolbov pointed to the corner of the photo: "What is more worrying is this structure. Our nuclear experts confirm that this is highly likely the foundation for a nuclear reactor containment vessel. Long Country may be developing some kind of nuclear-powered device in parallel."

"A nuclear submarine?" a navy admiral asked.

"Or a nuclear-powered warship," Kolbov added. "But if we combine this with those scattered sites, the situation becomes even more complex. They seem to be building some kind of weapon system we have never seen before, while simultaneously equipping it with a nuclear-powered device."

The Head of State's expression became even gloomier: "Li Mingyuan, it's that Li Mingyuan again. First the 'Changfeng' Missile, then the 'Sky Net' defense system, and now this mysterious project. Where on earth does he get these advanced technical concepts?"

He slammed his hand on the table: "Strengthen surveillance! I want to know every change, every detail of that site. At the same time, notify our scientists to study these photos and try to speculate on what they might be building. Use every means necessary; I must know what Long Country's next move is!"

The atmosphere in the conference room became heavy. Two weeks ago, Long Country's 'Sky Net' system had completely overturned the global strategic balance; now, this mysterious construction project had once again sparked deep unease. The chief engineer of Long Country named Li Mingyuan seemed to possess some kind of mysterious knowledge capable of changing the world landscape, and he was turning it into reality step by step.

The most unsettling part was that no one knew what his next step would be.

Li Mingyuan stood in the temporary operations room of Penglai Base, the large screen in front of him displaying the construction progress of each dock in real time. For a month, the 'Kunpeng' project had been progressing smoothly, and several key modules of the main structure were already taking shape. Not far away, the 'Dragon Heart' nuclear power plant site was also under intense construction, and the concrete pouring for the reactor containment vessel had just been completed.

But Li Mingyuan frowned, looking at the latest intelligence report on the table.

"The reconnaissance activities of Star-Spangled Country and Beijixiong Guo are becoming more frequent." He pointed to the data on the report. "Last week, we detected at least three U-2 High-Altitude Reconnaissance Aircraft attempting to approach the Penglai airspace, and two spy satellites adjusted their orbits to specifically target this area."

Minister Zhang nodded: "Indeed. Our Ground Radar Station has to sound the alarm almost every day. These bastards are too arrogant!"

Li Mingyuan pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled slightly: "It's time to give them a taste of their own medicine."

"What do you mean?" Minister Zhang was confused.

Li Mingyuan walked to the safe against the wall, entered the password, took out a folder marked "Top Secret," and handed it to Minister Zhang: "Look at this."

Minister Zhang took the file and slowly opened it. A few seconds later, he suddenly looked up, his eyes wide: "This... this is... a satellite? We are going to launch a satellite?"

"Not an ordinary satellite," a cunning light flickered in Li Mingyuan's eyes, "it's the 'Sky Eye' jamming satellite system."

"A jamming satellite?" Minister Zhang was half-convinced. "What kind of new trick is this?"

Li Mingyuan took out a pen and drew a few lines on the blueprint: "Simply put, it is a type of space equipment capable of interfering with the operation of other satellites. It can emit electromagnetic waves at specific frequencies to jam optical imaging systems, infrared detectors, and radio communications."