Recaps

Lin Chenran’s 077 Machinery Military Factory signed a $500 million thermobaric bomb and technology deal with Sha Country, drawing envy from Flame Nation’s military. He then attended Chengfei Military Industry Company to witness the J-10 Fighter Jet’s preparations for its maiden flight.

• Abdul praised the small thermobaric bomb, and Lin Chenran invited him to return in a month to witness the heavy bomb’s test.
• Lin Chenran and Abdul signed a thermobaric bomb procurement and technology transfer agreement worth more than $500 million.
• Flame Nation’s military approved the technology export after learning 077 Machinery Military Factory had a more powerful thermobaric warhead, then envied the factory’s profitable deal.
• Song Wen invited Lin Chenran to Chengfei Military Industry Company for the J-10 Fighter Jet’s maiden flight, thanking him for supplying its engine and components.
• Lin Chenran met Song Wen and Old Wei, and the group entered the hangar to see the J-10 Fighter Jet.

Song Wen introduced the J-10 Fighter Jet to Flame Nation military officials before preparing it for its maiden test flight. Old Wei authorized the flight and promised an initial order of fifty aircraft if its performance proved exceptional, and the chapter ended as the jet began its maiden flight.

• Song Wen showed the J-10 Fighter Jet to the gathered officials and explained its specifications and capabilities.
• Old Wei expressed concern about the risks of the maiden flight, while Song Wen assured him that preparations were complete.
• Lin Chenran voiced confidence in the aircraft, noting that it used an AL-31FN turbofan engine and other components supplied by the 077 Machinery Military Factory.
• Old Wei ordered Song Wen to begin the test flight, and Song Wen instructed the Chengfei staff to make the final preparations.
• Old Wei said the military would order fifty aircraft in the first batch if the J-10 performed exceptionally.
• The J-10 Fighter Jet began its maiden flight.

The J-10 Fighter Jet completed its maiden flight, drawing congratulations from Lin Chenran and excitement from the Flame Nation Air Force officers. After the test, Old Wei asked Lin Chenran whether 077 Machinery Military Factory planned to develop a Third-Generation Fighter Jet, and Lin Chenran began to answer.

• Song Wen and Lin Chenran praised the J-10 Fighter Jet and acknowledged 077 Machinery Military Factory’s role in its development.
• The J-10 Fighter Jet accelerated down the runway, took off, and flew successfully while the observers cheered.
• Lin Chenran congratulated Song Wen, whose team’s years of work had brought the aircraft to its first test flight.
• The J-10 completed its initial flight without high-intensity tests, and Lin Chenran later left Chengfei Military Industry Company with the military convoy.
• Old Wei asked Lin Chenran about the J-10 and whether 077 Machinery Military Factory planned to develop a Third-Generation Fighter Jet; Lin Chenran said they did, but left his answer unfinished.

Lin Chenran and Old Wei discussed 077 Machinery Military Factory’s third-generation fighter plans and the approved Arctic Shipping Lane proposal. Lin Chenran agreed to travel to the Bear Country, but urged the Navy to wait before pursuing the Varyag Aircraft Carrier and outlined a plan to acquire it later.

• Lin Chenran explained that 077 Machinery Military Factory was weighing a new third-generation fighter against upgrading the Dragon Shadow Fighter Jet, while Iron Brother Country’s stake in the project restricted modifications.
• Old Wei told Lin Chenran that the higher-ups had approved the Arctic Shipping Lane proposal and asked when he would travel to the Bear Country to negotiate.
• Old Wei said official personnel would accompany Lin Chenran and asked him to explore acquiring the Varyag Aircraft Carrier for Flame Nation’s Navy.
• Lin Chenran argued that the Navy lacked escort ships and should not try to obtain the Varyag yet, since the Bear Country had not weakened enough.
• Lin Chenran proposed first requesting a decommissioned aircraft carrier for a restaurant or patriotic park, then using that approach to obtain the Varyag at a lower price when the time was right.

Lin Chenran persuaded Old Wei and Elder Zhang that the Flame Nation Navy should modernize its escort ships before building aircraft carriers. After the J-10’s maiden flight stirred international concern, the Flame Nation leadership approved Lin Chenran’s trip to the Bear Country and made him leader of a temporary negotiation team.

• Lin Chenran warned Old Wei that an aircraft carrier without escort ships and supply vessels would be a vulnerable target, and Old Wei agreed to convey the advice to the Navy leadership.
• Lin Chenran arranged matters with Song Xiyun and told Kovalevitch he planned to travel north to the Bear Country for important talks, prompting Kovalevitch to anticipate expanded trade.
• After the J-10’s successful maiden flight became known, foreign governments reacted with concern, and intelligence agents began trying to gather information on Flame Nation’s fighters.
• Elder Zhang called Lin Chenran, reassured him that he agreed with his naval advice, and told him the leadership had approved his trip and appointed him head of a temporary negotiation team.
• Elder Zhang instructed Lin Chenran to go to the Imperial Capital, meet the team, and travel with them to the Bear Country.

Lin Chenran learned that the navy had arranged an early opportunity for 704 Shipyard to bid on frigates and cruisers, and entrusted 077 Machinery Military Factory with developing a third-generation carrier-based fighter. After assigning Song Xiyun to oversee the factory during his upcoming trip to the Bear Nation, Lin Chenran told him about the navy’s aircraft request.

• Elder Zhang told Lin Chenran that the navy would hold a frigate and cruiser bidding conference in about a month and a half, giving 704 Shipyard advance notice.
• Elder Zhang asked 077 Machinery Military Factory to design and develop a third-generation carrier-based fighter for the navy, and Lin Chenran confidently accepted.
• Lin Chenran said he would travel to the Imperial Capital before joining the delegation heading to the Bear Nation to negotiate the Arctic Shipping Lane.
• Lin Chenran asked Song Xiyun to oversee 077 Machinery Military Factory while he was away, then told him about the carrier-based aircraft assignment.
• Song Xiyun reacted with surprise when Lin Chenran revealed the navy’s request.

Lin Chenran learned that the Navy had assigned the 077 Machinery Military Factory to develop its third-generation carrier-based aircraft, then traveled to the Imperial Capital to lead a delegation preparing to negotiate with Bear Nation over the Arctic Shipping Lane. The chapter ended with Situ Hua telling Lin Chenran that he would preside over the negotiations while Situ Hua supported him.

• Lin Chenran gave Song Xiyun and the fighter jet design team authority to decide whether to modify the Dragon Shadow Fighter Jet or develop a new carrier-based fighter.
• Lin Chenran arrived in the Imperial Capital and met Situ Hua, the deputy head of the negotiation delegation.
• Lin Chenran and Situ Hua discussed preparing skilled drinkers for negotiations with Bear Nation, and Lin Chenran promised the delegation a generous bonus if they succeeded.
• Lin Chenran urged the delegation to use its drinking capacity at banquets to gain an advantage in the Arctic Shipping Lane negotiations.
• Situ Hua told Lin Chenran that he would lead the negotiations while Situ Hua offered support and advice.

Lin Chenran led the temporary negotiation team to Vladivostok to negotiate the Arctic Shipping Lane, while Situ Hua learned that 077 Machinery Military Factory had extensive connections in Bear Country. The chapter ended with someone reacting to news that Lin Chenran had arrived in Vladivostok.

• Situ Hua taught Lin Chenran key negotiation principles, and they studied the negotiation materials together.
• Lin Chenran led the team across the border into Bear Country, where 077 Machinery Military Factory had arranged vehicles for them.
• Lin Chenran brought the team to the factory’s stronghold in Vladivostok and arranged for everyone to rest.
• Lin Chenran told Situ Hua he could invite Kovalevitch, deputy commander of the Far East Fleet, for a drink, surprising Situ Hua.
• Lin Chenran explained the factory’s connections among Bear Country’s upper ranks and planned to share some Arctic Shipping Lane benefits with them.
• Someone asked whether Lin Chenran had already arrived in Vladivostok.

Lin Chenran met Kovalevitch in Mao Xiong Country and asked to buy the country’s scrapped aircraft carriers for an aircraft carrier theme park. Kovalevitch agreed to consider the request as a favor between friends, and Lin revealed the real purpose of his visit, leaving Kovalevitch stunned.

• Kovalevitch learned that Lin Chenran had arrived in Vladivostok and informed Leo Gago.
• Lin Chenran and Situ Hua rested after discussing matters, while Lin delayed approaching Kovalevitch.
• Kovalevitch invited Lin Chenran to the Red Romance Tavern, where they reunited over vodka.
• Kovalevitch brought Lin Chenran and Situ Hua to his secluded residence and pressed Lin to explain his visit.
• Lin Chenran asked Kovalevitch for Mao Xiong Country’s scrapped aircraft carriers to build a theme park, and Kovalevitch agreed to relax the conditions because they were friends.
• Lin Chenran stated the purpose of his trip, leaving Kovalevitch incredulous.

Lin Chenran pitched Kovalevitch a plan to open the Arctic Shipping Lane, promising profits for both countries and the Far East Fleet while withholding key details. Kovalevitch reported the proposal to Commander Leo Gago, who had yet to respond.

• Lin Chenran told Kovalevitch that the Arctic Shipping Lane could bring wealth and influence to Flame Nation, Mao Xiong Country, and the Far East Fleet.
• Lin Chenran proposed that his side provide some large icebreakers, the Far East Fleet supply others, and the Flame Nation government attract ships, with profits shared among them.
• Lin Chenran withheld the full plan and left, saying he would stay in Mao Xiong Country for about two weeks.
• Kovalevitch called Commander Leo Gago and then traveled to the Far East Fleet to report his discussion with Lin Chenran.
• Kovalevitch told Leo Gago everything he had discussed with Lin Chenran, and Leo Gago reacted with surprise.

Leo Gago reported Lin Chenran’s proposal for year-round Arctic Shipping Lane cooperation to Monkey Bear’s capital, where senior leaders quickly convened to consider it. Lin and Situ Hua waited for Kovalevitch’s response as the proposal advanced to high-level discussion.

• Kovalevitch told Leo Gago about Lin Chenran’s plan to develop an Arctic Shipping Lane that would remain navigable all year, and Leo saw potential profits and strategic advantages.
• Leo assigned Kovalevitch to discuss the cooperation and its benefits with Lin Chenran while he reported the proposal to the capital.
• Lin Chenran returned to the 077 Machinery Military Factory’s base and told Situ Hua that Kovalevitch’s greed would make him receptive to the project.
• Leo sent his report to Monkey Bear’s capital, where senior leaders held an emergency meeting to discuss cooperation with Flame Nation on the Arctic Shipping Lane.

The Soviet Union's top leadership approved jointly developing the Arctic Shipping Lane with Flame Nation, seeking to ease tensions and obtain light industrial goods. Leo Gago and Kovalevitch began discussing how the Far East Fleet could profit from the project, while Eagle Country grew concerned about the closer ties.

• The Soviet Union's leaders agreed to develop the Arctic Shipping Lane with Flame Nation and sent word to Leo Gago to keep the delegation steady.
• Leo Gago learned that the Far East Fleet would help carry out the project and called Kovalevitch to his office.
• Kovalevitch met with Leo Gago, who confirmed that the project had been approved and the Far East Fleet would be an executor.
• Leo Gago and Kovalevitch discussed how to secure greater benefits from the Arctic Shipping Lane project.
• Officials in Washington wondered whether Flame Nation and the Soviet Union were plotting something big.

Eagle Country and other nations learned that Flame Nation had secretly sent a delegation to negotiate with Bear, prompting intelligence operatives to mobilize. Lin Chenran prepared his team for the talks, and the chapter left them arriving at a heavily guarded manor as foreign spies tried to identify the participants.

• Eagle Country mobilized elite intelligence operatives after learning Flame Nation’s relations with Bear had improved.
• Lin Chenran received orders to reach an agreement quickly as intelligence operatives from multiple countries began mobilizing.
• Amis learned that Lin Chenran would lead Flame Nation’s delegation and asked Kovalevitch to join Bear’s negotiations.
• Kovalevitch invited Lin Chenran and the Flame Nation delegation to a banquet, and Lin Chenran agreed to attend.
• Lin Chenran and Situ Hua held a humorous mobilization meeting to prepare their delegation for Bear’s banquet and negotiations.
• Lin Chenran arrived with the delegation at the manor, where foreign intelligence operatives recognized Situ Hua and reported his presence.

Lin Chenran and the Flame Nation delegation attended a lavish banquet before negotiations with the Bear Nation, where both sides tried to drink the other into submission. The banquet continued with Lin Chenran and Lin Chao still standing as more Bear Nation officials fell drunk.

• Intelligence chiefs from various countries reported Situ Hua's arrival and suspected that the Flame Nation and Bear Nation were pursuing important cooperation.
• Kovalevitch welcomed Lin Chenran's delegation to the manor, where the visitors were surprised by its extravagant decor.
• Kovalevitch and Amis delayed negotiations until the next day and tried to get Lin Chenran and his delegation drunk at a banquet.
• Lin Chenran drank with Kovalevitch and Amis while the delegation members competed in drinking contests with Bear Nation officials.
• After two hours, Lin Chenran and Lin Chao kept accepting toasts, and another ten Bear Nation personnel passed out, stunning Kovalevitch and Amis.

Lin Chenran and Lin Chao outdrank the Bear Nation delegation, then Lin Chenran discussed the Arctic Shipping Lane negotiations with Kovalevitch and learned that Amis could be swayed by personal interests. The next morning, Lin Chenran, Lin Chao, and Situ Hua met for breakfast, ready for the negotiations ahead.

• Lin Chenran and Lin Chao accepted the Bear Nation delegation’s drinking challenges and eventually left only Kovalevitch standing.
• Lin Chenran asked Kovalevitch about Amis, and Kovalevitch explained that Amis pursued profit but retained a little principle.
• Lin Chenran and Kovalevitch agreed that the drinking contest would help their side seek greater benefits in the next day’s negotiations.
• Kovalevitch called Leo Gago and reported that everything was normal.
• The next morning, Lin Chenran joined Lin Chao and Situ Hua for breakfast, where Situ Hua praised the two men for outdrinking the Bear Nation delegation.

After three days of negotiations, Flame Nation and Bear Country finalized a deal to jointly develop the Arctic Shipping Lane, while intelligence agents from other countries failed to discover what the talks were about. At the press conference, Situ Hua announced the project and outlined its planned operation, showing the world the scale of the cooperation.

• Amis and the Bear Country team arrived for lunch ashamed after Lin Chenran, Situ Hua, and Lin Chao had outlasted them at the dinner table.
• Amis's team remained at a disadvantage during the afternoon negotiations, while Kovalevitch helped keep the discussions civil.
• After three days, Lin Chenran, Amis, and Kovalevitch signed an agreement to jointly develop the Arctic Shipping Lane and agreed to announce it publicly.
• Intelligence agents from various countries learned about the upcoming press conference but still did not know what Flame Nation and Bear Country had agreed on.
• Situ Hua and Amis attended the press conference in Vladivostok, where Situ Hua announced the year-round Arctic Shipping Lane project and explained how it would operate.

After Flame Nation and the Bear announced their joint development of the Arctic Shipping Lane, countries weighed the consequences and intelligence agents scrambled to learn whether the deal included further agreements. Lin Chenran returned to the Imperial Capital, where the top leaders praised his role and discussed the project’s benefits and growing international interest.

• Flame Nation and the Bear announced their joint Arctic Shipping Lane project, prompting other countries to assess the threat to their interests.
• Intelligence agencies ordered their agents to investigate whether Flame Nation and the Bear had made additional agreements.
• Lin Chenran returned to Flame Nation and was ordered to go to the Imperial Capital before traveling home to Linjiang Province.
• Old Master Lin and several national leaders summoned Lin Chenran to the study, where the top leader praised his contribution to the project.
• The top leader said neighboring countries had already asked about cooperation, while Flame Nation and the Bear had begun discussing reduced troop deployments along their border.

Lin Chenran discussed rising tensions with Eagle Country and the need for Flame Nation to strengthen its own military capabilities. He reported that the Yun-10 Large Aircraft was ready for production, while the Yun-10 Airborne Early Warning Aircraft remained in development.

• Lin Chenran modestly credited the Arctic Shipping Lane project’s success to his superiors and colleagues, then joked that accusations of slyness were defamation.
• Flame Nation officials warned that Eagle Country was tightening controls on key technologies as Flame Nation drew closer to the Bear, and Lin Chenran argued that the country should not back down.
• Lin Chenran urged Flame Nation to build its military strength and demonstrate it to deter hostile nations.
• Lin Chenran told Lin Hu and other officials that the Yun-10 Large Aircraft had completed testing and was ready to roll off the production line.
• Lin Chenran said the Yun-10 Airborne Early Warning Aircraft was still under development and could bring good news within three months.

Lin Chenran promised Flame Nation’s military progress on the Yun-10 Airborne Early Warning Aircraft and offered Thermobaric Bombs at factory price. After returning to Linjiang Province, he reviewed the 077 Machinery Military Factory’s projects and prepared to oversee the 704 Shipyard’s bids for new naval ships.

• Lin Chenran told Lin Hu that the Yun-10 Airborne Early Warning Aircraft project was progressing steadily and would show results in three months.
• Lin Chenran explained that Thermobaric Bombs were less effective against underground targets, then offered to sell them to Flame Nation’s military at factory price.
• Lin Chenran returned to Linjiang Province, thanked the 077 Machinery Military Factory’s senior management for their work, and heard reports on the factory’s projects.
• Lin Chenran spent three days sorting out the factory’s affairs before deciding to oversee the 704 Shipyard’s bids to design new cruisers and frigates.
• Lin Chenran told Song Xiyun that Flame Nation’s Navy planned to use newly acquired funds to build cruisers and frigates instead of an aircraft carrier.

Lin Chenran visited 704 Shipyard, where its leaders celebrated the Arctic Shipping Lane’s success and discussed the shipyard’s future and warship projects. He asked to review the cruiser and frigate designs, and Pan Xueming introduced Sun Yong as the frigate’s chief designer.

• Lin Chenran traveled from the 077 Machinery Military Factory to 704 Shipyard and received a warm welcome from Pan Xueming and the senior leadership.
• At a meeting, executives credited Lin Chenran with securing orders through the Arctic Shipping Lane, and he urged 704 Shipyard to aim to become a world-class shipyard.
• Lin Chenran asked whether the cruiser and frigate development plans were ready, and Pan Xueming said the shipyard had prepared them in advance.
• Lin Chenran asked to see both designs, and Pan Xueming introduced Sun Yong as the frigate’s chief designer.

Sun Yong presented the White Shark Frigate design to Lin Chenran and the 704 Shipyard executives, who reviewed its strengths and shortcomings. Pan Xueming then began introducing the Four Emperors Cruiser and its specifications and capabilities.

• Lin Chenran reassured Sun Yong before Sun presented the White Shark Frigate and its basic specifications.
• Lin Chenran praised Sun Yong's proposal, pointed out design shortcomings, and asked the 704 Shipyard executives and Sun to record them for later discussion.
• The executives documented the White Shark Frigate's issues as the meeting shifted to Pan Xueming's presentation.
• Pan Xueming introduced the Four Emperors Cruiser's size, performance, weapons, and defensive capabilities.

Pan Xueming presented the Four Emperors Cruiser design, and Lin Chenran praised it before identifying improvements for the team to make. Three days later, Lin Chenran brought Pan Xueming, Sun Yong, and the design team to the Flame Nation Navy’s cruiser and frigate bidding conference.

• Pan Xueming presented the Four Emperors Cruiser proposal, earning applause from Lin Chenran and 704 Shipyard’s executives.
• Lin Chenran pointed out design shortcomings, and Pan Xueming and his team recorded the suggested improvements.
• Lin Chenran praised 704 Shipyard’s progress and promised the executives higher year-end bonuses if they kept working hard.
• Three days later, Lin Chenran, Pan Xueming, Sun Yong, and the design team arrived at the Navy bidding conference, where they drew considerable attention.

Lin Chenran and the 704 Shipyard team attended the Flame Nation Navy’s cruiser and frigate bidding conference, where shipyards presented their designs in private. After reassuring Sun Yong about the White Shark Frigate plan, Lin Chenran led the team into their presentation, which began with a warm welcome from the naval leaders.

• The Flame Nation Navy’s leaders opened the bidding conference and arranged private, one-on-one presentations for each shipyard.
• 704 Shipyard drew the final presentation slot, so Lin Chenran took the team to another room to wait.
• Lin Chenran reassured the nervous Sun Yong that he would support him and could market the White Shark Frigate elsewhere if the navy rejected it.
• After several hours, Lin Chenran led the 704 Shipyard team into the conference room to present the White Shark Frigate design.
• Elder Zhang greeted the team warmly, and the naval leaders’ high expectations for 704 Shipyard’s frigate were established.

Sun Yong presented 704 Shipyard’s White Shark Frigate design to the Flame Nation Navy, impressing its leaders with the ship’s size, speed, and domestically developed engines. The leaders became excited about the proposal, while Sun Yong explained how its propulsion system addressed concerns about performance and dependence on foreign supplies.

• Lin Chenran encouraged Sun Yong to introduce the White Shark Frigate, and Sun Yong stood to present the design to the Navy leaders.
• Sun Yong distributed the proposal, and the Navy leaders were impressed by the frigate’s 134-meter length, 16-meter beam, and 4,053-ton full-load displacement.
• A Navy leader questioned whether the massive frigate could meet speed requirements, and Sun Yong explained that four Hurricane diesel engines powered it.
• Sun Yong stated that the White Shark Frigate could reach 28 knots and relied on engines developed by 704 Shipyard rather than foreign suppliers.
• The Navy leaders reacted with excitement as Sun Yong contrasted the White Shark’s domestic propulsion with rival designs that depended on imported engines or turbines.

Sun Yong presented 704 Shipyard’s White Shark Frigate design to the Flame Nation Navy’s senior leaders, highlighting its domestic Hurricane diesel engine, helicopter deck, and extensive weapons. The Navy’s leaders were impressed, and Lin Chenran expected 704 Shipyard to win an order for six to eight frigates.

• Sun Yong explained that the White Shark Frigate used 704 Shipyard’s domestically produced Hurricane diesel engine, which could propel the vessel at up to 28 knots.
• Sun Yong described the frigate’s size, flexible helicopter deck, and weapons systems to the Flame Nation Navy’s senior leaders.
• The Navy’s senior leaders praised the design, asked Sun Yong questions about the frigate and its engine, then sent him and his colleagues to wait in another lounge.
• Lin Chenran told Sun Yong that the Navy was likely to adopt the design and urged him to devote himself fully to its development.
• Lin Chenran predicted that the Navy would order six to eight frigates, with 704 Shipyard keeping most of the profits and other shipyards building some of the vessels.