Steel Warship

Jiang Chuan looked at the Siren before him and said, "I'll give you the firing blueprints for the Anti-Aircraft Machine Guns. Those twelve reserved slots are for these twelve guns."

Noah asked curiously, "Anti-Aircraft Machine Guns?"

Jiang Chuan smiled. "That's right. The Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun has an effective range of up to two thousand meters, and any ship within that range can be a target. The Siren is currently the largest ship in Bilgewater. It'd be a shame not to arm it to the teeth. Only with overwhelming firepower and incredible speed can it be called a warship!"

Noah frowned. "Research on mortars is still in its early stages. Starting work on Anti-Aircraft Machine Guns now would put too much strain on the armory."

Jiang Chuan stroked his chin and thought for a moment. "Have you run into any problems with the mortars?"

Noah said with a troubled expression, "Following the blueprints you gave us, we managed to make the barrel and base, and they can launch shells. But we still have no idea how to set off the shells' fuses."

Mortars were extremely important weapons on the battlefield. In modern warfare, they were tremendously effective. In hills and cities, they could hit enemies sheltering behind cover. Jiang Chuan only had a rough understanding of how mortar shells exploded and couldn't make one with any certainty, which gave him a serious headache.

Jiang Chuan thought for a moment. "Stop developing mortars and focus on manufacturing firearms instead. How's the island's steel output?"

Noah shook his head. "Not good. The Steel Mill can only produce enough steel to meet the armory's needs. We'll have to build another Steel Mill."

Jiang Chuan said, "All right. We'll build one soon. What projects are currently underway?"

Noah gathered his thoughts. "All the current projects are at the armory: grenades, Machine Guns, Steam Engines, and ammunition."

Jiang Chuan sighed. "Get more people on it and build a set of Steel Mill equipment as soon as possible."

Jiang Chuan felt that his Industrial Revolution was incomplete. If they could adopt the Shift System and keep working day and night, their output would increase several times over.

But that would make the Electric Motor a problem. The Steel Mill and armory were both powered by Steam Engines. To make an Electric Motor, they'd need magnets and other essential materials, but Jiang Chuan had none of them. The Electric Motor would have to be put on hold indefinitely.

Noah nodded. "That won't be a problem. Right now, we're seriously short-staffed. Construction, the Steel Mill, and the armory are all struggling to find enough workers. It'd be great if we could solve that."

Jiang Chuan patted Noah on the shoulder. "Leave the Siren as it is. Keep those twelve reserved slots open, and we can add equipment later. I'll take care of the staffing problem."

Jiang Chuan returned to his office and said to Sarah, "The Siren has been refitted. The Steel Mill will also start making a set of steelmaking equipment. By the way, have the Steam Engines for Demacia been shipped out?"

Sarah checked her notebook. "We've sent five Steam Engines to Demacia every month for the past few months."

Three of them. Jiang Chuan slumped in his chair and sighed. "We're short on people. The workers Red Hat can provide are just a drop in the bucket. The people in the Slums have become parasites, and hardly anyone is willing to come work on the island."

Sarah frowned. "Why not round up a bunch of people and force them to work?"

Jiang Chuan said firmly, "That's absolutely out of the question. If we want to turn Bilgewater into a well-run territory, we can't let its people think we're cruel. A tyrant will always be overthrown by his people."

Sarah considered this. "Then what do you plan to do?"

Jiang Chuan rubbed his forehead. "We'll introduce a Welfare System. Everyone in Bilgewater will be able to earn money in the factories. We'll start by giving workers generous benefits and wages, encouraging others to join them. Word will spread from person to person until all of Bilgewater hears about it."

Sarah didn't understand. "If we pay every worker so much, we won't earn enough to cover their wages. We'll lose a lot of money."

Jiang Chuan shook his head. "Not necessarily. Once we unify Bilgewater, we'll collect taxes and control all the land and businesses. As workers' wages rise, so will prices and housing costs. We'll build Residential Housing across the island, with hot water in every room. But only people certified by the Dark Sea Throne will enjoy these benefits. They'll also get access to all kinds of novel products. If they want quality goods and a good home, they'll have to work in the factories."

Sarah smiled. "Your way of thinking is frightening. You've worked everyone into your plans. You'll have all of Bilgewater in the palm of your hand."

Jiang Chuan smiled. "It's the wisdom of those who came before me. I'm just borrowing it."

Sarah smiled. "Your hometown sounds truly fascinating."

Jiang Chuan shrugged. "I'd like to see it again myself."

Jiang Chuan wanted to return to Earth, too. But since he had no idea how, he could only start by exploring all of Runeterra from Bilgewater. Yet Runeterra was vast beyond measure. Annie was his only lead to finding his way home, but it was so vague and full of unknowns. Perhaps Aurelion Sol knew the way home, but would the Dragon King tell an insect how to get back?

As the old saying went, "Since you're here, make the best of it." Now that he was in this world, it would be nice to experience its customs and culture.

Sarah set down the documents and stood up. "I've taken care of everything. Ask Laurie to take over. I need to go check on my ship."

Sarah left the office, stretched beneath the sun, and headed for the docks.

Jiang Chuan also got up and went to Laurie's office. "For the time being, I'll be relying on you to handle the island's affairs. Sarah needs to manage Red Hat's business. Please keep an eye on the island's workers and the like. Old Jack and Edmund can keep the children's studies going for a while longer. Don't stop recruiting; keep it up. If a worker makes a major contribution at the factory, you can arrange for them to move into Residential Housing."

Laurie replied solemnly, "Yes, President."

Jiang Chuan nodded. "I feel at ease leaving the island in your hands. I'll be off, then."

Jiang Chuan went to the docks. Sarah looked at the Siren and nodded in satisfaction. It was now even larger than the Abyssal. With four Steam Engines powering it, it was several times faster than the Abyssal. And the Siren was made entirely of steel. Its strength far surpassed that of any other ship.

When Sarah saw Jiang Chuan approach, she asked, "Can I take it out for a spin?"

Jiang Chuan shook his head. "Not yet. We can't let Gangplank's people find out the Siren exists. Once you put your plan into action, the Siren will be our flagship. We have to catch Gangplank completely off guard."

Sarah gazed at the Siren reluctantly and sighed. "What a shame."

Jiang Chuan shrugged. "We should get going. The handover with Pero will be a hassle."

Reluctantly, Sarah boarded a small boat with Jiang Chuan and headed for Bilgewater's Main City.

Pero and Jiang Chuan had already dealt with those who opposed the merger. Everyone in Red Hat now supported merging with the Dark Sea Throne. Jiang Chuan brought Sarah to Red Hat's headquarters, where Pero had prepared the documents and was waiting for them.