Drawing upon the acute intuition he had honed through years of political turmoil and a web of informants stretching across various nations as fine as a spider's silk, Su Ran vaguely sensed that Britain, France, and other powers were like venomous snakes lurking in the darkness, quietly plotting an even greater conspiracy against Great Qing. Although he had yet to obtain definitive intelligence, he knew deep down that even the slightest oversight could spell utter disaster, and therefore he dared not relax for a single moment. He sprang into action, like a precision machine with its spring wound tight, immediately stepping up intelligence-gathering operations while simultaneously consolidating the nation's military and economic foundations to thoroughly prepare for the unknown challenges ahead.
On the military front, Su Ran increased investment in troop training, as if determined to forge every single soldier into a warrior of steel. On the training grounds, soldiers sweated profusely under the scorching sun, not only strengthening their combat skills—such as marksmanship and fierce bayonet techniques—but also focusing on cultivating their tactical literacy and ability to handle complex situations. Military instructors shouted orders at the top of their lungs, strictly correcting every movement. Under Su Ran's urging, the construction of new warships accelerated; the shipyards were a scene of bustling activity as workers toiled day and night, and the keels of warships gradual…
Chapter 19