Commander sighed; he naturally understood what Lu Mingyu was thinking.
"Mingyu, I know you're anxious, and so am I."
"Throughout the entire army, who doesn't hope our soldiers can use the best and safest equipment?"
"Don't worry! I will do my utmost."
"I'll fight for time for you in all the Link I can influence, and speed up the process as much as possible."
"But regulations are regulations; some procedures are not something a Commander like me can break."
The Commander's words were practical, but also truly helpless.
Lu Mingyu's mind was racing.
He knew that the normal channels would definitely be very long.
To break the norm, extraordinary measures were necessary.
"Commander, I have one more question."
His voice grew calmer.
"What if, and I mean if, the demand for this equipment from the grassroots units is extremely high?"
"Even forming a powerful public opinion pressure?"
"Or, if a high-ranking leader with enough influence directly intervenes and gives special approval for this project?"
"Would these two situations effectively shorten or even skip the observation period?"
Lu Mingyu's questions were very direct, even a bit sharp.
The Commander on the other end of the phone fell silent again.
He seemed to be startled by Lu Mingyu's bold idea.
After a long while, he replied in an extremely complex tone.
"Theoretically, it's feasible."
"Demand determines production; this is a market rule, and to some extent, it applies within the military as well."
"If application reports from frontline units fly to the Equipment Department like snowflakes, the higher-ups cannot ignore them."
"As for high-level intervention..."
The Commander paused, his voice dropping even lower.
"The effect would, of course, be immediate."
"With an order, no observation period would be an issue."
"But that requires immense power, Mingyu, that's not something we can..."
Before the Commander could finish his sentence, Lu Mingyu interrupted him.
"I understand, Commander."
Lu Mingyu's tone was calm, yet carried a resolute strength.
"You just do your best; for the rest, I'll figure it out myself."
With that, he decisively hung up the phone.
Outside the command tent, Wu Tianlong's excitement had finally somewhat subsided.
He saw his captain finish the call and walk out, and he quickly went to meet him.
His face was flushed with excitement, and his eyes gleamed with an unprecedented light.
"Captain, what did the Commander say? Was he very happy?"
Lu Mingyu looked at him and nodded.
"The Commander told us to write the report as soon as possible."
Wu Tianlong vigorously clenched his fist and said excitedly.
"That's great!"
"Captain, for this patent and reward, I don't want anything!"
"I don't want a single cent of the reward, and the patent can even be in your name, or directly handed over to the country!"
"I only have one request."
"I hope it can be put into production as soon as possible, and sent to the front lines!"
He thought of his comrades who had been killed or injured by traditional landmines.
He thought of the innocent civilians affected by the war.
He felt that everything he had done was worth it.
Lu Mingyu looked at Wu Tianlong's sincere and fervent gaze, and the tense lines of his face softened considerably.
He patted Wu Tianlong's shoulder.
"The patent is yours, and the reward is also yours; this is what you deserve."
Lu Mingyu's tone was unquestionable.
"What you need to do now is to immediately go and write the report."
"Write down the application prospects of our landmine, the estimated cost of large-scale mass production."
"And its practicality analysis in various combat environments; the more detailed and thorough you write it for me, the better."
"It needs to make everyone who sees this report immediately understand its value."
"Yes! Mission accomplished!"
Wu Tianlong straightened his chest and answered loudly.
This was his area of expertise, and he had absolute confidence.
After assigning the task, Lu Mingyu's gaze once again drifted towards the direction of his home in the distance.
He was silent for a moment, then said to Wu Tianlong in a very casual tone.
"The report is up to you; I'll go home for a bit later."
Go home?
Wu Tianlong was initially stunned when he heard those two words.
The test had just succeeded, and it was the most crucial time, so why was the captain suddenly going home?
But in just an instant, a thought flashed through his mind like lightning.
He suddenly remembered all the rumors about Captain Lu Mingyu's unfathomable family background.
And then he connected it to the questions the captain had just asked on the phone about shortening the process.
Wu Tianlong understood everything in an instant.
The weight of the captain's understated "go home for a bit" was immense.
This was not a simple visit home.
This was about calling for reinforcements; this was about using family influence.
To clear all obstacles for this project, and to get these landmines, which could save countless lives, onto the production line as quickly as possible.
Wu Tianlong looked at Lu Mingyu's tall and straight figure, and his eyes couldn't help but moisten.
He had originally thought that the captain was merely an exceptionally capable, strict, and iron-willed soldier.
Only now did he truly understand.
Beneath that stern exterior was a heart so warm and sincere.
An unspeakable sense of gratitude and admiration surged from the deepest part of his heart.
The military-green off-road vehicle sped along the highway.
Outside the car window, the scenery rapidly receded, turning into a blur of fleeting light.
Lu Mingyu leaned back in the rear seat, his eyes slightly closed, his face stern.
The scene of the explosion and Wu Tianlong's flushed face kept replaying in his mind.
That pure joy and fervent ideal touched his ice-like heart.
"As soon as possible, put it into production and send it to the front lines!"
Wu Tianlong's words seemed to still echo in his ears.
This was not only Wu Tianlong's wish but also the expectation of countless frontline soldiers.
Lu Mingyu slowly opened his eyes, his gaze somewhat resolute.
He took out the slightly worn military encrypted phone from his pocket and skillfully dialed a number etched into his memory.
The call connected quickly, and an old but vigorous voice came from the receiver.
"Hello?"
"Grandpa, it's me."
Lu Mingyu's voice unconsciously softened, shedding the harshness he used in the military.
"Mingyu?" The old man on the other end of the phone was clearly startled, then his tone filled with pleasant surprise.
"You brat, you finally decided to call your grandpa?"
"I'm on my way home now."
Lu Mingyu explained.
"You're finally willing to come home?"
The old man asked with some dissatisfaction.
But his joy was evident.
Lu Mingyu was silent for a moment, then said in an almost spoiled tone:
"Grandpa, I'll go back tonight to have a couple of drinks with you."
Hearty laughter came from the other end of the phone.
"Good! Good! You brat still remembers to drink with this old man!"
"I'll have Secretary Zhang prepare all your favorite dishes!"
"I'll have him bring out that bottle of good wine I've treasured for twenty years right now!"
After hanging up the phone, Lu Mingyu put away his phone, his gaze once again turning to the window.
The outline of the city in the distance was already faintly visible; that was his home.
At the same time, within a heavily guarded compound.
An old man with white hair, but full of vigor.
Dressed in civilian clothes yet still exuding an air of authority without needing to be angry, he was putting down the phone with a smile on his face.
He was Lu Mingyu's grandfather, the Republic's meritorious general, Commander Lu Wei.
"Little Zhang!" Lu Wei called out towards the door.