The ringtone lasted less than two seconds before the call was connected immediately.
The deep voice coming out of the receiver sounded a little tired, but one could hear the obvious joy in it.
"Xiao Chen, why did you think of calling me? I called you several times this month, but I couldn't get through. Isn't your company run by Allen Chu's daughter? Why are you so busy too? You seem even busier than me? "
This was said very casually, fully demonstrating Chen Yan's current status in the superior's mind.
"Ahem, I'm really busy. But I can't tell you what I'm busy with just yet. It has to be kept secret until it succeeds, just like the previous materials. You never know what might go wrong. I have to finish it completely before I can talk about it."
Chen Yan said casually.
However, this casual remark had a completely different meaning when heard by the big shot on the other end of the phone.
The originally relaxed tone instantly became serious.
"Is there anything we can help you with? If so, just let us know. No matter how difficult it is, we will do everything we can to make it happen. Don't put all the pressure on your shoulders. You have the entire country behind you!"
Listening to the suddenly heated tone on the other end of the phone, Chen Yan asked doubtfully, "Did something happen recently? Why do I feel like you're not in the right mood?"
"Hahahaha, a lot of things did happen. I called you several times before, all to tell you about the progress of the matter. But I didn't get through several times, which really made me very uncomfortable. If I hadn't been able to get through to Allen Chu's daughter, and his daughter had assured me that you had always been like this and there was absolutely no problem with your personal safety, I'm afraid I would have planned to take a plane directly to Qindao to find you!
As for what happened... hehe, the information you provided played a decisive role. With that top-secret information, we easily completed global positioning. We now know exactly where the enemy battle group is. So, even a slight reveal would scare the hell out of them. I hear they're currently undergoing an internal purge.
"They think there's a traitor in their ranks, that we've incited a key figure to defect, allowing us to access so much confidential information. But in reality, we haven't incited anyone to defect. No matter how they purge, it will only make their own internal turmoil more intense, making everyone feel insecure and unable to continue their work. It won't harm us at all!"
Chen Yan was stunned for a moment, then said in astonishment, "We just revealed it a little bit? Wouldn't that mean we've already let them know we have intelligence on the battle group? Wouldn't that alert them?"
A sigh came from the other end of the line. "If we really want to start a war, it will indeed alert the enemy, but the problem is that right now, neither we nor they are willing or able to actually start a war. Proxy wars are possible, but no one dares to fight a direct, head-on war."
I think you understand the real reason: since both sides possess the ability to destroy each other, direct war is meaningless. So-called confrontation and opposition are more of a restrained competition. Conventional wars can certainly be fought, but who can guarantee that they will remain conventional once they begin?
No one wants to face defeat unless all their cards are played. Currently, both sides have nearly identical cards, and once all are played, it will be the end of the world. In this scenario, if a fight does break out, and it's not a proxy war, how can we ensure both sides remain rational and accept a draw?
Even if we believe we can maintain our own rationality, how can we trust the other side to do the same? As long as mutual suspicion exists, a draw is impossible. In the end, everyone's mindset becomes irrelevant, and instead of continuing to restrain themselves, everyone will instead strike first. So... it's best not to start a war."
Chen Yan understood what the other end of the phone meant. After thinking for a moment, he spoke, "So, leaking a lot of existing intelligence and using it for deterrence is far more valuable than keeping it hidden and waiting for a thundering strike? On the premise of avoiding actual fighting as much as possible, the strategy both sides are actually pursuing is to intimidate each other?"
"That's right. Unless one side possesses an absolutely overwhelming advantage in strength, all clashes will be nothing more than these clandestine exchanges, all with much ado about nothing. However, the tacit understanding formed by these clandestine exchanges is not without its uses. If one side weakens, it will inevitably pay a price.
Compared to rashly starting a war, which could potentially spiral out of control, gradually gaining advantage is clearly safer. We have enough patience; even if we die, those who come after us will carry on our legacy. After all, fundamental national policy will not be easily changed.
The Zuo Zhuan states: "A state's most important weapons lie in sacrifice and warfare." Sun Tzu says: "Warfare is a matter of vital importance to a state, a matter of life and death, a matter of survival and destruction; it must be carefully considered." We must possess a sufficiently formidable military force, but if we can defeat the enemy without fighting, that would obviously be even better. What do you think?"
Chen Yan smiled bitterly and said, "What can I think? I don't understand these major issues. You are the real helmsmen of the country. As long as you think it's okay, then it's definitely okay. Unless you need my help, I will never refuse and will take it on myself."
"Hahaha, okay, Xiao Chen, as long as you have this intention. A great man once said that you young people are the sun at seven or eight o'clock in the morning. The world is ours, and yours, but in the final analysis, it is yours. We work so hard so that future generations can have a better life. After we are gone, young people like you can continue to watch. If it really gets better, remember to burn some paper for us, so that we can know and feel at ease in the afterlife."
Chen Yan was speechless. "Why do you mention death every time you say that? It's unlucky. Let's get back to business. I'm calling you because I really need your help with something. I need something that's quite sensitive, and I can't possibly gather it all on my own, so I can only ask you for help."
"Oh? What is it? Go ahead. Our country may be average in the field of cutting-edge technology, but when it comes to supplies, there can't be any problems."
"Well, let me be frank. I need ten tons of plasma..." Chen Yan coughed dryly and told the truth.
“…”
The other end of the phone suddenly fell into silence.
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