Eve of War

Jiang Chuan inspected the Siren's steam engine installation. There were no major issues, but the details still needed more refinement. Currently, the Siren's hull had been modified to resemble a modern warship. The deck extended to the captain's cabin, and twelve cannons were placed on the deck. Although these cannons looked no different from those on other ships, their structure had been significantly altered by Jiang Chuan. Besides iron balls, the shells could also be loaded with the shotgun shells designed by Jiang Chuan. These shotgun shells increased the area of effect, making them extremely powerful for close-range combat. The entire ship was made of steel. On the exterior of the hull, Jiang Chuan placed two layers of steel with a layer of hard ironwood sandwiched between them. This resolved both the issues of sturdiness and buoyancy.

The Siren's modifications were nearly complete, with many parts being transported from the steel mill. The Siren's scale was now comparable to a warship, surpassing even Gangplank's Abyss. Although the Abyss was massive, its structure was still the old-fashioned wooden keel. The new Siren, however, used a steel structure with a pure steel keel, greatly enhancing its sturdiness. To increase speed, the entire ship was shaped like a teardrop, with a more slender hull to reduce air resistance. All the ship's designs were executed according to Jiang Chuan's methods, a manifestation of modern technology in Bilgewater.

Sarah looked at the bare Siren, devoid of sails and masts, and said, "Are you sure the Siren will be faster after this modification? Is your Hextech engine actually working?"

Jiang Chuan stroked his chin and replied, "While it's not Hextech, it's quite similar. It's very difficult to build an engine using Hextech. The power source I installed for you is called a steam engine. There are four such machines in total, in pairs. I'll have dedicated personnel to operate the steam engines for you. There are twelve cannons on the deck. You can choose to use my shells or the old iron balls. The shells I've provided will scatter into hundreds of small iron pellets after being fired, suitable for close-range attacks. For the old iron balls, you can make do for now. I'll install new shells and cannons for you once I've developed them."

Sarah, not fully understanding but impressed, asked, "Are those shells very powerful?"

Jiang Chuan chuckled, "If twenty people are standing together, one shot from that shell will incapacitate them or turn them into twenty sieves."

Sarah looked at Jiang Chuan and smiled, "Is this technology from your hometown too?"

Jiang Chuan flipped through his memories. He recalled rockets, cannons, tanks, and aircraft carriers from his homeland. He thought it would be difficult to recreate such things in this world. Just the technology for internal combustion engines alone could make him tear his hair out.

Jiang Chuan smiled, "This is just a small part of my hometown's technology. We can't replicate the real technology. Those things that took generations and decades to research, it's like a daydream for me to try and recreate them alone."

Sarah asked curiously, "Hearing you say that, I'm really curious about what your hometown is like."

Jiang Chuan smiled helplessly, "My hometown is very far from here. I probably won't be able to return in this lifetime."

Sarah didn't know what to say. She wasn't much better at comforting people than those fools.

Jiang Chuan collected his thoughts and said, "If nothing unexpected happens, your Siren will be refitted in another month. During this month, I'll focus on the plan for the slums. I intend to take over the slums and Rat Town."

Sarah smiled, "The slums might be manageable, but taking over Rat Town will be very difficult."

Jiang Chuan smiled mysteriously, "To overthrow a ruler, the most important thing is the people. The people in the slums are the lowest class in Bilgewater. If we gain their approval, things will be much easier for us."

"I will lead people to eliminate all the gangs in the slums and Rat Town. Then, we can legitimately go and defeat Huck and his scoundrels. We'll only take thirty percent of the spoils, with everything else going to them. This way, our forces will grow rapidly!"

Sarah asked in confusion, "Won't thirty percent be too little?"

Jiang Chuan smiled, "It is quite little, but after we succeed, all commercial transactions will be under our control. Do you still think it's too little?"

Sarah looked at Jiang Chuan and said, "Betrayal is common in Bilgewater. Aren't you afraid they'll overthrow you like we overthrew Gangplank?"

Jiang Chuan smiled, "Don't forget, we stand with the common people. I will build factories so everyone has a chance to work and a place to live. I won't be a thug like Gangplank. As long as people don't have to worry about food or drink, and can evade their country's wanted notices, who would betray me? Even if they did, it wouldn't matter much to me. Bilgewater is just a waypoint for me. It would be great if it becomes my own city, but if not, so be it."

Sarah gave Jiang Chuan a look, "You have a remarkably good attitude. If someone betrayed me, I'd twist their head off."

Jiang Chuan looked at the calm sea without speaking. Meanwhile, in Bilgewater city.

The four members of the Heaven's Punishment Squad were carrying out a mission. After a month of surveillance, Jenny had figured out the Iron Anchor Gang leader's schedule. York and Joe had also found suitable points of entry.

Kate said to Joe, "The Iron Anchor Gang leader, that bearded man, goes for a morning run every day. After his run, he handles gang affairs. He eats lunch outside or at home. The bearded man has a bad stomach and needs to use the latrine shortly after eating. He's protected at all times. Afterward, he takes a nap with six bodyguards inside and outside his door. He wakes up at 4 PM. Between 5 PM and 7 PM, he'll be roughhousing with others in the gang. He eats dinner at 8 PM and goes drinking at 9 PM, returning home at midnight. We haven't had an opportunity to steal the key around his neck from start to finish. But tomorrow will be different. Tomorrow, he's attending a party at the Nine-Headed Serpent, a place famous even in the upper districts. He'll definitely be dressing up at home."

"We'll act at 3 AM tonight. Jenny, you'll use sleeping gas to neutralize the bodyguards. Then, York and Joe, you'll sneak into his bedroom and make a copy of the key. Remember to hide the copied key somewhere else, absolutely not in the bedroom! We'll be waiting to cover you when the bearded man leaves. Donahue, you'll be on lookout duty."

York and Jenny nodded, indicating there were no problems. Joe also shrugged. Donahue wiped the Hextech Rifle in his hand and said, "I have no problem."

Kate said seriously, "This mission isn't training. We're acting with the First Army. We'll get the key and pull out. When night falls, they'll surround Big Beard's house and launch a full-scale attack."

Joe asked curiously, "Captain, what can that key open?"

Kate smiled, "The Iron Anchor Gang's warehouse."

This plan was formulated by Kendi and Kate together. Kendi could hardly imagine that the plan was centered around Kate's ideas. Not long ago, Kendi received new equipment: ten Machine Guns, one hundred boxes of Bullets, and 200 Grenades. The soldiers couldn't wait to try out the new toys in their hands. The Iron Anchor Gang was the biggest player in the slums. Jiang Chuan had already issued an order: after taking down the Iron Anchor Gang, the Iron Anchor Gang's warehouse would be opened wide, and everyone in the entire slum would receive a portion of food. The Dark Sea Throne would only take thirty percent of the money, and the rest would all be given to the slum residents as food or clothing.