233: Chapter 233 is good!

Hearing this, Yang Tongan's half-closed old eyes suddenly opened a bit wider.

He didn't rush to state his position, but instead looked deeply at Lin Yuan.

"Covering all conventional companies in the entire army?"

"Even including those new recruits who haven't even enlisted yet?"

Yang Tongan leaned forward slightly, the look of inquiry in his eyes growing stronger.

"Lin Yuan."

He called out the name word by word, his voice pressed very low.

"You mean..."

Hearing this, the corners of Lin Yuan's lips curled into a slight arc, and his gaze met Yang Tongan's scrutinizing eyes.

"Elder Yang, there are two main reasons why I want to expand the selection scope."

He held up one finger.

"First, to give those people The Other Side of the Ocean something to do."

Yang Tongan's eyebrows twitched slightly.

"Just imagine."

"When we carry out a massive, nationwide 'Large Mecha Pilot Selection' with great fanfare throughout the entire army and even among new recruits facing the whole of society..."

"What will the intelligence officials and decision-makers The Other Side of the Ocean think when they see this kind of movement?"

Hearing this, Elder Yang's pupils contracted slightly.

Lin Yuan didn't need to spell it out; he could easily deduce the reaction from the other side.

What else could they think?

They'd go crazy!

The intelligence system The Other Side of the Ocean would instinctively believe that since the Xia State was recruiting pilots on such a large scale from the entire army and even new recruits, it must mean that large mechas already possessed a terrifying mass-production capability!

Otherwise, how could the Xia State be preparing to form an entire integrated mecha army corps!?

The bigger the commotion made here and the more fanatical the public's enthusiasm for participation, the higher the blood pressure of those people on the other side would soar, and the deeper they would sink into the quagmire of strategic miscalculation.

"A psychological masterstroke."

Elder Yang stared at Lin Yuan and spat out those words.

Lin Yuan smiled noncommittally.

"That is only the first reason."

He sat up straight, his gaze becoming deep and serious.

"The second reason, which is also the most core reason."

"Large mechas are the ultimate romance etched into the bones of countless ordinary people; they are a pure sci-fi dream."

His tone slowed down slightly, and his expression took on a layer of seriousness.

"Since we have the ability to build it and turn it from fantasy into reality, we must never let it become merely a cold weapon that the common people can only look at from afar in the news."

"The great power of technology needs the resonance of the people."

Lin Yuan recalled the hundreds of millions of likes and countless fanatical comments he had seen on social media platforms that morning.

"We must give everyone a sense of participation that is visible and tangible."

"Let the lowest-level soldiers feel that they also have this opportunity. Let those young people who are too excited to sleep in front of their screens feel that as long as I join the army and work hard enough, I might be able to sit in the cockpit of that mecha."

"Once this expectation is ignited, it won't just be a selection process anymore."

"But a... Dream-making Project belonging to all citizens."

"That is something more important than the mecha itself."

The office was quiet for two seconds.

Yang Tongan's fingers tapped unconsciously on the armrest twice; he didn't speak, but the admiration in his brows was already unconcealed.

"Also, since the scope has been expanded to new recruits, and even to those hot-blooded youths who only decided to sign up for the army after seeing the news..."

Lin Yuan changed the subject, following the logic downward.

"Then for the sake of fairness, we naturally can't let them go straight to the testing ground without even having undergone systematic training."

"These green recruits need time to grow and time to adapt."

"Therefore, my second suggestion is to push the selection timeline further back."

Yang Tongan nodded slightly.

He thought for a moment, leaned forward, and asked with a bit of curiosity.

"In your opinion, how long of a preparation period would be appropriate?"

Lin Yuan gave a light laugh.

"At least half a year."

"There's no rush!"

"No rush?"

Yang Tongan's eyebrows shot up, and his gaze lingered on Lin Yuan's face for two seconds.

He didn't urge him, but just waited quietly for the rest.

Lin Yuan looked directly into Yang Tongan's eyes, his expression calm to the extreme.

"Elder Yang, the core system of the south heaven gate project has already been fully deployed. The manufacturing of Xuannü and White Emperor has both started, and the space-based satellite network is also being pushed forward in parallel."

"At the current speed, it won't be long before the south heaven gate is completely established."

"Plus, the strategic deterrence of the eight hundred Chengying Mechas is currently at its peak."

"Under these circumstances, those The Other Side of the Ocean don't dare to act, nor do they have the ability to act."

He paused for a moment and shrugged slightly.

"As for large mechas, although their combat power is formidable, in front of the south heaven gate system..."

"To put it bluntly."

"At most, they can only be considered a little extra icing on the cake."

Yang Tongan's fingers stopped tapping.

Icing on the cake.

A little extra.

These words coming from Lin Yuan's mouth were light, as if he were evaluating an optional cold dish on a New Year's Eve dinner table.

But Yang Tongan could taste the confidence behind these words; it was a true, crushing level of strategic self-confidence.

"So instead of rushing the schedule, it's better to give the common people a bit more time to chase their dreams."

After Lin Yuan finished speaking, he picked up his teacup and took a leisurely sip.

Yang Tongan savored these words carefully and remained silent for a moment.

Then, he looked at Lin Yuan, a sharp light that saw through everything surfacing in his eyes, and he laughed.

"You brat."

His voice was raspy, but his tone carried full playfulness.

"You're trying to make the entire army, from top to bottom, completely 'roll' for a single mecha pilot slot."

Nominally, it's giving half a year for new recruits to fulfill their dreams.

But in reality?

From the moment the news is announced, the entire army, every company, every grassroots squad and platoon—all eligible soldiers will train like crazy, improve their physical fitness, and refresh their various indicators.

Because the mecha pilot slots are right there.

Who wouldn't want to sit inside that dozens-of-meters-tall steel giant?

Who wouldn't want to become the most watched existence in the whole country, or even the whole world?

The half-year preparation period is a buffer for new recruits on the surface, but in essence, it's a potent shot of adrenaline for the entire army.

No administrative orders are needed, no mandatory assessments are required.

The title of 'Mecha Pilot' alone is enough to make millions of people spontaneously and frantically push their limits.

This isn't just some selection plan.

This is a grand military training for the entire army on the level of an Open Scheme!

Hearing this, Lin Yuan also smiled knowingly.

He didn't deny it, nor did he admit it.

He just held his teacup and exchanged a tacit look with Yang Tongan amidst the curling aroma of tea.

The laughter gradually subsided.

Yang Tongan took a sip of tea to moisten his throat and looked at Lin Yuan again.

"Besides these two points, is there anything else to add regarding the proposal?"

Lin Yuan shook his head, his expression steady.

"Leave professional matters to professional people; I'm only suggesting these two major directions."

"As for the specific timeline arrangement, including details like whether to set up separate assessments for new and veteran soldiers, just leave it to the think tank to research and refine."

Yang Tongan took a deep look at Lin Yuan.

Grasping the big picture while letting go of the small details, handling heavy matters with ease.

The vision and courage shown by this young man in his twenties at the strategic level had already surpassed the vast majority of people he had ever seen.

Yang Tongan slowly put down his teacup.

He straightened his back on the sofa, looked at Lin Yuan, and spat out a single word with powerful resonance.

"Good!"