pappabearbooks Chapter 97 Fuxing High-Speed Railway Launch
Chapter 97 Fuxing High-Speed Railway Launch
Chen Feng slowly stood up and walked to the window. Outside, the outline of Dubai Port stretched out in the afternoon sun, with cranes resembling a steel forest and cargo ships coming and going.
"Wenwu," he said without turning around, "how long do you think our 'technology gap' advantage will last?"
Wang Wenwu pondered for a few seconds: "Five years. Eight years at most. Europe's industrial foundation is too strong. Once they figure out the direction, they will catch up very quickly. Fisher told me in London: 'Give me three years, and I can build a ship no less than the 'Revival'.'"
Do you believe it?
"I'm half convinced," Wang Wenwu said. "It's possible to build a ship with the same tonnage and firepower in three years. But to build one with the same speed, fire control level, and fuel efficiency... that's difficult. Our advantage isn't in individual parameters, but in system integration. But even that advantage is being caught up with."
Chen Feng turned around and his gaze swept over everyone present.
"Did you all hear that? Five to eight years. That's our only window of opportunity. Within five years, we need to save enough money to go home. Within eight years, we need to establish ourselves firmly in our hometown."
He walked back to his seat and placed his hands on the table: "Chief Engineer Liu."
"exist."
When will the "Fuxing" high-speed train be launched?
"The tide will be at its highest at 8 a.m. the day after tomorrow."
"Alright." Chen Feng looked at Wang Wenwu. "The work report meeting is over. Wenwu, go back and rest for three days, then oversee the reception of the Chilean delegation. They want to buy a ship, so sell it to them. The price will be 10% of the 'Caesar-class' price, but the terms will be stricter—the core technology will not be transferred, and the crew training will be conducted here."
"clear."
Meeting adjourned.
The crowd gradually dispersed. As Wang Wenwu reached the door, Chen Feng called him back.
"Civil and military affairs."
"The President?"
"You've had a tough time." Chen Feng patted him on the shoulder. "This trip wasn't easy."
Wang Wenwu smiled, his eyes crinkling with deep wrinkles: "It wasn't easy. But it was worth it. At least now, they have to take us seriously."
After he left, Chen Feng sat alone in the conference room. Sunlight streamed in through the gaps in the blinds, cutting patches of light across the table.
Uncle Wang walked in quietly and put down a cup of tea.
"Young master, you should rest for a while too."
"Uncle Wang," Chen Feng said without touching his teacup, "tell me, are we on the right path?"
The old man was silent for a moment, then said, "I don't understand those grand principles. But I do know that three years ago when we first arrived, the British didn't even give us a second glance. Now they have to hold cabinet meetings to discuss how to deal with us. This change is real."
"But what will the price be?" Chen Feng murmured. "We're playing with fire. Balancing Britain and Germany, maneuvering between France and Russia, and also having to be wary of Japan... One wrong step and we're headed for the abyss."
"Then don't go the wrong way," Uncle Wang said. "Young master, you're not alone. We have 300,000 people, and right now we have two of the world's most advanced warships. We have young people like Li Te and Lin Hai, and experienced craftsmen like Liu Yongfu. We have the resources and a way out—at worst, we can go back to the desert and build new ships."
Chen Feng finally smiled: "Your way of comforting people is really unique."
"I'm telling the truth," Uncle Wang laughed. "Things will work themselves out. Young master, you should go see the 'Fuxing' high-speed train. That ship... it's huge."
The launching ceremony was scheduled for early morning.
Before dawn, the dock was already crowded with people. Not officially organized, but spontaneously gathered—workers, their families, students, and merchants from the port area. Everyone was waiting, waiting for the legendary behemoth to make its first contact with the sea.
When Chen Feng arrived, Liu Yongfu was already on the command platform.
"How is it?" Chen Feng asked.
"Everything is ready." Liu Yongfu's eyes were bloodshot, but he was in high spirits. "I did a final check three times last night. All the support frames have been removed, and eight tons of grease have been applied to the slide. The tide will reach its highest point at 8:03 and last for twenty-five minutes, which is enough." (Is it water or pulleys?)
Chen Feng raised his binoculars.
In the dry dock, the outline of the "Fuxing" was crystal clear under the searchlights. The bow was as sharp as a knife. The three funnels were arranged in a stepped pattern, and the four twin-gun turrets were distributed along the centerline—a typical feature of battlecruisers: sacrificing some armor for high speed, but not reducing firepower.
Chen Feng put down his binoculars: "Where's Li Te?"
"Final checks are being done on the ship. Lin Hai is there too."
"Let them come down, the ceremony is about to begin."
At 8:00 AM sharp, the tide reached its highest point.
The reviewing stand was packed with people. Chen Feng stood in the center, with civil officials like Wang Bo to his left and technicians like Liu Yongfu to his right. Further away, workers who had been granted access to the dock area stood in rows, each one sitting upright.
The emcee was Li Mingyuan. He walked to the microphone—an electric megaphone imported from Germany, capable of carrying sound far.
"Fellow countrymen, today we are here to witness the launching ceremony of the Lanfang Navy's second main warship, the battlecruiser 'Fuxing'!"
Applause erupted, like a tidal wave.
"Over the past three years, more than 8,000 workers and technicians have contributed their wisdom and sweat to this warship. Among them are engineers who returned from studying in Germany, veteran craftsmen who have worked at Nanyang Shipyard their entire lives, and young people who dared to climb 30-meter-high scaffolding as soon as they learned to read. This ship is the culmination of 300,000 Lanfang people!"
The applause grew louder. Some people in the crowd wiped away tears.
"Now, please welcome Captain Lin Hai, the first captain of the 'Fuxing' high-speed train, to board and inspect the ship!"
Lin Hai stepped out from the ranks. He was wearing a brand-new dark blue captain's uniform, with only one star on his epaulettes—after today, it would be two. He walked quickly but steadily, ascending the gangway to the ship's deck, which had been lowered to the level of the dock. (Should I put my rank insignia on my sleeve?—)
According to procedure, he had to walk from the bow to the stern, inspect every key part, and then report to the reviewing stand that "the ship is ready."
As Chen Feng watched the young man's retreating figure, he suddenly recalled the scene when he first met Lin Hai three years ago. At that time, he was a student at a technical school. Because he was particularly good at math, he was recommended to the shipbuilding design team and spent his days following Liu Yongfu around with a pile of blueprints, asking him questions.
Now, he is to command a 40,000-ton giant ship.
Five minutes later, Lin Hai returned to the bridge and raised the signal flag: Ready.
Chen Feng walked to the champagne stand that had been prepared in advance. Instead of a traditional wine bottle, it was a specially made silver hammer—the hammerhead was engraved with a yellow dragon, and the handle was inscribed with "Reclaim the homeland, revive the nation".
He raised his silver hammer and faced the microphone.
"The name 'Fuxing' (Rejuvenation) carries the dreams of all overseas Chinese. We have lost our homes, been displaced, and been looked down upon. But today, we stand here, declaring our return with steel and wisdom!"
He paused, his voice carrying throughout the entire dock:
"This ship, along with its sister ship 'Guangfu,' will become the backbone of the Lanfang Navy. They will sail the world's oceans, telling every Chinese person: You are not orphans, the motherland has not forgotten you! Telling everyone who once bullied us: Times have changed!"
The silver hammer fell and struck the symbolic prow.
"I hereby announce: The battlecruiser 'Fuxing' is launched!"