Zhao Chen listened to Annie's construction plan.
In summary, over the initial three months, aside from the four expanded T3 Forge-class Heavy Star Industrial Ships and the half-completed T4 Revenant-class Clone Starship, Zhao Chen would also acquire one T4 Huiguang-class Interstellar Jump Ship, fifty T3 Triceratops-class Interstellar Heavy Assault Frigates, and five T3 Virgo-class Heavy Interstellar Supply Ships.
The reason for being able to construct so many T3 Triceratops-class Interstellar Heavy Assault Frigates at once was mainly due to this starship's low construction requirements, short production time, and minimal expenditure.
Moreover, Zhao Chen's fleet was currently lacking a large number of T3-level interstellar frigates, so he decided to build fifty in one go!
That way, on the interstellar battlefield, no one would ever be able to threaten the safety of the carrier starships and interstellar missile ships within the Fierce Dragon Fleet again!
"For the production of these starships, the T4 Revenant-class Clone Starship will consume 4.5 billion Star Coins in raw materials over three months, the T4 Huiguang-class Interstellar Jump Ship has a construction cost of 5 billion Star Coins, and the remaining starships have a construction cost of 100 million Star Coins.
In total, this quarter will require 9.6 billion Star Coins in raw material supplies." Annie quickly provided the detailed figures for the required raw materials.
It had to be said, this was undoubtedly the most expensive construction plan Zhao Chen had ever undertaken, approaching nearly 10 billion Star Coins!
"9.6 billion Star Coins..." Zhao Chen hesitated for a moment. The Fierce Dragon Fleet's account only had 3 billion Star Coins in funds.
The shortfall was significant, but not insurmountable.
Because Governor Chu still owed him the second batch of technology licensing fees for manufacturing the T3 Flame Dragon-class medium interstellar destroyer—7 billion Star Coins. With that sum, he could fully cover the raw material supplies needed for these three months.
In theory, that final payment should be due soon.
He would find an opportunity to press for it later.
"I'll handle the raw material funding. You just need to ensure these construction plans proceed smoothly," Zhao Chen said.
"No problem," Annie replied.
"Then if there are no other issues, we'll end our discussion here for now." Zhao Chen stood up, ready to address the funding and raw material problems.
"Ouch..." Annie clutched her stomach as she tried to stand.
"What's wrong?" Zhao Chen looked at Annie.
Annie put on an expression as if she couldn't get up, rubbing her round little belly. "It's nothing... maybe I ate too much.
I'll sit here for a while, Commander. You go ahead.
I can leave on my own after resting a bit."
Zhao Chen eyed her suspiciously. "You're not planning to eat another meal, are you?"
Annie pouted. "How could you say that? Do I look like a glutton to you?"
Zhao Chen stared at her, his gaze seeming to say, "Aren't you?"
"Alright, rest here by yourself. If you still want to eat, you can order more, or take some back for your younger siblings.
Put it all on my tab." With that, Zhao Chen walked out of the private room.
Annie froze, muttering guiltily to herself, "The commander is so good to me... Is it really okay for me to act like this...?"
Hesitating for three seconds, Annie patted her cheeks and muttered seriously, "This isn't a big deal, and I... this is just being thrifty, right..."
As she spoke, Annie furtively pulled a bag from her pocket, cleaned the utensils Commander Zhao Chen had just used, and carefully sealed each piece into the bag.
Then she opened the communication network on her handheld terminal—the internal network platform of the Fierce Dragon Fleet, where crew members could chat and interact, similar to a forum or message board.
Annie skillfully navigated to a group titled "Commander's Support Group."
The group's profile picture was none other than Commander Zhao Chen in his military uniform!
After opening it, she quickly drafted a message and attached several photos.
The photos showed her entering the Starship Dining Hall with Commander Zhao Chen earlier, as well as the utensils she had just collected.
Annie's Big Bear: Utensils used by Commander Zhao Chen! First come, first served!
Shortly after she posted the message, bidding links for the items began to appear.
Annie had set it to auction mode, with the highest bidder winning within three hours.
Watching the numbers climb, Annie's eyes seemed to light up with visions of Star Coins.
"Sorry, Commander... for Annie's little savings... I have to sacrifice you a bit... it's not like you'll lose any mass... hehehe..."
Giggling to herself, Annie ordered a few more dishes to take away.
Soon, carrying the delicious food, she left the private room contentedly.
A cleaning robot slowly approached the dining table in the private room, collecting the utensils one by one. When it noticed the empty space on one side of the table, it paused...
As if sensing something was missing?
Unaware that Annie had turned him into a "side hustle," Zhao Chen returned to the bridge.
Secretary Officer Lilith was busy with her work nearby.
"Lilith," Zhao Chen called.
Secretary Officer Lilith immediately set aside her tasks and approached Commander Zhao Chen. "Commander, what are your orders?"
"This is the construction plan for the next quarter that Annie and I discussed. Please review it and assist Annie in its implementation." Zhao Chen handed the Construction Plan Outline drafted by Annie to Secretary Officer Lilith.
Secretary Officer Lilith glanced through it and was startled when she saw the required raw materials and funds. "Commander, this requires 9.6 billion Star Coins, but we only have 3 billion Star Coins on our account."
"I'll handle this. Have someone contact Governor Chu He for me," Zhao Chen said.
Secretary Officer Lilith nodded. "Understood."
Lilith assigned a subordinate to handle the communication, as reaching out to a governor across several star systems would take some time.
"Lilith, how is the situation in the Fierce Dragon Star System now?" Zhao Chen asked, recalling the requirement in the annual mission to improve the Quality of Life in the Fierce Dragon Star System.
Although Jiang Hong was currently in charge of civilian affairs in the Fierce Dragon Star System, Lilith regularly kept track of the latest data.
Although the Fierce Dragon Star System currently only has a Living s level of 0.6, it's important to note that this figure was previously 0.3!
During this period, Jiang Hong not only restored order in the Fierce Dragon Star System after the nobles' migration but also doubled the Living s.
Of course, this is closely related to the Fierce Dragon Fleet's policy of "Slaughter Nobles and Divide Land."
Without destruction, there can be no construction; only after breaking the old can the new be established.
In such circumstances, with skillful management, it's entirely possible to build something great from the ground up!