What the hell is a private enterprise?

Chapter 638 Weather Warning
Campsite Bay
Like the pioneers on the mushroom route, the Indian brother chose to establish a mushroom cultivation experimental base in the inland state of Rajasthan, while Kampat Bay is a bay in the neighboring state of Chijrath and is very close to Mummai, the world's largest and most prosperous city.

The Empire's original plan to send warships here was naturally to get closer to Rajasthans, but the Royal Navy saw through this and HMS Hood headed straight for Kampat Bay and began joint exercises with India.

At the time of the incident, the exercise had not yet started, but the warships of the three parties had already set sail one after another. The USS Steinson, lacking the assistance of the USS Benfold, was unable to carry out large-scale monitoring, so it simply conducted anti-submarine exercises first in an attempt to slip by.

As a result, the moment the sonar buoy was dropped, something extraordinary happened. An unusual ripple suddenly appeared on the seabed near Kampard Bay. At first, they thought it was an Indian submarine sending a helicopter to drop the buoy, but when they checked the sonar, it turned out to be a fast U-boat!
Due to the generational gap in technology and structure, the acoustic signatures of both slow and fast U-boats are significantly different from those of today's mainstream submarines, making them highly distinctive and almost impossible to mistake.

The USS Stanson was terrified and quickly approached to investigate, only to find the submarine gone in less than an hour!
Not only is it gone, but a layer of colorful oil slick floats in the sunlight over the area where the incident occurred—clearly leaked from the damaged submarine. Small fragments and debris were later found, proving that a warship had run aground and sunk there.

But it's gone now.

The USS Stanson and its accompanying frigates immediately prepared to salvage the vessel, but someone discovered that the warship's monitoring instruments were emitting strong radiation warnings. Upon closer inspection, the readings were found to be extremely high, indicating that the entire area where the fast U-boat wrecked was a source of intense radiation!

A sailor on the ship went down and randomly collected some water samples for testing. The radiometer immediately jumped to the deep red zone of the extremely dangerous setting.

The two warships first accelerated away at top speed, and then sent a message back to base requesting tactical guidance.

The relevant experts, upon receiving the measurement results, determined that: -
Uranium radiation;
-
The concentration is very high, far exceeding the threshold for nuclear submarine leaks or nuclear waste, and it is very likely that it is more than 98% weapons-grade material.

In conclusion: it's either a broken mushroom egg or a leak of high-purity raw materials.

Based on the matching records of fast U-boats in the voiceprint database, it is clear that something extraordinary has happened.

Meanwhile, the local authorities immediately concluded that Hans had demonstrated mysterious space/wormhole technology to move the submarine wreckage away.

The USS Stanson immediately received a gag order and placed the area under tight security, although some information had already been leaked to the British beforehand.

When these reports were finally compiled and presented to the President, who had just drafted his statement on the handling of Southeast Asia, he subconsciously asked:
Where is our aircraft carrier?

"We have three aircraft carriers available. The USS Nimitz in the Gulf region can arrive within 72 hours. We also have the USS Kenridy and USS Independence in the Mediterranean and Yokosuka respectively. They are still on duty and can be deployed to reinforce us within 15 to 20 days."

Kazimirz remembered the aircraft carrier's movements very clearly, but immediately continued:

"However, given the current situation, the most crucial question is whether the Lost Empire actually possesses mushroom eggs, which can be divided into three scenarios:"

First, the Lost Empire lacked the technology and manufacturing capabilities, and obtained a few of them through some means;
Second, the Lost Empire has the technology but no manufacturing capability, and is trying to control the Mushroom Egg by cooperating with the Third Brother;

Third, the Lost Empire possessed complete technology and manufacturing capabilities; it simply happened to be passing through and was lost in the accident.

"The likelihood of the three guesses decreases in that order, but the third one is the least likely."

Jefferson nodded:

"The submarine is gone, so what was left behind?"

Kazimirz: "There is no protective equipment for salvage yet, but we are quite certain that a large amount of radioactive material has leaked, most likely a piece of high-purity raw material."

"..."

Jefferson scratched his head, wondering why he had been having so much trouble lately.

First, Tang Wen, who was the most favored and was even prepared to be an academician, went to Southeast Asia for no reason. Then there was Third Brother... no, Third Brother's problem has existed since last year, but it just hasn't been resolved yet.

While he was suffering from a headache, Kajimir offered a suggestion:
"When it comes to such a critical issue, we can certainly apply the presumption of guilt. In any case, until it is confirmed that there is no mushroom deal between India and the Lost Empire, the current research and development program should be suspended and subject to supervision."

If they do not accept, this time the Empire has every reason to carry out a surgical precision strike.

"Indeed... we do have sufficient and well-founded reasons, but this is far beyond what we had previously anticipated."

Jefferson hesitated for a moment, then Kazimilz immediately changed his approach:

"Sir, if the Third Brother really possesses nuclear weapons, would it have a fatal impact on us? No, it wouldn't even be worth adjusting the plans specifically for the Empire itself."

However, it would be terrifying if the Lost Empire also had mushroom eggs.

Exhausted, Jefferson hadn't quite grasped the situation yet and asked:

"We have a powerful deterrence and defense system... oh no."

He suddenly realized that nuclear deterrence was like everyone pointing a gun at each other's heads, but the head of the Lost Empire, this "person," did not exist, or rather, had not yet been found.

If India were to throw mushroom bombs at the Empire, it would face an overwhelming barrage of mushrooms, injuring the enemy by 80 (questionable) and itself by 1000.

If the Lost Empire throws mushrooms at the Empire, the Empire can't find a way to retaliate—it can't exactly bomb penguins, can it? This is a case of hurting the enemy 80 while losing 0 of its own.

The key is that the Lost Empire is not India; the former's deterrent power is off the charts. The presence of the Second and Third Fleets demonstrates that they are truly willing to take action!
Kazimirz quickly reached the same conclusion as Terren:

If the Lost Empire had mushroom eggs, they would have used them already, so... we must investigate whether they are related to the Third Brother!
Furthermore, Kazimirz made the following suggestions:
"The B-2 is already combat-ready and has a long enough range. I suggest we prepare in advance so that, at a critical moment, we can directly penetrate deep into Rajasthan to carry out precision bombing." Jefferson, recalling the fear of being dominated by the lost empire, immediately replied:
"I allow it."

……

November 6st

When Tang Wen woke up, he saw Lao Zhang about to drape a navy uniform over his shoulders.

"What are you doing? Are you trying to make me wear a blue robe?"

As he was being draped the coat over himself, puzzled, Zhao Hande nodded in agreement.

"The young man is still handsome, and he doesn't look out of place in this outfit."

After teasing Tang Wen for several minutes, Old Zhang finally explained:

"The Navy Office received a lot of letters today, with many people saying they want you to lead the fleet. You're still under the age limit, so how about we consider special recruitment? With a doctoral degree, you'll start as a major."

Tang Wen: "..."

It's hard to imagine the shock that the maritime joint defense team's 26-hour exceptionally rapid operation brought to the country.

But after a night, when all the news was released, it was clear that the resentment that had been suppressed for decades was greatly released, especially the maritime disadvantages suffered in the previous ten years were swept away.

Putting aside the inherent backwardness of the naval defense force, Tang Wen's courage in dispatching the fleet despite the pressure from the Empire alone has impressed many. Now, even within the navy, there are a large number of Tang Wen's fans.
That awesome guy helped us vent our anger!

He's practically a hero now, and countless people are celebrating with a replica of that iconic scene.

Just as they were talking, firecrackers went off outside, and Zhao Hande patted him on the shoulder:
"It's definitely for the maritime joint defense team, believe it or not? By the way, many Chinese businessmen and people of Chinese descent have sent you banners and gifts, they're piled up at the entrance of the guesthouse, find some time to go and take them away."

"Not that much."

Although he said that, Tang Wen visibly straightened his chest—this operation by the maritime joint defense team had greatly changed history, perfectly fulfilling the role he wanted, and even better.

Tang Wen was actually prepared for a hot war. Although the quality of the joint defense team's sailors was far from sufficient, with the cooperation of "machine souls," they could exert their full strength without anyone noticing. However, it would be better if they didn't use them.

"Natuna, I never expected you to get it so easily, and you also have the right to station the maritime joint defense force."

Old Zhang's eyes burned with fervor as he spoke. Natuna Island is the gateway to the South China Sea, and shipping routes, after passing through the Strait of Malacca, will inevitably pass through the area surrounding Natuna.

Moreover, Natuna is bordered by Siam and Annam to the north and Malaysia to the south, and it guards the Strait of Malacca. It is evenly located in the middle of the Southeast Asian shipping routes, only a few hundred kilometers away from either side. It is no exaggeration to call it a maritime crossroads.

With the future joint maritime defense force stationed here, the entire surrounding area will probably feel like they're sleeping on pins and needles.

With the Lile Beach base added... the South Seas are at your fingertips, and you can mold them as you please.

Upon seeing this, Tang Wen immediately extended an invitation:
"I will build the port to the highest standard, so that the Huashan ship can come and dock at will, and all the maintenance and repairs required for its permanent stationing can be handled."

"Don't!"

Old Zhang and Old Zhao both shook their heads frantically. The maritime joint defense force had already crossed the empire's bottom line in Natuna. If the regular navy got involved, it would definitely cause a major incident.

Old Zhang: "The maritime joint defense team took advantage of a loophole this time. The UN General Assembly is already holding a meeting to study how to plug the gap, and it will be difficult for such a thing to happen again in the future."

Zhao Hande: "Moreover, there is a strong global demand to ban private companies from owning warships, or even cruise ships."

"It's ok."

Tang Wen sensed something, but pretended not to know and said frankly:
"Cancel it if you want. The Dragon Group has already weathered the biggest crisis. It's not a problem for them to support their agents in buying these warships."

Zhao Hande was immediately taken aback:
"Is it the kind of agent I understand?"

"That's right. The Lin Family Chamber of Commerce is really terrible. The organization has already planned to support Odebiao to replace them. Perhaps we can sell the warships of the Maritime Joint Defense Force to them and let the Chinese control them themselves."

"It's not necessary!"

Zhao Hande and Lao Zhao spoke up in unison: the maritime joint defense team was still under Gai Jin's control at least. If they were handed over... who knows what would happen next.

The two had initially considered persuading Geigin to reduce the size of the joint defense team to alleviate external pressure, but now it seems better to leave it at that; staying in the country is more beneficial than harmful.

Old Zhao immediately changed the subject and brushed it off:

"You previously issued a warning about flooding in Northeast China, but the meteorological bureau's simulation results don't seem to match. Can you provide more information?"

(End of this chapter)