Chapter 1296 The Navy Sets Sail!

Before the words had even finished, Chen Haitao was completely stunned, his mouth unconsciously agape, as if he were nailed to the sofa.

Brand new? 054B? 056A? And complete base facilities?

This...this is like a myth! No, even myths wouldn't dare write it like this! It's like the entire wealth of a fully-fledged navy has been dumped on him, a "commander without troops," out of thin air!

Gu Chengyuan looked at his seemingly detached expression and said in a deep voice:

"But, Haitao, this 'gift' isn't given away for free. There's a crucial prerequisite—"

Chen Haitao snapped back to reality, almost instinctively straightening his body again, and hissed, "Commander! Just say the word! No matter the conditions, no matter the mission, the Navy guarantees to complete it! Even if it costs me my life..."

Gu Chengyuan raised his hand to stop him from expressing his determination, his eyes deep:

"The prerequisite is site selection."

“This base is ‘site-selected and deployed.’ It requires a real, qualified natural deep-water port to be activated. If the wrong location is chosen, or if the port conditions do not meet the standards, all of this will be just castles in the air.”

He stared intently at Chen Haitao:

"So, what I want to ask you now is—based on your understanding of the entire Zhoubang coastline, where do you think is the most suitable? Where is the most suitable place to become the cornerstone of our medium- to long-term navy?"

"As you know, given the current situation, the navy will play a supporting role for a long time to come. Therefore, this location must be one that the navy can actually help with, rather than becoming a mascot that can only be looked at but not used!"

The problem fell like a heavy hammer.

The boundless elation was instantly transformed into a weighty strategic decision concerning the fate of the nation.

The flame in Chen Haitao's eyes transformed from simple excitement into an incomparably serious and focused sense of mission.

He knew that the historic moment had arrived, right now, in this late-night office.

...

That night, the lights in the commander's office stayed on until dawn, and time flew by amidst heated discussions, meticulous calculations, and occasional long silences.

Gu Chengyuan and Chen Haitao discussed the possible changes in ocean currents and the distribution of potential threats after the end of the world, starting from the bays, hydrological and geological conditions of Zhoubang's coastline.

From the full-load draft of the Type 054B corvette and the requirements for dock berths, we can discuss the base's concealment, expansion space, and the possibility of future aircraft carrier access.

From the initial logistics supply routes during the base's construction to its strategic radiation capabilities for the eastern coastal areas and even potential cross-sea communication after its completion.

The ashtray was overflowing with cigarette butts, and the finest tea leaves were repeatedly steeped until they became weak and tasteless.

Maps marked with different security classifications—from large-scale outlines of the national coastline to extremely detailed underwater topographical maps of certain harbors—were hastily delivered by security personnel and spread across the coffee table, sofa, and even some of the carpet.

Their eyes were bloodshot from prolonged concentration, and their voices were hoarse, but their spirits were like taut bowstrings, growing more and more excited.

The focus of site selection gradually shifted from the long coastline to several candidate locations with key advantages.

Every choice comes with both great opportunities and potential risks, and requires careful consideration.

As the horizon outside the window changed from deep black to dark blue, and then the first rays of pale gray dawn appeared, a preliminary site selection and construction plan outline, which embodied the hard work of the whole night and sketched out the prototype of the future navy, finally took shape.

Although the details still require numerous professionals to conduct surveys and verifications, the general direction has been clarified.

With his last bit of strength, Gu Chengyuan signed his name and marked "Top Secret & Urgent" on the first page of the outline and handed the document to Chen Haitao.

"Haitao, the direction is set. The rest is to 'anchor' it from paper to the real bay. Time waits for no one."

Gu Chengyuan's voice was hoarse but exceptionally clear:

"You shall set off immediately and conduct preliminary on-site surveys and initial contacts in accordance with the priority order we have agreed upon. I authorize you to handle all related matters. If you encounter any obstacles or emergencies, report directly to me."

"Yes, sir!" Chen Haitao stood up abruptly. Although his steps were unsteady for a moment due to sitting for a long time and being under great tension, he immediately steadied himself.

He took the document, which felt both light and incredibly heavy, and held it tightly to his chest, as if he were holding the future of the entire navy.

His face was etched with extreme exhaustion, but his eyes shone terrifyingly bright in the darkest light before dawn, burning with an almost fanatical sense of mission and impatience.

He did not salute because he was holding the documents in his hands.

He gave Gu Chengyuan a deep look, nodded emphatically, then turned around and left the office quickly with somewhat unsteady but unusually firm steps.

He didn't go back to his dormitory, or even wash up. As he left the government building, the chilly early morning air invigorated him. His car was already waiting downstairs, having received orders.

"To Longbao Air Force Base, at top speed!" Chen Haitao opened the car door and roared at the driver, his voice trembling slightly with excitement.

The car sped along the still quiet streets of the Creek District, heading towards the Longburg Air Force Base on the outskirts of the city.

Throughout the journey, Chen Haitao clutched the file folder tightly, his eyes fixed on the still-sleeping scenery rushing past the window, while his mind was already in turmoil.

Deep-water wharves, radar antennas, the outlines of ships, the rising sun over the future sea... countless images intertwine and churn.

When we arrived at Dragonburg Base, the eastern sky was just beginning to lighten.

The base commander had apparently received an urgent notification; a transport plane, which was on standby, had been warmed up and all crew members were in position.

Chen Haitao practically jogged up the gangway. The aircraft door closed, and the roar of the engines rapidly increased.

"Sir, the flight route has been approved, destination is Nanjing, and we can take off at any time," the captain reported to him.

"Take off! Immediately!" Chen Haitao didn't waste any words.

Soon, the transport plane accelerated and lifted off the runway, defying gravity and soaring into the brightening sky.

Sitting in the cabin, Chen Haitao looked out the porthole at the increasingly smaller city skyline and winding river below.

Exhaustion surged up again like a tide, but he forced himself to stay awake, opened the outline again, and, by the light of the reading lamp, chewed over each word, simultaneously sketching in his mind the image of the coastline he was about to set foot on.