The White House press briefing room.
Lanpu stood behind the podium, arms outstretched, flashing his signature smile.
A barrage of flashes erupted as he tilted his chin slightly back, waiting for the shutter noise to subside before launching into his signature booming voice. "Today, I declare a great victory!"
"Through my tireless efforts and superb negotiation skills, Warhammer Heavy Industries finally agreed to accept the supervision of the Amerikan government and officially become a certified supplier of the Amerikan military!"
The audience erupted in chaos.
The reporters in the front row looked at each other, their pens hovering in mid-air, thinking they had misheard.
"What does this mean?" Lanpu spread his arms, making a gesture as if embracing the world. "From now on, all international orders from Warhammer Heavy Industries must be approved by me!"
"We will firmly control the pricing and distribution power in the global high-end arms market!"
He pounded his chest and shouted, "It was me who made this unruly businessman bow his head! It was me who defended Amerikan's interests! This is a great victory for the Amerikan Rules! No one understands negotiation better than me!"
No sooner had he finished speaking than a Reuters reporter in the back row suddenly raised his hand, holding up his vibrating phone. "Mr. President! Reports indicate that Warhammer Heavy Industries has not agreed to any exclusive agency terms; it's simply accepting orders from various countries as normal—"
The entire venue fell into a deathly silence.
"FakeNews!" Lanpu interrupted him immediately, pointing his finger at the reporter's nose. "This is complete and utter fake news! Next question!"
Less than an hour after the press conference ended, reports about Su Yi topped the headlines on major domestic news platforms and trended on Weibo three times in a row.
The title is. "Turning Swords into Plowshares: Warhammer Heavy Industries Accepts United States Oversight – This is the True Power of a Great Power System."
0
In her introduction, she wrote, "When the whole world thought Fu Haoran would fight the White House to the end, this young military tycoon made the most rational choice."
"President Lanpu, with his superb political wisdom and broad-mindedness, disregarded past grievances, turned hostility into friendship, and incorporated his former adversary into United States's military-industrial complex."
"This makes one wonder, why was a young entrepreneur from the University of Tokyo able to build a world-leading hypersonic missile in United States? Why, when the rocket nearly hit the White House, United States not choose to block or sanction him, but instead opened its doors to him?"
Then she gave the answer herself.
--
"It's not technology, it's the system. United States embraced the world's most talented minds through its open and inclusive market environment."
"A mature legal system has resolved the most acute conflicts; a win-win cooperation philosophy has turned enemies into friends."
"This is the true demeanor of a great power: setting aside past grievances, turning enemies into friends, and using the power of the system to enable all talented individuals to realize their value here."
At this point, she abruptly shifted her focus, turning her criticism towards the domestic situation.
"On the contrary, we sometimes overemphasize independent research and development and become too obsessed with the fantasy of overtaking on a curve, thus closing the door to open cooperation."
"We are always worried about being held back, but we forget that true strength lies in daring to embrace the world and daring to use the best talents for our own purposes."
She concluded the article with a tone of both heartache and superiority. "This once again proves that no force can challenge the order of the civilized world."
Su Yi is almost complete: confrontation leads nowhere, cooperation is the only way to achieve a win-win situation. He hopes that some people in China can wake up and stop clinging to narrow nationalism.
After writing the last punctuation mark, Su Yi leaned back in his chair, picked up the now-cold coffee on the table, and took a sip.
The station director criticized her last article, "Cement Rocket: The False Prosperity of University of Tokyo Military Industry," saying that her "stance was not objective enough," but she didn't think she was wrong at all.
Her grandfather was the former director of the station, and her father was a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She grew up in a compound and saw a lot of things happening in China.
question".
In her view, United States is the beacon of the world, and those netizens who criticize her online for being "exquisite" are nothing more than a group of ignorant and angry young people.
She took out her phone and sent the article link to the professors she had previously contacted, adding a note, "Dear professors, these are just my humble opinions; I hope they can help more people see the truth."
She turned off her phone, a smug smile playing on her lips.
So what if Fu Haoran is incredibly capable?
In the end, they still have to bow down to United States.
It has been proven that United States's system is better than ours.
But the next second, the phone screen lit up.
Caller ID: Station Manager.
Su Yi raised an eyebrow, answered the phone, and said in a light tone, "Director, you saw my report, right? It's on the front page, trending on Weibo, and has been reposted over 100 times across the internet—"
" Su Yi! Look at what you've written!"
Su Yi's smile froze on her face. "Director, I—"
"Who gave you the information? Who told you to publish the article? Did you verify any of the facts?" The station director's speech became faster and faster, and his voice became louder and louder.
" Warhammer Heavy Industries has already sent us a lawyer's letter, and the matter has even reached the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, accusing us of making false reports!"
"They even sent us the license documents signed by the Amerikan Department of State, which only outlined the manufacturing framework and didn't include any exclusive agency clauses! What you're writing is all fucking fake news!"
Su Yi's mind went blank.
She instinctively gripped her phone tighter. "Impossible, President Lanpu said it himself at the press conference—"
"You're using Lanpu's press conference as your sole source? How many years have you been a journalist? Is this your first day covering the White House?!"
"How much of what he said is true?! Do I have to teach you?!" The station manager practically yelled on the other end of the phone.
"You wrote that something they hadn't signed was already signed, and now that they've issued a statement to clarify, the whole internet is sharing your post as a joke! You've completely disgraced us!"
Su Yi's hands began to tremble.
Her gaze was fixed on the report she had written on the computer screen. The words she had typed so elegantly now felt like slaps to her face.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Publicity Department have requested that all content be deleted and all reposts removed. Your personal account is temporarily suspended."
"You yourself must come to my office before nine o'clock tomorrow morning." The phone hung up.
United States Warhammer Heavy Industries Headquarters.
Fu Haoran hung up the reconciliation call from the United States State Department and casually tossed his phone onto the table.
"So you're just going to let that politician use your name to brag? Aren't you afraid you'll never be able to hold your head up high again?" Lucifiel sat opposite Fu Haoran, eating the special dishes prepared for her.
"Let him brag if he wants to. What's face worth?" Fu Haoran scoffed, leaning back in his chair.
"Using my face in exchange for a full range of military production licenses granted by the United States government, as well as legal status in the global arms trade, is quite a good deal."
"I used to have to smuggle missiles, but now I can sell them openly."
"Of the two pieces of the military industry puzzle, United States has already obtained its production license; the remaining task is domestic research and development."
"The project is about to begin. Just give me a little time to absorb and integrate the Empire's technology, and it will be completed in no time."
"Don't get too excited," Lucifiel, as always, adding a dash of cynicism. "While the Forge World of your Imperium of Man are mostly of a subpar level, they still hold a technological advantage of several thousand years compared to this barbaric world that hasn't even ventured into space colonization."
"You've only integrated a few resources; what makes you think you can absorb and integrate the Empire's technology?"
"You think you can achieve a qualitative leap in two years? That's wishful thinking."
Fu Haoran was not angry.
"Lucifer, have you seen the green-skinned orcs?"
In response to Fu Haoran's question, Lucifiel nodded.
"The level of technology that Orks possesses is determined by their opponents; the stronger the opponents, the stronger their technology."
"They always manage to achieve technological leaps by using the power of my ingenuity."
"Coincidentally, my hometown also has this capability." Fu Haoran revealed a confident smile.
"They accomplished in thirty years what others took three hundred years to achieve. While others take twenty years to develop an engine, they were able to mobilize the entire nation's resources and develop one in five years."
"They have endured the most hardship and suffered the most severe beatings, so they understand better than anyone that backwardness invites aggression."
"Give them a direction, and they can create miracles you can't even imagine."
Lucifiel remained silent.
She had witnessed the rise and fall of countless civilizations, and the extinction of countless races, but she had never seen a people like this—
Always creating miracles, always surpassing themselves.
Lucifiel shook his head. "This is just a coincidence, not a certainty."
"Among all known civilizations in the Milky Way, the Orks's power of thought is an idealistic force, and a technological path that your Machine Cult explicitly classifies as 'unreproducible, unquantifiable, and untrustworthy.'"
"You use this to describe your compatriots? Should I say you're either overconfident or ignorant? But if your compatriots truly possess this ability, then prove it to me."
Fu Haoran said, "How about we make another bet?"
"Within two years, I can achieve mass production of Basilisk."
2 years?
In Lucifiel's mind, two years are like two minutes, gone in the blink of an eye.
"Sure, if you can do it, I'll give you a small gift."
A secret meeting room of the National Security Bureau at University of Tokyo.
Old Zhou slammed a stack of documents on the table, his brows furrowing deeply.
" Cheng Beixiao, Fu Haoran's top confidant, suddenly registered a company in China called Warhammer Heavy Industries ( University of Tokyo ) Technology Co., Ltd., with a business scope including weapons and equipment research and development and military parts production."
"This kid's got some nerve, daring to openly engage in military industry! Do they think we're blind?!"
Qin Zhengfeng adjusted his reading glasses, his tone heavy. "What's even more troublesome is that Fu Haoran is now a certified arms dealer for United States, possessing the most advanced hypersonic missile technology."
"What is he planning to do by starting a company in China at this time? Is he trying to become a double agent, or is he trying to sell technology to China?"
He paused, then couldn't help but laugh, "Moreover, did you notice that when Cheng Beixiao first applied, it was submitted in his boss's personal name—an individual simply doesn't have the legal standing to apply for a weapons and equipment research and production license, so it was rejected outright."
"The first time he went to the Administration for Industry and Commerce to register, the staff asked him about his business scope. Cheng Beixiao directly said he wanted to build cannons, missiles, and rockets. They thought he was there to cause trouble and rejected him outright."
"Then he changed his approach and reapplied under the name of a corporate entity."
"That's not all," Old Zhou added, half-laughing and half-crying. "He openly posted a job ad on BOSS Zhipin, looking for a military engineer with an annual salary of one million yuan, including room and board."
"As a result, he offered triple salaries and poached several retired chief engineers from China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation and Aviation Industry Corporation of China of China! Now, the leaders of those research institutes are complaining to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology every day, saying that Cheng Beixiao is a professional poacher in the military industry!"
"I don't think we can let our guard down," a bureau chief said. "Something about this whole thing seems off."
"How can such an important matter be entrusted to a recent graduate?"
"Logically, this should be handled by a professional team. I believe they are trying to mislead us and steal our military technology."
Everyone nodded in agreement, finding the guess somewhat plausible.
"But he's University of Tokyo citizen, he doesn't have United States card, and he has no criminal record." Old Zhou sighed. "We have no evidence. We can't just arrest him for no reason, can we? Have you ever seen a spy work like that?"
"Register a company openly and honestly, recruit talent openly and honestly, apply for qualifications openly and honestly."
"If this is a spy, it's incredibly unprofessional."
Qin Zhengfeng was silent for a moment, then said, "Keep an eye on him and see what he's up to. Also, report this matter to higher authorities."
A few days later, a high-level joint meeting was held.
"This matter is too sensitive."
"Since its establishment, the new University of Tokyo has never allowed private individuals to engage in military research and development. Once this door is opened, the consequences will be unimaginable."
Another senior leader spoke up, "But Fu Haoran's technology is indeed far ahead of ours, and his production capacity is comparable to ours. I think we can consider cooperation."
Immediately, someone objected. "Cooperation? How can we cooperate? He's a private company, not under our control. What if he sells the technology to other countries? What if he turns around and threatens us?"
"Besides, he's getting so close to United States now, who knows what he's thinking? What if he's United States's pawn? Wouldn't we be letting a wolf into our house?"
The meeting room was in complete chaos, with neither side able to convince the other.
Finally, the host turned to the military representatives in attendance. "Sir, what is your military's opinion?"
The commander didn't speak, but gestured to his staff officer to project a report onto the big screen.
The screen displays a detailed cost comparison table, comparing the unit cost, production capacity, and R&D cycle of Hammer Heavy Industry's Storm Eagle.
The noise in the conference room gradually subsided, and everyone stared at the table, their expressions shifting from argument to silence.
The commander then spoke, "This data was calculated by our equipment department over three days and three nights. I suggest everyone take a look at it carefully before discussing it."
The more they looked, the more their brows furrowed.
Although these things are not difficult to achieve, everyone acknowledges that the gap between the two sides is indeed significant and cannot be closed in a short period of time.
The leader tapped on the table, and the conference room fell silent instantly. "I'd like to say a few words."
"First of all, Fu Haoran is a citizen of University of Tokyo, and we have no reason to refuse his return to China to contribute to its development."
"Secondly, his technology is indeed world-leading, that's a fact."
Another officer chimed in, "Some people are worried that he's out of control. I'd like to ask, his company is in China, his factory is in China, and his workers are all from University of Tokyo."
Where could he possibly run to?
"Some people worry he's a spy. I want to say, even if he is, we've still profited."
"He's keeping his R&D in China, so acquiring it shouldn't be difficult for us. We don't even need to turn against him; we can simply poach the talent directly."
"If a company can offer such terms, surely our government can't?"
"Yes," the commander continued, "We'll send hundreds of engineers to learn from them. Even if they don't master the core concepts, they can at least learn the basics. What's wrong with using that to train a new batch of technical backbone personnel?"
One civilian official hesitated and said, "But what if he leaks the technology to other countries—"
"What are you leaking?" the leader retorted. "He himself is the source of the technology; everyone else learns from him. Have you ever seen the source leak information?"
"Besides, we can implement the same OEM model he used in United States."
"His core technology is kept domestically, and we send people to learn it."
"His production line is located in China, and we'll send people to manage it. Who will control whom in the end is still uncertain."
The leader's gaze swept over everyone present. " At the Zhuhai Airshow, he brought United States's core technology to the exhibition; that in itself is a pledge of allegiance."
"He allowed us to visit, allowed us to make purchases, and supported us in buying whatever we wanted."
"Is there another comrade like this?"
"Yes, if you ask me, Comrade Fu Haoran is physically in Cao Ying but his heart is in Han," the Air Force representative said.
"He sold us a whole squadron of F-22 variant fighters. Those are real gems! We knew the American F-22 was awesome, but we didn't know it was this awesome."
The leader nodded. "Yes, so during the Zhuhai Airshow, we reached a verbal agreement with him to support his scientific research."
We cannot break our promises.
"As for the matter of placing personnel there, I think it's feasible. Since it's in China anyway, we can send all the domestic military engineers there. They can help with research and development and also keep track of the situation. It's a win-win situation."
Someone else added, "I suggest setting up an industrial park for them, but it must be monitored throughout the entire process."
"We will arrange all the security guards, cleaners, property management staff, and all support personnel."
"Any personnel or goods entering or leaving the industrial park must undergo strict inspection."
The commander nodded. "It's settled then. Tell the people below that we will try our best to meet any requests Cheng Beixiao makes."