but tbh it would be even more insulting to them if you turn down their invitation.
(speaking as someone with a slightly somewhat similar situation we only bring out our "best" China/Kitchenware plates & etc where important guests are coming, other than that we use the lower quality stuff normally)
@Arcara Why not? They're great ships though, especially if you get Yat Sen. Ning Hai, Ping Hai, Yat Sen are absurdly tanky when you put them together and can make a good mob or boss fleet depending on your backline.
Historical in-joke, referencing that Republic of China was running out of money after Ping Hai was built; so Ning Hai's chest is smaller cause they had to scrap some of the superstructure and AA guns.
While I get it's for the sake of the joke, why would actively commisioned ships in wartime have to live in poverty? Even if they aren't getting paid, they should at least be provisioned with everything they need...