I built an armada.

Under Wang De's careful guidance, this special team, composed of the embodiment of the world's top wealth and power, walked along a heavily guarded special passage toward the core area of ​​the dock.

The moment the last line of defense closed in behind them, their view suddenly opened up.

Even these royal family members and dignitaries, who were used to the extremes of the world, slowed down, their pupils contracted, and they were deeply shocked by an indescribable feeling.

The aircraft carrier Fukuno, a steel city that had carried ambition and war, with a displacement of over 60,000 tons, occupied their entire field of vision with an almost arrogant attitude.

It was not brand new and shiny; the hull was covered with the cruel marks left by the war.

The craters and burn marks of varying depths on the flight deck resemble grotesque scars. Some areas of the steel plates are irregularly twisted, some equipment bases are empty, and exposed cables are like severed nerves, silently telling the story of the brutal naval battle that determined the hegemony of the East Asian waters.

The stark contrast between its "devastation" and its immense size did not diminish its intimidating power; instead, it imbued it with a heavy sense of oppression, as if it had survived life and death and its murderous aura had not yet dissipated. It was like a prehistoric behemoth lying in its lair licking its wounds, its breath still carrying a chilling power.

The astute delegates noticed that all the Maritime Self-Defense Force flags and emblems symbolizing the Eastern Wilderness tribe, as well as the specific hull number text, had been completely polished away, leaving the ship with an almost primitive, redefining gray hull.

Wang De spoke at just the right moment, his voice low but clear enough to reach everyone's ears: "Distinguished guests, as you can see, this sea fortress is currently 'ownerless.' Its past glories and sorrows have all been swept away by the sea breeze."

He then changed the subject, emphasizing with confidence, "And we in Longxia not only possess powerful ships and cannons to defend peace in the blue seas, but also have the top-notch technological capabilities to bring these war behemoths back to life."

“From in-depth assessment, comprehensive restoration, and modernization to the final safe escort to your designated port, we provide a one-stop, reliable, and complete solution.”

"You all already know the reputation and engineering quality of us in the international arms trade field."

He paused slightly, his gaze like a precise searchlight, sweeping across the thoughtful faces of each representative, before throwing out a psychologically impactful proposition: "Furthermore, please note that this powerful aircraft carrier currently has no name."

Wang De's tone carried a guiding, seductive quality: "It waits in silence, waiting for a new master worthy of it, to bestow upon it a brand new name that will resound throughout the ocean with the glory of your nation and the grand vision for the future!"

"Naming rights"!
These three words, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirred up huge waves in the hearts of many delegates.

This was not merely the purchase of a weapon; it was the purchase of a piece of history, a symbol, an opportunity to etch their names on the monument of maritime power. The light in the delegates' eyes shone ever brighter.

Immediately afterwards, accompanied by Wang De, the representatives climbed the heavy gangway and officially boarded the Fukuno's flight deck, which was wide enough for fighter jets to take off and land.

Beneath our feet were solid steel plates that had withstood the ravages of bombs. The sea breeze howled across the empty deck, carrying the salty, fishy smell and the coldness of metal.

Wang De, acting as the most professional commentator, meticulously explained the performance parameters and potential value of various key equipment, using readily available physical objects as examples.

He frankly pointed out that the deck and some superstructures, such as the main control room and parts of the radar mast, were severely damaged and required large-scale replacement and repair.

However, he emphasized that, after a thorough investigation by the Longxia engineering team, the core "internal organs" of the aircraft carrier were identified.

The damage to the engine room, including the main engine, the massive propeller shaft system, the robust hangar, the critical ammunition depot protection system, and the main power distribution network, was far less than expected.

"Based on our professional technical assessment."

Standing in front of an area where part of the tarpaulin had been removed, revealing the complex internal pipeline structure, Wang De stated with certainty, "The main structural integrity of the Fukuno remains good, and some of the technical standards it employs are still intact."

"Especially in the design of underwater protection structures, regional power distribution redundancy, and the base design of some early phased array radars, compared with the Haruna-class aircraft carrier built by the Higashihara tribe, which is slightly smaller in tonnage, it demonstrates a more forward-looking design concept and stronger damage resistance."

"Once we complete the thorough repairs and targeted technological upgrades, its overall combat effectiveness, especially its survivability and mission flexibility in sustained high-intensity environments, will significantly surpass that of the previous Haruna-class aircraft carrier."

His presentation was devoid of exaggerated boasting. Instead, it relied on specific technical details and comparative analysis to paint a clear picture for the delegates of the Fukuno returning to the high seas and dominating the world after Longxia's "miraculous restoration."

As the delegates walked through the deep and vast hangar, their fingers brushing against the cold, robust steel structure, and gazing up at the towering island superstructure, their inner desires spread like wildfire.

This is no longer just a warship; it is a fulcrum of a nation's maritime strategy, a tangible testament to regional influence, and a steel vessel that brings dreams to reality.

After the tour concluded, everyone regrouped on the spacious, yet somewhat melancholic, flight deck.

The sky was high and the clouds were light, seagulls circled overhead, and beneath their feet stood a colossal structure that had withstood the roar of fighter jets and the impact of explosions.

Wang De stood at the front of the crowd, his posture upright, giving his final summary and pushing the final push forward.

"You are all well-informed decision-makers; your firsthand experience is worth more than a thousand words."

"I hereby assure you, with the voice of the Longxia Navy and the credibility of the nation as my shield."

"What we promise to deliver is not just a steel hull that can barely float on water, but a mobile maritime territory that has been completely restored to its peak combat capability and even optimized and upgraded on that basis, with absolutely reliable quality!"

His voice echoed between the vast sea and sky, carrying a metallic, resolute quality.

He then presented attractive terms that would entice any potential buyer to take action: "To demonstrate our sincerity to the fullest extent and to eliminate any concerns you may have, we hereby announce two core policies."

"First, the transaction model is 'payment first, delivery later,' but we will sign a quality assurance agreement with extremely strict terms and protected by international law to ensure that the delivered goods meet the agreed technical standards 100%, and we promise that there will be no hidden fees or secondary charges."

"second……"

He deliberately drew out his words, successfully capturing the full attention of all the representatives: "The final price of this auction will fully cover all maintenance and modernization costs for this aircraft carrier, inside and out, top to bottom!"

"The successful bidder will no longer have to frown at the astronomical repair bills! And that's not all..."

He emphasized, "We will provide an additional free technical support package equivalent to 5% of the total contract amount, including but not limited to initial system training for core crew members, maintenance guidance for key equipment, and technical consulting services for a certain period thereafter!"

"boom--"

A suppressed gasp and whispers inevitably rose from the crowd.

This combination of measures not only significantly reduced the ultimate actual cost of ownership of the aircraft carrier, but more importantly, it demonstrated Longxia's absolute confidence in its own technological capabilities and its great sincerity in pushing the deal to be completed.

Many delegates who had initially hesitated due to the potentially high repair costs suddenly sharpened their eyes and began to reassess the feasibility of the auction. The atmosphere had reached a fever pitch, and Wang De knew that the decisive moment had arrived.

He took a deep breath and declared in a clear, loud, and unquestionable voice: "Now, on behalf of the Longxia Tribe, I hereby officially announce the reserve price for the 'Fukuni' aircraft carrier..."

His sharp gaze slowly swept across the room, each word striking the delegates' hearts like a hammer blow: "Five-nine billion US dollars! Each bid increment must be no less than ten million US dollars! I hereby declare the auction officially open!"

Five billion!

This figure was like a depth charge dropped on a calm lake, triggering a violent reaction within the delegation.

Representatives from small and medium-sized countries and regions who had initially come with the intention of simply observing or whose main objective was to see the upcoming Type 052C destroyer were instantly filled with astonishment and disbelief, and began to whisper among themselves.

"God... this starting price..."

"With the essential carrier air wing, supporting escort vessels, and the years and additional investment required to achieve combat readiness, the total cost easily exceeds the 10 billion US dollar threshold!"

"This is not a game that ordinary countries can participate in."

"It seems that our strategic focus should still be on the Type 052C destroyer, which has a higher cost-performance ratio."

However, for the representatives of those oil-rich countries sitting on their oil mountains, this bottom price, while painful, is far from touching their bottom line.

The expressions of the representatives from the oil-rich country, the Tesa tribe, the Kayou tribe, and the Shatian tribe instantly transformed from observers to competitors. Their previous polite smiles vanished in an instant, their eyes became as sharp as eagles, and they exuded a powerful aura of determination to win.

They understood that this high-stakes gamble concerning the nation's future maritime strategic position had only just begun.

A brief, suffocating silence enveloped the deck, broken only by the howling sea wind.

Suddenly, Prince Bird Edin, the representative of the oil-rich country, raised his gold-inlaid and jade-embroidered paddle with an almost unchallengeable air, his voice steady yet containing immense power: "Sixty-one billion US dollars."

They immediately raised the price by 200 million at the start!

The powerful punch shattered the silence, making everyone's heart skip a beat.

However, this was merely the prelude to the climax. Almost the instant Bird Edin finished speaking, Prince Aziz of the Tesa tribe maintained his placid expression, as if he were simply making a routine price quote.

He gracefully raised his sign in response: "Six billion US dollars."

Another relentless $100 million increase!
The two companies' two swift bids directly raised the price of the aircraft carrier by $300 million!

This almost barbaric bidding method, which gave no one a chance to breathe, made the representatives of several other oil-producing countries, who also harbored dreams of owning aircraft carriers, turn pale and sweat profusely.

Even some representatives from traditional Western powers, who were originally attending as observers, couldn't help but frown, expressing obvious dissatisfaction and concern about the bidding process, which was entirely dominated by oil capital and deviated from the conventional logic of military trade.

But Baldreddin and Aziz, these two princes representing the two top powers in the Middle East, seem to have entered an arena that belongs only to the two of them.

"Six billion three hundred and ten million!"

Bird Edin's lips curled into a wild and challenging smile as he stared intently at Aziz.

Aziz remained as calm as a deep pool, but deep within his tranquil eyes, a sharp light, like a drawn dagger, met the other's gaze without flinching.

The auction had only just begun, but the air on the deck was already scorching and sparking with the naked clash of wealth and power.

This silent steel ark stands by, watching coldly as it waits for an astronomical sum of gold to redeem its ticket to a new master's command.

Prince Bird Edin's shout of "Six billion three hundred and ten million" was like cold water being poured into a boiling oil pan, instantly triggering an even more violent upheaval.

The bidding pace suddenly quickened, no longer jumping from hundreds of millions to tens of millions, but instead becoming a close-quarters battle. This only made the bidding more intense and exciting.

"Six billion three hundred and thirty million!"

Prince Aziz of the Tesha tribe made a seamless transition, his tone remaining calm, but the speed at which he raised his placard revealed his inner resolve.

"Six billion five hundred million!"

Chief Alenahayan of the Shatin tribe was not to be outdone, his voice carrying a hint of fierceness as if he had been cornered.

Sixty-four billion!

Bird Edin raised the price again, his sharp gaze sweeping over the other competitors, attempting to intimidate them with his presence.

The price climbed back and forth among the three representatives of oil tycoons, with each bid sending the nerves of everyone present into a frenzy.

Sixty-five billion, sixty-six billion, sixty-seven billion... The numbers, like wild horses, galloped toward unpredictable heights.

Bird and Aziz seemed to have reached some kind of tacit agreement, taking turns leading the pack and constantly pushing prices to new heights in an attempt to drag down their competitors.

Al-Nahyan's face grew increasingly grim; each bid increase felt like a knife to his flesh. However, the Shatin tribe he represented also possessed substantial financial resources and had an extremely urgent need to gain regional maritime dominance, making it impossible for him to easily back down.

When Bird Edin called out the price at "$6.95 billion", the atmosphere on the deck visibly froze.

This number has far exceeded many people's prior estimates, and has even begun to touch the psychological bottom line of some representatives.

The bidding finally slowed down, each move accompanied by longer periods of thought and heavier breathing. (End of Chapter)