Zhao Chen observed the status of the twelve T2 Hammer-class Heavy Interstellar Industrial Ships displayed on the data screen before him.
Two were located in the Lion King Star System.
Four T2 Hammers were currently responsible for constructing the T3 Goddess Academy-class Starship, T3 Andromeda-class Interstellar Medical Ship, T3 Phantom Sting-class Light Interstellar Stealth Bomber, and T2 Snow Mastiff-class Heavy Interstellar Battleship!
They were expected to be completed by the end of June.
The remaining six T2 Hammer-class Heavy Interstellar Industrial Ships had just finished a phase of their construction tasks.
At this very moment, these six T2 Hammer-class Heavy Interstellar Industrial Ships were retrieving their External Manufacturing Platforms.
Because they were about to be assigned a new mission and dispatched to another location.
The Fierce Dragon Star System.
"You've worked hard during this period," Zhao Chen said to the succubus Lilith, whom he hadn't seen for nearly two months.
"For the fleet," the succubus Lilith replied, her gaze fixed on Zhao Chen. There was something more in her eyes now compared to when she first joined the Fierce Dragon Fleet.
"You've seen the Stargate construction plan, right?" Zhao Chen brought up the matter of building the Stargate.
So far, the only people who knew about Zhao Chen's plan to build a Stargate were Charlotte, Lilith, Aili, and Annie, who was in charge of this Stargate construction project!
Lilith nodded. "I have. It's a huge investment.
But if it can truly enable rapid deployment between the Fierce Dragon Star System and the Lion King Star System, it will hold immense strategic importance in the future!
Therefore, this Stargate must be built!"
"That's what I think too, which is why I've decided to recall those six T2 Hammers to the Fierce Dragon Star System for now.
The remaining four T2 Hammers have ongoing projects and cannot be moved.
We'll have to wait until the starships currently under construction are completed before recalling them to the Fierce Dragon Star System," Zhao Chen explained.
Lilith nodded.
Zhao Chen's arrangement indicated that he was beginning to shift the focus of construction to the Fierce Dragon Star System.
"Have there been any major developments in the Stellar Glory Empire recently?" Having been away for nearly two months, Zhao Chen naturally needed to catch up on current events within the Stellar Glory Empire.
Lilith began briefing Zhao Chen.
From a broader perspective, there hadn't been any major incidents.
The Zerg threat in the Water Lily Star System had been brought under control following the intervention of the Imperial Army.
All Hive Motherships had been eliminated so far, marking the beginning of a long and troublesome next phase.
That involved dealing with the Zerg units on the planets that had been invaded.
Compared to space, the situation on planetary surfaces was far more complex. It wasn't feasible to authorize starships to conduct global orbital bombardments with the intent of destroying the planets' ecological environments.
They could only dispatch Ground Forces to meticulously clear every inch of land on those planets, a process that would be extremely lengthy.
It could take anywhere from a few months to potentially several years.
And restoring these planets to their pre-invasion order would require decades.
This was why Interstellar Zerg invasions were considered terrifying disasters.
As for Zhao Chen, the prominent figure from this incident, after an initial period of attracting significant attention, the buzz around him quickly died down. It was highly likely that someone was manipulating public opinion behind the scenes to reduce information about Zhao Chen.
The forces behind this could be Governor Bilan and his faction, or perhaps Governor Chu He.
Whoever it was, this wasn't a bad thing for Zhao Chen. He preferred to keep a low profile and disliked being in the spotlight.
As for other major events, there was one worth mentioning.
In October of this year, the Empire would be conducting a military procurement tender.
This tender was primarily aimed at procuring Imperial Army Starships for the various Star Domain Garrisons.
The focus would be on T2 interstellar warships, with Stellar Destroyers being the main priority.
Rumors had it that the Hurricane Consortium was determined to secure the T2 Stellar Destroyer orders from this military procurement.
The value of the T2 Stellar Destroyer procurement orders alone could reach as high as 20 billion Star Coins!
This was undoubtedly a massive deal.
"Military procurement orders for Stellar Destroyers?" Zhao Chen showed a hint of interest.
He instructed Lilith to arrange for the several T2 Iron Hammer ships to be relocated to the Fierce Dragon Star System, while he himself returned to the captain's quarters and sat down at the desk.
He sent a holographic video request to that number.
Within three minutes, the woman's figure appeared before Zhao Chen.
"I didn't expect Miss Li Yaqi to respond so quickly?" Zhao Chen was somewhat surprised.
Li Yaqi smiled modestly. She had set Zhao Chen's number to the highest authority level, so even if she was sleeping or bathing, she would be notified immediately.
"Are you contacting me this time about the T2 Tibetan Mastiff-class Medium Star Destroyer?" Li Yaqi inquired.
Zhao Chen nodded: "Mainly two things, one of which is indeed about the T2 Tibetan Mastiff-class Medium Star Destroyer.
I heard that the Imperial Army is planning a military procurement tender for the garrisons across various star sectors, and the Hurricane Consortium is determined to win this time?"
Li Yaqi nodded: "Yes, the scale of this military procurement tender is the largest in the past fifty years. There are even rumors that the share of orders for T2 Stellar Destroyers might far exceed our expectations.
However, the exact details won't be known until October.
As is well known, the frontline Imperial Army units stationed at the borders will soon be equipped with T3 interstellar warships on a large scale, which means many T2 interstellar warships will be phased out.
These decommissioned T2 interstellar warships will most likely be transferred to the second-line Imperial Army units in various star sectors.
Therefore, it's speculated that this might be the last large-scale military procurement plan by the Imperial Army for T2-level interstellar warships.
Everyone hopes to seize this final opportunity.
With the funds from this procurement, they can heavily invest in the research and development of T3 interstellar warships to capture the T3 interstellar warship market.
The Hurricane Consortium must be thinking the same way. They've invested heavily in T3 interstellar warship research and desperately need these funds.
That's why they're so determined to win!"
"What about you?" Zhao Chen asked with a faint smile, looking at Li Yaqi.
Li Yaqi brushed aside a strand of her hair and then sent Zhao Chen a top-secret document.
Zhao Chen reviewed it. It was the bidding plan for the T2 Tibetan Mastiff-class Medium Star Destroyer for the October military procurement, and it was clearly designed to counter the Hurricane Consortium at every turn.
"You're quite bold, aren't you?" Zhao Chen teased.
Li Yaqi looked at Zhao Chen with her beautiful eyes: "Mr. Zhao Chen has already set the stage for me. If I lack the determination now, I wouldn't deserve to be your partner."
Zhao Chen greatly admired Li Yaqi, especially for her stance against the Hurricane Consortium.
Zhao Chen had not forgotten that Hongmen Banquet in the Azure Star Domain.
Since they had "entertained" him so generously, wasn't it only right to return the favor?
"Alright, let's talk about another matter. I need a large quantity of raw materials, estimated to cost around four billion... no, five billion Star Coins.
Moreover, I require an absolutely confidential transportation channel, meaning no one should know these raw materials are destined for me." Zhao Chen stared at Li Yaqi as he brought up his other request.
Five billion worth of raw materials?
Hearing this figure, Li Yaqi herself was taken aback.
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