Chapter 591: The Long Country Bubble is About to Burst

"The 'Flame Dragon' Phase II project is officially approved," the leader announced, a rare excitement on his face. "Chief Engineer Li, the nation will fully support your work."

After the meeting ended, the crowd left one after another, each person wearing an expression of excitement or shock. Only Minister Zhang remained, walking over to Li Mingyuan's side.

"Lao Li," Minister Zhang lowered his voice, "this 'Chiyou' thing... when did you..."

Li Mingyuan smiled slightly: "Some things are better left unknown. Minister Zhang, believe me, what you see is only the tip of the iceberg. The future will be even more spectacular."

……

The early spring sunlight spilled through the windows of the Long Country Ministry of Foreign Affairs building, yet it could not warm the heavy atmosphere inside the conference room in the slightest.

Li Mingyuan sat at one end of the conference table, a detailed release plan spread out before him. Long Country Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Wang Zhiyuan was rehearsing the speech for the upcoming international press conference, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

"I announce that Long Country will officially launch the 'Flame Dragon' Phase II project. This is the first large-scale, practical, controllable nuclear fusion energy project in human history. Our goal is to build a demonstration reactor within ten years and thoroughly solve the human energy problem..." Wang Zhiyuan read halfway through, unable to stop himself from pausing, "Chief Engineer Li, is this... is this too aggressive? Building a fusion demonstration reactor within ten years?"

Li Mingyuan took a calm sip of tea: "Just read according to the original draft."

Minister Zhang interjected from the side: "Lao Li, do we really have the certainty to build it within ten years?"

"Five years is enough," Li Mingyuan said lightly, "but we announce ten years to leave ourselves some leeway."

Several officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs looked at each other, their eyes filled with both surprise and doubt. After all, in today's late fifties, even superpowers like the Star-Spangled Country and Beijixiong Guo were still struggling in laboratories to grasp the basic theories of nuclear fusion, yet Long Country wanted to build a practical demonstration reactor directly? This was a plot straight out of science fiction.

"Everyone need not worry," Li Mingyuan stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the spring scenery outside, "After the press conference, the Western world will mock us, which is exactly the effect I want."

"You... want them to mock us?" Wang Zhiyuan asked, confused.

Li Mingyuan turned around, a mysterious smile hanging on the corner of his mouth: "Sometimes, being underestimated is the greatest advantage."

Three hours later, the Long Country Ministry of Foreign Affairs press conference hall.

The hall was packed, with reporters from major global media outlets crowding every corner. Ever since *Cangjie* published the "Flame Dragon" nuclear fusion paper, Long Country's technological movements had become the focus of close international media attention.

Wang Zhiyuan walked onto the podium, faced the flickering cameras, and cleared his throat: "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for attending today's press conference. On behalf of the Long Country government, I officially announce: Long Country will launch the 'Flame Dragon' Phase II project. This is the first large-scale, practical, controllable nuclear fusion energy project in human history. Our goal is to build a demonstration reactor within ten years to provide almost endless clean energy for Long Country and all of humanity."

As soon as the words fell, the entire press hall instantly boiled over. Reporters scrambled to raise their hands to ask questions, some even standing up directly to shout.

"Is this true? Build a fusion reactor within ten years?" a Star-Spangled Country reporter almost shouted.

"Of course it is true," Wang Zhiyuan replied calmly, "Long Country scientists have already achieved a breakthrough with a Q-value greater than 1 in the 'Flame Dragon' Phase I project. Phase II will develop further on this foundation to realize the industrial application of fusion energy."

"But nuclear physicists in the Star-Spangled Country and Beijixiong Guo believe that practical nuclear fusion will take at least 50 years to achieve!" another reporter questioned.

Wang Zhiyuan smiled slightly: "Perhaps it will take 50 years on their technical path, but Long Country is walking its own road. We have unique theoretical foundations and technical schemes; ten years is completely sufficient."

"Can you reveal the scale of investment and the key technologies?" an European reporter asked.

"The total investment is about 12 billion Long Yuan," Wang Zhiyuan replied, "Key technologies include the innovative Magnetic Field Topology Control System, special nanocomposite first-wall materials, and the High-Efficiency Energy Conversion Device, among others. Specific details will be gradually released through the *Cangjie* journal."

"Some Western scientists suspect that your Q-value greater than 1 is falsified data; what is your response to this?" an aggressive reporter asked.

Wang Zhiyuan maintained his smile: "Science does not lie. We have already invited an international delegation of scientists to visit the 'Flame Dragon' Phase I project, and they will soon witness this breakthrough with their own eyes. As for those doubts, history will provide the answer."

The entire press conference lasted nearly two hours, and Wang Zhiyuan remained calm and confident in the face of various sharp questions. Meanwhile, in the monitoring room behind the scenes, Li Mingyuan and Minister Zhang were watching the entire process through a screen.

"Their reaction is even more intense than I expected," Minister Zhang shook his head, "Lao Li, the Western media will definitely tear us to shreds tomorrow."

Li Mingyuan laughed instead: "The more intense the denial, the more it represents the fear in their hearts. Let them mock; the day 'Flame Dragon' Phase II is completed, these mockeries will become the best material for a slap in the face."

Minister Zhang sighed: "I still don't understand, why announce it so high-profile? Isn't it better to develop it quietly?"

"Because nuclear fusion represents not just energy technology, but national strength and the right to speak in technology," Li Mingyuan's gaze was like a torch, "I want the whole world to know that the future technology center is in Long Country, not the West. Let them laugh; as they laugh, they will discover they have already fallen behind."

The next morning, the front-page headlines of major Western media were, just as Li Mingyuan had expected, almost uniformly mocking and questioning the Long Country "Flame Dragon" Phase II project.

*The New City Times* used an extra-large font headline: "Red Scientific Rhapsody: Igniting an Artificial Sun with an Abacus?" The accompanying image was a caricature of a bespectacled Long Country scientist holding an abacus and standing next to a cartoon version of the "Sun," looking ridiculous.

The editorial in *The Times* was even more biting: "The Nuclear Version of Backyard Steelmaking: Long Country's Fusion Bubble is About to Burst." The article wrote: "Long Country once had the absurd history of 'backyard steelmaking,' where farmers built earthen blast furnaces in their backyards, delusional about surpassing the steel production of Britain and America. Now, they have brought this fanaticism into the field of nuclear energy, claiming they will build a fusion reactor within ten years. This political show, detached from scientific foundations, is destined to burst like a soap bubble, leaving behind only wasted resources and laughable memories."