Chapter 39: Miaogao

Seeing Fushun off and closing the door, Nengdai's voice came from the grand hall, "Commander, who knocked on the door?"

"It's Fushun, notifying me to go to a meeting." After Qin Ge walked into the living room, he said to the two shipgirls resting on the sofa.

"A meeting?" Banrenma said doubtfully.

"Well, isn't today August 31? So it's time for the school to hold the opening preparation meeting, and as the newly appointed assistant teacher of the Strategy and Tactics Course, I have to attend." Qin Ge explained.

"Do we need to go?" Nengdai asked.

"Fushun said it's not needed; probably all the instructors should go." Qin Ge guessed.

"That's fine too. Although I feel the time for a breakthrough has come, we can still improve proficiency through training for now. So later we'll continue training, and you, Commander, go to the meeting." Nengdai nodded.

"No problem. Once Mingshi from the academy returns, I'll take you all to break through." Qin Ge smiled.

"Then thank you, Commander." Banrenma said happily.

After the conversation, Qin Ge left the room to head to the meeting room beside the dean's office. Although it was only past 8 o'clock, his habit is to be early rather than late.

Just after leaving the door, he saw Mikasa also coming out of the room, so Qin Ge greeted her. "Good morning, Senior Mikasa. Are you also going to attend the opening preparation meeting?"

"Oh, Qin Ge." Mikasa nodded and said, "That's right; Fushun just notified me. This is the routine meeting before the school term starts. Hmm, you're also an assistant teacher of the Strategy and Tactics Course, so you must have received the notice as well?"

"Yes, so I'm preparing to go there." Qin Ge smiled.

"Hehe, if that's the case, let's go together." Mikasa smiled and said, "I usually like to go early; I don't like making people wait for me."

"Same." Qin Ge gave a faint smile.

The two, chatting and laughing, walked to the second floor of the office building beside the dean's office. Seeing the three characters for "meeting room," Qin Ge and Mikasa entered together.

Although Mikasa and Qin Ge had arrived early, someone was even earlier than them.

"Yo, Miaogao, you came really early." Mikasa smiled at Miaogao, who was sitting in her seat.

Miaogao turned sideways and saw Mikasa and Qin Ge beside her, then smiled, stood up, and said, "Senior Mikasa and Commander Qin Ge, good morning."

"Hello!" Qin Ge returned the greeting.

Previously, when Miaogao returned to the academy, she naturally ran into Qin Ge; although not as familiar as with Mikasa, she still had some understanding.

Naturally, the Miaogao is also very famous in Qin Ge's world; the Miaogao-class heavy cruiser, the lead ship Miaogao, was also developed after the Washington Naval Treaty as a treaty-type heavy cruiser targeting the so-called 10,000-ton displacement limit. Compared to the tragic fate of other warships dying in battle, Miaogao survived until after the Sakura Empire's surrender, but just like the executioner of imperialism, after the surrender the Royal Navy decided to scuttle her in the Malacca Strait.

In this world, the shipgirl Miaogao exists as a person with animal ears and very strict demeanor. Usually dressed in a student uniform, with a discipline sleeve badge on her left arm, somewhat resembling Qin Ge's appearance when he was a discipline committee chairman in school, quite suave.

"Miaogao still comes this early, just as before." After Mikasa sat down, she smiled and said to her.

"Senior Sanli is also early; it's just that I had nothing to do, so once Fushun notified me, I came over." Miaogao said.

"By the way, I don't know if there's anything else this year—have you heard about the Siren Tide in the Northern Union?" Mikasa said to Miaogao.

"That news has spread widely, and I don't think it's just a coincidence. Perhaps those few high-ranking humanoids among the Sirens are up to something again." Miaogao said to Mikasa.

"Indeed, but this sudden Siren Tide also reminds us to strengthen coastal defenses. This time it occurred in the Northern Union; if next time it happens on the Donghuang coast? Our coastal region is in no way inferior to that of the Northern Union!" Mikasa sighed.

"I actually think the most important thing is the mindset when encountering the enemy, and the misunderstanding of tactical and strategic objectives during a Siren Tide outbreak that leads to this." Miaogao said, "Just like the annual Siren Tide, each time someone dies, whether newcomer or veteran, but the probability of veteran death is indeed far lower than that of newcomers. The reason is that newcomers' judgment and decisions lack the rigor and experience of veterans, for the outcome of naval battles often hinges on judgment and decisions within those few minutes. Commander Qin Ge, as an assistant teacher of the Strategy and Tactics Course, surely you understand this issue very well, right?"

When the topic turned to him, Qin Ge nodded. "What Miaogao team leader said is indeed correct. We should emphasize regular preparedness training, but also emphasize maintaining a good mindset when facing the enemy. Any tactics and strategies serve victory, but if the commander panics and loses formation at that moment, even the best tactics will reveal loopholes."

"Exactly, so when this meeting takes place, I will at that time suggest to the dean to focus on adding more practical combat‑type courses. Such courses will not only train the coordination between commanders and their skills, but also train their composure when facing the enemy." Miaogao said approvingly.

"Hehe, I didn't expect you to put effort into this aspect." Mikasa gave a faint smile.

"What kind of effort?"

At that moment, before anyone else arrived, a voice came from outside. Everyone looked up and saw A Furore, Assaulter, Lanli, and a few female generals appear at the doorway.

"Hehe, I knew you, Mikasa, were among the earliest to arrive." A Furore said, then greeted Miaogao and Qin Ge: "Good morning."

The two behind them also nodded and greeted the arriving people: "Good morning, everyone."

Just after A Furore and the Assaulter group entered, Anshan led the Four Great Guardians in, followed by Yixian, Ninghai, Ping Hai, and the Kitchen Goddess, etc., all arriving in turn and taking their respective seats.

As the number of people kept increasing, everyone mutually fell silent, waiting for the arrival of Dean Prince of Wales.

Indeed, as the time approached nine o'clock, the familiar figure of Prince of Wales appeared at the meeting room doorway, and then she walked straight to the front and sat down.

"Good morning, everyone! Has everyone arrived?" Prince of Wales asked those present.

At that moment, Fushun stood up and said to Prince of Wales, "All instructors and department heads among the shipgirls have already taken their positions."

Prince of Wales nodded, rose from the stool, placed both hands on the conference table, leaned forward, and said to everyone, "Well then, the opening preparation meeting begins now!"