What the hell is a private enterprise?

Chapter 594 Ship Girl Civil War
Almost simultaneously, those present realized what Kazimirz had said:

Relative loss.

This term is ingenious. Does it refer to the loss of other allies or the loss of one's own overall strength? The definition is also vague, which means there is a huge amount of room for manipulation.

"Switzerland's allies lost 24 Gripen aircraft, which is a terrible loss for them and could seriously affect their stability."

Assigning G3 to them is both a form of compensation and a way to ensure that if the Third and Fourth Fleets were to launch a counterattack in the north, they would have a warship ready to confront the enemy directly.

Blair didn't believe a word of this, and he quickly guessed Kazimirz's true intentions:
The empire is trying to renege on its debt!
What would Switzerland do with battleships? Can they even afford to maintain them?
Even if they could afford to maintain it, would a battleship be of any use to them? No!

The only connection between Empire and Saab was the 24 Gripen aircraft. The agreement was that Empire would pay Saab to purchase 24 more new Gripen aircraft to make up the difference, but that would cost close to $20 billion!
If this money were a military aid loan, Prism Building could just give it away without any problem, since it comes from selling its own planes and has a steady stream of after-sales business. But if it's for Saab, then it has to be real cash flow.

It seemed that the British were determined to renege on their debt of 400 tons of gold, so the Empire was less inclined to pay for the Griffin.

Giving G3 to Switzerland would silence them and settle their debts, while also giving us the upper hand:
Don't say the Empire doesn't love you. They won't even give you battleships or chickens. It's not appropriate for you to keep asking for payment for fighter jets now, is it?

At that time, Ruiyi will be the small contractor who demands payment (in cash). The general contractor, Prism Building, will not say that he will not pay, but will instead give you a 20-year-old luxury car (battleship) as payment to fool you.

If you don't want to change, then Prism Building can make some demands:
Saab planes are expensive and of poor quality, so I'll give you F-16s instead. Don't accept that? Then take the battleships back with you.

After Blair figured this out, he immediately began to consider: This was in the best interest of Britain!
Although the Empire paid for the Griffin loan, it was entirely a loan with British support. This move might reduce some of the debt.

What's more, there's a hidden benefit: the hen will be absolutely jumping up and down in frustration!

It's good to be anxious, because when you're anxious, there's more room for maneuver and maneuvering!

As for the injured iodine?
Please, what kind of empire are you to haggle over? You're lucky if you don't renege on your debts, stop being so picky!
“Your point is very valid, and Daiying believes this compensation is reasonable!”

Blair's approval pleased Kazimierz, whose purpose was also to check and balance the bald man:

If Britain wants to modernize and upgrade the HMS Malta and put it back into service to achieve combat readiness, it will take at least two years and at most three or four years. During this period, Britain, which has not suffered any serious losses, will have the upper hand.

While Dai Ying's "unfilial father" is despicable, it is absolutely unacceptable that he allowed Fa Ji to take advantage of the situation and grow bigger!
……

While distant Europe was still embroiled in various convoluted disputes over post-war distribution, Tang Wen was still taking stock of the spoils.

The 44 supply crates yielded a ton of high-level rewards, mainly warships and special captains, in addition to gold coins and boost cards.

[Tier IX Italian Cruiser: Michelangelo; Tier X Italian Legendary Captain Luigi]

[British Tier 10 Super Battleship "ravages" the Battleship; Legendary Captain Andrew Browncunningham]

[Yi Tier VIII cruiser "Cheshire AL"; Collaboration with Tier X captain "Cheshire"]

[US-class X-tier special-purpose destroyer: "Hel"]

【Chinese Tier IX battleship "Bajie"】

【E-class Tier IX battleship "King Charles XIV John"】

[Soviet Tier IX cruiser "Kronstadt"; Linked with Tier 10 captain "Kronstadt"]

A total of 8 warships, 2 legendary captains, 1 ship girl, and 1 cat.

(Kronstadt)

(Cheshire)
The C-series collaboration captain "Zhenhai" was an independently developed product that couldn't wait to be revealed, while the captains who came with the warships were automatically teleported to the South Pacific port where there were still slots available, including "Crimson Thunder".

Moreover, although Tang Wen was not short of ships, there was still one warship that caught his eye this time:
The M-series X-class special-purpose destroyer "Hel".

This is a historical ship, with only minor modifications.

In the 1970s, after the Empire retired its heavy cruisers with firepower from the end of World War II, it became concerned about the lack of firepower for future land support. It planned to equip some destroyers with MK71 203mm naval guns and finally selected a Sherman-class destroyer, DD-945 "Hel", as the platform, replacing the original 127mm turrets with larger 203mm guns.

Historically, only one front turret of the Hell was replaced, but after being elevated, it was equipped with three 203mm single-mount turrets, with a firing rate of 5 rounds per second, which is not bad.

Tang Wen was most interested in the hull of the Hull, which was the first post-war modern destroyer built by the Empire in the 50s. It had great potential for modification. The last Sherman-class destroyer was not decommissioned until 88, and its electronic equipment and radar were quite advanced.

……

The situation deviated a little from what I had imagined.

"Commander~ Darling!"

Just as Tang Wen stood on the ground of the South Pacific port, a large dark figure used a binding technique on him, making it difficult for him to breathe.

"Wait, you're not the one who should get down first!"

"Is this a bit too enthusiastic a welcome? Hehe, it's because it's my darling, so it's understandable that I'm a little excited!"

Cheshire, who had been nuzzling against Tang Wen's chest, looked up and greeted him in an adorably cute voice. At the same time, her cat-ear-like maid headband scratched his chin and held him firmly with her limbs like a pendant, forcing him to hug her.

Tang Wen felt like he was hugging a very large, soft down-filled cushion!

This thing really is a cat!

To be honest, he shamefully found himself somewhat enjoying the feeling, but Cheshire in his arms suddenly wrinkled her nose:
"Why do I smell Jean Bart's scent?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the crisp sound of a sword being drawn from its sheath rang out behind him:

"Let go of your cat paws, or... let me chop them off!"

Zhenhai and Jeanbart, who were teleported along with him, witnessed the whole process. After only a moment of silence, they drew their swords, which looked more like narrow knives about 40 or 50 centimeters long.

Tang Wen only had time to see Jean Bart's crimson pupils before a white-haired ship girl suddenly appeared in front of him as he instinctively turned to the side.

Accompanied by the clanging of metal and sparks from friction, a white-haired ship girl dressed as a policewoman in black stockings blocked a short sword with her right hand and pointed a megaphone at the enraged Jean Bart with her left:
"How dare you draw your sword against the Commander! It seems you've become selfish while we were away." "Are we just going to watch that guy run rampant against the Commander? The Commander is still recuperating!"

However, Kronstadt's character is that of a secret agent and investigator, who is completely unmoved by such sophistry and also possesses the typical Slavic temper of being easily angered and volatile.

"Ha, it seems we can only decide right and wrong by force!"

As she spoke, a seven- or eight-story-high phantom image of a ship's rigging appeared behind her, with the 305mm turret of the large battlecruiser swaying conspicuously.

Jean Bart also silently deployed her ship's equipment, exuding an aura of dominance no less imposing than that of a battleship.

The two men and their ships almost simultaneously appeared on the sea surface far from the port. Immediately afterwards, two equally impressive fireworks bloomed in the distance. A few seconds later, the deafening roar of the 380mm and 305mm naval guns reached Tang Wen's ears, and the shockwaves rushed towards him.

The two ship girls on the sea were engaged in a fierce naval battle just like in a tokusatsu drama. The collision of steel produced a heart-stopping distorting sound, and the surrounding seawater splashed up high waves.

At this point, their height was almost identical to that of the original body, but the awe-inspiring power of the humanoid ship equipment was far greater than that of naval battle.

Hearing the warm greetings in a mix of Russian and French, Tang Wen, who was witnessing such a scene for the first time, inhaled the sweet scent of cats:

So, I guess I won't have to worry about my personal safety anymore?
Cheshire, still clinging to him, looked excited:
"Commander~ They're so fierce, but so cool!"

Behind them, seeing the two fighting and the cat that could only act cute and cuddle, Zhenhai's lips curled up slightly.

Sure enough, the next second Tang Wen put down Cheshire, patted the cat's head, and finally intervened and forcibly stopped this unexpected civil war.

The two ship girls started fighting before Tang Wen could react. When he called out in the public channel, they immediately stopped and obediently returned to the shore. Then they were criticized with great indignation for being "ashamed of fighting amongst themselves" and "being united in spirit".

Kronstadt, who believed he was right, tried to refute the argument, but was ruthlessly suppressed and forbidden from making any excuses.

After harshly criticizing the two, Tang Wen turned around and pulled over Cheshire, who was standing to the side as if nothing had happened:
"And you!"

"Commander, I am the victim, meow."

"Even acting cute won't work!"

Tang Wen then gave her a flick on the forehead as punishment, while the other two each gave her three flicks.

"Ahem, there are quite a few people in the port area right now, so I think we need to establish some small rules: "

Rule 1: Live in harmony, no fighting!
Article 2: All positions will be assigned, and everyone will perform their duties accordingly!

Article Three…The Commander has the final say. Now, Jeanbart and Kronstadt have violated Article One, and as punishment, you are to be housed in the same room to foster friendship.”

"do not want!"

"Who wants to be with her!"

The two ship girls almost opposed it, but their opposition was ineffective.

But Cheshire suddenly appeared and said:
"Does the Commander want them to stick together?"

"Of course, girls can't be interrupted when they're just sticking things in each other's mouths!"

Tang Wen ignored the subconscious thoughts that popped into his head without changing his expression. He wasn't actually angry about the ship girl civil war; he just happened to want to use it to re-examine the power structure around him. What he was about to say was the important point:

"During your period of reflection, the daily operations of the port and fleet will be temporarily handed over to Zhenhai. Kronstadt will serve as his assistant to familiarize himself with the operations for a while. Jean Bart will remain in charge of the commander's travel and defense. As for Cheshire... uh."

"I'll be a maid! I'm really good at making black tea!"

Tang Wen pushed away Cheshire, who was trying to stick to him again. He ignored her but it was tantamount to acquiescing. After all, it was really too absurd to ask Cheshire to go to the General Staff Headquarters to work with Yamamoto Takano and Lütjens to deduce the plan.

While this might be seen as stripping Jean Bart of some of his power, in reality it should be considered a way to alleviate the major problem of manpower shortage.

Tang Wen also gave her the task of getting the three new members familiar with the situation, forcibly threw them all back to Varee Island, and then hurriedly ran off to see the Crimson Thunder that she had been longing to see.

Fortunately, the commander of this punk warship, Anton Grant, was a burly man with a large beard, who simply saluted him upon seeing him.

"Commander, welcome to your Crimson Thunder!"

Stepping inside this punk-futuristic warship, Tang Wen immediately sensed something different:
Unlike any other warship in the past, the interior of the Scarlet Thunder's bridge resembled a spaceship from a 1960s or 70s American space opera, with most of it featuring simple, integrated curves. However, the style of the control panel seemed a bit old-fashioned to him.

Coupled with Anton dressed like a space pirate, he would believe it if you said this was the filming location of some American TV series.

Anton clearly knew what Tang Wen wanted to ask, and took the initiative to walk to the control panel and waved his hand, causing a void projection to float in the air:
【Y-series Tier IX battleship "Crimson Thunder" (Special battleship during the Tech Frenzy)】

Prototype: British Tier IX battleship "Duncan (G3)"

Introduction: "Crimson Thunder" is a product of unprecedented advancements in technology and engineering. Its hull design is inspired by the ground-effect vehicle "Caspian Sea Monster" and shares some similar characteristics. It also possesses a variety of advanced technological equipment.
-
Energy Bars: The warship has 5 energy bars on its forward side. Each time it takes 20 potential damage or its main gun hits an enemy, it gains 10% energy. Once fully charged, it can be used for skills: -
Quantum Radar: Main/Secondary gun shell dispersion -50%, consumes 3 energy bars to use once, duration 30 seconds;
Alternative Charged Fire: Main/secondary gun shells will be replaced with electromagnetically boosted shells, increasing range by 100%, shell velocity by 100%, and reducing dispersion by 25%. Each use consumes 5 energy bars and lasts for 30 seconds.
Quick Repair Team: Restores 5% health per second, consumes 5 energy points to use once, lasts for 10 seconds.
-
Ground effect flight: Activate the ship's magnetohydrodynamic drag reduction shields and deploy hydrodynamic wings, start the jet engines for propulsion, and immediately take the warship off the water for a short, high-speed flight at an altitude of 10m and a speed of 140 knots. Consumes 5 units of energy for one use, lasting 30 seconds.

[Note: "Crimson Thunder" is not a ship that can be upgraded in the current version.]

Good news: Scarlet Thunder's sci-fi skin isn't just for show.

Bad news: It's a black box warship; it can only be used, not analyzed.

Tang Wen had originally planned to acquire some electromagnetic cannon technology, but now it seems that the Crimson Lightning, disguised as science fiction, is actually a purely magical creation, only useful as a collectible and not something he can use for the time being.

However, it is foreseeable that Crimson Thunder's ground effect flight capability is extremely valuable, especially in the face of modern naval warfare. With its unlimited repair capabilities and short-duration high-speed flight, it can render missiles almost ineffective.

He then boarded the Hull, a warship that is close to historical fact, which gave him a pleasant surprise:
The electronic radar equipment of the Hell is at the level of the Imperial Navy's upgrade in the 70s. Although it cannot be called advanced by today's standards, it is still a usable level for a second-rate navy. Its various information technology equipment is no longer outdated.

In this way, the Hull could become an even more qualified command flagship, with far superior information acquisition and processing capabilities.

(End of this chapter)