The archaeologist, Major General Malowen, truly doesn't seem like a military person.
If it were someone iron-blooded like Brigadier General Morey, how could she speak so kindly to a subordinate? She would just give commands.
Of course, it's also possible that I'm just special?
Captain Yu Lian touched his pitiable, naturally alluring, peerless face, confirming that the Major General was indeed a lady of great taste.
Since that was the case, he felt he had an obligation to offer her some constructive advice.
With that thought, he replied earnestly:
"Understood, Commander.
You are preparing to achieve great things, to make the world look at our new unit with new eyes! And to look at you with new eyes too!
Because of the Navy Day incident, Brigadier General Morey's actions caused the Blue Guards to endure too much criticism.
We need to quickly restore our rightful prestige, and if we can clear out Brigadier General Morey's cronies, that would be even better!"
"Who asked you to do that? Isn't that a bit too obvious for backstabbing?" Major General Azisa Malowen exclaimed.
She then felt she had lost her composure, cleared her throat lightly, and said, "Didn't I just make it very clear? My job is just a smooth transition, to be able to hand over this Blue Guards unit smoothly to the next Commander, and then I will have fulfilled my historical mission!
So, do you understand now, Captain Yu Lian? Be cautious, be moderate, be stable, be safe!"
"Understood, we will cautiously, moderately, stably, and very safely remove Brigadier General Morey's cronies!"
Major General Malowen actually wanted to activate the spiritual energy beam of her audruus crystal eyes and shoot Captain Yu Lian.
However, considering she was an elegant academic master, she still needed to maintain her intellectual and calm persona, so she just said helplessly, "Oh, at least during this transition period, I still hope to be a competent Commander.
But, clearly, even the capable assistant I thought so highly of doesn't quite respect me."
She wiped her eyes, as if ready to burst into tears at any moment.
Although Captain Yu Lian wanted to tell her that she was wiping her right eye, and for tears to flow from the audruus crystal eyes, that would surely be a conspiracy of Abyssal Space demons.
Captain Yu Lian didn't know that this academic giant, who would also be quite famous in later generations, actually had a flair for drama, but Captain Yu Lian did know that this top adventurer and archaeologist indeed had a perfectionist side, so he smiled and said:
"Please don't misunderstand, I truly respect you!
And I'm definitely not (chatting you up because you're good-looking)... uh, just kidding.
I want you to know that I am also a fan of the Treasure Raiders Alliance, and I quite admire Professor Miersa."
Professor Miersa, in the Treasure Raiders Alliance, was the mysterious, powerful, capable, and intelligent Earth archaeologist, a character created with Major General Malowen as the prototype.
Upon hearing this, the Commander's expression became friendly again.
Regardless of whether the other party was flattering her, it was enough that it sounded good!
Captain Yu Lian paused, then continued, "I know you want a stable transition period.
However, stability doesn't mean doing nothing.
Your original idea was to follow the plan left by the previous Commander, to complete the training of these unruly spiritual energy users, and that would be enough to earn the military's trust, right?"
Major General Malowen nodded, but added, "Of course, if your new tactical plan can be promoted, that would be even better."
This time, it was Captain Yu Lian's turn to be slightly startled, and then he saw the Commander explain, "The new unit tactics for spiritual energy users proposed in your thesis received very high praise.
Some seasoned veteran spiritual energy users, high-ranking military officials, and even... hey, even Brigadier General Morey, are very much inclined to carry out tactical reforms based on your thesis."
Although the thesis was plagiarized, Captain Yu Lian still felt a considerable degree of emotion.
Compared to the multitude of beings living in this chaotic world, the number of spiritual energy users is limited, and the small society they form is relatively simple, seemingly less conservative.
"Of course, even Master Mei praised your thesis highly.
She believes that for 'ordinary' spiritual energy warriors, it will indeed lead to a significant improvement in combat effectiveness..." The word "ordinary" made Major General Malowen's mouth twitch a little.
But there was no helping it; to ordinary people, spiritual energy users were all superhumans, but within the world of spiritual energy users themselves, such a pecking order indeed existed.
As for Master Mei, whom she mentioned, she was Uncle Wang Jingyang's master's wife, and one of the two Eight Rings, human-shaped national artifacts of the Blue Star Commonwealth, truly one of the people qualified to say such things.
"Vice President Maria Murson used to study in Master Mei's women's self-defense class and they've always had a good relationship.
Master Mei recommended your thesis to her."
...
Alright, the mystery was solved.
The current Vice President, who would become President in at most a week, Maria Murson, came from a wealthy family.
Although she didn't understand mysticism or military affairs, she definitely understood human nature.
Even if she forgot Captain Yu Lian, she wouldn't take any of Master Mei's words lightly.
Since it was personally recommended by that master, it must be good.
If, during her term, she could greatly enhance the combat effectiveness of the Blue Guards, making them an extraordinary unit praised by both the Alliance and the Empire, wouldn't she have ready political achievements for her re-election campaign?
This was the reason for the need for "communication."
And this was probably why Major General Azisa Malowen was so friendly to him.
Captain Yu Lian felt that this was consistent with the political logic of the Commonwealth's broken system.
Also, Grandma Mei, you're an Eight Rings, after all!
In many more superstitious civilizations, you would already be called a "demigod."
Do you really need to run extracurricular classes for the daughters of the powerful to earn some quick cash?
What a realistic chaotic world!
The slight sense of pride he had earlier instantly vanished, and Captain Yu Lian continued, "I understand what you mean.
However, most spiritual energy users who hold officer ranks and receive generous allowances are not true soldiers in the real sense.
When it comes to the basic discipline of following orders, they are even inferior to recruits who have trained for a week."
The Major General felt as if she had been brutally struck in the knee, and her expression immediately turned unpleasant.
"Furthermore, if I may be so bold, Your Excellency is not Wang Jingyang.
Your reputation in the adventurer world only represents your standing in academia, but to those barbarians who use extraordinary abilities, spiritual energy users hold no deterrent.
Moreover, you are not Brigadier General Morey, and you have no prestige in the military."
Major General Azisa Malowen stared at Captain Yu Lian with her yin-yang eyes; her natural blue eye was fine, but the red eye formed by her treasure seemed to condense flames.
"The current Blue Guards lack the most basic conditions for reform."
"This, is it not possible?" The Major General suddenly took off her audruus crystal eyes and slapped them on the table.
"...It's possible, Commander, no, let's just say it's on the right track."
What do you want to do? Shoot the disobedient ones on the spot with laser eyes?
"This, is it also not possible?" She slapped another card on the table.
Captain Yu Lian looked at the card from Balance International Bank, staring at her uncomprehendingly.
"Shouldn't you be slapping a seal or something down?" Captain Yu Lian asked.
"Why would I slap a seal... uh, anyway, what I mean is, I've acquired a batch of audruus crystal eyes, although they're Imperial-made, their quality is superior.
Additionally, I received an extra special fund from the Vice President.
In short, if they are willing to rectify their attitude and cooperate with my work, there will absolutely be no lack of material rewards.
Can't even this win over the military's loyalty?"
So that's all it was!
"You are an archaeologist, and of course, a historian.
Have you ever heard of strong soldiers being raised by bribery?" Captain Yu Lian asked.
Major General Azisa Malowen sighed and fell silent.
Clearly, even she didn't have much confidence in this approach.
"Therefore, whether it's reforming tactics or engaging in military diplomacy, the prerequisite is to carry out necessary reforms of the unit!
Rectification, training, punishment, and even purification—the prerequisite for all of this is authority, and the prerequisite for authority is strength and actual achievements!"
Although Major General Malowen truly lacked experience in military and command, she admitted that Captain Yu Lian's words made a lot of sense.
"So, I need you even more..."
Before she could finish, Captain Yu Lian suddenly stood at attention and said formally, "Therefore, your subordinate formally applies to take up my post in the Luna Star System!
I have already submitted the application to the Defense Committee's Personnel Bureau.
However, as a military spiritual energy user, your subordinate still needs your approval."
After all, Captain Yu Lian had already started receiving spiritual energy user allowances, and he had just received his first salary last month, along with the key to the military officer's apartment in Big Apple City.
Since he was eating their food and drawing their pay, he had to at least perform the superficial courtesies.
She covered her temples, her mouth twitching, unsure if her red eye was throbbing again, or if she was just having trouble keeping up with the abrupt shift in topic.
She said helplessly, "I, a dignified academic and adventurer, have actually lost to you in terms of erratic behavior!"
"The previous Navy Day incident caused the Commonwealth to lose face on a global scale.
Brigadier General Morey has already been brought to justice, but after Commander Wang Jingyang's investigation, this incident should be related to Wanda of the Wanling Sect, who is currently wanted!
Moreover, their hiding place is very likely in the Luna Star System, and they have already colluded with the Lumina Separatists!"
Although Uncle Wang also made a blunder in this incident, he was, after all, a Six Rings Saint, and he had two major national artifacts backing him.
For the Commonwealth Government, his deductions in the field of mysticism were quite credible.
Since that was the case, they naturally had to investigate to the end, root out the problem, and even spray Agent Orange on their graves!
If the masterminds were found to be the Empire or the Alliance, the Commonwealth Government might have backed down a bit, but since it was a mere cult, they certainly couldn't let them off!
Of course, because of Captain Yu Lian's initial reminder, Wang Jingyang did not expose the existence of the space slug.
This naive Uncle Wang from next door wasn't entirely without cunning, or perhaps, he had matured through this incident.
"So, taking up the post is just superficial work, of course.
The true intention is to investigate clues, find enemy intelligence, slowly set up a plan... and then, Major General!"
Captain Yu Lian paused, then pulled out a paper report: "This is a plan I drafted for this operation, and it has also been submitted to the Military Command Strategic Headquarters.
Marshal Alwyn believes it has a certain feasibility."
Actually, Marshal Alwyn's original words were: "It's a bit whimsical, truly typical of you Moon People.
However, it's worth a try; there's no loss if it fails.
If it's you, young man, I might as well trust you this once."
Anyway, that was enough.
Since it was a written report, it showed that Captain Yu Lian had indeed shown due respect to his nominal superior.
Major General Azisa Malowen, after a few seconds of silence, still opened the report and read it carefully.
"...Heh, if you hadn't said anything, I almost forgot you also had the identity of a top student from Central Defense University!" She said casually as she read, "Alas, what a pity!"
Captain Yu Lian pretended not to hear and began to seriously admire the paintings on the office wall.
It had to be said that this famous archaeologist was indeed a lady of great taste; the office was decorated with a very elegant scholarly atmosphere, but unfortunately, it didn't look like a general's office.
After more than ten minutes, the Major General put down the report, pondered for a moment, and her hesitant expression finally turned into determination: "Professional matters are left to professionals.
Archaeology, you're not good at it!
Fighting, I'm not good at it!
In this regard, I really should listen to you."
"Your subordinate will do his best and will not let you regret today's decision."
"Even if you fail, there's no talk of regret."
The Major General smiled and shook her head: "This is at least more like what a proper army should do than just being a mascot on Earth!"
Captain Yu Lian nodded in thanks again, and as he was about to salute and take his leave, he heard Major General Azisa Malowen say again, "I've organized a banquet and invited all members of the Blue Guards on Earth to attend.
Everyone will be colleagues from now on, so it's a good opportunity to exchange information."
As Major General Azisa Malowen spoke, her gaze swept over the Parmeno Ring of Qi on Captain Yu Lian's right index finger, finally resting on his thumb.
A silver thimble was on it, looking at first glance like an archer's thumb ring.
"...Hmm, so, those audruus crystal eyes I got, do you want them?
One of them was specially prepared for you," she asked softly.
"No... Ah, yes! Thank you for the Commander's generosity!"
I don't want to have a meeting in my head, but if I don't use it, someone else will.
The Commander glanced at Captain Yu Lian, smiling ambiguously.
"So, you'll come, right?" she added.
Captain Yu Lian smiled.
He didn't know whether the appointment of an archaeologist as the Commander of the Commonwealth Guard was right or wrong, but he could at least be sure that it wasn't an appointment that made him particularly uncomfortable.
The so-called banquet was actually an outdoor dinner party held at Major General Malowen's own estate in North Mingzhou.
Besides the central mansion and a courtyard as large as three celestial arenas, dozens of kilometers of surrounding farmland, pastures, and mountains were also Major General Azisa Malowen's private property.
Archaeologists and adventurers of some renown in this world did not lack social status, and certainly not money.
This was also her confidence in hosting such a grand banquet.
It should be known that there were nearly a thousand spiritual energy users of the Blue Guards currently on Earth who could attend the banquet.
More than half of them were still One Rings rookies who hadn't even completed the separation of yin and yang of their Star Ring, but they were indeed spiritual energy users.
Whether a person was a sensitive individual depended on talent and ancestral blessings, but whether they could awaken and advance step by step often depended on resources.
Not to mention anything else, but the high-quality Zero Element needed for each promotion, the special materials needed to strengthen oneself, powerful spiritual energy treasures, and even more spiritual energy techniques and spiritual energy martial arts, were not things that ordinary "rogue" spiritual energy users could easily obtain.
There was no other way; although spiritual energy users prided themselves as superhumans, they still had to bow to reality!
Therefore, besides joining the establishment and becoming its enforcers, spiritual energy users would also form various mutual aid groups privately, sharing information, exchanging resources, and seeking cooperation.
Those with tighter organizational ties would form secret societies with a full villainous flair.
In short, for such large-scale official spiritual energy user gatherings, unless they suffered from severe procrastination or extreme social anxiety, spiritual energy users would gladly attend.
Thus, it was quite reasonable for Captain Yu Lian to meet two old acquaintances at the gathering.
"So, the new spiritual energy user tactics will begin experimental drills.
As the formulator of these tactics, I have already recommended you to the higher-ups!
Brother Meng Jiao, and Brother Simon! Surprised? Unexpected?"
Captain Meng Jiao, the current successor of Han Hai Sword, and Lieutenant Simon Vayali, the genius sniper from the Eastern Suspension Arm Star Region, exchanged glances.
The former was eager to try, while the latter secretly groaned.