Back in 1978, I was admitted to Northwestern Polytechnical University.

Chapter 349 If you want to grow mushrooms, I'll throw dirty bombs.

The Land of Tears, on the Atlantic coast, Blanca Bay.

It's quite far from the capital of the Crying Kingdom, so it's relatively quiet. Besides the civilian port that exports wheat, it's also a military port.

The naval port consists of a forward harbor and a harbor basin, with two huge dry docks at the innermost part for ship repair.

The British Navy's nuclear submarine HMS Conqueror was docked at the shipyard's pier.

This is a nuclear submarine with an underwater displacement of nearly 5,000 tons. For an attack nuclear submarine, this displacement is not very large, but it is not small either. The entire submarine is elongated and teardrop-shaped, which is the most suitable shape for underwater use. It has a horizontal rudder at the bow and a cross-shaped rudder at the stern, which looks quite modern.

However... the study of submarine shape is not the most crucial thing. Now that the East has advanced computer-aided design capabilities, there is not much to say about how to design the submarine shape to reduce resistance. The key is the internal equipment, especially the sonar!

Since radar cannot be used underwater, sonar has become the primary underwater observation equipment, and in this respect, the East lags behind.

Night fell over the port, and scaffolding was erected on the dock outside the submarine.

"Be careful, go slowly!" an elderly professor called out to his students from below.

"It's alright, Professor Xu, this frame is very stable," said student Tian Yu. Then, he picked up the crowbar, and with a creak, creak... bang!

A sound-absorbing tile was pried off.

Since the underwater world is a world of sound, submarines naturally need to reduce their own noise, ideally to the level of ocean background noise, becoming nothing more than a black hole in the ocean.

Installing vibration damping brackets on engines and using large-skew propellers are all important ways to reduce noise. Laying sound-absorbing tiles on the outside is also one of them. Although it is generally believed that the Russians were the first to use sound-absorbing tiles, in fact, Germany's U-boats began using them in 1940.

As for the UK, the early Warrior-class submarines did not have anechoic tiles. However, in 1980, when the UK returned this submarine to the shipyard for a mid-life upgrade, it not only cut open the reactor to add fuel, but also laid a layer of anechoic tiles on the outside.

It can absorb sound waves and reduce submarine vibration and internal noise radiation, but... this brings a lot of inconvenience to submarine research. The anechoic tiles have to be removed to expose the array sonar that is covered by the anechoic tiles.

When this submarine was first built, it was equipped with the Type 2001 sonar, but during the upgrade in the early 1980s, it was replaced with the Type 2020 sonar, which almost represented the highest level of British technology in the late 1970s.

Meanwhile, the sonar technology of submarines in the East at that time was still based on the Type 033 submarine of the 1960s.

Therefore, acquiring this submarine presents the best opportunity for research!

"Professor Xu, the basic units in this sonar array are directly welded onto it!" Tian Yu shouted down after studying it carefully.

Professor Xu frowned slightly and looked at the head of the local shipyard beside him: "Mr. Mario, I'm afraid we won't be able to dismantle it easily."

"It's okay. If it's hard to disassemble, then use a cutting saw or an oxy-acetylene cutter. Use whatever you want, as long as it can be taken apart!"

"Such violent dismantling might damage the submarine's hull."

The sound-absorbing tiles were just pried off. It's not a big problem. After all, many submarines lose their sound-absorbing tiles after being soaked in seawater. After a few voyages, the surface becomes pitted and uneven, like it has many scars, which looks particularly unsightly.

However, using cutting methods...

Mario said, looking at the person next to him, "Armando, go get the tools!"

"Yes!"

Soon, the cutting saw and gas cutter were pushed over. Professor Xu looked at the damaged top of the submarine and thought that since it was already damaged, there was no harm in cutting it open.

The ear-piercing sound of a saw rang out, sparks flew, and a few seconds later, Professor Xu reacted: "Quick, fire truck!"

Flames had already started burning on the sound-absorbing tiles below. Fortunately, the fire trucks arrived quickly, preventing the submarine from catching fire. Looking at the few burnt sound-absorbing tiles, Professor Xu was genuinely frightened; what if the submarine had been set on fire...

“Professor Xu, it’s alright, you can continue. This submarine was originally our spoils of war. If it really catches fire, it can just sink to the bottom of the sea.” Mario remained calm.

Without Eastern weapons and equipment, they couldn't win this war. Now, the entire nation of Crying Kingdom is very friendly towards the East. If the Easterners want to study this war trophy, let them study it openly and generously! Fully cooperate!
"This..." Professor Xu thought to himself, "You guys are really bold. What if the submarine catches fire and causes a nuclear leak?"
However, before he could finish speaking, the sound of the cutting saw rang out again.

Having learned from experience this time, a steel plate guide channel was inserted under the sparks to prevent them from splashing directly onto the sound-absorbing tiles. A few minutes later, Tian Yu picked up a sledgehammer and bang, bang, bang!
Finally, one of the basic units of the sonar array was removed.

"Teacher, it's taken down!"

"Yeah, sure!"

"Oh right, get some super glue, I'll stick this sound-absorbing tile back on!"

Professor Xu glanced at the pressure hull, which had been dismantled beyond recognition. If it were simply glued back on, nothing would be visible, but what if repairs didn't pay attention to this and it was used as if it were still intact? It might collapse under the pressure of the seawater during a dive—wouldn't that be dangerous?

Meanwhile, Mario continued to instruct his men, "Go, get the glue!"

They really enjoy doing things that harm the British Navy!
Once a basic unit is disassembled, it can be taken back to begin the surveying and replication work!
Professor Xu looked at the unit, about the size of an aluminum alloy lunchbox, with excitement on his face. Array sonar was still a blank slate in the East!

Ordinary submarines typically have sonar installed in the bow. The larger the sonar, the better the effect. Therefore, in later developments, the entire bow of the submarine was occupied by sonar, to the point that torpedo tubes were moved to the rear and launched at an angle.

However, this is also limited. So later, array sonar was developed, which is installed on the side of the submarine. Multiple units form an array, which further expands the listening range. A towed sonar can also be added to the stern, which can avoid the influence of the submarine's own noise.

When the Conqueror was being refitted, it was equipped with array sonar and towed sonar, which were completely new features in the East!

Take it back and study it!
"Mr. Mario, thank you for your cooperation over the past few months..."

"Of course, we're friends."

"But with so many things missing, won't the British...?"

"Hmph, this submarine is our spoils of war. They have to pay a ransom before we'll give it to them. We've talked about it a few times before, but it seems they don't want to give it up. So, this submarine is ours now. Even if they take it away later and find something missing, it's none of our business. Anyway, this is how it was when it was brought to the dock!"

Only a fool would remain indifferent to spoils of war. When the MiG-25 flew to the island nation, American military engineers disassembled the aircraft overnight! They examined it inside and out, and after that, the MiG-25 had no secrets from them. Then, the MiG-25 began to be exported in large quantities.

Now that the British Navy's nuclear submarine has arrived here, it's only natural that it will be studied!
The towed sonar was immediately removed and taken away. The array sonar was just taken apart from the outside. The less critical parts inside were photographed and recorded, while the critical parts were removed and taken away. The hard drive storing the data was removed immediately.

This submarine has no secrets left.

Just then, a noise came from inside the submarine, and another group of people came out.

“Old Zhao, look at you, working so hard every day. Let the younger people do the work…” Professor Xu walked over and helped him take off his heavy lead-lined radiation protection suit.

"I wouldn't feel at ease until I saw it with my own eyes, but after seeing it, I was somewhat disappointed. The UK's nuclear reactor technology isn't much more advanced than ours."

The HMS Conqueror nuclear submarine uses the PWR1 pressurized water reactor developed by Rolls-Royce and the British Atomic Energy Agency. The steam generated drives two steam turbines, with a power output of 1.5 horsepower.

The Type 091 nuclear submarine in the East uses its own pressurized water reactor to drive two steam turbines, outputting 1.2 horsepower.

In terms of power, the difference is not significant. However, many of the designs are valuable for reference and can be used to improve nuclear reactors in Eastern submarines.

“Of course, Eastern technology is the most advanced!” Mario stepped forward, beaming. “The skills of these two Eastern experts are the most impressive I’ve ever seen!”

Xu Demin, born in 1937, entered Northwestern Polytechnical University in 1956 and graduated with a master's degree in 1964. He stayed on to work at the university and is one of the veterans of the Department of Underwater Weapons. He led a team to the U.S. and gained a lot from the trip. Zhao Renkai, born in 1923, was transferred to the Second Ministry of Machine Building in 1956. He switched from mechanical engineering to the nuclear industry and has since been inextricably linked with nuclear reactors. When the U.S. decided to develop nuclear submarines, he was the head of the 07 design group for nuclear reactor design.

Having spent half my life working on nuclear reactors, mostly in isolation without exchanging ideas with top-tier foreign technologies, this experience of thoroughly examining the inside and outside of a British nuclear submarine reactor was a rare treat.

Now that the expedition is almost over, it's time to head back!
Just then, car lights suddenly lit up in the distance, rapidly approaching, followed by the sharp sound of brakes.

"Gentlemen, friends from the East, please wait!"

"What's wrong, Mr. Guillermo? What brings you here?"

"The British have gone too far, threatening us to use mushroom bombs! So we have no choice but to fight back!"

"Oh that's fine!"

it is good?
Seeing Old Zhao's excited expression, Professor Xu found it somewhat amusing. "Old Zhao, don't be so excited! Don't you see? The entire nation is practically in tears! The threat of this mushroom bomb is not something an ordinary person can withstand!"

Britain ultimately resorted to the threat of nuclear weapons, and when they did, it meant they had run out of options! Revealing their trump card must mean they couldn't use any other methods.

In Great Britain, it was already dawn, and the lights at 10 Downing Street had been on all night.

“Weeping people, aren’t you afraid of our threats?” the Iron Lady said angrily.

"Yes, we have issued an ultimatum, and their response is that the Falkland Islands belong to them, and no amount of military threat can prevent them from having sovereignty over the Falkland Islands."

"Hmph, do they really think we won't use nuclear weapons? Even if I'm impeached, no ruling party will compromise on taking back the Falklands."

Even if the Iron Lady steps down, it's because she defeated Russia, not because she attacked the Crying Country. As long as she doesn't target Russia directly, but only attacks the Crying Country, Russia will have to stay out of it.

Britain's only concern was international condemnation, but now, with heavy casualties and damage to its national image, who would oppose the use of mushroom bombs?
We must use mushroom bombs to show the Crying Nation that even a weakened camel is bigger than a horse, and that even if Britain has declined, it is not a third-rate country like the Crying Nation that can challenge it.

"To minimize innocent casualties, we need to issue a public announcement: we will be launching mushroom bombs at the capital of the Crying Kingdom. Citizens of the Crying Kingdom's capital have 24 hours to evacuate..."

As soon as the Iron Lady said this, everyone around nodded in agreement. It had to be said that this was a perfect plan.

Regardless of whether or not mushroom bombs are ultimately used, these 24 hours will be the most chaotic time for the Crying Kingdom. Countless people will flee the city, their capital will become a ghost town, various gangs will become active, and all sorts of looting, arson, and other crimes will occur. The capital of the Crying Kingdom will become a living hell!

The losses this time will also be astronomical!

Next, we can repeat this tactic in other cities, plunging all the major cities of the Crying Kingdom into chaos. The country's economy will surely collapse completely, and the prestige built through victory will never be as valuable as economic wealth!

"Excellent, that's a great plan!"

"Whether Parliament approves the mushroom-growing plan or not, the deterrent effect must be sent. Now, let's proceed according to this plan. We, Britain, are not a third-rate country that can be bullied!"

"Alright, next, shall we discuss the plan to purchase H-6 bombers from the East?"

"North, has the United States given us a reply?"

"They replied that they can only provide us with F111 bombers at most, priced at $2.29 million per aircraft. We need to use our overseas bases as collateral. If we can't raise the funds even after they arrive, we'll have to hand over the overseas bases to them..."

The Americans are quite cunning; they only sell them fighter-bombers!
The F-111, a variable-sweep wing bomber, is still very powerful, with a maximum range of over 6,000 kilometers and a maximum payload of eight tons. However, it is fundamentally different from a strategic bomber. Even if it can fly at Mach 2.5, the payload will be greatly reduced and the range will be significantly shortened. Most of its attack operations will still be at subsonic speeds.

And the price is astronomical!
It's worth noting that although the F-111 fighter-bomber was very expensive to develop and produce back then, with an average cost of around 20 million US dollars per aircraft, the Royal Air Force is now asking for a tenfold increase in its price when it wants to purchase this aircraft!
Are they still allies? All they're after are Britain's overseas bases, aren't they? Joint deployment isn't enough; they want ownership too!

The Iron Lady frowned. In comparison, the Eastern H-6 bombers were still the best value for money. However, the conditions demanded by the Eastern side were excessive.

The Iron Lady has already lost the Falklands; is she going to lose Hong Kong too? That's the Pearl of the Orient!
But... she knew she didn't have many cards to play. If she was struggling to deal with a crying nation, what could Britain possibly do against the East?
Time is passing slowly.

beep, beep...

Just then, someone ran in.

"Report, report!"

"explain."

"An American reconnaissance satellite flew over the Weeping Country and captured images of the Conqueror."

"how's it going?"

"The Conqueror has entered the dock, scaffolding has been erected, and the sound-absorbing tiles on the aft half of the hull are being removed..."

"What? What are they going to do?"

“That’s British property, they have no right to do that!”

Everyone was filled with anger, but the Iron Lady seemed to remember something, and her body swayed, almost causing her to fall.

"The announcement of targeting the capital of the crying country with mushroom bombs has been suspended."

"Why?" North asked curiously.

"Summon the wartime cabinet and convene a meeting immediately."

In the conference room.

"What? You suspect that the Weeping Nation is going to dismantle the Conqueror's nuclear reactor, take out the fuel rods, make dirty bombs, and spread them across our land? How is that possible!"

"Yes, these are all your speculations. So far, there is no evidence to suggest that the Crying Country has this technology..."

A nuclear explosion is not easy. The chain reaction must be intense enough to trigger a critical mass and volume explosion. The nuclear material must be enriched to more than 90 percent!

Nuclear reactors only need a concentration of a few percent to function properly. Later nuclear submarine reactors began to use weapons-grade enriched uranium to match the lifespan of the submarine, which can burn for twenty or thirty years. However, this is still far from sufficient. For example, the nuclear reactor of the Conqueror has a core lifespan of only seven years!

The concentration is only 30% to 40%, making a nuclear explosion very difficult. However, if you dismantle the nuclear reactor, extract the nuclear fuel rods, grind them into powder, and mix them with something, you can easily send them to Britain. At that time... no one in the entire British Isles will be able to live there!

Can they deliver it to me?

In the past, the British Navy was very powerful and could blockade the sea and inspect all ships. Now, the British Navy doesn't even have any frigates left! All that's left are some speedboats, which are simply unable to stop smuggling boats from infiltrating!
“Unless we launch an attack right now and completely destroy it,” North said. “But… if we want to obtain the nuclear key, negotiations with the United States will take time, and then we need congressional authorization. It will take at least a week. In that time, they will have enough time to turn the nuclear reactor into a dirty bomb.”

Everyone was silent.

When the British officially issued their ultimatum and threatened to use mushroom bombs, the Crying Nation no longer concealed its intentions and had corresponding countermeasures!

　PS: Conqueror.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)