Hearing the commander's words, Lilith couldn't help but sigh, "Now I understand why some people call you a shrewd businessman."

"It's a real waste of your talent that you don't become a boss."

Then, Lilith seriously analyzed Zhao Chen's opinion: "Your opinion is feasible, especially since we have just established the Xiaolong Galaxy Interstellar Group."

Introducing this system would be tantamount to offering a pledge of allegiance to the noble powers of the three great empires.

They are naturally very willing to spend money to ensure their safety, and there will certainly be some with big appetites who will try every means to cooperate with us.

There shouldn't be any major problems with funding.

With the industrial strength of the Xiaolong Group, it's definitely a cash cow; it's just a matter of time.

“What I’m concerned about is the construction timeline.” Zhao Chen squinted as he voiced his concern: “Based on the preliminary data I received earlier.”

If the construction of a T5 Starship-class interstellar industrial base were undertaken by a T4 Gemini heavy interstellar industrial ship, it would require 2000 months of work time per T4 Gemini.

Lilith nodded: "Yes, it's a matter of time."

Currently, our Xiaolong Group possesses 130 T4 Gemini-class heavy interstellar industrial ships and 5,000 T3 Furnace-class heavy interstellar industrial ships.

"So many?" Zhao Chen exclaimed in surprise.

If he remembers correctly, it was the original plan last year.

The goal is simply to increase the number of T4 Gemini ships to 100 and the number of T3 Furnace-class heavy interplanetary industrial ships to 5,000.

"This is because our project was completed quickly last year, thanks to a series of well-planned arrangements that saved a lot of time."

As for the T4 Twins and the T3 Forge, naturally, we should produce as many as possible if we have enough time.

Meanwhile, the number of T2 Iron Hammer-class heavy interstellar industrial ships of the Beiyan Group reached 100,000, and the authority over the T3 furnace was released.

President Li Wei has been working tirelessly to produce this interstellar industrial ship, and the number has now exceeded two thousand!

It is still rising at an alarming rate.

I heard what Lilith said.

In particular, Zhao Chen never expected that the Beiyan Group would actually possess two thousand T3 Furnace-class heavy interstellar industrial ships.

"So many? How did Li Wei manage that?" Zhao Chen exclaimed in surprise.

“As far as I know, after President Li Wei obtained the production rights for the T3 furnace, he postponed all of Beiyan Group’s originally less important production plans and focused all his efforts on producing the T3 furnace-class heavy interstellar industrial ships,” Lilith replied.

"Delayed delivery? Do you think those guys would agree to that? Is Li Wei using the name of our JF-17 Thunder to intimidate them?" Zhao Chen asked.

Lilith said, "Our reputation as the JF-17 is partly due to that, but it's mostly due to President Li Wei's own negotiation skills."

He didn't force the projects to be delayed; instead, he contacted all the buyers and let them choose for themselves. Ultimately, all the buyers voluntarily extended their projects, some even willing to extend for several years.

"Resources delayed?" Zhao Chen was stunned.

"President Li Wei set out several conditions, the core of which was that all delayed orders would be discounted, and the longer the delay, the greater the discount."

Upon hearing Lilith's explanation, Zhao Chen suddenly understood.

It turns out it was all for profit.

Although there was a discount, Zhao Chen didn't have much of a problem with it.

Because he was well aware of just how terrifying the profit margin was for his own Xiaolong series interstellar warships.

Let alone a 20% or 10% discount.

Even if you break a bone, there's still room for profit.

"Getting back to the main topic, based on the results of my previous discussions with Chief Engineer Nana and Chief Engineer Elise the Spider Queen."

All construction processes of the T5 Star River-class interstellar large-scale industrial base should be decentralized where possible. Some tasks with very low technical requirements can be directly handed over to the T3 Furnace-class heavy interstellar industrial ships.

The important core area is comprised of the T4 Gemini heavy interstellar industrial ship.

Additionally, depending on the needs, some interstellar industrial ships, or even T2 Iron Hammer-class heavy interstellar industrial ships, can be brought in from the Beiyan Group to help.

We've compiled some statistics, considering that we've put all our effort into starting this project.

It will still take at least five months to complete the project.

"And within these five months, our production of related interstellar warships will decrease by 90%," Lilith said.

"That won't do!"

"Five months is too long." Zhao Chen shook his head directly.

He opened the star map, which was the Devil's Path.

"We don't have much time, which is a huge problem."

I spoke with Charlotte about this and asked her to predict when the demons would launch their next attack on us.

After Charlotte's analysis, the first point is that the demon race will be very cautious in their next attack and will definitely not be as careless as they were this time, allowing us to launch a brilliant ambush.

It's highly likely that they'll send out a fleet of interstellar reconnaissance ships at intervals, while the main fleet advances gradually.

Secondly, the number of demon fleets attacking us next will definitely be much larger, at least three times that of this one!

The larger the fleet, the longer the preparation time for expeditions and the longer the voyage will be.

Therefore, according to predictions, the next wave of demon fleets will arrive in about one hundred days!

Zhao Chen looked at Lilith seriously: "Therefore, we cannot build this T5 galactic-class interstellar industrial base in more than three months."

Upon hearing Commander Zhao Chen's mention of the time limit.

Lilith did not show any signs of distress or surprise.

"Then there are only two options."

We either abandon the project to build this T5-class interstellar industrial base and focus all our efforts on war.

Either we mobilize industrial resources outside of our Xiaolong Group, such as the industrial systems within the three major empires!

We'll have them manufacture some of our mechanical modules and parts.

However, the risk of leaking technical information cannot be ruled out.

This time, it's not the previous T4 technology, but T5 technology.

Even if they only learn a tiny bit, it could lead to rapid technological advancements in some area of ​​their lives. Lilith offered two suggestions.

As for the decision-making power, it was handed over to Zhao Chen.

Zhao Chen stared at the calm sea and remained silent for a moment.

Should the construction of a T5-class interstellar industrial base be temporarily suspended?

No!

That's absolutely unacceptable.

One step slow leads to another.

In the future, he may face an invasion by the entire demon race, and he must seize the time to acquire stronger military power.

To acquire stronger military power, a T5-class interstellar industrial base is indispensable.

As for the risks of the latter plan.

Zhao Chen watched the buoy sway and said seriously, "Lilith, try to contact the family forces in the starship manufacturing industry of the three great empires."

At this moment, Zhao Chen had made his choice.