110: Section 110

As time passed, the Lighthouse Country's ocean-going fleet drew closer to Sakurajima Country.

But at the same time, this also meant it was getting closer to Huaguo.

At this point, Huaguo's economy was almost suppressed to the point where it couldn't raise its head internationally.

All countries that had joined the Northern Alliance, or were associated with it, directly imposed an economic blockade on Huaguo at the strong insistence of the Lighthouse Country.

In fact, Huaguo's economy did inevitably suffer a blow.

Almost 80% of industries engaged in foreign export business faced the risk of bankruptcy.

All of this was a domino effect caused by military coercion from the Lighthouse Country.

Even as Huaguo suffered economic losses, it was also a loss for other countries.

After all, transactions are two-way.

It's just that other countries only had to bear their own share of economic pressure.

But in this way, Huaguo had to bear the economic pressure brought by many countries simultaneously.

Actually, under normal circumstances, other countries would naturally not let the Lighthouse Country dictate their actions.

However.

Because of Huaguo's sudden rise, many Western Countries indeed felt unprecedented pressure.

The Lighthouse Country itself was already a superpower, and its suppression of these Western Countries was already harsh enough.

Those Western Countries naturally didn't want to see a second superpower rise.

In fact, compared to Huaguo's rise, they were more inclined to cling to the Lighthouse Country, as fundamentally, they were closer to the Lighthouse Country.

It was precisely because of all these reasons combined.

That Huaguo found itself in such a predicament this time.

Otherwise, a mere military threat from a single military operation by the Lighthouse Country would naturally not have reached such a degree.

However, the result remained the same.

That is, the people of Huaguo clearly felt the increasing pressure.

The internet was also filled with negative energy.

"Damn it, all my bonuses this month are canceled, I'm only getting my base salary!"

"Sigh, which company is the friend upstairs at? That's so good, they still give a base salary?"

"I've been unemployed for half a month! Damn it, I'm so angry! This Lighthouse Country is inhumane! Our company's order of over 60 million was directly canceled, and then they laid off staff!"

"But fortunately, the domestic manufacturing industry seems to be hiring, so it's not like I'll completely lose my job."

"And it seems the government has been continuously promoting manufacturing; anyone working in this line of work gets subsidies."

"It's probably to stabilize public sentiment. After all, we can all see that producing so many things but not being able to sell them means no economic income. This is living off past savings; it can't last."

"Exactly, it's not like the government can just take all those manufactured goods for themselves, right? Stacking them in warehouses is useless. As long as the economic blockade isn't lifted, they won't sell!"

"So frustrating!"

"So what exactly does the Huaguo government mean? Almost a month has passed, and there's really no news at all?"

"The previous few technical blockades, I just watched as a spectacle. This economic blockade, I truly feel the immense pressure!"

"Yes, the previous technical blockades, in the end, didn't have much direct impact on us."

"But this economic blockade directly caused me to earn less, or even lose money. This is simply unbearable!"

"Are you still talking about money? The Lighthouse Country's six aircraft carriers have already arrived near Sakurajima Country. If it really comes to a fight, I wouldn't be surprised!"

Both domestically and internationally, almost everyone could see that Huaguo was vigorously developing manufacturing, light and heavy industries, especially heavy industries.

But everyone agreed on one point.

That is, the Huaguo government was merely using this method to stabilize public sentiment.

After all, manufactured goods are ultimately meant to be sold to earn money.

Facing a joint economic blockade from multiple countries.

If these goods couldn't be sold, it meant the country was spending money to support people in the manufacturing industry, but the country itself couldn't obtain funds from it.

This could not last.

And it was also very unfavorable for future development!

However.

Just as the public was wondering why the country was doing this.

Some rumors spread, instantly invigorating many people.

"Did you hear? It turns out the vigorous development of manufacturing is because Lin's is involved in military project research!"

"What the heck, what? Lin's is finally involved in the military field? What project is it?"

"I don't know, maybe they improved a new generation of aircraft?"

"It should be a fighter jet. This news seems to have come from a heavy factory that previously always made fighter jet orders for the military!"

"And I heard they've researched new materials for fighter jets. Our next-generation fighter jet will definitely be able to crush the Lighthouse Country's F-22 Raptor fifth-generation stealth supersonic cruise fighter jet!"

"Seeing Lin's involved, I feel somewhat relieved, hahaha!"

"Indeed, the country will definitely not let people suppress it without fighting back!"

"I'm so excited now, I wonder what level our brand new generation of fighter jets can reach?"

"Almost all of the Lighthouse Country's fighter jets can reach Mach 2, and their stealth devices are extremely strong, making them difficult for radar to detect successfully."

"Then we should completely surpass them, Mach 5!"

"Is there a possibility of achieving true stealth???"

"Holy crap, you guys are thinking so big? If it were before, I might laugh at you, but thinking about Lin's involvement, it might actually be possible!"

Ever since the news of Lin's involvement in the next military project development was leaked.

Public sentiment immediately stabilized significantly.

Yanjing.

Top floor conference room of the headquarters building.

All the highest-level leaders were gathered here.

However, after the routine meeting and checking the progress of each person's responsible projects.

The biggest problem was then brought up.

"Who exactly leaked the news about Lin's involvement in the next military operation?"

Soon, Director Chen of the National Security Bureau stood up, frowning with a hint of confusion, and said, "Leaders, it's like this: after our investigation, the initial source of the news was traced to an overseas IP address."

"Under our investigation, we can basically confirm that this was news actively released by people from the Lighthouse Country."

Following Director Chen's report, those present couldn't help but show a hint of confusion.

"Ah? Are you sure?"

"The Lighthouse Country actively released this news? But currently, it actually seems like a good thing for us!"

"It even helped us stabilize public sentiment!"

During this time, the entire government was doing its utmost to unite all parties and cooperate with the Space aircraft carrier project team in their research.

However, because the Lighthouse Country's pressure was growing stronger, they also had to speed up the project's progress.

For this, they indeed did not hesitate to sacrifice some aspects of the economy.

And in the short term, for people's livelihoods, there would definitely be some instability.

It was just that everyone was very clear.

The crux of this matter was the military oppression from the Lighthouse Country.

To solve this dilemma from the root, they must have the ability to contend militarily with the other side.

Therefore, in all aspects, they prioritized stability, and all remaining energy was focused on advancing the project.

Just like vigorously promoting manufacturing, it was to get more factories involved in producing the materials needed for the aircraft carrier.

This would accelerate the manufacturing progress.

However, because it was a confidential project, from the outside, it seemed they were merely subsidizing the public through these means.

Now, the Lighthouse Country was actually doing them a favor? Helping them appease the public?

What a joke!

No one present would believe such nonsense; they would rather believe that ghosts existed in this world!

Chief Yun had the most contact with the Lighthouse Country during this project.

After thinking for a moment, he slowly said, "Clearly, this must be a probing attempt by the Lighthouse Country against us!"

"Or rather, against Lin's!"

"Because of previous incidents, even if they now feel that seven aircraft carriers are about to converge and sail towards us, giving them a sure victory."

"But it's obvious, they are still wary of the existence of [Lin's]!"

"So, they are using this method to test our reaction, to see if we come out to deny it."

As Chief Yun's words fell, the others also nodded in agreement.

Actively doing such a thing is invariably for probing purposes; they just need to guess what the other party wants to probe.

And the only thing that makes the other party wary is undoubtedly Lin's.

As for coming forward to deny or admit such a thing, no one present said it.

After all, those in these seats naturally had a clearer perspective.

"Heh, the Lighthouse Country is playing a good game."

"If we deny it, it will cause more panic among the public."