Siheyuan: I am a trader in both worlds!

"What? It's not even nuclear-powered? Just a conventional one, and an old model from decades ago? No, what's the use of that?"

It's no wonder that Ximen Lang reacted this way.

Submarines are just too mysterious and too difficult to deal with.

It's considered difficult because even in later generations, with rapid technological advancements and booming economies, few countries have been able to properly manage this technology even after more than half a century.

It is considered mysterious because it has been rarely seen in later generations.

Because submarines are truly strategic-level weapons of mass destruction, they are far too important to be kept secret and cannot be revealed casually.

Even in later generations, reports about submarines are extremely rare.

At most, when there's a major breakthrough, they'll mention it briefly in the news, along with a few insignificant and trivial interviews.
And then, nothing happened.

Therefore, Ximen Lang really didn't know much about submarines.

Even the Type 035 and Type 039 submarines were only learned about through Xia Yiyi's introduction and then through my own research. (It's really true; planes and warships are easy to find, but submarines are quite rare.)
Otherwise, he would have never even heard of it, let alone seen it.

Furthermore, when submarines are mentioned in later generations, they are inevitably referred to as nuclear submarines.

Conventional submarines are obviously not as powerful as nuclear submarines.

Therefore, Ximen Lang subconsciously felt that...

"It's nothing special, it's definitely not as powerful as a nuclear submarine! I'm not trying to be mean, but why did you even get one of these things? Why don't you just bring over a few nuclear submarines?"

Xia Yiyi knew, of course, that conventional submarines were not as powerful as nuclear submarines.

"Nonsense, everyone on Earth knows that! But you also have to see if I can get my hands on one, if I have the capability to do so! Those are nuclear submarines, nuclear submarines that can directly launch nuclear weapons! Each one is a super weapon of mass destruction with enormous strategic value!"

"Do you understand what a super weapon of mass destruction is? It's a top-tier weapon that can directly determine the course of a war, or even have a decisive effect! Let me put it this way, even the number of nuclear submarines we have now is a military secret that needs to be kept strictly confidential!"

"You just spout nonsense! You even asked for several nuclear submarines right off the bat, how dare you be so shameless! Look in the mirror, do you even have the nerve to talk to me like that! Do they even have the capability to do this? And yet you're telling me this! I think you've really gone too far! You're being ridiculous!"

After being mocked and ridiculed by Xia Yiyi's explanation, Ximen Lang finally belatedly realized...
My request does seem a bit excessive.

Unlike other weapons and equipment, nuclear submarines are truly formidable super weapons.

Before he could even feel ashamed, Ximen Lang's attention was immediately drawn to Xia Yiyi's statement that even the number of nuclear submarines was a military secret that needed to be kept strictly confidential.

There is no other reason.

Curious!
As for why I'm curious
"Nonsense! This is my own home! Nuclear submarines are our secret weapon for protecting our home! Whether we can speak with authority or not, whether we get bullied or not, all depends on them! This directly concerns the core interests of each and every one of us. It would be strange if I didn't find this strange, okay?"

This is definitely the thing Xia Yiyi likes to hear the most.

It was even more enjoyable than hearing Ximen Lang's cheesy pickup lines.

Seeing that Ximen Lang's awareness this time was truly remarkable, she didn't need to deliberately guide or remind him; he said those words on his own.

Especially the word "our" in "our family," which directly touched Xia Yiyi's heart.

Therefore, seeing that Ximen Lang was actually quite cooperative this time.

On one hand, it was a heartfelt compliment.

"That's right, it's good that you realize that! No matter how good it is outside, it's still outside. Only here, this is your eternal home!"

On the other hand, Xia Yi carefully considered her words before giving a reply.

"I really don't know exactly how many nuclear submarines we have right now! Because that's a top military secret, a matter of great importance, and absolutely cannot be easily revealed except to relevant personnel!"

"Of course, I know that this information is definitely not enough for you! I won't beat around the bush with you, I'll just say this much. This year alone, we've launched eight attack nuclear submarines!"

"Yes, you heard right. This year alone, we've launched eight! So, you can rest assured about that! We can't guarantee anything else, but we definitely have enough nuclear submarines! And absolutely enough!"

Is that more than enough?

"That's true! If this trend continues, we'll have more than the 20-plus ships that foreign media have predicted in three years! We'll be building more new ones than they estimated, and with the old ones, we'll definitely have enough!"

In fact, this is only the amount of water that can be released into the ocean in a year in later generations.

If we can take over Beijing through these negotiations, and all the major shipyards are successfully completed...
Xia Yiyi didn't even dare to imagine how many nuclear submarines the future generations would have, or how much their combat power would increase, with both sides working together.

Therefore, the later generations were extremely happy to give away these two conventional submarines.

Before Ximen Lang could even ask for help from Beijing again, the matter was directly handed over to Beijing in later generations.

As for the fact that these submarines are all old equipment from decades ago...
"Are you kidding me? Look at the condition, look at the style, there's not a single bit of weariness. You could say it's a 99% new submarine for a girl's personal use, and there wouldn't be a problem at all! How is it old?"

"Judging from its appearance, there really isn't anything wrong with it. But after all, these are old items from decades ago."

"What do you mean it's old? This is a Type 039G submarine, the original Type 039 submarine, which has only been delivered for less than 30 years! This is an improved Type 039G, which has been in use for at most one or two decades, and has just passed the break-in period, okay? What do you mean it's old?"

Ximen Lang was shocked.

After a moment of stunned silence, he asked incredulously.

"Wait, does this thing also have a break-in period?"

"Nonsense! Even new cars have a break-in period of 1000 to 3000 kilometers, so our submarines will naturally have a break-in period too."

"The earlier Type 035 submarine."

“That’s even better! Don’t be fooled by the fact that it took a little longer to get into the water. Construction started in 69 and it was delivered in 74. Actually, the earliest batch of them should have been retired long ago, but they have all been retired.”

"Like the Type 039G submarine, these are all improved versions of the Type 035 basic model! We have fine-tuned every aspect to the pinnacle, making them perfect models that cannot be modified any further!"

"He's in his early twenties, in his prime! You couldn't find someone this good anywhere else! I'm already being lenient by not charging you a training fee, and you're complaining that he's too old? Are you kidding me?"

"Oh? If that's the case, then I should thank you?"

"Of course! What did you think!"

This is just taking advantage of Ximen Lang's ignorance of submarines! Yes, new cars do need a considerable break-in period, but that's entirely because in the early days when technology couldn't keep up, key components like the engine and transmission of new cars might have slightly uneven surfaces during the manufacturing process.

These "burrs" must be worn down naturally through gentle driving to ensure smoother operation of the parts, which is why a break-in period is necessary.

With the development of the times and the advancement of technology, the manufacturing processes of various factories have been greatly improved.
Although the break-in period for a new car is still very necessary, the mileage is no longer as exaggerated as it was in the early days.

After driving it for a while, maybe a few hundred or a thousand kilometers, the break-in period will be over.

And what about submarines?

Without a doubt, this is truly cutting-edge technology.

Unlike cars, where cost is a constant consideration, there's absolutely no need to worry about cost when building this thing!
Its nature of use dictates that it cannot be treated carelessly; if it can be good, then it must be the best!

So, just like with new cars these days, there is indeed a break-in period, but it is very short.

Very quickly, after a series of tests, debugging, and improvements, once the performance meets the standards, the break-in period will be over in a flash. (Technical integration and personnel adaptation are not included here.)
Therefore, there is absolutely no doubt that Xia Yiyi's words were just to fool Ximen Lang, taking advantage of his complete ignorance of submarines.

However, although Ximen Lang didn't understand submarines, he understood people!
Having spent so much time with Xia Yiyi, he wasn't quite able to tell what she was pooping just by looking at her.

But whether he was fooling himself or not, he could still tell clearly.

There's no point in dwelling on these things.

Just like Xia Yiyi said, given the situation in Beijing, even if you really equipped them with nuclear submarines, they still wouldn't understand.

Because it requires a lot of exploration and cannot quickly form combat power, it may actually harm them.

Even the most basic, supporting nuclear weapons are not easy to obtain!
Therefore, although Ximen Lang realized that Xia Yiyi was just fooling him, he still didn't say anything.

He muttered something to himself.

"It's whatever you say."

In a very relaxed and pleasant manner, Ximen Lang accepted Xia Yiyi's explanation.

As if he knew nothing about it, Ximen Lang turned around and began to pay attention to the weapon configuration of the two submarines.

First of all, the six torpedo tubes with the capability to launch torpedoes at great depths located at the bow of the Type 039 submarine are definitely not problematic.

Not only is it flawless, it's exceptionally excellent!

Under the existing conditions, this arrangement can be described as absolutely ingenious, simply perfect!

Secondly, the Yu-4 anti-ship torpedo, Yu-5 anti-submarine torpedo, Yu-6 heavy thermal-powered wire-guided anti-submarine/anti-ship torpedo, and YJ-82/84 submarine-launched anti-ship missiles that were specially equipped for it in later generations are absolutely no problem!

The reason is quite simple.

That's the configuration; even by today's standards, it would still be usable, or even sufficient.

If it's this impressive even decades later, what about in the world of Beijing, where the submarine industry was just starting out?
That's not necessarily the case; is it only possible that they're just randomly killing each other?!

In addition, its overwhelming lead in stealth capabilities, which can be considered cutting-edge technology in the world of Beijing, along with numerous advanced electronic devices capable of multi-target tracking and guiding weapon attacks, as well as digital display sonar, electro-optical masts, and integrated automated command systems, make it a formidable force to be reckoned with.
It's a direct attack from a lower dimension!
Anyway, Ximen Lang couldn't figure out how this thing would lose if it really went up against those scumbags outside.

It's like beyond-visual-range combat; before you even spot me, I've already fired two missiles and shredded you to pieces.

Let's take down multiple targets at once!
They didn't even show their faces, you couldn't see their faces at all!

If we can still lose, then it would be truly unbelievable!

In addition, there is the Type 035B submarine, which is at best slightly inferior.
In other words, the authorities in Beijing definitely wouldn't listen to him or go along with his madness.

Otherwise, he would have liked to use these advanced weapons and equipment to challenge the US or the Soviet Union, pull them down from their positions of leadership, and then take their place himself.

"Oh, right, and those damned Japanese devils! We absolutely cannot let them get away with this! Compared to them, even the Americans and the Soviet Union have to take a backseat!"

In his extreme anger, Ximen Lang even considered going directly to Xia Yiyi and asking her to think of a way to get a dozen or twenty more nuclear bombs so he could dump them all on that wretched little place and nuke them all!

However, this is obviously not very realistic.

Not to mention that the authorities in Beijing would never go to such lengths for him, even Xia Yiyi herself couldn't possibly obtain so many nuclear bombs, and even if she did, she wouldn't give them to herself.

It's pointless to say anything.

so.
"Let's leave it at that! We've managed to get two conventional submarines, and they're perfectly suited to the situation in Beijing! What's most valuable is that we're developing a series of submarines step by step, which is really quite impressive!"

Plus, free is always the best, and anything you can get for free is the most appealing.

With all that, what more could you ask for?

With a swift leap, Ximen Lang, eager for a kill, quickly slipped through the open sail hatch on the submarine's top and entered the interior in a few swift movements.

Then, Ximen Lang was completely overwhelmed by an indescribable sense of oppression.

how to say?

It's that kind of heavy feeling where your heart suddenly sinks, and you feel a bit short of breath.

Moreover, the further you go in, the stronger this uncomfortable feeling becomes.

Consider that submarines often dive hundreds of meters deep, sometimes remaining stranded for months, and the cramped, uncomfortable, hot, and humid working environment.
Instantly understanding why the submarine force preferred smaller soldiers, Ximen Lang immediately spoke to Xia Yiyi, who was also feeling oppressed beside him.

"Given this working environment, it would be perfectly reasonable to provide the soldiers with the best food! We should probably get a fifth-class mess hall. There's nothing here. If we don't provide them with decent food, how can they possibly endure this?"

This statement was immediately agreed upon by Xia Yiyi.

Because the environment here was too uncomfortable, they didn't stay long. They only had a brief taste of it before leaving.

Then, because Ximen Lang was eager to go back and make a big splash, he tricked Xia Yiyi into going back.

In the blink of an eye, Ximen Lang vanished. (End of Chapter)