Chapter 64: Youth Should Be Bold and Untamed! Sounding the Bugle for the Counterattack Against the West!

Sun Yongguo's eyelids twitched violently. He realized that Su Dingping was truly a newborn calf unafraid of the tiger. To scatter the ashes of the Eighty-Eighth Fleet, how formidable would a fleet need to be?

Looking across the naval powers of the Blue Planet, perhaps only the Bear Country and the Beautiful Country possessed such底气 (confidence/fortitude).

"Dingping, having grand ambitions is a good thing."

Su Dingping glanced at Sun Yongguo, knowing that the man had certainly not taken his words to heart, assuming he was merely speaking in jest.

In his own heart, he knew very well that to scatter the ashes of the Eighty-Eighth Fleet, the Type 055 would not even need to make an appearance; a mere Type 052D formation would suffice.

He offered no further explanation on the spot.

"Dingping, there is one more matter I wish to discuss with you."

"Dean Sun, what is it?"

Sun Yongguo said somewhat apprehensively, "The current situation is extremely complex. Dingping, Dean Lü and the rest of us also want to contribute our share. Bearing all the pressure on your shoulders alone makes us feel deeply uneasy."

With that, he looked at Su Dingping, fearing the latter might refuse.

Su Dingping suddenly understood, realizing they wished to join the Type 052 upgrade project.

"No problem!"

Sun Yongguo instantly let out a long sigh of relief, as if he had swallowed a pill of absolute reassurance.

"Splendid, splendid! Then Dingping, go ahead with your work, and I shall go make the preparations."

Saying this, Sun Yongguo strode away quickly.

Finding Zhou Qinglei, Sun Yongguo briefed him on the task.

Zhou Qinglei, who had been waiting for two days, was more energized than anyone upon hearing that a task had finally arrived.

When there was nothing, the Type 052 was treated like a treasured artifact. Now that Su Dingping intended to upgrade the Type 052, Zhou Qinglei found every aspect of the vessel somewhat unsightly, eagerly wishing he could tear it apart long ago.

"Dean Sun, please put in a word for me with Dingping, and tell him to rest assured that it will definitely be handled properly before tomorrow morning!"

"Captain Zhou, I'm sorry to trouble you."

"What are you saying? I should be thanking you instead! This is only what I ought to do."

With that, Zhou Qinglei happily went off to find people.

Watching Zhou Qinglei's departing back, Sun Yongguo also smiled.

Being able to participate in the Type 052 upgrade put him in a very good mood.

Finding Lü Guangjun, Engineer Zhang Gongnong, and the others, Sun Yongguo stated his purpose, and the group beamed with joy.

"Well done, Old Sun! I owe you a favor!" Lü Guangjun's face was wreathed in smiles.

Sun Yongguo retorted ungraciously, "You already owe me several!"

"Saying that makes us strangers! Who are we to each other? We are all people of the navy, and we should pull together in the same boat."

Sun Yongguo did not bicker with him. After giving the final instructions, he began contacting Xu Dongguo to apply for funding.

Northern Fleet Command.

The events that transpired at the Eastern Fleet that morning had deeply moved Xu Dongguo.

In particular, the fellow townsman from Henan who had traveled personally to the scene to deliver money filled him with a bitter ache while simultaneously swelling his chest with pride.

What pained him was the current plight of the navy; the enemy was growing increasingly formidable, and although the navy had taken its first step, he had no inkling of how the subsequent path should be walked, nor what heights the navy might achieve in the future.

What filled him with pride was that even under such circumstances, people still stood firmly on the side of the navy, believing in them—even willing to donate money to help them build their own modern warships.

Thank goodness the threshold of modern technology had been successfully crossed, otherwise Xu Dongguo's heart would have ached even more bitterly.

Ordinary people did not understand the gap between modern and non-modern; they simply and naively believed that if the funds fell short, they would donate money to make up the difference.

In the dead of night, people were prone to deep contemplation, and at this moment, Xu Dongguo was pondering precisely which direction the future of the navy would head.

Just then, Sun Yongguo's call came through.

"Chief, the personnel have been finalized, and we will depart for the Northern Fleet tomorrow morning."

"I am aware of it."

"There is one more matter, Chief. Starting tomorrow morning, the Type 052 upgrade officially commences!"

"I give you my full support."

Having already agreed previously, Xu Dongguo felt much more unburdened now.

Since their fellow townsmen were showing such strong support, they would simply roll up their sleeves and get to work.

"I have already filled out the military funding application form, totaling a little over fifty million."

Xu Dongguo's brow twitched sharply.

Upgrading the Type 052 would cost over fifty million?

How much had it cost back then to conquer the Type 956E?

Only a little over thirty-five million.

It had suddenly surged by nearly twenty million!

Could it be that the upgraded Type 052 would turn out even more formidable than the Type 956E?

Seeing that Xu Dongguo remained silent, Sun Yongguo roughly guessed the other man's thoughts and spoke up.

"Chief, I am not entirely clear on the specifics either; Dingping did not elaborate. However, given that the Type 052 started from a lower baseline, higher costs are somewhat reasonable."

"Say no more." Xu Dongguo directly made the executive decision: "Go straight through the process, and I will approve it for you at the very first moment!"

"Understood, Chief!"

After hanging up the receiver, Xu Dongguo several times wanted to go find Su Dingping and demand a clear explanation, but ultimately managed to restrain himself.

It wasn't that he begrudged the money, but rather that if the Type 052 truly required over fifty million for an upgrade—compared to the R&D costs of the Type 956E... could the upgraded Type 052 possibly surpass the Type 956E?

Although he knew Su Dingping's capabilities, upon second thought, he felt it was impossible.

The funds spent on the initial upgrade of the Type 051B had been substantial, yet what was the result? It had still ended in failure.

"How can the combat level of a warship upgrade be measured by the amount spent? I was simply being too impatient."

With a light chuckle, Xu Dongguo put the matter out of his mind.

Su Dingping, who was on everyone's mind day and night, was currently busy within the Military Industry Illustrated Handbook forging space.

He had already largely completed the design blueprints, leaving only a few details that required fine-tuning.

Many of the core technologies of the Type 052D could not be utilized temporarily, so Su Dingping could only deduce core components suitable for the present era by drawing upon the partially deciphered technologies combined with his own understanding.

With the foundation of the Type 956E's core technologies already in place, coupled with the Type 052D serving as a benchmark, deriving simplified technologies was not overly difficult.

Naturally, the technologies he deduced would certainly differ from the Type 052B of his past life.

Regardless, in terms of combat capability, it would undoubtedly surpass the Type 052B of his past life by a significant margin. After all, one had a point of reference while the other had no reference at all and relied entirely on groping in the dark.

Looking at the design blueprints, Su Dingping let out a slightly regretful sigh.

"What a pity. If I could have accelerated the deciphering progress of the Type 052D's core technologies just a bit more, I could have moved directly to the Type 052C right now! That was truly the first genuine Aegis-class warship of my Huaxia!"

"Leaving aside other core technologies, just the standard active phased array radar alone leaves the Kongō-class guided-missile destroyers far behind."

Regrettable though it was, there was no alternative.

He had to lead Sun Yongguo and the other military industry experts onto the path of modernization before he could rest assured continuing to tackle subsequent technologies.

Otherwise, if he charged forward blindly while the people behind could not keep up at all, when even more advanced technologies were brought out later, Sun Yongguo and the others would inevitably stare at each other in blank bewilderment, ultimately disrupting the greater picture.

"Although the early stages were a bit slow, now that the foundations of the Dean and the others are sufficiently solid, the road ahead will be much easier for me."

Su Dingping consoled himself.

Throwing aside distracting thoughts, Su Dingping began perfecting the details.

Early the next morning, Li Mingrui, accompanied by fifteen military industry experts carrying large and small bags, was fully prepared.

A total of eighteen professors had come from Research Institute 335. Aside from Sun Yongguo and Zhang Gongnong, everyone else was heading to the Eastern Fleet. Li Mingrui, serving as the deputy director, was responsible for leading the team.

As for the two individuals brought by Lü Guangjun, because their time was short and their understanding of the Type 052D's core technologies was not deep enough, they were left behind.

Sun Yongguo and four others were waiting for Su Dingping's arrival.

"Why hasn't Dingping arrived yet?"

"In the past, Dingping has always been very punctual, waking up even earlier than us. Why is he late today?"

Sun Yongguo and Lü Guangjun exchanged glances, utterly perplexed.

Lü Guangjun proposed, "Should we have them depart first? Lest Chief Xiao is kept waiting too long."

"Dingping is, after all, the chief director of the Type 956E R&D project; he needs to be present at a moment like this. Besides, it's not like we're short of this little bit of time anyway."

With that, Sun Yongguo looked back.

Entering his field of vision, Su Dingping's figure was striding rapidly toward them.

"Sorry to have kept you all waiting for so long."

"We only just arrived ourselves," Lü Guangjun said with a smile.

After exchanging greetings with the group, Su Dingping looked at Li Mingrui.

He still remembered the scene of their first encounter in Zhang Gongnong's laboratory at Harbin Institute of Technology. In the span of a mere two months, the moment of parting had arrived.

"Everyone, this trip to the Eastern Fleet is the moment to test the fruits of your studies during this period!"

"You can rest assured, Dingping. I know my people well; we certainly won't embarrass you, nor will we bring shame upon Research Institute 335!"

Li Mingrui took the initiative to clasp Su Dingping's hand and spoke.

"Dingping, thank you for sharing your knowledge without reservation during this time. This kindness, I, Li Mingrui, will keep engraved in my heart for a lifetime. I had felt too shy to say it before, but now that the atmosphere is right, I must speak my mind."

"Professor Li, what are you saying? We have been verifying each other and progressing together; saying thank you makes us seem too distant."

Su Dingping quickly added, "Besides, you are merely making a trip to the Eastern Fleet; it won't be long before you return in triumph."

"Good! It's a deal!" Li Mingrui looked at Sun Yongguo and the others, saying with a smile, "Everyone, wait for our triumphant return! When we get back, you all must help us make up for the missed progress with some intensive tutoring!"

"Hahaha, easily done!"

"It's a deal!"

Following these words, the expressions of Li Mingrui and his group relaxed considerably.

In truth, regarding the prospect of independently heading to the Eastern Fleet to optimize the Type 956E, they still harbored a certain amount of trepidation inwardly.

Previously, with Su Dingping present, any errors could be rectified in a timely manner. Of course, no major issues had arisen later, but Su Dingping's presence acted like an anchor for their hearts.

Now, going to the Eastern Fleet without Su Dingping as their ballast, if a mishap occurred and they had to call back for help, not only would they lose face personally, but they would also drag down the reputation of Research Institute 335, making it awkward for them to ever return here.

Seemingly perceiving their misgivings, Su Dingping said with a solemn expression, "I believe in all of you!"

"It'll be fine, Dingping. Everyone, rest assured."

Li Mingrui led the group in waving goodbye to Sun Yongguo and the others before stepping briskly onto the specialized aircraft.

Watching the specialized aircraft take off rapidly, Sun Yongguo muttered, "I hope everything goes smoothly."

"Dean, I have faith in them."

Shifting the conversation, Su Dingping continued.

"This upgrade is different from optimizing the Type 956E; the time is tighter and the task is heavier, so the process must change. I do not have that much time to explain everything in detail, so at that time, everyone will work alongside me and dive straight into the hands-on work!"

Dive straight into hands-on work?

Sun Yongguo and the others wore solemn expressions.

Clearly, the difficulty this time was greater than before.

"Everyone need not feel pressured; just treat it as a practical training class."

Saying this, Su Dingping distributed the process charts and upgrade concepts he had prepared long in advance.

As the group flipped through them, their expressions changed immediately.

Just by reading the upgrade concepts, they could perceive that this upgrade was extraordinary.

In an instant, everyone turned serious.

Compared to Li Mingrui's group, their task here was even heavier.

Su Dingping led Sun Yongguo and the others down to the pier.

On the open ground not far from the Type 052, various large-scale equipment, instruments, and materials were piled high.

Aside from the temporary classroom that remained, the entire site was almost completely occupied.

"Comrade Su Dingping, it is a great honor to participate in the Type 052 upgrade project! Our unit has a total of 296 personnel, all in position! Awaiting your orders!"

Sun Yongguo reminded him from the side, "Dingping, you are the chief director of the Type 052 upgrade project."

Su Dingping looked at him, only to see the older man nod approvingly.

Lü Guangjun also chimed in, "Dingping, confidence and morale are crucial!"

Looking into the firm and blazing eyes of the naval officers and soldiers, Su Dingping took a deep breath and stepped before them.

"Seeing the Type 956E leave and the Type 052 brought back, I know you all must feel deeply disgruntled inside."

"Just last month, right here on this spot, I made a promise to all of you: we will tread upon the corpse of the Type 956E to forge our own far more advanced, modern warships belonging to our navy!"

Pointing a finger at the Type 052 standing behind them, Su Dingping declared.

"Then now I tell you, upgrading the Type 052 is the fulfillment of my promise! I have every confidence that the upgraded Type 052 will be even stronger than the Type 956E!"

"Upgrading the Type 052 is merely the beginning. Right here and now, we shall sound the horn for our counterattack against the West. We want to let them know clearly and unmistakably that no matter how they encircle, pursue, block, and embargo us, our navy can still stand tall with its back straight!"

Su Dingping's voice suddenly rose sharply.

"Everyone, are you ready!"

The 296 naval officers and soldiers shouted in unison.

"Always ready!"

Even with the experience of the previous time, Lü Guangjun's emotions still surged violently.

He turned to Sun Yongguo and said, "The upgraded Type 052 will be stronger than the Type 956E? Did I hear that correctly?"

"And what stage is this compared to the rest?" Sun Yongguo lowered his voice. "Just last night, Dingping was even talking about scattering the ashes of the Eighty-Eighth Fleet next year."

Hearing these words, Lü Guangjun's pupils shrank sharply, and his breathing froze for a fleeting moment.

Insane—too damn insane!

(End of chapter)