Good news, there is no need for extra Research and Development costs.
Bad news, twenty thousand Silver Coins is a terrifyingly large amount.
22,500 Silver Coins is equivalent to one million, and this is one million in 1996.
If calculated by grain purchasing power, one million now is harder to earn than ten million twenty years later.
Of course, if materials are self-provided, it is much cheaper, only costing a little over three hundred thousand.
This number looks more hopeful, and besides, there seems to be a small BUG with Scrap Steel recycling:
It doesn't require officially purchasing it; as long as steel can be obtained, it works.
Although over nine hundred tons of Scrap Steel is not a small figure, it is much better than buying it. Moreover, Steel Material is not something as cheap as cabbage in later generations; it is difficult for an Ordinary Person to buy such a large quantity.
Building the "Hashidate" within a hundred days is slightly difficult, but the bigger problem is who to sell this thing to.
Who would buy an obsolete Warship from the World War II Era in the 90s?
It is truly a headache.
With the Mission of sustaining an entire Shipyard pressing down, Tang Wen didn't have the mind to continue browsing anymore. He walked toward the Office, planning to prepare thoroughly for future Plans.
……
Early the next morning, Tang Wen, who had been dozing off in a Chair after staying up half the night, was awakened by a Knocking Sound.
"Come in."
A thin, small old man pushed the door open. Text was also floating above his forehead:
【Tang Yi: Director of the R&D Center/Ship Engineer （Junior ）】
"Greetings, Commander. I am the highest responsible person for Research and Development and Manufacturing at the Gaijin Shipyard. I will assist you with the Research and Development of New Equipment and solving manufacturing Problems.
The R&D Center currently has a total of Four people, possessing Research and Development Ability for naval matters and most mechanical Equipment prior to the 1940s. You can initiate Research and Development at any time by consuming Resources."
The little old man spoke at length, then snapped his heels together with a "Pa" sound, saluting Tang Wen before finishing.
"Wait, what did you call me? Commander?"
Tang Wen found this title somewhat strange, wondering if it was like playing a Ship Girl Game.
"Of course, you possess Command authority over the Shipyard and the Warships manufactured by it.
Your Mission is to build increasingly powerful Warships, then use them to defeat all Challengers, and finally dominate the entire ocean!"
The little old man's tone was impassioned, making Tang Wen more confused the more he listened.
This is different from what the System said!
Tang Wen: "I can Command Warships?"
Tang Yi: "Yes, you can Handle any Warship from the Shipyard. Of course, I highly recommend you recruit suitable Captains, as this will greatly improve Combat efficiency."
Tang Wen: "But controlling a Warship requires many people, at least several hundred Sailors. This is too difficult."
"You can directly Handle the Warship, but equipping suitable Captains will make it more convenient.
When the number of Captains is sufficient, you can even Command an entire Fleet."
Tang Yi was concise, speaking the most shocking words in the most plain tone.
Tang Wen immediately jumped up from his Chair and asked in disbelief:
"You mean I don't need anyone else, I alone can Handle a Warship, making it Navigate, perform maneuvers, and engage in Combat by firing its guns?!"
"Yes, this is the Ability of every Commander; only you can achieve this."
Tang Wen's mouth was slightly open, and he suddenly looked at Tang Yi as if he had thought of something.
The latter raised an eyebrow, then continued speaking:
"When you Command a Warship, you must be stationed on the Bridge, so I do not recommend you undertake any Dangerous actions."
Tang Wen was immediately a little disappointed, but quickly became excited.
If one person could Handle a Warship, it would be wonderful. Wasn't this just like playing a Game?
The dozen or so departments and thousands of Sailors originally on board were all unnecessary; being able to Command a Warship by himself meant so many possibilities!
"Tang Yi, can the 'Duty-Free No. 1' I built earlier also be Handled?"
"I apologize, Commander. 'Duty-Free No. 1' is just a Hull and does not count as a Ship. In reality, you have never built a single complete Vessel."
Tang Yi's expression became somewhat resentful. It had been half a month since the System descended, yet Tang Wen hadn't built a single Ship, only thinking about making Big money by reselling Diesel Engines—it was a complete waste of potential.
Meeting his gaze, Tang Wen awkwardly touched the back of his head, thinking that he really hadn't done anything substantial.
However, the moment he thought about the less than two hundred Silver Coins remaining in his pocket, he had to return to Reality.
"Tang Yi, does a Level 1 Shipyard still only allow the construction of items related to Warships?"
Tang Yi Nodded.
"Then do various Engines count? Actually, many land-based Engines can also be installed on ships."
Tang Yi thought for a moment, then nodded:
"Yes. Limited by our knowledge base and processing Level, the Engines we can build are restricted to 1940s Technology. But we can indeed provide a series of Power components such as Steam Turbines, Reciprocating Steam Engines, Coal-fired Boilers, Fuel-fired Boilers, Internal Combustion Engines, and Electric Motors."
Tang Wen: "So Sonar counts too?"
"Of course. This is a basic piece of Equipment for a Warship. 1940s Anti-submarine Sonar is already quite advanced. We can manufacture quite good Sonar, both towed and hull-mounted."
"Can it be used to detect schools of fish?"
"This... of course, it can, but..."
Tang Wen's change of topic almost caused Tang Yi's brain to crash, but he still Nodded hesitantly.
Detecting schools of fish is certainly not a Problem; it's a piece of cake.
Seeing his affirmation, Tang Wen was overjoyed. Sonar was a good thing, and military-grade Sonar certainly wouldn't be bad. If he sold it to Fishermen, he would definitely make Big money.
He continued to ask:
"What about the Radio? There must be high-Power Radios, right?"
"We have very good Vacuum Tube Radios. Could it be..."
"That's great!"
Tang Wen was already clapping his hands excitedly. Radios were also good things. Many Fishermen couldn't afford Radios now; if he could guarantee sea communication, they would definitely be willing to pay for them.
He seemed to have discovered a new continent, continuously asking Tang Yi all sorts of strange questions:
"There must be Searchlights too, right? How can a Warship not have those?"
"Yes, high-Power Searchlights are also easy."
"What about ordinary Incandescent Lamps? The 1940s bulb Technology should also be quite good. Can we produce low-wattage household light bulbs too?"
"Yes, but..."
"Telescopes are also good things. Do we have those?"
"Can small shipboard Electric Motors also be used for agricultural machinery?"
"..."
Faced with Tang Wen's wild imagination, Tang Yi, realizing something was wrong, could only Nod reluctantly, but Tang Wen became more and more Outrageous as he got excited.
"Cooking must be possible on board, so are there Kitchen facilities? Do we have Ice Cream Makers?"
"This..."
"Ship cabins must use Telephones for contact, so can we also build Telephones?"
"Commander..."
"There must be Washing Machines on board! Those are good things too; Home Appliances are selling well now!"
"But..."
"And on the ship..."
"Commander!"
This time, Tang Yi finally couldn't bear it and raised his voice to interrupt Tang Wen:
"I must first inform you that any item at the Level 1 Shipyard requires Research experience to be developed. Experience can only be One-way exchanged for Silver Coins and cannot be exchanged back.
You do not have any Research experience right now."
Tang Wen was shocked: "But I could still use Silver Coins to develop things at Level 0!"
"That was only because the Shipyard Level was too low, a necessary measure born of desperation.
You need to build different types of Vessels to obtain Research experience, or gain it by engaging the Warships you build in Combat."
Tang Yi then explained the formal Shipyard exchange rules after the Upgrade: besides Silver Coins which can be exchanged bidirectionally with RMB, Gold Coins and Research experience can only be One-way exchanged for Silver Coins and cannot be exchanged back; they can only be obtained through the System.
Coal and Petroleum Resources can only be purchased but cannot be converted into other Supplies, nor can they be materialized into Reality.
Developing New products requires Research experience, but Research experience can only be gained by developing new Ships or through Combat.
Without Research experience, you cannot develop New products, and without developing New products, you cannot gain Research experience.
But when you only have 0 experience, isn't this a dead loop?!
The only way to break out of this loop is through Combat. Does he have to fight a satisfying Naval Warfare with someone?
Besides, the only things that can be built right now are the Hull of the 'Duty-Free No. 1' and a 50 Horsepower Diesel Engine.
The Gasoline Engine, which originally required 1000 Silver Coins to develop, has now changed to require 500 experience, which cannot be obtained in a short time.
Tang Wen's face immediately darkened. He fiercely grabbed the collar of Tang Yi's Shirt:
"The Shipyard hasn't developed a single Ship yet, so we can neither develop new Ships nor engage in Combat. Doesn't that mean it's over?"
The unprepared little old man was almost pulled off the ground. He quickly slapped Tang Wen's hand away and said:
"How can there be no Ships? Installing a few 50 Horsepower Tractors on the 'Duty-Free No. 1' would be quite good; any Ship can engage in Combat."
"How to engage in Combat? Boarding actions?"
Tang Wen imagined himself jumping from a Speedboat onto another Fishing Boat and engaging in close-quarters combat with the other party.
"No, Ramming."
Tang Yi explained seriously:
"It is one of the most primitive Tactics in Naval Warfare. Any Ship can use it as a weapon. For a Ship below Level 1 like this, you need to Ram and Sink a Ship of a similar Size to be counted as Sinking a Warship."
Tang Wen understood and snapped back to his senses, realizing suddenly:
"Isn't this just grinding experience in a low-level room? Are there any conditions for the Sunk Ships?"
Tang Yi: "Combat is imminent. As long as that Ship does not belong to your control or ownership, sinking it using a Warship in any state will count towards your Kill Count."
"..."
Tang Wen stroked his chin and fell into thought.
……
Three Days later.
Wu Lao Er sat in the bed of the four-wheeled vehicle, closing his eyes and yawning continuously.
"Old Chen, how much longer until we arrive?"
"Soon, soon, stop rushing."
Chen Yonggui, who was driving the Tractor, was also yawning constantly, not much better than Wu Lao Er.
However, Wu Lao Er was running around the city looking for sales channels, while he was secretly going out to sea.
Strictly speaking, May to August is a fishing ban period, but going out to sea is something usually done by leaving at midnight and returning at dawn, making it difficult for the Oceanic Administration Bureau to manage.
Chen Yonggui also knew that the fishing ban was to give small fish time to grow to protect fish populations. At the same time, to evade supervision, he always tried to go as far as possible each time.
After several trips, he was quite exhausted and spent most of the day catching up on sleep.
If he hadn't been going to the town to deliver Grouper to his son, he wouldn't have run into Wu Lao Er hitching a ride.
Sitting in the truck bed, Wu Lao Er boasted proudly about his gains:
"I've run through the last few towns. There are very few 25 Horsepower Engines! And they basically aren't sold separately; they always come attached to Tractors.
As soon as I mentioned having a source for 25 Horsepower units, several Agricultural Machinery Stores wanted over ten units each.
However, Outboard Motors don't sell very well. Those boat owners feel that unfamiliar brands are unreliable.
But they are willing to pay; even if I say ten thousand per unit, they don't blink. I should make a few profitable sales."
"Ten thousand? Actually, that's not too expensive."
Chen Yonggui said with emotion:
"You bought the Motors from Xiao Tang for only seven thousand, and you turn around and sell them for ten thousand. In the time it takes to pass them on, you make several thousand. You're taking all the easy money!"
"That's not how it works. I run around everywhere, treating people to meals, tea, and smoke—I've built up so much goodwill!"
"Give it a rest, that only costs a few hundred!"
"You... forget it. I heard Xiao Tang is going to open a Shipyard? Will he still continue the Diesel Engine business then?"
"Who knows."
Chen Yonggui shook his head:
"Opening a factory isn't easy; one Investment is several Ships. I'd rather he make money the right way.
A Shipyard takes several months to build. Wait... what is that?"
The sighing sound stopped abruptly. The Village Chief slammed on the Brake, and Wu Lao Er almost fell out of the truck bed.
"Old Chen, what the hell kind of driver are you? I..."
Wu Lao Er cursed as he stood up, then saw Chen Yonggui jump out of the four-wheeled vehicle and walk toward the Cove a few dozen meters away.
Seeing this, he quickly followed and found some broken pieces of wood floating on the water.
"Whose boat broke? But there are no waves recently. Did they dismantle it themselves?"
"Who dismantles a boat to look like this?"
Chen Yonggui shook his head while walking down. After looking closely, he frowned.
The fragments looked as if they had been smashed. Who would do such a thing? As the Village Chief, he should know what was going on.
"Let's go upstream and check; it must have floated over from up there."
After Wu Lao Er climbed back onto the vehicle, the four-wheeled vehicle immediately set off along the Cove. Soon, they heard the sound of a Diesel Engine.
As they got a little closer, both men saw an incredible sight:
In a Cove the size of a pond, a young man driving a steel Speedboat equipped with four Outboard Motors suddenly shot out from a Corner and then *Duang*—crashed into a dilapidated Fishing Boat tied to the Opposite shore.
The wooden Hull of the latter immediately cracked open with a large hole and began sinking rapidly as water rushed in.
The young man controlling the Speedboat let out a strange cry, then turned around, aiming the direction toward another spot.
There were four or five Small fishing boats tied up in the Cove. They were all old, discarded junk belonging to the Villagers, the kind that could no longer Go to sea, usually just piled up as scrap.
Quite a few Villagers who had come to Watch the Fun were nearby. They greeted the Village Chief when they saw him.
Chen Yonggui quickly asked what was happening, and a Villager replied:
"That Tang boy said today he was testing some Hull sturdiness, so he insisted on buying our old junk boats to Ram. He gave 50 Yuan for each one!
But I watched him treat it like a Game; he spent several hundred Yuan in just one day.
He also said he would take any junk boats we didn't want, collecting them all for 50 Yuan each. Village Chief, I remember you have one too; hurry up and bring it over!"
Chen Yonggui looked at Tang Wen playing happily and the surrounding children shouting loudly, and several question marks appeared on his forehead.