Siren

Jiang Chuan had been traveling in Bilgewater City for over a month, witnessing many situations he wouldn't normally see. The children in the slums lived difficult lives, never knowing where their next meal would come from. If a riot broke out, at least ten percent of these children would surely perish. It would be too regrettable if these children, the vital force of Bilgewater, were killed in a riot. As for the slum gangs, Jiang Chuan was confident he could lead the Dark Sea Throne to annihilate them within a day. The Dark Sea Throne's equipment was likely almost ready. Next, Jiang Chuan intended to conquer the slums and make them the base camp for the Dark Sea Throne. History proved that fighting under the banner of "fighting for the people" meant you were unlikely to lose miserably.

The slums and Rat Town were separated by just one street. Rat Town, being the most populous and mixed area in Bilgewater, made taking it down somewhat difficult. For the Dark Sea Throne, with a scale of only a hundred people, to take down Rat Town would undoubtedly be a pipe dream. This was where the people from the slums would come in handy...

Jiang Chuan prepared to return to Bloodfang Island to organize the information he had gathered during his recent travels. Although the large net had been cast, he still needed to ponder where and how to cast it.

Upon returning to Bloodfang Island, Jiang Chuan went to his office and summoned Laurie. "Laurie, give me a report on the island's affairs recently," he said.

Laurie took out a notebook and said, "Guild Master, for the past month, all the island's projects have proceeded according to your arrangements before you left. Miss Sarah's Siren has also been equipped with a Steam Engine. Furthermore, Master Noah has successfully manufactured Machine Guns and Grenades. He has also specifically set up an explosives factory to produce Bullets and explosives. The construction of the Residential Area is nearing completion. Currently, the island has three six-story residential buildings and six five-story residential buildings, all constructed using the reinforced concrete structure you specified. The progress on the castle and city walls is not very impressive. The cutting and stacking of Sunstone have required considerable effort from the workers. One-third of the total length of the city walls has been completed, and one-quarter of the castle is finished. The island now has a total of three thousand people, with nine hundred assigned to patrol and guard duties, and fifteen hundred as craftsmen."

Jiang Chuan nodded. "Very good. Our primary focus remains on factories and military strength. The construction work can proceed at the current pace."

"Yes, Guild Master."

Jiang Chuan smiled. "I'm going to take a walk and see if those guys are slacking off."

Jiang Chuan arrived at the Steel Mill. Noah was directing workers pouring molds. Jiang Chuan patted Noah on the shoulder and smiled. "Master Noah, how effective are those Machine Guns and Grenades?"

Noah smiled. "The power of the Machine Gun far surpasses any current firearm. Grenades are convenient weapons with powerful effects, suitable for street fighting and urban combat. They are a new type of weapon and will be a considerable force once deployed."

Jiang Chuan said, "Indeed. The First Army's equipment has been upgraded, but the standard-issue weapons are still not ideal. Although the Mauser Gun is good, it still has significant shortcomings. I'm thinking of converting it into a semi-automatic rifle. What do you think?"

Noah shook his head. "Even the Bilgewater gangs wouldn't be extravagant enough to equip everyone with a Mauser Gun. Our current firepower is sufficient, but we still have some deficiencies at close range. This is not a major concern; we just need to make some modifications to the flintlock guns in the warehouse."

Jiang Chuan nodded. "That makes sense. I have a new project for you."

Noah glared at Jiang Chuan. "I knew you wouldn't come to me for nothing. You only seek me out when you need something built. What is it this time?"

Jiang Chuan chuckled. "This time, it's called a Mortar. It's a type of artillery that can be fired quickly and is convenient to carry. A single person can carry it around."

Noah was very interested in this type of artillery Jiang Chuan described. Noah was a renowned artillery master in Bilgewater. He had already completed a pair of Fortress Cannons for Jiang Chuan. Although the effects of the grenades and machine guns were significant, Noah still yearned to build artillery.

Noah rubbed his hands together. "Where are the blueprints? Let me see them first."

Jiang Chuan took out the blueprints from his embrace and smiled. "This artillery piece is different from what you've made before. Both the projectile and the barrel are different. Especially the projectile; it's not like the old large iron balls. This projectile is designed to explode upon impact, with a wider range of destruction!"

Noah frowned as he looked at the blueprints. "Manufacturing the barrel and tube won't be difficult, but this kind of projectile is unlike anything I've seen before. I'll need time."

Jiang Chuan looked at the scorching steel furnace. "Bilgewater is about to face turbulent times. We need more powerful weapons to arm ourselves."

Sparks of excitement flashed in Noah's eyes. "Give me a month. The technology for this projectile is not impossible to achieve."

Jiang Chuan smiled. "I'll have Laurie assist you fully."

Noah waved his hand, not speaking further to Jiang Chuan, and began to study the manufacturing of the Mortar.

Jiang Chuan left Noah alone. Disturbing someone's thoughts was impolite, especially when they were thinking about your project.

Jiang Chuan went to the island's small dock. Workers were busy modifying the Siren. Sarah, wearing a stunning swimsuit, was lying on the beach, sunbathing. A plate of cut fruit sat beside her. Jiang Chuan chuckled. "So, you came here for a vacation?"

Sarah chuckled charmingly, "Who told you this island was so comfortable to live on? I was bored, so I could only sunbathe."

Jiang Chuan looked at the Siren, which had been modified beyond recognition, and asked, "Aren't you heartbroken about your ship?"

Sarah laughed, "I'm more worried you'll be heartbroken about your steel. Have you ever seen a ship built with steel? And judging by its luster, it's not some cheap stuff. I don't even understand where you got this steel."

Jiang Chuan asked doubtfully, "Is steel rare in Bilgewater?"

Sarah looked at Jiang Chuan as if he were an idiot and said, "Of course. In Bilgewater, steel costs several times more than iron! Iron might be cheap, but steel is different. One steel knife can outlast several iron knives. When you think about it that way, isn't steel a scarce commodity in Bilgewater?"

Jiang Chuan chuckled, "Then I can make a fortune. This steel is all refined from the island, and it's no different from steel that's artificially hammered. Plus, my output is several times theirs!"

Sarah took a bite of fruit and smiled, "If that's true, then you'll control the entire metal market in Bilgewater."

Jiang Chuan laughed, "No rush. Let's finish modifying your ship first. Your ship doesn't need sails anymore. Its power source has been replaced with a more efficient and faster energy."

Sarah jumped up from her lounge chair, "What the heck? You took off my sails!"

Jiang Chuan said calmly, "Yeah. Why keep useless things?"

Sarah almost exploded in rage, "Then how will I sail my ship in the future? Row with my hands?!"

Jiang Chuan smiled, "You can think of it as me installing a Hextech Engine for you."

Sarah immediately lay back down on the chair, "Does it cost money?"

Jiang Chuan chuckled, "No. However, I'll need a portion of the usage rights for this ship in the future."

Sarah lay on the chair indifferently, "Whatever you want. I won't be using the ship too much in the future anyway."

Jiang Chuan looked at the Siren being modified and said, "The Siren's fame will be even more resounding than a siren's song!"