Siheyuan, Shazhu: I have both parents in this life

Chapter 445 Drawing the Sword
On a certain day in April 2001, in the South China Sea, the sun was blazing, and the sea and sky blended into one.

High in the sky, a two-aircraft formation is conducting a routine patrol along a predetermined route.

The lead pilot, Hongwei, and the wingman pilot were flying two J-8II fighter jets belonging to the joint sea and air patrol force. Due to issues such as the number of J-10s and maintenance costs, the main aircraft responsible for daily sea and air patrol missions is still the J-8II.

Hongwei was fully focused, occasionally scanning the vast sea and airspace outside the cockpit and the instrument panel, while maintaining formation coordination with his wingman.

Suddenly, Hongwei's radar warning receiver emitted a short, unfamiliar low-frequency warning tone. It wasn't the familiar lock-on warning; it sounded more like the edge of a high-precision scan signal being touched. Almost simultaneously, his wingman reported a similar situation.

"Command, this is the Maritime Patrol XX formation, bearing XXX, altitude XXXXX. Our formation has detected an unidentified radar signal intermittently scanning. The signal characteristics are unfamiliar. We request verification of the air situation." Hongwei immediately pressed the communication button, calmly reporting to the rear and signaling his wingman to increase vigilance.

"Coast Guard XX formation, command post received. No relevant reports from the air situation system. Maintain formation and remain vigilant. The 'Sharp Sword' detachment, responsible for combat readiness duty in the nearby airspace, has been ordered to move closer to you." The command post's response was urgent and clear. 'Sharp Sword' was the code name for the J-10 twin-aircraft formation dispatched by a brigade in Southeast China, where Zhao Taihang and Chen Rui belonged. They were equipped with relatively new fighter jets in the unit at the time, mainly responsible for emergency response and support missions, while routine and extensive patrol work was still handled by the reliable and long-endurance J-8II fighter jet group.

Hongwei pushed the control stick, and together with his wingman, they slightly adjusted their course, maneuvering the formation toward the signal source in an attempt to conduct visual verification.

He was well aware of the complexities of this sea area.

A few minutes later, an unusually large gray figure appeared faintly in the gaps in the clouds below the cockpit.

It was not any known friendly or common model; its unique twin-fuselage layout and enormous wingspan caused Hongwei's pupils to shrink instantly.

"Command post! A large high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft has been visually spotted! Model unknown, characteristics suggest it may be a new type of strategic reconnaissance aircraft! It is flying towards the inside of our airspace boundary line!" Hongwei's voice was filled with disbelief and shock. At the same time, he and his wingman quickly increased their altitude, trying to keep parallel to the aircraft and identify and drive it away.

"Hai Xun XX formation, target nature confirmed, warning issued! 'Sharp Sword' detachment is approaching you at full speed, expected to arrive within fifteen minutes!" command post order.

Hongwei and his wingman adjusted their attitude again, forming a escort with the huge reconnaissance plane.

He switched to an international air channel and repeatedly issued a warning in both Chinese and English: "This is the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force! Your aircraft has entered Chinese airspace. Leave immediately! Leave immediately!"

The opposing reconnaissance aircraft seemed to have no reaction, maintaining its original course and speed with an arrogant attitude.

"Enemy aircraft not responding. Coast Guard XX formation requests close approach and expulsion!"

Over the radio, the command center issued an order: "Hai Xun XX, maintain a safe distance, 'Sharp Sword' is on its way!"

When will the J-10 formation arrive?

"It is expected to take about fifteen minutes."

"Based on the current course and speed of the enemy aircraft, they will approach our coastal defense line in fifteen minutes," Hongwei said.

There was silence on the other end of the command post, but they were actually discussing it. A minute later, the commander replied: "Approach is permitted. Tactical expulsion."

"Yes."

Then the J-8II formation approached the huge gray reconnaissance plane. The other side noticed their intention and actually took the initiative to approach, hoping to use its large size advantage to force the J-8II to turn.

The J-8II formation approached to a certain distance and continued to haile the enemy, but to no avail.

The enemy planes approached again, and the wingman, seeing that Hongwei was too close, reminded him: "Leader, lead, maintain a safe distance."

However, the reconnaissance plane suddenly turned and approached Hongwei's aircraft.

Hongwei tried to evade, but the J-8II's handling response at high altitude and low speed was slightly sluggish. "Boom!" The J-8II's vertical tail was hit by the enemy aircraft's propeller.

Hongwei felt a violent jolt in the fuselage, the control stick suddenly became heavy, and the nose of the aircraft turned downwards uncontrollably.

"The Coast Guard XX has been struck! It has been struck!" Hongwei urgently reported over the radio while trying to stabilize the out-of-control aircraft.

Inside the cockpit, multiple warning lights flashed glaringly, and the hydraulic system pressure dropped sharply.

"Jump! Hongwei, jump immediately!" The voices from the command post and the wingman shouted almost simultaneously.

Without the slightest hesitation, Hongwei pulled the ejection pin.

The cockpit canopy flew off, and the rocket seat violently ejected him from the out-of-control, plummeting fighter jet.

In the air, white umbrellas bloomed.

The wingman witnessed his lead plane being hit and ejecting, and was furious, but he kept his mission in mind and relentlessly pursued the equally damaged reconnaissance plane that was turning to try to escape.

He kept reporting the other side's position and course, like a nail firmly driven into its side and rear, preventing it from breaking away towards the high seas.

A few minutes later, two black dots appeared on the horizon, approaching at high speed with the force of thunder.

The "Sharp Sword" detachment, consisting of two J-10 fighter jets, arrived.

The lead aircraft was Zhao Taihang (Mountain Eagle), and the wingman was Chen Rui (Falcon).

The J-10 formation received orders from command: "Force it to land at our designated airport. If it attempts to escape to international waters, intercept it resolutely!"

"Sharp Sword understands!"

Zhao Taihang (Mountain Eagle) and Chen Rui (Falcon), piloting the J-10 twin fighter jets, moved like two silver lightning bolts, quickly taking up advantageous tactical positions.

The J-10's superior acceleration performance was on full display at this moment. After a few simple maneuvers, the lead aircraft, Zhao Taihang, was already flying alongside the massive reconnaissance plane. He once again issued a stern warning through the internationally recognized channel, signaling it to follow suit.

Ignoring the warnings, the reconnaissance plane accelerated to full throttle, its massive fuselage clumsily but resolutely turning, attempting to break free and escape towards the high seas.

At this tense moment, two black dots approaching at high speed tore through the clouds on the distant horizon, rushing in with a fierce momentum—it was a two-aircraft formation of F-16s that came to provide cover and support.

Their appearance instantly transformed the original one-on-one escort and counter-escort into a tense two-on-two aerial standoff.

Upon arrival, the F-16 formation immediately demonstrated skillful tactical coordination. The lead wingman performed a cross-scissor maneuver, attempting to cut between the J-10 and the reconnaissance aircraft and disrupt surveillance.

"Dongliang (02), maintain your positions and block them! Don't let them get close to the target!" Zhao Taihang (Mountain Eagle)'s voice was calm as he gave the order over the radio.

"Clearly understood!" Chen Rui (Falcon) responded immediately. His J-10, just like its codename "Falcon," skillfully executed a sideslip and added power, precisely blocking the path of the F-16 wingman. The nose of the aircraft was slightly pointed at the other aircraft, creating a powerful deterrent posture.

"'Sharp Sword' reports: Enemy escort aircraft have intervened, attempting to cover the reconnaissance aircraft's escape." Zhao Taihang quickly reported the situation to the command post.

The command post's order was firm and left no room for negotiation: "Intercept it resolutely! Repeat, resolutely intercept the reconnaissance aircraft and force it to land! If the F-16s launch an attack, retaliate!"

"understand!"

In the air, four fighter jets, representing the pinnacle of their respective countries' technology, instantly engaged in a silent contest. The roar of their engines intertwined in the sky, creating a heart-pounding symphony, while the white contrails trailing behind the jets, like sharp swords, wrote dangerous arcs against the azure backdrop.

The F-16 pilots were clearly surprised by the unique aerodynamic layout and agile shape of the new Chinese fighter jet before them. Its statically unstable design and canard configuration, which granted it high agility, put pressure on the F-16 pilots during initial maneuvers. However, they were experienced and extremely familiar with their own equipment.

“Viper Lead, these new birds are nimble. Switching to Plan B.” The F-16 lead aircraft communicated briefly in an encrypted channel.

The two F-16s quickly changed formation, instantly deploying the classic "high-low mix" tactic.

The lead aircraft suddenly climbed up, taking a high position and using radar to conduct a downward scan and containment; while the wingman, like a venomous snake emerging from its hole, took advantage of the lead aircraft's cover and swooped down, using the energy accumulated during the dive to attempt to launch a lightning-fast sneak attack on Chen Rui (Falcon), who was confronting the lead aircraft from below.

"Falcon! Watch down below! Low position at six o'clock!" Zhao Taihang (Mountain Eagle)'s warning came just in time.

Chen Rui (Falcon)'s situational awareness has been honed to the point of being almost instinctive through countless simulated air battles.

Almost at the same time as Zhao Taihang's warning, he had already detected the danger from the radar warning system and the situational awareness outside the cockpit.

Without the slightest panic, he gently pushed the control stick with his right hand and coordinated with the control surfaces under his feet. The J-10 fighter jet instantly performed a clean and crisp roll followed by a sharp reverse turn. Not only did he cleverly avoid the F-16 wingman's sneak attack route, but he also used the J-10's excellent instantaneous turning ability to complete the offensive and defensive switch in a very short time. Instead, he caught up with the wingman's six o'clock position exposed by the dive!
"Trying to launch a sneak attack? You're still too green!" Chen Rui sneered inwardly, his helmet-mounted sight quickly locking onto the F-16 wingman in front of him as it tried to pull up, and the radar lock-on sound echoed in the cockpit.

However, he restrained the urge to fire, keeping in mind the principle of prioritizing disengagement, and instead used continuous locking to pressure the opponent.

The F-16 wingman pilot clearly hadn't expected the other side to react so quickly and reverse the situation so completely.

The piercing alarm that locked him on sent chills down his spine. He immediately unleashed a barrage of infrared jamming flares, which exploded into dazzling white orbs in the sky.

At the same time, he pulled hard on the control stick, making a violent breakaway maneuver in an attempt to shake off the "Falcon" behind him.

Chen Rui (the falcon) followed closely, relentlessly biting his opponent.

The J-10's powerful sustained turning capability and high thrust-to-weight ratio allow it to easily keep up with the F-16's maneuverability, always keeping the opponent within a threat range and making it unable to effectively support reconnaissance aircraft.

On the other side, Zhao Taihang (Mountain Eagle) displayed even more composure and experience in his contest with the F-16 lead aircraft.

Instead of engaging in a high-G "scissors" dogfight, he fully utilized the J-10's superior beyond-visual-range air combat capabilities and data link advantages, maintaining a medium distance from the enemy at all times. He used radar to suppress the enemy and constantly pressured its flight path through skillful positioning, like an invisible net, restricting the F-16 lead aircraft's operational space, preventing it from effectively approaching the reconnaissance aircraft or providing effective support to the wingman in distress.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, the reconnaissance plane desperately accelerated and turned, trying to escape the suffocating airspace.

The pilot of the J-8II wingman, who had been closely following the reconnaissance plane, witnessed the lead plane being hit and the pilot ejecting. He was already furious, but he kept his mission in mind.

Seeing that the reconnaissance plane was about to escape, he disregarded his own low fuel warning and the performance gap between his aircraft and the fighter jet, and risked getting close again, using his aircraft to exert a firm deterrent pressure, while continuously sending strong flight instructions through the international channel, like a nail, stubbornly slowing down the reconnaissance plane's escape speed.

In the air, four fighter jets tumbled and engaged in a dogfight, their movements as fast as lightning.

The smoke clouds from the exploding flares flashed intermittently, only to be instantly torn apart by the high-speed airflow. The roar of engines and the short, sharp sonic booms as they broke the sound barrier highlighted the intensity and danger of this standoff.

Zhao Taihang (Mountain Eagle) seized an opportunity and used a brilliant tactical deception—first, he pretended to maneuver towards the reconnaissance aircraft, inducing the F-16 lead aircraft to make a sharp turn in order to intercept it, thus consuming a large amount of its fuel.

Just as the opponent's speed suddenly decreased and its attitude became unstable, Zhao Taihang suddenly engaged afterburner. The J-10, like an arrow released from a bow, made a sharp, almost vertical climb followed by a half-roll and inverted turn, cleanly and neatly cutting into the gap between the F-16 lead aircraft and the reconnaissance aircraft, completely severing their communication!

"Hai Xun XX3 (J-8II wingman), we'll cover you, escort it down, and maintain a safe distance!" Zhao Taihang's (Mountain Eagle) voice came through the radio, steady and powerful.

"Hai Xun XX3, understood!" The J-8II wingman pilot was greatly encouraged and immediately strengthened his guidance of the reconnaissance aircraft.

The aerial battle continues.

Seeing that its communication with the reconnaissance aircraft had been abruptly cut off by Zhao Taihang (Mountain Eagle)'s J-10, and that its wingman was being entangled by Chen Rui (Falcon) and unable to break free, the F-16 straggler became increasingly anxious.

Their orders were to assist the reconnaissance aircraft in its withdrawal, not to engage in a prolonged dogfight with Chinese fighter jets.

The constantly flashing fuel warning light on the dashboard exacerbated this anxiety; after such a long drive, the remaining fuel was insufficient to sustain prolonged high-intensity maneuvers.

"Viper Two, Break off! RTB! Now!" The F-16 lead aircraft issued the command to its wingman in the encrypted channel, while simultaneously making a violent breakaway maneuver to try to shake off Zhao Taihang's entanglement and create conditions for retreat.

Chen Rui (Falcon) sensed the opponent's intention and briefly reported over the radio: "Dongyao, the enemy wingman is trying to break away."

"Maintain suppression and prevent him from interfering with the Coast Guard XX," Zhao Taihang responded, his attention remaining fixed on the F-16 lead aircraft that was trying to rejoin the approach.

The F-16 wingman received orders to cease fighting, continuously released flares and performed high-G maneuvers, finally gaining a brief respite. He then engaged afterburner and sped towards the high seas.

Chen Rui did not pursue them further. Instead, he changed course according to the plan, forming a pincer movement with Zhao Taihang to jointly monitor the remaining F-16 lead aircraft and reconnaissance aircraft.

Without the support of its wingman, the F-16 lead aircraft was left to fend for itself.

Zhao Taihang, piloting a J-10 fighter jet, followed closely behind, making several precise positioning maneuvers to prevent the reconnaissance aircraft from effectively getting close.

With the fuel warning sounding increasingly urgent, the F-16 lead pilot, after several unsuccessful attempts, finally pulled up the nose of the aircraft and turned to break away, quickly disappearing into the distant horizon.

With the escorting F-16s driven away, all the pressure was now on the isolated reconnaissance aircraft.

The J-8II wingman pilot, who had been closely following the reconnaissance aircraft from the side and rear, witnessed the entire process.

Suppressing his grief and anger at losing his comrade-in-arms, he approached the reconnaissance aircraft again and issued a final, ultimatum-like order over the international communication channel: "Unidentified military aircraft, you have been locked on! Immediately follow me and land at the designated coordinates! This is the final warning! Repeat, land at the designated coordinates immediately!"

Perhaps realizing that their escort was lost and that their aircraft had indeed malfunctioned after the collision, they wouldn't be able to fly back to base even if they weren't being watched.

Coupled with the powerful deterrent effect of the J-10, the reconnaissance plane finally gave up and its wings swayed slightly, signaling its submission.

The flight attitude was adjusted, and it began to follow the guidance of the J-8II wingman.

"Command post, 'Sharp Sword' reports: enemy escort aircraft have been driven away, and reconnaissance aircraft have been granted permission to follow and land," Zhao Taihang reported to the rear.

"Received. Proceed according to the plan. Escort the target to ** Airport. The location of 'Hai Xun XX2' (referring to the parachuting pilot) has been confirmed. Rescue forces have been dispatched."

Two J-10 fighters, one on the left and one on the right, like dignified guards escorting prisoners, accompanied the J-8II wingman, guiding the massive reconnaissance aircraft to change course and fly towards the mainland coastline.

Let's turn the camera back to Hongwei.

In the vast sky above the South China Sea, a white parachute swayed in the strong sea breeze, carrying pilot Hongwei as he slowly descended into the dark blue sea.

"Puff-"

The icy seawater instantly enveloped his entire body, and the immense impact made him feel suffocated.

He quickly broke free from the entangled parachute lines and, relying on his rigorous daily lifesaving training, struggled to keep his head above water, coughing violently.

The salty seawater choked him, but he didn't care. He immediately checked the inflation of his life jacket and then forcefully pulled the switch on the locator beacon.

Floating on the sea, Hongwei gasped for breath.

Still shaken from the skydive, and now soaked in the icy seawater, he was trembling uncontrollably.

He looked up at the boundless sky and the vast sea all around him, and apart from the sound of the waves, there was only endless emptiness.

He touched his waist; the pistol was still there, but on this vast ocean, its use was negligible.

He touched the locator beacon, knowing that it was his only connection to the outside world and his greatest hope for survival.

Almost at the same time that Hongwei sent the positioning signal, the joint military-civilian rescue mechanism was already in operation at high speed.

Based on the parachute coordinates and ocean current predictions, multiple aircraft and ships from the Air Force and Navy quickly assembled in the relevant sea area to conduct a comprehensive search.

However, the area where the incident occurred is vast, the weather conditions are complex, and as evening approaches, visibility begins to decrease, which brings great difficulties to the search and rescue work.

Time ticked by, and with each passing minute, the pilot's chances of survival decreased.

In the operations command center of a certain military region, Lu Shanhe stared at the huge electronic nautical chart on the wall, which marked the dynamics of the search forces and the predicted drift trajectory.

The slow progress of the conventional search efforts was causing him great anxiety.

He turned around abruptly, walked to his office, picked up the phone on the table, hesitated for a moment, and dialed a number he knew very well but did not want to dial.

He Yuzhu's study at No. 95, Nanluoguxiang.

He Yuzhu was reviewing the group's documents when the phone rang.

He glanced at the caller ID; it wasn't someone he knew. His brow furrowed slightly, but he answered anyway.

“Hey!” He Yuzhu said calmly.

"Old He, to make a long story short, I've come to ask for your help!" Old Fan's voice was unusually urgent.

"You, Chief, are asking me for help?" He Yuzhu said with a smile.

"I'm not kidding you. One of our pilots was hit while trying to drive away an enemy plane. He parachuted into the sea, and we've been conducting a large-scale search and rescue operation for almost four hours now, but we still haven't found him! The sea conditions are complicated, and it's getting dark!"

He Yuzhu tightened his grip on the microphone. He knew about this, but only from his memories of his past life. He never expected it to actually happen.

"How do you want me to help you?"

Lu Shanhe said, "I need your ocean rescue team. Their two new ships and helicopters are well-equipped and well-trained."

Are they suitable?

“That’s fine. This matter cannot be made public for the time being; it must be carried out in secret. Your rescue team is mostly composed of veterans, and they know the regulations!”

"Okay, call Yu Yuntao directly. His phone number is ***. Have Gao Zhan lead the team."

"Okay, thanks, Lao He!"

"You're welcome. This is what the rescue team does."

After hanging up, He Yuzhu didn't make another call, afraid the line would be busy; time was of the essence right now.

After Lu Shanhe hung up the phone, he immediately called Yu Yuntao, and then the alarm blared at the Huacheng training base.

All team members who had just finished a day of training immediately assembled, and commanders such as Gao Zhan rushed to the command center upon hearing the news.

"Our unit has received orders; this is a top priority mission. Senior combatants, stay behind; everyone else, go out first!"

"Yes."

After everyone had left, Yu Yuntao immediately gave the order: "Our pilot has fallen overboard in the XX sea area of ​​the South China Sea. The coordinates are here, and this is the location beacon feature. The Air Force and Navy are searching, and we are responsible for the covert search and rescue. The order is: find the person at all costs and bring them back!"

"The 'Yellow River Rescue No. 1' is currently not far from that sea area, and their ocean acclimatization training is not yet over," Gao Zhan quickly reported.

"What a coincidence? That's great! Immediately send an encrypted call to 'Yellow River Rescue No. 1' to report the situation and order it to proceed to the target sea area at full speed!" Yu Yuntao exclaimed in surprise. The long-range training was mainly overseen by Gao Zhan, so he really didn't know about this situation.

After the communication was established, the captain of the "Yellow River Rescue No. 1" accepted the order and pledged to complete the mission at all costs.

Meanwhile, at the base, Gao Zhan personally led a crack team aboard the "Yellow River Rescue No. 2" to provide reinforcements.

Hongwei had been floating in the icy seawater for nearly eight hours.

The night was as dark as ink, with only a faint moonlight shining on the undulating waves.

The salty seawater kept slapping against his face, and the soaked flight suit felt heavy as iron, taking away his already meager body heat.

He lay on his back, trying to maximize buoyancy, each breath trembling, his consciousness beginning to blur under the chill and exhaustion.

The indicator light of the locator beacon flashed regularly on his chest, like the only star in the darkness, and his only hope.

He forced himself to stay awake, recalling every detail about his parents, wife, and children, which was what kept him going until now.

Just as his eyelids were getting heavier and heavier, he faintly heard a sound different from the sound of waves from the darkness in the distance—the roar of an engine, coming closer and closer.

He suddenly raised his head and, with all his might, raised one arm and shook it; this was his last bit of strength.

The lights pierced the darkness, growing brighter and brighter, while the roar grew closer.

The silhouette of a helicopter appeared at low altitude, with striking blue and white paint and the words "Yellow River Rescue" on its underside. It descended, and the waves whipped up by its rotors made the sea surface even more turbulent.

The helicopter hovered overhead, its powerful searchlights locking onto Hongwei's location.

The hatch slid open, and a rope ladder and a team member wearing a rescue suit and a safety harness were thrown down.

The team member nimbly slid down and landed precisely in the water next to Hongwei.

"Brother! Hang in there! We're here to take you home!" The team member's voice reached Hongwei's ears through the wind noise, and strong arms immediately wrapped around him, quickly securing the safety rope to his body.

Hongwei was too weak to speak, so he just nodded slightly and let the other party and the crew work together to lift him up steadily.

Inside the cabin, warm, dry air rushed in.

The rescue team quickly helped him remove his soaked outer clothes, wrapped him tightly in a thick blanket, and conducted an initial check-up and took measures to keep him warm.

Hongwei slumped onto the cabin floor, feeling the steady vibrations from the machine beneath him. A sense of disorientation from surviving the ordeal and immense exhaustion washed over him, and then he lost consciousness.

"Yellow River Rescue No. 1 has received the person. They have been rescued and are in good condition. They are returning to the mother ship." The rescue team leader reported through internal communication.

Half an hour later, Hongwei was placed in the medical cabin of "Yellow River Rescue No. 1".

The ship's doctor conducted a full examination and confirmed that he mainly suffered from hypothermia, dehydration, and soft tissue contusions caused by the impact, and that his life was not in danger.

He was provided with clean clothes, hot food, and a quiet place to rest. But the shock he had experienced was far from over.

The next day at noon, the ship docked, and Hongwei was sent to a military hospital.

Then He Yuzhu received a thank-you call from Lu Shanhe. The call was very short because Lu Shanhe had to deal with the reconnaissance aircraft.

After the reconnaissance plane was escorted to a military airfield on the coast, it was immediately placed under close guard.

The crew members were taken away for separate questioning.

When the news reached the other side of the ocean, after an initial shock and silence, the other government sent a strongly worded note through diplomatic channels, claiming that its aircraft had encountered a "dangerous interception" and an "accident" while performing a "routine mission" in "international airspace," and demanding that China immediately return the aircraft and crew, and provide an "explanation" of the incident.

China quickly responded, with an equally tough stance.

The statement clearly states that the other side's military aircraft entered Chinese airspace without permission and deliberately collided with a Chinese military aircraft carrying out a routine patrol mission, which constitutes a serious provocation and must bear full responsibility. It demands that the other side's government issue a formal and public apology and guarantee that similar incidents will not occur again.

There was no mention of the return of the plane.

The two sides are locked in a tense diplomatic standoff.

Meanwhile, in that heavily guarded airport hangar, another "battle" had already begun.

A joint team composed of technical experts from Xi'an Aircraft Industry Group, Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, several research institutes, and Huagao Technology, all under the General Armament Department, worked day and night to analyze this "gift" that had been delivered to their door.

Director Song sent several key engineers who had participated in the digestion of F-15 and F-16 data.

Inside the hangar, the huge reconnaissance aircraft was partially covered by scaffolding and dustproof cloth, and technicians carefully opened each access port and equipment compartment.

"Old Li, look at the layout of this antenna array. It's very similar to the improved version of the early warning model we saw in the F-15 data, but with a higher level of integration," an expert said, pointing to a structure under the fuselage.

“That’s not all,” another person in charge from Huagao Technology’s electronic laboratory chimed in, looking at the data being read from a portable testing device. “Although the specific chips are different, we can see some commonalities in the bus protocol and some logic design of its signal processing unit architecture. It seems that the technological path of these high-end equipment does have continuity.”

Thanks to their previous in-depth study of the complete F-15 data and the actual F-16 aircraft, the experts have gained a considerable understanding of their adversary's technical style and design philosophy.

Although this reconnaissance aircraft is more advanced and complex, it is not without a trace.

The technical team dissected the beast like an animal, mapping, recording, and analyzing it system by system and module by module.

The focus is on its radar detection system, electronic intelligence gathering equipment, communication system, and the special coating and structure that can evade conventional radar detection.

"The sampling analysis results for this coating are in. It's a multi-layered composite structure with a very significant absorption effect on specific wavebands." The materials expert held the report, his tone filled with excitement. "Combined with some of the basic theories of stealth materials mentioned in the F-15 data, we can reverse-engineer many useful things."

The analysis was conducted at a rapid pace under strict confidentiality.

Every day, new discoveries and data are compiled into thick reports and sent to relevant research institutes and decision-making bodies.

The other side clearly did not expect China's technical analysis capabilities to be so strong and its actions to be so swift.

In diplomatic settings, they initially held onto a sliver of hope, attempting to regain control of the aircraft through delays and pressure.

But as time went on, when they learned through special channels that the plane was being "meticulously studied," they finally couldn't sit still any longer.

A few weeks later, the other side's tone began to soften, shifting from its initial hardline stance to a pleading negotiation, expressing its willingness to discuss the "incident" and hoping that China would "properly handle" the aircraft issue.

However, it was too late.

While diplomats were still exchanging heated words, the analysis work in the airport hangar was nearing completion.

All key data, structural features, and equipment parameters are recorded.

The reconnaissance aircraft was disassembled into wings, tail, engine, radome, and internal equipment. Each component was numbered, packaged, and then sent to various locations.

Some time later, the other party received a notification that their crew members would be repatriated according to procedure.

As for the aircraft? The statement only said, "Because the aircraft was severely damaged during the illegal intrusion, it is undergoing necessary technical inspections to determine the cause."

When the other party's high-ranking officials learned of this news, it is said that one official smashed a cup on the spot.

They understood that the reconnaissance aircraft, which incorporated a great deal of cutting-edge technology, could not possibly be returned intact to Zhao.

Of course, they were still very confident in their technology, believing that China would not be able to obtain substantial technology in a short period of time, so they continued to try to get their reconnaissance aircraft back.

Because the reconnaissance plane crew was not released, the other side's diplomatic rhetoric later changed to "they want to learn more about the situation."

During the negotiations.

"We understand your concerns about the crew," the Chinese representative said calmly, looking directly at the other side. "They are in good health and are undergoing necessary questioning in accordance with international practice and relevant Chinese laws. As for the aircraft involved," he paused slightly, noticing the other representative leaning forward almost imperceptibly, "as we previously reported, it was severely damaged after illegally entering our airspace and dangerously colliding with our aircraft. A detailed technical inspection is still underway to thoroughly investigate the cause of the incident and clarify responsibility. This is a necessary procedure."

The other party's representative opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to emphasize the aircraft's sovereign status, but ultimately swallowed his words, instead stressing: "Ensuring the safety, health, and prompt return of our personnel is our top priority. At the same time, we hope you fully recognize the special and sensitive nature of this aircraft."

The talks ended in an atmosphere that appeared polite but was actually quite uncompromising.

When the news reached back, the atmosphere in the office of a certain organization abroad became even more somber.

They understood that simply exerting diplomatic pressure would likely not be enough to quickly get the secretive plane back.

Since they couldn't get the reconnaissance plane back anytime soon, they started doing other things.

The J-10 made its debut, although it has no record of shooting down any targets.

But to engage the F-16 and successfully force it to retreat is a major achievement.

"We must know the specifications of their new aircraft." A directive marked with the highest priority was issued.

Then, a diverse group of business people, academics, and tourists began to appear more frequently in the cities of several major aviation industrial centers.

Their target: all intelligence related to the new fighter jet, especially the one that had just made its mark in the maritime standoff and was tentatively referred to as the J-10 by outsiders based on scattered information.

In a city in southern China where an aviation research and development institution is located, a newly established high-tech consulting company has quietly opened.

The person in charge is an overseas Chinese who speaks eloquently and has a deep understanding of Chinese culture.

He actively engaged with researchers and engineers in related fields through various salons and networking events, displaying generosity and a wide range of interests.

In a town where a test flight base is located in Northwest China, several groups of tourists were driven away without their knowledge, and a number of cameras and video cameras were confiscated, which led to complaints.

Cyberspace is one of the main battlegrounds.

There has been a sharp increase in targeted cyberattacks against aviation research institutes, supporting enterprises, and military forums, with the methods becoming more covert and sophisticated.

These developments were quickly brought under the surveillance of relevant departments.

On Lao Fan's desk, related reports began to pile up.

That afternoon, He Yuzhu was in his study reviewing the latest batch of high-precision ship model drawings sent by Huanghe Precision Model when his satellite phone rang.

"Boss, it's me." Bai Yifeng's voice came through.

"Old Bai, what's up?"

"They've been making a lot of moves lately, mainly in two directions: first, the whereabouts and status of that 'big bird' from last time; and second, the new domestic fighter jets, especially the one that made its appearance at sea. They are very eager to obtain detailed parameters, particularly the measured data of radar, electronic countermeasures, and engines. In addition, they have launched several new 'Mole' programs, directly targeting several core research institutes and supporting factories."

"Is there any specific news?"

"No, we didn't dare to go any deeper."

"Understood. Personnel safety is the top priority, especially your own. Avoid contact unless absolutely necessary," He Yuzhu instructed.

"clear."

After hanging up the phone, He Yuzhu pondered for a moment, then picked up another landline and called Lao Fan's office.

"I am He Yuzhu."

"That's really rare, Zhu Zi, you actually called me on your own initiative." Old Fan's voice was slightly teasing, but then it became serious. "What's up?"

"Yeah, I just heard some rumors. Those people outside are really interested in things that fall from the sky or new things that come out of their homes. They've been sending a lot of guests over to visit lately. You must be very busy over there."

Old Fan snorted on the other end of the phone: "You have a good nose. Don't worry, we have plenty of brooms and we clean regularly. When guests come, we'll naturally give them a warm welcome."

"That's good, I'll hang up now."

"Don't worry, do you really not have any concrete news from your end?"

“My men still have lives to live,” He Yuzhu said.

"Okay, but thank you anyway, Pillar!"

"You're welcome."

One month later, in Beijing, at a military general hospital.

Hongwei was wearing a brand-new military uniform, the stars on his shoulder insignia were polished to a shine. He stood in front of the mirror in the ward, carefully adjusting his collar.

His face was still somewhat pale in the mirror, but his eyes had regained their former sharpness and determination.

The attending physician checked his vital signs one last time and nodded.

"You're recovering very well, Comrade Hongwei. You have a good physical foundation, and your willpower is even more amazing." The doctor closed the medical record. "You can be discharged now, but you still need to have regular check-ups and take care of yourself after returning home."

Hongwei straightened his back and gave the doctor a perfect military salute: "Thank you, doctor!"

In the hospital corridor, the military leaders and comrades who had been waiting came to greet him.

After a simple discharge procedure, the convoy carried him away from the hospital. Instead of returning to the military base, they drove directly to a private auditorium in Beijing that was not open to the public.

The atmosphere inside the auditorium was solemn and respectful.

Above the rostrum hung the solemn national emblem, and below the rostrum sat representatives from various military units, experts from the aviation industry system, and responsible comrades from relevant departments.

In the front row, Zhao Taihang, Chen Rui, and other comrades who had participated in that mission were dressed in formal attire and sat upright.

He Yuzhu, as a special guest, sat to the side and in front of Lao Fan, Director Song, and others.

As Hongwei entered the auditorium led by the guide, all eyes were on him. He walked steadily toward the stage.

The senior military officer presiding over the ceremony read out the order.

"Comrade Hongwei, in the mission of safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, remained calm and fearless in the face of danger, acted bravely and tenaciously, and handled the situation with composure until the very last moment. In order to commend his outstanding achievements and promote the spirit of patriotism and heroism, with the approval of higher authorities, Comrade Hongwei is awarded the honorary title of 'Guardian of the Sea and Air' and awarded a first-class merit!"

After the order was read out, prolonged applause filled the hall.

A senior official personally presented Hongwei with a gleaming First-Class Merit Medal and the "Guardian of the Sea and Air" honorary title medal.

The sash pressed down on his crisp military uniform, bearing immense weight.

"Comrade Hongwei, you are a loyal guardian of the people and a role model for all officers and soldiers to learn from!" The commander shook his hand, his tone solemn.

Hongwei's eyes reddened slightly. He took a deep breath and saluted again: "Loyal to the motherland! Loyal to the people!"

He didn't go into too much detail about his experience, but in his brief speech that followed, he mentioned his perseverance in the icy water after parachuting, his feelings when he saw the rescue helicopter, and his regret over the loss of his fighter jet and the failure to drive the enemy planes away sooner.

His voice was not loud, but every word was clear and resonated in everyone's heart.

"I was just fulfilling my duty as a soldier. The honor belongs to all my comrades who are fighting on the front lines to protect the sea and air, and to the scientific research and support personnel who are silently contributing in the rear." His gaze swept over Zhao Taihang, Chen Rui, and representatives from Xi'an Aircraft Industry Group and Huagao Technology Group in the audience. "We will continue to work hard so that no invading enemy will dare to provoke us easily in the blue sky of our motherland!"

After the ceremony, Hongwei was surrounded by people.

His comrades patted him hard on the shoulder, expressing their relief and admiration at surviving the ordeal.

He Yuzhu stood a little distance away, watching Hongwei surrounded by people, and whispered to Lao Fan beside him, "It's good that he's alive. Living heroes are more inspiring to those who come after than martyrs who have sacrificed their lives."

Old Fan nodded in deep agreement: "Yes, his experience is itself a most vivid lesson in national defense education."

A few days later, the interview and biographical materials, compiled by relevant departments and verified by Hongwei himself, were distributed within a certain scope as important content of internal warning education films and learning materials.

In the film, Hongwei calmly narrates the mission process and analyzes the technical shortcomings. Without deliberately trying to evoke emotions, his portrayal is all the more authentic and profound.

Although his image and deeds were not widely publicized in the public media, they spread rapidly within the military, relevant colleges and universities, and the defense industry system.

The name "Guardian of the Sea and Air" Hongwei has become synonymous with bravery, loyalty, and professionalism, inspiring more young officers, soldiers, and researchers to devote themselves to building and consolidating a strong national defense.

Hongwei was then sent to a base where he was to confront the enemy reconnaissance crew.

Inside the interrogation room, Hongwei sat to one side, opposite the crew of the reconnaissance plane, with diplomatic and military personnel and translators from both sides in between.

Behind the huge one-way glass, Lao Fan and the others observed quietly.

The opposing crew leader, an arrogant lieutenant colonel, initially tried to characterize the incident as an "accident," emphasizing that it was a "routine flight" in "international airspace," and countered by accusing the Chinese fighter jet of "dangerous approach."

It was Hongwei's turn to speak.

He showed no excitement, but rather with an almost cold calm, he laid out the copies of his flight logs, radar data screenshots, and an air situation map drawn from memory.

“Lieutenant Colonel,” Hongwei’s voice was clear and steady, transmitted through the translator, “My fighter jet, J-8II, serial number XX, at X time on X day, was conducting a routine patrol mission inside the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone, at XX degrees XX minutes North latitude, XX degrees XX minutes East longitude, and at an altitude of XXXX meters. This is a copy of the communication record between my aircraft and the ground command post at that time, showing that we issued multiple standard radio warnings after detecting your aircraft’s abnormal approach.”

He pointed to the situation chart: "According to my radar records and my personal visual confirmation, your aircraft was heading XXX and flying at XXX speed at the time. It was not flying along a public flight path, but was continuously cutting into the inside of my airspace. This is the heading change record."

He went on to describe the details before the collision: "After my final warning was ignored, my aircraft maintained a close escort attitude in order to carry out the mission of driving away the enemy. Your aircraft suddenly turned to the left and took the initiative to approach, and its right propeller struck my vertical tail. At the time of the collision, my aircraft was flying level and did not make any sharp maneuvers. My wingman can testify to this, and the ground radar track can also confirm it."

The opposing lieutenant colonel tried to interrupt, but Hongwei raised his hand to stop him. He continued, his tone becoming more serious: "After the collision, your aircraft did not immediately identify itself or attempt to communicate. Instead, it tried to speed away from the scene. If it weren't for my wingman's continuous tracking and the subsequent interception by our J-10 fighter jets, were you planning to just leave and let me crash into the sea?"

He stared sharply at the lieutenant colonel: "These data, records, and my personal testimony are completely inconsistent with your government's claim of an 'accident in international airspace.' The fact is, your aircraft illegally intruded into our airspace, flew dangerously, and deliberately collided with our military aircraft that was carrying out a legitimate mission. This is a serious and fully responsible act of provocation."

Hongwei's testimony was well-organized, with a complete chain of evidence, and his tone was calm yet carried a certain power.

He not only stated the facts, but also logically refuted the other party's sophistry.

The interrogation room was completely silent.

The other crew members, especially the co-pilot and navigator, showed signs of unease and apprehension when they heard Hongwei accurately recount the details and data.

They knew very well that what Hongwei said was true.

In subsequent separate questioning, faced with irrefutable radar tracks and communication records presented by the Chinese side, as well as Hongwei's impeccable testimony, the other crew members began to soften their stance.

They could not explain why a flight path adjustment clearly pointing towards China would be made in "international airspace," nor could they reasonably explain the actions taken at the time of the collision.

After several rounds of difficult negotiations and psychological maneuvering, under the pressure of a solid chain of evidence and the need to avoid further escalation of the incident, the other crew leader finally yielded.

During a formal meeting in the presence of senior officials from both sides, he, on behalf of the crew, expressed "regret" over the crew's "unauthorized entry into Chinese airspace and the resulting dangerous collision," and implicitly admitted that improper operation was the main cause of the collision.

This is essentially an apology.

After completing his testimony and the necessary procedures, Hongwei did not linger and quickly returned to his unit to engage in restorative training and preparation for new missions.

The crew members of that reconnaissance plane were finally repatriated after being detained for several months.

When they returned home, they were not greeted with the honors due to heroes.

The authorities maintained a low profile, and the media refrained from sensationalizing the incident. Although some within the organization understood their predicament, publicly, the mission, which ended with the plane being seized and personnel being forced to apologize, was seen as a major diplomatic and military setback.

The treatment they received as "heroes" in similar incidents did not fall on them this time.

They were given psychological assessments and task reports, and then dispersed and reassigned to other non-frontline reconnaissance units, with some even being transferred to logistics or training departments.

His career was overshadowed, and his former pride was replaced by a sense of defeat in reality.

Their destinies were completely altered by that collision in the East China Sea and their subsequent testimony to Hongwei in the interrogation room.

Domestic authorities have conducted a comprehensive review of how the incident was handled.

Hongwei's calm response, his survival after parachuting, and his crucial role in the subsequent investigation have all become exemplary cases, driving further improvements in pilot survival training, emergency communication equipment, and battlefield data recording systems.

After a necessary period of rest and psychological evaluation, Hongwei himself passed the rigorous flight physical examination and technical and tactical assessment again and took to the air again, only this time he went to the J-10 training base.

(End of this chapter)