Special Forces: At the beginning, An Ran pulled him to get his certificate.

"Since Commander Long has already set five hundred 'small goals,' it's clear that this is a nationwide effort. I'll go back and check the Ministry of Finance's funds. If there's any surplus, I'll allocate it all to you first, unconditionally supporting General Chen's chip research and development project." The head of the Ministry of Finance spoke solemnly, his tone full of determination and resolve. He looked intently at Chen Jun, his eyes conveying his full support for this scientific research project that concerns the fate of the nation.

"Thank you, thank you..." Chen Jun repeatedly expressed his gratitude, deeply moved. Long Shuai's unhesitating donation of 50 billion yuan, coupled with the Ministry of Finance's generous assistance, fueled his fighting spirit like a blazing fire. This was not merely financial aid, but also the nation's trust and expectations in him, a heavy weight pressing down on his shoulders, transforming into boundless motivation.

"I will certainly live up to your trust and develop a world-leading chip to pay tribute to our predecessors." Chen Jun stood up straight, his eyes shining brightly, as if he could see the figures of his predecessors struggling and fighting for the country in those difficult years.

"Alright, I'm relieved to hear that." Long Shuai nodded in satisfaction, a relieved smile on his face. He patted Chen Jun's shoulder firmly, the strength in his hand seemingly infusing Chen Jun with a continuous stream of energy. This pat was full of trust and encouragement for Chen Jun, hoping that he could forge ahead on this challenging path.

After bidding farewell to the Commander-in-Chief's Mansion, Chen Jun went straight to the military headquarters without a moment's rest. He was looking for Elder Ye, a key figure in the military's hawkish faction, whose position was crucial and whose influence was far-reaching. This major undertaking—the all-out effort to develop chips, a matter of vital national technological lifeline—required consultation with Elder Ye from every angle. Moreover, chip development was like a massive financial vortex; no amount of money could be enough, and Chen Jun naturally hoped to secure further support from Elder Ye.

When Old Ye saw Chen Jun enter his office, for some reason, a vein on his forehead throbbed slightly. He frowned slightly and said half-jokingly, "Chen Jun, it's rare for you to come see me, but let's be clear first: everything else is negotiable, but if you're asking for money, I don't have any!" Over the years, ever since Chen Jun became the honorary president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and also served as the chief weapons designer, almost every visit to Old Ye revolved around asking for money. These repeated "money-seeking trips" left a deep impression on Old Ye, and he was also quite helpless about it. So, he gave Chen Jun a heads-up as soon as they met, hoping that this time he wasn't there for money.

However, Chen Jun didn't beat around the bush and said bluntly, "You're right, I'm here to ask you for money."

"Holy crap..." Old Ye couldn't help but blurt out a national treasure, almost spitting out the hot tea he had just drunk. He looked at Chen Jun with astonishment, then said helplessly, "What on earth are you up to, kid? Did your family's business investment go bankrupt? If you're really having any difficulties, just tell me, and I can personally lend you some money." Old Ye looked at Chen Jun with concern. In his mind, Chen Jun's sudden and frequent requests for money must mean he had encountered an extremely difficult problem.

Hearing Old Ye's words and seeing his concerned yet puzzled expression, Chen Jun felt both annoyed and amused. He knew perfectly well that Old Ye probably thought he only wanted a relatively small amount of money, like a few hundred thousand.

"This is not a personal matter for me, but a matter of life and death for the nation." Chen Jun's expression was solemn, and his tone was as serious as a ringing alarm bell. "I have already joined forces with top experts in optoelectronics, physics, chemistry, and other fields through the Chinese Academy of Sciences to form a super-strong team. We are prepared to devote all our efforts to chip research and break through the Western technological blockade. This matter is urgent and we must achieve a breakthrough as soon as possible to pave a bloody path for the country's scientific and technological development!"

Then, under Elder Ye's increasingly astonished gaze, Chen Jun recounted in detail the technological blockade imposed by the Anti-Yan Alliance and his meticulously crafted countermeasures, without reservation. His voice was steady and powerful, each word carrying immense weight, striking Elder Ye's heart.

"Before coming to the military headquarters, I went to the Commander-in-Chief's office. Commander Long gave me strong support and 50 billion yuan. At the same time, the head of the Ministry of Finance also promised to investigate the funds after returning and allocate all available funds to me. But Elder Ye, you should know very well that chip research and development is a bottomless pit, involving many fields, and each link requires huge capital investment. Although this money is a lot, it is just a drop in the bucket for the entire project, far from enough. So, I really have no choice but to swallow my pride and come to you." Chen Jun looked at Elder Ye sincerely, his eyes filled with both helplessness and expectation.

"You kid... you really don't play by the rules. I know this chip development all too well. Our country has been working on this for decades, investing hundreds of billions every year, but we haven't achieved any substantial breakthroughs yet. Are you sure you can personally lead a team to overcome this world-class challenge?" Old Ye frowned slightly, his eyes revealing deep worry and doubt. The difficulty of chip development is beyond imagination; it's not a task that can be accomplished with just enthusiasm.

Chen Jun's expression was as serious as a soldier about to go to battle. His gaze was firm as he said, "Commander Ye, you've known me for so long. Have you ever seen me do anything I wasn't confident about? If I didn't have absolute confidence and assurance, I would never have accepted this mission so easily." He naturally couldn't reveal his extraordinary chip-making skills, so he could only try to convince Chief Ye by citing his accumulated experience. "During my time at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and as the chief weapons designer, I was exposed to a wealth of cutting-edge research concepts and technologies, accumulating invaluable experience. I have the confidence and determination to lead the team to a breakthrough in chip development."

"Faced with the dire circumstances of poverty and backwardness, our forefathers did not flinch in the slightest. With their indomitable will and fearless spirit, they created countless miracles for the country. Now, the baton of history has been passed to our generation. At this crucial moment, how can we back down? We must shoulder this responsibility and strive for the rise of our nation's science and technology!" Chen Jun's words were impassioned and seemed to carry the power to transcend time, reminding people of the arduous struggles of their predecessors.

“Ah, I understand what you mean. The military’s expenses are enormous, and it needs funding in every aspect. Every penny must be carefully calculated.” Old Ye sighed helplessly, a conflicted look on his face. “How about this, I’ll squeeze out one billion from the military’s budget for you. It’s not much, but it’s the best I can do.”

Seeing Chen Jun remain silent, his expression as solemn as a statue, Old Ye felt a pang of unease and quickly added, "I know that ten billion is insignificant compared to the five hundred billion that Commander Long gave us. But this is the largest amount I've managed to scrape together from the military's limited funds. Take it for now, and I'll try to find a way to save some money on other projects and scrape together some more for you."

Seeing how hard Elder Ye was working, and how he still gave his full support despite his apparent difficulty, Chen Jun was filled with gratitude. He sincerely said, "Okay, Chief Ye, I understand your difficulties. One billion is already a lot. Thank you for your support. I still need to go to other places to find funding, so I won't bother you any longer. I'll take my leave now."

"Alright, you go ahead and get busy! Come find me anytime if you have any questions." Old Ye waved his hand, watching Chen Jun's departing figure, silently praying that he would succeed in the path of chip research and development.

After leaving the military headquarters, Chen Jun went straight to the National Security Bureau to see Director Jiang Ling. The National Security Bureau receives substantial funding from the state every year, and Chen Jun hoped to secure more support from there to inject new momentum into chip research and development.

Upon arriving at the National Security headquarters located in the abandoned sugar factory, Chen Jun felt a sense of familiarity and warmth as soon as he stepped through the gate. In his mind, this place was like a warm family, and asking Director Jiang Ling for money was just like asking a family member for help, without needing to be overly polite.

Upon meeting Director Jiang Ling, Chen Jun didn't hesitate and went straight to the point, explaining his purpose. Director Jiang Ling listened quietly to Chen Jun's explanation without blinking, his eyes revealing composure and decisiveness. In fact, he had long been aware of the immense pressure that Western technological blockades placed on the country and had been closely monitoring the situation, waiting for someone to propose a practical solution. Now, hearing that Chen Jun was going to personally lead a team to conduct chip research and development, he decided without hesitation to give his full support.

“Alright, the National Security Bureau still has some surplus funds, which I’ve been keeping for emergencies. Right now, chip development is the most urgent matter, so I’m allocating all 10 billion to you.” Director Jiang Ling’s tone was firm and authoritative, leaving no room for argument. “Furthermore, I’ve decided to hold a mobilization meeting within the National Security Bureau. Until the chip development is successful, the salaries of all personnel in our National Security Bureau will be reduced by half, and annual bonuses will be temporarily suspended. Everyone, tighten your belts and use every penny saved to support your chip development project.”

"Mr. Jiang, you're so generous! Compared to you, Mr. Ye's side is really... But it's all the same, both are strong support for me!" Chen Jun's eyes reddened with emotion. He tightly grasped Director Jiang's hand, shaking it vigorously, and then embraced him warmly. This support was not just financial assistance, but also a kind of trust and encouragement, making Chen Jun feel a powerful backing.

After bidding farewell to Director Jiang Ling, Chen Jun hurried to the law enforcement headquarters to see Minister Tang Tianhao. Minister Tang, as the highest-ranking officer in the police department, played a crucial role in maintaining social stability and enforcing the law. Chen Jun knew that the police department's work also required financial support, but for the sake of chip research—a matter of vital importance to the nation's future—he decided to give it a try.

After meeting with Minister Tang Tianhao, Chen Jun explained in detail the chip research and development plan, its significance, and the current financial difficulties. Minister Tang Tianhao listened attentively to Chen Jun's explanation, his expression gradually becoming serious. He deeply understood the importance of chip technology to the country and also comprehended the difficulties and challenges Chen Jun was facing.

"Chen Jun, your plan is indeed for the good of the country, and it's a great thing. Although the police department is also facing a tight budget, we want to do our part." After a moment of contemplation, Minister Tang Tianhao slowly said, "I can only offer you 500 million yuan. It's not a lot, but it's the maximum amount we can scrape together. I hope it will be of some help to you."

Five hundred million is an astronomical figure for ordinary people, but for a massive project like chip research and development, it's merely a drop in the ocean, not even a fraction of the total funding required for the entire project. Nevertheless, Chen Jun was filled with gratitude. He sincerely said, "Minister Tang, I am very grateful for your support. Five hundred million is a huge help to us, and every penny will be used wisely." Chen Jun shook hands firmly with Minister Tang Tianhao, then embraced him before parting.

After leaving the law enforcement headquarters, Chen Jun didn't stop. He knew that the funding required for chip research and development was enormous, and what he had raised so far was far from enough. So, he went to the fourth, fifth, and sixth departments... He didn't let any opportunity to secure funding slip by. At each place, he explained in detail the importance and urgency of chip research and development, striving for support from all sides.

However, despite Chen Jun's tireless efforts to raise funds, he remained filled with worry as he sat in the helicopter, gazing at the fleeting scenery outside the window. He rubbed his temples, wearily muttering to himself, "Far from enough..." Since establishing his hacker base, he had never felt such profound financial pressure. Chip development involves numerous complex fields and advanced technologies, each requiring substantial financial investment—like a bottomless pit that could never be filled.

Chief of the guards, Xu Zhengyang, sat to the side, feeling a pang of unease as he watched the general's worried expression. After a moment's thought, he reminded him, "Sir, there's actually someone you haven't contacted yet. From what I know, no one is better than him when it comes to raising funds."

"Who?" Chen Jun immediately lowered his hand, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes, and asked anxiously.

“He’s right here at our Strategic Bureau base. This guy has a rather unique style of doing things. Everyone thinks he’s a real swindler, but he’s been working in law enforcement for decades and has an incredible network of connections. Didn’t you ask him to help you set up a scheme last time and successfully bring back hundreds of billions of yuan? If you ask him again this time, he might be able to solve a big problem!” Xu Zhengyang smiled mysteriously, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"Holy crap..." Chen Jun instantly realized who Xu Zhengyang was talking about. A flame of hope ignited in his eyes, and he decisively said, "Okay, let's go straight back to the Strategic Bureau. I'll go find him." The helicopter drew a graceful arc in the air and accelerated towards the Strategic Bureau base.