Chapter 487: Setting Some Bait

"We must cooperate to deal with this threat," Petrov said solemnly. "First, increase ground intelligence activities and dispatch more agents to infiltrate the periphery of Penglai Base. Second, accelerate our respective relevant military plans, whether it is the Star-Spangled Country's new aircraft carrier or our submarine and missile projects."

Brown nodded: "Agreed. Furthermore, we should consider joint operations to sabotage or delay these projects of Long Country."

"Sabotage operations require caution," Petrov warned. "If it is discovered that it was our doing, it could lead to direct military conflict. But I agree, we need to prepare some alternative plans in case the situation continues to deteriorate."

The two high-ranking intelligence officials exchanged more details and finally reached a series of secret agreements to jointly deal with this unprecedented challenge brought by Long Country.

Penglai Base, core command room.

Li Mingyuan looked at the latest report on the table with satisfaction—the interference system of the "Sky Eye-1" satellite was operating perfectly, successfully shielding all enemy reconnaissance satellites flying over Long Country's airspace. The "Sky Eye" of the two major countries had been completely blinded, and the construction activities at Penglai Base now had a solid "information barrier."

"Lao Li, you've performed a great service again!" Department Head Zhang ran in, beaming with joy. "The 'Sky Eye' system is simply miraculous! The agents from the Star-Spangled Country and Beijixiong Guo are going crazy, asking everywhere what on earth we are up to!"

Li Mingyuan smiled without a word and stood up to walk to the window. In the distance, the various modules of "Kunpeng" were being constructed in full swing. In Dock No. 1, the huge main hull had completed 80% of its skeleton construction; in Dock No. 5, the alloy structure of the left wing had already taken shape; in Dock No. 13, the frame of the power compartment was also beginning to take form.

"How is the construction progress?" he asked.

"A little faster than planned," Department Head Zhang reported. "The main hull will complete its entire skeleton within two weeks, the wing section is expected to be finished by the end of next month, and the main structure of the power compartment has also completed 60%."

"What about 'Dragon Heart'?"

"The reactor pressure vessel is already in place, and the installation of the safety system is underway. Although Lao Wang is still complaining, he is doing the work very seriously. They expect to complete the main construction of the nuclear island within three months."

Li Mingyuan nodded: "Very good. Maintain this speed; by the end of next year, 'Kunpeng' will definitely be able to launch."

He turned and walked back to the table, picked up another report, and frowned slightly: "Ground agent activity has increased?"

"Yes," Department Head Zhang became serious. "Since the satellite reconnaissance was shielded, the two major countries have significantly increased their attempts at ground agent infiltration. Over the past week, we have captured three suspicious individuals around Penglai, all carrying high-precision cameras and communication equipment."

Li Mingyuan sneered: "As expected. Strengthen security, establish a strict control zone within a 50-kilometer radius around the base, and all personnel entering and exiting must undergo triple identity verification. At the same time, conduct regular security reviews of internal base personnel to prevent moles."

"It's already being done," Department Head Zhang replied. "However, the intelligence agencies of the two major countries are very cunning; they will try every possible means to probe for information on 'Kunpeng'."

"Then let them come up empty-handed." A flash of cunning crossed Li Mingyuan's eyes. "On the periphery of the control zone, deliberately set up some 'bait'—such as some engineering drawings that look important but are actually irrelevant, or some misleading equipment models. Let them think they have obtained important intelligence, while in reality, they are just wasting their time."

Department Head Zhang laughed: "You guy, you're getting more and more devious."

"This is called 'all is fair in war'," Li Mingyuan corrected, then his expression became serious. "Recent news indicates that the two major countries may be planning some sabotage operations. We must be prepared for the worst."

"You mean... assassination or explosions?" Department Head Zhang frowned.

"Both are possible," Li Mingyuan said in a low voice. "Strengthen your security team; all core personnel must be equipped with armed guards. At the same time, set up redundant backups for key facilities, and store at least three copies of important documents and design drawings in separate locations."

Department Head Zhang nodded solemnly: "Understood. I will arrange it immediately."

Li Mingyuan walked to a huge world map, his gaze sweeping across the Taipingyang, the Atlantic, and the Indian Ocean: "The world landscape is changing drastically, Department Head Zhang. The two major countries have realized that their technological advantage is being caught up to by us, and even surpassed in some areas. They are fearful, angry, and uneasy... this will make them even more dangerous."

His finger traced across the map and finally stopped at the location of Penglai Base: "But no matter how they struggle, the wheels of history can no longer be reversed. 'Sky Net' makes our sky no longer something to be carved up at will, 'Sky Eye' makes our secrets no longer something to be pried into, and 'Kunpeng'..."

A confident light flickered in his eyes: "'Kunpeng' will make our oceans no longer something to be bullied. Within a year, when this giant beast takes off from Penglai Base and sweeps across the waves, the whole world will be shocked by it!"

Li Mingyuan turned to look out the window. In the distant dock, the skeleton of "Kunpeng" was shining in the sun, like an ancient giant beast being gestated, ready to go, about to change the landscape of the world.

Li Mingyuan stood in the forest of steel bars at the "Dragon Heart" nuclear power plant construction site, looking up at the reactor plant that had already begun to take shape. Workers were busily installing the support structure for the reactor pressure vessel, and a huge crane moved slowly, precisely placing heavy special steel plates one by one. Despite being in the noisy construction site, his thoughts were exceptionally clear.

"The welding quality of the pressure vessel must be one hundred percent qualified," Li Mingyuan emphasized to Wang Jiaoshou beside him. "Any tiny defect could trigger catastrophic consequences."

Wang Jiaoshou nodded, the expression on his face having changed from initial resistance to a professional seriousness: "We have adopted a triple inspection procedure; every weld seam has undergone X-ray flaw detection and ultrasonic testing, and we will not let any hidden danger slip by."

"Nuclear safety is the bottom line," Li Mingyuan continued. "I would rather the progress be a little slower than compromise on quality in the slightest."

Wang Jiaoshou hesitated for a moment, but still couldn't help asking the doubt in his heart: "Chief Engineer Li, to be honest, I still don't understand why you insist on advancing the nuclear power systems for 'Dragon Heart' and 'Kunpeng' at the same time. Although the technical routes of these two projects are similar, their application scenarios are completely different. Doing them simultaneously will disperse our limited technical strength."

Li Mingyuan smiled and did not answer directly, but instead asked: "Wang Jiaoshou, what is your opinion on modularization?"

"Modularization?" Wang Jiaoshou was stunned for a moment. "Do you mean modularization in terms of design philosophy?"

"Not just that," Li Mingyuan said as he walked, leading Wang Jiaoshou to a drawing room and pointing to two side-by-side design drawings on the wall. "Look at these two reactor designs; what do they have in common?"