America 1881: They Call Me Legend

"I need a ship that can cross the ocean and protect my merchant ships." Chen Jianqiu said, "When necessary, it can also assist in landing missions."

Armstrong froze again.

If he can still understand the caravan escort, what the hell is the landing operation?

Didn't he say he was a businessman?Is it necessary to open up new colonies?

However, as a professional arms dealer, it is a kind of professional ethics not to ask about the privacy and usage of customers.

So he kept silent about it, but introduced his own products.

"Come with me."

He brought Chen Jianqiu and the others into a place like a showroom.

There are all kinds of exquisite warship models on display here, which seem to be series products of the shipyard.

Chen Jianqiu stepped into the door, and walked through the dazzling array of models with Armstrong.

He suddenly felt that a certain "court minister" had also walked into this room accompanied by Armstrong, and then was caught fooling him.

"Why don't you take a look at the 'Randall gunboat' exclusively designed by our shipyard?"

Armstrong stopped in front of several of the smallest ship models.

These ships all look quite pocket-sized, but they are equipped with two cannons that do not match the size of the ship.

He pointed to one of them and said:
“你看看这个，D型‘伦道尔炮艇’，排水量530顿，航速12节，1门BL 10英寸（254mm）主炮；1门BL 6英寸（152.4mm）Mk I 80磅舰炮；2门12磅炮，还有一些诺德菲尔德机关炮。”

Armstrong picked up the model, played with it in his hand, and reported the corresponding data like a few treasures.

"We have a finished product for this series. It is the 'Victoria'. It was launched in 84 and is now in Australia. It has received unanimous praise! I think this is very suitable for your requirements."

Chen Jianqiu glanced at it and shook his head: "Too small."

The model in Armstrong's hand almost fell to the ground.

He began to doubt Chen Jianqiu's purpose for this ship again.

"Mr. Chen, with all due respect, we cannot sell a cruiser with a larger tonnage to you privately. The government does not allow this. What's more, under normal circumstances, this tonnage is completely enough!"

"I mean the firepower is too small." Chen Jianqiu moved his neck.

Armstrong started pulling his hair.

"Mr. Chen, as we all know, if the guns are bigger, the boats needed will be bigger. This is inevitable."

"What I mean is, add a little more tonnage to about [-] tons. Your company doesn't need to worry about the guns. We can handle them by ourselves." Chen Jianqiu said while playing with the model of the gunboat.

"You're not going to have us redesign a ship are you?"

Armstrong looked ugly.

He thought that this buyer might not be easy to deal with, but he never thought it would be so difficult to deal with.

"Your cannons are all fixed on the ship. It is too bulky to adjust the angle of the ship if you want to fire it." Chen Jianqiu broke the cannon on the model with his hand and shook his head.

But the cannon on the model was loose.

"Ah, I'm sorry, so the cannon can move." Chen Jianqiu turned the direction of the cannon barrel back to its original position.

Armstrong's face turned liver-coloured:
"Sorry, Mr. Chen, that's because the glue didn't stick well."

Chen Jianqiu handed the model back to Armstrong:

"You don't have to worry about money, we have enough ability to pay for this ship. You just need to listen to me and ask for it."

After Armstrong heard that money was no problem, his attitude returned to his previous attitude.

He turned his head and said to the designer following him:
"Take out your notebook and write down Mr. Chen's request."

But before he finished speaking, Chen Jianqiu picked up another ship model, which made Armstrong's heart twitch again inexplicably.

"As I said just now, the tonnage needs to be more than 16 tons, and the speed is not enough. It should be at least [-] knots." Chen Jianqiu began to raise his own requirements, "The most important thing is that you must leave me enough room for modification. "

When Armstrong heard this, he was stunned again, and the designers under him also stopped their pens, and one of them directly stuffed the notebook back into his clothes.

It's been a long time to beat around the bush.

What you mean by affection is that I can prepare a boat frame for you, so why are you still looking for me?Can't you find a merchant ship to toss by yourself?
However, Chen Jianqiu seemed to see his thoughts, and smiled at him:
"The boats you build are strong, no matter what, they are more resistant to beating than merchant ships!"

Armstrong gave up thinking entirely.

But these days, it's a fortune to make a fortune in business, and it's a fortune to make a fortune.

"Any questions?" Chen Jianqiu asked, as if he was the seller.

"No more." Armstrong gritted his teeth and replied.

"Then we will pay the deposit this week. How long will it take if we start construction from now?" Chen Jianqiu asked.

"It doesn't take long, the design will take up to three months, and the construction will be completed in about half a year."

Armstrong took a deep breath and said disapprovingly.

It is almost a bare ship, and it can be modified directly with the blueprint of a heavy patrol gunboat or a light armored frigate. As for production, that is not a problem. Removing those annoying weapons is just a matter of hand.

Chen Jianqiu nodded very satisfied.

"Chen, are you sure you only need a naked boat with them?"

On the way back, Ma Keqin still didn't quite understand Chen Jianqiu's choice.

"If the ship is bare, how will we escort the gold back?"

Chen Jianqiu smiled:
"As for the specific purpose of this ship, I thought a lot on the way. I'm afraid it's not as simple as sending gold back."

"So, I plan to leave enough space for refitting to drive to Mexico before refitting, so that I won't give too much talk to others."

"The naval guns on the ship, we can go to Krupp and the others to customize and discuss. In my impression, their naval guns are also very good, not worse than those of the British guys."

"But even so, I'm afraid it will be too late next year!" Ma Keqin shook his head worriedly.

From the design of the gun, to production, and to the end, there is no one or half a year that can't be done at all.

Chen Jianqiu laughed again:

"You don't have to worry about that at all."

He looked at the map on the wall in Maxim's office, pointing to the place in the Caribbean Sea:
"What kind of waves can these pirates turn up? Even if I drive a boat to hit them, I can smash these guys to pieces."