Chapter 11

"Fuel boiler?" Weapons Group leader Zhou Tieshan seized another keyword, "All oil burning?"

"Yes, heavy oil." Chen Feng affirmed, "The Persian Gulf doesn't lack this. Fuel‑fired boilers have higher efficiency, greater power, and don't require large numbers of coal handlers, saving substantial manpower and space. But this imposes extremely high demands on our boiler design and fuel supply system."

A chorus of sharp intakes of breath and low murmurs filled the meeting room. A 40,000‑ton leviathan! 31 knots! Oil‑powered! 381 mm main guns! Each word struck like a heavy hammer against the bulwarks of their understanding.

Although Old Wang didn't understand much technology, from the crowd's reaction he realized the young master had produced something extraordinary again. He cleared his throat, quieted the discussion: "Everyone, quiet down. Listen to the President finish."

Chen Feng waited for the noise to subside, then continued: "I know, this is difficult. Extremely difficult. Difficult to the point that, with our current industrial capacity, it seems like a pipe dream." His gaze swept over everyone, "But we have three things."

He raised one finger: "First, a complete, verified design far ahead of its time." He pointed to the wall covered in drawings: "Every keel position, every armor plate thickness and angle, every pipe routing—everything is crystal clear. We don't need to start from scratch; we need to understand it and then implement it."

He raised a second finger: "Second, we have the experience of building the Invincible‑class battleships. We have successfully built ten of the world's most advanced battleships, cultivating a shipyard workforce capable of tough battles. This is our most precious asset."

He raised a third finger: "Third, and most important—" his voice suddenly rose, filled with undeniable force, "We have three hundred thousand Lanfang sons and daughters yearning to revive the homeland! We have the determination to return to South Ocean and rebuild our motherland! This ship is not merely a warship; it is the maritime Great Wall of Lanfang's future, the backbone that lets us stand tall! No matter how difficult, we will build it!"

His words ignited the crowd's passion. Veteran engineer Liu Yongfu slammed his fist on the table: "The President is right! Back in South Ocean, we were chased east and west by Dutch gunboats simply because we lacked our own sturdy ships and powerful guns! Now that we have this opportunity, no matter how hard, I'll throw this old bone into the fray and build it!"

Wang Bo may not understand much about technology, but from the crowd's reaction he realized the Young Master had produced something extraordinary again. He gave a light cough to quiet the murmurs: "Everyone, settle down. Listen to the President finish."

"It's just a 381 mm gun barrel, right? We've already built 305 mm ones—we'll figure a way to crack this one too!"

"We've never dealt with oil‑fired boilers before—then we'll learn! The plans are so detailed; we'll study them and figure it out!"

Morale was ignited. Chen Feng looked at the fervent crowd, his mind somewhat eased. He knew technical hurdles could be overcome, but faith and determination are the core of overcoming such a monumental project.

"All right!" Chen Feng pressed his hands down. "Since everyone has this determination, I hereby announce the launch of the Leopard Project! Old Wang."

His words made the crowd's blood boil. Liu Yongfu, the veteran engineer, slammed his hand on the table: "The President is right! Back when we were in the South Ocean, we were chased hither and thither by Dutch gunboats, wasn't it just because we lacked our own sturdy ships and powerful cannons?! Now that we have this opportunity, no matter how difficult, I'll stake my old bones and build it myself!"

"The project will be under your overall responsibility, coordinating all resources. Chief Engineer Liu will serve as chief designer, Deputy Chief Engineer Chen will assist. Team Leader Zhao will oversee the propulsion system's tough challenges, Team Leader Zhou will handle the weapons system, especially the development of the 381 mm main gun. Mr. Hans, Mr. Friedrich," Chen Feng looked at the two German engineers, "I hope you can contribute your expertise to propulsion and overall design. Your pay will be tripled from the current baseline, and upon project success there will be additional rewards."

The two Germans immediately responded in halting Chinese: "Please rest assured, Mr. Chen, we will do our utmost!"

"This is a groundbreaking design; to participate is our honor!"

"Now, let's assign specific tasks." Chen Feng walked to the conference table and unfolded a shipyard layout plan. "For absolute secrecy, the Leopard's construction will take place in the newly built Slipways 7 and 8. These slipways are located at the northernmost tip of the base, near the cliffs, a concealed location. I have already dispatched the army's two most reliable companies to completely seal off that area, designating it a military restricted zone codenamed 'Leopard's Nest.' All personnel involved in construction will be placed under closed management starting today; no one may leave without permission, and all external communications will be strictly scrutinized."

His finger pointed to the drawing: "Slipway 7 will build the first ship, provisionally named Revival. Slipway 8 will build the second, provisionally named Restoration. Both will start construction simultaneously, but Revival gets priority for resources. Construction timeline… I give you two years."

"Two years?" Liu Yongfu frowned. "President, it's not that Old Liu fears difficulty—this 40,000‑ton leviathan, just laying the keel to launch would normally take nearly two years, let alone outfitting and sea trials… and we haven't mastered many of the required technologies."

"I know time is tight," Chen Feng said solemnly. "So we must take extraordinary measures. First, three shifts, 24‑hour nonstop construction. Second, the follow‑up construction of the Invincible‑class ships will be handled by other shipyards and skilled workers, while the finest craftsmen and engineers will all be concentrated in Leopard's Nest. Third, I will personally coordinate to prioritize all materials, equipment, and materials needed for the Leopard Project to the highest priority, sparing no expense."

He looked at Old Wang: "Old Wang, starting today you can set aside your other duties and devote yourself fully to securing Leopard's Nest. Provide manpower, materials, and funds as needed. The funds will be drawn from the Germans' down payment, allocated as a separate item—take as much as you need."

"Understood!" Old Wang nodded firmly.

"Chief Engineer Liu, Deputy Chief Engineer Chen." Chen Feng turned to the two technical leads. "I will provide the drawings in batches. Your first task is not to start construction immediately, but to digest them. Organize the core members of each team to thoroughly study the drawings, list every technical difficulty, assess our current capabilities, identify what we lack, and then fill those gaps. Propulsion, weapons, armor, fire control—tackle them one by one."

He pointed his finger at the blueprint: "Slipway No. 7 will build the first vessel, tentatively named 'Fuxing'; Slipway No. 8 will build the second, named 'Guangfu'. Both will start construction simultaneously, but the 'Fuxing' will get priority for resources. Construction period… I give you two years."

"Two years?" Liu Yongfu frowned, "President, it's not that Lao Liu fears difficulty; this 40,000-ton giant ship, just laying the keel to launching, the normal schedule would take nearly two years, let alone outfitting and sea trials... Moreover, many technologies we haven't mastered."

"I know time is tight." Chen Feng said in a deep voice, "So, we must take extraordinary measures. First, three shifts, round-the-clock construction. Second, the follow-up construction of the Fearless will be handled by other shipyards and skilled workers; the finest craftsmen and engineers will all be concentrated at 'Leopard's Nest'. Third, I will personally coordinate, giving top priority to all materials, equipment, and supplies needed for the 'Leopard' project, sparing no expense."

He looked at Wang Bo: "Wang Bo, from today onward, you can set aside your other duties and focus all efforts on securing 'Leopard's Nest'. Provide personnel when needed, materials when needed, funds when needed. The funds will be allocated from the Germans' down payment, set up as a separate item; take as much as needed."

"Understood!" Wang Bo nodded heavily.

"Chief Engineer Liu, Deputy Chief Engineer Chen." Chen Feng then looked at the two technical leads, "I will provide the drawings in batches. Your first task is not to start work immediately, but to digest them. Organize the backbone of each team, thoroughly study the drawings, list every technical difficulty, assess our current capabilities, and fill in whatever we lack. Propulsion, weapons, armor, fire control… we will tackle them one by one."

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