53: Chapter 53 The United States Supports Japan

The large order from Meijian Country allowed Li Ling to earn a fortune, but he knew in his heart that this business was not that simple.

Sure enough, a month later, the intelligence department sent word: Meijian Country was supporting Japan on a large scale, not only providing low-interest loans but also transferring a large amount of warship construction technology.

"Young Master, this is the detailed intelligence." The head of the intelligence department handed over a document. "Meijian Country has provided Japan with a loan of 30 million US dollars to rebuild its navy. At the same time, they have dispatched over a hundred military advisors to help Japan train its troops."

Li Ling took the document, scanned it quickly, and his expression grew increasingly gloomy.

"What a Meijian Country." He slammed the document onto the table. "They are trying to use the hands of Japan to deal with me."

"Host, isn't this obvious? Meijian Country buying your warships is partly because they want to study your technology, and on the other hand, they want to paralyze you. Their true purpose is to support Japan to contain your development."

"I know." Li Ling sneered. "But they underestimate me too much. With just that tiny piece of land, Japan wants to fight me?"

"Host must not underestimate the enemy. Although Japan does not have a large territory, its ambition is not small. Moreover, with the support of Meijian Country, their naval strength will recover very quickly."

"I know." Li Ling stood up and walked to the map. "So we must speed up our progress. How is the construction of the Dreadnoughts going?"

"The three hidden Dreadnoughts are eighty percent complete and are expected to be launched within two months. The other three newly started Dreadnoughts are also thirty percent complete."

"Still too slow." Li Ling frowned. "Can it be any faster?"

"This is already the fastest speed. Unless the host applies for another loan, the production speed cannot be further increased."

"A loan..." Li Ling thought for a moment. "Not for now. How long can the existing resources support us?"

"If the current production intensity is maintained, the existing resources can support us for three months."

"Three months..." Li Ling pondered. "Then within three months, I must find a new source of resources."

"Host can consider importing from the German Empire. They have plenty of resources and are willing to accept a barter system."

"Hmm, that is a way." Li Ling nodded. "Besides, I also need to consider developing domestic resources. Qingxia Kingdom is vast and rich in mineral resources, but the mining technology is too backward. If I introduce some advanced mining equipment, it should alleviate the resource pressure."

"Host can try the lucky draw, maybe you can get mining technology."

"Okay, then let's do the lucky draw."

"Congratulations to the host for completing the monthly fixed lucky draw and obtaining 'Modern Mining Technology'."

"Holy crap, I actually got it?" Li Ling said in surprise.

"Host has good luck. This technology includes a series of techniques such as exploration, extraction, and mineral processing. If applied comprehensively, it can increase domestic mineral extraction efficiency by more than five times."

"Great!" Li Ling was so excited he almost jumped up. "Now the resource problem can be solved!"

In the days that followed, Li Ling focused on both military production and resource development. He imported a batch of mining equipment from the German Empire and simultaneously applied the newly acquired modern mining technology to open mines across Qingxia Kingdom.

Iron mines, coal mines, copper mines, tungsten mines... One mine after another sprang up, and cartloads of ore were transported to smelters, turning into high-quality steel and alloys. The resource bottleneck was finally broken, and the speed of military production increased once again.

But Li Ling knew very well that resources alone were not enough; he still needed time.

Although Japan had received support from Meijian Country, rebuilding a powerful navy was not something that could be done overnight. Even with the help of Meijian Country, it would take at least one to two years to form combat capability.

And this one to two years was Li Ling's window of opportunity.

"So we must raise our naval strength to a new height within these two years." Li Ling said at the military meeting. "By then, even if Japan makes a comeback, we will make sure they never return!"

"Young Master, what is the current situation of Japan?" A general asked.

"Intelligence shows that Japan is building warships on a large scale." Li Ling said. "They have introduced Dreadnought technology from Meijian Country and are also purchasing old warships from Britain and France. According to the current speed, in one year they will be able to form a United Fleet with more than ten capital ships."

"Ten ships?" The generals gasped.

"What are you afraid of?" Li Ling sneered. "We currently have three Pre-dreadnoughts, and three hidden Dreadnoughts will be launched soon. Once all six Dreadnoughts are in service, those ten capital ships of Japan won't be worth a damn!"

"Young Master, will Japan join forces with other powers?" Another general asked.

"It's possible." Li Ling nodded. "So I plan to take the initiative and disrupt their plans."

"How will we strike?"

"Special Forces." A cold light flashed in Li Ling's eyes. "I want to send people to Japan to sabotage their shipyards and military factories."

"This... this is too risky, isn't it?" Someone objected.

"Wealth is sought in danger." Li Ling waved his hand. "If we don't act, are we going to wait for them to come to our door? Rest assured, the Special Forces are well-trained. As long as the plan is meticulous, the success rate will be very high."

After the meeting, Li Ling called the commander of the Special Forces unit over.

"I need you to carry out a special mission." Li Ling said. "Go to Japan and sabotage their shipyards and military factories. The specific targets are the Yokosuka Naval Shipyard and the Wu Naval Factory."

"Young Master, what effect needs to be achieved?" The commander asked.

"At least delay their construction plan by half a year." Li Ling said. "Blow up as much as you can, destroy as much as you can. But one thing: you must not reveal your identities."

"Understood!" The commander saluted. "We will formulate the action plan right away."

"Remember, safety first." Li Ling urged. "If the situation is not right, withdraw immediately. I don't want to see anyone sacrificed."

The commander said with emotion: "Young Master, rest assured, we will complete the mission and we will also come back alive."

Three days later, the Special Forces unit set off secretly. They disguised themselves as businessmen and crew members and infiltrated Japan in batches. After seeing them off, Li Ling stood by the window and did not leave for a long time.

He asked silently in his heart: "System, do you think what I am doing is right?"

"Standing from a moral standpoint, sending assassins to destroy another country's facilities is definitely wrong. But standing from the standpoint of a country, when the enemy is already sharpening their knives, striking first is also a helpless move."

"Yes, a helpless move." Li Ling sighed. "If I had a choice, I wouldn't want to use this method either. But the current situation does not allow me to be merciful."

"Host need not blame yourself. In this world where the strong prey on the weak, mercy often means death. What the host can do is to minimize the casualties of innocent people."

"I hope so." Li Ling smiled bitterly. "By the way, before the Special Forces left, I had them bring the latest type of explosives; the power should be great enough, right?"

"That is the latest type of plastic explosive, and its power is twice that of ordinary TNT. As long as it is placed properly, blowing up a dry dock will not be a problem."

"That's good." Li Ling nodded. "I hope they can succeed."