The fuse has been lit; don't say you weren't warned!

Early May, Beijing.

Zhao Ping'an just returned from Dalian, where the third batch of six Type 022 destroyers were launched, and he personally went to see them. On his way back, he also stopped by Shenyang to check on the progress of the J-7FM fighter jet replacement program.

In the office, several reports were stacked on the table.

The first report is from Xiao Zhou: Fifteen radars were installed this month, bringing the total to forty-two. Pilot conversion training is also being completed simultaneously.

The second report is from the Air Force: The J-7FM fighter jet unit has completed combat readiness training and is ready to be deployed in actual combat at any time.

The third report is from the Navy: the complete replacement of Beidou receivers has been completed.

The shipborne version, equipped with the C28A, underwent half a month of sea trials, and the data was stable, with a positioning accuracy of fifty meters.

Zhao Pingan suddenly remembered something and picked up the phone to call Commander Xiao.

"Commander Xiao, what's the Navy's reaction to the receiver replacement?"

Commander Xiao's voice came from the other end of the phone, tinged with laughter:

"That's great. The original one was more accurate, but it's broken and there's nowhere to repair it; you have to wait."

This one is our own; if it breaks, we just replace it. The soldiers say they feel safe using it.

Zhao Pingan was relieved and hung up the phone.

May 24th, afternoon.

Zhao Ping'an was reading documents when the door was pushed open, and Zheng Yaoxian returned.

He came in without knocking. This was very unusual for Zheng Yaoxian.

Zhao Pingan looked up, saw his expression, and his heart skipped a beat.

Something's happened.

Zheng Yaoxian placed a telegram on the table.

Zhao Pingan picked it up and looked at it.

North of the island. Anti-hawk demonstrations. The US embassy was vandalized. The star-studded flag was torn down. Chiang Kai-shek ordered a crackdown, resulting in the shooting deaths of three people.

After reading the telegram, Zhao Ping'an put it down and remained silent for a long time.

Zheng Yaoxian stood to the side without saying a word.

After a long while, Zhao Ping'an finally spoke.

Although the system data already included the "May 24 Incident," it only stated that it caused a breakdown in relations between the two sides, without providing details.

"What happened?"

Zheng Yaoxian began to narrate

The incident began on March 20th. A major named Liu Ziran was shot and killed by a sergeant from the Eagle Army Advisory Group.

The man had diplomatic immunity, so the U.S. military conducted the trial themselves. After two months, they were acquitted yesterday.

Zhao Ping'an frowned.

Zheng Yaoxian continued, "This morning, Liu Ziran's wife, dressed in black and holding a sign, protested in front of the US embassy."

More and more people gathered, and by noon there were tens of thousands.

Someone scaled the wall, opened the iron gate, and the crowd rushed in, vandalizing the embassy.

Zheng Yaoxian paused.

"The American flag was torn down and trampled on. The cars were burned. The documents were burned too."

Zhao Pingan frowned. "What's Chiang Kai-shek's reaction?"

Zheng Yaoxian replied, "At first, nothing was done. It wasn't until several hours of smashing that the police and military police were called in."

The shooting started. Three were killed, and over a hundred were arrested.

Zhao Ping'an stood up and habitually walked to the window.

Zheng Yaoxian followed and stood behind him.

"There's one more thing," Zheng Yaoxian said in a low voice.

"Intelligence indicates that someone is behind this. Students from Cheng Kung High School, dressed in uniform and led by their instructors, went directly to the scene to show their support. That's Comrade Nikolai's territory."

Zhao Pingan turned to look at him.

Zheng Yaoxian said: "The Eagle Army Advisory Group sent a telegram to the US Department of Defense saying that there was evidence showing that this was premeditated."

The day before, many expatriates received mysterious phone calls warning them not to go out the next day, especially to avoid the embassy area.

Zhao Ping'an remained silent for a long time.

Then he asked, "Comrade Nikolai?"

Zheng Yaoxian nodded: "Possibly."

Zhao Pingan stood for a while longer, then walked back to his desk and sat down.

I picked up that telegram again and looked at it for a long time.

Then he looked up and said to Zheng Yaoxian, "Keep a close eye on things. Report any movement immediately."

Zheng Yaoxian nodded, turned around and left.

That evening, the leader summoned him.

When Zhao Pingan arrived, there were already several people sitting in the conference room.

The atmosphere was different from usual; it was a bit somber, yet there was also an indescribable excitement.

The leader cut to the chase: "You know about what happened in the north of the island, right?"

Everyone nodded.

The leader looked at Zhao Ping'an: "What do you think?"

Zhao Pingan said, "This is an opportunity."

The leader didn't speak, waiting for him to continue.

Zhao Pingan said, "The conflict between Ying and Chang has become public."

American politicians pressured Chiang Kai-shek to withdraw from Kinmen and Matsu, but Chiang Kai-shek refused.

Now this has happened again. The Hawk Army is running rampant over there, and Chiang Kai-shek can neither suppress nor protect them.

The people opposed Chiang Kai-shek, and Chiang sent troops to suppress them, thus offending both sides.

"Comrade Nikolai is probably also making his own plans."

The leader nodded, signaling him to continue.

Zhao Pingan said, "At this point, we can move around a bit."

The leader asked, "How should we move it?"

Zhao Pingan said, "Two lines. One line: talk."

We should use our channels to convey our message and tell them that we are willing to talk.

Taiwan can be designated as an autonomous region with a high degree of autonomy, with its administrative affairs under Chiang Kai-shek's jurisdiction.

Let each of us develop for 30 years, and after 30 years we'll see who develops better, and the island will listen to that person.

But there's only one condition—the US must leave.

Zhao Ping'an glanced at the people present.

"On another front, let's fight. The troops should be prepared in case negotiations fail, or if Chiang Kai-shek can't withstand the pressure from the United States, we need to have the capability to take action."

The leader was silent for a moment, then looked at the others.

No one objected.

The leader concluded by saying, "You're in charge of arranging the negotiations."

The line was laid out, and Commander Xiao and Commander Liu were to assist.

It seems the 110,000 Marines you previously suggested retaining will soon have a purpose.

I remember Comrade Ping An, you also suggested a battle slogan to Commander Xiao?

"—Use me in the first battle, and victory is assured!"

"Yes, boss. I thought that phrase was inspiring, so I made the suggestion..."

Zhao Ping'an nodded.

"That's the kind of spirit we need, just like the 'cross the Yangtze River' slogan we put forward back then."

"This time, we're really going to prepare to liberate the entire republic!"

"Yes, sir..."

May 26th, Beiping (Beijing).

Zhao Pingan made an appointment with someone.

The man's surname was Zhang. He was over sixty years old, with gray hair, but in good spirits.

He was a man who could speak on both sides of the political spectrum. He participated in the peace talks in Beiping back then, and later went to Hong Kong, where he maintained contact with people there.

The two met in Zhao Ping'an's office; there were no outsiders present.

Zhao Ping'an got straight to the point, stating that although ample military preparations had been made, and Chiang Kai-shek was not even included in the subsequent development plans,

However, Zhao Ping'an still had to maintain appearances; this was to ensure the smooth implementation of the subsequent governance work, given the large number of personnel involved.

We can't exactly build a "Merit Forest" over there to accommodate tens or even hundreds of thousands of people, can we?

After all, "Don't say you weren't warned" is a long-standing tradition of ours.

"Mr. Zhang, there's something I'd like to ask for your help with."

Old Zhang looked at him, waiting for him to speak.

Zhao Pingan briefly recounted the events in the north of the island, then said, "Now is an opportunity. We want to send a message over there."

Old Zhang asked, "What did you say?"

Zhao Pingan said, "Taiwan can be an autonomous region with a high degree of autonomy."

Government affairs will be managed by Mr. Chiang Kai-shek, and we will not send anyone to participate. Both sides will compete rationally and develop for 30 years. After 30 years, whichever side develops better will be listened to.

There is only one condition—the US military forces must withdraw from the Strait.

Old Zhang was silent for a moment, then nodded: "This message can be conveyed."

Zhao Ping'an thanked him, "Thank you for your help."

Old Zhang stood up, walked to the door, then turned back and said, "Minister Zhao, these are the words they want to hear."

Zhao Pingan was stunned for a moment.

Old Zhang smiled, opened the door, and left.

Early June, coastal Fujian.

Zhao Pingan is here again.

This time, Commander Xiao didn't come to pick Zhao Ping'an up; it was Wang Dahai who did.

Wang Dahai is now the commander of the 1st Marine Division, and he has a dark tan.

Standing on the dock in camouflage, he raised his hand high when he saluted.

"brigadier!"

"Haha, it's been over a year since I last saw you. You've become a division commander now, not bad, not bad!"

Zhao Ping'an nodded, smiled, patted Wang Dahai on the shoulder, and followed him inside.

Several Type 022 submarines were moored at the dock, their gray-white hulls gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

In the distance, landing ships are loading and unloading supplies, while a helicopter carrier that has already begun sea trials is parked in the open sea, its outline faintly visible.

As Wang Dahai walked, he introduced: "Today's exercise is a Beidou-guided amphibious landing."

Type 022 assault ships will advance first, providing fire support; landing ships will follow, seizing the beach; helicopters will land vertically from the rear, flanking the enemy's rear. A pincer attack from both inside and outside.

Zhao Pingan asked, "How many times have we rehearsed this?"

Wang Dahai said, "This is the third time. Each time it goes better than the last."

The two walked to the observation point and stood still. The sea breeze was strong, making their clothes flutter.

Wang Dahai pointed to the sea and said, "That's the simulated landing point. It's twenty kilometers away. It'll take the 022 to get there in twenty minutes."

Zhao Pingan looked at the sea.

A signal flare is launched. The exercise begins.

022 sped out of the port, its gray-white hull leaving a white trail on the blue sea, moving as fast as an arrow.

The landing ship followed behind, moving slower but more steadily.

The helicopter flew in from a distance, the sound of its rotors growing louder and louder as it approached.

Zhao Ping'an remained silent, staring at the sea.

The first batch of 022 tanks rushed to the simulated point and were met with artillery fire.

The landing ship docked, and the marines rushed out, spreading out in formation. The helicopter landed, and the second echelon landed, flanking the ship.

It took less than an hour in total.

The signal flare was launched again. The exercise was over.

Wang Dahai turned his head and looked at Zhao Ping'an.

"Brigadier, how's it going?"

Zhao Ping'an frowned. "The person is fine, he did a clean and efficient job, and he lives up to the slogan."

Wang Dahai smiled, revealing his white teeth.

"However, the equipment can be further improved. There should still be enough time. I'll think of a way when we get back. Once the equipment arrives, you can quickly test it and provide feedback."

On his way back to Beijing, Zhao Ping'an received a telegram.

It was sent by Mr. Zhang; it was very short:

The message has been delivered. We await a response.

Zhao Ping'an folded the telegram and put it in his pocket. The civil part has already begun; how far away is the military part?

He leaned back in his seat, watching the fields flash by outside the window.

In June, the North China Plain is lush and green.

Zhao Ping'an suddenly remembered what his boss had said in the boss's office at the beginning of the year: "Now you have something to look forward to."

Yes, I have something to look forward to now.

He glanced down at the watch on his wrist.

That was the one that Mr. Qian gave me. The chip inside was an original one that was taken from a Beidou receiver.

The numbers on the dial jumped steadily and accurately.

This watch can locate positions.

He recalled the year he went to America and exchanged the real Mr. Qian for the real one.

I think back to when I returned to China, I arranged for Qian Xuesen to work at the research institute. I think back to all these years, from the atomic bomb, hydrogen bomb, missile, satellite, chip, radar, C-28A, Type 022, J-7FM, one by one, from nothing to something.

It's been more than eight years.

That place that the entire nation will always remember... is coming soon.

However, we must be patient and continue to improve our equipment and navy, after all, there have been two major incidents in history!