130: Strategic misdirection

The lights in the underground conference room of the Zijin Pavilion were brighter than usual.

The Premier stood before the holographic projection, with a real-time image of the Space Garden slowly rotating above everyone's heads.

His fingers unconsciously rubbed together, a small habit he had when contemplating major decisions.

"Gentlemen," the Premier's voice broke the silence, "Interstellar Peace Corporation has given us a window of opportunity.

The question now is, how do we leverage this advantage?"

The Minister of Defense pulled up a set of satellite images: "The New United Federation has already launched its 'Space Renaissance Program,' and Europa is also forming a joint space agency.

Although they received fewer slots, their determination to invest should not be underestimated."

"However, the New United Federation is probably more willing than able; the real leader should be the Lone Star Republic, or rather, Militech."

"Europa isn't much different; Qilu Corporation still holds the lion's share," Zhao Mingyuan added.

"Over the past 72 hours, we've intercepted at least 120 electronic intrusions targeting several of our aerospace research institutions."

The Premier's gaze turned to Dr. Chu: "Dr. Chu, if we were to selectively disclose some technologies, to what extent do you think we should disclose them?"

Chu He pondered for a moment, then pushed up his glasses: "Based on my experience at Guixu, the most sophisticated deception is to provide 90% real data, but tamper with the most crucial 10%."

"But if what we want is not just a technology but an entire direction, we might as well be more truthful," he pulled up the complete synthesis theory of Alcohol-2.

"We can disclose the entire synthesis pathway of Alcohol-2, completely open it up."

"What is the purpose of this?" the Minister of Commerce asked curiously.

"They will get a fuel technology that brings about an internal combustion engine revolution, nothing more," Chu He's lips curved slightly.

"Of course, due to the performance of Alcohol-2, traditional aerospace technologies will usher in a major development.

However..."

He narrowed his right eye, and a white light gleamed on his lens: "They won't get a second chance."

A knowing chuckle rippled through the conference room.

The Minister of Defense slammed the table: "Brilliant! Let them throw all their resources and time into a dead end!"

The Minister of Science and Technology suddenly laughed: "Isn't this exactly what we want? Let them focus their energy on the wrong direction..."

"Not only that," Chu He continued, "we can obtain their highest quality resources through technology transfer and occupy their limited production capacity.

For example..." He pulled up a list, "a massive demand for Alcohol-2 and some natural resources; the former is what we urgently need in the short term, and the latter, we can never have enough of."

The Premier pondered for a moment: "Dr. Chu, what if the Western countries discover they've been misled?"

"They won't," Chu He replied confidently.

"Because the Company has already shown them with the Space Garden that the Company can do it.

So for them, they can too.

Those decision-makers who refuse to accept this 'reality' are destined to be abandoned by their own elite class."

This statement plunged the conference room into a brief silence.

Everyone realized that this was no longer just a technological competition, but a choice of civilizational paths.

"Then it's settled," the Premier stood up.

"The Ministry of Science and Technology will lead the establishment of a 'Technology Exchange Office,' and Yanhuang Intelligence will negotiate cooperation with Western enterprises.

Remember," his gaze sharpened, "what we want is their industrial capacity, and their 'scientific research direction.'"

One week later, on a morning, a long queue had already formed in front of the Yanhuang Intelligence headquarters building.

Representatives from technology companies around the world crowded the lobby, the air filled with tension and anticipation.

Because just yesterday, Yanhuang Intelligence had announced that it would hold a technology and product launch today.

And what would be released would change the future of Blue Star.

Soon, the press conference began.

Chu He stood before the holographic projection, behind him a molecular model of "Alcohol-2" magnified a hundredfold.

"Distinguished guests," Chu He's voice, translated by the simultaneous interpretation system, spread throughout the venue, "today Yanhuang Intelligence will unveil two groundbreaking technologies."

He pulled up the first set of data: "First is 'Alcohol-2' fuel, with an energy density of 70.5 MJ/kg, 1.5 times that of traditional aviation fuel."

A gasp immediately rose from the audience.

A reporter from New Union's "Frontier Technology" suddenly raised his hand: "Dr. Chu, the Eastern Federation has already mastered controllable nuclear fusion technology, so why develop improved fossil fuels?

Isn't this a step backward in history?"

Chu He's lips curved slightly: "That's a good question."

He lightly tapped the control panel, and the holographic screen switched to a metal device the size of a suitcase.

"How about we first look at the second technology to be announced?

'Hummingbird' micro rocket engine, with a thrust of 10 tons and a thrust-to-weight ratio of 100."

The venue was silent; the Engineers present were somewhat puzzled.

This data indeed exceeded their imagination, but it wasn't enough to change Blue Star.

"I know what you're all wondering," Chu He didn't keep them in suspense.

"What's the use of such a small engine?" He deliberately paused, then pointed to a distant factory building, "Please look—"

Accompanied by a low hum, a streamlined silver-gray car slowly rose from the top of the factory building.

It had no propellers, no turbofan engines; it was as if it was being lifted by an invisible hand, flying smoothly over hundreds of meters, finally landing on the press conference stage with a not-so-loud roar.

"Yanhuang Intelligence 'Feihong' household flying car, we also call it, a hovercar," Chu He opened the car door, showing the interior to the stunned audience.

"Equipped with two 'Xuan Niao' engines, with a range of 3000 kilometers, a top speed of 400 kilometers per hour, and vertical take-off and landing noise below 60 decibels."

"This is the revolutionary change that micro rocket engines and Alcohol-2 can bring."

The entire venue fell into a brief dead silence, then erupted into a deafening roar.

The Europa reporter's recorder fell to the ground, the Militech representative's eyes widened, and the North Steel Engineer leaned back in his chair.

"This... this is impossible!" Qilu Corporation's chief technology officer rushed onto the stage, trembling as he touched the hood of the flying car.

"Such a thrust-to-weight ratio... such energy utilization efficiency..."

Chu He smiled and handed over a document: "The complete technical parameters are all here.

Of course," he added meaningfully, "to obtain a production license, an equivalent exchange is required."

The Qilu Corporation representative immediately grabbed his arm: "We are willing to exchange our latest generation of neural prosthetic technology! Including the complete motion control system and haptic feedback algorithms!"

This proposal made Chu He's eyes light up.

Qilu Corporation's mechanical prosthetics were indeed unique globally, and precisely the technology urgently needed in the Eastern Federation's medical field.

Although he knew that Qilu Corporation's technology was mostly scraps given by the Company, technological reserves were always welcome.

"It can be considered," Chu He nodded, "but some small conditions still need to be added."

"Deal! Any small condition is fine!" The other party eagerly agreed, fearing he would go back on his word.

The audience immediately became chaotic.

The president of New Union's auto giant Ford directly jumped onto a table: "We are willing to transfer all our automotive patents! Just for the flying car technology!"

The Director of the Europa Space Agency even shouted, disregarding his image: "You can name your price, we can agree to anything!"

Amidst the chaos, Chu He noticed that the North Steel representative was not eager to obtain technology authorization, but was unusually excited watching the explanation of Alcohol-2's performance indicators and production process.

He couldn't guess the North Steel representative's purpose for a moment, but thinking that he wasn't skilled in this area, he decided to let his other colleagues worry about it.

This North Steel representative was from bio-medicine; his excitement was because he had suddenly found a way out for bio-medicine and hope to counter Qilu Corporation.

At the North Steel delegation's station, Chief Scientist Andrei Petrov was staring intently at the molecular structure diagram in the holographic projection.

The synthesis formula of Alcohol-2 slowly rotated in the air; methane and ethanol molecules recombined under the action of catalysts and special conditions, then became the new fuel, Alcohol-2, capable of releasing astonishing energy density.

"Professor," the young assistant Ivan whispered, "Birch Palace called; the Grand Duke wants to speak with you personally."

Andrei took a deep breath and connected the encrypted communication.

In the holographic image, Grand Duke Winter's brow was furrowed: "Andrei, are you sure this technology is useful to us?"

"Mr. President," Andrei's voice trembled slightly with excitement, "this isn't just useful; this is a godsend!" He pulled up a set of data.

"Our natural gas reserves in Siberia account for 38% of the world's, and our black soil accounts for 40% of the world's corn planting area.

As long as we master Alcohol-2 technology..."

The Grand Duke's eyes lit up: "You mean..."

"The technology released by the Eastern Federation has proven one thing: Interstellar Peace Corporation is very likely also achieving that massive near-Earth orbit transportation capacity through similar new fuels.

In other words, Alcohol-2 is the civilian 'nuclear fusion' of the future."

"And we can become the energy center of Blue Star in the next phase!" Andrei pulled up a global energy distribution map.

"The Company has already monopolized almost all oil extraction; large-scale ethanol production can only rely on new chemical routes..."

He lightly tapped his finger, and all the energy centers on the map shifted to within North Steel's territory.

Surrounding the energy centers were vast farmlands and gas wells.

"We can fully utilize our country's huge natural gas reserves and grain output to monopolize the production of Alcohol-2.

By controlling Alcohol-2, we control the energy lifeline and space programs of future Blue Star!"

The Grand Duke suddenly stood up: "Immediately convert all idle farmland in the west to corn cultivation, and order the Siberia Development Bureau to continuously extract natural gas 24 hours a day!"

At the same time, the representative supported by bio-medicine at the station was on the phone with Usmanov.