: Difficult?

Liu Yongfu and Chen Qiming exchanged a glance, both seeing the seriousness and excitement in each other's eyes. "Yes, Commander-in-Chief! We promise, even if we don't eat or sleep, we'll master the blueprints!"

"Team Leader Zhao," Chen Feng said, looking at the power expert, "the oil-fired boiler and the new steam turbine are the core components. You could try to find a way to 'invite' some experts in this field through personal connections, even if it's just as consultants, by hiring them at high salaries. At the same time, immediately open relevant courses in our technical school and select the brightest young people to learn on the job."

Zhao Dezhu nodded vigorously: "Understood! We have some basic knowledge of boilers, but steam turbines... are indeed a big hurdle. But the blueprints are so detailed, we'll just copy them and try them out little by little!"

"Team Leader Zhou." Finally, Chen Feng looked at the weapons expert. "The 381mm main gun is the biggest challenge. The technology transferred by Austro-Hungarian Empire is at the 240mm level; we need to leapfrog that. I suggest a two-step approach: First, using existing equipment and technology, try to manufacture a single prototype gun, conduct various tests, and accumulate data. Second, simultaneously upgrade our steelmaking, forging, and boring capabilities. List what equipment is needed, procure it globally; money is not a problem."

Zhou Tieshan stroked his stubble, a stubborn glint in his eyes: "Commander-in-Chief, cannon barrels are difficult to make, but we Chinese craftsmen have no shortage of skill and patience. You've given us such excellent blueprints; if we still can't build them, I, Zhou Tieshan, will be the first to jump into the steel furnace!"

The meeting lasted from dawn until noon, and then into the evening. Every detail was meticulously reviewed and refined in heated discussions: the list of materials, the personnel list, security measures, logistical support, and the roadmap for tackling technical challenges…

When the meeting finally ended, everyone left the secret room with thick notebooks and a strong sense of mission. Chen Feng was the last to emerge, standing in the corridor of the administration building, gazing at the dreadnoughts on the distant sea that were about to be delivered to the three nations.

"Selling the present to invest in the future..." he murmured to himself, "Hopefully, this isn't the wrong path."

"Young Master," Uncle Wang appeared behind him unnoticed and said softly, "Old Liu and the others are very motivated. It's just... the pressure is too great. Two years for a 40,000-ton behemoth, even I think it's a fantasy."

"Pressure is a good thing." Chen Feng didn't turn around. "Without pressure, how can we create miracles? Uncle Wang, remember, we're not just building two ships, we're forging the soul of Lanfang. No matter how difficult this process is, we must keep going."

He turned to look at the loyal old man: "Your responsibilities are now the heaviest. Coordination, security, secrecy, and dealing with potential external surveillance. Germans, Austro-Hungarians, British... the truth will eventually come out. Such a massive project can't be kept completely secret. What we need to do is ensure that our 'cheetah' grows sharp enough teeth before the fire ignites."

Uncle Wang bowed deeply: "Young master, rest assured, even if it costs me my life, I will guard the 'Leopard's Nest' without leaving a single leak."

The following day, the "Cheetah" restricted area was officially established. Two companies, totaling three hundred soldiers, under the command of the experienced army company commander Sun Hu, erected double-layered barbed wire along the planned boundary, setting up watchtowers and checkpoints. All personnel and vehicles entering or leaving the area had to possess a special pass jointly signed by Wang Bo and Chen Feng, and were subject to strict inspection.

Inside docks No. 7 and No. 8, intensive renovations began. Given the massive dimensions of the Hood-class ships, the existing docks needed to be deepened, lengthened, and reinforced. Huge steam excavators roared, shoveling away soil and rock; concrete mixer trucks shuttled back and forth, pouring new dock walls and keel blocks.

Meanwhile, in the equally heavily guarded technical center temporarily erected next to the shipyard, another silent battle had already begun.

The huge table was covered with blueprints from "Cheetah". Liu Yongfu and Chen Qiming, along with the key members of each group, practically lay on the blueprints, examining them bit by bit with magnifying glasses, and repeatedly measuring and calculating with rulers and compasses.

"Here... the junction of the main armor belt and the mine protection compartment. This structure is ingenious, ensuring protection while controlling weight."

"The layout of the oil-fired boiler is frighteningly compact. Look at the routing of these pipes, it's like a work of art."

"The rotating mechanism of the 381mm turret... My God, the balance design, the weight reduction strategy..."

Exclamations of surprise, arguments, and the rustling of blueprints filled the entire technology center. Everyone's eyes were bloodshot, but their spirits were exceptionally high. They were like a group of explorers who had stumbled into a treasure trove, each blueprint revealing a brand new and dazzling world of technology to them.

Hans Müller and Friedrich Schneider were completely absorbed in the process. They communicated rapidly in German, sometimes nodding, sometimes arguing fiercely, and then making dense German annotations on the drawings.

"Incredible... Where did Mr. Chen get these designs?" Hans exclaimed privately to Friedrich. "This isn't just advanced, it's... decades ahead of its time! Look at the hull lines, completely optimized for high speed, and the propulsion system..."

"Hans, we signed a confidentiality agreement." Friedrich was equally shocked, but more cautious. "Besides, Mr. Chen has treated us very well. Our families have been well taken care of here, and the compensation has far exceeded our expectations. Let's do what we're supposed to do."

"Of course, of course," Hans nodded quickly. "I'm just...too shocked. If this ship were built, the entire Royal Navy, no, the entire navy of the world, would be completely overturned! A battlecruiser...what a brilliant concept!"

A few days later, the first detailed "List of Technical Challenges and Requirements" was placed on Chen Feng's desk.

The list, spanning twenty pages, is categorized and outlines hundreds of technical problems that need to be addressed, as well as urgently needed equipment, materials, and personnel.

Chen Feng spent the entire night carefully reading through it. The power section was the longest: the manufacturing process of the new high-pressure oil-fired boiler, the precision machining of the large steam turbine, the sealing technology of high-temperature and high-pressure pipelines, the heavy oil purification system... The weaponry section followed closely: the autofrettage process of the 381mm barrel, the casting and machining of the giant turret, the more advanced optical rangefinder and mechanical computer...

He picked up his pen and wrote a note on the title page of the list:

"We will mobilize the entire Lanfang Group and spare no expense to overcome this challenge. The necessary funds will be fully allocated from the 'Revitalization Fund.' We will recruit the necessary personnel globally with competitive compensation. We will procure the necessary equipment globally, with Wang Wenwu of the Ministry of Commerce providing full support."

Below the annotation is his signature, which is so strong it seems to penetrate the paper.

"Project Cheetah," this steel behemoth destined to shock the world, quietly began its arduous gestation in this hot and secluded corner of the Persian Gulf. The shipyard's foundation pit deepened day by day, and the lights in the technology center burned all night. To the outside world, especially to the astute spies of the great powers, that newly emerged, heavily guarded "industrial zone" at the northern end of Dubai Port was nothing more than an ordinary facility "testing new oil refining technology."