Chapter 342: Borrowing Influence

So, Commander Qin Ge, are you ready?

Scharnhorst's question cut straight to the core, as she said: raising a strong fleet is not easy; logistical support, material supplies, and clear command are all indispensable.

Qin Ge walked and smiled, saying, "These are things a regular grand fleet would need to consider. Do you think I, now backed by the Nine Major Factions, would lack these?"

Everyone couldn't help but chuckle after hearing that; a flash of approval crossed Akagi's eyes. Yes, facing the surveillance or control of the Nine Major Factions does not bring only negative effects to Qin Ge.

On the contrary, he already possesses the influence of the Nine Major Factions; since this influence is right before him, he has reason to make use of it.

"I'm actually eager to see your grand fleet's joint training; I think such a thing would be very suitable for promotion within our faction," said Zala of the Sardinian Empire, smiling.

"Then please follow me," Qin Ge said with a smile, walking to the front, taking the envoys of the Eight Major Factions with him as he headed toward the training field.

When Qin Ge brought the shipgirls of the Eight Major Factions to the training field, he heard the roaring of ship guns and carrier aircraft. Several people stood at the pier, looking out at the distant sea, and saw Qin Ge's shipgirls conducting offensive-defensive drills.

The tactics being used were precisely the offensive and defensive tactics Qin Ge had just spoken of.

"Hehe, after just listening to Commander Qin Ge's lecture, we see the same practical training here; our luck seems pretty good," Hao said with a smile.

"Yes, back when we were with the Sakura Empire, Commander Qin Ge used this very breakthrough method, right?" asked the Dragon Cavalry.

Qin Ge nodded, "At that time I judged the enemy's air power to be far inferior to ours, so I suppressed their air superiority, causing them to lose it first."

After losing air superiority, their defensive positions would surely change; they would definitely place shipgirls with stronger anti-air capabilities on the outer rim to resist our carrier aircraft attacks.

But this gave our surface vanguard fleet an opportunity, for they no longer faced destroyers with torpedo capability, but rather light cruisers with comparatively weak gunfire.

This made it even more suitable for a cutting breakthrough; moreover, my fleet includes the support shipgirls Guanghui, Du Jiao Shou, Banrenma, and Hai Lun Na, so the breakthrough becomes even more unrestrained and simpler.

As Qin Ge explained, even the shipgirls who hadn't witnessed that battle could picture the scene in their minds.

Carrier aircraft filled the sky, their engine roars compressing the activity range of the United Fleet's shipgirls. One of Qin Ge's shipgirls, acting as vanguard, surged forward with thunderous force toward the United Fleet.

Several support shipgirls continually adjusted the vanguard fleet's state; using the fierce gunfire of battleships, they tore a hole in the defense line, guiding other shipgirls to charge into the opened weak sector, then the middle burst forth, crushing the enemy and securing victory in an overwhelming manner.

At that moment on the sea, Qin Ge's shipgirls also spotted Qin Ge and the others standing on the shore. They immediately ceased combat and, in a single-file formation, glided toward his direction.

Naturally, Qin Ge also saw this; he extended his right hand and waved at the shipgirls' formation from afar, indicating he was aware, and of course also greeting them.

"It's a bit of a pity; I still wanted to see what the final result would be," Hao said regretfully, watching the shipgirls return from maintenance.

"Anyway, it's not the only chance; when they train later, you can come by and take a look if you have time," Qin Ge said with a smile.

"That's true; there's still plenty of time, no rush for now," Hao laughed.

Since the shipgirls' training area isn't far from the pier, they soon returned to the pierside. By then Qin Ge and the other shipgirls had already cleared the pier; when Qin Ge's shipgirls arrived at the pier, they all jumped ashore, leaving the water.

"Commander, have you finished your lesson? Who are they?" Guanghui was the first to ask Qin Ge.

Qin Ge gave a slight smile, "I've finished this morning's course; the newly arrived commanders performed well, and the whole lesson was satisfactorily completed."

As for them, they're here to observe our training now, so you don't need to worry about them; just follow our usual training methods.

I've already told Li Chenming that they'll be back later; then we'll form a joint exercise formation together and begin offensive-defensive training.

"Oh?" Prince Ou Gen Wang smiled slightly, looking at the people from the Eight Major Factions, and couldn't help but smile, "It seems you've been working hard even in a day."

Scharnhorst's grin widened; the eye patch over her eyes now looked somewhat eerie, "You also understand what this means—we're merely doing our duty to people."

"Sister." Gneisenau tugged at Scharnhorst's clothes, pointing to the silent Bismarck standing aside. Scharnhorst reacted instantly, gave a light cough, and fell silent.

Although the two clearly knew that Qin Ge's Bismarck was not the leader of their own Iron Blood, seeing this familiar yet unfamiliar person standing here still made them hesitant to act rashly.

Qin Ge chuckled, "Just like that; you don't need to deliberately target them, after all they're here merely to fulfill their duty to people."

If they had a choice, I believe they would certainly prefer to stay beside their familiar friends rather than travel far to Donghuang.

For a moment, aside from Qin Ge's shipgirls nodding, the shipgirls of the Eight Major Factions all looked at Qin Ge in surprise. Because what Qin Ge said was correct: if not for their faction leader's demand or their own duty, they would be unwilling to leave the places they've long inhabited.

"I suddenly understand why she favors you so much; you truly are a commander who understands people's hearts." Scharnhorst glanced at Bismarck and said to Qin Ge.

Qin Ge smiled, "So we'll wait a bit; they should be arriving soon."

"Hmm." Everyone nodded at once; meanwhile Akagi and Kaga had walked up beside Tiancheng, whispering something.

After the crowd chatted for a while, a group of commanders approached the training field's entrance, each accompanied by two or more shipgirls, marching with heads high, their eyes showing a hint of determination and excitement.

They were precisely the members of the Star Sea Grand Fleet; at the front walked Vice Commander Li Chenming, followed by several senior figures who had founded the grand fleet.

But when they saw Qin Ge, they were astonished by the shipgirls of the Eight Major Factions standing beside him...