Thus, he summoned Matsushita Heikichi and asked, “How long can your ship remain docked here at most?”
Matsushita Heikichi said, “Docking itself is no issue. Our supplies can support at least half a year. Fuel, without long voyages, can also last over half a year. However, if the ship stays here continuously, as temperatures drop, the ice coverage on the coastline expands and the ice thickens. Once the thickness exceeds our ice-breaking limit, the ship may become immobile. To move then, we would have to wait for warmer weather and ice melt.”
Wu Bolin frowned and said, “That will not do. I need you on standby along the Antarctic coastline at all times for any emergencies. Think of a solution for me to meet my requirements.”
Matsushita Heikichi said fawningly, “This is simple. I can have the ship move outward daily according to the rate of ice expansion, always remaining in an area where ice thickness is controllable. This way, we can respond whenever you need the ship. It would require moving only a few kilometres at most each day, with little fuel consumption. We can still endure for a long time.”
Wu Bolin nodded in satisfaction and asked again, “Let me ask you, if I have you alter plans and not return to Japan for an entire winter, will your side come looking immediately?”
Matsushita Heikichi said, “The research vessel we operate is national property. If we refuse the return order, the country will certainly come searching, possibly even deploying troops. We would definitely be branded traitors.”
Wu Bolin stroked his beard and smacked his lips. “This is troublesome. Think carefully how to reasonably keep all these people and the ship in Antarctica.”
Matsushita Heikichi thought for a moment and said, “This… I cannot think of a good method. Delaying departure by a few days due to some incident is plausible, but not returning for an entire Antarctic winter, no excuse would hold.”
Wu Bolin asked him, “What if the ship breaks down? What if it truly gets frozen in and cannot leave?”
“Then…” Matsushita Heikichi said respectfully, “The country can monitor the vessel’s position in real time via tracking. If we report it frozen but actually move slowly daily to avoid freezing, the country will detect the movement and realise we are lying. They will surely send troops to investigate.”
Wu Bolin asked, “If the ship is truly frozen in, does your military have the capability to rescue in Antarctica?”
Matsushita Heikichi shook his head. “The country’s only heavy icebreaker is this one. If ours is truly frozen, no domestic ship can rescue us. Even requesting aid from America would be too late. By the time their icebreaker arrives after dozens of days, the ice might extend hundreds of kilometres. Even America’s best heavy icebreaker could not enter, at most docking at the ice edge to evacuate personnel.”
Wu Bolin nodded and said, “That makes it easy. Later, report to your country that the ship has a mechanical failure requiring repairs, then keep delaying until ice sets in. When the ship cannot leave, have the research team request instructions from home. Everyone should demonstrate spirit and not waste national resources on another rescue. Simply stay here and work diligently, seizing the chance to accelerate Japan’s Antarctic exploration progress.”
Matsushita Heikichi was naturally obedient, yet dutiful. He said respectfully, “You mentioned keeping the research vessel on standby at all times, but if we truly let it freeze in, your needs for the ship might not be met.”
Wu Bolin sneered coldly. “Mere ice sealing may trouble your icebreaker, but to me it is trivial. Keep the ship docked here. When I truly need to move it, I can break the ice surface myself.”
With Wu Bolin’s strength, splitting a fissure in the ice was not difficult. The challenge was lacking leverage to cross the Devil’s West Wind Belt alone.
In that environment, one could neither fly above nor step below, relying solely on spiritual energy to keep the body afloat on water, amid towering waves and winds over level eleven. Even Wu Feiyan could not endure it.
Therefore, Wu Bolin had to keep this ship in Antarctica.
Thus, he immediately ordered Matsushita Heikichi. On one hand, to deliberately delay loading and unloading supplies, slowing the pace to postpone departure as much as possible. When departure could no longer be delayed, then, ensuring repairability, sabotage the propulsion system. By then, with ice extending several or even tens of kilometres and thickness over two metres, the ship would be stuck even if repaired.
Fortunately, the ship had ample fuel and supplies. Remaining in place could still ensure uninterrupted power, heating, and water.
The research station need not worry either. Supplies already had margins, supplemented by a large new batch this time. Though personnel increased, it could definitely sustain them.
As a fallback, if supplies later ran short, Japan could be made to airdrop them via military aircraft.
Another fallback, if truly necessary, make the research team ration clothes and food. As long as they survived and could work, it was fine. Wu Bolin himself needed no food anyway.
Having decided, Wu Bolin instructed Matsushita Heikichi to remain on the ship and execute his orders. Then he summoned Kikuchi Kohei, another proficient in Chinese from the team, and ordered, “Kikuchi, arrange for all research team members to return and assemble at the station. Additionally, starting today, allocate three hours daily to teach them Chinese. Ensure they learn with full commitment, so I do not have to issue orders only through you in future. Understood?”
The polar scientist Kikuchi Kohei bowed ninety degrees and said respectfully, “Please rest assured. I will certainly complete the task.”
