Chapter 501: Liu Haizhong Admits Fault and Softens, Carrier‑Based Aircraft Assembly Commences

Three days later.

A jeep from the Joint Defense Unit stopped at the entrance of the Siheyuan.

The door opened, and Liu Haizhong and Liu Guangfu stepped down.

Both looked dejected, their previous swagger gone.

Liu Haizhong's face was still a bit bruised; he had a minor scuffle inside and got roughed up.

He tucked his chin and hurried into the courtyard, not daring to look up at the people around.

People in the courtyard stuck their heads out, their eyes full of a desire to watch the spectacle.

"Yo, Second Elder is back?" someone teased.

Liu Haizhong didn't dare to reply, and lowered his head even more.

The three days of detention completely wore down his arrogant aura.

The Joint Defense Unit warned him that if he dared cause trouble at the Research Base again, they'd send him straight to a labor reform farm for at least three years.

He was scared.

He went back to his room, shut the door, and slumped onto the edge of the kang, letting out a long sigh.

"Dad, let's not look for Lin Shengli anymore..." Liu Guangfu said, visibly frightened, his voice trembling.

"We won't look for him, we won't," Liu Haizhong waved his hand, his tone weary, "He's a master we can't provoke, we admit defeat."

He finally understood that Lin Shengli was no longer the young man he could manipulate at will.

He was a general of the nation, a person who handled big affairs.

If he kept messing around, he'd drag his whole family into it.

Early the next morning, Liu Haizhong deliberately went to Yi Zhonghai's house.

He carried two jin of apples, wearing a flattering smile: "Lao Yi, it was my mistake before; I should have listened to your advice."

Yi Zhonghai gave him a glance and didn't take the apples: "It's good you know you were wrong; don't mess around again."

"Got it, got it," Liu Haizhong nodded, "I've already told Guangfu to learn a trade, so he'll earn his own living."

Yi Zhonghai finally took the apples: "That's right, living a steady life is better than anything else."

Liu Haizhong said a few more soft words before turning and leaving.

When the courtyard folks heard, they started chatting.

"You have to take a loss to become honest."

"From now on the Siheyuan can finally be clean."

Meanwhile at the Research Base, they had entered a new sprint phase.

After the avionics system test succeeded, the assembly of the third-generation carrier-based aircraft prototype officially began.

In the massive assembly hall, workers in uniform work clothes were busy nonstop.

Lin Shengli stood before the control console, watching the 3D assembly model on the screen, his gaze focused.

"General, the airframe is complete; we can now install the engine," the assembly Group Leader reported.

Lin Shengli nodded, "The engine must be installed securely; the carrier-based aircraft endures great impact during takeoff and landing, and any problem is unacceptable."

"Understood! We've already drafted a detailed installation procedure, with a specialist checking each step."

At that moment, Lin Zhengpeng hurried over with a document: "Dad, the preliminary aerodynamic layout plan for the J-20 pre‑research team is ready, take a look."

Lin Shengli took the document and examined it carefully.

The plan employed a duck‑type layout, balancing maneuverability and stealth.

"This layout is good," Lin Shengli nodded, "but the stealth performance still needs optimization; the U. S. Air Force F-22's radar cross‑section is 0.01 m², we must make ours even smaller."

"The pre‑research team is already working on it; they plan to use a new Stealth Coating that can further reduce radar cross‑section," Lin Zhengpeng added.

"Good." Lin Shengli handed back the document, "Accelerate the schedule and aim to produce the optimized plan by year‑end."

"Yes!"

Hanna walked over, holding an intelligence brief: "Lin, there's movement on the U. S. side. They've recently conducted military exercises in the Pacific and dispatched two additional aircraft carriers."

Lin Shengli's gaze darkened.

The U. S. forces are applying pressure.

They must have learned of Daxia's carrier-based aircraft development and are trying to deter through the exercises.

"Have the intelligence team closely monitor their movements," Lin Shengli ordered, "We'll speed up and get the third-generation carrier-based aircraft's First Flight soon, to show them Daxia isn't afraid of deterrence."

"Understood!"

In the assembly hall, the sound of machinery grew louder.

Each component installation and every data calibration embodied the team's dedication.

Lin Shengli walked to the worker installing the engine and inspected closely.

The engine is the heart of the carrier-based aircraft.

This domestically developed fan‑type engine delivers thrust 10 % higher than the U. S. Air Force F-14's engine, ensuring short‑runway takeoff from the carrier.

"General, rest assured, we'll maintain strict quality control," the master worker said with a smile.

Lin Shengli nodded, a smile appearing on his face.

With such a down‑to‑earth, diligent crew, how could we worry about not producing an advanced carrier-based aircraft?

At that moment, a guard approached: "General, the chief called, wanting an update on the carrier-based aircraft development."

Lin Shengli immediately picked up the phone: "Chief, the assembly of the third‑generation carrier-based aircraft prototype has started; we expect completion in a month and a First Flight in two months. The land‑based fifth‑generation J-20 pre‑research is also progressing smoothly."

A grateful voice came from the chief: "Good! Shengli, thank you for your hard work! The nation trusts you, and the entire populace also trusts you!"

"Chief, rest assured, we will not disappoint the nation or the people!" Lin Shengli said gravely.

He hung up, and Lin Shengli's gaze grew even more resolute.

He knew the responsibility on his shoulders was great.

As long as the carrier-based aircraft's first flight succeeds, the Dragon Soaring Aircraft Carrier can truly form combat capability.

Daxia's navy will then be able to truly advance into the deep blue.

And those who had once plotted against him could only stay in the corner, looking up at his achievements.