92: Chapter 92 Strategic Pivot and the Commitment of Access to the Sea

The Xishan Underground Command Center.

The air here was maintained at a constant 24 degrees Celsius all year round, and several meters of reinforced concrete and lead plating completely isolated it from the clamor and radiation of the outside world.

This was the core hub of the Dragon Kingdom's strategic security, and normally, it was filled with calmness, rigor, and even a solemnity that remained unshaken even if Mount Tai were to collapse before it.

But today, this "hub" was completely boiling over; one could even say it had exploded.

"My God! Is this... the complete technical data for a heavy main battle tank? It even includes the formula for composite armor and the rifling processing technology for a 125mm smoothbore gun!"

An exclamation that cracked with emotion broke the silence of the command hall. The speaker was Academician Wang, a leading authority at the Dragon Kingdom Armored Force Engineering Institute who had spent his entire life dealing with tanks.

Usually, this old gentleman was rigorous in his academic pursuits and spoke with the composure of a scholar, but at this moment, he was practically lunging at the giant circular screen, completely unaware that his reading glasses had slid to the tip of his nose, his fingers pressing so hard against the tank anatomy diagram on the screen that his knuckles were white.

On the left side of the screen, a full set of design blueprints for a new type of main battle tank was clearly displayed—a streamlined turret, a modular armor layout, and an integrated fire control system; especially the material formula labeled "High-Performance Composite Armor," which in the eyes of an expert was even more tempting than a mountain of gold and silver.

What was even more rare was that the data also included an optimization plan for the tank's power compartment, which could increase engine power by 15% while reducing fuel consumption by 20%.

Meanwhile, on the right side of the screen, a group of strategic planning experts in military uniforms were fiercely discussing another set of data, their voices full of irrepressible excitement: "The electrified railway plan from Ruili to Kyaukpyu Port! This route selection is absolutely brilliant; it runs straight through Northern Myanmar and goes directly to the Indian Ocean!" "Bypassing the Strait of Malacca! In the future, our energy transport ships will be able to dock directly at Kyaukpyu Port, and we won't have to be limited by the geopolitical risks of a single shipping lane anymore!"

In the conference room, this group of top-tier talents, who could normally shake the ground in their respective fields just by stomping their feet, were all red-eyed with barely concealed ecstasy. They knew all too well the weight of these things.

Main battle tank technology was a "stimulant" for the Dragon Kingdom's army. Although the Dragon Kingdom's armored forces were large in scale, there were still several areas for improvement in the core technology of high-end tanks. However, the data provided by Zhang Cheng directly filled all the shortcomings and could even allow the Dragon Kingdom's tank technology to achieve a generational leap.

Even more important were Kyaukpyu Port and the planned railway. The Dragon Kingdom had long relied on the Strait of Malacca to transport energy and goods, and once this shipping lane experienced fluctuations, the national economy would face potential risks.

As a high-quality deep-water port in the Indian Ocean, Kyaukpyu Port, combined with the railway connecting to the border, was equivalent to adding a diversified strategic channel for the Dragon Kingdom that reached directly to the Indian Ocean; this was a key layout that could optimize the geopolitical landscape!

"This is not just technical data; this is a strategic cooperation pivot sent to us!" Academician Wang took off his reading glasses, wiped his eyes vigorously with his cuff, his voice choked with emotion, "With this set of tank technology, our armored forces can significantly improve their defensive and combat capabilities, forming a regional strategic deterrent; with the plan for Kyaukpyu Port and the railway, we can broaden our energy transport channels, which is an important guarantee for building a solid security barrier for the country's long-term development!"

Zhao Gang stood in the corner, watching the scene before him, feeling the blood rushing to his head. As the single-line contact person for Zhang Cheng, he knew Zhang Cheng's move this time was big, but he hadn't expected it to be to this extent—this was directly packaging the strategic technology and geopolitical cooperation opportunities that the Dragon Kingdom urgently needed right now and delivering them to their doorstep!

"Ahem."

A steady, powerful, and not particularly loud, yet highly penetrating cough sounded. The noisy conference room instantly quieted down, as if a pause button had been pressed. The experts immediately reined in their loss of composure and returned to their seats, but the fanaticism in their eyes still burned like flames.

A middle-aged man in a dark gray Zhongshan suit with a dignified bearing stood up from the main seat. He was the Chief in charge of matters related to national strategic security, coordinating and managing major strategic cooperation items.

His gaze swept over the crowd; although there was joy in his eyes, there was even more profound thought and decisiveness.

"Comrades, it's fine to be happy, but you must keep a clear head." The Chief's fingers tapped gently on the table, emitting a rhythmic tapping sound. "Zhang Cheng, that kid, has not sent a simple gift; he has sent a weighty strategic cooperation proposal. He doesn't want simple aid; he wants our support for his efforts to stabilize the situation in Northern Myanmar and promote internal peace and integration in Myanmar."

Zhao Gang immediately stood at attention and reported with a solemn expression: "Chief, the conditions from Zhang Cheng's side are already clear. First, he hopes to establish an 'Armored Technology Joint Laboratory' with us, where he provides the core blueprints and technical direction, and we provide personnel, equipment, and facilities for joint research and mass production, with shared results; second, he requests that we increase our infrastructure aid to Northern Myanmar, prioritizing the construction of a high-grade highway from Ruili to Pangkham, to help local livelihoods and economic development; third, and this is the most critical point—he promises that once Myanmar achieves internal peace and stability, he will push for Kyaukpyu Port to cooperate with the Dragon Kingdom on a 99-year lease, while also cooperating in the construction of an electrified railway and crude oil transport pipeline from Ruili directly to Kyaukpyu Port, ensuring the legal navigation and operational rights of Dragon Kingdom ships at Kyaukpyu Port, completely broadening the Indian Ocean transport channel, and reducing dependence on a single shipping lane."

Zhao Gang paused and added: "In addition, he also listed a material list, requiring a batch of high-purity special steel, tank gun barrel forging equipment, and several high-precision CNC machine tools. The quantity is not large, but they are all core equipment for military production and belong to strategically controlled materials, which need to be approved and allocated according to special procedures."

There was a silence in the conference room. These conditions seemed harsh, but in reality, they were full of sincerity—Zhang Cheng was using future strategic cooperation benefits to exchange for current technical implementation and resource support; this was a mutually beneficial game.

"This kid has quite a vision," a general with the rank of Lieutenant General frowned and said. "Promoting internal peace and integration in Myanmar? That's not an easy thing. He wants this tank production equipment because he wants to build a basic military industry system in Northern Myanmar to ensure local security and stability, right?"

"Having a big vision is not a bad thing." Academician Wang suddenly interjected, his tone categorical and even slightly overstepping his bounds. "Chief, just based on this set of tank technology, plus the cooperation promise for Kyaukpyu Port and the railway, let alone allocating a few machine tools to him, even co-building a joint R&D base is worth it! This technology can allow the Dragon Kingdom's armored forces to lead the surrounding areas by at least ten years, and that diversified strategic channel can completely break the Dragon Kingdom's maritime energy transport dilemma! This is a strategic guarantee more important than any weapon!"

"That's right!" a strategic researcher echoed. "The Strait of Malacca is watched by certain countries all year round, and more than 60% of our daily energy transport has to pass through there; this is the Sword of Damocles hanging over our heads! With this channel at Kyaukpyu Port, we can receive Middle East oil directly from the Indian Ocean; this channel is safer and faster than Malacca! We must agree to his terms!"

The leader pondered for a moment, his gaze becoming incomparably sharp, as if he wanted to pierce through the void to see clearly the young man who was thousands of miles away.

"We still haven't found out the origin of Zhang Cheng's technology. But his vision far exceeds that of an average regional affairs participant." The leader said slowly. "He needs our support to promote peace and stability in Myanmar; we need him as a strategic cooperation pivot to break the blockade of shipping lanes. This is a cooperation where we achieve success together."

He suddenly waved his hand, his movement vigorous and powerful, delivering the final verdict:

"Approved! All approved!"

"Establish a top-secret project codenamed 'Kunlun,' and I will personally coordinate it! Coordinate the docking of tank technology, the implementation of infrastructure in Northern Myanmar, and the future planning and advancement of Kyaukpyu Port and the railway!"

"The materials and equipment he wants, give them to him! List them as the highest priority for support, and allocate them from the military industry system through special cooperation channels! He wants to build a joint laboratory, build it! Select a site at Northern Heavy Industries and send the top engineers there! He wants to build a highway, send the infrastructure team! Within three months, I want to see the road from Ruili to Pangkham break ground!"

The leader looked around at everyone, his tone sonorous and powerful, carrying a heroism unique to a great power:

"We have only one goal—to use this opportunity to firmly bind Zhang Cheng, help him stabilize the situation in Northern Myanmar, and promote internal peace and integration in Myanmar. As long as he can fulfill his cooperation promise regarding Kyaukpyu Port and the railway, the Dragon Kingdom will always be his most solid backing! Through him, we want to build a stable strategic cooperation pivot in Southeast Asia and open up a diversified strategic channel that reaches directly to the Indian Ocean! This is a key step for us to break through the maritime blockade and move towards rejuvenation!"

"Tell Zhao Gang to pass this on to Zhang Cheng: The Dragon Kingdom accepts this cooperation! We will give him the support he wants! But I hope he remembers that the Dragon Kingdom never does business at a loss; I am waiting to see the day when Myanmar achieves peace and stability, and waiting to see the day when Kyaukpyu Port becomes a model for strategic cooperation between the Dragon Kingdom and Myanmar!"

Following this order, the Dragon Kingdom's massive state machine began to run at full speed for a young man far away in Northern Myanmar, and for a strategic channel that concerned the country's long-term development.