Chapter 546: Emergency Note

"Long Country!" the First Chief slammed the table, "It's actually Long Country! Where did they get this kind of technology?"

The intelligence chief's face was ashen, "Our preliminary analysis indicates that the national flag in the photo is indeed Long Country's, and judging by the technical specifications, it is extremely similar to the 'Ocean Ghost' previously encountered by the Star-Spangled Country's carrier strike group."

"That couldn't possibly have been developed by them," the Minister of Defense asserted, "Long Country lacks that kind of industrial base and scientific research capability. Someone must have given them this technology."

The First Chief narrowed his eyes, "Who?"

The room fell into silence, everyone contemplating the terrifying implications behind this question. If it wasn't external aid, it meant that Long Country was already far ahead of the rest of the world in certain aspects, including Beijixiong Guo and the Star-Spangled Country.

"Perhaps... perhaps it is alien technology," an elderly scientific advisor said cautiously. On any other occasion, such remarks would be ridiculed, but at this moment, no one laughed.

The First Chief took a deep breath and made a decision, "Contact our ambassador to Long Country immediately and demand he meet with the Long Country Minister of Foreign Affairs within 24 hours; we must get an explanation. At the same time, initiate the 'Red Eagle' project. I want to know all of Long Country's scientific research activities, all their technological breakthroughs, and all changes to their military facilities over the past five years, at any cost!"

His gaze swept over everyone present, his voice low and dangerous, "If Long Country truly possesses this era-surpassing technology and we know nothing about it, that would be the greatest failure in the history of our intelligence system, and I will not tolerate such a failure!"

The atmosphere in the conference room was so tense it felt almost frozen. For Beijixiong Guo, accustomed to being the technological leader, the sudden discovery that a country they viewed as "backward" might have surpassed them in certain fields was a nearly catastrophic blow.

What was even more terrifying was that this technological gap might not exist solely in the military sphere. If Long Country could build a super platform like "Kunpeng," who knew what breakthroughs they had achieved in other technological fields? This was not just about the military balance; it was about the reshaping of the entire world order.

The First Chief stood before the window, looking out at the square outside the Kremlin, his heart churning with turbulent waves. For years, Beijixiong Guo had regarded Long Country as a "little brother," an ally in need of support rather than an equal partner. Now, that perception might need to change completely.

"It must be investigated clearly," he repeated in a low voice, his tone a mixture of shock, fear, and a trace of imperceptible awe, "What exactly does Long Country possess... who exactly are they..."

"It must be investigated clearly," he repeated in a low voice, his tone a mixture of shock, fear, and a trace of imperceptible awe, "What exactly does Long Country possess... who exactly are they..."

Penglai Base, Li Mingyuan's office.

Li Mingyuan was leisurely flipping through a stack of newspapers urgently collected from all over the world. The front page of every paper featured that blurry yet heart-shaking photo—"Kunpeng" flying over Kyoto Bay, the Long Country flag on its belly clearly visible.

He nodded with satisfaction, took a sip of tea, and a victor's smile hung on the corners of his mouth. This operation was even more successful than expected; "Kunpeng" had perfectly completed its high-speed cruise along the coast of Yinghua Guo, collecting a massive amount of enemy radar data and communication frequencies, while simultaneously causing a global sensation. Most importantly, the Long Country emblem was clearly captured—this was exactly his plan.

The telephone ringing interrupted his thoughts.

"Chief Engineer Li, emergency meeting, in the central conference room in ten minutes," the secretary notified him briefly.

Li Mingyuan raised an eyebrow, "Who called it?"

"The top brass," the secretary lowered his voice, "It is said that both Beijixiong Guo and the Star-Spangled Country have sent diplomatic notes; the situation is urgent."

Li Mingyuan smiled, "Good, I'll be there immediately."

He put down the phone, neatly stacked the newspapers, stood up unhurriedly, and glanced at the clock on the wall—it was time to add some fuel to this global storm.

Inside the central conference room, the atmosphere was tense.

Minister Zhang, Deputy Minister Liu, the old general, and several high-level officials who had rushed from the capital sat around the long table, their expressions varied. Some were worried, some were excited, and some looked grave.

"The photos of 'Kunpeng's' operation have spread across the globe," Director Wang of the Wajiaobu said, getting straight to the point, "The Star-Spangled Country and Beijixiong Guo are both demanding an immediate explanation from us. Yinghua Guo has even lodged a strong protest, claiming our 'unidentified weapon' operated near their territorial waters, causing damage to three fishing boats and frightening the fishermen."

"Fishing boats?" the old general dismissed it with disdain, "When we fought wars back in the day, they didn't just bomb fishing boats!"

"Now is not the time to discuss history," Minister Zhang signaled for everyone to be calm, "The question is, how should we respond to these diplomatic notes and the inquiries from international media?"

"Deny it!" the intelligence department representative said immediately, "We can claim the photo is forged, or that it was just an ordinary test vessel whose performance was exaggerated."

"No," Li Mingyuan's voice was calm yet firm, and everyone's gaze immediately turned to him, "We should admit it."

The conference room erupted in an uproar.

"Admit it?" Deputy Minister Liu repeated in surprise, "Lao Li, have you lost your mind? Once we admit that it is our weapon, the Star-Spangled Country and Beijixiong Guo will immediately view us as a potential threat!"

Li Mingyuan smiled slightly, "They already view us as a threat, don't they? That is exactly the effect I wanted."

He stood up and looked around at everyone, "Everyone, think about it: if we deny it, will they believe us? The national flag in that photo is clear as day. If we lie, it will only make us look guilty and further incite their suspicion and hostility."

Li Mingyuan paused for a moment to let everyone digest this point, then continued, "But if we admit it openly and behave as if this were just an ordinary technical test, it will instead make them even more confused and even more wary."

"Lao Li makes sense," Minister Zhang said thoughtfully, "The key to psychological warfare lies in making the opponent unable to judge your true strength and intentions."

"Exactly," Li Mingyuan nodded, "Furthermore, acknowledging the existence of 'Kunpeng' can establish a new image for Long Country internationally—a powerful nation possessing cutting-edge technology, rather than the backward, poor, weak country in their eyes. This image will have huge benefits for our future international exchanges and diplomatic negotiations."

The conference room fell into a thoughtful silence. Everyone was weighing the pros and cons of this bold strategy.

Finally, Minister Zhang made a decision, "I agree with Chief Engineer Li's suggestion. We should acknowledge the existence of 'Kunpeng,' but in an understated way, as if this were just one very ordinary item among our many technological achievements."

He turned to Director Wang of the Wajiaobu, "Hold a routine press conference this afternoon and have the spokesperson 'casually' mention this matter. The tone should be flat, as natural as if we were discussing the weather."

Director Wang frowned, "This... this is no small matter, are we really going to handle it this way?"

"It's decided," Minister Zhang finalized, "Chief Engineer Li will determine the details; he understands the essence of this psychological warfare best."

That afternoon, the Long Country Wajiaobu routine press conference.