However, Lin Lan quickly understood why the Eagle Union was able to gain the support of the controlled corporate workers.
The ship girls of the Eagle Union inherit the most beautiful and pure ideals of freedom and democracy that White Eagle once cherished.
It's actually quite normal, since back when they were still ships, the Eagle Union of Blue Star could truly be called a "beacon of democracy and freedom."
Unlike humans, the ideals inherited by the ship girls have never been corrupted.
"I remember you told me that the faction you took down was the Goilia Corporation, right? It's a shame it wasn't the Tianou Corporation," Lin Lan said regretfully to Bismarck.
He still held a grudge against Zhao Hesheng, the young master of the Tianou Corporation, who had once schemed against him back in the academy.
Bismarck nodded and asked in confusion, "Commander, do you have any conflicts with the Tianou Corporation?"
"There are some grievances. I'll settle it with them when I return to the Eastern Continent," Lin Lan replied calmly, taking another sip of his coffee.
Though he was far from the Eastern Continent now, he would eventually return and take care of that matter.
"What about the other factions?" Lin Lan asked, bringing the topic back.
After a slight pause, Bismarck continued, "The Royal Navy is still stationed at the old port, just like before."
"As for the Sakura Empire, it seems the islanders of the occupied islands now regard them as gods and have started offering them tributes."
Lin Lan was slightly stunned. "Gods? I thought they were on the Nine Islands of Liao Continent... Ah, I get it now."
Remembering that the ship girls of the Sakura Empire and the Liao Continent people share similar beast ears and demon traits, along with the fact that many Sakura ship girls are skilled in swordplay and magical arts, Lin Lan understood why the Liao Continent people would view them as gods.
"Regarding the Dragon Empery faction, their restaurants have run into some minor troubles, but Yat Sen says they've solved everything with reason," Bismarck continued.
"Well, using 'reason' to resolve things, very characteristic of Dragon Empery," Lin Lan thought, hoping this "reason" wasn't explained with the use of a certain type of weapon.
"As for the Iris Libre, the Saradegna Empire, and the Northern Union, they haven't encountered any major issues recently, aside from the ongoing oil shortage."
Upon hearing this, Lin Lan understood why the ship girls of the other factions were struggling with oil.
After all, this was a different world, and to his knowledge, only the United Olan Republic was extracting and using oil. Other nations had not gone through an industrial revolution.
Thus, much of the oil in those countries remained underground, unexploited.
"Looks like we'll have to speed up our oil accumulation," Lin Lan said with a sigh.
Although the Tianou Group's oil was steadily arriving at his port, he still felt it wasn't enough, given that so many ship girls from other factions were waiting to reunite with him.
"Oil, oil... looks like we really have to make good use of the United Olan Republic. At the moment, only Olan has the technology to extract and refine oil."
"Wait, speaking of technology..." Lin Lan's eyes suddenly brightened, and Bismarck, sitting across from him, looked on in confusion as his expression changed and a smile appeared on his face.
"Since I am now the president of the West Continent Scientific Institute, I can have them hand over the technology for oil exploration and extraction."
"This way, even when we go to other countries, we can extract materials locally without needing to ship them from the port or the distant oceans of Olan."
Bismarck was slightly surprised. She hadn't expected Lin Lan to come up with such a viable solution to the oil shortage issue so quickly.
Thus, for the rest of the morning, Lin Lan and Bismarck discussed the details of how to approach the West Continent Scientific Institute after they arrived in Yunhai City.
With Bismarck's help, Lin Lan organized a detailed plan, which he handed over to her for safekeeping.
"By the way, Bismarck, how many white and blue equipment pieces do we still have sitting unused in the warehouse?"
Lin Lan, who had just moved the chair over and was now sitting next to the blonde Bismarck, suddenly asked.
In addition to discussing the oil extraction technology, Lin Lan also wanted to take advantage of the upcoming trade fair that Qi Yue had mentioned and make a profitable deal with the Navy.
"Regarding the white and blue equipment, since you've disassembled many items previously, we currently have fewer than five pieces of each," Bismarck answered.
"Only that few?" Lin Lan frowned slightly, but then he realized it made sense.
After all, players of Azur Lane are known for clearing out their inventory, especially in the mid-to-late game.
Who would leave so much white and blue equipment lying around in their warehouse?
He had even cleaned out all the useless purple equipment.
"However, Commander, if you need white and blue equipment, you can open equipment boxes.
Most of them are in the hands of Akashi and Shiranui, and there should be quite a few," Bismarck suggested.
Lin Lan looked puzzled. "I remember seeing a lot of equipment boxes in the Iron Blood Fortress warehouse before. What about those?"
"Those are golden boxes. If you want to open white and blue equipment, you'll need to open purple-quality or lower equipment boxes," Bismarck explained.
Lin Lan nodded, understanding now. It looked like he would need to visit Akashi in the afternoon.
Coincidentally, Akashi was quite the expert when it came to making money, and she could offer plenty of advice.
It was now noon, and the sound of engines roaring outside the window signaled that Sui Qiong had returned from her flight.
Every morning, Sui Qiong would fly a few circles outside, returning just before lunch.
This behavior made Lin Lan feel like he was raising pigeons.
In the afternoon, Sui Qiong would either go to visit Z23 or Hipper, or hang out with other Iron Blood ship girls, chatting or going on training and patrol missions together.
Of course, sometimes she would also be called by Akashi to discuss the development of mech weapons at the port's workshop.
"It's time for lunch. Let's go eat," Lin Lan said with a smile as the midday sunlight bathed him through the window.
After hearing Sui Qiong knock on the door, Lin Lan stood up and smiled at Bismarck.
After having lunch with the other Iron Blood ship girls at the cafeteria, Lin Lan led the two of them to Akashi's shop.
On the way, he curiously asked Sui Qiong, who had clearly adapted to life at the port, "Sui Qiong, how have you been settling in at the port? Are you happy?"
"Yes, Sui Qiong is very happy," Sui Qiong answered with a soft smile.
Lin Lan was a bit surprised. After three days of interaction with the Iron Blood ship girls, Sui Qiong, the Mech Girl, had clearly changed.
Her speech had become more human-like, and her expression was filled with warmth.
"So, Commander, when can Sui Qiong make a vow with you?" Sui Qiong suddenly asked, catching Lin Lan off guard.
"Sui Qiong also wants to make a vow with the Commander."
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50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta
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