What the hell is a private enterprise?

Chapter 387 Sea Waves 97 (May 2600 Monthly Tickets)

Kazimirz attributed all the wonders about the Second Fleet to his long-lost rival, always believing that they were inextricably linked.

However, Rams wasn't particularly interested in conspiracy theories and preferred to discuss the current issues:
"What we can confirm now is that those Han elites who disappeared back then have indeed taken root in Nanmei. If this cannot be resolved, even stopping for supplies will be a problem."

Fern was already reluctant to take risks, and now he had even more reason to.

Kazimirz: "We've spent a lot of money and effort, and Fern can only delay for a little while."

In fact, although the Second Fleet has temporarily halted its advance, various other preparations have never stopped.

In addition to leasing nuclear-powered icebreakers from Russia, the Empire is also requesting them from cold-climate countries such as Norway. Currently, three conventional icebreakers have arrived in Antarctica.

Perhaps because they were operating under the guise of a scientific expedition, these ships were not attacked. Meanwhile, supplies were being sent to the Falkland Islands, where Britain and the Empire would work together to develop it into a true military outpost.

It's important to know that the salvage operation of the Clover cruise ship is still ongoing, and taxpayers' money is flowing to Antarctica like water.

At a certain point, the order to launch an attack will not be decided by Fern himself; the opinion and finance ministers will tear him apart first.

"But we can't afford to suffer any more losses!"

The more valuable the Antarctic task force was, the more painful it was for Rams:
"Even a single plane or missile is an extremely expensive item, so we can't let them die in a pointless sneak attack... Damn it, nothing has been found in Antarctica."

The satellites couldn't capture anything of value. Those scientists even told me that maybe they built an underground world in the cavity beneath the Antarctic ice sheet. Ha, what a great science fiction story!

Don't let Britain and the West hide in the back! They also have aircraft carriers and must comply with the initiative to form a joint fleet!

Hastings repeatedly proposed the formation of a joint fleet at the United Nations, but the problem was that there were few responses:
Even the Empire's allies were unwilling, since if a 'joint fleet' was formed, who would actually have command?
They don't mind sending out warships, but they absolutely don't want to be used as expendable resources.

Even the allies are half-hearted, not to mention the others; the Russians, on the other hand, regret that they don't have the money.

Kazimirz, who was standing to the side, thought for a moment and then slowly said:
"Before coming here, Johnson asked me to bring the two newly commissioned battleships from the East Coast into the Antarctic operations as well."

Rams understood what Johnson was thinking with a slight movement and immediately shook his head:

"He underestimates those people too much. The mainland will not agree to be his shield."

"No, no, it's possible."

Kazimirz gave a sly smile:

"They really want to join the WTO, so as long as they contribute to this just cause, we'll agree."

We all know that not only do they want to join, but the WTO also needs a large market; it's only a matter of time. Why not use it to gain some benefits?

"Well……"

Rams: "That would require the president's will, and which navy do you think would be willing to send its newest, yet-to-be-commissioned, warships to be cannon fodder?"

Kazimirz blinked: "On the contrary, I think they would be very happy. There are countless forces in the world that want an opportunity to integrate into the Empire."

Even the MD11, which the whole world didn't consider reliable, was willing to take over, and their gradual opening of key economic sectors proves this point.

……

If anyone was most surprised by the 20 tons of dumplings produced in a single month, it would definitely be Dai Ying. The appearance of the Taishan and Guang Sheng ships at the return ceremony wasn't exactly a secret, and Dai Ying actually felt it was alright.

But when the Huashan was launched, they couldn't sit still any longer.

Two battleships, one aircraft carrier, plus other escort destroyers, frigates, and submarines, totaling about 25 tons of warships, will gather in Hong Kong. What are they planning to do?

Even though the power of these warships is temporarily sealed, their combined strength should not be underestimated, and doesn't it also represent some kind of attitude?

They quietly pulled out a 100,000-ton behemoth, causing reconnaissance satellites around the world to waste precious fuel changing orbits, trying to photograph every shipyard in the country, fearing that another monster might suddenly appear somewhere.

This also involves economic issues:
Although insiders know that these ships are far from being capable of fighting, who among the general public knows that?
Whether it's ordinary people at home or abroad, upon hearing about 100,000 tons, they exclaim, "Wow, that's amazing, surpassing the US!"

Then look at the 24-inch cannon barrel that can fit a person inside: "With such a thick cannon, its combat power must be strong."

The author even exclaimed, "The Huashan is the first giant ship built by subhumans that surpasses that of white people!"

Even from pictures on television and in the news, the ferocious appearance of battleships is awe-inspiring—in comparison, Arleigh Burke looks rather frail.

This led to a general decline of over 1.5% in Hong Kong stocks at the close on the 23rd, and the market continued to fall from the opening price the following day.

This was completely unexpected by the financial tycoons who were waiting to reap the rewards, and they were even more afraid that the flight of speculative capital would affect their profits.

The Times' headlines also reflected Downing Street's exasperated attitude; the June 24th headline read:

A fleet from half a century ago is about to roam the Western Pacific.

The newspapers that day carried extensive analyses from military experts, all focusing on the newly launched warships, the gist of which was:
-
These are all old ships that the world has long since discarded and abandoned, swept into the dustbin of history by the British centuries ago!
Large size is a symbol of backwardness; a single harpoon could send it to the bottom of the sea, and the Eighth Fleet was easily destroyed—all show and no substance!
Building giant ships is a waste of manpower and resources, and children in the western mountainous areas are also affected... Giant ships are a spectacle, but a complete waste of resources!

Meanwhile, many domestic media outlets also received funding and began to denigrate the two battleships, Huashan and Taishan.

After saying a lot of bad things, he finally revealed his true purpose:

Such a lousy ship shouldn't be sailing to Hong Kong; it will only bring shame upon us!
……

[Fish in the Sea: Antique warships reviewing ships in Hong Kong? A laughable sight!]

Tang Wen opened the BBS, and the most popular headline was about the combat capabilities of the newly launched warships.

I glanced at the whole article, and his assessment was... absolutely right, it's all true.

The prevailing impression is that China is far behind, but many people are unaware that its internal electronic technology development far exceeds expectations, and the revolutionary "China Shield" is about to be unveiled:
The 346 radar has begun prototype testing, directly signifying the initial mastery of solid-state active phased array technology in China.

Whether it's the Taishan, Huashan, or Guangsheng, the current shortage lies entirely in that crucial active array radar. No one believes they can master such cutting-edge technology.

Many netizens responded with strong comments, saying things like "The Vanguard cannon is unparalleled in the world," "The arsenal ship overwhelms the Arleigh Burke," and "The all-around warship attacks from all sides."

At this moment, Tang Wen suddenly remembered that the "Operation Sea Wave 97" fleet, which was organized by the British in the original timeline and was unwilling to accept defeat, had arrived in the South China Sea. It included 34 warships of various sizes.

Then a Type 22 frigate, accompanied by a supply ship, attempted to approach the territorial waters. Later, a domestic Type 053 Zhuhai ship chased after it for three days and three nights.

Based on the current trend, will this fleet take further action?
(End of this chapter)