I have a debt of 3 trillion, and my creditors are begging me not to die.

Chapter 276 Plasma Shields Trigger an Arms Race Among Nations; Yang Chen Aims for the National Highest Science and Technology Award

As everyone knows, the Persian Cat Kingdom has been thoroughly infiltrated by the Bald Eagle and the Squid Kingdom. There are moles in their government departments and military. The president and generals are not safe and could be gone at any moment.

Therefore, the fact that Yang Chen rented the plasma shield could not be kept secret from the US and the Squid Country at all, and the mole quickly spread the news.

At this moment, the Pentagon held another meeting.

NSA chief Richardson said, "Our agents and the mole within the Persian Cat family have given us information that the stealth interception equipment Yang Chen created is called a plasma shield. Because the entire operation was carried out by personnel from StarCraft Military Industry, with the Persian Cat family only responsible for providing some equipment, we don't know exactly what this plasma shield is all about. Fuck, isn't this equipment from a Hollywood movie a long time ago? How did they actually manage to make it?"

Military weapons expert Humphries immediately said, "Although I don't know what a plasma shield is, I can explain plasma. It's the fourth state of matter besides solid, liquid, and gas..."

Humphries explained in great detail what plasma was all about, and based on his knowledge, speculated on what a plasma shield might be.

After hearing Humphries's introduction, everyone showed expressions of surprise.

Defense Secretary Chris said, "Fuck! Not only are electromagnetic pulse weapons ineffective against it, they also enhance its defenses, making it powerful enough to intercept physical projectiles. Is this technology even possible on Earth? Can we even build it?"

Humphries replied, “Whether we can make it or not, we must initiate the research project. Otherwise, if they use electromagnetic pulse weapons against us in the future, we will be helpless. And if we use electromagnetic pulse weapons against them, not only will we not be able to harm them, but we will also enhance their defenses, and even prevent our missiles from penetrating their firewalls. How can we compete then? While this equipment still has a small coverage area, we might still be able to catch up if we hurry. Once they develop a system that can cover a large area, with one piece of equipment covering an entire city, it will be too late for us to follow suit.”

Those who work on weapons are just that brazen; regardless of whether they can actually develop them, they just ask for money.

Defense Secretary Chris said, "We will report to Congress and get them to allocate funds immediately, not a second can be wasted."

At this moment, military expert Sanchez said, "Didn't the Persian Cat buy Yang Chen's equipment? Let's have an agent and an inside man get one over, then we can disassemble and study it quickly, right?"

NSA Director Richardson sighed and said, "Persian Cat is just showing off! According to the insider, Yang Chen only rented the equipment this time, and was taken away by Starry Sky Military Industry after using it. Persian Cat said it was for sale to them purely to scare the Squid Country. How could such advanced equipment be sold to foreign countries, especially since it's Persian Cat, which we've infiltrated to the core? The Dragon Country isn't stupid."

Weapons expert Humphries said, "Let's not say anything more, it's decided. We'll submit a report to Congress tomorrow and ask them to approve the funds immediately."

It is well known that the U.S. Department of Defense and military often exaggerate the threat posed by other countries in order to secure funding from Congress.

As before, in order to get Congress to immediately approve 100 billion Eagle Dollars in research funding, they exaggerated how powerful the plasma shield was and how important it would be in future wars.

With their exaggerated claims, the whole world knew that Yang Chen's new equipment was called a plasma shield, and that it was powerful enough to intercept all weapons.

Japanese netizens: What?! A plasma shield? There's such a thing? This is the difference in intelligence! We only know how to make plasma TVs, and we've been left behind by the rest of the world. Yang Chen actually came up with a plasma shield; this is the wisdom of a great power!

A South Korean netizen commented: "I'm so angry! Why is it that all the good things are his doing? How many incredible achievements has he made all by himself? Isn't it said that when God closes a door, he opens a window? Why are both his doors and windows open? It's so unfair!"

A netizen from Bald Eagle commented: "Oh my god! This plasma shield helped the Persian cat intercept so many missiles? Even our first stealth missile was 100% intercepted? That's amazing! How did he come up with such incredible technology?"
A Persian cat netizen commented: "Listen up, people from certain hostile countries! We are friends of Mr. Yang Chen. Think carefully before you attack us. Mr. Yang will help us teach you a lesson and make you lose face in front of the whole world. Our country has already ordered everyone to use mobile phones produced by Mr. Yang's company, and computers and other products will also be replaced with products from Mr. Yang's company. Western countries are about to completely lose our market of 8800 million people. Go ahead and cry."

A netizen from the Sand Kingdom commented: "This proves that choice is more important than effort. As long as you choose the right partners and a leading figure, even if you're not very good, you can still shine by leveraging the strength of that leader. We've done a great job in this regard, establishing a good cooperative relationship with the Dragon Kingdom many years ago. Now that the Dragon Kingdom's technology is booming, we're also benefiting. When this equipment is sold to other countries, the Dragon Kingdom will definitely choose countries with good relations, and we will certainly be among the first eligible purchasers. Haha…"

If foreigners are this excited, then Chinese people are naturally even more excited.

Some military bloggers have compiled information about plasma shields, describing them as arrays or barriers used by deities.

Ordinary people don't understand what plasma is, but they do understand what array formations and barriers are.

Netizens flocked to Yang Chen's Weibo comment section to leave messages.

"Now I believe what the Western media is saying. Did we torture aliens on the far side of the moon to reveal our advanced technology? Such incredible technology was developed so easily, it makes me feel a little insecure."

"Is this science fiction or fantasy? If it's science fiction, I'm not afraid. I believe the country won't abandon me. If it's fantasy, then I'll panic. You'll all be flying on swords and ascending to heaven, while I'm running around underground. That would be terrible for me."

"At this moment, the mountain-protecting formation described in fantasy novels has become a reality. I can only say that Mr. Yang is awesome. He has used technology to realize the magic of immortal cultivation."

"Haha... The Eagles brought out their most advanced stealth missiles, and they were completely intercepted. This plasma shield is really amazing. It doesn't need radar detection at all. As long as the equipment is activated for important facilities, it can intercept missiles. But some bloggers said that this thing can only intercept electromagnetic and laser weapons, right? Why can it also intercept missiles? Mr. Yang, could you explain this to us?"

When Yang Chen and the nation decided to lend the plasma shield to the Persian cat, they were already prepared to let the world know about the advent of the plasma shield.

Why do you do that?

First, naturally, it is to deter troublemakers and enhance international influence.

Second, it is to "treat others as they treat you."

The US used an arms race to cripple the Soviet Union, and now it's using the same method to cripple the US.

To paraphrase a common joke among netizens, "If you believe me, you'll be fooled; if you don't, I'll mass-produce it. So, are you going to follow me or not?"

The Bald Eagle is currently in debt of 35 trillion Eagle Dollars, with annual interest payments alone amounting to 1.3 trillion Eagle Dollars.

Their military spends 9 Eagle Dollars to procure a single pack of screws costing 9.9 yuan with free shipping. Of the 100 billion Eagle Dollars they spend, only a few hundred million will actually be used for research on plasma shields.

If there are enough projects like this, the Bald Eagle will eventually be unable to withstand the pressure.

Since netizens are so curious, Yang Chen will give them a brief introduction.

Yang Chen posted a Weibo post.

"Thank you for your attention and support. I've seen many netizens asking why plasma shields can defend against physical missiles, since theoretically they can only defend against electromagnetic and laser weapons. Actually, that's not the case. As long as a plasma shield absorbs enough electromagnetic waves, it can form a near-metallic net of plasma layers. When a physical projectile impacts it at high speed, it will detonate. However, it can only absorb the electromagnetic radiation damage from the explosion, not the mechanical or thermal energy damage. Therefore, it must be positioned at high altitudes to intercept and avoid ground damage. Currently, there is only one way to give it this capability: bombardment with a sufficient number of electromagnetic pulse weapons. We are researching suborbital vehicles. Once this vehicle is developed, we can use it to send plasma shields to the edge of the atmosphere to intercept intercontinental ballistic missiles. In the future, intercontinental ballistic missiles carrying nuclear warheads will no longer pose a threat to us. Interested countries can research this approach, and let's all make progress together."

Yang Chen's Weibo post was translated into dozens of languages ​​and posted on the international internet, quickly shocking the world.

The Pentagon held another emergency meeting overnight.

On the big screen were Yang Chen's original Weibo post and its translated version in English. Everyone stared at the post with grave expressions.

After a long silence, weapons expert Humphries said, "Sigh... it seems that 100 billion Eagle Dollars is not enough. We have to use electromagnetic pulse weapons to bombard them in order to intercept physical missiles."

Defense Department representative Chris said, "If we can develop it, it's worth any amount of money. Based on the actual combat results, Yang Chen's description is not exaggerated or false. Once they develop a suborbital vehicle, intercontinental ballistic missiles will no longer pose a threat to them. Then we're finished! I suggest increasing funding and intensifying research efforts in this area, striving to develop the results as quickly as possible."

Military representative Hania said, "Agreed! We can't be stingy with funds now. If we let them develop those weapons, our status as a global hegemon will be in jeopardy. They might also settle old scores with us. I can't imagine how miserable we would be then. As the Chinese often say, if we don't use the money to upgrade our weapons, are we going to use it to pay reparations? We can streamline expenses in other departments, but military spending must increase by more than 10%, no less."

The US military budget last year was 8950 billion US dollars. If it is increased by more than 10%, it will be close to one trillion US dollars.

Last year, the U.S. military's revenue was 4.9 trillion U.S. dollars, but its expenditures reached 6.8 trillion U.S. dollars, resulting in a fiscal deficit of 1.9 trillion U.S. dollars.

The bald eagle can survive for a while by virtue of its global hegemony, but at this rate, there will come a day when it can no longer hold out.

The whole world is testing the eagles; let's see how long this eagle can hold out.

Meanwhile, the Mao family was also holding a meeting to discuss the plasma shield project.

Russia is now backward in every aspect, and its only reliance is the number of nuclear warheads it possesses.

If one day their nuclear weapons become ineffective, they will have no last resort left.

When that time comes, history books will have to look back and see how much of their territory was illegally seized, and it will have to be returned. They are terrified of that day coming, so even though they are currently locked in a fierce battle with Russia and under immense financial pressure, they are still going to initiate a research project on plasma shields.

Moreover, they spent a considerable amount of money, directly allocating 300 billion Eagle Dollars to relevant universities and arms dealers. They didn't care how much money was spent, as long as the plasma shield could be developed as soon as possible.

They even unanimously believed that if they couldn't develop plasma shields and the technology to break through them, their future would be dire.

The 300 billion Eagle Coins are just the initial funding; more will be added later. We must research and develop the plasma shield and its hacking technology, no matter what.

At this time, countries such as Germany, France, England, Japan, and even India and South Korea held special meetings to discuss the issue of initiating plasma shield projects.

StarCraft has already demonstrated the capabilities of the plasma shield in its battles against Blackwater Group and in its assistance to Persian Cat in air defense. No country has any doubts about it; the only thing to discuss is how much investment is needed.

Germany and France, the two major European powers, each allocated 400 billion euros to research this project. England, which was already so poor that it had to sell its aircraft carriers, gritted its teeth and allocated 300 billion pounds. India, which was even reluctant to build toilets, allocated about 200 billion US dollars for research on plasma shields.

Yang Chen and Long Guo's open scheme was simply unsolvable, directly dragging all the respectable countries in the world into the trap.

After a while, Xingchen Military Industry will develop a suborbital spacecraft with a speed exceeding Mach 7 for the military, and continue to tempt them to follow suit, to see how long they can hold out.

The national security department quickly gathered relevant intelligence from major countries around the world and sent it back to China.

The leaders smiled happily as they watched as various countries allocated tens of billions of dollars to the plasma shield project.

As a major contributor, Yang Chen naturally deserved to be rewarded. The leadership directly declared that this year's highest scientific and technological award would be given to Yang Chen, with the plasma shield technology as the selection item.

Li Qingyun, head of the review committee for the State Top Science and Technology Award, called Yang Chen and informed him to go to Beijing to receive the award in three days.

Yang Chen asked in confusion, "I didn't register to participate. How did I get it?"

Li Qingyun said with a smile, "The leader specifically requested that you receive this year's National Science and Technology Award. We know Chairman Yang doesn't value these things, but he still wants to give the country a way to express its recognition of you. You agree, right? Otherwise, if people see that a researcher of your level doesn't receive any awards, wouldn't they blame the country for not valuing talent? If the award ceremony weren't held at the Great Hall of the People, we would have delivered it to you personally. Please take the trouble to come over when you have some free time."

Yang Chen laughed heartily and said, "Alright, I'll be there on time."

After hanging up the phone, Yang Chen called Chen Xi in.

"Xiao Xi, call the captain. We'll fly to Beijing after get off work the day after tomorrow and he can apply for a flight route. We need to stay at a hotel near the Great Hall of the People, so please arrange that," Yang Chen instructed.

Chen Xi immediately replied, "Okay, I'll arrange it right away."

With another year coming to an end, receiving an award before the New Year would be a good idea.

A short while later, BlackRock CEO Manny Pacquiao called Yang Chen.

“Mr. Yang, I’m sorry, but you have to pay us back the money you owe us. We’re under pressure from above, and if we don’t get the money back, they’ll take action against us. We’ve come up with a plan: you pay us back first, we’ll deal with the situation, and then we’ll lend you 1000 billion Eagle Dollars. Is that alright?” Pacquiao said.

The Wall Street bigwigs dared not offend the higher-ups, yet they didn't want to lose Yang Chen, their cash cow, so this was the only solution they could come up with.

Yang Chen said with a smile, "You guys have really gone through a lot of trouble. Alright, here you go. But I have to say this upfront: Deutsche Bank and other European investment banks have been asking me to help them with new projects. If they come to me for cooperation after I return the money, then I'll cooperate with them. You can't blame me then."

Pacquiao quickly said, "Mr. Yang, please, you can't do this. Look how long we've waited for you. You can't just abandon us like this. Fine, I don't want it anymore. Old Deng is just angry for a moment. He'll be fine once he calms down. I don't believe he dares to break ties with us."

Yang Chen replied, "Don't misunderstand. What I mean is that I'll return the money to you. If Europe contacts me for cooperation, but your funds haven't arrived on time, and I also owe money to Europe, then I'll definitely have to accept their cooperation request, right?"

“Old Deng has gone too far! Does he think Wall Street is so easy to bully? Mr. Yang, you can use the money without worry. I’ll contact the presidents of other companies and go to the White House to confront Old Deng. Let’s see if he dares to mess with us! If he dares to touch us, he can forget about winning the November election!” Pacquiao said excitedly.

Yang Chen wanted to say something, but Pacquiao hung up the phone.

If Pacquiao hadn't mentioned the November election in the United States, things would have been fine. But now that he's brought it up, Yang Chen has to return the money to them. It would be easier to deal with Trump if he came to power.

Yang Chen called Chen Lan, president of Sihai Investment, and instructed, "Return the 1000 billion peso from Wall Street immediately. Also, schedule a video conference with the European investment banks."

Chen Lan quickly replied, "Okay, I'll take care of it right away."

Pacquiao called together the presidents of investment banks such as Goldman Sachs, and they were just about to go to the White House when they received reports that Sihai Investment had repaid the money.

Upon hearing this news, the CEOs felt as if the sky had fallen and immediately urged Pacquiao to contact Yang Chen to inquire about the situation.

Pacquiao called Yang Chen excitedly and asked, "Mr. Yang, why did you pay me back? Didn't we agree not to? We've already assembled and are heading to the White House. Don't worry about using it, okay?"

Yang Chen replied with difficulty, "Forget it. You've asked for the money several times, and it's not right for me to keep dragging my feet and not pay. It would make me look like a deadbeat. My attitude has always been the same: I will definitely cooperate with you if there is an opportunity. As long as you don't do anything too outrageous, I will discuss business with you. Once the money is returned, neither of us will owe the other anything, okay?"

Pacquiao quickly said, "Mr. Yang, I'm begging you, we'll transfer the money back to you right away, please just keep the money and don't return it, okay?"

Yang Chen countered, "No, I don't quite understand. I'm returning the money to you, why don't you want it? I've already said it won't affect our relationship, you don't need to be so nervous."

“No, no, we won’t feel at ease if you don’t owe us money. If it really doesn’t work, we’ll scrape together more for you, lend you another 2000 billion Eagle Dollars, is that alright? We can’t possibly kneel down in front of you and beg you, can we?” Pacquiao said.

Presidents of investment banks such as Goldman Sachs quickly chimed in, urging Yang Chen to accept the money.

"Mr. Yang, I'm Martin Winterkorn, the president of Goldman Sachs. Please accept our money so we can feel at ease. Is that alright?"

“Mr. Yang, I’m Pinto, president of JPMorgan Chase. Let’s do as Pacquiao just said. We’ll lend you another 2000 billion Eagle Dollars. You can accept it and use it as you see fit. Give us priority in any opportunities, and don’t consider those Europeans. Is that alright?”

"Mr. Yang, I'm Barkley, the president of Pioneer Navigation. Please accept this. I'll be visiting rice and other companies in China in a few days, and I'll definitely visit you in Jiangcheng. How can I visit you if you don't accept the money?"

Yang Chen deliberately wanted to sow discord between Wall Street and Deng Xiaoping. He definitely couldn't accept the money, and he had to cooperate with Europe on a grand scale. This way, the bigwigs on Wall Street would have a mental breakdown and would stop supporting Deng Xiaoping.

Yang Chen said, "Please don't make things difficult for me, everyone. I don't want the situation to escalate and affect my other businesses. Don't worry, I'll still cooperate with you whenever the opportunity arises. Okay? That's settled then, bye."

Yang Chen immediately hung up the phone, a wicked smile spreading across his face.

Doesn't this give them complete control?

The Wall Street executives collectively lost their temper and immediately rushed to the White House to argue.

When the heads of several investment banks in Europe learned that Yang Chen was looking for them, they were overjoyed and immediately dropped what they were doing to start a video conference.

Once all the bank executives had arrived, Yang Chen also entered the video conference room.

"Mr. Yang, it's been a long time! I've missed you terribly. You've become incredibly popular in the military technology sector lately. Congratulations!" Deutsche Bank CEO Horns said with a smile.

Barclays President Boris Johnson followed up, saying, "Mr. Yang is the most versatile genius I've ever met. He excels in both finance and technology, which is truly terrifying. That plasma shield technology left me speechless; only Mr. Yang could have come up with it."

The bosses showered Yang Chen with flattery, making him feel quite embarrassed.

Yang Chen smiled and said, "You flatter me, it's mainly because my team is so capable. Let's get down to business. Japan and South Korea believe my company is involved in money laundering, and I have to teach them a lesson. My first thought for a partner is you all. I wonder if you're interested?"

(End of this chapter)