Although this T3 Flame Dragon-class Medium Interstellar Destroyer may not be as eye-catching as its counterparts—the T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruiser and the T3 Phantom Sting-class Light Interstellar Stealth Bomber—and appears rather "average," this mediocrity is precisely its defining characteristic. It is well-rounded, excelling in speed, combat capability, and starship armor.
At the very least, among the interstellar destroyers of the Galactic Alliance, it dares to claim second place, with no one daring to claim first.
Most importantly, its construction cost is only five million Star Coins!
This is undoubtedly about 30% cheaper than other T3 interstellar destroyers on the market!
With this starship, Zhao Chen is absolutely confident he can convince Governor Chu!
Of course, while editing the starship technology, Zhao Chen embedded a very well-hidden backdoor in the starship system software.
Upon receiving a specific signal, any starship built using Zhao Chen's technology would immediately become paralyzed or even self-destruct!
When cooperating with anyone, it's always wise to keep a backup plan.
There are no eternal enemies, nor eternal friends.
As a top-tier starship engineer, Zhao Chen is fully confident that the secrecy of this backdoor is such that no one in the entire Galactic Alliance could uncover it within fifty years!
As for what happens after fifty years, Zhao Chen couldn't care less about such distant matters.
"Old Man Chu, if you're truly willing to cooperate with me, we can each get what we need. If I manage to acquire a highly cost-effective T4 interstellar destroyer, I might even help you win this Millennium War against the Mechanical Race.
But... if you think of me as an easy target... then no one will come out unscathed." Zhao Chen's expression turned cold.
...
Chu River Star Sector · Governor's Office
Governor Chu slowly walked out of his office and into the garden-like courtyard outside. Following closely behind him was a slightly shorter old man, a few years younger than him.
"Master, do you really believe that young man has the ability to develop a T4 interstellar warship?" the short old man asked.
Throughout the entire conversation, aside from Zhao Chen and Governor Chu, this short old man had also been privy to the proceedings.
This was because, aside from his granddaughter, this short old man was the person Chu Changhe trusted most—a comrade-in-arms to whom he could entrust his life.
"Old Ding, you know this. In my lifetime, I have only two wishes. One is to see Xuan'er grow up happily, marry, and have children.
The other is to crush the Mechanical Race, ending this war that our Chu Family has fought for nearly a millennium, avenging my son, daughter-in-law, and all the Chu family members who died on the battlefield.
I want to shatter their Mechanical Royal City and blast those damned steel lumps to pieces with my flagship!
That kid is right. With just the two T4 interstellar warships we have, we can defend ourselves adequately, but we lack the strength to counterattack.
Because those two T4 interstellar warships cannot be mass-produced!
Over all these years, I've established several starship research laboratories in the Chu River Star Sector, pouring in countless research funds.
What for?
For nothing else but to develop a T4 interstellar warship that can be mass-produced, so I can lead our fleet in a counterattack against the Mechanical Race!"
Governor Chu raised his head, gazing at the starry sky. "Old Ding, I don't have much time left.
I'm willing to take a gamble with this kid. If we win, I can close my eyes in peace!"
"Then we can just kidnap him, threaten him in every way possible. If force doesn't work, we'll use softer tactics—a seduction scheme!
They say even heroes can't resist a beauty trap!
I'll find women from every interstellar civilization for him—two legs, four legs, eight legs, even two heads! I refuse to believe we can't handle him!" Old Ding said fiercely.
"I had similar thoughts earlier, but we can't do that now.
Because of how that kid performed in the recent Two Academies Student Rescue Mission using that T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruiser, the entire Stellar Glory Empire has its eyes on him.
If we directly abduct him, even though our Chu Family is powerful and influential, can we really oppose the entire Empire?
At the same time, he also threatened in his earlier words that if we dare to detain him, he'll dare to turn against us.
Daring to say that to me—this kid's temper actually suits my taste."
Governor Chu raised his hand and called up all the information about this incident, along with the holographic image of that T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruiser.
"Old Ding, you've seen these materials about him. How do you assess this young man?"
Old Ding pondered for a moment, then pointed to a section in the materials: "In this rescue operation, he single-handedly saved the students and teachers from both academies, and each one of them is a top student from their respective institutions.
Following normal logic, wouldn't this be the perfect opportunity to build connections with these people?
After all, this is a life-saving favor!
But what about this kid? He actually sold meals on the starship, and even divided them into prices like triple, tenfold, thirtyfold, even a hundredfold.
Didn't he unintentionally offend a large number of people, all for just tens of thousands of Star Coins?
That seems a bit too foolish.
But considering his previous performance at the North Star Starship Military Academy, he really is someone who acts directly and recklessly.
It actually fits the eccentric personalities of those starship engineers quite well.
Based on these factors, he doesn't pose much of a threat to us. At the same time, this series of events has also caused him to make enemies with multiple factions, including the Tianyao Noble Starship Military Academy.
This kid has narrowed his own path."
Governor Chu laughed heartily and said, "I actually think this whole series of events might just be a show put on by this kid!"
Old Ding was stunned, then carefully considered Governor Chu's words. Frowning, he shook his head repeatedly: "Impossible! Impossible! How could this kid possibly have that kind of cunning and scheming?"
"Enough, enough. Chu Xuan actually gets along quite well with this kid. Since he has such abilities, let's wait and see his so-called 'skills' before making a decision.
I hope this kid doesn't disappoint me." Governor Chu and Old Ding then began chatting and discussing matters in the courtyard.
Several hours later, a set of encrypted data was sent to his mailbox.
Governor Chu and Old Ding exchanged glances. Without avoiding Old Ding, Governor Chu directly opened the technical blueprint in front of him.
"It's actually the complete technical blueprint, with nothing held back." Governor Chu glanced over it, somewhat surprised.
Then, as the two studied it carefully, their expressions gradually turned serious.
Governor Chu said solemnly, "Old Ding, immediately contact all the starship engineers and starship scientists from the Chu River First Starship Research Institute, the Second Starship Research Institute, and the Fourth Starship Research Institute!
I want them to provide me with a discussion report on this starship technology in the shortest possible time!"
"Yes, sir!" Old Ding understood the importance of this matter and couldn't help but mutter the name of that starship.
T3 Flame Dragon...
Could that kid really have the ability to develop a T4 interstellar warship?
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