Chapter 80: The Plan to Build the World's Most Powerful Naval Fleet!

Over the following month, Jiang Bai devoted himself to training the new troops and preparing defenses against an enemy counterattack. He had expected the enemy to gather their forces in an attempt to reclaim lost ground. Unexpectedly, however, a genius commander named Jiang Baili emerged within the Shui faction, which had been battered into utter helplessness. Through a series of brilliant strategic deployments, Jiang Baili managed to stabilize the battlefield and hold the triple alliance firmly at bay, keeping them outside the defensive lines.

Jiang Bai stood on the pier at Huludao Port, his gaze deep and contemplative as he looked out over the shimmering sea. His expression was resolute and composed, as if he were contemplating the plans and challenges that lay ahead. As he reflected on the shifting tides of the conflict, his brows drew together ever so slightly. To Jiang Bai, the best means to achieve his goals was to draw both the Shui and Jin alliances into a prolonged war of attrition. A cold smile touched his lips, as though he could already foresee the fate awaiting his enemies.

When Feng En invited Jiang Bai to accompany him to Hans, Jiang Bai’s demeanor grew even more serious. He understood that this journey was far more than a simple visit; it was a pivotal opportunity for the future of Chengyun Province.

The addition of Shen Honglie brought a sense of security and confidence to the delegation. As a distinguished figure in the Chengyun provincial navy, Shen Honglie joined the journey with a deep passion for both the navy and for combat.

As the cruise ship prepared to set sail, everyone carried an air of intense focus and anticipation. Jiang Bai turned to his companions and offered them an encouraging smile. “We will forge an unrivaled and mighty navy,” he declared. His gaze radiated the confidence and charisma of a true leader, as if to assure them that no matter what storms lay ahead, they would face them together and greet the future of Chengyun Province as one.

During the voyage, the isolation of the luxurious liner granted Jiang Bai a rare sense of peace—a private sanctuary on the open sea. He sat quietly in his deluxe suite, the boundless ocean stretching beyond the window, his mind absorbed in planning for the future. Aside from necessary interactions, he spent most of his time lost in thought.

One day, Jiang Bai suddenly gave an order to his chief of staff, Wang Xiao: “Go and ask Vice Admiral Shen to come here.” His voice was calm but tinged with urgency. “I haven’t seen him for days; I suspect he’s quite anxious.”

When Shen Honglie received the summons, his reaction was a mixture of nervousness and excitement. He quickly straightened his uniform, his heart racing with anticipation. When he finally stood before Jiang Bai, his face was full of hope and a trace of unease.

“May I ask, Commander Jiang, what instructions do you have for me?” he inquired.

Jiang Bai turned to face Shen Honglie, his smile warm and encouraging. “I wish to discuss with you the plan to build a world-class naval fleet.”

The moment he heard Jiang Bai’s grand ambition, Shen Honglie’s expression froze in astonishment—his shock was plain to see. Never had he imagined that the young commander before him would dare to harbor such lofty aspirations. Were these words uttered by anyone else, Shen Honglie might have laughed derisively, dismissed them as arrogant folly, and walked away. But coming from Jiang Bai, they elicited a completely different response.

Jiang Bai’s reputation within the Chengyun faction was formidable, due not only to his almost legendary rise—from an ordinary infantry regiment commander to corps commander of the Chahar war zone in mere months—but also because he had achieved all this at the tender age of twenty. More remarkable still was his string of extraordinary accomplishments: with Hans’s support, he had formed the elite 7th Reinforced Division, conquered the Chahar region under immense pressure, penetrated deep into enemy territory to secure their position, and recently secured a massive military loan from the Chaotong Consortium.

Such achievements, concentrated in a youth barely past twenty, left Shen Honglie with no choice but to view him with newfound respect, convinced that this young corps commander truly possessed the ability to realize his grand dreams.

In the presence of such talent, Shen Honglie’s face reflected sincere admiration and resolute faith. Almost without hesitation, he met Jiang Bai’s gaze with eyes hardened by experience, his features set with military determination. He saluted with solemn formality, his voice steady and firm: “Commander Jiang, please rest assured. I will do everything in my power to contribute to the development of Chengyun’s navy.”

Jiang Bai acknowledged Shen Honglie’s response with a nod and a smile, his tone gentle yet brimming with confidence. “There’s no need to be anxious, Vice Admiral Shen. My purpose in summoning you is primarily to gain a detailed understanding of the current state of the Chengyun Navy.”

Shen Honglie, regaining his composure, allowed a hint of pride to show on his face, his eyes shining with hope for the future. He began to give a thorough account of the navy’s forces and organization. “At present, our Chengyun Navy consists of two fleets.”

“The First Fleet includes the Haixi, Haichen, Zhaohe, Zhenhai, Weihai, and Tong’an—commanded by Rear Admiral Ling Xiao. The Second Coastal Defense Fleet is made up of the Yongxiang, Chuyu, Jiangli, and Dinghai, under the leadership of Rear Admiral Yuan Fangqiao.”

After Shen Honglie had provided a detailed overview of both fleets, Jiang Bai fell into deep thought. His brow was tightly furrowed, his gaze reflecting his efforts to digest and evaluate the information. Clearly, the current state of the Chengyun Navy fell short of his expectations.

The outdated condition of the fleet was an issue that could not be ignored. Even the largest main cruiser in the fleet displaced only 4,300 tons, and its armament was relatively obsolete. When compared to the strength of the Little Devils’ navy, Jiang Bai’s sigh was tinged with helplessness, his voice low and heavy: “It must be admitted, our existing naval power is far too weak.”

Such sorrow was like autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves—a sense of inevitable desolation. They could barely fulfill even the most basic escort duties.

Hearing this assessment, Shen Honglie’s expression grew heavier, his eyes shadowed with powerlessness and concern. His voice carried a sorrow he had never known. “Under these circumstances, our hands are tied.”

When the topic turned to the navy’s financial straits, Shen Honglie’s features involuntarily tensed, as if this subject touched the deepest wound in his heart.

“Vice Admiral Shen, do not worry. In the days ahead, I will do my utmost to secure more funding for the navy.” These words fell like gentle spring rain, gradually easing the tension in Shen Honglie’s face and rekindling hope in his eyes.

“In addition, I have prepared some materials for you on the development of the Hans Navy. They contain not only a detailed record of its progress but also information on key naval officers. If you find yourself with time in the coming days, I suggest you look them over—they will surely be useful in the future.”