Chapter 1092: Chapter 43: Why Do We Go to War?
By the time work was over, Master Cai’s head was still buzzing; it seemed he hadn’t yet understood Wang Yunxiao’s tactical ideas.
It’s not surprising that he couldn’t understand, since his and Wang Yunxiao’s starting points for design were different.
He was thinking about how to ensure the survival of the Sea People warriors on the frontline as much as possible, allowing them to become veterans with rich experience.
But Wang Yunxiao directly treated the Sea People warriors on the frontline as bait, hiding hooks within the bait.
Ironically, his idea was unanimously supported by the Sea People youth.
This drastic 180-degree turn gave Master Cai’s worldview a massive shock.
The next morning, as soon as Wang Yunxiao arrived at work, he was pulled into the meeting room.
Including Section Chief Hou, a group of senior Navy officers filled the room to capacity, even including officers from the Sea People, like that Captain Liu Zhimao, who was tricked by Yang Jian.
Wang Yunxiao stood alone at the podium, at a loss for what to do.
What do you all want?
“Explain your idea from yesterday in detail.”
General Liu, with two dark circles under his eyes, gestured for Wang Yunxiao to speak.
Clearly, before Wang Yunxiao came in, a fierce debate had already taken place, as the room was filled with a smoky, choking smell.
What idea? How should I explain it?
Wang Yunxiao looked bewildered.
Even if you want me to speak, shouldn’t you at least give me two days to prepare?
Without any preparation, do you think I’m an orator who can just stand up and rally the people: The cafeteria buns have already sold for fifty million marks each!
Like this?
Seeing Wang Yunxiao’s embarrassed look, General Liu coughed and said, “Your idea is very creative, we discussed it last night, but there are still many issues. Let’s start with why use plastic, what are your thoughts?”
“Because plastic is non-degradable.”
Given this introduction, Wang Yunxiao knew how to proceed.
“My idea is to use plastic to manufacture armor, which firstly meets the requirement for weight balance without affecting underwater movement, and secondly, can ensure a certain degree of protection. Most importantly, if a sea snake swallows it, it can’t be digested, and if it can’t be digested, it will block the intestines and stomach, and after blocking, it can only wait to die, achieving our tactical goal.”
“Sea snakes have wide intestines, they can swallow gold and chew iron without any problem, plastic is too soft, it shatters easily, your idea is too idealistic, impractical.”
A colonel in the audience suddenly spoke up.
Saying that plastic is soft is indeed correct.
Plastic is not a single material, and the category corresponding to plastic is metal, not specific types of metals like gold, silver, copper, and iron.
There are also differences between different types of plastic.
And in this era, what is known as plastic on the market refers to a chemical product called “celluloid”, which translates to artificial ivory.
As the name suggests, this stuff was initially invented to replace ivory products and make things like billiard balls. Later on, it was discovered it could be used for making film for movies.
This material is both soft and brittle, cracking easily, and is not suitable for making weapons and equipment.
Wang Yunxiao had already asked Master Cai about this yesterday. Master Cai only knew of such a material but never considered applying it to mecha. Currently, its military use is limited to film and lenses—like those used in gas mask visors.
However, since he made this suggestion, Wang Yunxiao had already formed a corresponding concept in his mind.
“This is my idea…”
Wang Yunxiao turned and drew a blueprint of a mecha on the blackboard.
“Everyone should know that the front and back of ocean fish grow fins, which assist in swimming and, at the same time, provide some protection with the spines on these fins.”
Wang Yunxiao drew long lines on the mecha.
“If we can install some plastic fins on this set of mecha, which don’t need to be retracted under normal circumstances, when encountering the Sea Serpent Clan, they can be spread out, turning into something like a sea urchin.”
“So when a sea snake swallows a Sea People warrior, it’s like swallowing dozens of sea urchins in one gulp. These spines form a giant sea urchin inside its intestines, hooking onto its intestinal walls…”
“I don’t know if any of you have raised fish, but you should have seen them even if you haven’t. The intestines of fish are actually quite fragile. Caught sea fish are hard to keep alive in a tank. Aside from water temperature and cleanliness, the biggest issue is that they won’t eat, or as it’s commonly known, they won’t open their mouths. This is precisely because their intestinal systems are too simple. If something obstructs them, like food they can’t vomit out, the fish are basically doomed.”
Another silence fell over the room, and everyone stared blankly at the diagram Wang Yunxiao had drawn.
What’s with the sea urchins?
Weren’t we discussing armor materials?
“As for the issue of plastic material being soft, I propose covering steel with plastic, which should serve to reinforce the shape…”
“Hold on a moment!”
Another officer raised his hand and spoke: “Your tactical idea is entirely based on a premise that requires the Sea People warriors to make significant sacrifices, isn’t it?”
“Correct.”
Wang Yunxiao admitted frankly.
“If the people can’t survive, what’s the point of all this?”
“Then allow me to ask in return, what is our ultimate goal in fighting this war?”
The officer who raised his hand paused: “Of course, to defend our territory…”
“Wrong!”
Wang Yunxiao interrupted loudly, “Is it necessary that our Navy fleet must be stationed right on the map’s borderline when defending our maritime boundaries?”
“That’s not the same thing, don’t confuse them!”
“It is the same thing.”
Wang Yunxiao said seriously, “What is the essence of war? The oceanic boundaries on a map are just a political concept. The significance of our fleet is to ensure that other nations dare not cross that boundary line, not because the line itself has any intrinsic value requiring us to defend every inch.”
“The war of the Sea People Tribe is the same. I would like you to tell me, what is the essence of this war?”
“The essence is, of course, the unbridled aggression of those Deep Sea Tribes…”
“Aggression is an action, not the essence! What is the specific reason driving them to invade shallow waters? The Pacific Ocean is vast, and they’re not coming ashore, so why the endless fighting? Is it because they are like nomads seeking to seize grain and precious metals by moving south?”
The officer who had raised his hand was at a loss for words.
Wang Yunxiao didn’t continue to press him, instead, he turned to point at Liu Zhimao seated in the front row: “Captain Liu, you are a Sea Person, can you explain the specific situation, why this war is being fought?”
Liu Zhimao stood up, hesitated for a moment, and tentatively said, “Personally, I think it’s indeed because of hunger… Fish schools will pursue ocean currents, and the Sea People will pursue fish schools, which isn’t too different from nomadic tribes.”
“Are there more fish in the deep sea or in the shallow waters?”
“I would say there are more in the shallow waters.”