Volume 1, Chapter 60: The World's Number One of Later Generations Is Not China?

"At that time, our country faced an extremely grim international situation, suffering from armed threats and nuclear blackmail by Western countries."

"In order to safeguard national security, our nation decided that no matter the cost, this nuclear bomb had to be built!"

"Back then, despite the desperate and intense obstruction by countless foreign powers, our countless forerunners lived in the Gobi Desert under harsh conditions, using primitive slide rules and abacuses to build the nuclear bomb."

"To put it simply, the United States took 6 years, Britain took 5 years, the Soviet Union took 8 years, yet our country took less than 2 years!"

As Jiang Lin spoke these words, he cast aside his usual casual demeanor. His face beamed with pride, and his voice grew high and stirring.

Hearing this, everyone present found their emotions stirred. Their hearts began to surge with boiling passion, deeply shocked by the revelation.

Although they did not fully understand the technicalities, they could clearly witness what a terrifyingly powerful weapon a nuclear bomb was.

Other nations had taken over five years to build it, while their own country had accomplished it in less than 2 years...

Good heavens!

The descendants of future generations truly did not disappoint them; they lived up to the glorious name of the sons and daughters of Huaxia!

Jiang Lin's proud and resonant voice rang out once more: "The reason we achieved this magnificent feat, creating such a state-protecting ultimate weapon like the nuclear bomb in less than two years...

Is because there was a vast multitude of scientific and technological workers, including many scientists who had already achieved extraordinary distinction abroad, who dedicated their lives and loyalty to the country."

"Among them, the most renowned representative is none other than Senior Qian Xuesen."

"Under his wise leadership, our country's nuclear program achieved such dazzling and brilliant success."

"Speaking of him, he actually shares a certain connection with Your Majesty." Jiang Lin smiled and looked toward Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned, his eyes filled with perplexity: "Talk not nonsense. He is a person of your later generations, living more than six hundred years after the Great Ming. How could he possibly be tied to Us?"

"Senior Qian indeed has no direct relationship with Your Majesty, but his ancestors certainly do," Jiang Lin continued.

"In the twenty-fourth year of Hongwu, Qian Yongqin, the son of Qian Shangde, had his family property confiscated and his household registration revoked due to a shortage of grain taxes during his tenure as the Prefect of Jianchang."

"His son, Qian You, holding the Iron Certificate of Immunity granted to Qian Liu, traveled to the capital to seek an audience with the Son of Heaven—none other than Your Majesty yourself. After careful verification at the time, you recognized this Iron Certificate issued during the Tang Dynasty."

"Consequently, you issued a decree sparing the Qian family from the death penalty and returning their confiscated property."

"And this very Qian family is the same family that gave birth to Qian Xuesen in later generations."

Upon hearing Jiang Lin's words, Zhu Yuanzhang nodded with understanding, a trace of pride flashing across his face.

"So that is how it was. Who would have thought that in the vast, unseen workings of fate, We still made such a monumental contribution to future generations?"

"Moreover, judging from what you just said, this person in later generations must be no ordinary talent."

Jiang Lin nodded: "Of course. There is a famous appraisal of Senior Qian, stating that his individual worth is equal to five American divisions."

"You must understand that the United States only had ten divisions in total at that time. Senior Qian alone was equivalent to half of the entire American military strength. Just this alone is enough to demonstrate how formidable Senior Qian was!"

"Back then, Senior Qian wished to return to his motherland, but he was intercepted by the United States and placed under house arrest on an island. It was only after enduring immense hardships that he successfully returned home."

As soon as these words were spoken, Zhu Yuanzhang instantly grew anxious, his face suffused with fury.

"Placed under house arrest, a descendant of Huaxia? Who gave them the audacity to commit such an act!"

Aside from Old Zhu, everyone else present wore expressions of righteous indignation.

Tang He: "The audacity of this America is truly boundless! What kind of scoundrels do they think they are?"

Xu Da: "Tell me where America is right now! I shall lead an army this very instant and annihilate their ancestors!"

"Everyone, please calm down for a moment!" Jiang Lin hurriedly tried to soothe their emotions, letting out a helpless sigh.

"Alas... There was nothing to be done. Our country's national strength was weak at that time, and we suffered suppression and bullying from these Western nations, whereas America in later generations became the number one nation in the world."

When Jiang Lin dropped these words, the expressions of everyone present shifted dramatically, pairs of eyes instantly locking onto him.

What?!

What had they just heard?

That America in later generations was actually the world's number one?

How could the world's number one not be the Great Ming of later generations?

"How is this possible? Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Old Zhu found it somewhat difficult to accept, letting out a hoarse roar from the depths of his throat.

Not only Old Zhu, but Zhu Biao, Zhu Di, and all the others found it equally impossible to accept.

The Great Ming they currently inhabited was in the midst of a golden age. The entire nation presented a thriving and flourishing scene, standing as an invincible presence that had subjugated all surrounding lands, with numerous vassal states bowing in submission.

According to this trajectory of development, national strength should only grow increasingly formidable.

How could it be that after more than six hundred years, they had instead fallen to second place in the world?

Learning this news inevitably filled their hearts with a sense of loss and melancholy.

Facing their desolate expressions, Jiang Lin let out a helpless sigh.

"Sigh... There is no help for it. Ever since our nation was born, we had always led the West."

"The only reason we fell to second place in the world after six hundred years... is entirely because of those Manchu Tartars!"