“I regret to say there’s no good news,” Yang Xiyi said with an expression that bordered on constipation.
When Yu Lian pointed at the general’s star on his collar, he snapped, “That’s a hell of a good news. Do you know who the newly appointed Outer Rim Fleet Commander is? It’s Bonaparte, General Ferdinand Bonaparte.”
“Oh, Elinore’s older brother? Isn’t that a very suitable candidate? The Commonwealth doesn’t have many capable generals left, and he should be one of them. What’s going on? He appreciates you greatly? So he directly gave you a general’s star? No, just the appreciation of a new Commander isn’t enough. So, it must be that you’ve caught the eye of even more important figures!”
“However, I don’t need their appreciation… I’ve already said it, and I’m not being humble, but I truly want to return to the Military History Research Institute, so could you please find someone more suitable?”
“Why don’t you recite some poetry? After reciting poetry, you might feel more at peace.” Yu Lian felt that his expression at this moment was probably similar to “regretting founding Alibaba” or being from a “normal family.”
“...I don’t understand what you’re saying, but anyway, I’ve been promoted. But, Yu Lian, some members of the Earth Government parliament still believe that this victory was the result of the Outer Rim Fleet acting on its own, and the arguments presented in parliament are quite high-sounding. Getting the correct result through the wrong method is more terrifying than getting the wrong result! In summary, they insist on classifying this battle as a border conflict, not a self-defense counterattack against an external enemy. The classification of this battle will have a decisive impact on many legal issues. But if that happens, the fallen soldiers will be classified as industrial casualties, not martyrs.”
In other words, what that reporter, Mr. Prince, said was true? What well-informed news!
Yu Lian was silent for a few seconds, then said in a somewhat dry tone, “...So, including Colonel Rezenov, and those assault team members who died with Lieutenant Colonel Price, there will be no state funerals and no medals. Is that right?”
“General Bonaparte, having just taken office, caused such a stir, and is now pounding the table with the investigation team sent by the Central Government. In addition, we will also argue strongly. However, I was actually promoted for formulating this combat plan. Doesn’t that make me someone who climbed up by stepping on the blood of my comrades?”
From a results-oriented perspective, it truly is. Yu Lian now somewhat understood Teacher Yang’s dilemma.
“Additionally, there’s a lot of unrest in Kaitai, and a civil war might break out. Now the Empire has also turned its attention there, so Gibraltar can enjoy a period of peace. However, the Empire has put great pressure on Earth because of this, and I’m afraid all of us will be on the blacklist of the Central Government’s big shots.”
This was certainly not good news, but Yu Lian didn’t care too much. It was bound to happen sooner or later anyway.
“Then, it’s about your situation. This matter did end a bit anticlimactically; although we won, we didn’t gain much in terms of post-war benefits… At least, the post-war benefits couldn’t convince all the big shots. As a result, a considerable number of parliament members raised questions about it, and a significant portion even accused the current government of treason. The Defense Committee also received a lot of criticism.”
Yu Lian was not surprised at all. This was the current state of the Commonwealth; history gave the heroes of independence a good opportunity to fight, but it didn’t give them enough time to integrate all the political forces and ideologies within the country.
Extreme radicals, moderates, doves, old imperial remnants, compradors backed by the Alliance—everyone could sing a big opera on stage, but they never produced a coherent tune.
If the brain is almost schizophrenic, how can the body be healthy? Even if it looks relatively strong and can occasionally swing a hammer and make a fuss, it actually can’t kill anyone.
“In this situation, the Defense Committee also seems to want to establish a model, to find a young warrior with a clean background, noble lineage, and who participated in the battle. This can be considered a concession to the radical forces.”
“...So, it must be just me then.” Yu Lian, a top student from Central Defense University, whose mother was a military martyr and father a civilian martyr, a true red-blooded individual, sighed.
“You should be awarded a medal during this period. It seems General Schwartz himself will come; I heard he was also planning to inspect Moon Surface Military Academy. So, you should be the first in your class to receive the Sword Medal. How about it, can this at least be considered good news?”
Yu Lian felt a slight sourness in his teeth; he didn’t know if this counted as good news. Anyway, he definitely didn’t want to see General Schwartz.
Yes, that guy was also a famous person in textbooks, but certainly not in a positive light.
Then, there was the situation in New Yumen and New World.
Elinore was officially transferred to the Andromeda Galaxy Garrison, serving as the Commander of the 6th Security Fleet. She was originally in the navy, and now she finally left the ground. However, her fleet only had one destroyer and two assault ships, which would be a bit strained against even a slightly larger group of pirates.
Of course, she managed to convince the New World Security Fleet Command to order a batch of “transport ships” and some “accessories.” She used some method, but it actually worked.
All of the above will certainly pass through the Gibraltar Star Gate into the Andromeda Galaxy, naturally requiring passage through the Outer Rim Fleet’s defense zone.
Yang Xiyi looked deeply at Yu Lian, raised an eyebrow, and said, “Those transport ships you mentioned, they wouldn’t happen to be the Alliance Fuxun Shipyard’s Ranger-class, would they?”
Yu Lian chuckled, smiling innocently at him. The other person then also smiled.
He truly lived up to his reputation as a “walking database”! Of course, like “Fox of the Outer Rim,” this title was also obtained in the future.
“However, the Security Fleet’s funds are limited, and even just buying transport ships requires a considerable amount of money…”
“The Andromeda Galaxy is the New World,” Yu Lian said. Currently, only one-third of the entire galaxy has undergone preliminary Explore, let alone a complete star map.
Everyone was advancing, exploring, discovering, developing, and fighting. Pirates and gangsters ran rampant in this area where rule and order had not yet spread, gathering in the mountains and living freely.
Except for the core star systems where a small number of garrisons and colonial planets were located, the rest were gray areas beyond the law. These places were naturally unsuitable for law-abiding citizens but very suitable for those who wanted to cause trouble.
“Elinore will definitely raise the money,” Yu Lian said with great confidence.
Yang Xiyi didn't know where his confidence came from, so he chuckled noncommittally and added, “Then, there’s the newly discovered Xenomorph problem on Jade Gate Star, designated UC829.”
Yes, UC829 was currently the Commonwealth’s official designation for the Bug Swarm. It was unknown when official terms like “Bug Swarm” and “Xenomorph,” which carried a sense of fear, would officially appear.
The large Explore ship sent by Yang Xiyi had scanned New Yumen four times and deployed over a thousand autonomous probes on the planet’s surface. After more than half a month of work, they still found nothing.
The newly appointed Security Commander, a colonel named Rall, even began to suspect that all members of the 12th Garrison Station were experiencing mass hysteria.
This was understandable. Deserts, dunes, high temperatures, and large temperature differences between day and night—it sounded like an environment highly prone to hallucinations.
If Yu Lian hadn’t left solid photographic evidence and if there hadn’t been so many casualties, this might really have become the conclusion of the Security Command HQ.
“However, searching the entire planet and finding nothing—isn’t that the biggest problem? Doesn’t it send shivers down your spine when you think about it?”
“...Yes, that’s what I said too. But it took that seemingly intelligent colonel almost a minute to grasp the logic of that statement. Yu Lian, even the Military History Research Institute has researchers with Alzheimer’s, so compared to that, Colonel Rall is just a bit slow-witted, but overall, he’s still communicable, and I’m already very grateful.”
“...”
“He will agree to continue the search. However, you’d best not hold too much hope, and certainly don’t expect national intelligence agencies to intervene in the investigation.”
Yes, thankfully, I never expected them to from the start.
Yu Lian was silent for a moment, then whispered, “Teacher Yang, during this time, I’ve generally drafted a disaster prevention plan for the Bug Swarm… similar to a natural disaster, could you please help me forward it to Governor Jiang Yudong?”
If Elinore was still in office, Yu Lian would definitely have given it to her, but since the newly appointed Security Commander seemed to be somewhat lacking in intelligence, Yu Lian had no choice but to give it to the Governor. Although that guy was an unreliable politician, at least he wasn't stupid.
“Also, please give a copy to a Sergeant Major Karl Johnson, and a farmer named Mr. Wang Yougui. His plantation is near Sunset Town, and he has a certain appeal among plantation owners and mine owners. If he takes the lead, at least he can organize the residents in the wilderness to help themselves.”
“Alright.” Yang Xiyi agreed without a second thought. He naturally knew why Yu Lian wanted him to forward it. A plan given by him, a dignified General and currently a prominent figure in the Outer Rim Fleet, would certainly be given some attention by the Governor’s Office.
Yu Lian nodded, feeling a little relieved. No matter what, he had done everything he, a person of little influence, could do for now.
The only thing to be slightly relieved about was that since the forces behind the Bug Swarm had erased all traces of their existence, it at least meant that they wouldn’t reappear for a while. At least, they wouldn’t casually reappear on the Commonwealth’s side.
“You see, this is life! Yu Lian, although I created a perfect process, I didn’t get a perfect result, but such things will happen constantly in your future life. We are just soldiers, and there will always be regrets; we can only do our best within our scope of duty, and that’s considered fulfilling our responsibilities.”
“I understand…” Yu Lian felt like laughing.
Although the other person was treating him like a naive rookie who hadn’t experienced the harsh realities of society, the feeling of being cared for was actually quite nice.
“So, young man, frankly enjoy the rest of your youth. You are already the most outstanding one in this graduating class; you must show some spirit, some dominance, some pride! Only then will others trust you. Only then can you put a perfect end to the grand drama of your youthful academy days!”
Yu Lian genuinely didn’t quite understand this time: “What sentence? What drama? What trust?”
“Hehehe, this year is the 50th anniversary of the army’s founding, you understand, right?”
“...It seems there was such a thing.” This matter wasn’t important, so Yu Lian had completely forgotten about it.
“The army was founded in July, and you graduate in July. Right?”
“...Uh, that’s how it is, right?”
“So, enjoy it. Hahahaha~~~” He ended the conversation with a sinister laugh, directly hanging up the call.
What was most unbearable about this guy, besides his thoughts jumping too quickly, was this sort of mysterious, profound demeanor. Just one more step, and he could be disheveled and performing shamanistic rituals.
This is the second update today, and there are no more today.