The unit energy consumption for this shield generator was twenty percent lower than the Federation’s current standard, and its reaction speed was boosted by fifteen percent. Bolstered by the Honghuang’s potent engine core, the energy shield could withstand the direct impact of an asteroid less than ten kilometers in diameter. No existing weapon deployed by either the Earth Federation or the Roman Kingdom possessed the capability to even faze the Honghuang’s defenses.

The Honghuang’s outer armor plating was astonishingly resilient, forged using a special alloy formula derived from the Third Bamboo Slip. Despite the thirteen layers of outer hull measuring less than ten meters thick in total, its defensive capacity was equivalent to five hundred meters of standard alloy armor. Crucially, these thirteen layers were remarkably light; the weight per unit volume was only about 85% that of the same volume of standard alloyed steel. Although the Honghuang, cast entirely from these alloys, possessed an immense external profile, its actual mass was unexpectedly light, allowing for a cavernous internal volume.

This combination of vast size and low mass meant the Honghuang could carry an unprecedented amount of provisions. Fully stocked with Zakra energy crystals in its cargo bays, the ship could sustain continuous operations in deep space for over ten years. When accounting for the colossal stores of Zakra energy crystals held within the personal storage bags of Gu Yechen, Peng Hua, and their company, the vessel’s range became truly astonishing.

The mighty engines and robust hull structure directly resulted in an unprecedented offensive capability. Setting aside the main cannon forged with the Heaven-Quenched Azure Crystal, the surrounding ring of thirty-six auxiliary 3,200mm main cannons could, with a full-power salvo from any single one, punch through the primary armor of any active Federation or Roman capital ship. Even a Nantianmen-class heavy battleship would require only three consecutive hits to be torn to shreds.

The sheer scale of the vessel yielded another significant advantage: an exceptionally massive electronic suite. The gargantuan radar array, occupying a total volume exceeding 200,000 cubic meters, extended the Honghuang’s scanning range to over thirty times that of active first-tier warships. Furthermore, a colossal electronic jamming unit installed onboard could render all electronic instruments within a three-thousand-light-second radius utterly inert.

Speaking of electronics, Billrocks proudly mentioned that under his direction, the research staff at Hadewar Defense Corporation had successfully refined the stealth coating originally taken from the Porphyries’ donated Wraith-class ship.

By integrating it with the special alloys Gu Yechen had previously utilized on Paradise Star—alloys capable of neutralizing various scanning waves—Billrocks had engineered a specialized material granting near-absolute invisibility.

Near-absolute stealth, formidable defense, overwhelming power, unmatched firepower—according to Billrocks, this single Honghuang possessed the capability to sweep the entire active space fleet of either the Federation or the Roman Kingdom alone. If the main cannon utilizing the Heaven-Quenched Azure Crystal was deployed, the Honghuang could eradicate every existing Federation fleet within one hour.

“A weapon! This is a true instrument of slaughter!” Billrocks hopped slightly, delivering a forceful kick to the Honghuang’s armor plating. “This is the pinnacle of my life’s work! Unless Federation technology undergoes a revolutionary, explosive advancement, nothing can pose a credible threat to her.”

Gu Yechen stared dreamily at the colossal ship before him, running a hand across its sleek, polished outer deck.

He sighed, muttering under his breath, “What a pity. Such a magnificent thing, and yet it cannot be sold! Nothing pains a merchant more than having a supreme masterpiece stuck in his hands!”

Billrocks and Bell Adams stared at Gu Yechen as if witnessing a ghost. Selling the Honghuang? Only Gu Yechen could harbor such a thought!

Bell Adams shrieked, gesticulating wildly, “Boss, with this treasure, we will become the most powerful faction in the Federation! We—”

Gu Yechen cut him off, waving a dismissive hand. “So what? What does being the most powerful faction matter? Do you aspire to be the Federation Chairman or the Fleet Marshal? At our current rate of advancement, in ten years—just ten years—you, Bell Adams, could very likely be a Federation Senator.”

He jabbed a finger sharply into Bell’s chest, then pointed at Billrocks. “And you? My dear Bill, my Mr. Billrocks, in ten years, people will be weeping and begging you to take the seat of the President of the Federation Academy of Sciences! Ten years. Given our current strength, in just ten years we will be even stronger!”

Taking a deep breath, Gu Yechen slammed his hand hard against the Honghuang’s massive hull, declaring decisively, “However, the Honghuang will be our trump card, the foundational treasure of the Hadewar Defense Corporation! With this asset, we won’t need those old guard powers to lift a finger; we can stride across the Solar System unchecked!”

Shaking his shoulders with glee, Gu Yechen continued with unrestrained satisfaction, “My dream—which is also the life plan set for me by my father, your former boss—is to become the greatest merchant in the Solar System! My goal is to make sure that every pair of Roman underpants is stamped with our seal of manufacturing, squeezing the last copper coin from the Romans!”

Such bombastic vows left Bell Adams and Billrocks silent for a long moment. After consideration, compared to Gu Yechen’s mercantile ambition, the positions of Federation Senator and Academy President suddenly seemed far more appealing to them personally.

Bill led Gu Yechen into the Honghuang, offering a whirlwind tour of the ship’s key sectors. It could only be a cursory overview, however, due to the sheer size of the vessel.

The ship’s general configuration differed little from other Federation vessels, as it was, fundamentally, built upon existing Federation technology. The layout of the various sections was entirely familiar to Gu Yechen. A warship this enormous required fewer than five hundred operational crew; standard staffing mandated another thousand for logistics and maintenance, plus five thousand for internal security forces. The massive hull guaranteed comfortable living conditions for all aboard. In extreme, specialized scenarios, the Honghuang could forcibly house one hundred thousand marines and their requisite heavy equipment, making it virtually unbeatable in space or on the ground.

The ship’s internal security forces were uniformly equipped with Hadewar Company’s newest generation, the Hercules 444 model individual combat armor. Moreover, any mature new defensive technology was prioritized for deployment to this elite guard unit first.

All five thousand internal security troops were comprised of the oldest, most steadfast, and utterly loyal mercenaries from the Hells’ Angels Mercenary Group. These scoundrels, who had committed everything from murder to arson within Federation prisons, held a perverse, zealous loyalty to the former mercenary band now operating as a defense corporation. They were also the most experienced and elite warriors available. Equipped with the advanced Hercules 444 armor, this five-thousand-strong contingent could hold its own against Roman elite forces numbering several times their size.

With long-term operational capability in mind, the lowest decks of the vessel even housed three small-scale integrated production lines.

These three lines employed fully automated, modular designs. Provided with sufficient energy and raw materials, they could manufacture anything from pistol ammunition to armed robots, and even warships up to three hundred meters in length. If the Honghuang landed on a resource-rich planet, it could field a substantial army within just half a month.

Perhaps stemming from the unique, dark humor of a scientific madman, the Honghuang even contained a specialized cryogenic storage unit housing vast banks of human genetic samples. Coupled with the one thousand incubation pods situated next to the freezer, activating the standard protocol in these pods would allow Gu Yechen to generate over two hundred thousand cloned soldiers within a single month. Human cloning was explicitly designated a capital offense against humanity by the Federation government.

“This… this is a bit much.” As they passed the cloning production area, grimly nicknamed the “Reserve Meat Locker,” Gu Yechen pointedly gestured toward the thousand neatly arrayed incubation pods and fixed Billrocks with an angry glare. But the anger quickly subsided, and he muttered, “Still, better safe than sorry. Hmm, make sure to collect more genetic samples from the cold storage. Try to acquire the genomes of the commanding officers from the Federation’s major Special Forces units.”

A casual exploration of the ship took five hours. As they exited the vessel, Gu Yechen inquired, “I may require this ship for a rather lengthy voyage soon. It might as well serve as its maiden trial run. Once everything is prepared, how long will it take?”

Billrocks held up a single finger. “One month. Just one month, and everything will be perfectly ready. Furthermore, I stake my reputation on it: there will be no issues whatsoever. All the technology is mature. The only adjustment needed will be for the crew to find their rhythm.”

He paused, then added confidently, “Even the operators and support staff won’t need much time to adapt. We designed it with that consideration in mind from the outset. All the operating interfaces are identical to what they are already familiar with—it’s just that the ship is bigger and packs a bigger punch!”

Gu Yechen was delighted. He nodded and smiled. “Good, very good. One month. They certainly won’t be ready that fast. A month from now, I expect to see the Honghuang fully mission-ready!”

Billrocks pledged his word, fully committing to ensuring no problems arose and that Gu Yechen’s important business would not be delayed.

Two engineering robots were suddenly shouldered aside with brute force as Peng Hua stormed in, cursing loudly.

“Damn it! Someone dares to swat flies on my turf? Junior Brother, our two new warship models passed the military’s evaluation, but the Federation Council refuses to approve the purchase of the vessels we built!”

Gu Yechen, whose spirits had been high, frowned deeply. The military’s shipbuilding program had been stalled by the Council?

That made no sense.

This—this is different from writing a novel. Pig Head truly can’t think of any fresh slogans to beg for monthly tickets…

I notice that when I’m writing dialogue, Pig Head’s speed is quite fast, but when I have to churn out all this official-sounding prose, my pace slows down drastically.

Is that due to a lack of emotional intelligence?

I suppose that’s the only way to put it.

I’ll just dryly call out: Monthly tickets! Come pile in!

Hmph, time to clock out!