12: Chapter 12 On the Ship

Having finally adapted to the rhythm of the sea, Li Ming returned to a normal routine on the second day and began a new round of study and training under Fujian's guidance.

During this time at sea, Fujian tried to spend more time on battlefield studies.

After spending a few days, Fujian finally determined that Li Ming was more suited to staying in the rear playing with drones...

Even if the Yellow Chicken pilots could withstand high G-forces, the Commander still shouldn't treat flying like a game!

After conducting several virtual simulations and aerial command drills, Fujian almost lost her color.

Traditional aerial combat tactics lost to unreasonable extreme maneuvers, successfully causing Fujian to isolate herself for half a day and start redesigning her own aerial practice plan.

However, besides aerial combat, Li Ming's various whimsical ideas for important projects like formation, 3D command, and shipboard command were all ruthlessly rejected by Fujian. Fujian would never allow any wild thoughts or out-of-line behavior in such strict foundational disciplines; any slight deviation could lead to major problems.

Thus, Li Ming could only practice repeatedly with a mix of pain and joy.

He swallowed all his reluctance; Fujian wouldn't harm him, he just needed to work a bit harder...

With Fujian's cooperation, there were significant breakthroughs in aviation and navigation technology. The latest power systems could already produce P51 and P47 fighters, and they could also start producing F6F hellcats for Fujian's emergency use.

Considering that Fujian's deck area and hangar capacity far exceeded those of regular carriers during the war, she set a target of 200 various carrier-based aircraft for herself. (Theoretically, it could be more, but I chose the number 200 out of a conservative consideration.)

But aircraft production takes time, and the most important thing right now is to ensure the base's safety. Therefore, Fujian ultimately decided to prioritize the production of P51D-30 and P-47D-15 based on Li Ming's strengths, while also producing the relatively cheap I16-27 type for battlefield needs and B-25Js for long-range operations.

Yellow Chickens and Ship Girls have a mysterious sense of connection, and because of this, Fujian can directly manage the air force's dispatching through the Yellow Chickens.

After handling all this, Li Ming's sea voyage was nearing its end. The Destroyer sailed in a large circle, preparing to return.

In Fujian's eyes, Li Ming had shed that layer of weakness and entered the first stage she had anticipated:

To become a good Commander, one must first become a good soldier.

Now, his lifestyle was close to that of a "provisional" soldier; perhaps he could go even further?

He can go further! Fujian thought. The Commander still has a lot of room to grow. Waiting for the Commander to grow on his own would take too long, and they might not have that time; she must give him a push when necessary.

Thus, new training items were added. Proficient use of weapons was also a necessary part; the Commander must be able to protect himself.

Clumsily disassembling and then reassembling a weapon, then watching Fujian check the stopwatch and shake her head at him, Li Ming knew he was going to disappoint someone again.

Covering his lack of confidence and panic with an awkward smile, Li Ming began to practice repeatedly.

Repeatedly, repeatedly.

After finally achieving a barely acceptable time, Li Ming breathed a sigh of relief, getting a moment to catch his breath...

"Attention!"

Standing straight as if by reflex, he then received the command to stand at ease.

He was numb; Li Ming didn't want to be punished. Physical fatigue was secondary; what mattered was the loss of face.

He didn't want to make a fool of himself...

"Alright, alright, take a break," Fujian shook her head helplessly, progress was slower than expected. "Good work."

"...Mm."

The Commander's spirits aren't high; is it because he didn't meet expectations?

Thinking this, Fujian moved a bit closer, calculating in her mind what methods to use to make him feel better.

She watched Li Ming take half a step back, then sit on the steps and take a canteen from a box to gulp down water.

Isn't the ground dirty? Drinking water like that will make him choke...

The sky was gradually turning dark, and it was almost time for dinner, but the food preparation hadn't started yet...

So she squatted down and met Li Ming's eyes.

"Commander, what do you plan to eat tonight?"

"...Anything's fine." Li Ming looked up at the sky, then looked back down at her.

Her bright red eyes held three parts inquiry and seven parts discouragement; she seemed very dissatisfied with Li Ming's answer.

After thinking for a moment, Li Ming added, "It's too late to prep ingredients now, let's just find some ready-made ingredients to cook."

"Alright then, I'll go look... Commander, you rest a bit more." Fujian stood up and went into the cabin, leaving Li Ming alone, slumped on the steps.

"..." With a sigh, Li Ming scrambled up.

Her cooking... still needed learning.

There's been progress over this past month or so, but she still needs to keep at it.

To avoid eating mush tonight, Li Ming tossed the canteen toward the box, but unexpectedly threw it straight into the sea.

"...Sh*t!" Li Ming cursed, then coughed twice, pretending nothing had happened. Cursing was not allowed under Fujian's requirements.

Quickly walking into the cabin to find the cafeteria, Li Ming took over the pot to ensure they wouldn't eat mush today, while Fujian could only blink her eyes nearby, watching and learning.

Neither of them spoke, just focusing on doing their own thing.

——————

Night.

Having just finished his shower, Li Ming returned to his lounge. He had just undergone a tutoring session and was now declared completely burned out.

Powerlessly lying down on his bed, the exhaustion of his mental energy had completely defeated him; now he just wanted to have a good sleep.

But he couldn't yet. The base's production lines settled every day, so he had to ponder production issues daily and then allocate the produced goods to their proper positions.

There was no choice; the Base AI wasn't very smart yet. If possible, he would naturally want to simply assign this kind of work to the computer.

After allocating the produced air force to the airfield to replenish their ranks, Li Ming tossed the terminal aside, lay down, and closed his eyes.

Fujian wouldn't harm him; there would be even more things to do tomorrow.

The terminal was silent, only flashing a line of text after the lights were out.

"Then do you like it like this?"

...

——————

Early morning.

An alert siren suddenly sounded on the ship, and then Li Ming was woken up by the buzzing bell.

Rolling off the bed, Li Ming opened the door to see Fujian, wearing pajamas, already standing at his door.

"What's the situation?" Li Ming was a bit dazed.

"B25 patrol planes reported enemy presence in nearby waters, Commander," Fujian replied. "Please be prepared, Commander."

"Huh?" Li Ming immediately woke up. "I understand. What do I need to do?"

"Stay at your post, Commander, and do what you must."

What should I do? Li Ming was stunned for a moment, then began to mobilize the little bit of knowledge he had learned under Fujian...

...

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