Chapter 599: Re-understanding Long Country

The CIA Director took a deep breath: "Sir, regardless of what it is, one thing is certain—Long Country now possesses a weapon capable of altering the Earth's physical environment. They can precisely trigger volcanic eruptions, and theoretically, they could also trigger earthquakes, tsunamis, or other natural disasters. This capability... is beyond our scope of response."

The President finally felt the burning pain, roared, threw his cigar on the ground, and crushed it with his foot: "Give me maximum alert! All strategic nuclear forces enter Level 1 alert status! The Pacific Fleet is to assemble in the waters of Yinghua Country immediately!"

The Vice Commander hesitated for a moment and said softly: "Sir, if I may speak frankly, this may not be a wise move. We do not know how many more 'Chiyou' Long Country has; if they decide to use a similar attack on our cities..."

These words were like a basin of ice water poured over the President's head. He calmed down instantly, realizing the Vice Commander was right—facing an enemy capable of triggering natural disasters, a conventional military response might prove counterproductive.

"Damn it..." He sat heavily back into his chair, feeling a deep sense of powerlessness for the first time, "We know nothing about this 'Chiyou', and we don't even know how to counter it."

The Secretary of Defense added: "There is one more point that is even more worrying, sir. According to our analysis, 'Chiyou' is most likely controlled by that Li Mingyuan. Yes, the very same Chief Scientist of the 'Yanlong' Project and the 'Cangjie' journal that we once mocked."

The President's expression became even uglier: "So, those things we once treated as jokes... were all real?"

No one answered, because the answer was already obvious. On the screen, the massive silhouette of Chiyou vanished into the night sky, leaving behind only a devastated Yinghua Country and the shock and fear of the entire world.

Beijixiong Guo, Kremlin.

Chief Koriakin's face was livid as he stared fixedly at the footage coming through the special channel. In the footage, the massive body of Chiyou hovered above Sakura Mountain, like a demon god from ancient mythology, radiating a bone-chilling pressure.

"Is this... is this real?" he asked in a hoarse voice, "Not some Western propaganda trick?"

Academician Kravchenko's hands trembled slightly: "According to our satellite data comparison, this footage is real. Long Country truly possesses a weapon system... that transcends our understanding."

Koriakin stood up abruptly and smashed his fist onto the vodka bottle beside him, sending glass shards and liquor flying: "That damn 'Yanlong' Project! They really have mastered fusion technology! Not only that, they have weaponized it! This 'Chiyou' is likely some kind of war machine... powered by fusion!"

The Intelligence Department Head added cautiously: "Comrade Chief, what is even more worrying is that Long Country may have mastered some kind of advanced transmission technology. How was this footage sent to us? No known communication satellite or ground station could achieve this."

Koriakin slumped into his chair, his face ashen: "My God... they are at least thirty years ahead of us, perhaps more..."

He turned to the Military Representative: "Can our nuclear arsenal counter this threat?"

The Military Representative hesitated: "Theoretically... our intercontinental missiles can strike any target in Long Country. But the problem is, if they possess multiple 'Chiyou' units and deploy them in a dispersed manner... we cannot guarantee we can destroy all threats simultaneously. Furthermore, we don't even know how this weapon resists nuclear strikes."

Academician Kravchenko suddenly proposed a more terrifying possibility: "If 'Chiyou' can trigger volcanic eruptions, can it also trigger natural disasters within our own borders? The fault lines beneath Lake Baikal, the Siberian permafrost, the Ural Mountains..."

This thought made everyone in the room shudder. Beijixiong Guo has a vast territory with countless geologically sensitive areas. If Long Country decided to exploit these natural weaknesses..."

Koriakin remained silent for a long time before finally issuing an order: "Cancel all military operations and intelligence activities targeting Long Country. Immediately activate diplomatic channels to express our willingness to coexist peacefully with Long Country."

His voice was full of frustration: "War is no longer an option. We must... adapt to this new reality."

Europe, various national parliaments and government agencies.

The same shock and fear swept across the entire European continent. The United Kingdom Parliament fell into a dead silence as members stared, dumbfounded, at the urgently transmitted footage; the French Presidential Palace convened the most urgent security meeting since World War II; inside the German Chancellor's office, high-ranking government officials were ashen-faced and speechless.

London, Downing Street 10.

"This has completely changed the rules of the game," the President said heavily, "If Long Country decides to aim this weapon at active volcanoes in Europe... such as Italy's Vesuvius, or the numerous volcanoes in Iceland..."

The Foreign Secretary interrupted him: "Or worse, if they decide to trigger a shift in the North Sea fault line, the entire British Isles will face total catastrophe."

The President closed his eyes and took a deep breath: "We mocked them for too long... those reports about the 'Yanlong' Project, those satires of the 'Cangjie' journal... God, what a huge mistake we made."

He stood up, his voice firm: "Contact the Long Country Ambassador to the United Kingdom immediately to express our sincerity in wanting to re-evaluate bilateral relations. At the same time, notify Her Majesty the Queen that we may need to... make unprecedented concessions."

The reaction of the global media was an even more dramatic U-turn. Just a few months ago, these media outlets were still mocking Long Country's "Yanlong" Project as the "scientific version of the Great Leap Forward" and satirizing the "Cangjie" journal as a "propaganda pamphlet." But now, those same newspapers and television stations had collectively fallen into an eerie silence.

The front page of the New City Times was no longer a satirical headline, but a shocking photo of the Sakura Mountain eruption, accompanied by a calm and restrained headline: "Yinghua Country After the Volcanic Disaster." The article did not mention Long Country's "Chiyou" system at all, as if the volcanic eruption were purely a natural phenomenon.

The Times made a 180-degree turn, publishing an editorial titled "Re-understanding Long Country: A Rising Technological Power," which stated: "History proves that our assessment of Long Country's technological strength contained major misjudgments. As a responsible media outlet, we must acknowledge our past biases and view the modern revival of this ancient Eastern country with a more open and respectful attitude."

Le Figaro simply canceled all reports on the Sakura Mountain incident and instead published a series of "in-depth analyses" on Long Country's history and culture, praising Long Country's "long-standing scientific tradition" and "spirit of innovation," with every line filled with sycophancy and fear.

Three days later, Penglai Base.

Li Mingyuan stood before his office window, overlooking the increasingly busy construction scene around the base. Since the success of the "Chiyou" deterrence operation, Long Country's international status had undergone a earth-shaking change. Countries that had previously turned up their noses at Long Country were now scrambling to express their willingness for "friendship" and "cooperation."

Minister Zhang pushed the door open, a complex expression on his face: "Lao Li, do you know the situation at the Wajiaobu right now? The phones at all our embassies abroad are being blown up! Governments, corporations, and research institutions from every country... are all requesting to establish 'closer cooperative relations' with Long Country."

Li Mingyuan smiled slightly: "As expected."

"Do you know what the most ironic part is?" Minister Zhang shook his head, "The countries that once mocked the 'Yanlong' Project the most are now the most eager to participate! The Star-Spangled Country has offered to provide 50 billion USD to support the second phase of 'Yanlong' construction, the United Kingdom has proposed sending a team of top scientists to 'assist in research,' and even Beijixiong Guo has indicated a willingness to share their nuclear physics research results..."

Li Mingyuan turned around, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes: "Refuse. Refuse them all. Tell them that Long Country's technological development does not need foreign aid. If they want to cooperate, they must play by our rules."

Minister Zhang hesitated: "Would that be too tough? After all, international cooperation is for us..."

"Minister Zhang," Li Mingyuan interrupted him, "don't you understand yet? The rules of the game have changed. From today on, it is they who need us, not us who need them. The lesson of Sakura Mountain is the best proof—whoever masters advanced technology masters the right to speak."

Minister Zhang took a deep breath: "The higher-ups have already decided to convene a special meeting to discuss how to handle this... new situation. The President has personally inquired and wants you to attend."

Li Mingyuan nodded: "I will go. But before that, I have a proposal I need you to submit for me."