Chapter 199: Unexpected Numbers

What Qin Ge didn't expect was that, not long after he returned from the Dean's office to his own room in the Reception House, Li Chenming had already prepared the list form and sent it over.

In the reception room, Qin Ge looked at the form before him and couldn't help but say in surprise, "Are you sure this list isn't wrong?"

Li Chenming took a sip of the tea Hai Lun Na had poured for him, then said to Qin Ge, "It's absolutely correct, and it can only be short, not excessive."

Qin Ge glanced dubiously at Li Chenming, raised the form, and said, "So there really are over 40 people who want to join our Grand Fleet?"

Li Chenming nodded, "It's possible that even 40 is considered few; maybe around 50 to 60 people."

"That's too many; our Grand Fleet is still in its initial stage, and according to the standards set by the Maritime Affairs Bureau, we currently have a full complement of only 20 slots," Qin Ge said to Li Chenming.

I also thought at most a dozen people would come, but the result was far better than I imagined—so many people showed up all at once.

"But these numbers are indeed a problem now, because, as you said, we can currently recruit at most 14 more people, which would already reach the Grand Fleet's current full complement."

"So selection is very important, but since they came so enthusiastically, outright refusal isn't appropriate either. What method do you think could better adjust things?" Li Chenming asked.

Qin Ge nodded, "Let's just follow the previous method: explain the facts clearly to them, and just now I also went to the Dean's office, explained our Grand Fleet's future plans, and the Dean agreed."

"Furthermore, she recommended that our Grand Fleet take on some Grand Fleet missions during the Siren Tide period, which would give us higher autonomy, increase our Grand Fleet points, thereby raise our Grand Fleet's level, and obtain better supplies and personnel quotas."

"That works too," Li Chenming said to Qin Ge. "Back then we were still worried about personnel, but now we're already thinking about how to turn people away—this change is so fast it's making me feel a bit unaccustomed."

Qin Ge smiled slightly, "This is the growth of our Grand Fleet, and it's also your growth, because we now have something that makes them envious, so they wish to join our Grand Fleet like this."

"As long as we keep striving toward this with determination, our Grand Fleet will also become, like those famous Grand Fleets before, a place every commander aspires to."

"I have always firmly believed that, from the moment I first told you to build the Grand Fleet, I have held that belief." Li Chenming laughed.

"Hehe, then sooner rather than later—can you contact the people on this list now?" Qin Ge said to Li Chenming.

"Of course, because there are no classes these two days, they're all in the dormitory area." Li Chenming nodded and said.

"Then go call our people, bring them to our usual training ground, and afterward I'll confirm the numbers there to complete the formation of our Grand Fleet." Qin Ge said to Li Chenming.

"No problem!" Li Chenming nodded, then put down his half‑finished tea and walked straight out.

Qin Ge watched Li Chenming's hurried figure and, without being able to help himself, smiled at Hai Lun Na beside him, saying, "It seems Li Chenming really cares about building the Grand Fleet, and with his ability he can absolutely handle the Vice Commander position."

"I think, even if Li Chenming's ability as Commander were somewhat lacking, the Commander wouldn't give the fleet's Vice Commander position to anyone else, would they?" Hai Lun Na beside him said.

Qin Ge nodded at Hai Lun Na, "Exactly, because he and I are both founders of this Grand Fleet; without him there would be no Grand Fleet, so the Vice Commander position will always be his."

"This is where the Commander values loyalty and righteousness." Hai Lun Na smiled.

"Hehe." Qin Ge chuckled, "Right, Hai Lun Na, who went out on a mission today?"

"Reporting to the Commander, besides me there are Miss Guanghui, Miss Ou Gen Qin Wang, and Miss Biyu. As for the others, they've all gone out on missions." Hai Lun Na replied very quickly.

"Alright, then go call those few of them, and gather together with me at the training field." Qin Ge said to Hai Lun Na.

"Yes, Commander." Hai Lun Na nodded and immediately went upstairs to call people.

Soon, several people followed Hai Lun Na downstairs and saw Qin Ge waiting under the stairs.

"Commander." Several shipgirls greeted.

"Hmm, let's all go to the training field together; Li Chenming has already gone to gather the commanders preparing to join our Grand Fleet." Qin Ge said to the several people.

"Hai Lun Na already told us just now, so Commander, you can relax." Guanghui said with a smile.

"All right." Qin Ge nodded and then led the several people toward the training field.

However, when the several people arrived, the training field still had no one. But that's normal, after all Li Chenming still had to notify people one by one, so it would take some time.

And after the several people had waited a while, the first to arrive were the original members of the Grand Fleet: Chen Bo Jun, Wang Yueqin, Zhang Xiaotian, and Zhang Yingwei.

"Commander-in-Chief, good." Several people greeted Qin Ge.

"You're welcome." Qin Ge chuckled, "Normally you should rest after the competition, but since this is about the Grand Fleet, I called you over, which is really somewhat embarrassing."

"It's fine; actually, even if the Commander-in-Chief hadn't called, we would still have come, because this is a good opportunity to get to know our new members as one of the founders, and we're still very honored." Wang Yueqin said with a smile.

"Really?" Qin Ge smiled, "But I really hadn't expected that so many people would apply to join our Grand Fleet all at once."

"This is all because of the Commander-in-Chief's splendid performance in the challenge match." Chen Bo Jun said.

"Not at all; I estimate the most important thing is that I saw your growth. After all, before you weren't the best in your age group, but now you all stand at the peak of your peers."

"So they're also curious, or even more eager to join our Grand Fleet to achieve a breakthrough in their own strength." Qin Ge looked at the several people and said.

"What the Commander-in-Chief said is indeed true; like before, I was just a nobody among the first‑year students, but after this many people have come running to get to know me."

"Furthermore, several people have hinted that they want me to introduce them into our Grand Fleet." Zhang Yingwei said to Qin Ge.

Qin Ge nodded, "Well, these are just human nature, after all—understandable."

"I haven't encountered that kind of person, but to be honest I can also feel some changes, because the people who usually chat with me have become more polite." Zhang Xiaotian said with a hehe laugh.

Hehe, it's good that there's a change; I believe it will become even more in the future. Qin Ge said with a smile.