34: Chapter 34 Top Decision: Launching the "Golden Crow Project"

Beijing, Western Hills, the underground bunker of the Dragon Country Supreme Command Headquarters.

Inside the circular conference room, the atmosphere was solemn and grave, almost solidified. Seated around the oval conference table were the core members who determined the fate of this country. On the holographic projection in front of them, several documents were displayed side by side: the sanction announcements and impact assessments from Pretty Country and its allies, the "Intelligent Power Grid Optimization Scheme" and "Detailed Explanation of Plasma Confinement Cavity Technology" sent by "Patriot X", as well as the "Emergency Proposal Report on Immediately Launching the 'Golden Crow' Controllable Nuclear Fusion Demonstration Reactor Project" urgently prepared overnight by Old Chen in collaboration with dozens of top experts.

The air was filled with a complex emotion, a mixture of immense pressure and the determination to burn one's bridges.

A leader in charge of economic affairs spoke first, his voice heavy: "The surge in energy prices has already spread to downstream industries, forcing some energy-intensive enterprises to reduce production, and there is a risk of rising unemployment. The chip embargo has left our high-tech industries feeling as if they have a fishbone stuck in their throats. This time, the enemy is going for the kill."

"It is not just an economic issue," an elderly man in military uniform, with general's stars on his epaulets, said in a deep voice, "This is a strategic strangulation! Once our energy and technological lifelines are held in a stranglehold for a long time, our national defense modernization process, and even our national security, will face unprecedented threats! We must deliver the strongest possible counterattack!"

"Counterattack? With what?" another member in charge of diplomatic affairs frowned, "All of our diplomatic mediation and commercial negotiation channels have encountered great resistance; the other side is determined to isolate us. It will be difficult to break the deadlock with conventional means in the short term."

Everyone's gaze eventually focused on the old man sitting at the head of the table. He had not spoken the whole time, just listening quietly, his deep gaze sweeping over every line of text on the holographic projection, especially those descriptions of technology that transcended the era provided by "Patriot X".

After a long while, he slowly raised his head, his gaze like a blade tempered through thousands of trials, sweeping across everyone present.

"Comrades," his voice was not loud, but it carried a power capable of turning the tide, "The enemy has already placed a blade against our throats; counting on them to show mercy and put down the knife is naive. Begging for mercy is even more of a dead end."

He pointed to the "Emergency Proposal Report on the 'Golden Crow' Demonstration Reactor Project": "Our only choice now is to forge a sharper sword with our own hands and sever this noose!"

He paused, his tone becoming even more resolute: "I propose, and request a vote: approve Comrade Chen Jianguo's report and immediately launch the nation's highest priority strategic project—the 'Golden Crow Project'! We will mobilize the entire nation's strength, sparing no cost, to overcome controllable nuclear fusion technology and achieve energy independence within the shortest possible time!"

"Agreed!"

"Agreed!"

"Seconded!"

...

There was no suspense; it was passed unanimously! The immense determination and sense of urgency made all disagreements vanish into thin air.

"Good!" the old man at the head of the table slapped the table heavily, "Now, I issue the order!"

"First, the 'Golden Crow Project' is to be launched immediately, classified as a national top-secret project on the same level as the 'Chasing Light Project', directly led by the Supreme Command Headquarters, with Comrade Chen Jianguo appointed as Chief Engineer, possessing the highest resource dispatch authority across departments and regions!"

"Second, national strategic reserve resources are to be unconditionally tilted towards the 'Golden Crow Project'! If they need money, give them money; if they need people, give them people; if they need supplies, give them supplies! All participating units must go all out, and there shall be no shirk or delay!"

"Third, Comrade Long Zhantian!"

"Present!" Long Zhantian stood up like a javelin.

"I authorize you: the 'Golden Crow Project' and all associated personnel and facilities are to enjoy the highest level of security. When necessary, you may mobilize all necessary forces within the country to eliminate any potential threats! Ensure the absolute safety of the project, with zero room for error!"

"Guarantee to complete the mission!" Long Zhantian's voice was sonorous, carrying the flavor of an iron-blooded oath.

"Fourth, information control. The existence of the 'Golden Crow Project' is to be strictly limited to the minimum necessary scope. Externally, continue to display a posture of bearing pressure to confuse the opponent."

Instruction after instruction was issued as swiftly as combat orders. The entire Dragon Country's top fusion physicists, plasma experts, materials scientists, vacuum technology experts, and superconductivity experts... after receiving the secret orders, converged in various covert ways from all over the country to a newly designated, top-secret base in the northwest, codenamed "Xihe Base".

Massive equipment and scarce materials were continuously transported to the base via special trains disguised as ordinary supplies. The industrial elite of the entire country began to operate frantically, centered around that blueprint from "Patriot X" which depicted an "Artificial Sun".

At the groundbreaking ceremony of "Xihe Base" (attended only by a few core personnel), Old Chen looked at the desolate yet hopeful land before him, and into the microphone, he said only one short sentence:

"Today, we are here, not to catch up with anyone. What we are going to ignite is a sun that belongs to Dragon Country itself!"

Meanwhile, far away in the city, Lin Mo seemed to sense something; he looked at the system interface, and the progress bar for [Task Two] jumped forward a small notch.

The wheels of history, under the pressure of the energy noose, roared and turned onto a bright new path. A "Sun Creation" project, a race against time and concerning the fate of the nation, thus began.