I built an armada.

"Dingping".

Mr. Qian got straight to the point, his tone carrying both elder-like concern and a hint of reproach, "Your trip to the 'Enterprise' last time was too risky."

The "Enterprise" he was referring to was naturally the ship that Su Dingping had boarded during the last major battle. The risks involved were enormous, and he was worried sick for Su Dingping.

Upon hearing this, Su Dingping revealed his signature smile, which was slightly smug yet full of confidence: "Professor Qian, you know me well. Some things, if you don't see them with your own eyes and feel them, will always be separated by a layer of data and pictures."

"There are risks, but the rewards... are worth it."

As Qian Lao gazed at him, he knew that this young man, though seemingly gentle, actually possessed a stubbornness that would stop at nothing to achieve technological breakthroughs.

He sighed, no longer dwelling on the matter, and instead asked, "So, what were the results? How helpful were they to your current project?"

When technology was mentioned, Su Dingping's eyes instantly became incredibly bright, as if stars were burning inside.

He leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice, though it seemed somewhat superfluous in this absolutely safe, sealed room: "Mr. Qian, do you still remember that document I had the honor of showing you a few years ago... a preliminary design sketch of a 12-ton aircraft carrier using integrated electric propulsion and a new type of nuclear reactor?"

A glint flashed in Qian Lao's eyes, and he slowly nodded: "Of course I remember. The concept was very advanced, and some of the structural designs were quite bold. At the time, I thought it was a visionary plan for twenty or thirty years from now."

"That time I boarded the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier."

Su Dingping's tone carried a sense of immersive reminiscence, "Although it was just a cursory glance and I didn't get to the core, many of my previous doubts, which were only on paper and in calculations, were resolved."

"For example, the rationality of the layout of certain compartments and pipeline routes, the potential bottlenecks in flight deck scheduling, and even the setting of maintenance access for the nuclear power system... all gave me a sense of sudden enlightenment."

"It validated some of our assumptions and corrected some of our biases."

He paused, his tone becoming incredibly solemn, even carrying a sense of sacred mission: "Professor Qian, I can responsibly report to you that, based on further in-depth research, countless simulations, and the breakthroughs we've made in related subsystems, that blueprint is rapidly becoming a reality."

"I have a strong feeling...it's coming soon."

Su Dingping's voice was not loud, but it was like a thunderclap that exploded in Qian Lao's heart.

"When you say 'soon,' what do you mean..." Old Qian's voice trembled slightly.

With his status and experience, he would have long been able to remain calm even if Mount Tai collapsed before him, but at this moment, he could not suppress the excitement in his heart.

Su Dingping nodded heavily, his gaze firm and burning: "In my lifetime, no, while you are still healthy, we will definitely see our Dragon Xia tribe's own nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, truly reaching the world's top level, cutting through the waves and sailing on the ocean of the blue planet!"

"That will be the most solid foundation for our journey to the deep blue sea and our defense of peace!"

Mr. Qian was stunned. He looked at Su Dingping as if he wanted to see through his eyes, through time, to see that giant steel ship that carried the hopes and strength of the nation.

After a long while, he let out a long, long sigh, a pure and gratified smile appearing on his face, with tears glistening in his eyes.

"Good! Good! Good!" He said "good" three times in a row, and reached out to hold Su Dingping's hand tightly.

Two hands, one old and one young, yet both carrying the dreams of a nation and a people for the stars and the sea.

In the Great Northwest, at the Hongshan Base.

As night deepened, the cold wind of the Gobi Desert howled across the ground, but in the special living area dozens of meters underground, a fiery passion still permeated the air, fueled by the clash of ideas.

When Mr. Qian returned to his room, he did not rest immediately.

He sat at his desk, opened a thick notebook with a worn cover, but did not immediately begin writing.

The deep conversation I had with Su Dingping that lasted until late at night still echoed in my mind, and my thoughts drifted back to the middle of last year.

At that time, Su Dingping was just a promising young expert in the Navy Equipment Department, but in some core circles, his genius design ideas and keen insight into the future form of warfare had already attracted the attention of giants like Qian Xuesen.

I remember it was also a night, in a confidential conference room at the Navy Headquarters, Su Dingping solemnly, and at the same time tentatively, handed a document to him.

"Mr. Qian, these are some immature thoughts of mine regarding the construction of core maritime forces in the future. Please feel free to offer your criticism and corrections."

Mr. Qian still remembers how he felt when he received that thin document. He didn't pay much attention to it, thinking it was just another improvement plan for a new type of destroyer or conventionally powered aircraft carrier.

However, when he turned to the first page and saw the magnificent and complex lines outlining the hull, along with the clear label next to it—"Conceptual Design Sketch of a 12-ton Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier (Draft)"—his breath caught in his throat.

He almost held his breath as he turned the pages.

A massive, flat deck, an integrated island design, electromagnetic catapults and arresting gear, and most importantly—a nuclear power system that signifies virtually unlimited endurance…

Each of these aspects far exceeded the technical scope that the Longxia Navy was researching at the time, or even dared not research.

Following the normal development path, the concept of nuclear power will likely not be cautiously put on the agenda for discussion in the formal development sequence of the Longxia Armed Forces for at least another ten years.

The young man in front of us not only thought about it, but also produced a design sketch that, while rough, was complete in system, clear in thought, and boldly ahead of its time!

That sketch was less a mature design and more an ambitious declaration, proclaiming the ultimate dream of the Longxia Navy to move towards the true deep blue sea.

Mr. Qian still remembers the turmoil in his heart when he looked up and saw Su Dingping's clear and fearless eyes.

He asked about several key technical challenges. Although Su Dingping's answers were somewhat immature, his core ideas were exceptionally clear and firm, and he even proposed some solutions that he found highly inspiring.

"The younger generation is truly formidable..." This was Qian Lao's only remark at the time.

Let's rewind to now, more than half a year later.

During the in-depth conversation just now, Su Dingping told him with absolute certainty, "It'll be soon."

These two words carried immense weight. Old Mrs. Qian understood Su Dingping; this young man never spoke recklessly, and he would never utter such a confident judgment without at least 70% certainty.

He understood that in the past six months, Su Dingping and his team must have made substantial breakthroughs in one or even several key areas, enough to support his optimistic expectations.

During the exchange, Su Dingping explicitly mentioned that "there is progress on pressurized water nuclear reactors." This means that the most crucial "heart" problem has seen a glimmer of hope for a solution.

His purpose in risking his life to inspect the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier was also very clear.

It wasn't about stealing any secrets, but about personally experiencing and understanding the basic operating logic, personnel procedures, and possible design philosophy of a mature nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, to "verify" Long Xia's own design and avoid taking detours.

Mr. Qian took a deep breath, broke free from his memories, picked up his pen, and began to write rapidly in his notebook.

With a scratching sound, I recorded the key points of my discussion with Su Dingping tonight regarding issues such as pressurized water reactor miniaturization, thermal efficiency improvement, safety redundancy design, and matching with ship integrated power systems, as well as the new ideas and inspirations that arose from it.

These sparks of thought are fleeting and must be captured promptly.

Meanwhile, in another, more secure rest room at the base, Su Dingping was also not asleep. He appeared to be resting with his eyes closed, but in reality, his mind had already sunk into the "Military Industry Illustrated Forging Space".

Within this space of consciousness, countless shimmering data streams and 3D models are rapidly flowing, colliding, and combining.

Tonight's exchange with Professor Qian was also very inspiring, especially the suggestions he made from a more macroscopic perspective of nuclear physics engineering, which gave him new ideas for optimizing the structural layout of the reactor.

He immediately imported these inspirations into the space, combined them with the massive amount of data he had accumulated, and began a new round of simulation tests and deductions.

A clearer and more efficient blueprint for a nuclear power system is rapidly taking shape in this silent world of consciousness.

The following morning, at the base canteen.

The base commander and Professor Zhang sat at a table having breakfast.

As Su Dingping and Qian Lao, whose eyes were slightly dark but whose spirits were exceptionally high, left one after the other, the leader couldn't help but say to Professor Zhang with emotion, "Seeing them reminds me of the time when we were working on the 'Two Bombs and One Satellite' project."

"These top researchers are really risking their lives when they put in the effort."

"Comrade Dingping's enthusiasm is exactly the same as that of Qian Lao and others back then; they are all 'madmen'."

Upon hearing this, Professor Zhang nodded with deep feeling: "Chief, to be honest, I was fortunate enough to listen to Chief Su and Elder Qian's discussion for a while last night."

"Although I still don't fully understand many of the advanced concepts, I still feel that I have benefited a lot. Many of the things that were difficult to understand in my previous research have been opened up, and light has been let in."

He rubbed his throbbing temples. "I have too much to digest. It's okay to rest a little later. Inspiration is something you'd regret missing."

This atmosphere of racing against time and dedicating oneself wholeheartedly to scientific research is not unique to the Hongshan base.

On the distant coast, at the Longxia Naval Integrated Military Factory, the Pangu Research Center, and especially the Missile Research Center, a group of key researchers led by Professor Zhao have also been working continuously for several days and nights.

Three days ago, they received a briefing from headquarters on the analysis of combat data in the East China Sea, as well as some higher-level tactical requirements, which greatly inspired and stimulated them.

Although the Longxia Navy had won a great victory in the previous battle, severely damaging the arrogance of the Eastern Wilderness Tribe and its backers, these researchers had no intention of relaxing or celebrating their victory.

Victory is the greatest encouragement for them, but also the most urgent impetus.

They witnessed the outstanding performance of their equipment in actual combat, and also keenly perceived potential shortcomings and the more severe challenges they might face in the future.

Especially after learning that the Eagle Tribe might be weaving a new blockade in the waters of the Eastern Continent, an invisible pressure transformed into an even stronger driving force.

In the laboratory, computer clusters run 24 hours a day, simulating missile flight trajectories and damage effects under various extreme conditions.

Inside the workshop, tests of the new guidance head and propellant are being conducted repeatedly.

On the blueprints, design schemes for higher speed, longer range, and stronger penetration capabilities were continuously improved amidst fierce debate.

They knew that for their next appearance, Long Xia's sword had to be even sharper in order to cut through any chains that dared to entangle them.

In stark contrast to the united and striving atmosphere within Longxia, a sense of decadence, anxiety, and helplessness permeated the garrison base of the Eagle Tribe in the distant Eastern Wilderness.

Four days have passed since that humiliating defeat in the waters off Dongzhou.

General Cruise, the base's supreme commander, was reclining in a leather armchair in his spacious office, his feet casually propped up on the edge of the desk, a glass of whiskey with ice in his hand.

Outside the window was a gloomy sky, just like his seemingly calm but actually troubled state of mind.

The initial shock, fear, and guilt over the loss of his soldiers seemed to have been gradually diluted by alcohol and the deliberately created "leisure" over the past few days.

His biggest worry now is no longer the defeat, but when the Navy Headquarters will approve his submitted transfer application.

"I don't want to stay in this godforsaken place for another day."

Cruise took a sip of his drink and muttered a complaint under his breath.

Here, he felt not only like a defeated commander, but also like a forgotten pawn abandoned in a corner.

He longed to return home, even if it meant being given a sinecure, rather than staying on the front lines where conflict could erupt again at any moment and where he was destined to lose face.

The office door was pushed open, and General Koro walked in, a hint of helplessness on his face.

"General, we have just received a reply from home."

Cruise immediately sat up straight, a glint of anticipation in his eyes: "How did it go? Was it approved?"

Koro shook his head: "Headquarters hopes that we... will 'hold on for a while longer,' at least until things in the East are completely 'settled' and the follow-up negotiations with the Longxia tribe have a clear outcome, before considering our transfer application."

"Shit!"

Cruise slammed his glass on the table, splashing amber liquid. "Settled down? When will that be? Are we supposed to wait for the Dragonish warships to come to our port for a 'friendly visit'?"

"These bastards sitting in their air-conditioned offices in the Military Affairs Department building have no idea what we're going through here!" (End of Chapter)