173: Chapter 83 The System's "Gift"

Three days after the naval review, Li Ling was reviewing memorials in the Imperial Study when the System's notification sound suddenly chimed, carrying a hint of mystery.

"Ding! Detected that the host has completed the major achievement 'Longjiang-class Battleship Commissioned'. The System classifies this as a Grand Achievement. Grand Achievement Reward: one Advanced Lottery opportunity. Would you like to draw now?"

Li Ling put down his vermilion brush, leaned back in his chair, and stretched, his joints popping with a series of crisp sounds. "Draw! Of course, draw! I'm in a good mood these days, so my luck must be good too! By the way, let me state this first: if you give me some piece of junk, I'm going to throw a tantrum. What was that thing you gave me last time? Oh right, a set of night combat equipment, I still haven't used it yet."

"Host, your threats have no effect on the System." The System's voice remained calm. "The lottery is starting now."

A giant golden wheel appeared in Li Ling's mind, densely marked with various rewards—some read "Shipbuilding Speed Increased by 1%", some read "Shell Production Line Upgrade", some read "Naval Gunnery Training System", and others read "Radar Detection Range Increased by 5%"... In the furthest corner, it even vaguely read "Aircraft Carrier Technology (Pre-requisite)", but the font was much smaller than the other options, clearly indicating a very low probability of winning. The edge of the wheel was inlaid with a ring of intricate golden patterns, slowly rotating in the darkness and reflecting a faint light.

The wheel began to spin rapidly, emitting a buzzing sound, like countless bees flapping their wings by his ears. Li Ling held his breath, pressed his palms together, and stared intently at the rapidly spinning pointer, silently chanting in his heart: "Aircraft carrier, aircraft carrier, aircraft carrier, aircraft carrier—"

The wheel spun slower and slower, the pointer moving notch by notch, sliding past "Shipbuilding Speed Increase", past "Shell Production Line", then past "Naval Gunnery Training", and then it tremblingly stopped at—

"Shipbuilding Speed Increased by 10%!"

Li Ling was stunned, then jumped up abruptly, shaking the teacup on the desk. "Holy crap! 10%?! Not 1%, but 10%?!"

"Yes, host." There was a rare hint of amusement in the System's voice. "Congratulations, host, on obtaining the 'Permanent Shipbuilding Speed Increase of 10%' reward. This reward can be stacked with the previously obtained 'Permanent Shipbuilding Speed Increase of 5%', making your current total shipbuilding speed bonus 15%."

Li Ling was so excited that he paced back and forth in the study, jumped up after two laps, and nearly knocked over a Ming Dynasty vase nearby, fumbling to steady it just in time to avoid a disaster. "15%! That means, if it originally took me 110 days to build one Longjiang-class, now it only takes 90-something days? I can launch one in less than 100 days?!"

"To be precise, it's about 95 days." The System corrected. "Additionally, this bonus applies not only to Battleships but also to all types of naval vessels, including Cruisers, Destroyers, Submarines, and future aircraft carriers."

"Aircraft carriers!" Li Ling's eyes lit up like two small suns glowing. "It can be used on aircraft carriers?"

"As long as the host unlocks aircraft carrier technology, the bonus will apply equally."

"Fantastic!" Li Ling rubbed his hands together, his face flushed with excitement, pacing back and forth in the study, his boots making rapid sounds on the floor. "Once I have aircraft carrier technology and stack this 15% bonus, building aircraft carriers will be like making dumplings! One per month, twelve per year! By then, the whole world will be filled with my aircraft carrier formations!"

"Host, your ambition is overflowing." The System said slowly. "Moreover, aircraft carrier technology isn't that easy to unlock; it requires the host to complete specific achievements to trigger it. For example, using naval aviation on a large scale to achieve a decisive victory in a naval battle, or completing relevant research on 'Air Superiority Theory'."

"I know, I'm just thinking about it." Li Ling chuckled, finally stopping and standing by the window looking at the distant naval port. "However, with this bonus, I can build more Longjiang-class ships faster to replenish the fleet. By the way, System, what is the current situation of the shipyards at the Production Base? Can we start construction on more Longjiang-class ships simultaneously?"

"The Production Base currently has three large dry docks, each capable of building one Longjiang-class Battleship simultaneously. All three dry docks are in use; Dry Dock No. 1 is building the keel for the second Longjiang-class, Dry Dock No. 2 is finishing outfitting, and Dry Dock No. 3 is preparing to lay the keel for the third batch. If the host needs to increase production capacity, you can expand the dry docks, but it will consume a large amount of resource points."

"Resource points..." Li Ling calculated. "I've earned quite a bit of silver selling arms recently, which can be exchanged for resource points. How many resource points are needed to expand three new dry docks?"

"Each new dry dock requires 5,000 resource points, for a total of 15,000 for three. Additionally, the construction cycle for the new dry docks is one month, and after completion, it will take another week of debugging and equipment installation before they can be put into use. It is recommended that the host place the order as soon as possible to avoid delaying subsequent production plans."

Li Ling gritted his teeth. "Fine! I'll exchange them! Anyway, money is meant to be spent, and spending it on building warships is worth it!"

The System was silent for a moment, as if processing data. Then its voice sounded again: "Resource points have been deducted, and the construction of the three new dry docks has begun, expected to be put into use in one month. At that time, the Production Base will have six large dry docks, capable of building six capital ships simultaneously. The newly added dry docks will adopt the latest modular construction technology, increasing efficiency by another 5% compared to the existing dry docks."

Li Ling took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement in his heart. Six dry docks, starting simultaneously, one batch every 95 days, that's four batches a year, six ships per batch, making 24 capital ships a year. Although this speed sounded exaggerated, considering the System's 30x speed bonus and the 15% increase, it actually wasn't unreasonable—and this didn't even account for more bonuses he might obtain in the future.

"System, do you think I can have a navy with over 100 capital ships in three years?"

"If the host maintains the current rate of resource acquisition, it is feasible to have over 100 capital ships in three years." The System replied. "But the host needs to note that a navy is not just capital ships; it also requires supporting Cruisers, Destroyers, Submarines, supply ships, and aviation units. Without a complete fleet system, no matter how many capital ships there are, they cannot exert maximum combat effectiveness. Moreover, training qualified naval officers and soldiers also takes time; if you only have ships but no people, those giant ships are just iron shells floating on the water."

"I know." Li Ling nodded. "That's why I'm already planning. In addition to the Longjiang-class, I also want to build a batch of Longxun-class Battlecruisers, specifically for reconnaissance and commerce raiding. I've already seen the performance parameters of the Longxun-class: standard displacement of 35,000 tons, three triple-mounted 380mm main guns, a speed of 35 knots, and extremely high maneuverability, making them suitable for executing rapid strike missions. Additionally, Destroyers and Submarines also need to be expanded simultaneously. I plan to increase the number of Destroyers from the current 20 to 50 within two years. Once aircraft carrier technology is unlocked, I'll start building aircraft carriers."

"The host has considered everything very thoroughly." The System offered a rare compliment. "Additionally, the System must remind the host of one more thing—the German Empire has already sent someone to inquire about purchasing the Longjiang-class. Ambassador Hermann sent another secret telegram yesterday, with wording more urgent than the last time; clearly, he was stimulated by the naval review."

Li Ling's eyes lit up, and he immediately became spirited. "Oh? They're anxious? Let's hear it."

The System projected the content of Ambassador Hermann's secret telegram onto Li Ling's retina. The message was written in German, and the wording was indeed more urgent than last time, even faintly revealing a hint of anxiety: "Respected Emperor of the Tang Country, our Navy Department is very interested in your country's newly commissioned Longjiang-class Battleship and hopes to discuss purchase matters with your country in the near future. Regarding the price, our country is willing to pay a high price, only asking to obtain your country's advanced technology as soon as possible. Our Emperor, Kaiser Wilhelm II, is extremely concerned about your country's naval construction and has urged our Foreign Ministry to facilitate this matter as soon as possible. According to reliable intelligence, Meijian Country has also dispatched an envoy to Jinling, and our country hopes to reach an agreement before Meijian Country."

After reading the secret telegram, Li Ling hooked the corner of his mouth into a cunning smile, his fingertips tapping lightly on the desktop. "It seems the effect of the naval review was even better than I expected. Ambassador Hermann can't sit still anymore, fearing that the Longjiang-class technology will be snatched away by others. He has even found out about Meijian Country's movements, which shows that the German Empire's intelligence department has also put in the effort."

"How does the host intend to reply?"

"Let him hang for a few days first." Li Ling slowly picked up his teacup and took a sip, the aroma of the tea spreading on his tongue. "Let him get anxious. Once he's anxious enough to jump, I'll negotiate the price with him. When selling things, the biggest taboo is letting the buyer think you're more anxious than they are. Besides, I can use these few days to think carefully about how to squeeze more oil and water out of the German Empire."

"Host, you are becoming more and more like a profiteer."

"Thank you for the compliment." Li Ling put down the teacup and said seriously. "However, I do need to seriously consider what to sell, how to sell it, and at what price. The Longjiang-class technology is too advanced; I can't sell it all and must retain the core parts. I've already had the Production Base prepare the blueprints for a weakened version—the main gun caliber reduced from 406mm to 380mm, armor thickness reduced by 20%, and speed reduced to 27 knots. Such a weakened version, while still more advanced than the Battleships currently in service by the great powers, is no longer enough to pose a threat to the Tang Country. Even if they dismantle and analyze it, they won't be able to reverse-engineer the core technology of the 406mm main guns or the formula for the armor steel."

"The host has considered this very thoroughly." The System once again affirmed his judgment. "The performance of the weakened version is enough to satisfy the German Empire, while not shaking the Tang Country's technological advantage. Moreover, the 380mm main guns are still more powerful than the 343mm main guns currently in service with the British Royal Navy; the German Empire has no reason to refuse. Additionally, the System suggests that the host include a clause in the contract stating 'Technology transfer is limited to use only; reverse dismantling and research are prohibited'. Although difficult to enforce, it can at least exert pressure on the German Empire at the legal level."

Li Ling nodded, stood up, and walked to the window, looking in the direction of the distant naval port. The setting sun was slowly sinking into the sea, dyeing the entire sky a golden red; the clouds were stained with interwoven colors of orange-red, deep purple, and pale gold, like an oil painting splashed with ink. The sea surface sparkled, and the silhouettes of a few warships were faintly visible in the twilight, like a group of silent giant beasts sleeping in the twilight.

"Then it's settled." Li Ling turned around, his gaze firm. "Reply to Ambassador Hermann, saying that I am willing to sell a weakened version of the Longjiang-class, and as for the price... 12 million taels of silver per ship, non-negotiable. If they want to buy, I can prioritize supplying them with two ships in the first batch. Additionally, include a complete set of fire control systems and technical training, guaranteed to teach them until they learn. However, the duration of the technical training is at most three months; after three months, all technical personnel must be withdrawn to the Tang Country. Core technology must never be leaked."

"Host, is this price too high? Although the German Empire is wealthy, they won't unconditionally accept a high price. Their naval budget is not unlimited, and they still have to allocate a large amount of funds for Army construction every year."

"High?" Li Ling laughed. "You think it's high because you don't know the actual cost of the weakened version. My cost is only 4 million taels per ship, and selling it for 12 million taels is a 300% markup. But you have to know, for Britain to build a Battleship of the same class, the cost is at least 8 million taels, and the performance isn't even as good as my weakened version. The German Empire are smart people; they will do the math. Moreover, they are not just buying a ship, but an entire generation of technological advantage. This price is worth it."

The System was silent for a moment, as if re-evaluating the pricing strategy: "The host is right. Given the German Empire's current situation, they are in urgent need of advanced Battleships to contend with the British Royal Navy. Although 12 million taels is expensive, it saves at least five years of time compared to developing it themselves. Time is money; they will not refuse."

"Then it's settled." Li Ling walked back to the desk, picked up the vermilion brush, and began drafting the reply to Ambassador Hermann. The nib of the brush glided across the paper, making a rustling sound, every word carrying the certainty of someone destined to succeed. He wrote rapidly, almost without needing to pause; those calculations and conditions were already deeply ingrained in his heart—price, delivery time, payment method, scope of technology transfer, after-sales service terms, one by one, clear and distinct, airtight.

After finishing the letter, he put down the brush, leaned back in his chair, and looked at the ceiling, his mood unable to calm down for a long time. Those giant ships, those orders, those shipyards under construction, and that massive fleet gradually taking shape—all of this was something he had walked step by step, every step taken solidly, every step planting deep roots. He remembered the scene five years ago when he had just transmigrated; back then, he couldn't even build a decent rifle, but now he was already able to sell the world's most advanced Battleships to the great powers.

Outside the window, the twilight deepened, and the last gleam of gold shimmered on the sea, like a flowing flame burning on the horizon. In the distance, the lights of the naval port began to turn on, dotted like stars, like a starry sky on the ground. Welding sparks flickered in the darkness, like fireflies dancing; that was the workers working overtime to build new dry docks and warships.

A new day was about to begin. And a new "war" was also brewing.