Chapter 538: The Net of the Future, Subverting Cognition

"Optic... fiber?" Deputy Minister Liu frowned.

"A type of extremely thin fiber made of glass or plastic that can transmit optical signals," Li Mingyuan explained simply, without delving into technical details. "Its transmission speed is thousands of times faster than electrical wires, and its capacity is much greater. But that is a matter for the future; at this stage, telephone lines are enough for us to get started."

The holographic image changed again, displaying a simplified national map densely covered with countless bright spots and connecting lines.

"Imagine that military bases, research institutes, factories, and government departments across the country are all connected together through this 'net'," Li Mingyuan's voice was full of passion. "Information can be transmitted from one place to another in an instant; there will no longer be a need for telegrams, letters, or dispatching messengers. This will completely change the way we handle information."

The old general scratched his head, his eyes still full of confusion: "Xiao Li, you're talking in such flowery terms, but I still don't understand what use this thing has. Can you give a more practical example?"

Li Mingyuan nodded, as if he had anticipated this question long ago: "Of course, let us start with military applications."

The holographic image switched to a battlefield scene: a soldier was lying on a hilltop, holding a small device (looking a bit like a future tablet computer), aimed at the enemy positions in the distance.

"This is a front-line Scout," Li Mingyuan explained, pointing at the image. "The device in his hand is a type of portable terminal capable of capturing high-definition images and immediately transmitting them back to headquarters via the 'Pangu Net'."

The scene switched to the rear command post, where a group of officers were gathered in front of a large screen, which displayed the real-time footage captured by the Scout.

"The commander can see the front-line situation in real time, no longer needing to wait for the Scout to return or send vague radio reports," Li Mingyuan continued. "More importantly, the 'Pangu' system can immediately analyze these images to identify enemy equipment, troop strength, and deployments."

The scene switched again, this time showing the real-time analysis results performed by the 'Pangu' system: information such as the number of enemy tanks, their models, and firepower configurations were precisely marked.

"Based on these analyses, the commander can immediately make decisions and transmit orders to various combat units through the 'Pangu Net'," Li Mingyuan said, and in the image, the orders issued by the commander appeared instantly on the terminals of front-line commanders everywhere.

"For example, after discovering an important enemy target, the order can be transmitted directly to 'Kunpeng' or 'Haiying-V' fighter jets, achieving the capability of 'discover and destroy'. The entire process from discovering the target to issuing the attack order might only take a few minutes, or even a few seconds."

The old general slammed the table, his eyes flashing with excitement: "This... this is simply the 'Thousand-Mile Eye' and 'Wind-Following Ear'!"

"That's right," Li Mingyuan smiled. "In traditional warfare, front-line intelligence is transmitted back to headquarters, and after analysis, the orders are transmitted back to the front line; this process could take hours or even days. But with the 'Pangu Net', all of this can be completed in an instant."

"Not only that," he continued, "'Pangu Net' can also achieve data sharing across the entire military. For example, target information discovered by the Air Force can be immediately shared with the Navy and Army; combat experience from one theater of operations can be transmitted in real time to other theaters; strategic decisions from headquarters can influence every combat unit without delay. This will completely change the form of warfare, making our military a truly organic whole."

The confusion in the eyes of the Military Representatives was gradually replaced by amazement; they began to understand the revolutionary significance of this concept. But the civilian leaders seemed to still be struggling to grasp it all.

"I roughly understand the military applications," Deputy Minister Liu said hesitantly, "but how does this help the economy?"

Li Mingyuan nodded, and the holographic image changed accordingly, displaying a complex economic network: "Imagine that the data of all factories, warehouses, and transportation systems in the country are connected together and updated in real time."

In the image, countless data streams flowed through the network, displaying information such as production status, inventory levels, and material requirements in various places.

"Currently, our planned economy faces a huge problem—information lag and asymmetry. One province lacks a certain material, while another province has a large backlog, but because information transmission is slow, both sides are unaware of the other's situation. With the 'Pangu Net', this situation will cease to exist."

Li Mingyuan pointed to the data streams in the image: "Production data, inventory information, and demand changes can all be uploaded to the 'Pangu' system in real time for it to analyze and coordinate. For example, when the steel at a factory in the east is about to run out, the system will automatically allocate resources from the nearest place with surplus inventory to ensure that production is not interrupted."

"This... this is simply revolutionary," Minister Zhang muttered to himself, sweat already beginning to bead on his forehead. "We have always been plagued by the problem of resource misallocation caused by poor information flow. If what you said can really be achieved..."

"It doesn't stop there," Li Mingyuan interrupted. "'Pangu Net' can also help us optimize production plans. Based on real-time demand data and production capacity, the system can automatically generate optimal production plans, avoiding waste and backlog. This will increase the efficiency of our planned economy several times over, or even dozens of times."

Deputy Minister Liu's eyes lit up: "If this can be achieved, our Five-Year Plan might only take two years to complete!"

"That's right," Li Mingyuan affirmed, "and as the network is perfected and applications are deepened, efficiency will further improve."

The holographic image changed again, this time showing various scenarios for public livelihood applications.

"In terms of public livelihood, the applications of 'Pangu Net' are equally extensive," Li Mingyuan pointed to the hospital scene in the image. "For example, telemedicine. Patients in remote areas can have remote consultations with experts in big cities through the network, without having to travel long distances."

In the image, a doctor in a remote mountainous area was discussing a complex case with an expert in Beijing via a terminal device, and the screen displayed the patient's various examination data and images.

"Or scientific research collaboration," the image switched to a laboratory scene. "Scientists in different regions can share research data and exchange ideas through the network, greatly accelerating the progress of scientific research. A phenomenon discovered by a physicist in Shanghai can be immediately known and verified by peers in Beijing."

The image continued to change, showcasing application scenarios in fields such as education, transportation, and meteorology. Every scene left the high-level leaders present dumbfounded, as if they were watching a science fiction movie.

"But most importantly," Li Mingyuan's voice suddenly became serious, "is the strategic significance of the 'Pangu Net'."

The holographic image contracted, turning back into a network structure covering the globe.

"In the future world order, information power will become a new type of hegemony, following air superiority and sea power. Whoever controls the flow and processing of information controls the right to speak and the power to make decisions in the future."