Chapter 12: with translation of chapter title

Liu Yongfu and Chen Qiming exchanged a glance, both seeing the solemnity and excitement in each other's eyes. "Yes, President! We guarantee, even if we don't eat or sleep, we will gnaw through these drawings!"

"Team Leader Zhao." Chen Feng looked at the power expert, "The fuel boiler and new steam turbine are the core. You can first think of a way from the Germans, see if we can, through personal connections, high-salary 'invite' some experts in this field to come over, even if just as consultants. At the same time, in our technical school, immediately open related courses, select the smartest young people, and learn while working."

Zhao Dezhu nodded firmly: "Understood! For the boiler part, we already have some foundation; the steam turbine…… is indeed a big hurdle, but the drawings are so detailed, we will just copy them bit by bit, trying step by step!"

"Team Leader Zhou." Finally, Chen Feng looked at the weapons expert, "The 381mm main gun is the biggest challenge. The technology transferred by the Austro-Hungarian Empire is of 240mm caliber; we need to achieve a leap. I suggest proceeding in two steps: first, using existing equipment and technology, attempt to manufacture a single-barrel sample gun, conduct various tests, and accumulate data. Second, simultaneously upgrade our steelmaking, forging, and boring capabilities. List what equipment is needed, procure globally, money is no problem."

Zhou Tieshan stroked the stubble on his chin, his eyes flashing with stubborn light: "President, the gun barrel is difficult, but we Chinese craftsmen never lack ingenuity and patience. You've given us such excellent drawings; if we still can't make it, I, Zhou Tieshan, will be the first to jump into the steel furnace!"

The meeting ran from morning to noon, then continued into the evening. Every detail was repeatedly scrutinized in the intense discussion: material list, personnel roster, security measures, logistical support, technical attack roadmap……

When the meeting finally ended, everyone left the secret room with thick notebooks and a heart full of mission. Chen Feng was the last to walk out, standing in the corridor of the administrative building, gazing at the distant sea where the fearless ships destined for delivery to the three nations awaited.

"Selling the present to invest in the future……" he murmured softly, "I hope this path hasn't gone astray."

"Young Master." Wang Bo appeared behind him at some point, speaking softly, "Old Liu and the others are full of vigor. It's just…… the pressure is too great. Two years, a forty-thousand-ton giant ship—even I, an old man, hearing it feels like Arabian Nights."

"Great pressure is a good thing." Chen Feng didn't turn around, "Without pressure, how can we create miracles? Wang Bo, remember, we are not just building two ships; we are forging the soul of Lanfang. No matter how difficult this process, we must press on."

He turned his body, looking at this loyal old man: "From now on, your burden is the heaviest. Coordination, security, confidentiality, and also responding to possible external investigations. Germans, Austro-Hungarians, British…… paper can't ultimately contain fire; such a huge project cannot be completely leak-free. What we must do is, before the fire ignites, let our 'Leopard' grow sufficiently sharp teeth."

Wang Bo bowed deeply: "Young Master, rest assured, even if I risk my life, I will guard the 'Leopard's Nest' without letting a drop of water leak."

The next day, the "Leopard" restricted zone was formally established. Two companies, totaling three hundred soldiers, under the command of experienced army company captain Sun Hu, erected double-layered barbed wire along the planned boundary, setting up watchtowers and inspection posts. All personnel and vehicles entering or exiting must possess a special pass jointly signed by Wang Bo and Chen Feng, and undergo strict inspection.

Inside the No. 7 and No. 8 shipyards, the tense reconstruction began. According to the enormous dimensions of the Hood class, the existing shipyards needed to be deepened, lengthened, and reinforced. Huge steam excavators roared, scooping out soil and rock shovelful by shovelful; concrete mixers shuttled back and forth, pouring and building the new dock walls and keel blocks.

Meanwhile, in the technical center temporarily erected beside the shipyard and likewise under tight guard, another silent battle had already begun.

On the huge tabletop, the Leopard's drawings were spread out. Liu Yongfu and Chen Qiming, leading the core members of each team, practically lay over the drawings, examining them bit by bit with magnifying glasses, repeatedly measuring and calculating with rulers and compasses.

"Here…… the junction of the armor belt and the anti-torpedo bulkhead, this structure is exquisitely clever, ensuring protection while controlling weight."

"The layout of the fuel boiler is compact to an alarming degree. Look at these pipe routes—it's practically artwork."

"The rotation mechanism of the 381mm gun turret…… my goodness, this balanced design, this weight‑reduction thinking……"

Exclamations, arguments, and the rustling of turning drawings filled the entire technical center. Everyone's eyes were bloodshot, yet their spirits were extraordinarily heightened. They were like a group of explorers who had stumbled into a treasure mountain, each drawing revealing to them a brand‑new, dazzling technological world.

Hans Müller and Friedrich Schneider were also completely immersed. They communicated quickly in German, sometimes nodding, sometimes heatedly arguing, then making dense German annotations on the drawings.

"Unbelievable…… where did Mr. Chen get these designs?" Hans whispered to Friedrich in awe, "This isn't just advanced; it's simply…… decades ahead of this era! Look at the hull lines—entirely optimized for high speed, plus this power layout……"

"Hans, we signed a confidentiality agreement." Friedrich, though equally shocked, was more cautious, "Moreover, Mr. Chen treats us well. Our families here have been well taken care of, and the pay far exceeds expectations. Let's do what we ought to do."

"Of course, of course." Hans quickly nodded, "I'm just…… utterly stunned. If this ship is built, the entire Royal Navy—no, all the world's navies—will be completely overturned! Battlecruiser…… truly a genius concept!"

A few days later, the first detailed "Technical Difficulties and Requirements List" was placed on Chen Feng's desk.

The list ran twenty pages long, categorized, enumerating hundreds of technical problems to overcome and urgently needed equipment, materials, and talent.

Chen Feng spent an entire night reading it carefully. The power section was the longest: manufacturing process of the new high‑pressure fuel boiler, precision machining of large steam turbines, sealing technology for high‑temperature high‑pressure pipes, heavy‑oil purification system…… The weapons section followed closely: autofrettage process for the 381mm barrel, casting and mechanical machining of the massive turret, more advanced optical rangefinder and mechanical computer……

He picked up his pen and made annotations on the flyleaf of the list:

"Mobilize the full strength of Lanfang, spare no cost, we must overcome these challenges. Required funds will be fully allocated from the 'Revival Fund'. Required talent will be recruited globally with preferential treatment. Required equipment will be procured globally, with the Ministry of Commerce's Wang Wenwu giving full cooperation."

Below the annotation was his signature, the ink penetrating the paper.

The "Leopard" project, this steel beast destined to shock the world, quietly began its difficult gestation in this hot, hidden corner of the Persian Gulf. The shipyard's foundation pit deepened day by day, the lights in the technical center burned through the night. To the outside world, especially to the keen‑nosed spies of the great powers, the newly emerged, tightly guarded "industrial zone" at the north end of Dubai port was merely an ordinary facility "testing new oil‑refining technology."