Volume 1, Chapter 59: A Single Pluck Destroys a City, The Hardships of the Senior!

"Apart from the navy, army, and air force, future generations also possess a special branch known as the Rocket Force, tasked with maintaining the nation's nuclear deterrent capabilities and safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Jiang Lin's words left everyone present looking bewildered once again.

Zhu Yuanzhang wore a puzzled expression. "Rocket Force? Nuclear deterrent..."

Before Old Zhu could finish his sentence, the cylindrical object mounted on the heavy vehicle slowly erected itself...

"Ten, nine... two, one, ignition!"

At the sound of the command, the tail of the missile spewed roaring flames. Like a giant dragon soaring into the sky, it instantly pierced the silence of the night, illuminating half the firmament.

The deafening roar shook the earth, sending tremors through the hearts of everyone present.

The missile climbed at a breathtaking speed, leaving a brilliant trail of light in its wake.

As it gradually vanished into the horizon and calm was restored, that sense of shock lingered long within each of their minds.

The scene shifted abruptly!

A nuclear bomb was seen falling from the sky.

At that very moment, a dazzling flash pierced the stillness, outshining the light of the sun a hundred times over.

A fireball swallowed everything in its surroundings, engulfing all living things in endless flames, while heat radiated outward at an unimaginable speed.

Immediately following, a massive shockwave expanded outward in a spherical wave.

Outpacing the speed of sound, it tore silently through everything in its path, instantly flattening the earth.

Following the shockwave, a gigantic mushroom cloud rose into the air.

Beneath the shadow of the mushroom cloud, the land became desolate, stripped of all vitality, leaving behind only dead silence and despair.

When the video reached this point, everyone present suffered a violent jolt, staring blankly in utter terror. Some wore expressions of absolute astonishment, while others turned pale as paper.

After a long while, the crowd slowly regained their senses, and the room instantly erupted into a flurry of noise.

Xu Da: "What was that weapon called just now? A nuclear bomb!"

Zhu Di: "Good heavens! I thought tanks, airplanes, and that missile were already terrifying enough, but I never imagined future generations would possess a weapon capable of destroying an entire city with a single strike!"

Tang He: "I never could have dreamed that future generations would wage war like this. If old man like me were to go there, wouldn't I be blown to smithereens?"

Zhu Biao: "No wonder Brother Jiang said that AK47 was merely a basic weapon. In the face of such horrifying weapons of mass destruction, a mere rifle is indeed nothing!"

Zhu Yuanzhang could hardly believe his eyes. Pointing at the video screen, he stammered, "This... this..."

"Your Majesty, your eyes do not deceive you. A single atomic bomb destroyed an entire city." Jiang Lin nodded, his emotions remaining calm and steady, devoid of any dramatic fluctuations.

Then, Jiang Lin continued speaking to the assembly: "And this is merely the initial stage of a nuclear explosion."

"What follows is long-term radioactive contamination, silently eroding everything in its path."

"Those fortunate enough to survive will likewise face endless suffering and torment, their bodies ravaged by radiation as their lives slowly extinguish in despair."

Hiss...

Jiang Lin's words caused everyone present to draw in a sharp breath.

Frowning deeply, Old Zhu rebuked, "Powerful though this weapon may be, isn't it far too cruel and inhumane?"

"Not only does it blow up a city, but it leaves the entire city completely uninhabitable? This is going much too far!"

"Your Majesty, have you forgotten? Our nation's Rocket Force is responsible for nuclear deterrence," Jiang Lin said softly.

Old Zhu asked incomprehensibly, "What does nuclear deterrence mean?"

Jiang Lin replied, "Nuclear bombs possess such immense destructive power; we may not use them, but we cannot afford to be without them."

"Nuclear deterrence is making the enemy realize that they may face unbearable consequences of nuclear retaliation, thereby instilling such fear that they dare not rashly provoke hostile military actions."

"Well said! This strategy employed by future generations is entirely correct!"

Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately nodded in satisfaction, raised a thumb in praise, and declared:

"As the saying goes, 'If others do not attack me, I will not attack them!'"

As Old Zhu finished speaking, a touch of profound emotion surfaced on Jiang Lin's face.

"Speaking of this nuclear bomb, back when our nation sought to create it, the journey was truly fraught with untold hardship..."