25: Chapter 25 System Rant and Banter

## I

The victory in two consecutive naval battles had made Li Ling a bit cocky.

That morning, he sat in the command center, legs crossed, sipping tea, and boasting to the System with immense pride.

"System, would you say I am a genius? Two naval battles, the enemy completely annihilated, and I had zero casualties."

"It was just luck," the System threw cold water on him. "If it weren't for the Radar, you would have been ambushed in the first naval battle."

"That is also my skill," Li Ling retorted dismissively. "The Radar was something I got from you, which just proves I have good foresight."

"You call that foresight?" the System scoffed. "You just whined and kicked up a fuss until you got it."

"That is also a skill," Li Ling said, thick-skinned.

The System was speechless.

"System, don't you think I should celebrate?" Li Ling continued. "Two naval battle victories, an Army of 300,000, three Pre-dreadnoughts, and three Dreadnoughts about to be completed. Am I not already very powerful?"

"Powerful, my ass," the System retorted bluntly. "With your current strength, you couldn't even defeat a single fleet from Japan. If their main force hadn't arrived yet, you would have been wiped out long ago."

Li Ling's smile froze: "Can you stop constantly bringing me down?"

"I am spurring you on," the System said. "You got cocky, so I have to pull you back down."

"I am not cocky."

"You are cocky."

"I am not!"

"You are!"

Li Ling took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to argue with the System: "Fine, if you say I am cocky, then I am. So let me ask you, when will I be allowed to be cocky?"

"Once you have completely annihilated the Japan fleet and the major powers don't dare to provoke you, then you can be cocky," the System said.

"...That will take a long time."

"So don't be cocky, just focus on developing steadily."

## II

Although Li Ling argued with the System, he knew in his heart that the System was right.

The victories in the two naval battles were certainly gratifying, but the main force of Japan had yet to arrive. Ten warships and 20,000 Army troops—this was the real threat.

"System, when do you say the main force of Japan will arrive?"

"About ten days," the System said. "In ten days, their fleet will arrive, and then they will launch an attack."

"Ten days..." Li Ling calculated. "The Dreadnoughts will be launched right around then, so it will be in time."

"It will be in time, but your officers and men are unfamiliar with the new ships, so their combat effectiveness will be compromised," the System said. "You must find a way to make them combat-ready in a short time."

"How do I find a way?"

"Intensify training," the System said. "The Production Base can provide a virtual training system, allowing the officers and men to conduct simulation training right on the ships. While it doesn't compare to live-fire training, it is better than doing nothing."

Li Ling nodded: "Then that is what we will do. Once the Dreadnoughts are launched, training will begin immediately, without stopping day or night."

"Fine," the System said. "Additionally, you need to strengthen intelligence gathering on Japan. Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated."

"I have already arranged for intelligence," Li Ling said. "Special Forces have already infiltrated the Japan occupied areas and are currently gathering intelligence. In addition, Reconnaissance Balloons are ascending every day to monitor every move of Japan."

"That is good," the System said. "The rest depends on your command."

## III

In the afternoon, Li Ling was inspecting training in the military camp when Wang Hu ran over to report.

"Young Master, a foreign woman has come to see you, saying she is your friend."

Li Ling was stunned: "A foreign woman? Who is it?"

"She said her name is Emily, and she is from Meijian Country."

Li Ling suddenly realized. Emily, the only daughter of a Meijian Country financial group, whom he had met while studying abroad in Meijian Country. At the time, their relationship was quite good, but it hadn't reached a romantic level. Later, after Li Ling time-traveled back to his country, they lost contact.

"Why is she here?" Li Ling was somewhat surprised.

"I don't know," Wang Hu said. "Should we see her?"

"See her," Li Ling nodded. "Invite her to the study."

## IV

Emily was even more beautiful than in Li Ling's memory.

With blonde hair and blue eyes, tall, and wearing a light blue Western-style dress, she carried herself with elegance and poise. She was sitting in the study, and when she saw Li Ling enter, she stood up and smiled slightly.

"Li Ling, long time no see."

"Emily, why are you here?" Li Ling walked over and shook her hand.

"I have graduated, and I wanted to come and see you," Emily said with a smile. "Are you not welcoming?"

"Welcome, of course, I welcome you," Li Ling smiled. "However, you have come at a bad time; I am currently preparing for war."

"War?" Emily frowned slightly. "With whom?"

"Japan," Li Ling did not hide it. "They want to annihilate me."

Emily was silent for a moment, then said: "Li Ling, do you need help? My father has some connections in Meijian Country; perhaps he could be of assistance."

"Not for now," Li Ling shook his head. "But thank you nonetheless."

The two chatted for a while, and Emily talked about her experiences over the past few years. She had finished university in Meijian Country and originally wanted to stay there to work, but for some reason, she kept thinking of Li Ling, so she decided to come to China to see him.

"Li Ling, you have changed a lot," Emily looked at Li Ling. "You used to be very easygoing, but now... I can't quite describe the feeling, it's like you are more powerful."

"People change," Li Ling smiled. "You, on the other hand, haven't changed much; you are still just as beautiful."

Emily's face flushed slightly: "You are still just as good with your words."

## V

After sending Emily off, Li Ling returned to the study, and the System suddenly spoke.

"Host, Emily is interested in you."

"I know," Li Ling said.

"Do you not intend to respond?"

"Now is not the time," Li Ling shook his head. "Let's finish the war first."

"Are you not afraid she will run off?"

"If she runs, she runs," Li Ling said indifferently. "Matters of the heart cannot be forced."

The System was silent for a moment before saying: "You are still just as cold."

"It is not coldness, it is rationality," Li Ling said. "This is a critical moment for the war, and I have no time for romance."

"Fine," the System said. "However, I must remind you that Emily is the only daughter of a Meijian Country financial group, and she has massive resources behind her. If you could marry her, it would be a great help to your cause."

"I know," Li Ling nodded. "So I will respond, but not now."

"As long as you know what you are doing."

## VI

At night, Li Ling lay on his bed, his mind preoccupied with the day's events.

Emily's appearance had surprised him a bit, but it also showed him some new possibilities. If the resources of the Meijian Country financial group could be utilized for him, it would be a great help to his development.

"System," Li Ling said.

"Hmm?"

"Tell me, if I were to marry Emily, would people say I am clinging to foreigners?"

"They would," the System said. "But you don't need to care. Those who achieve great things do not sweat the small stuff. As long as it leads to the success of your cause, what does marrying a foreigner matter?"

Li Ling smiled: "You are right. Those who achieve great things do not sweat the small stuff."

"However, you must handle your relationship with Empress Su Wanqing well," the System reminded him. "She is your first love; you cannot let her down."

"I won't," Li Ling said. "Empress Su Wanqing is the most important person to me; I will not let her suffer any grievances."

"That is good," the System said. "Sleep now, there is much to do tomorrow."

Li Ling turned over and closed his eyes.

The moonlight outside the window shone through the curtains, casting a silvery white glow on the floor.

He thought of Empress Su Wanqing's smiling face, thought of Emily's blue eyes, thought of the impending great war, and thought of the Dreadnoughts currently under construction.

Everything was changing, everything was moving forward.

And he had to keep up with this rhythm.

Outside the window, the night was deep.

A new day was about to begin.