213: Chapter 213 Showing Off Global Power, Media Storm

At 2 PM, Xinghuo held a media briefing.

The press hall, which could hold five hundred people, was packed with reporters, and people were even standing in the hallways.

Xinghuo spokesperson Zhou Xiaowei (the one from the previous Red Flag live stream) stood on stage with a graceful smile.

"Friends from the media, thank you for your attention. Regarding the specific details of the seven-day launch event, we will announce them on the day. Today is mainly to answer some common questions."

A reporter asked: "Why choose this point in time? Is it to respond to America's sanctions?"

Zhou Xiaowei smiled: "We are simply releasing products according to our own technological rhythm. Xinghuo has a technology launch event every year; this year is just on a larger scale. Of course, if certain countries feel pressure because of this... it might be because they lack confidence in their own technical strength."

Laughter broke out in the audience.

Another reporter asked: "With so many products being released in seven days, is the team prepared? Will any products be delayed?"

"We are fully prepared," Zhou Xiaowei said confidently. "All products have undergone rigorous testing and meet mass production standards. You will see this on the day of the launch."

"What about the price? Will it be very expensive?"

"Xinghuo has always adhered to the philosophy of 'Inclusive Technology,'" Zhou Xiaowei said. "The prices will be very competitive. For specific figures, please stay tuned on the day of the launch."

The briefing lasted for an hour.

After it ended, internet memes began to go viral.

The most popular one: a picture of Su Chen's back standing under the starry sky, captioned: "I just love how you can't stand me, yet you can't get rid of me."

It received over a million shares.

The followers of Xinghuo's social media accounts surged by 5 million in a single day.

Shenzhen, Xinghuo Electronics R&D Center.

Zhang Yang hadn't closed his eyes for 48 hours.

He stared at the HX2 prototype on the test bench, his eyes bloodshot.

"Test the temperature again," his voice was hoarse. "The 14nm chip running at full load must have its temperature controlled below 45 degrees."

Engineer Xiao Wang operated the instrument: "Director Zhang, it's currently 43.8 degrees. It's within the standard."

"What about the camera? How is the noise control in AI Night Mode?"

"It's 40% lower than the previous generation."

"Good." Zhang Yang rubbed his temples. "But it's not enough. What I want is to crush the competition, not just lead them."

He walked to the whiteboard and wrote down the final points to be optimized:

Fast charging: Increase from 65W to 80W (full charge in 15 minutes)

Video stabilization: Add a "Super Steady" mode so that even filming while running is as stable as a mountain

Privacy protection: Add hardware-level privacy mode, unhackable even when powered off

"These must be completed within 72 hours," Zhang Yang said. "If we can't do it, everyone's bonus for this month will be zeroed out."

No one complained.

Because they knew they couldn't afford to lose this launch event.

Changchun, Hongqi Automobile Design Center.

The H7 high-end sedan sat under the lights like a work of art.

The body lines were smooth, and the paint finish was as deep as obsidian. The interior used Italy top-grain calfskin with hand-stitching, every stitch precise to the millimeter.

Chief Designer Old Yang, 60 years old, had spent his whole life in car design. He walked around the car three times and finally stopped at the front.

"This grille..." He frowned. "It's still too conservative. We want dominance; we want Mercedes-Benz S-Class owners to want to switch cars the moment they see it."

"But Director Yang, if we change it again, the molds will have to be remade, and there's no time left."

"Then work overtime," Old Yang said. "Red Flag has waited sixty years for this chance to break into the high-end market. It cannot be ruined on my watch."

He picked up the walkie-talkie: "Mold workshop, prepare for mold modification. Design department, give me three new proposals; meeting in one hour."

Huizhou, Xinghuo Chip production line.

Li Wanqing, wearing a cleanroom suit, stood in front of the testing machine.

The test data for "Flint 3" was displayed in real-time:

Yield rate: 95.3%.

Performance: 45% higher than flint no. 2.

Power consumption: 32% lower.

"It's ready," Li Wanqing said. "Start mass production. For the May 5th launch event, we need to prepare ten thousand display chips."

"Director Li, ten thousand... production capacity is a bit tight."

"Then work three shifts," Li Wanqing said unequivocally. "This is a political task; there can be no compromise."

She walked out of the workshop and called Su Chen: "President Su, the chips are ready. The yield rate is 95%, and performance meets the standard."

On the other end of the phone, Su Chen said only one word: "Good."

Afternoon of April 29th, Beijing.

In a meeting room of a certain bureau of the Ministry of State Security, the atmosphere was serious.

Director Wang Zhigang, 58 years old, a veteran of state security in charge of technological security. He looked at the security plan for the Xinghuo launch event on the large screen, his brow furrowed.

"These seven launch events by Xinghuo are a concentrated display of our country's technological strength," Wang Zhigang began. "The American side will definitely cause trouble. CIA, FBI, and NSA will all take action."

He pulled up the intelligence:

"We have already intercepted 3,700 cyberattacks targeting the launch event in the past three days. 12 physical infiltration attempts. 3 cases of bribing staff were discovered by us in advance."

"Therefore, security must be upgraded to the highest level."

Specific measures:

Within three kilometers of the exhibition center: Plainclothes police will patrol 24 hours a day, signal jamming vehicles will be on standby, and anti-drone systems will be active around the clock.

Network defense: The Cyber Security Department of the Xingchen Academy of Sciences will activate the "Great Wall 3.0" system, forming a joint defense with the Ministry of State Security and the military's cyber warfare units.

Protection of key figures: The security level for Su Chen and all speakers will be raised to 'Level 1'. Travel routes will be encrypted, and residences will be inspected.

Product safety: All display products will enter the venue 24 hours in advance, transported under armed escort throughout, and stored in explosion-proof warehouses.

"And this." Wang Zhigang pulled up a document. "We have intercepted the CIA's sabotage plan."

The document showed:

Plan A: Hack the launch event's live broadcast system and insert false information (e.g., announcing product failure, stock price crash).

Plan B: Bribe staff to create malfunctions during key demonstration segments (e.g., phone crashing, car failing to start).

Plan C (Backup): Create a "safety incident" at the exhibition center (e.g., fire alarm) to force the launch event to be interrupted.

"They are very professional," Wang Zhigang said. "But we are more professional. We will beat them at their own game and set a trap."

He assigned tasks:

Group 1: Reverse-track the hackers, lock onto the CIA's cyberattack source, and counterattack on the day of the launch.

Group 2: Disguise as 'bribed' staff and pass false information to the CIA to lure the snake out of its hole.

Group 3: Deploy surveillance at the exhibition center; once suspicious personnel are found, control them immediately.

"Remember," Wang Zhigang said finally, "nothing can go wrong with this launch event. This is the nation's face."

At the same time, Shanghai.

Beneath the America Consulate, the CIA Far East Intelligence Station.

Station Chief Robert Chen, 50 years old, a second-generation Chinese-American, fluent in Chinese as if it were his mother tongue. He looked at the schedule for the Morning Star joint launch event on the screen, his face grim.

"Seven launch events..." he murmured. "From consumer electronics to mega-projects... they want to showcase full industry chain capabilities."

A subordinate agent reported: "Station Chief, our Plan A is being blocked. Xinghuo's network defense is very strong; we can't crack the 'Great Wall 3.0' system."

"What about Plan B?"

"We bribed three staff members, but the intelligence they sent... seems problematic. For example, they said the HX2 phone's chip has overheating issues, but our technical analysis shows that Xinghuo's 14nm chip's heat dissipation design is very advanced."

Robert frowned: "They might be double agents. Stop contact and erase all traces."

"And Plan C?"

"The backup plan is only to be used as a last resort," Robert said. "Creating a 'safety incident' in China is too risky. Once exposed, it will trigger a diplomatic crisis."

He stood up and walked to the window.

Outside the window was the night view of Shanghai, as prosperous as New York.

"Do you know what the most terrifying opponent is in the world of intelligence?" Robert asked softly.

The subordinate shook his head.

"The most terrifying opponent is not a powerful enemy, but an enemy you simply cannot understand," Robert said. "Morning Star is the latter. Their technical route, business logic, strategic intent... are all different from what we know."

"Three years ago, they were a company on the verge of bankruptcy. Three years later, they are challenging Apple, Intel, and SpaceX. This kind of growth speed violates all business laws."

He turned around: "So, what we need to do is not sabotage the launch event—that's too low-level. What we need to do is understand them and find their weaknesses."

"Weaknesses?"

"No matter how powerful a system is, there are always loopholes," Robert said. "Continue to gather intelligence, especially regarding their supply chain, talent structure, and capital flow. I want to know how Morning Star got so fast."