After sharing the builders' hard work and dedication in a moment of deep empathy, Yu Lian boarded the large construction command ship Machu Picchu, which had come from the direction of New Jade Gate. At last, he met Mr. Qi, who had been waiting for him for quite some time, as well as Aisen French, the Great Tech Whiz Number One.
They had come with the New Shenzhou defense fleet, so Yu Lian took the opportunity to look over the ships.
The fleet wasn't large, but it was well turned out. Its main ships were two old light cruisers and five destroyers. That was enough firepower to deal with pirates, but against an Imperial fleet, they'd be nothing but cannon fodder.
However, there were also eight brand-new Beiwei-class torpedo ships, which made Yu Lian very pleased.
"All the defense fleet's assault-ship crews have switched over to these torpedo ships," Mr. Qi said.
"Were they built at the New Jade Gate shipyard?" Yu Lian asked excitedly.
Mr. Qi nodded with some pride. "In wartime, everyone pulls together. With the Engineers' Guild and the engineers who moved here from New Jade Gate helping out, efficiency is always high. But you'll have to tone it down a little. Don't praise everyone so much that you spoil them."
"When workers pull together, their construction and production efforts are always impressive. Here's a perfect example." Yu Lian pointed out the window at the fortress taking shape. "But when the people at the top pull together, all they're quick to do is change the name. And here's a perfect example of that, too."
Mr. Qi laughed. "That sounds like something a hotheaded young cynic would say, not the peerless general you are. If the soldiers heard you, it might not go over well."
"That's why I'm