Chapter 605: Cooperation with Mingshi

Several people chatted for a long time, while the other sortie fleets gradually returned.

First to return was the fleet led by Lisailiu of the Free Iris and the Maintaining Holy See; next came the fleet led by Biyu of the Sakura Empire United; the Royal Fleet led by Luodenni could arrive a bit later; finally, the Iron Blood Fleet led by Tierbici of Iron Blood returned.

Personnel in those several fleets had been reassigned when they returned to resupply, so they no longer matched the initial fleet assignments, but Qin Ge knows all of this.

Thus Qin Ge led everyone back to the dormitory and arranged for Belfast to prepare a banquet for the return of the sortie team.

After finishing all the arrangements, Qin Ge went together with Tiancheng to the Mingshi variety store in Gangqu.

Just as usual, the Mingshi variety store was closed, but the way to summon remained unchanged, so Qin Ge pressed the cat-paw button on the door, and shortly afterward Mingshi's figure appeared inside the store.

"Welcome, Commander Qin Ge, meow." Mingshi said with a smiling squint.

After all, Qin Ge is now her major customer; the materials and intelligence trade of Gangqu's logistics have let Mingshi earn piles of money, so his arrival must be welcomed properly.

Qin Ge didn't stand on ceremony, but got straight to the point: "Mingshi, I need a batch of Wisdom Cubes."

"Wisdom Cubes? That's easy to say; tell me how many you need and I'll get them for you, meow." Mingshi said confidently.

"Not many, I need fifty." Qin Ge said to Mingshi.

"Fifty pieces, that's a total of 100,000 supplies, meow. Would you like to pay in advance now, or pay when I bring them over, meow?" Mingshi said with a smiling squint.

Qin Ge rolled his eyes: "All my Gangqu supplies are right here; are you worried I'll default on payment?"

"One for one, meow; I usually do business hand‑over‑hand, meow." Mingshi hurriedly said.

"Rest assured, do you think I could do without your 100,000 supplies?" Qin Ge said helplessly, "Besides, today I didn't come just to buy Wisdom Cubes from you; there's another matter I need your help with."

"What matter, meow? I won't do anything that affects business, meow." Mingshi asked.

"Regarding the development of research warship girls and research equipment, I need some data, and if possible, could you trouble yourself to act as technical advisor?" Qin Ge said to Mingshi.

"I can give you the data, but I'm afraid I don't have time to be a technical advisor, meow." Mingshi said.

Qin Ge looked at Mingshi, as if he hadn't heard her previous words, and instead said to himself, "So how much do you want per day?"

"500,000 units of supplies, meow!" Mingshi immediately said with a smiling squint, showing no sign of her earlier claim of having no time.

Qin Ge chuckled, "I knew you'd say that, but 500,000 units of supplies per day is too much; for the research progress, you only need to give guidance, not to participate in the research process, so 10,000 units of supplies per day."

"Pfft… Commander Qin Ge, your haggling is getting more and more shameless, meow!" Mingshi said angrily, "Even if I don't participate in the research progress, I still have to delay my business, so 450,000 units of supplies!"

Qin Ge rolled his eyes, "Do you know that the Purifiers are right now in my Gangqu, and they are currently teaching Hai Lun Na how to modify ship equipment? In fact, I could completely let her help me."

"However, considering our cooperative relationship, I specially came to you for help; otherwise, I could get the corresponding help without spending a penny, and it would be even more comprehensive than yours."

"Huh? The Purifiers are actually in your Gangqu, meow? And they're helping you train your warship girls on how to modify?" This time it was Mingshi who was shocked. Then, with a hint of teasing, she said, "Commander Qin Ge, what do you think—if I tell this news to the other Nine Major Factions, would you become the public enemy of Azure Lane?"

Qin Ge chuckled, "We straightforward people don't speak in riddles; the Nine Major Factions also have some Sirens‑assisted technology, so even if you tell the other factions about the Purifiers being in my Gangqu, they would only choose to remain silent."

Even if the Nine Major Factions were to condemn me, given my Gangqu's current strength, they would still have to think twice. Moreover, the Siren Tide is about to begin; I believe you can feel it too—this Siren Tide will be completely different from before.

So now is exactly when the Nine Major Factions are somewhat overwhelmed; do you think telling them would be useful?

Mingshi rolled her eyes speechlessly and said, "Three hundred thousand, can't go lower."

Qin Ge stroked his chin and said, "Ten thousand units of supplies per day—you should know that this equals the price of five Wisdom Cubes, which is a considerable expense for our Gangqu at present."

Moreover, after the Purifiers arrived in our Gangqu, I believe the modification technology is just a beginning; later new technologies will appear, and then we can sell them to other factions, earning you far more than now.

"…" Mingshi looked at Qin Ge speechlessly and said, "Commander Qin Ge, I've discovered you're better at business than I am, meow."

Qin Ge chuckled, "If we were merely business partners, that would be too superficial; I think we should become cooperative partners instead. What do you think?"

"Yes, meow; then happy cooperation, Commander Qin Ge!"

After obtaining the Wisdom Cubes from Mingshi, Qin Ge and Tiancheng first left, since what had been discussed were future plans, not yet time to implement.

What is most urgent now is to summon a few research warship girls to deal with the impending battle.

Furthermore, today's banquet held to celebrate the achievements of Washington and others can also serve as a welcome party for the incoming research warship girls.

With this plan in mind, Qin Ge and Tiancheng summoned the persons in charge of each faction, preparing to summon the research warship girls.

When the few from Enterprise saw Washington and them return, they already sensed that Qin Ge would soon summon new research warship girls, but they hadn't expected it to happen so quickly.

So, upon receiving the notice, they quickly rushed to the plaza of the office area.

By the time they arrived, Qin Ge had already laid out the supplies and Cubes.

After greeting everyone, Qin Ge began the summoning. During the summoning, Qin Ge didn't check which faction had submitted the Cube, because the five research Cubes looked identical, so with an uncertain feeling, Qin Ge began the summoning.

Only a golden flash of light streaked across, and smoke burst forth; however, being in the plaza, the smoke dissipated quickly. In an instant, a warship girl's silhouette appeared before everyone.

She had silver‑gray hair, wore white armor, and altogether resembled a knight.

All the warship girls seeing this turned their gazes toward Lisailiu, for such an appearance could only be that of a Free Iris warship girl.

Only saw that warship girl open her wine‑red eyes, look toward Qin Ge before her, and perform a knight's salute.

"It is an honor to meet you, my prophet, my guide, my commander. Louis IX, heeding God's will, has come under your command; as long as he does not violate reason and morality, the spear in my hand is at your disposal."