The old man and the young man toured the T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruiser, chatting about many things along the way.
Half of their conversation revolved around technical questions regarding the T3 Flame Dragon-class medium interstellar destroyer.
Zhao Chen could see Governor Chu's intention—those technical questions were highly specialized. He was testing whether Zhao Chen was truly the developer of this starship technology.
But for Zhao Chen, who possessed the talent of a top-tier starship engineer, those questions were child's play.
What surprised Zhao Chen, however, was that Governor Chu didn't ask many questions about the T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruiser. Zhao Chen had originally thought he would request the starship technology for this T3 interstellar warship, but the governor only inquired about its construction cost and a few simple matters.
Just as the two were about to reach the bridge, Zhao Chen voiced his doubt.
"You mentioned this T3 Blizzard—it's indeed impressive, but you said its construction cost is 13 million Star Coins, right?
It's not suitable for my interstellar fleet. Besides, an old man like me knows that one shouldn't be too greedy. The T3 Flame Dragon-class medium interstellar destroyer is more than enough," Governor Chu explained.
Zhao Chen quickly understood the reasoning. The combat capability of the T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruiser was indeed astonishing, but its greatest strength lay in its high-intensity mobility.
However, Governor Chu He commanded large-scale battlefields, where the primary combat was frontal corps-level engagements, and the current focus was on defense.
In comparison, the T3 Flame Dragon-class medium interstellar destroyer, though less powerful than the T3 Blizzard and costing only 5 million Star Coins, was more suitable for such battlefields!
Another reason was that even the Chu Family couldn't produce T3 interstellar warships without limits.
Those required vast amounts of resources!
It was better to mass-produce the T3 Flame Dragon-class medium interstellar destroyer first and equip the fleet with it.
As for the T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruiser, Zhao Chen was already tied to the Chu Family's war chariot—was there any need to worry?
Entering the bridge, they found Chu Xuan and Lilith admiring the gifts bestowed by the princess.
"Grandfather," Chu Xuan said, walking over as she saw her grandfather appear.
"We've talked enough, and we're almost at the Stargate. Xuan'er, it's time for us to go home," Governor Chu said.
"Ah... going back already..." Chu Xuan's expression turned somewhat unhappy.
She felt that being with Zhao Chen was quite thrilling—she could experience various battles, even more so than in the Imperial Army!
"Little Zhao has given us the technical blueprint for a T3 interstellar warship. Don't you want to be the first to conduct sea trials for it?" Governor Chu's words immediately piqued Chu Xuan's curiosity.
The old man saw right through his granddaughter's thoughts.
"Let me escort you both, then," Zhao Chen said, accompanying Governor Chu to the hangar where the shuttle was docked.
On the way, Zhao Chen took the opportunity to ask a question: how had Governor Chu's interstellar fleet arrived in the Azure Star Domain without alerting Governor Bilan?
Governor Chu smiled mysteriously and said, "The Empire loves sending certain people under my command to earn military merits.
There are softies like Huang Zhixiong, but there are also some promising talents among them."
I don't mind nurturing these promising talents either. After gaining experience in my fleet, they naturally wouldn't stay stationed at the border permanently. They all returned to their respective homes, using connections and arranging their own paths.
In the Azure Star Domain, there is also a student I once mentored. His fief happens to be in a star system adjacent to the Lantian Star System. My interstellar fleet first headed to his Star System Stargate, then relied on warp navigation to reach the Lantian Star System.
Since they are all T3 interstellar warships, travel is much more convenient, taking less than a day.
I calculated the timing, and it just happened to coincide perfectly."
"But if your student's connection to you is exposed, won't Governor Bilan retaliate?" Zhao Chen asked.
Governor Chu snorted coldly: "If he had discovered it himself in the past, he would have made things difficult for them. But now that they are openly standing on my side, that Blue Fatty won't likely take any action. He has no reason to offend me over a minor lord.
Moreover, in reality, many interstellar forces are intertwined with each other. Even in my Chu River Star Sector, there are eyes planted by Blue Fatty, the royal family, and other factions."
Zhao Chen understood—this was an unspoken rule tacitly accepted by these high-level players.
"Alright, let's part ways here. I'll be waiting for the 'gift' you prepare for me." Governor Chu placed his hand on Zhao Chen's shoulder, exerting an invisible pressure.
If it were anyone else, they would likely have cowered instantly.
But Zhao Chen, having undergone three rounds of Super Soldier Serum modifications, naturally felt no fear and didn't even flinch.
"Good, good." Governor Chu laughed heartily, tapping Zhao Chen's chest with his fist, even more satisfied with this young man.
After bidding farewell, Chu Xuan followed Governor Chu aboard a shuttle to return to the Chu Family's fleet.
On the shuttle.
"Grandfather, can you please explain to me properly what this whole 'grandson-in-law' business is about?" Chu Xuan stared intently at Governor Chu's beard.
"Ahem, ahem..." Governor Chu immediately protected his beard. In this world, perhaps only Chu Xuan could make him feel this apprehensive.
Governor Chu didn't hide anything, explaining in detail the information about his cooperation with Zhao Chen, including the agreement to deliver a T4 Interstellar Warship within three years.
"He actually has the capability to develop a T4 Interstellar Warship? How is that possible!" Chu Xuan was stunned.
That man, who was even younger than her, had already ventured into the realm of T4 Interstellar Warships.
"I didn't believe it at first either. But when I handed over that T3 Flame Dragon-class medium interstellar destroyer to the three Starship Research Institutes under my command for study, what did those highly-paid starship engineers, scientists, and researchers tell me?
They said the technical mastery of this T3 Flame Dragon-class medium interstellar destroyer far surpassed their own. In fact, they claimed there were hardly any individuals in the entire Stellar Glory Empire with such capabilities.
They even asked me which master or top-tier starship research institute was behind this achievement.
I didn't mention Zhao Chen." Governor Chu looked at Chu Xuan. "Xuan'er, now you understand why I arranged this 'grandson-in-law' identity for him, don't you?
I gave him three reasons, but there's actually another one as well."
He has great potential, and I'm quite satisfied with this young man. Besides, you're not getting any younger. Your parents left early, and I owe it to them. I vowed to take good care of you.
When those princes wanted to marry you, I refused without a second thought. Those boys aren't worthy, and once you enter that circle, you can forget about leaving for the rest of your life.
I don't want you exposed to that dark world of deceit and intrigue.
In comparison, Zhao Chen, who started from nothing, is much easier to control.
Once this period of trouble passes, you can go find Zhao Chen. If the two of you are truly compatible, I can genuinely acknowledge him as my grandson-in-law!
We'll use the Chu Family's resources to nurture him! Let's turn this pretense into reality!"
"Grandfather, what are you saying!" Chu Xuan glared at her grandfather in embarrassment and anger, but she didn't threaten to pull his beard again.
It seemed she had silently accepted this arrangement.
Chu Xuan consoled herself, thinking this was just to protect Zhao Chen. After all, she owed him some favors from the past.
It's just a title—it wouldn't cost her anything.
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