Chapter 527: Saying Hello to a Star-Spangled Country Aircraft Carrier

"Current speed 250 knots, altitude stable at 8.5 meters, system running in good condition, power output efficiency 103.2%," Pangu System reported calmly, "47 nautical miles to the scheduled turning point."

Li Mingyuan nodded, his gaze sweeping over the various data on the console. "Kunpeng" had already left the coastal waters of Long Country for nearly 10 hours, and the journey had been calm and smooth, without encountering any obstacles. The vast blue of the Taiyang extended to the edge of the horizon outside the porthole, and the sunlight shone on the waves, forming countless shimmering golden dots of light, beautiful enough to be intoxicating.

"It really is peaceful," Li Mingyuan muttered to himself, a smile of the kind he had when watching science fiction movies in his previous life appearing on his face, "Perhaps a bit too peaceful?"

As if in response to his thoughts, Pangu System suddenly emitted a low-pitched alarm sound.

"Unidentified fleet detected, bearing 78 degrees, distance 287 nautical miles, fleet composition currently being analyzed..."

Li Mingyuan sat up straight abruptly, a flash of excitement in his eyes. "Finally, some fun," he murmured, his fingers sliding rapidly across the control panel to pull up detailed detection data.

"Pangu, zoom in, holographic projection."

The space in the center of the control cabin immediately lit up with blue light, and a three-dimensional holographic image gradually took shape—it was a massive fleet, slowly sailing on the Taiyang. In the center was a huge aircraft carrier, surrounded by several destroyers and cruisers, forming a complete defensive circle.

"Analysis complete," Pangu System reported, "Confirmed as the Star-Spangled Country Taiyang Fleet Third Carrier Strike Group, core vessel is the 'Haowei' aircraft carrier, auxiliary vessels include 3 Burke-class destroyers, 2 Ticonderoga-class cruisers, and multiple auxiliary vessels. Current heading 125 degrees, speed 22 knots, currently conducting routine patrol."

Li Mingyuan narrowed his eyes, carefully observing the deployment of the fleet in the holographic image. As a military enthusiast from 2023, he knew the organization of the Star-Spangled Country Navy like the back of his hand; the configuration of this fleet was already considered top-tier in the fifties.

"Have they discovered us?" Li Mingyuan asked.

"Negative," Pangu replied, "According to signal analysis, their Radar System is still in routine alert mode, with no enhanced detection behavior. Considering the stealth characteristics of 'Kunpeng' and the ultra-low altitude flight, their Radar System cannot effectively detect our presence."

A cunning smile slowly spread across Li Mingyuan's face, an expression from before a prank, making him look for a moment not like a Chief Engineer of an important military project, but more like a mischievous student preparing to set off firecrackers in class.

"Pangu, contact the command center, I have a little idea."

Inside the Penglai Base command center, the atmosphere was tense and solemn. The large screen displayed the real-time position of "Kunpeng" and the situational map of the surrounding sea area; everyone was holding their breath and staring at the blue dot representing "Kunpeng," like parents watching a child on their first trip far away.

"It's been ten hours and seven minutes, everything is normal," Minister Zhang let out a sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from his forehead, "It seems Lao Li's confidence is not without reason."

Deputy Minister Liu nodded, his eyes still fixed on the screen: "Indeed, the performance of 'Kunpeng' is even more stable than we imagined. However, this ocean test has only just begun, there might be more later..."

Before he could finish his sentence, the communications officer suddenly reported loudly: "Minister Zhang! Emergency communication from Chief Engineer Li!"

The command center went silent instantly, and everyone's gaze focused on the communication console. Minister Zhang rushed to the microphone in two or three steps: "Lao Li? What happened?"

Li Mingyuan's voice came through the speaker clearly, unexpectedly relaxed: "Minister Zhang, nothing major, just wanted to report that we have discovered the Star-Spangled Country's Third Carrier Strike Group 287 nautical miles ahead."

The entire command center was like a bomb had been dropped into it, instantly exploding into chaos. The Military Representative stood up abruptly, engineers whispered to each other in panic, and even the usually calm Deputy Minister Liu couldn't help but gasp.

"What? A carrier strike group?" Minister Zhang's voice rose by an octave, "Lao Li, change course immediately! Avoid them! This is no joking matter!"

Li Mingyuan's laughter came through the speaker: "Don't be nervous, Minister Zhang. They haven't discovered us yet. According to 'Pangu's' analysis, their Radar has very limited detection capability for low-altitude targets. 'Kunpeng' can walk right under their noses, and they might not even notice."

"No! It's too risky!" The Military Representative, an old general, grabbed the microphone, his voice filled with worry and the tone of an order, "Chief Engineer Li, I order you in the name of the Military Commission to immediately avoid that fleet! Detour!"

The other end of the communicator was silent for a few seconds. When Li Mingyuan spoke again, his voice became unusually calm, but everyone could feel the determination contained within: "General, with all due respect, the purpose of this ocean test is not only to verify the performance of 'Kunpeng,' but also to show our strength to the world, especially to the Star-Spangled Country. If we don't even have the courage for a head-on encounter, what is the point of our test?"

He paused, then continued: "Besides, this is a rare opportunity. We can observe the Star-Spangled Country's most advanced carrier formation at close range, collect their Radar parameters, communication frequencies, and reaction patterns; this intelligence is crucial for our future development."

There was silence in the command center, and everyone was weighing the pros and cons of Li Mingyuan's words. Indeed, if they could successfully observe the Star-Spangled Country's carrier formation at close range without being discovered, the value of the intelligence obtained would be immeasurable.

"But what if they discover 'Kunpeng'?" Deputy Minister Liu asked worriedly, "Once a conflict breaks out, the consequences will be unimaginable."

Li Mingyuan's voice carried a rare confidence: "First, with the stealth performance and ultra-low altitude flight capability of 'Kunpeng,' their Radar will find it very difficult to discover us; second, even if discovered, the speed of 'Kunpeng' is ten times that of their fastest vessel, they won't be able to catch up at all; third, in the worst-case scenario, the 'Sea Dragon-1' Missile carried by 'Kunpeng' can send the entire carrier strike group to the bottom of the sea before they can even react."

"What do you intend to do?" Minister Zhang finally asked, his voice filled with helplessness and worry. He knew Li Mingyuan too well and knew that once this mysterious genius scientist made up his mind, almost no one could change it.

"Very simple," Li Mingyuan said in a relaxed tone, as if discussing what to have for lunch rather than a military operation that could trigger an international crisis, "Lower the flight altitude to 3 meters, increase speed to 280 knots, maintain absolute silence, and then... we'll go say hello."

"Say hello?" Minister Zhang felt his scalp tingle, "What do you mean?"