Chapter 1659: Using Stars as a Flag

three days later.

Beijing.

Office of the Director of the Industrial and Construction Committee.

Luan Wenjie picked up the pen and signed his name in the final approval column of the "Long March 5C Carrier Rocket Engineering Development Task Order".

Just one day ago, the first phase of the space relay base project was officially approved, and the XS-1 space nuclear reactor officially entered the flight product production stage.

The Long March 5C is an improved carrier rocket specially designed for this project.

It combines the characteristics of the Long March 5 and Long March 5A rockets, supplemented by the Long March 2B upper stage, to meet the special mission needs of frequently adjusting the spacecraft's attitude and orbit.

His eyes swept over the text: The entire system is designed to accurately deliver the XS-1 space nuclear reactor power source to the Earth-Moon Lagrange L2 point, and to support subsequent complex tasks such as frequent attitude adjustments, orbit maintenance, and docking and assembly of space station modules.

Just imagining the XS-1's powerful nuclear power supply operating stably in deep space, providing inexhaustible power for future deep space exploration, is enough to make people excited.

"Director." The voice of Deputy Director Lan Xinzhi sounded along with the knock on the door.

"Please come in."

Lan Xinzhi placed the document on a corner of Luan Wenjie's desk and said in a low voice, "Director, regarding the 7nm chip production and subsequent market strategy, Ju Factory and Huaxin International have submitted updated plans."

Luan Wenjie shifted his gaze from the approval document on his desk. "Hasn't it been agreed that this matter will be made public at the right time? The relevant technology and production capacity are ready. When the time is right, we'll announce Huaxin International's breakthrough to the market. This in itself is the most powerful response to the ban."

In fact, Huaxin International's plan from the beginning to independently produce 7nm chips was to "announce it at an appropriate time", otherwise it would not allow the factory to directly release 500 products to the market for testing.

Although Thor's unintentional action disrupted the rhythm a little, it only moved the "choice of opportunity" forward a little bit and would not affect the overall situation.

Luan Wenjie then raised his head again and added meaningfully, "As for the specific operations, you just need to handle them. Your superiors value your ability to work independently."

He is already 75 years old and there is no way he can run for another term.

This statement is almost equivalent to telling the other party that he has been included in the consideration for the next director of the Industrial and Construction Committee.

In fact, under normal circumstances, in order to avoid the emergence of factional tendencies, government agencies will carry out horizontal transfers after reaching a certain level, and will not continuously promote leaders from within, especially the top leaders.

However, the situation of the Science and Technology Commission or the Industrial Construction Commission is indeed special. It requires extremely high execution efficiency and professionalism. Therefore, except for Li Zhongyi, the other two leaders, even the next top leader, were promoted from deputy positions.

Lan Xinzhi, however, didn't immediately agree, nor did he express much excitement. "There have been some... unexpected changes. We've learned through special channels that the US side seems to have... mistakenly identified the wrong suspect."

"Oh?" A hint of surprise flashed in Luan Wenjie's eyes, and then he opened the report and read it quickly.

"This is truly... a lucky coincidence." A few minutes later, Luan Wenjie closed the briefing and tapped his finger twice on the glossy folder cover. "Are there any rumors... that aren't credible enough to include in the report, but are still worth considering?"

"There are very few specific details, and the internal blockade is very strict," Lan Xinzhi shook his head. "But from piecing together the scattered, fragmented intelligence, it seems that the investigation team is extremely tough. It seems that they are determined to put the label of 'insider' on TSMC, and their target is directly Morris Chang himself."

"Interesting..." Luan Wenjie said with an elusive smile, "This 'assistance' comes at the perfect time."

"Director, what do you mean?" Lan Xinzhi asked.

"Immediately contact the Juchang Terminal BG and HiSilicon Semiconductor," Luan Wenjie said decisively, leaving no room for doubt. "Inform them that the market launch test plan for the second batch of Mate SX RS phones, originally scheduled to begin next week and equipped with domestically produced 1515nm chips from the same or later batch as the '7' batch, has been temporarily suspended. The specific restart time will be announced by the Commission."

Lan Xinzhi was slightly startled, a look of concern looming. "But Huaxin International's production lines are running smoothly, and the yield rate is rising as expected. The second batch of chips has entered the packaging and testing phase as planned...Will a delayed launch disrupt their production rhythm and downstream stocking plans?...And TSMC has attracted significant attention. Isn't this a good time for us to launch and expand our market influence?"

Luan Wenjie stood up and walked to the window. "The military and police system is already considering a pilot program to purchase a batch of mobile phones produced by the Ju Factory as personal terminals for internal distribution. So the progress of Huaxin will definitely not be affected. You can rest assured..."

"Furthermore, the second batch of releases is not going to be postponed for a long time, but rather we have to wait for a more appropriate time window."

Lan Xinzhi understood and nodded, "I see. This is to maximize the use of the opponent's strategic misjudgment and prolong their period of confusion."

Luan Wenjie nodded: "Then let's do it."

Lan Xinzhi was about to leave when he immediately turned back. "By the way, Director, regarding Washington's second phase of the ban, have they issued any principled instructions?"

The so-called second-phase ban naturally refers to the additional measures announced by the United States a week ago: from now on, it is prohibited to pre-install the Google Mobile Services (GMS) framework and its core applications, as well as Microsoft Windows operating systems on all smartphones, tablets, personal laptops and other terminal devices produced by the Ju factory.

Luan Wenjie walked back to his desk and picked up the newly approved document regarding the Long March 5C carrier rocket and the first phase of the space relay base project.

"Our response is right here."

Lan Xinzhi glanced over the document with respect, but also a hint of confusion:

"Director, this plan is indeed a landmark feat, enough to shock the world's tech community... but using it as a response to the US software ban doesn't seem like a direct and reciprocal countermeasure."

"To look at problems, we need to look beyond our immediate concerns," Luan Wenjie said, slowly exhaling. "Washington's policymakers are still using last century thinking to try to maintain their shaky technological hegemony, which is centered on isolation and control... But the wheel of history will not turn back."

He turned around and looked out the window at the vast sky again, his voice filled with a solemn sense of mission:

"We have reached a historical juncture where we must shoulder greater responsibility. This responsibility is to replace the United States and become the leader in human technological development and in building a community with a shared future. To accomplish this grand mission, the first step is to raise a new banner that represents the future direction above the dust of the crumbling old order!"

"And this flag is the 'sea of stars' of peace, openness and sharing!"

He walked back to the table and pressed his fingers firmly on the document:

"The announcement of the relay base plan details the core capabilities of the XS-1 space nuclear reactor power source and its revolutionary significance for deep space exploration. It also formally declares that we welcome applications from all national and regional scientific research institutions that uphold the principles of the peaceful uses of outer space and share humanity's spirit of shared exploration to participate in international cooperation."

"In the future, after the space relay base is completed, its powerful on-orbit service capabilities will prioritize meeting the needs of these like-minded partner countries in carrying out deep space exploration missions!"

Luan Wenjie glanced at Lan Xinzhi and clearly explained his superiors' strategic intentions:

"This is the signal we send to the world, a signal that is completely different from that of our adversaries: We don't build walls, we build bridges; we don't block, we open; we don't monopolize, we share!"

He waved his hand with a calm demeanor, looking at the changing times with a smile:

"Let those countries that have long been tired of the endless confrontation, blockade, and zero-sum game under the old order, and let those people who are eager to break free from constraints and pursue true scientific and technological progress and the common well-being of mankind, see a new hope and a platform that can gather strength and jointly open up the future!"

"This is about putting me first and building a new situation!" Lan Xinzhi said excitedly, "This will give friends who are willing to cooperate a 'pledge of allegiance' to pay and tangible 'future dividends' to look forward to!"

"That's right." Luan Wenjie nodded slightly, as if he had already seen the silver base slowly rotating on the Lagrange point. "First, raise the flag and gather your friends. Then..."

His eyes narrowed slightly, and his gaze instantly became sharp:

"This is the moment when we officially fight back."