Chapter 499

"Three years have passed; back then it was also this time, you saved me, otherwise I probably would have already lost my life under the guns of a mass-produced destroyer." Qin Ge said with a smile, "Time really flies."

"Looking at Qin Ge before him with a nostalgic expression, Xu Xin was extremely surprised, 'You really went to the Commander Academy? And why, after only three years, is your rank already lieutenant colonel?'"

"'Xu Xin, you haven't even heard of Qin Ge, the instructor at the Commander Academy, have you?' Chu Jiu exclaimed in surprise."

"'I've heard of him, but I always thought that Qin Ge was another person; I never expected it to be him.' Xu Xin said in surprise."

"'Everything starts with that recommendation letter you gave me.' Qin Ge smiled."

"Hearing Qin Ge mention the recommendation letter, Xu Xin embarrassedly rubbed the back of his head, 'Didn't the Prince of Wales Dean give you a hard time?'"

"Qin Ge rolled his eyes, 'She made me repay three million.'"

"'Holy crap, three hundred thousand? The dean is too harsh—wasn't it just blowing up her garden? Does it really cost that much?' Xu Xin immediately complained, 'You didn't actually pay it back, did you?'"

"Qin Ge laughed and shook his head, 'No, later the dean said I didn't have to repay it.'"

"'That's good.' Xu Xin nodded with a smile, 'After we parted, what happened to you?'"

"Qin Ge said, 'After we split up, I first went to treat my injuries, then I met a good family, working and studying part-time. After that I went to the Commander Academy, where the Prince of Wales personally tested my Wisdom Cube adaptability; upon meeting the standard, he retained me at the Commander Academy.'"

"Because your earlier recommendation letter mentioned my strengths in tactics, she examined me on several questions and finally selected me as the assistant teacher for the tactics course."

"Afterward, I studied at the Commander Academy while building up my fleet. Unexpectedly, my course became very popular; even the Prince of Wales Dean had me write the textbook for the tactics course and promoted me to the position of instructor."

"Within the academy, I formed the Star Sea Grand Fleet. The fleet's members are my classmates from the same year, plus students one year ahead; it is now a fourth‑level grand fleet."

"Later, in the defense battle of Shenhua City, serving as the overall commander, I gained a little fame. After graduation, I led the grand fleet's members to Sun Moon Island for garrison duty; because the early period was always very tense, I didn't have time to come over and thank you."

"This time I specially made time just to come over and say thank you to you."

"Although Qin Ge's description was very simple, Xu Xin knows what kind of temper the Prince of Wales has; to receive acknowledgment from her is actually a very big deal."

"Furthermore, during school he commanded such a large defensive battle, which cannot be explained merely by the word 'outstanding'."

"'I really didn't expect that; my spur‑of‑the‑moment letter back then actually brought such a great change to the commander circle.' Xu Xin couldn't help laughing and said, 'You don't need to thank me; this is what I should have done.'"

"Moreover, the academy previously sent over a batch of supplies; I was a bit puzzled, but perhaps that was the academy rewarding me?"

"Qin Ge laughed, 'The academy is the academy, I am I. If it weren't for the kindness of your and Tang Si's rescue back then, I wouldn't have my current achievements.'"

"So this time I came, first to specially say thank you to you, second to ask you what you are still lacking; as long as I can do it, I will certainly give it my all!"

"'I'm fine; every day goes pretty well, and the commander treats me well too. I'm quite satisfied with my current life, lacking nothing.' Xu Xin said with a smile."

"Qin Ge smiled slightly and said to Chu Jiu beside him, 'Chu Jiu, could you trouble yourself to ask what Xu Xin's current fleet composition is?'"

"Chu Jiu naturally understood Qin Ge's meaning and said, 'Four destroyers, three light cruisers, two heavy cruisers, two battleships, two aircraft carriers.'"

"Qin Ge nodded, turned his head toward He Min, who immediately came over, opened her Ship Equipment Space, and dumped everything inside onto the conference table."

"In an instant, gleaming ship equipment cores covered the entire table, with also an oil card and a points card beside it."

"Such a quantity of things left Xu Xin's jaw dropped, and Chu Jiu was also stunned."

"'These are the ship equipment cores I specially prepared when I left Sun Moon Island.' Qin Ge said, 'These ship equipment cores in total can equip ten destroyers, five light cruisers, five heavy cruisers, five battleships, and five aircraft carriers.'"

"Moreover, these ship equipment cores are all research ship equipment cores from the major factions; they are rarely seen on Mingshi's shelves."

"Besides that, this oil card contains ten thousand units of oil, and the points card also holds half of my points currently at the Maritime Affairs Bureau; I haven't checked the exact amount, but Hu Feng said it's quite a lot."

"And all of these are for you."

"'Ah!' Xu Xin was stunned."

"Chu Jiu was also stunned; the stockpile of his own Jiuli Grand Fleet probably doesn't have as much as what Qin Ge has laid out on the table right now? Moreover, the most important thing is quality—these items are all super‑rare‑grade ship equipment cores."

"And they are research ship equipment cores from the major factions; on the market they are basically items you can hardly encounter. Now, with Qin Ge's move, this is enough to equip two fleets."

Qin Ge looked at the somewhat dazed Xu Xin and smiled, saying, "Actually, I once considered recruiting you into my Grand Fleet; after all, if you were by my side, I could help you."

However, considering that my Grand Fleet would likely head to the Front Line in a few years—a dangerous place—I abandoned that idea.

That's all I can do; I hope you will accept it.

"No, these things are really too many and too valuable; I cannot accept them. Moreover, compared to me, you should need these Ship Equipment more—you should take them back and use them yourself." Xu Xin hurriedly said.

Qin Ge shook his head, saying, "These Ship Equipment are surplus of mine; rather than letting them sit unused in my warehouse, it's better to give them to you who needs them. I believe you will surely use them well."

Moreover, you should also know that excellent Ship Equipment can greatly increase the survival rate of warships; I suspect you also wouldn't want your Fleet to encounter danger at sea someday due to a gap in Ship Equipment.

So, please accept it.

"That's right." At this moment, Zala behind Qin Ge stepped forward and said to Xu Xin, "These Ship Equipment may be very valuable to you, but to us they are merely a number."

Moreover, these Ship Equipment and Supplies are far inferior to our commander; if it weren't for your rescue of him back then, perhaps we wouldn't even exist in this world today.

Therefore, this is our Fleet's collective gratitude; please accept it.

"This..."