232: Chapter 232 Broaden Your Perspective

After hearing Lin Yuan's rhetorical question, Shen Changhe was stunned for a full two seconds.

Then, he suddenly slapped his thigh.

"Good!"

The old man smiled until his face was flushed, his eyes squinted into slits, and he nodded repeatedly, raising his voice to its maximum.

"What a 'Ultimate Defense Network'!"

"Academician Lin, you are damn right!"

"If it can't even stop nuclear weapons, then how can it be called ultimate?!"

Shen Changhe's excited voice echoed back and forth in the empty corridor.

He pressed one hand tightly against his chest, his fingertips even sinking deep into his clothes because of the excessive force.

At this moment, his heart was beating too fast.

So fast that he felt a bit panicked and short of breath.

But this panic was not fear, but a physiological reaction after extreme excitement.

Nuclear weapons.

These two words held a very special meaning for their generation of military industrial workers.

Decades ago, when Xia State was impoverished, the predecessors gritted their teeth and shed blood, using the strength of the entire nation to grow the first mushroom cloud in the Gobi Desert.

That was the foundation of the country, the final talisman that allowed Xia State to gain a firm foothold in the sinister law of the jungle on Planet Blue and avoid being swallowed alive by the great powers.

It had protected Xia State through decades of wind and rain.

But Shen Changhe knew better than anyone that this layer of "protection" was never one-way.

Nuclear weapons were both a shield and a sword hanging over everyone's heads.

For decades, while Xia State kept a low profile and focused on development, it also had to be constantly on guard against those madmen who would clamor to flip the table at every turn.

This feeling was like someone who finally managed to build a house, plant fields, and support a family, with life getting better and better—

But there was always a guillotine hanging overhead.

You have them, others have them too.

You can hit others, and others can hit you.

For decades, the nuclear-armed powers of the world relied on this tacit agreement of mutual destruction, "if you die, I die too," to maintain an extremely fragile balance.

No one dared to make the first move.

But Shen Changhe understood that "not daring to move" and "no threat" were two completely different things!

As long as that sword was still there, the people of Xia State would always feel a cold breeze on their necks.

And now.

Lin Yuan told him that once the south heaven gate system was fully completed—

The opponent's missiles would never be able to fly out again.

Not even one would be able to fly out of their own airspace!

That Sword of Damocles that had hung over Xia State's head for decades...

Was shattered!

Shen Changhe's nose felt a bit sore.

He took a deep breath, forcing back that surge of moisture, but his clenched fists couldn't stop trembling.

"Academician Lin."

Shen Changhe's voice was hoarse, each word seemingly squeezed out from the deepest part of his chest.

"I have to hurry and tell those old fellows in the workshop this news!"

"I have to let them understand what this south heaven gate we are risking our old lives to build really means!"

He clenched his fist hard, his old knuckles making a "crackling" sound.

"The implementation progress of south heaven gate must be accelerated again!"

"Even if we have to sacrifice our old bones, we must let this system rise on the land of Xia State at the fastest speed!!"

Lin Yuan looked at the Chief Engineer before him, who was so excited his face was flushed and even his lips were slightly trembling.

A flash of sincere respect crossed his eyes, then he smiled calmly, his voice gentle yet carrying a reassuring power.

"Chief Engineer Shen, take it easy, your health is important."

"Rest assured, the foundation of south heaven gate has already been laid, the rest will follow naturally."

Shen Changhe nodded vigorously, opened his mouth as if to say something more, but then felt that a thousand words were not as practical as going back and rolling up his sleeves to work.

So, he took half a step back and gave Lin Yuan a very solemn cupped-fist salute.

Just then.

Qin Meng walked quickly to Lin Yuan's side, bowed slightly, and lowered her voice.

"Academician Lin, Elder Yang sent word that there is something important and would like you to go to his office."

Lin Yuan's eyebrows twitched slightly upon hearing this.

He probably guessed what it was about and nodded slightly.

"Understood."

Lin Yuan turned his head and looked at Shen Changhe, who was still in a state of extreme excitement.

"Chief Engineer Shen, I have some other arrangements, so I won't chat any longer."

Shen Changhe's mind was full of hurrying back to gather the old partners to start working, so he had no heart for small talk.

"Alright, Academician Lin, you go ahead with your business."

After saying that, Shen Changhe also strode quickly toward the workshop.

Lin Yuan looked at Shen Changhe's energetic back, a smile rippling in his eyes.

Then, accompanied by Qin Meng, he walked unhurriedly toward Yang Tongan's office.

...

A moment later, in Yang Tongan's simply furnished office that exuded an air of sternness.

The purple clay teapot on the coffee table was emitting wisps of white steam, and the aroma of tea rose in the room.

After Lin Yuan took his seat, Yang Tongan did not engage in any small talk and directly reached out to pick up a thick document from the desk next to him.

*Thud.*

The document was placed gently on the coffee table in front of Lin Yuan.

"Take a look at this."

Yang Tongan's voice had a characteristic raspiness, deep and powerful.

"This is the mecha pilot selection plan that was rushed out overnight."

"After all, you were the one who first mentioned this. Now that the plan is out, regardless, you, the chief designer, still need to personally check it over."

Hearing this, Lin Yuan nodded slightly and reached out to take the heavy document.

He looked down and opened the cover, his gaze falling on the densely packed content of the plan.

The office fell quiet.

The aroma of tea diffused silently between the two.

The rustling sound of pages being turned became the only melody in the room.

Yang Tongan held his teacup, his eyes half-closed, neither rushing nor asking.

But his gaze remained fixed on Lin Yuan's face, observing every subtle change in expression as the young man browsed the document.

Pages were turned one by one.

Lin Yuan read very fast, but certainly not superficially. With his system-enhanced brain, he quickly analyzed the pros and cons of the entire plan clearly.

A moment later.

Lin Yuan turned to the last page of the document.

He closed the document and placed it casually on the coffee table with a soft sound.

Yang Tongan put down his teacup and leaned forward slightly.

Lin Yuan looked up, met Yang Tongan's gaze, curled his lips into an appreciative arc, and nodded sincerely.

"The efficiency is very high."

He gave a very affirmative answer.

"To be able to produce such a detailed and thorough plan in just one night is truly amazing."

Lin Yuan's finger tapped twice gently on the cover of the document.

"The various assessment indicators in the plan are designed very professionally and rigorously."

"From basic physical limit screening to psychological stress tests under high-pressure environments, and then to three-dimensional evaluations of nerve reaction speed."

"It's clear that this plan was crafted by experts who truly understand the military and the selection of top-tier talent."

"However."

Lin Yuan's tone shifted without warning.

"Regarding this plan, I personally have a few suggestions."

Hearing this, Yang Tongan raised his hand in a "please" gesture.

"Go ahead."

Lin Yuan leaned back slightly against the sofa, his hands naturally folded.

"First, is the issue of the selection targets."

His gaze fell on the document, his tone neither fast nor slow.

"I noticed that the candidate pool currently outlined in the plan is mainly concentrated on the elite troops and special forces kings of the major military regions."

"I understand this is out of the think tank's consideration for stability."

"After all, elite troops have the best physical foundations, the highest tactical literacy, and the toughest psychological quality. They are also more likely to meet the rigorous requirements of mecha piloting and can form combat effectiveness in the shortest time."

Speaking to this point, Lin Yuan shook his head slightly.

"But, Elder Yang."

"This scope is still too limited. The vision is also a bit too small."

Lin Yuan looked directly into Elder Yang's slightly puzzled eyes and said word by word.

"My personal thought is..."

"The scope of this selection cannot be limited to a small circle of a few elites."

"It should cover all regular companies in the entire army..."

"Even those new recruits who have just enlisted and have no experience!"

Lin Yuan leaned forward slightly, the smile on his lips widening further.

"Including those who, after the news of the mecha pilot selection is announced..."

"Are about to enlist as new recruits!"