After discussing everything, Wang Yu and Pennsylvania left together.
It was late afternoon at the naval base, and under the setting sun, Commander Wang Yu, Amagi, and Pennsylvania strolled towards the training exercise area.
"Charlie is a good mayor, isn't he?" Pennsylvania suddenly asked Commander Wang Yu as they walked.
Commander Wang Yu thought about all the detailed investigation reports Charlie had brought out during the meeting, including the material manifests of various merchant fleets and the survey plans for various nodes along the route. He had almost completed all the preliminary information needed to establish the entire shipping route.
He took a deep breath: "With such thorough preparation, it's clear these plans weren't something he thought of on the spur of the moment. He probably had such a plan in mind for a long time."
"This plan is very bold and risky, but the risks and rewards are equally high. Pennsylvania, based on your experience, do you think Headquarters would approve such an operational plan?" he asked in return.
Pennsylvania shook her head: "I don't know. Establishing an offshore shipping route is such a risky endeavor that even at Headquarters, not many people would agree. Moreover, our maritime combat strategy has always been defensive counterattack and hasn't changed for many years."
"All the current shipping routes were hard-won over many years of fighting the Sirens, and some very safe commercial routes are the same."
"It's precisely because these routes are safe enough that those maritime merchant fleets are willing to pay taxes. After all, while merchants pursue profit, they still prioritize safety when it truly matters."
"That's not necessarily true," Commander Wang Yu thought about what Charlie had said earlier. How could anyone not be envious of profits as high as several dozen times the original? Life is important, but there are also plenty of people who prioritize money over their lives.
At least he was certain of this: if this shipping route really opened, there would definitely be merchant fleets willing to take it. For no other reason than greed.
As long as it's not a certain death, and with a certain level of safety guaranteed, there are plenty of people willing to take risks. He shook his head, no longer caring whether these people would prioritize money over their lives, but Pennsylvania's meaning was already clear.
"Pennsylvania, do you mean that Headquarters is unlikely to approve this plan?"
Pennsylvania nodded: "Based on my experience, that's the case, but it's not absolute. Whether Headquarters ultimately approves this plan will largely depend on their confidence in Tianqing Port and Victory Port. After all, the profits are indeed astonishing, and the plan also has feasibility."
Confidence? Commander Wang Yu again thought of that intellectual beauty, whose smile was as lovely as saffron, that young girl who was always calm, composed, and had everything under control in front of him.
So, will you have such great confidence in me?
"Do you really want this shipping route to open?" Pennsylvania asked curiously, detecting a hint of Commander Wang Yu's inclination in his tone.
"Of course! After all, my Port Area's funding is tied to Tianqing City's tax revenue. With an additional route like this, I truly won't have to worry about food and drink for the rest of my life."
Pennsylvania was amused by Commander Wang Yu's tone: "When have you Commanders ever worried about food and drink? Although many indeed lack resources for construction, it's because they have bad luck; even immortals can't save them."
She then asked somewhat curiously, "You only have a few people in your Port Area right now, and you're receiving A-Class Port Area supplies. How could you be short on money? Other Port Areas with dozens of people are well-fed without doing anything."
"It's enough for now," Commander Wang Yu sighed, "but who told me I have so many Ship Girls? I still need to save up more for future wives."
He remembered that there should be quite a few Ship Girls in the Port Area who spend money. At the very least, if his Ship Girls wanted to blow up a Lamborghini every day just to hear the sound, he, as the Commander, would have to be able to pay for it!
"Still talking about money for wives," Pennsylvania exaggeratedly tilted her head back, putting a hand on her forehead in surprise: "How many people are in your Port Area? Even if they all liked you, how many wives' funds would you need? Those who've married over a dozen haven't cried poverty. What's this about you? Don't worry, not that many girls will like you!"
She glanced at Amagi, who had been silent beside her, and seeing that Amagi merely smiled faintly, confirming that Amagi wasn't displeased by her words, she asked somewhat gossipy, "Leaving everything else aside, I saw your Glorious wearing a ring. What about Miss Gascogne? She always wears gauntlets, so I can't see, but I saw her eyes were so gentle when she looked at you. You heartless man, you didn't give her a ring, did you?"
After speaking, she looked at Commander Wang Yu with a hint of indignation, as if she would rush over and severely scold this scumbag Commander if he dared to say no.
When did I become a heartless man? Don't you dare ruin my reputation!
Commander Wang Yu was a bit speechless: "Married, married. Married soon after we met."
"That's only two wives. You're still far from having a harem," Pennsylvania reached out and patted Commander Wang Yu's shoulder: "Young man, don't aim too high; cherish the people you have now." After speaking, she raised an eyebrow, meaningfully looking to Commander Wang Yu's side.
The two walked side by side, and since it was a casual chat between friends, Commander Wang Yu, while walking, didn't notice Pennsylvania's wink.
"I have many married Ship Girls, alright?" Commander Wang Yu retorted. He wasn't modest about this.
"Still stubborn? Come, come, esteemed Commander Wang Yu, please tell your subordinate how many married Ship Girls you have, and let me be enlightened!" After speaking, Pennsylvania threw her head back and laughed heartily.
"Not many, not many, just about 100! It's just that I need to save up a hundred portions of money for wives." Commander Wang Yu said modestly. He remembered that he had received some kind of Rose Vow Badge, specifically for Commanders who heavily brushed up their affection. Who knew why marrying over a hundred would result in a medal reward? What kind of behavior was this supposed to reward? It was very confusing...
"Brag, keep bragging," Pennsylvania didn't believe him at all: "Are you going to tell me next that your Port Area has several hundred Ship Girls, and they all like you!"
You can already answer my questions!
"Absolutely. The Port Area only has over five hundred Ship Girls; they're just a bit difficult to support," Commander Wang Yu said with a hint of bitterness, seemingly always worried about how to support so many Ship Girls.
Pennsylvania disdainfully spat lightly: "You really dare to brag. I never noticed you were such a braggart before. You're much better at bragging than those Commanders who went crazy after large-scale constructions. Did you do too many large-scale constructions recently and bankrupt your Port Area?"
"Cough, cough." Commander Wang Yu was about to retort, how could he be lumped in with those unlucky people? A light cough interrupted his reply.
"What my Master said is all true, but one thing was wrong." Amagi curved her lips, and her eyes slightly narrowed, revealing a charming smile.
"There are about 300 Ship Girls in the Port Area who like the Commander, so the money for wives the Commander needs to save isn't just a mere hundred portions; he needs to prepare two hundred more!"
Did I really brush up the affection of over 300 people? Commander Wang Yu was also a bit stunned, but then he thought that something wasn't right.
When did I say I wanted to marry all of them?! Don't make decisions for me! If Glorious hears this, it'll be over for me; I'm afraid I'll be cut into 300 pieces!
He turned to look at Amagi and found that Amagi had already turned her face to look at the sea view. On her beautiful face, her charming lips were faintly visible, and her hair gently swept up with the sea breeze. A pair of fox ears swayed on her head, as if counteracting the wind.
She smiles so beautifully! Commander Wang Yu thought spinelessly, but then he thought again that something wasn't right. He was supposed to be scolding her, but he got mesmerized with just one look. How could he argue now!
"You two, master and subordinate, deliberately came to tease me, didn't you!" Pennsylvania's somewhat indignant voice sounded, pulling Commander Wang Yu back from his daze.
When Pennsylvania first heard Amagi speak, she was indeed stunned. After all, Amagi didn't look like a Ship girl who would brag, and Sakura Empire's great strategist still carried a lot of weight.
But upon closer thought...
Is it possible?
Is this possible?
A Port Area of over five hundred people, over three hundred Ship Girls who like him, and over a hundred married Ship Girls!
Who are you trying to fool here?
Seeing this, Commander Wang Yu could only shrug helplessly.
No one believes the truth, what could he do? As long as Pennsylvania didn't spread the word to Glorious, it would be fine...