Chapter 58: The Counterattack of the Bear Nation!

"Going to study with Su Dingping?"

Xu Dongguo looked at the enthusiastic Lyu Guangjun and asked in confusion.

"Why are you going to study again? Is there a problem with the 051C?"

"Reporting to the Chief, no."

"You still need to be responsible for overseeing the subsequent construction of the 051C production line! This matter concerns the future of our Navy; you must stay focused!"

"Chief, the other researchers at the 408 Research Institute are fully capable of shouldering the heavy responsibility of the subsequent production line construction!" After a pause, Lyu Guangjun continued, "Moreover, even if real problems do arise, it won't take long for me to fly over from Qingdao."

Seeing Lyu Guangjun's persistence, Xu Dongguo grew curious. "What is it over there that attracts you so much?"

Lyu Guangjun gave an awkward smile and said, "Chief, to be honest, I already feel somewhat out of my depth moving from the 051B to the 051C. I fear I won't be able to keep up if we move further down! If we merely hold our ground without advancing, I fear we will fall far behind Sun Yongguo and the others."

"Chief, previously the gap between us and the West was so large, and now that we have finally managed to narrow it a little, this is precisely the time to press forward with all our might. I hope the Chief can approve!"

If it hadn't been for the near-disaster last time when he acted without permission, he would have seen Sun Yongguo by now.

Hearing him say this, Xu Dongguo felt it made sense.

Although the warships had crossed the threshold of modernization, the gap with the West was still significant. He was gratified that the man was not complacent.

"Is it those same people again?"

"Yes, Chief."

"Fine, I approve it." Changing the subject, Xu Dongguo added, "By the way, when you get there, tell Zhou Qinglei. Although they don't have warships to practice on right now, their daily training cannot slacken! It will only be for a few days; the 052 will be arriving soon, and they will have work to do then."

"Yes, Chief!"

Watching Lyu Guangjun's jubilant retreating figure, a hint of a smile appeared on Xu Dongguo's face.

*When hearts beat as one and efforts are directed toward the same goal, why should our Navy fear it cannot rise?*

...

Northern Naval Military Base, temporary classroom.

Su Dingping was leading 18 professors through an in-depth explanation of the 9M38 anti-aircraft missile.

The explanations for the SS-N-22 Sunburn anti-ship missile and the Silkworm supersonic anti-ship missile systems had been mostly completed over the past few days; the rest would require them to comprehend it on their own.

Next up was the 9M38 anti-aircraft missile and the SA-N-7 Hurricane anti-aircraft missile system. Because the latter was the most difficult, Su Dingping had placed it at the end of this course.

"Everyone, today our topic is the 9M38 anti-aircraft missile."

Standing beside the 9M38, Su Dingping said, "Compared to the Haihong series on the 051B, it isn't overly advanced. Given that you already have a foundation in the SS-N-22 Sunburn, I will only give you two days. After two days, we move to the SA-N-7 Hurricane anti-aircraft missile system!"

"The latter is quite difficult and may take more time. Once you have all understood it reasonably well, the other 956E will be handed over to you to manage!"

"Does anyone have any questions?"

Sun Yongguo and the others shook their heads one after another.

It was a joke; they had been studying here for so long and had even been responsible for the optimization and assembly tasks of the previous 956E. If they couldn't handle another 956E, they might as well pack up and go home to raise grandchildren.

Patting the missile body, Su Dingping said, "As per the old rules, we will first perform a physical separation of the 9M38 missile body..."

Just as everyone gathered around, a knock on the door interrupted Su Dingping's lecture.

"We're coming at this hour; I hope we aren't disturbing you?"

Everyone looked toward the sound and saw Lyu Guangjun standing at the door with two vice-presidents.

Su Dingping smiled and said, "No disturbance at all, please come in."

"Alright then."

Lyu Guangjun led the two vice-presidents inside excitedly.

As he entered the classroom and saw the scene inside, Lyu Guangjun was momentarily shocked.

He realized that Su Dingping was truly bold; he was letting a group of professors personally dismantle a missile from a third-party country.

If anything went wrong, the loss would be immeasurable.

*As expected of a genius; his style of operation is both daring and reckless. No wonder he is always ahead of us.*

While feeling sentimental, Lyu Guangjun was also glad he had arrived in time, otherwise, he didn't know how far behind Sun Yongguo and the others he would have fallen.

Sun Yongguo laughed, "Old Lyu, did you pick a special day to come?"

"Hahaha, I just followed the scent," Lyu Guangjun replied with a grin.

Su Dingping looked at the three of them. "Dean Lyu, it's been nearly a month. You've certainly made quite a stir! Everyone knows about it."

"Dingping, please don't say that! If it weren't for studying with you for a while back then, we would still be struggling with where to begin the second modification of the 051B!"

Lyu Guangjun shook Su Dingping's hand, speaking with emotion.

"Dingping, thank you. We didn't have time to come before, so we came specifically this time to thank you."

The two vice-presidents also expressed their gratitude.

Being shaken by the hands of several people two or three generations older than himself and receiving constant thanks made Su Dingping feel somewhat embarrassed.

Sun Yongguo spoke up timely, "Old Lyu, you didn't come all this way just to say thank you, did you?"

"Old Sun, this is why they say our hearts are connected! On one hand, I am here to thank you. On the other hand, I also want to stay and continue learning." As he spoke, Lyu Guangjun looked at Su Dingping. "Dingping, once the three of us arrive, we aren't leaving."

"It's fine, there's plenty of space."

With Su Dingping's words, the three of them felt relieved.

"Regarding the previous course on the SS-N-22 Sunburn, you can exchange ideas with Dean Sun and the others when you have time. If you encounter problems, you can come to me."

Changing the subject, Su Dingping continued, "Alright, let us begin today's lesson."

By the end of the class, the three of them looked at each other, filled with emotion.

They had already completed the modifications for the eighth batch of YJ anti-ship and Haihong anti-aircraft missiles, yet they were still deeply inspired.

They immediately felt that this trip was worth it.

That evening, as Su Dingping finished his lessons and walked out of the temporary classroom, he saw Zhou Qinglei leading men in drills.

"Captain Zhou, why aren't you resting so late?"

"Dingping, the 052 is arriving in the next two days. I'm afraid the brothers might get lazy and find it hard to adjust later, so I'm starting the drills early."

*The 052 is coming?*

Thinking of the core technology of the 052D he was currently analyzing, a flicker of interest passed through Su Dingping's eyes.

*I'll have to work even harder!*

After a brief greeting to Zhou Qinglei, he hurried back to his barracks.

Two days later, at the Northern Fleet Command Headquarters, Xu Dongguo was busy reviewing documents.

*Knock, knock, knock—*

A series of urgent knocks interrupted his work.

"Reporting, Chief, there is urgent military intelligence!"

"Enter!"

The orderly stepped in quickly and handed over the intelligence.

Xu Dongguo took the intelligence and flipped through it for a while, his eyes narrowing.

The intelligence recorded relevant data regarding the fourth Kongō-class guided-missile destroyer currently under construction in the East; moreover, it contained highly core, classified technical parameters!

The overall combat capability of this vessel was higher than the previous three, nearly rivaling the American Aegis-class destroyers.

Even the optimized 956E was far behind.

"Is the source of the information accurate?"

"Reporting, Chief, it is not certain yet, but one thing is quite unusual."

"Speak."

"Reporting, Chief, according to the intelligence department's investigation, it seems this news was not proactively released by the East!"

Xu Dongguo's eyebrows twitched slightly.

He had thought this was a counterattack and provocation from the East regarding their purchase of the 956E from the Bear, but it didn't seem to be the case.

"Did you find anything else?"

"Reporting, Chief, based on the relevant clues from the investigation, the intelligence analysis department has concluded that the Bear is involved behind this matter."

*The Bear?*

Xu Dongguo's gaze instantly became sharp.

(End of Chapter)