Chapter 878: On the summer sea, you must drink cooling tea

And after chatting with Hai Tian for not long, Yixian's figure appeared at the stairwell, carrying several plates of exquisite small dishes as she walked over.

"You've worked hard, Yixian." Qin Ge smiled.

"There's nothing hard about it, just a few small dishes, and it's great that the commander can find time to come here." Yixian said while putting the dishes on the table and sitting down, then asked, "Commander, would you like a drink?"

"With such beautiful scenery, not having a drink would be a waste." Qin Ge smiled.

"Heh, that's right, I happen to have brought some." Yixian opened her ship equipment space, took out a pot of wine and poured it for Qin Ge, herself, and Hai Tian.

"By the way, as the flagship of Donghuang, why arrange for Zhenhai to go this time?" Qin Ge looked at Yixian and asked.

"Zhenhai has been in the port area longer than I have, she gets along well with the commander, and can speak up in other fleets, so I think she's the best choice. My seniority in the fleet is still shallow, so there's no need to rush." Yixian explained.

Qin Ge couldn't help but laugh, "Don't worry too much about that. Although Donghuang's numbers may be a bit smaller now, you are also an indispensable force in the port area; don't underestimate yourselves."

"I'm really glad the commander would say that, but for Donghuang we're all sisters; whoever goes is the same, so commander, don't overthink it." Yixian said.

"Alright, though I'm also glad you didn't go, at least you can keep me company chatting." Qin Ge laughed, then added, "By the way, does the Donghuang tavern get many visitors each day?"

"Not bad, everyone in the port area quite likes it." Yixian said.

"So after you arrive, will you be doing the cooking?" Qin Ge asked.

"Not necessarily; Ninghai and Ping Hai are usually here, they spend more time cooking, I do less, but occasionally I see them and help out a bit." Yixian said.

"Yeah, I know that, and Ninghai is very capable; sometimes Hai Qi also goes to help." Hai Tian laughed.

"Alright, although building the Donghuang tavern is to let Donghuang and the port area folks interact more, but also don't overwork yourself in daily life." Qin Ge said.

"Got it, don't worry commander, we know what to do." Yixian nodded.

"Well, the experimental field sent word these past two days—the project ship's progress is very smooth; before long Donghuang may add another top project ship, and compared to other fleets there won't be too much pressure. Also, the refit equipment for Anshan and Changchun will be ready soon, then they can use missiles and become capital ships." Qin Ge said.

"That's really great; no matter what, Donghuang will always stay by the commander's side and support you." Yixian happily said.

"Ha, yes." Qin Ge nodded, "Come, let's eat and drink; tonight's scenery is beautiful, we can head back later."

"Heh, that's really great."

Building the communications tower facilities isn't just the job of a few envoys; it also requires the help of people from this port area to provide the necessary construction materials and such.

Actually this matter was already brought up during the initial negotiations; the materials needed for the communications facilities aren't many, and they also count as construction for our faction. As the port area's top leader, Qin Ge naturally wouldn't say much about it.

The next day, on a sea island not far from Guandao, several shiploads of materials were transported up, along with teams after teams of manju; after all, for this kind of work they are the workers, making the shipgirls do it would be overly demanding.

After finishing today's routine work, Qin Ge said to the secretary ship Liangyue, "Liangyue, prepare the command ship; we'll go to a nearby island to check the project's progress."

"Yes, commander!" Liangyue nodded, then prepared to quickly leave for the harbor to ready the command ship.

But after a few steps, as if recalling something, she turned to Qin Ge and said, "Commander, aren't you bringing more people? Didn't you say sirens would appear in the nearby sea recently?"

Qin Ge chuckled, "First, sirens haven't appeared yet; even if they did, our port island is only a few kilometers from the neighboring islands, all within our defended waters. Even if mass-produced sirens showed up, we could react and sink them immediately, so don't worry—plus, you're here too."

"Heh, that's right, then I'll go prepare the command ship; commander, just get ready and come to the harbor." After saying that, Liangyue quickly ran toward the port.

Actually Qin Ge didn't have much to prepare; he strolled along the path Liangyue had taken toward the port area dock.

By the time he reached the dock, sure enough his command ship had been opened by Liangyue and the gangway lowered, waiting for him. After boarding, Liangyue quickly retracted the gangway, went to the bridge, activated the command ship, left the inner harbor, and headed for the island nearest Guandao.

On the summer sea a gentle breeze blew, bright sunlight shone on the water, making the surface dazzling. However, such scenery was already commonplace to Qin Ge; after boarding he opened the fridge on the command line and said to Liangyue, who was steering.

"Liangyue, do you want cola or tea?"

"Eh, tea is fine." Liangyue blinked, turned to see Qin Ge standing by the fridge, and immediately understood.

"Well, then oolong tea—I've been drinking that these past two days; it's a bit bitter but tasty." Qin Ge took out two chilled bottles of tea, walked over and handed them to Liangyue, then looked out through the glass window.

"By the way, the weather these past two days has been pretty good."

"Yeah, it's the rainy season in Guandao; having several days without rain like this is actually quite rare." Liangyue opened the bottle, took a sip of cooling tea, and sighed, "Ah, so comfortable!"

"Heh, it's pretty good to drink, huh?" Qin Ge laughed.

"Yeah, although it's bitter at first sip, afterwards you get that aftertaste, and in such hot weather drinking cooling tea is really comfortable." Liangyue said.

"Haha, that's why I want to make sure they keep drinks in the fridge even if they don't use the command ship. After going out to sea, being able to enjoy a refreshing drink—nothing compares to that feeling of refreshment." Qin Ge laughed.

"Hehe, indeed, I can feel it now." Liangyue laughed, then said, "Hey commander, isn't there an Enterprise overseeing that small island over there? Why do you insist on making a trip?"

Qin Ge chuckled, "We really ought to go take a look, and meanwhile discuss future plans with Enterprise. The communications tower is just one part of it; later this place can serve as a general dock—if a large-scale sea battle occurs, other fleets can come here to resupply, and in peacetime we can station here for joint experiments."

"Oh, I see." Liangyue realized.

"Heh, speed up; finish these things early and we can return to the port area sooner." Qin Ge laughed.

"Yes!"