Hero of Hearts Novel Chapter 7138
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Chapter 7138
Matsushita Heikichi replied, βWaiting isnβt a problem.β
βOur supplies can last for at least half a year.β
βAnd our fuel can last for more than half a year without long voyages.β
βHowever, if the ship stays here, as the temperature gets colder and the ice-covered area along the coastline grows larger and the ice layer thicker,β
βOnce the ice layer exceeds our icebreaking limit, the ship might not be able to move.β
βIf we want to move again, we can only wait for the weather to warm up and the ice to melt.β
Brovnen frowned and said, βThat wonβt do.β
βI need you to be on standby along the Antarctic coastline at all times.β
βIn case I need you.β
βYouβd better think of a way to meet my requirements.β
Matsushita Heikichi said,
βThatβs simple.β
βI can have the ship move outwards every day as the ice expands,β
βAlways staying within a controllable ice thickness zone.β
βThat way, we can respond immediately when you need the ship.β
βThis way, we only need to move a few kilometers at most each day,β
βAnd the fuel consumption wonβt be high,β
βAllowing us to continue for a long time.β
Brovnen nodded in satisfaction and then asked,
βLet me ask you, if I ask you to change your plans and not return to Japan for the entire winter,β
βWill somebody immediately contact you?β
βOr come here?β
Matsushita Heikichi said. βOur research vessel is national property.β
βIf we refuse to obey the order to return home, the government will definitely come after us,β
βAnd might even send in the army.β
βWeβll certainly be accused of treason.β
Brovnen stroked his beard and clicked his tongue, saying,
βThis is troublesome.β
βYou need to think carefully about how to reasonably keep all these people and the ship in Antarctica.β
Matsushita Heikichi thought for a moment and said,
βWellβ¦ I canβt think of a good solution either.β
βItβs one thing to be a few days late due to unforeseen circumstances,β
βBut if we donβt return for the entire winter, no reason will hold water.β
Brovnen asked him, βWhat if the ship breaks down?β
βOr freezes and canβt get out?β
βWellβ¦β Matsushita Heikichi said respectfully,
βThe government can monitor the research vesselβs location in
βIf we report to them that the ship is frozen,β
βBut in reality, weβre slowly moving it every day to prevent it from freezing,β
βThe government will realize weβre lying and will definitely send troops to investigate.β
Brovnen asked, βIf the ship is really frozen,β
βIs your army capable of rescuing us in Antarctica?β
Matsushita Heikichi shook his head: βOur ship is the only heavy icebreaker in the country.β
βIf it is really frozen, the country canβt send any ships to rescue us.β
βEven if we ask another country for help, it will be too late.β
βBy the time their icebreaker arrives after a journey of several dozen days, the ice will probably be hundreds of kilometers thick.β
βEven the best heavy icebreakers in the US canβt get in.β
βAt most, they can only dock on the outer edge of the ice sheet and help evacuate the personnel.β
Brovnen nodded and said, βThat makes things easier.β
βYou can report back to the country later.β
βSay the ship had a mechanical problem and needed repairs,β
βAnd then keep delaying until it froze over.β
βWhen the ship couldnβt move, ask the research team to consult with the country.β
βThey want everyone to be considerate and not waste resources coming back for a rescue.β
βThey suggested everyone stay here and work hard.β
βTaking the opportunity to accelerate Japanβs Antarctic exploration.β
Matsushita Heikichi naturally obeyed him without question,
But this lackey was also quite dutiful, respectfully saying,
βYou just said the research vessel should be on standby.β
βBut if we really let the ship freeze, your need for the ship might not be met.β
Brovnen sneered, βA mere ice blockage might be a problem for your icebreakers.β
βBut for me, itβs nothing.β
βYour ship is just sitting here; when you really need to move it, I can break the ice myself!β
Brovnenβs strength wasnβt enough to cleave a crack in the ice.
The difficulty lay in crossing the devilish Roaring Forties alone, without any support.
The environmentβwhere one can neither fly nor walk, relying solely on spiritual energy to floatβcombined with towering waves and gale-force winds exceeding level 11, would be unbearable even for Victoria.
Therefore, Brovnen had to leave the ship in Antarctica.
He immediately ordered Matsushita Heikichi to deliberately delay the loading and unloading of supplies,
Slowing down the departure as much as possible.
When the departure could no longer be delayed, and if repairs were assured, to deliberately sabotage the shipβs propulsion system.
By then, ice would have frozen the area for several kilometers,
Even tens of kilometers, with ice exceeding two meters in thickness, rendering the ship unusable even if repaired.
Fortunately, the ship has ample fuel and supplies,
Ensuring uninterrupted power, heating, and water while stationary.
As for the research station, there is no need to worry.
There is a safety margin in supplies, and a large new batch has been added.
Although there are more people, they could certainly handle the workload.
Even if supplies ran out later, they could find a way to airdrop supplies using military aircraft.
And if all else failed, the expedition team could simply live frugally,
As long as they didnβt die and could still workβafter all, Brovnen himself didnβt need to eat.
Having made up his mind, Brovnen instructed Matsushita Heikichi to stay on the ship and carry out his orders,
Then, he called over Kikuchi Kohei, another member of the expedition team, and instructed him in Chinese:
βKikuchi, you are responsible for arranging for all the expedition team members to return to the research station.β
βAlso, starting today, dedicate three hours each day to teaching them Chinese.β
βMake sure they study with all their might,β
βSo that I donβt have to give orders only to you in the future.β
βDo you understand?β
Polar scientist Kikuchi Kohei bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle and said respectfully,
βPlease rest assured, I will definitely complete the mission!β


