Chapter 78 Intelligence Warning

When Director Fang's call came in, Lin Mo was standing in front of the observation window of the Lithium Extraction from Seawater laboratory.

Chen Xueming was hunched over the debugging table, holding a screwdriver and cursing at a set of solenoid valves: "This piece of junk valve has a response delay of at least 0.3 seconds. Li Xiao, write that down. Switch to that batch from Germany."

Li Xiao held a tablet, her fingers flying as she recorded, not even looking up: "Zhang Zhe already checked the inventory yesterday; that batch from Germany won't arrive at the port until next week. How about we try the domestic ones first? I think our own supplier's response speed is decent."

"No way." Chen Xueming straightened his back and rubbed his sore neck: "We can't afford even a 0.1-second delay. When that old guy Smith comes, he'll definitely focus on the details to find faults. We need to produce impeccable data."

The corners of Lin Mo's mouth curled up slightly.

The public opinion storm from a month ago had instead spurred the entire team to give it their all.

Chen Xueming had been living in the laboratory from morning till night, working continuously for over twenty days; Li Xiao and her data team had created seventeen versions of simulation plans; even Zhao Gang had led his security team to check every blind spot in the Kunlun Base's security three times.

His phone vibrated. Fang Lin's name flashed on the screen.

"Lin Mo, urgent intelligence."

He turned and walked into the corridor, lowering his voice: "Go ahead."

"We just intercepted some news. A certain country is secretly gathering lithium-exporting nations for a meeting in Sydney in three days. The meeting topic: coordinating production cuts and restricting exports to China." There was a chill in Fang Lin's voice: "Their excuse is high-sounding—'maintaining global lithium resource market stability'."

Lin Mo paused.

"Is the information reliable?"

"It came from an insider, the credibility is very high." Fang Lin paused: "And it's not just this line. We've monitored several international mining giants holding intensive meetings over the past week, and their senior executives' schedules have suddenly changed. Lin Mo, your judgment was correct; they are really about to make a move."

Lin Mo stood at the end of the corridor; outside the window were the grey-white mountains of Kunlun Base. The sunlight shone on the distant snow-capped peaks, blindingly bright.

He was silent for three seconds, then asked: "Which countries are attending?"

"Currently, we know of Chile, Australia, and Argentina—the top three countries in global lithium reserves. Bolivia might also send people; although they have massive reserves, their development level is low, making them a key target for lobbying." Fang Lin said: "The organizers are very cautious, and the information control is extremely tight. If we didn't have someone in their delegation, we wouldn't even know about this."

Lin Mo quickly reviewed the world map of lithium resource distribution in his mind.

Chile and Australia combined account for more than half of the global lithium production, Argentina is an emerging major lithium producer, and Bolivia holds the world's largest lithium reserves but hasn't been developed on a large scale—if these entities were lumped together to form a "Lithium Alliance" similar to OPEC, it would be a fatal blow to China's new energy industry.

"They picked a really good time," he whispered.

Smith is coming in a month to verify the Lithium Extraction from Seawater technology. If the international lithium resource supply chain undergoes a drastic change before then—

"They just want to exploit the timing gap." Fang Lin clearly also thought of this: "Lithium Extraction from Seawater is still in the laboratory stage. Even if you verify it successfully, it will still take time to reach industrialization. If they cut off the terrestrial lithium resource supply now, the domestic new energy industry will immediately fall into a passive position. Even if Lithium Extraction from Seawater could fill the gap by then, there would still be a window of at least one to two years."

Lin Mo took a deep breath: "What is the leadership's stance?"

"They are urgently evaluating it." Fang Lin said: "I notified you in advance because you were the first to raise the risk regarding lithium resources. Your team submitted that think tank report two months ago, and your judgment at the time is now coming true. Lin Mo, what are your thoughts?"

Lin Mo didn't rush to answer.

He leaned against the wall and closed his eyes.

Two months ago, when he exchanged for the Lithium Extraction from Seawater technology package from the system, he had already calculated this logical chain in his mind: Room-Temperature Superconductivity sparks an energy revolution → Lithium-Sulfur Battery becomes the mainstream for energy storage → the strategic status of lithium resources soars → international competition intensifies → Lithium Extraction from Seawater becomes the key to breaking the deadlock.

Now, the third step is becoming reality.

"We need to speed up." He opened his eyes: "The industrialization plan for Lithium Extraction from Seawater was originally scheduled to complete Pilot-scale production before the end of the year and produce a pilot production line in the first half of next year. We need to accelerate this pace."

Fang Lin was silent for two seconds: "Is there enough time?"

"I don't know." Lin Mo said honestly: "But if the external pressure is great enough, and the authorities can provide enough policy support, maybe we can squeeze out some time. Director Fang, I need to know the decision-makers' stance—if the worst-case scenario happens, what level of resources can we secure?"

"I will ask for you." Fang Lin said: "But you must give me a reliable schedule."

Lin Mo thought for a moment: "Give me three days. In three days, I will tell you the fastest time needed for the industrialization of Lithium Extraction from Seawater."

Hanging up the phone, he stood in the corridor for a full minute.

The sunlight reflected from the distant snow-capped mountains made his eyes ache; he blinked, turned around, and walked back to the laboratory.

Pushing the door open, Chen Xueming was squatting on the floor tightening screws, Li Xiao was leaning on the console staring at the data screen, and Zhang Zhe was handing over tools nearby. The three of them were working in perfect coordination, and no one noticed him come in.

Lin Mo stood in front of the observation window, looking at the experimental device inside.

The core principle of Lithium Extraction from Seawater had been mastered, and the laboratory verification had achieved 90% separation efficiency. But from small-scale testing to Pilot-scale production, and from Pilot-scale production to industrialization, every step was a huge leap. Equipment scaling, process optimization, energy consumption control, wastewater treatment, structural design of the offshore floating platform—every link had countless details that needed to be overcome.

He remembered the 240 research points remaining in the system.

Perhaps he should exchange for another simulation deduction?

"Teacher Lin?" Li Xiao looked up and saw him: "What's wrong? You don't look so good."

Chen Xueming also stopped and turned to look at him.

Lin Mo walked into the laboratory, pulled up a chair, and sat down: "I have some news. I just received a call from Director Fang; a certain country is gathering lithium-exporting nations for a meeting to discuss production cuts and supply restrictions."

The air suddenly went quiet.

The screwdriver in Chen Xueming's hand stopped in mid-air, Li Xiao's eyes widened, and Zhang Zhe opened his mouth but couldn't say a word.

Three seconds later, Chen Xueming was the first to speak: "When is this happening?"

"The meeting is in three days in Sydney." Lin Mo said: "Chile, Australia, and Argentina will all be there."

"Damn it." Chen Xueming cursed and threw the screwdriver on the floor: "I told you those bastards wouldn't just sit still. A while ago, those think tank reports were shouting about 'lithium resource security'; I thought it was just media hype, but I didn't expect them to actually dare to make a move."

Li Xiao said in a low voice: "But lithium resources aren't like oil; their reserves are so concentrated. Are they really going to try that 'stranglehold' tactic?"

"Why wouldn't they?" Chen Xueming sneered: "Chile and Australia combined account for more than half of global production. If they really join forces to cut production, international lithium prices will skyrocket immediately. Our domestic lithium resources are low-grade and have high extraction costs; we can't fill the gap in the short term. New energy vehicle manufacturers will see battery costs double, vehicle prices will rise accordingly, and the market will immediately shrink—do you understand the chain reaction?"

Zhang Zhe frowned: "Then what about Lithium Extraction from Seawater? Aren't we almost there?"

"The laboratory phase is done, but we are still a distance away from industrialization." Chen Xueming stood up and walked to the window: "The cost of Lithium Extraction from Seawater cannot be brought down yet, the design of the floating platform has only just finished its first version, and the corrosion issues, energy consumption issues, and lithium concentration enrichment issues—which one doesn't take time?"

After he finished speaking, he suddenly realized something and turned to look at Lin Mo: "What do you plan to do?"

Lin Mo met his gaze: "Speed up."

"How to speed up?"

"Advance all links in parallel." Lin Mo stood up, walked to the whiteboard, and picked up a pen: "laboratory verification is already complete. Next—first, design the Pilot-scale production device directly according to the standards of an industrial-grade prototype, skipping small-scale testing, and striving to get it right in one go."

Chen Xueming frowned: "The risk is too high. An industrial-grade prototype has high costs and a long cycle; if something goes wrong, the cost of rework…"

"Second," Lin Mo interrupted him: "Start the design of the offshore floating platform simultaneously. Doesn't Wang Xiao already have the first version of the plan? Directly bring the team in, get them involved starting now, and run it in parallel with the Pilot-scale production device design."

Chen Xueming opened his mouth but didn't speak.

"Third," Lin Mo looked at Li Xiao: "The data team should perform full-process simulations and run through all foreseeable bottlenecks in advance. I will enable the system simulation function on my end; you should connect your data models to the system for joint deductions."

Li Xiao nodded vigorously: "Understood."

"Fourth," Lin Mo put down the pen: "Teacher Chen, you lead the creation of the most aggressive schedule—if all links get the green light and the state's power fully supports us, how long would it take at the shortest from today until industrial production?"

Chen Xueming stared at those lines on the whiteboard, was silent for a few seconds, then nodded slowly.

"I'll give it to you in three days." He said: "But if this thing is submitted, the higher-ups need to be prepared to burn money."

Lin Mo smiled: "Money is not something we need to worry about. We just need to make sure the technology is up to par; as for the rest, the higher-ups will find a way."

Chen Xueming looked at him with complex eyes.

Two months ago, he was still that arrogant "Professor Chen," full of resentment toward this young man who suddenly appeared. Now, he was squatting in the laboratory tightening screws, willingly working as an assistant to Lin Mo.

Not because of the system, not because of those magical blueprints, but because of the height and vision with which this young man looked at problems.

From Room-Temperature Superconductivity to Lithium-Sulfur Battery, from Lithium Extraction from Seawater to the lithium resource competition, every step was ahead of the curve, every step was a prediction.

"Fine." Chen Xueming said: "Then I'll work some overtime."

Li Xiao raised her hand: "I'll stay tonight too."

Zhang Zhe smiled helplessly: "If you all stay, I won't be at ease even if I go back."

Lin Mo looked at them, and a warm current surged in his heart.

From fighting alone to a group of people thinking in the same direction and exerting effort in the same place, this process had taken just over half a year.

"No need tonight." He said: "Go back and rest; tomorrow we start a tough battle. This battle might last for several months."

The few people looked at each other and nodded.

Lin Mo's phone vibrated.

It was a message from Zhao Gang: "I heard something happened? I'm downstairs; if you need any security cooperation, just say the word."

Lin Mo looked at this message, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.

One civil, one military; one internal, one external.

Outside, there was Fang Lin watching the international competition; in the laboratory, there was a team fighting for technological breakthroughs; and by his side, there was Zhao Gang guarding the security bottom line.

This battle could be won.

He walked out of the laboratory; Zhao Gang was leaning at the corner of the corridor, holding a thermos cup.

"Want some?" Zhao Gang handed it over.

Lin Mo took it and took a sip; it was hot tea.

"Director Fang also called me." Zhao Gang said: "I will strengthen patrols this month. George and his bunch haven't left yet, so I have to guard against them causing trouble at this time."

Lin Mo nodded: "Be careful. If they know we are speeding up, they will definitely find ways to cause trouble."

Zhao Gang grinned: "Don't worry, not even a fly can fly into Kunlun Base."

Outside the window, the setting sun was going down.

On the distant snow-capped mountains, the last touch of gold was fading.

Lin Mo looked at those snow-capped mountains and suddenly remembered the words when the system was first activated: "From today on, every step you take is creating history."

He gripped the thermos cup in his hand tightly.

History is accelerating towards us.