I really don't have money for the ship girls.

How does it taste?

Claude said sincerely, "Great."

Ying Tian smiled slightly: "My head maid has never disappointed me."

Unbeknownst to them, Yingtian had completely turned the tables. This so-called rigid and decadent Lord Maxwell had been at a disadvantage from the very beginning, and his momentum was gradually waning.

"As for the purpose of my visit, I'm sure Mr. Robert has already told you." At Ying Tian's signal, the secretary, the Prince of Wales, placed the letter of intent in front of Claude. "It's very simple. I want 40% of your current yak ore production, every year."

“We already have buyers for our current production…”

“Then let’s expand production,” Ying Tian said casually. “I’ll provide the funding.”

Claude remained silent for a moment. The mysterious young man from the East had already given him enough shock, but the proud and old-fashioned old man was still somewhat hesitant. It was a sense of disorientation caused by the feeling of unreality.

Seeing Claude's silence, Ying Tian thought to himself, "If this still can't win you over? Then I'll have to resort to my ultimate move."

"It doesn't matter, I never force anyone, but there's something I think you'll definitely be interested in."

Following Ying Tian's words, the Prince of Wales took out a gift box and placed it in front of Claude. Inside the box was a pocket watch that looked quite interesting.

Upon seeing the contents of the gift box, Claude immediately stood up excitedly.

"What is this? What is this?!"

It's no wonder he was so excited, because the Maxwell family crest was clearly etched on the pocket watch.

Chapter 86 What is a real CPU?

“One of my collections is a relic left by a British officer who participated in the Anglo-Afghan War. It went through many twists and turns before it came into my hands. A few days ago, I saw that your family crest looked familiar, so I had someone bring it over. It seems that it is indeed the original owner.”

“Yes, absolutely.” Claude touched the surface of the pocket watch with a slight tremor. “This is definitely the pocket watch that my great-uncle left behind in Afghanistan.”

Robert asked curiously, "Is it the famous Viscount Hewitt?"

"That's right. If our family's restorer hadn't sacrificed himself in Afghanistan, he could have led our family to even greater glory."

Looking at the agitated old man before him, who had completely lost his initial air of authority, Ying Tian knew that the matter was no longer in doubt. No matter how stubborn he was, once the capable people in their garrison were outmaneuvered, how could he not fall into their trap? If you know what's good for you, we'll cooperate; if you don't, then you'll have to face the iron fist of the garrison.

In fact, the origin of the pocket watch is not much different from what Ying Tian said. The only difference is that this event actually took place in another world. This pocket watch is one of the countless collections of Edinburgh, another wealthy woman in the port area. The parallel world attribute makes many things similar and related in the two worlds. The only difference is that antiques are valuable in prosperous times and gold is valuable in chaotic times. So Edinburgh said that she has private warehouses all over the world, which are used to store the antiques she bought at low prices. She didn't expect that this time it would come in handy.

"Mr. Ying, thank you so much for bringing this..."

"Don't rush to thank me." Ying Tian waved his hand, interrupting Claude, whose attitude had completely softened. "I'm not a saint. The British Museum still holds countless treasures looted from my country, and I still hold a grudge. This pocket watch is something I bought with my own money; I'm just showing it to you."

Claude slowly sat down on the sofa. He hated this feeling. He was in his own castle, but he had almost lost the initiative from the very beginning. If the person in front of him was a traditional nobleman, he would acknowledge him. But this was a young man from the East who was more like a nobleman than a real British nobleman. This sense of disconnect made it even harder for his sluggish brain to work.

"You can name your price."

“I’m not short of money, and to be honest, I don’t really care about this watch.” Ying Tian tapped the coffee table lightly and said, “You know very well what I want.”

Claude stroked the teacup of black tea in his hand. The clear glaze told him that it was definitely the finest porcelain. He remained silent for a long time, so long that Robert had finished his tea and was sweating profusely from being suppressed by Ying Tian's imposing aura. In reality, only a few minutes had passed, but the immense psychological pressure made them feel as if a long time had elapsed.

"I understand."

Finally, old Claude slowly spoke up: "But before that, I have a question, and I wonder if Mr. Ying can help me answer it."

"Speak." Ying Tian thought to himself, "How realistic. He's already using honorifics. What happened to his supposed rigidity and stubbornness?"

"Who exactly are you?"

Ying Tian smiled calmly: "He's just a slightly luckier Chinese man."

“Impossible,” Claude said, suppressing his emotions. “Putting aside your taste and understanding of British culture, your wife, secretary, and maid are all impeccable English ladies. I don’t think they would offer their honor to an ordinary Chinese man.”

"Lord Maxwell, seeing you and this castle reminds me of an old lion."

The Prince of Wales spoke slowly, saying calmly, “If I remember correctly, according to the family genealogy, your ancestors began expanding outwards from the Ninth Crusade. The Hundred Years’ War, the Coalition against France, colonial expansion, World War I, and World War II—the Maxwell family was involved in all of them. I thought you could understand that glory is never innate, nor is there ever any glory that will never decay.”

Guanghui, holding Yingtian's hand, continued the Prince of Wales's words: "What about the Chinese? When the ancestors of the Chinese established the ancient order, the Celts on this land were nothing more than monkeys wrapped in animal skins. We Ansar people were still catching cod on the Jutland Peninsula. Weren't they shameless primitives? It was our ancestors who were ignorant and backward, and it was also our ancestors who achieved glory. What right do we, their descendants, have to criticize and talk about glory?"

"Compared to all of this..." Guanghui tilted her head and looked at Yingtian's profile with deep affection, "You are the real hero. Being able to offer glory to my beloved is the luckiest thing in my life."

If anyone else had said such things, Claude would have scoffed. However, he had already decided that the Prince of Wales and his family were unparalleled British nobles, so he was completely speechless. Even the guilt he usually kept buried deep in his heart erupted. How had the Maxwell family become like this under his care? They couldn't even afford a maid.

Ying Tian reached out without hesitation and pulled Guanghui into his arms, displaying an air of nonchalance. He said, "You can't say that. Our ancestors were also weak and bullied. Although the Angusa people were barbaric, backward, and uncivilized in the past, they later became brutal, cunning, and inhumane. Now they are arrogant, short-sighted, and vampires, um..."

The Prince of Wales gently pinched him from behind. Ying Tian paused and said, "However, they have made some good achievements in industry, science, and the arts. What I understand is not British culture, but things that I think are good. My wife, secretary, and maid are not because they are nobles or members of the royal family, but simply because they are outstanding people."

Ying Tian looked at the beauties surrounding him. They might be disappointed in Dai Ying, but ultimately, these words were meant for him and for him. He felt deeply indebted to them and dared not refuse their kindness.

"Whatever, I'm different from you. I genuinely believe in human rights and respect others." (Meaning: If you disagree, I'll implement Plan Two: the Eighth Fleet raids the Commonwealth and seize it directly.)

"If you don't want to cooperate, that's fine too. Let's just consider it a meeting and broaden our horizons." (I'm taking the pocket watch; say goodbye to your ancestors.)

"It's just a pity." (I only focus on outstanding people and cultures; it seems you don't.)

Ying Tian said, gesturing for Belfast to pack up and prepare to leave.

"and many more."

Claude raised his left hand, a hint of solemnity appearing in his previously cloudy eyes. He said with a self-deprecating smile, "I never thought that at my age, I would be completely speechless, just like when I listened to His Majesty's speeches. Mr. Ying, please forgive my rudeness just now. The conditions you proposed are actually quite generous, and I am willing to cooperate with you."

"As for this pocket watch, I will not include it in the terms of cooperation. My family has some artifacts from the East in our collection, and I am willing to exchange them all for it."

Ying Tian raised an eyebrow; this old guy's pretty savvy.

"Okay, then let's have a pleasant cooperation?"

"Pleasant to work with."

Chapter 87 The Big Shot

After finalizing the details of the collaboration, Ying Tian stayed to have dinner with old Claude.

Of course, the food was also prepared by Belfast and was absolutely authentic. The fried fish, the chips, the pie, the fish head... as for the taste... it can only be said that British culture dragged down the head maid. It wasn't that the perfect and elegant head maid was incompetent. Originally, Yingtian didn't care much. It's just that she had just tasted Yixian's cooking at noon. It's not that she didn't know the value of things, but that she was afraid of comparing them. It's not that Belfast is inferior to Yixian, it's just that Chinese food culture has long since won.

Having declined Lord Maxwell's invitation to stay overnight, Ying Tian slowly drove out of the manor with the three Chinese artifacts he had acquired in exchange.

“Mr. Ying, you’re amazing! I’m not exaggerating at all. My uncle is the kind of person who’s incredibly stubborn. Even the stones in the castle toilets aren’t as hard as him. He’s old-fashioned, conservative, and an incurable racist. Yet you managed to persuade him with just a few words—or rather, you lectured him. You’re just like Bruce Lee and Jack Chen, absolutely incredible!”

Robert stood outside the car, his face flushed with excitement. He was completely awestruck, having never seen his uncle so willing to compromise; he was utterly conquered.

"It's just about persuading people with reason," Ying Tian waved his hand and said. "We won't discuss it today. I'll have my secretary contact you tomorrow regarding the specific contract details and signing. Please go through the internal procedures."

“I understand. With my uncle’s approval, the process will be quick.”

After bidding farewell to Robert, Prince Eugen sat in his carriage, cleared his throat, and imitated Ying Tian, ​​saying, "It's just about persuading people with reason."

Ying Tian glanced at her and said, "Is there a problem?"

“No problem.” Prince Eugen said, gazing at Ying Tian with his chin in his hand. “I regret it a little. I shouldn’t have stayed in the car. I should have come in with him. The Commander must have looked really cool just now.”

"What's so cool about him?" Ying Tian thought about his previous behavior and couldn't help but get goosebumps. "He was just bullying an old man. Although this old man wasn't a good person either. He's a robber, but he even has Chinese cultural relics in his collection."

Prince Eugen made a gesture of slitting his throat with his hand and said, "Since he's no good, let's just implement Plan Two and launch a surprise attack on the mine from a thousand miles away, as if he's atoning for what his ancestors did."

“No, that’s too ruthless,” Ying Tian said, stroking his chin. “I want to cooperate with him, let him expand production, and then once the mines in the country are discovered, I will not only stop buying his metals, but I will also sell them abroad at low prices, snatching all his business and bankrupting him.”

Prince Eugen blinked and said in an exaggerated manner, "Wow, Commander, you're so cunning."

"Ok?"

"How insidious, but I like it."

"That's more like it." Ying Tian joked, "Just kidding. Although he's not a great person, he's still sensible. As long as he gets what the garrison wants, we can part ways amicably."

Sitting to one side, the Prince of Wales crossed his arms and couldn't help but sigh, "Now I know why the once mighty British Empire has become like this. The young people are all unreliable and easily deceived, while the elderly are conservative and clinging to old ways. With these scoundrels, how can the country be governed well? It seems that war does have some use after all; at least it prevents people from degenerating so quickly."

“Actually, this is fine too,” Belfast said from the driver’s seat. “If it weren’t for such a stubborn person, we would have no reason to come here to see our master.”

“That’s true.” The Prince of Wales didn’t dwell on this. Her so-called concern and her earlier advice to Lord Maxwell were merely based on a degree of cultural affinity. She asked Ying Tian, ​​“Commander, how did you feel just now?”

"To be honest, it was just so-so." Ying Tian thought for a moment and said, "It was really satisfying to see that arrogant old man lower his head, but the pretentious act in the middle is really not my style."

“Then brother-in-law needs to get used to it as soon as possible.” Shengli looked out the car window. Compared to London, the seaside city of Plymouth was much quieter. “You are our commander, a big shot wherever you are.”

Ying Tian said, "What good habits are there? Even if you are important people, do you expect me to be all high and mighty with you?"

Princess Eugen climbed over Ying Tian from behind and leaned on his shoulder, her fair face rubbing against his ear: "Maybe we can give it a try? The Commander is so approachable, I want to see another side of the Commander."

"Fine, look if you want, but don't stand up. It's dangerous to do that in the car, don't you understand?"

Victory reached out to pull Eugen away, but Prince Eugen held onto Yingtian's shoulders tightly and wouldn't let go.

"don't know."

"If you don't understand, let me teach you."

"No, Commander, please teach me, okay?"

Prince Eugen breathed into Yingtian's ear, the warm breeze both alluring and provocative.

"Okay, stop arguing."

Ying Tian grabbed Prince Eugen's slender hand and pulled her forward, causing the beauty to lie face down in the gap between the two seats. Her beautiful silver hair cascaded down, following the graceful curve of her back to her full, round buttocks.

"Didn't you want to see another side of me? Well then, I'll show you."

Princess Eugen turned to the side, almost lying on Ying Tian's lap due to the angle. She blinked and said, "Commander, are you in such a hurry? With so many people... that's fine too."

Ignoring everyone's gaze, Ying Tian cleared his throat and said, "Comrades, ship girls, our sense of responsibility for the naval base and our plans for the future have brought us together this summer. In order to overcome all difficulties, carry forward the fighting spirit of not being afraid of hardship or death, and complete the mission entrusted to us by everyone in the naval base."

"Although some comrades had impure motives and some attempted to undermine class unity during the implementation process, these disharmonious factors were eliminated under my leadership. I hope everyone can learn from this lesson and not make such a low-level mistake again."

"Of course, the flaws don't overshadow the merits. In the end, we all successfully completed the mission together. I would like to thank everyone for their efforts and announce that this yoke ore acquisition plan has been a complete success. Looking to the future, let's stay true to our original aspirations and hope that everyone will continue to contribute their strength to the Naval Base. Thank you!"

Ying Tian's words left almost everyone in the car stunned. They looked at each other in bewilderment, and Sirius even touched his head worriedly to see if his master had a fever.

"What are you standing there for? Clap your hands!"

"Um, brother-in-law, what were you saying just now?"

Ying Tian said to Shengli matter-of-factly, "Isn't it just as you wished? Big shot, with your airs, of course you'll talk like that."

"Pfft—Commander, so cute~" Prinz Eugen couldn't hold back and burst into laughter, leaning on Yingtian's lap.

The Prince of Wales smiled and said, "I'll just take it as the commander making a rant."

“Big shot, not this kind of big shot, but that kind of… never mind, brother-in-law, just be yourself.” Seungri said this, but his bright smile never stopped.

Seeing everyone's smiles, Ying Tian couldn't help but smile too: "Well, being yourself is the best thing to do. Anyway, thank you all for your hard work. Let's have a good celebration tonight after we've completed the mission."

"it is good!"

"I want to eat seafood."

"You haven't gotten tired of eating at the naval base yet?"

"I never get tired of it."

"I want to drink, to drink with the commander."

"Okay, I'll have a drink with you."

The car was filled with a joyful atmosphere—

Chapter 88 I'm starting to want to go to the naval base.

The head maid prepared a seaside villa for everyone, as Plymouth is a coastal city with beautiful seaside scenery.

Of course, it's not entirely true that the task has been completed. In modern business, reaching a cooperation agreement requires a lot of related work. Contract drafting, detailed negotiation, and legal review all take time. Even after the contract is signed, Plymouth Mining Company still needs to organize the expansion of production and finalize relevant agreements with domestic import and export trading companies. By the time the metal arrives in China, it will probably be at least the second half of the year.

Therefore, Ying Tian and his party did not leave Plymouth for the time being. The finalization of the contract was handed over to the Prince of Wales and Edinburgh. They also had to communicate with Zhenhai in China. They had already put in so much effort, so they naturally had to ensure that everything went smoothly in the final stage.

"The Commander can't swim?"

Faced with Prince Eugen's questioning, Ying Tian didn't think there was anything wrong with it: "What's so surprising about not being able to swim? I've never had much opportunity to swim growing up."

You can't tell what it looks like at night, but during the day you can see the boundless sea and the fine private beach in front of the villa. It was Ying Tian's first time seeing the sea, so after discovering it, he excitedly stood by the pool in the villa, watching the white sails in the distance, and the waves rolling white foam onto the beach, turning the sand into a wet color.

Princess Eugen embraced Yingtian from behind and then naturally invited him to go swimming together. After spending the last few days together, Yingtian had become quite familiar with Princess Eugen and was well aware of the feelings of this charming and mature ship girl. However, he still refused, for a very simple reason: if he went into the water, it wouldn't be swimming together, it would be ducks saving his life.

“I’ve always been very obedient since I was a child. The aunties at the orphanage told us not to go into the water, not to touch electrical wires, and not to go to dangerous places. So at most, I’ve only ever fished for fish and shrimp. I’ve never been in the water, so it’s normal that I can’t swim.”

“Something’s not right.” Victory and Glorious walked out of the villa together. The girl stretched, showing off her perfect, slender figure. “Brother-in-law, you’re our commander, a navy officer. How can you not know how to swim?”

Ying Tian was initially somewhat disdainful. Our country's first Navy Commander-in-Chief was seasick, let alone able to swim. A commander's job is to give orders, not to go to sea every day. I'm just inheriting the fine tradition of revolutionary martyrs. A son of a wealthy family should not sit under a dangerous roof.

But then he thought, wouldn't he miss out on a lot of fun if he couldn't swim?

So he said, somewhat tempted, "Why don't you teach me?"

Victory peered out at the sea and beach and said, "No way, absolutely no way. This sea is nowhere near as good as the one at the naval base. I don't want to go in at all."

"Then the outdoor swimming pool?"

Victory said, "This place looks pretty clean, so it's not a bad idea."