Chapter 259: Getting Back On Topic
Liu Shengzhan’s expression showed no particular change, and he slowly nodded as he gave a simple introduction:
“According to the information analysis, our current battleship manufacturing level, after improvements in materials and process, and due to some other reasons, has very good usability.
The Space Force’s judgment is that if we compare our currently equipped T2 Punisher with the best-selling battleship on the Starfield Market, our battleship’s armor strength is now completely on par with the opponent’s.
Moreover, in hull structure design and the hybrid engine system we assemble, due to its extremely low power supply requirements, in terms of mobility—excluding the warp engine—our Punisher actually has a greater advantage.
Of course, the advantages mentioned here are only based on these performance data comparisons.
In a real battlefield environment, spaceship comparisons also need to consider factors such as the type of turrets used, range, rate of fire, turret aiming speed, spaceship’s maximum speed, armor repair capacity, electronic warfare equipment, and many other data points as references.”
Liu Shengzhan gave a brief explanation, and his unchanged expression subtly lifted at the corners of his mouth when mentioning the Punisher.
In his words, he did not explicitly state the special reasons, but everyone present knew that it was because the hull design had undergone hundreds of detailed calculations and verifications by the powerful photonic computer on the Conqueror where A’dai was located, resulting in a hull structure with no obvious flaws.
Clearly, the various information brought back from this Peace Messenger trip made this Space Force Marshal very optimistic about Humanity’s Punisher in hand.
Fan Ren understood Xu Hongwei’s meaning, and his brows furrowed slightly.
As an engineering student with a very high pursuit of technology, he believed that the current state of the Punisher was actually not suitable for selling on the Starfield Market.
“Chairman, everyone.”
Xu Hongwei’s clear voice slowly rang out.
“Indeed, our Punisher may not match the overall performance of the highest-transaction-volume battleship currently on the Starfield Market, but one point to know is that battleship’s hull consumables are basically equivalent to ours, yet its price is more than 1500 times higher than the consumables themselves.
Of course, our battleship cannot be sold for 3 billion Star Coins, or even one billion Star Coins, and currently, it does not have a significant advantage in market competitiveness.
But there is one point that I think everyone has always overlooked.”
Xu Hongwei extended one finger, looked at everyone in the venue with a confident smile on his face, and continued without pause:
“Around us, there are seven other second level civilizations whose technology level is on par with ours, or even more backward than us in some aspects due to special reasons.
My thought is that we can make a breakthrough in this aspect.”
As his words fell, the venue first went quiet, then buzzed with low voices of conversation.
Fan Ren and Liu Shengzhan exchanged a glance, and both saw a hint of gravity in each other’s eyes.
Xu Hongwei’s idea was extremely bold; he not only picked up on Ke Fengyun’s topic but extended it, shifting the discussion from the Star Gate loan matter to the warship sales market using his Foreign Affairs Department identity.
The value of metal itself is actually not expensive; taking Human Civilization as an example, the silver-like super metal produced in one year can fully meet the needs of hundreds of thousands of Space Force ships.
But in the previous conference resolution, Human Civilization, due to its technology level being very backward compared to most civilizations in the Galactic Alliance, did not list related metal ore as independently produced finished products, nor did it seek to obtain the added value of these metal ore products through selling finished products.
But now, with Xu Hongwei bringing it up, everyone realized that the environment facing Human Civilization is not just the Galactic Alliance and Sirius Civilization.
Right nearby, within ten light years, there are seven civilizations of the same level.
And some of their products have advantages in front of these civilizations.
So, rather than taking products to the higher-end Starfield Market to compete with mature products from a bunch of established civilizations, why not turn their gaze to the nearby civilizations.
But this brings another problem.
From the Hans Civilization’s previous dispatch of an expedition fleet, these surrounding same-level civilizations do not hold friendly attitudes toward Human Civilization.
So, selling Human Civilization’s most advanced battleships and other products to these civilizations—would it thereby enhance their armed strength and pose a threat back to Human Civilization?
The answer is certainly yes.
Liu Shengzhan and Fan Ren both knew that among these civilizations, for example, the Hans Civilization’s main fleet is equipped with missile turrets that have a long-range advantage.
So, if they procure performance-excellent close-range turret battleships at low prices, the opponent’s fleet shortcomings would be instantly compensated, thereby posing a threat to Humanity.
Similarly, most surrounding second level civilizations, due to the Sirius Civilization’s blockade, have limited resource access, and thus their fleet configurations all adopt the inexpensive missile turret weapon system.
Once the sale of the Punisher is opened to these civilizations, they will absolutely have no hesitation.
Unless the price offered by Human Civilization makes them unable to bear it.
Fan Ren fell into contemplation; on one side was huge profit, on the other was the threat it would bring, which made him somewhat unable to decide.
“Please quiet down; I think our topic has gone somewhat off track.”
Jin Qiaoying’s cold voice immediately rang out, and the venue returned to quiet as this high-ranking committee member spoke.
At this time, Fan Ren also realized that he had been led astray.
The matter being discussed today was whether to take a loan to procure a Star Gate to meet the increasingly growing demand for space activities.
“Minister Xu’s proposal is very good; his proposal has resolved our doubts about whether this loan would cripple our economy.
I think, as a civilization temporarily leading in some technology levels, we actually have paths not only in ship sales.
Such as the hybrid power engine group that Minister Xu mentioned earlier, our brainwave technology, our ‘spaceship stealth technology,’ and so on; of course, some of these cannot be openly sold due to certain reasons.
But what I want to say is that it is precisely because of these technologies leading over the surrounding civilizations that our resolution to take a loan for a Star Gate has confidence.
10 billion is a lot!
But I think, as long as we play our cards well, this loan will not have a particularly major impact on our economy.
However, with a Star Gate, it can greatly increase our communication with the Galactic Alliance and numerous civilizations.
It can also save time costs for material transportation and travel.
And most importantly, the Conqueror can thereby reduce its exposure.”
