Chapter 92: The Glass Cage Falls

The air in the Number One Emergency Conference Room seemed to solidify into a heavy block of ice.

The heavy soundproof door blocked all outside noise; only the central air conditioning system emitted a barely audible low-frequency hum.

Around the oval conference table, all core members of the Longyin Research Institute were present.

The atmosphere was worlds apart from the laughter and joy on the rooftop terrace just a few hours earlier.

Feng Yan stood before the chief seat, and on the large tactical screen behind him was projected the document just received.

The abstract of the 《Eagle Country and its Allies Strategic Technology and Equipment Export Control List》 marked 'Top Secret, Highest Priority'.

The bright red frame was strikingly conspicuous.

"The situation is just like that." Feng Yan's voice was not loud, yet it echoed clearly in the silent conference room.

"They gave this list a beautiful name, calling it 'Precision Strategic Control'."

"But we prefer to call it——the 'Glass Cage'."

"It is transparent, letting you see the outside world;"

"It is sturdy, firmly trapping you in place;"

"It is precise, striking at the technological lifeline on which our survival and development depend."

His gaze swept over every face present.

Li Yang frowned, his fingers unconsciously tapping the tabletop, his eyes fixed on the screen entries concerning the 'Fifth Generation Precision Servo Motor' and 'special aviation alloy';

Chen Guang pushed up his glasses, his gaze behind the lenses quickly scanning the 'high-performance computing chips' and related photolithography technology and materials list, his face showing an unprecedented gravity;

Wang Hao simply cursed out loud, his clenched fists making a cracking sound.

"Damn Eagle Country!" Wang Hao slammed the table, making the teacups on it jump.

"Can't afford to play? See us make some noise and you'll flip the table?"

"This isn't just playing the hooligan, is it?!"

He pointed at the screen, his voice trembling with excitement:

"Did you see? Our Falcon guidance head uses the 'Stardust-7' core processor, plus the matching high-purity wafers—all are on the list!"

"The chip for the next batch of prototype missiles is still being fabricated at the foundry!"

"Now it's directly stuck on the production line!"

Li Yang took a deep breath, his voice low as he continued: "The waist joint vector drive motor of the Iron Wolf Type 2, custom model 'Cornerstone-5'."

"The core technology and patent licensing come from DeLaiyin Precision on the list (Eagle Country–owned), and domestically we have yet to find an equivalent-performance substitute."

He paused, then added a more critical point:

"Also, we are preliminarily researching a next-generation individual-mobility platform concept vehicle."

"The main load-bearing frame design uses the 'Cloud Eagle-3 series' special titanium-aluminum alloy, lightweight, high-strength, corrosion-resistant."

"Likewise…… it relies on Eagle Country for raw material supply and part of the heat-treatment process."

"An embargo means we cannot buy the materials, and even after our existing inventory is exhausted, subsequent R&D will grind to a halt."

Chen Guang's voice remained calm, but his speech was a bit faster than usual, revealing his inner turmoil:

"For the next-generation upgrade of the high-precision laser scanning modeling system I oversee, we planned to purchase the 'Fuxi-9000' series computing cards."

"As well as the 'Ultimate Ice' composite substrate material needed for high-energy laser R&D—both are on the restriction list."

"This means the performance enhancement of the 'Clear-sighted' system will be greatly delayed, and the R&D of new laser weapons…… may also be obstructed."

Zhao Gong glared, snorted: "As I've said before, rely on the mountain and it will fall; rely on people and they will flee."

"Good things must be held firmly in one's own hands to feel secure!"

His remark was as if addressed to everyone, yet also like talking to himself.

Carrying the obstinacy and foresight characteristic of the older generation of craftsmen.

Feng Yan looked at Li Yang: "Old Li, how's the inventory situation? How long can it hold out?"

Feng Yan pulled up another set of data: "According to the supply-chain data just compiled by Director Lin."

"The stock of Stardust-7 chips can still support about three months of testing and small-batch production of the existing Falcon models."

"The Cornerstone-5 motors have spare parts, but only enough to maintain the existing Iron Wolf platforms, insufficient to equip new machines."

"The Cloud Eagle-3 series alloy…… inventory is only enough to finish the current concept verification vehicle; after that…… supply will be cut off."

With each item he mentioned, the atmosphere in the conference room grew a notch heavier.

This is not just a single project blocked; the very foundation of the Longyin technical system has been shaken!

"What do we do?" Wang Hao urged.

"We can't just sit and wait for death, can we?"

"We've struggled hard, starting from eating instant noodles in Old Li's rundown warehouse, step by step to today—are we really going to be suffocated by just a piece of paper?"

"Of course not!" Feng Yan declared firmly.

"Superior orders us to assess risks and devise countermeasures."

"What I need to know now is whether we might, in a short time, find an alternative solution."

"Even if it's a performance downgrade, or a cost‑spiking temporary measure?"

As this question was thrown out, the conference room fell into a brief silence.

Li Yang spoke first, his tone carrying the rigor and helplessness of a technician:

"As for servo motors, domestically there are several manufacturers making similar products."

"But the performance specs—especially response speed, torque density, and reliability—lag behind the 'Cornerstone-5' by a generation."

"Direct replacement would cause the Iron Wolf's mobility to drop by at least 20%, possibly triggering cascading structural adaptation issues."

Chen Guang continued: "As for computing cards, domestic substitutes exist, but their computational density and power‑efficiency ratio are insufficient to meet the demands of next‑generation laser scanning and AI training."

"If we forcibly downgrade their use, the pace of technological iteration will slow significantly."

"Regarding laser materials… the situation is more complicated; we need to redesign the heat‑dissipation structure."

"Searching for domestically possible laboratory‑grade new materials, the timeline… is hard to estimate."

Wang Hao, irritated, raked his hair: "Don't even mention the chips! This thing is a hard nut!"

"The 'Star Dust‑7' we used before is already the optimal choice that balances performance and supply stability."

"Where now can we find a domestic chip that can endure the harsh end‑phase missile environment and still perform complex real‑time calculations?"

"Isn't this nonsense!"

A sense of powerlessness began to spread in some people's minds.

The technological gap sometimes cannot be bridged instantly by sheer enthusiasm alone.

At that moment, a young researcher in charge of external technical cooperation cautiously put forward an idea:

"Um… Feng's team, Engineer Li, could we try going through a third‑party channel?"

"For example, trade companies from neutral countries, or… conduct some technology exchanges, find a way to bypass…"

"No way!"

Before the words were finished, they were almost simultaneously interrupted by Feng Yan and Li Yang.

Feng Yan's gaze sharpened as he looked at the researcher, his tone serious:

"This is a bottom‑line issue! 'Dragon Chant' is a national‑level strategic project; any attempt to evade regulation not only hands a weapon to others."

"It brings unpredictable political and diplomatic risks and may also violate national law!"

"Don't even think about that path!"

Li Yang also said gravely, "Technical safety is above all."

"Relying on uncontrolled gray channels is equivalent to handing the lifeline to others; the risk is greater."

The researcher blushed and lowered his head.

The conference room fell into a stalemate again. Hope seemed to be being snuffed out bit by bit.

Wang Hao sprang to his feet, paced back and forth, then suddenly stopped, his eyes carrying a reckless ferocity:

"Feng brother! How about… we just damn well do it ourselves!"

"Motors! Chips! Materials!"

"I don't believe it. We've gone from a warehouse workshop to today; we still can't produce a few pieces of scrap copper, iron, and silicon wafers?!"

His words, charged with strong emotion, were also like a stone dropped into still water, creating a ripple.

Do it ourselves?

Easier said than done!

Precision servo motors involve a deep integration of electromagnetics, precision mechanics, materials science, and control theory—multiple cutting‑edge fields;

High‑end chips require a massive, complex industry chain covering design, fabrication, packaging, and testing;

The development of special alloys likewise depends on a solid metallurgical base and high‑level R&D investment.

This is certainly not something that Dragon Chant alone can solve in a short time.

Li Yang remained silent, not immediately rebutting, his gaze deep down seemingly calculating a possibility.

Chen Guang also stopped taking notes, his eyes behind the lenses turning to Feng Yan, asking.

Feng Yan looked at Wang Hao, at the still‑glowing sparks in Li Yang's and Chen Guang's eyes, then glanced at Zhao Gong's face scrawled with "Should have been so" and his thoughts raced.

Doing it ourselves is undoubtedly the most difficult, longest‑duration, and highest‑risk option.

But it is also the only choice that can truly break the shackles and keep fate firmly in our own hands!

It is to keep searching for gaps in the "Glass Cage" someone else has drawn.

Or… just cleanly smash this cage?

Just as Feng Yan inhaled deeply, ready to speak, his personal encrypted communicator on the table…

(Not the top‑clearance one, but its confidentiality level is still high.)

The screen suddenly lit up, and a message from an unknown number, bearing a specific internal identifier, popped out.

The message was extremely brief, only one line:

"Regarding non‑mainstream technical routes for high‑power‑density motors and special alloys, there may be a breakthrough. Details in person. The usual place."

Sender's signature—"Tie Jiang Li".

Feng Yan's pupils contracted slightly.

He remembered that name!

It was just before the sanction storm arrived, when he anxiously was scrolling videos.

In that corner of a tech forum brimming with folk gurus and bizarre ideas, he had stumbled upon that ID!

The one that used an almost "home‑brew steel" method in a small backyard workshop.

Who forged a special alloy with bizarre performance, whose test reports even professional labs could not fully explain… "Tie Jiang Li"!

At the time he was merely intrigued, casually followed and left contact info, without probing further.

Unexpectedly, in this darkest hour, that almost‑forgotten "folk treasure" actively sent a message!

High‑power‑density motors… special alloys… these are the current most lethal technical bottlenecks!

How could this "Tie Jiang Li" pinpoint the crux so precisely?!

What is the "non‑mainstream technical route" he mentioned?

Feng Yan's heart began to pound uncontrollably.

He jerked his head up, looking at the still‑anxious, debating, or silent crowd in the conference room, temporarily setting aside the words at his lips.

He needed to verify the authenticity of this message immediately.

"The meeting will pause for ten minutes." Feng Yan's voice returned to its usual steadiness, but a faint glimmer ignited deep in his eyes.

He picked up the communicator that was still displaying information and stood up.

"Haizi, come out with me for a moment. Everyone else, stay where you are and collect your thoughts."

Wang Hao froze for a moment, looking at Feng Yan's unquestionable gaze; although puzzled, he still followed and stood up.

Left behind were the people in the meeting room staring at each other, and a cruel wound, recently mercilessly exposed, called "technology dependence," still faintly aching.

Feng Yan led Wang Hao quickly toward his office.

"Haizi, take a look at this!"