Chapter 565: How to Prevent

Across the world, similar emergency meetings were taking place simultaneously. From London to Bali, from Tokyo to New Delhi, government leaders and technology experts were painfully realizing a new reality: the technological landscape had been completely reshaped, and Long Country, this once-backward nation, was standing at the very forefront of the transformation.

Even more worrying was that as news of the Chinese Barrier spread, more and more small and medium-sized countries began to lean toward Long Country. They lacked the strength for independent research and development and could not rely on the technical assistance of traditional major powers; their only choice was to cooperate directly with Long Country to obtain the right to use Longxin technology.

In an international hotel in Hong Kong, representatives from over a dozen Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern countries were crowded together, waiting for a meeting with the China foreign trade delegation. Everyone carried an undisguised urgency, clutching the enticing conditions their respective countries had prepared—natural resource extraction rights, trade preferences, and even promises of political support—all just to trade for a few Dragon Core-III units and related technical licenses.

Penglai Base, evening.

Minister Zhang returned to the base, travel-worn, with excitement and exhaustion that he could not hide on his face.

"Lao Li, things are looking bad!" he said half-jokingly the moment he saw Li Mingyuan, "Do you know what a massive hornet's nest we've poked?"

Li Mingyuan handed him a cup of hot tea: "What did the higher-ups say?"

"The leadership is shocked, but they also see the opportunity," Minister Zhang took a sip of tea, "The capital is as bustling as a festival right now; envoys from various countries are crowding the doors of the Wajiaobu, all wanting to talk about Longxin licensing. Even those countries that usually ignore us have now sent their highest-level representatives."

Li Mingyuan smiled: "As expected. And the attitude of the higher-ups? Are they leaning toward strict confidentiality or limited opening?"

"The debate is intense," Minister Zhang put down his teacup, "The Military and security departments are worried about technology leaks and advocate for strict control; the economic and diplomatic departments see huge political and economic opportunities and hope for moderate opening."

"The final decision?"

"There is no final verdict yet, but the general direction is clear—on the premise of ensuring Hexin security, we will open the technical ecosystem selectively and conditionally. The specific plan still needs further discussion, and the leadership wants to hear your opinion."

Li Mingyuan nodded and walked to a drafting board in the corner of the office, where a world map was spread out; national borders were marked with lines of different colors, and some cities and locations were specially highlighted.

"My suggestion is simple," Li Mingyuan pointed at the map, "Use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to establish Long Country's global technical standard. It is not about simply selling equipment, but about building a technical ecosystem with Longxin and Pangu at its Hexin."

Minister Zhang walked closer, looking curiously at the marks on the map: "What do you mean?"

"Imagine," a light of foresight flashed in Li Mingyuan's eyes, "If the critical infrastructure of major countries around the world—government departments, banking systems, transportation networks, communication hubs—all ran on the Longxin platform, and the underlying architecture of these systems was entirely based on Chinese programming, what would happen?"

Minister Zhang gasped: "They would be technically dependent on us... and unable to leave us."

"Exactly," Li Mingyuan smiled, "This is not a simple technology export, but the construction of a long-term structural advantage. What we provide is not just products, but standards and rules."

"But will they accept it?" Minister Zhang frowned, "Especially those major powers?"

"They have no other choice," Li Mingyuan said easily, "Unless they are willing to continue using backward computing systems for the next decade, watching helplessly as other countries enjoy the huge advantages brought by the information revolution."

Minister Zhang pondered for a moment: "Chinese programming is indeed a genius idea. However, if we open up the technology, how do we ensure that Hexin secrets are not leaked?"

Li Mingyuan was confident: "Triple protection. First, all export versions are restricted commercial versions, and Hexin technology is strictly encapsulated; second, the Chinese Barrier ensures that even if they obtain the source code, they cannot easily understand or replicate it; third..." he paused, revealing a mysterious smile, "we hold the final safeguard."

"What safeguard?"

"Equipment maintenance and system upgrades," Li Mingyuan explained, "We can stipulate that all Hexin maintenance and deep system maintenance for Longxin equipment must and can only be performed by technical teams authorized by Long Country. Once the equipment malfunctions or requires an upgrade, they must turn to us for help."

Minister Zhang's eyes lit up: "This is simply... too brilliant! But will they agree to such harsh conditions?"

"When you possess something others desperately need, you can set the rules," Li Mingyuan patted Minister Zhang on the shoulder, "Besides, we can package it more pleasantly, for instance, calling it 'Advanced customized service' or 'ensuring the equipment is in its optimal operating state'."

Two days later, the capital, Central Conference Hall.

The highest leadership of Long Country and heads of various departments gathered to discuss the global strategy for Longxin technology. In the center of the conference room, Li Mingyuan was presenting the plan he had carefully prepared.

"Therefore, I suggest establishing a complete 'Longxin Global Standard Framework'," Li Mingyuan pointed to the chart on the projection screen, "including three pillars: hardware standards, software ecosystem, and service system."

A Military Representative asked: "How do we ensure technical security? Especially preventing the Star-Spangled Country and Beijixiong Guo from stealing our Hexin technology through reverse engineering?"

"This is the Hexin of my proposal," Li Mingyuan responded confidently, "In addition to the Chinese Barrier we have already implemented, I also suggest implementing a 'Maintenance Hegemony' strategy."

"'Maintenance Hegemony'?" Curious murmurs arose in the conference room.

Li Mingyuan explained: "Specifically, we clearly stipulate in all technology export contracts: Hexin maintenance, deep system maintenance, and critical firmware upgrades for Longxin equipment must and can only be performed by technical teams officially authorized and certified by Long Country."

There was silence in the conference room; everyone was digesting this bold proposal.

"This means," Li Mingyuan continued, "that even if they purchase the equipment, once any problem arises that exceeds basic operation, they must request our technical support. And our technical team will become the key force holding the lifeblood of the equipment."

"Wonderful!" a high-ranking official from the Wajiaobu could not help but exclaim, "This way, we can control the spread of technology while maintaining long-term influence."

"Not only that," Li Mingyuan smiled and picked up another document, "I suggest adding a series of 'special requirements' to the terms of service."