A nation's industrial development begins with junior engineers.

Chapter 928 Two major schemes, one plan, all at once, nothing else matters!

"Uh……"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xia couldn't help but glance sideways at Teacher Shi Lu, his eyes clearly conveying the message: Is this all you've got?

Senior, if you put it that way, then I must truly look down on you. This method seems straightforward, but it's actually riddled with flaws…

Do you think the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force is blind?

The disappearance of one or two ordinary sailors can perhaps be covered up as a "training accident"; a dent in the hull of a submarine can also be described as "secondary damage during rescue."

But the captain of the submarine just vanished into thin air? How could they not be suspicious?

What kind of "accident" could precisely take only the captain while leaving most of the crew unharmed?

The only explanation, then, is probably that they've activated their prized traditional skill of "subordinates overthrowing superiors"...

Jiang Xia secretly grumbled, feeling that the plan was too simplistic and crude, and would have endless consequences.

Seeing Jiang Xia's undisguised suspicion, Teacher Shi Lu laughed instead of getting angry: "What? You think I'm really planning to just kill that guy and be done with it?"

"Otherwise?"

"Foolish! The most skillful way to deal with this kind of internal instability is not to purge, but to establish checks and balances, and to subvert the enemy's power!"

“Let’s play like this,” Teacher Shi Lu said, a calculating glint in his eyes.

"First, on the surface, we'll keep our promise and let them all go, including Captain Sato and his loyal followers. But we need to make it clear to Junichiro that if Sato goes back, he will surely die."

At the same time, we must also make Captain Sato and his loyal subordinates understand that their lives are now in our hands, and even more so in Junichiro's hands!

If they dare to harm Junichiro on their way back, their families in Japan, or any incriminating evidence they themselves have 'accidentally' left behind, will be their killers.

"In this way, there are three groups of people on the submarine: one group is determined to follow Junichiro. Maybe there aren't any, but Junichiro will try his best to win them over; another group is outwardly obedient but inwardly loyal to the captain; and the third group is wavering and opportunistic."

They kept an eye on each other, restraining each other, which actually maintained a fragile balance; neither dared to make a move easily.

Jiang Xia pondered: "So...it's not about eliminating them, but about controlling them?"

“Control is a prerequisite, but control alone is not enough; there are too many variables.” Teacher Shi Lu changed the subject, revealing an even more sly smile.

"The most crucial step is here! Let's pull a switcheroo on him!"

"Aren't you good at machinery? Repairing a submarine in operation is inherently a high-risk job. High-pressure gas pipes burst, temporary support frames slip, valves are misoperated during testing... there are countless 'accidents'."

“When we were repairing the submarine, we left a back door. We created this ‘accident’,” Teacher Shi Lu gestured with his hands.

"For example, during surfacing communication, a small-scale pipeline rupture or equipment fall 'unfortunately.' The scene should be made dramatic, ideally with a few people 'accidentally injured,' to make it seem realistic."

In this "accident," the valiant Captain Sato was seriously injured while rescuing his men and critical equipment. Despite "all-out efforts to save him," he ultimately succumbed to his injuries and died a heroic death in the line of duty!

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xia's eyes suddenly lit up. He understood: "The one who died in the line of duty wasn't the real captain! It was one of our men in disguise!"

"clever!"

Teacher Shi Lu patted Jiang Xia on the shoulder approvingly, "Let's find a soldier whose build and face are similar to Sato's and who is fluent in Japanese. Take advantage of our previous contact to carefully observe Sato's words and actions and conduct short-term intensive imitation."

Then, in this 'accident,' they'd have him wear Sato's uniform, give his face some 'necessary' bandages or 'injuries,' and make him play the role of the 'seriously wounded and killed' captain amidst the chaos. And the real Captain Sato…”

Teacher Shi Lu chuckled: "He really likes playing badminton, doesn't he? Then let him stay at the base, change his name, change his identity, and continue playing badminton in peace! The base is so big, who will care if there's one more 'retained technical personnel' or 'specially detained person'?"

"Isn't the Japanese burial at sea? Let's use this opportunity to pull off a clever escape!"

"Thus……"

Teacher Shi Lu straightened up, a smug look on his face.

"To the Maritime Self-Defense Force, Captain Sato is a hero who died in the line of duty; his deeds are moving and beyond reproach. To the soldiers on the submarine, they were 'accidental' witnesses, having seen their captain's 'sacrifice,' which will only make them more confused and subservient. As for us, we not only control the real captain—a crucial hostage and intelligence source—but also completely eliminate the biggest threat to Junichiro's return home, leaving the enemy with a bitter pill to swallow, unable even to investigate!"

This is called killing three birds with one stone: a death escape!

"Brilliant!" Jiang Xia couldn't help but clap his hands in approval after hearing this. "This way, Junichiro will think Sato is dead, lower his guard, and be easier for us to control. Meanwhile, Sato, the real threat, will be firmly in our grasp, becoming a sword of Damocles hanging over Junichiro's head! This is far more sophisticated than simply eliminating him!"

“That’s right!” Teacher Shilu smiled smugly. “This is called a brilliant move from a dead end! Making a ‘dead’ person more useful than a living one. It gives the Japanese Marines an explanation, avoids the risk of a large-scale investigation, and puts Junichiro in even stronger shackles.”

"High! It's really high!"

Jiang Xia's ahoge (cowlick) moved without wind as he fawned over Teacher Shi Lu, pulling out a long, thin object and handing it to him with both hands.

"Wow! A No. 13 cigar? You're pretty good, kid! You can even handle one of these?"

"Hehehe, the last one! Cheers to your plan!"

"Hmm! You're a quick learner! You're exactly what I like!"

Teacher Shi Lu tore open the foil, put on a cigar, and Jiang Xia immediately and eagerly took out a lighter and lit it with a "click".

"Hey, your lighter... is it some kind of treasure?"

"Hehehe, I traded thermite with the soldiers!"

"You have quite a lot of experience!"

"I can't compare to you!"

"That's right, let me tell you, back when I joined the Dongjiang Column, I met a great hero!"

"Oh? Is it the one surnamed Liu?"

"Yes, Uncle Blackie... Back then, he wielded a gun with both hands and said he'd shoot you in the nose, but never in the butt!"

"I love listening! Could you tell me more?"

"Take your time. Focus on doing your best in the present moment, then I can tell you about his legendary life..."

……

After a brief exchange, the two walked side by side to the railing by the dock, and simultaneously put their hands on their hips and tilted their heads back. The sea breeze lifted the corners of their clothes, making Jiang Xia's ahoge (cowlick) stick up even more.

The setting sun dyed the sea a golden-red, and seagulls flew by in the distance, cawing. The two men somehow sensed a sense of grandeur, as if they were "commanding the world and writing passionately"...

It was as if they had just overturned the Dragon King's temple and stolen the magic needle that stabilizes the sea, and now the entire ocean had to obey their commands.

With boundless pride, Jiang Xia waved his hand and declared, "From this day forward, the waves of the East China Sea will be under our control!"

Teacher Shi Lu exhaled a cloud of smoke and replied in a low voice: "The fate of the little notebook is nothing more than a wisp of ash from my fingertip."

Even the ahoge (cowlick) swayed proudly in the evening breeze, as if to say: Look! This is the moment when tech geeks and industry giants join forces to rewrite history!

however……

Just as these two problematic figures, one big and one small, were indulging in the "romance of the mastermind behind the scenes."

On the other side of the world, the real mastermind is going about their seemingly mundane daily life.