Chapter 60: The Real F-22

[Damn! I happened to pass by this road today. I was wondering why there was such a huge traffic jam, and I just turned around and left. Thinking about it now, I really missed out; I should have gone up to take a look.]

[Good heavens, what on earth is the military transporting? They are using such massive transport vehicles, accompanied by armored cars and soldiers. Could this be some kind of top-secret weapon?]

[You have to admit, with the military mobilizing such a formation, it might actually be some sort of military combat weapon. It's just that such things can't be exposed right now to prevent spies from detecting them.]

[Spies? I'm actually hoping a spy would show up right now, just so I can find out what's being transported.]

[Are you out of your mind, upstairs? These kinds of things are fine to just talk about, but you're actually wishing for a spy to enlighten you? I'm afraid the moment you heard the news, you'd find yourself with three government-provided meals a day.]

[To be honest, while I'm curious about what that actually is, I'm even more curious if something major is about to happen in Qingcheng. If something really is going to happen, I'm leaving Qingcheng right now, taking my family and running away together. I am definitely not staying here.]

[Don't panic. If something really were going on, the authorities would certainly be more anxious than you, and they would definitely issue an emergency evacuation order. Since the officials haven't said anything, it means everything is fine. Don't panic.]

[Does anyone know what is actually being transported? Could it be some newly developed combat weapon?]

[Hehe, even if someone knew, they certainly wouldn't post it online. And even if they did post it online, you wouldn't be able to see it.]

[The person above makes a very valid point. As ordinary citizens, we should just look at the news for entertainment. Why bother caring about so much? Instead of that, you'd better seriously ponder why, after so many years, you're still just an ordinary citizen.]

[Exactly, exactly...]

......

Qingcheng Garrison District, inside the Air Force Military Combat Command Post.

Li Wenshan, dressed in a crisp military uniform, stood in front of those two extremely realistic-looking F-22 fighter jets, a mixture of astonishment and bewilderment on his face.

To be honest, if he hadn't known in advance that these F-22 fighter jets only looked like F-22s on the outside, while potentially housing backward technology on the inside...

He really would have thought these were two genuine F-22 fighter jets. They looked simply too much like the real deal.

Even the US military would probably be dumbfounded at the sight; before conducting any testing, they would subconsciously assume these were authentic F-22s.

"Commander, should these two fighter jets stay here for the time being?" the guard asked.

Li Wenshan was stunned for a moment, then nodded heavily: "Yes, leave them here for now. We'll conduct test flights and inspections once the personnel sent by the General Military Region arrive."

"Right, issue an order: air force training will be temporarily suspended for the next two days to make time for the test flights. Also, do not leak the news to the air force; keep it as confidential as possible."

"Understood, Commander." The guard raised his hand and saluted.

Li Wenshan turned his head, gazing at the two F-22s before him, his expression growing increasingly heavy.

He still couldn't figure out where this fellow named Wang Yang had managed to acquire backward-technology engines, aerodynamic devices, and other components, and then installed them onto these two F-22 hollow shells.

One must know that on a global scale, even large components like fighter engines utilizing backward technology are not something an ordinary person can simply purchase.

They must be acquired through specific channels, such as certain underground arms dealers or individuals with extremely close ties to the military.

As for parts belonging to the F-22 fighter jet, even someone with the closest ties to the US military would find them virtually impossible to buy.

Unless, of course, they had some other means at their disposal.

A flurry of thoughts rushed through his mind, and Li Wenshan quickly cast them aside.

He had no idea why he was dwelling on such impossible things; he was certain that the two F-22 fighter jets in front of him were merely F-22 shells on the outside, packed with some backward components on the inside.

At this thought, he nodded and turned to leave.

There were still many matters in the military district that required his attention, and naturally, he couldn't just stand here staring blankly at these two F-22 fighter jets all day.

......

The next day, early morning.

Li Wenshan arrived at the garrison district early in the morning, changing into his regular military service uniform.

Accompanied by his guard, he walked toward the entrance of the garrison district to wait.

At this moment, right outside the gates of the garrison district, the leaders of the garrison district, along with military officers of various ranks including regiment commanders and battalion commanders, had all arrived. The honor guards on both sides held rifles, standing upright with utmost solemnity on their faces.

Just last night, Li Wenshan received notification that the leaders of the General Military Region would arrive punctually at the garrison district at 8:00 this morning. He had issued the corresponding orders last night and made all preparations for the reception.

Now, there were only 10 minutes left until 8:00 sharp, and he stood right there.

Not long after.

On the road in front of the garrison district, accompanied by the appearance of the first military-green off-road vehicle, several military tactical vehicles, two armored cars, and multiple large transport trucks appeared in unison.

Soon, they arrived right in front of the gates of the garrison district.

"Get everyone to snap out of it! The leadership has arrived!" Li Wenshan said to the guard.

The guard immediately ran off to the side to urge the surrounding soldiers and officers.

Immediately afterward, the rear passenger door of the lead military tactical vehicle was opened.

The guard shouted loudly: "Salute!"

Swish, swish, swish!

A simultaneous wave of crisp saluting sounds rang out. Along with this, all the officers and soldiers present raised their hands and delivered a standard military salute facing the motorcade.

Following that, a middle-aged man wearing the military rank of Lieutenant Colonel, along with two middle-aged men bearing the rank of Major, stepped out from the rear seats of the military vehicle.

The three of them walked together toward Li Wenshan.

Li Wenshan immediately saluted: "Lieutenant Colonel Wen, you're the one who came this time."

Lieutenant Colonel Wen returned the salute with a smile full of warmth: "Commander Li, long time no see."

"These two are Director Wang and Director Liao from the Military Scientific Research Institute of the Yan Province General Military Region. Both of these directors are experts primarily researching fighter jets," Lieutenant Colonel Wen introduced.

Li Wenshan greeted them: "Director Wang, Director Liao."

"Commander Li."

"Commander Li."

The three of them nodded in acknowledgment.

Lieutenant Colonel Wen got straight to the point: "Commander Li, without further ado, let's go take a look at those two fighter jets first."

"No problem, please follow me."

Li Wenshan stepped aside, extending his hand to guide the three of them forward.

Walking all the way to the site where the two F-22 fighter jets were stored, Li Wenshan raised a hand and pointed: "Lieutenant Colonel Wen, Director Wang, Director Liao, these are the two suspected fighter jets that were discovered."

The three of them had already heard relevant reports yesterday and knew that the appearance of these two fighter jets closely resembled the F-22, being practically identical. Even so, seeing them with their own eyes today, they still couldn't help feeling a sense of shock.

"They really do look a lot like the US F-22 fighter jets. From their appearance alone, they are convincing enough to pass for the real thing," Director Wang joked with a smile.

Director Liao chimed in: "Without running tests, just looking at them with the naked eye, ordinary people really wouldn't be able to tell these are two fake F-22s."

Li Wenshan grew interested and asked, "Did the two directors spot that they were fakes at a single glance?"

"Yes." Director Wang stepped forward, pointing at the shell of the F-22 fighter jet: "Commander Li, look at the exterior shell of this F-22. The color is far too vibrant; the color of a genuine F-22 isn't this deep, and the surface coating is too thin, showing a certain gap compared to the original version."

"And then there are some minor issues regarding the exterior shape, which also reveal that this is not a true F-22."