More than a week later, Yu Lian arrived in Mist Capital again.
It was still the same imitation Imperial style, still the same continuous drizzle, still the same sea-sky line, as if the events of February 6th had completely passed.
In fact, if it weren't for that young captain, dragging his half-crippled body, calling for the fans to calm down, and if the Arsenal team hadn't scored a last-minute winner against their opponent, it's hard to imagine what the Arsenal fans, who were on the verge of madness, would have done. Perhaps it truly would have turned into a tragedy that everyone would remember forever?
However, the Mist Capital Arsenal team was still penalized by the main committee for not "timely controlling the fans' emotions and ensuring home security, which led to the referee being attacked during the match." They were fined a total of 100,000 letter star and lost three home games in the All-Galaxy Skyball Championship Cup.
As for the many controversial calls by the main referee during the match… Sigh, misjudgment is also a part of Skyball. And since you've already won, why bother with such small details?
In short, the "Light-Year Stadium Tragedy" still became a very important historical event in the All-Galaxy Skyball world.
When Yu Lian returned to Mist Capital again, it was noon on February 15th. When he once again parked his light wheel 2000 at the dock outside the city, he knew where the Royal Academy of Arts should be, but for a moment, he felt a sense of bewilderment, always feeling as if a Black Moon Count would suddenly dart out of the shadows like a ghost…
Yu Lian spent half a minute collecting his thoughts, then decided to find a place to appease his rumbling stomach first. Then, as if by some strange impulse, he found himself back at the Imperial restaurant where he had eaten last time.
I guess I instinctively went to a familiar place because I didn't know where else to eat.
Yu Lian entered the restaurant with a slight headache and saw the restaurant owner, dressed and walking like a noble butler, with a smiling face that also resembled a noble butler, coming to greet him.
"It is my pleasure to serve you," he said.
He imitated it very well, but it was too deliberate, ultimately only able to deceive laymen! Yu Lian responded politely, then ordered another (fake) Imperial court set meal for the day, found a quiet spot to sit down, and began to fill his stomach.
Even if it was an imitation Imperial court dish, at least the ingredients were good and the portions were generous, enough to fill one's stomach.
As he ate, he listened to the conversations of the diners nearby.
Those who came to dine at this luxurious Imperial restaurant, besides overnight celebrity influencers, were some well-dressed senior white-collar workers. To put it plainly, they were those who thought they had reached high society but were actually still part of the middle class, and thus, essentially, still members of the exploited class.
For example, the table next to Yu Lian. Although their topics of conversation didn't represent the complete truth, they were actually quite informative.
"Have you heard? It seems our Mayor Ikar also got caught."
"Caught what? Won the lottery?"
"Of course, it's that 'caught' prize!"
"Let me count, so far, six generals, fourteen senators, and eight high-ranking ministry officials have been caught! Now it's finally a mayor! Oh my, is this the legendary Keith Nishita's Great Prison?"
"What does this have to do with the Defense Committee Chairman? Besides, you're really bored, you actually counted them. Where did you get this news?"
"Heh, I have a cousin in the procuratorate, you know that. Besides, it's being spread from above that this whole thing is Keith Nishita taking the opportunity to eliminate dissidents!"
"...Then he's too impatient, isn't he? Anyway, many people think he's definitely the next president."
"That's hard to say. Nishita is pro-Alliance, and his Blue Star Progressive Party has always been clamoring for a tough stance on other countries. I certainly don't want such a person to take office; business will be difficult then, and taxes might even increase."
"Exactly! Baal of the Citizen Party is also good; I hope he can take office. The current policy is still good. The All-Galaxy doesn't want war; isn't it better for everyone to get rich peacefully? Oh, right, do you want to play the rare metal futures in the second half of the year?"
"What, more good news? Didn't they say that because of the Xiwei campaign, the Empire would strangle us? Tsk, as a result, the stocks I bought are all falling now... Those soldiers just don't do their jobs! To be honest, it's right for that guy Nishita to clean things up!"
"Hey, what's there to fear if the Empire strangles us? The Galaxy isn't just on the Empire's side... I heard that the Alliance is preparing to help out, you know? At that time, the price of rare metals will definitely be driven down!"
The two well-dressed, seemingly respectable middle-aged men, who were clearly senior white-collar workers, exchanged smiles and clinked their wine glasses.
"Oh, by the way, speaking of the fan riot on the last planet…"
"Hey, those losers who watch Skyball have always been like this. They make a fuss when they win, and they make a fuss when they lose! I heard that the shopping mall my wife loves to go to was almost smashed, and it's been closed for days, she complains to me every day. Let's not talk about them, I'm telling you, our investment this time, we should operate it like this…"
Yes, compared to the grander river of history, the so-called "Light-Year Stadium Tragedy" wasn't even a ripple; and compared to the normal lives of ordinary people, it was just a topic of conversation after meals.
Isn't that right? Even Yu Lian, who claimed to be a die-hard fan of the "Arsenal team," had thrown that matter to the back of his mind. In comparison, he was more interested in the now-rampant "Nishita's Great Prison."
It was very clear that Black Moon Count must have handed Lieutenant General Vincent over to this (rumored) very tough, very resourceful, but also very passionate "young" politician, who thus had high popular and military support.
In this current timeline, he preempted, indeed showing superhuman decisiveness and executive ability, creating a major earthquake in the military and political arena.
At least, according to the intelligence Yu Lian currently possessed, none of the core leaders who participated in that coup in later generations escaped. It was clear that these core leaders had been involved in Vincent's plan early on, and it was likely they had been exchanging glances even before he returned to Earth.
Of course, it seemed a few people who hadn't participated in the coup in later generations also went in, and it's unknown whether they were very well hidden or if Nishita was truly taking the opportunity to eliminate dissidents.
...As for Chief of Staff General Schwartz, he had completely disappeared. Such a high-ranking general being involved in an incident caused a bit of panic throughout the entire school. The school even held a special meeting, telling students to just focus on their studies, and that high-level personnel changes had nothing to do with these rookies.
Vice Principal Robnan even called Yu Lian to his office and used various diplomatic terms to comfort him, saying things like "you are you, don't have any psychological pressure."
Although he said that, the smugness in his eyes was impossible to hide. It seemed that because of the conferment of the medal, Vice Principal Robnan had already considered Yu Lian to be General Schwartz's man.
Yu Lian (for now) couldn't be bothered to argue with this old fox and simply played along for a few sentences.
However, this major move by the Commonwealth's third-in-command indeed caused a lot of dissatisfaction, unease, and backlash.
Just yesterday, a senator challenged Nishita, using the details of the Xiwei Star System battle as a reason, questioning whether the Country Statistics still had control over the military, questioning Defense Committee Chairman Nishita's leadership of the military, and even questioning why he would bestow the marshal rank upon Paris, who "provoked border conflicts."
Of course, this challenge barely caused any ripples. More rude and senseless challenges happened in the parliament every day anyway. However, many people felt that a fierce war might soon break out in the Commonwealth's political arena.
If politicians wanted to fight, then let them fight. Even if blood flowed like a river, it didn't matter, as long as it didn't turn into a civil war.
However, Keith Nishita gained even more popularity because of this, which really annoyed Yu Lian. Furthermore, the future development of the Federation's situation could no longer be judged by the experience of later generations; he had to use all the tricks he learned from Teacher Li and analyze specific problems specifically!
Yu Lian was still pondering this question when he heard a commotion at the door. A woman in a black trench coat strode in decisively. She scanned the restaurant with sharp eyes, then walked directly towards the owner.
The owner was stunned by her aura, forgetting to greet her.
Yu Lian also felt a bit stunned. He really didn't understand why this Miss Gongsun Qing's style was different every time they met?
What kind of character setting are you going for this time? What's with this Black Super Agent vibe?
"Country Statistics Security Bureau Agent!" she said to the owner. Her voice was very low, supposedly only audible to the owner, but how could it escape Yu Lian's hearing?
Are you really a female agent now? Since when? How come I don't know?
"This is my ID!" She casually pulled a small black booklet from her coat pocket, opened it to reveal her photo, and flashed it in front of the owner. The owner looked on, bewildered, and immediately believed her seven or eight tenths.
Yu Lian felt like covering his face. That ID was clearly her student ID from the Mist Capital Royal Academy of Arts, and as for the stylish black booklet covering it, she must have bought it from somewhere.
However, perhaps her aura was too strong, and her attire, demeanor, and expressions were realistic enough that the owner was truly intimidated. He lowered his voice and said, "Well, you, I... Boss, officer, we are all law-abiding citizens here!"
"I know, you're a victim too. You should go take shelter quickly." At this point, Gongsun Qing clapped her hands: "Excuse me, citizens of the Commonwealth, Security Bureau agents are on a case here. Everyone, please exit orderly, carefully, and cautiously through the emergency exit! Yes, please do not panic, I am here, and I will definitely protect everyone!"