As the most prominent Moon People of this year's 830th generation, Yu Lian was about to take up his post in the remote and dangerous Luna Star System. This was akin to a campus celebrity who received a four-year full scholarship at Tsinghua and Peking Universities and was even received by the Grand Elder, going to a remote mountain village to be a village official after graduation. It certainly had some news value.
Thus, the next day, as Yu Lian was on his way to the port, he surprisingly encountered a reporter from Blue Son Television, who introduced herself as Laisa Lula.
Yu Lian always felt that this reporter-jiejie, who looked like she knew how to have fun, seemed familiar. Just as he was about to ask, he heard Feifei softly clear her throat behind him and whispered in a voice only they could hear, “Navy Day exercise, on the Red Tiger...”
Only then did Yu Lian dig this information out from a certain crevice in his cerebral cortex—she was the very reporter-jiejie who had interviewed them on the ship before the exercise. The “Blue Son” she worked for was also a right-wing media outlet that championed patriotism.
After the Navy Day incident, this national media outlet also sent a special person to interview him, and later highly praised him and his companions on their program.
At least for now, Blue Son Television could be considered “one of their own.”
“It’s been a while, Ms. Lula!” Yu Lian shook hands and exchanged pleasantries with her, forcing out a very sincere, professional smile.
The lady also smiled, and her smile was much sweeter than Yu Lian’s. She also extended a finger and tickled Yu Lian’s palm, “Just call me Laisa, I thought we were already friends.”
Well, he had to admit, this jiejie’s looks were almost equivalent to two little nurses, but because she was so obviously a carnivore, Yu Lian really couldn’t muster any interest.
Of course, as a mature adult, Yu Lian’s smile also became appropriately much friendlier.
Ms. Laisa was actually an excellent media professional with a lot of professional ethics, and she quickly got to the point: “I hear that taking up a post in the Luna Star System was your suggestion?”
“Yes, the Commonwealth is currently peaceful and prosperous, but there are historical issues in the Luna Star System that have caused long-term instability in the entire Far Shore Star Region. It is indeed time to resolve them,” Yu Lian said. “Of course, I am just an advance investigator, hoping to serve as a qualified pair of eyes and ears, to truthfully report what I see and hear to Earth.”
“But since it’s a historical issue, it must be complicated and difficult to tackle, right?” Miss Laisa asked.
“Precisely because it’s difficult to tackle, it has reached a point where it must be tackled. While I don’t have the resolve to go to the Luna Star System with a coffin, I am prepared to solve the problem in the most direct way possible. I am a soldier, and I should do what I’m good at!”
“...But, as far as I know, in the past, it’s not as if no one tried to solve this problem with forceful means!” Ms. Laisa understood Yu Lian’s meaning but still looked puzzled.
Yu Lian paused, then said seriously, “I have three things to do on this trip. Fairness! Fairness! And still fairness!”
His answer felt a bit beside the point, but his three words “fairness” became heavier and more powerful with each utterance. By the end, they inexplicably carried a hint of killing intent.
Ms. Laisa was a little stunned. This was the first time she had seen Yu Lian with this kind of demeanor, and also the first time she had seen a Moon People with this kind of demeanor.
But then, Yu Lian smiled again and earnestly explained, “I believe that the situation has developed to this point not only because of issues on the part of the Luna people. Discovering problems, solving problems, discovering mistakes, correcting mistakes! This is my only goal for this trip. I only hope that whether it’s Earth people or Luna people, whether it’s soldiers, officials, or ordinary citizens, everyone can make their own efforts for a stable and hopeful future!”
He thought for a moment, then raised his fist towards the camera, intentionally letting the camera focus on the “thumb ring” and “thimble” on his hand, and declared loudly, “Yu Lian is here only to fight tigers, not to swat flies!”
Whether Ms. Laisa got the news she wanted or not, the lady still bid farewell with a polite yet enthusiastic smile.
Also needing to bid farewell was Teacher Yang, who was at the port. Of course, this intelligence chief of staff from the Outer Rim Fleet wasn’t so idle as to specially come to see Yu Lian off; he was there to see off Marshal Paris, who had departed two hours earlier, and incidentally to supervise a batch of strong photon jamming bombs imported from the Alliance.
“How come every time I meet you, you’re doing something like this?”
“Because besides being the intelligence chief of staff, I’m now also serving as an equipment inspection chief, a very promising profession! I told the Commander that I’m clearly a liberal arts student who loves history! Equipment inspection, which requires a lot of scientific literacy, doesn’t suit a liberal arts student like me! But Commander Ferdinand said that Command HQ has already decided that those who are capable should do more!” Yang Xiyi said helplessly.
“It seems your chances of resigning are getting lower and lower. That’s truly gratifying!” Yu Lian said.
Yang Xiyi glared fiercely at Yu Lian, then said in a listless tone, “In the last Xiwei Star System battle, it was proven that this thing is very effective. So we have increased our import quota from the Alliance. Elinore’s punk brother even told me to quickly formulate a feasible combat regulation for this new weapon.”
Elinore’s brother, who is now the Commander of the Outer Rim Fleet, General Bonaparte, was indeed a man of principle.
After all, in war, you can’t always rely on the Commander being possessed by a war god to fight a divine battle; you must rely on strict, scientific, and systematic existing combat regulations.
Commanders who skillfully master these regulations may not become divine generals descended to fight divine battles, but they certainly won’t be the shortest plank.
The Alliance cargo ship was unloading, and the Nicoya 14, the freighter Yu Lian would be taking, was also undergoing preparations, which would take some more time.
The two of them, plus Feifei, had a rare moment of leisure, so they simply sat down, holding paper coffee cups, preparing to chat for a bit longer.
“...In short, once you get to Luna, safety first. That cursed place is troublesome, but it’s not so troublesome as to affect the overall situation, and it’s not important enough to be worth dying for!” Yang Xiyi said.
This was very consistent with Teacher Yang’s usual persona. On the surface, he always seemed to be an extreme minimalist, so extreme that he bordered on anarchism; but in fact, he merely opposed meaningless or low-value sacrifices, and also disliked excessive propaganda of sacrifice.
If he didn’t know that Tanghauser Gate was related to the Bug Swarm’s future, Yu Lian would actually agree with Teacher Yang.
But since he was going, why not solve all the problems along the way?
Yu Lian decided to change the topic. He subtly glanced around, making sure only Feifei was sipping tea nearby, then lowered his voice and said, “Teacher Yang, don’t you think our universe is a bit strange? This world has entered a state of stagnation.”
Yang Xiyi’s expression was a bit odd, while Feifei let out a “pfft,” then simply got up and walked towards the vending machine.
“I’m going to buy a cake,” she said with a smile.
Hmph, what’s so funny? If my opening line wasn’t effective, why would you use it on Elinore and the others? And how would you have gotten them both on board so easily?
Yu Lian felt that he absolutely couldn’t let Feifei lead him astray. He knew that Teacher Yang was someone he absolutely had to win over, so he continued, “It’s time to change all of this. So, Teacher Yang, will you join us and help us?”
Yang Xiyi pondered for a moment, then gave a sympathetic look, sizing Yu Lian up and down: “Is this some strange villain secret society organization?”
“No, this is the most organized, most disciplined, and most combative and ambitious group I know! At the same time, it will certainly become the most idealistic group... Of course, right now it’s indeed just a club for some young officers, but it will expand sooner or later, and it will eventually achieve what I said. Now, it just depends on whether Teacher Yang is willing to join.”
Yu Lian quickly introduced the members and purpose of the Youth Club. As soon as he finished, he rubbed his head a bit helplessly: “Of course, so far, our group does look a bit like a... uh, an anti-establishment organization of young, ambitious military officers.”
“You just noticed? It’s exactly like the Youth Red Army Society from 500 years ago in the Alliance, which also claimed to cleanse the corrupt political scene, and then actually instigated a coup, almost becoming a coup!”
Indeed, young officers forming anti-establishment organizations has always been a traditional skill! This is not subject to the will of nations and races.
“Uh... I can’t help it, I’m from a military academy after all, and my current social circle is indeed limited to classmates! But I believe these are just minor details not worth dwelling on. You have to eat one bite at a time, and the path has to be trod step by step!” Yu Lian waved his hand, “Our dream doesn’t stop here, so our organization certainly won’t stop here either!”
“How do you prove that?” Yang Xiyi sneered.
“Hmm...”
“At least so far, your small group is no different from all those self-important young officer groups before. And you... Yu Lian, the founding emperor of the Galactic Empire’s Dawn Dynasty, did exactly the same things when he was in military academy.”
There are quite a few “ancients” with depth; if possible, I really need to systematically study history!
“The Dawn Dynasty has been established for over two thousand years, and naturally, it has produced numerous divine rulers. The Galactic Empire they govern is still strong... But the galaxy is still this galaxy!”
Yu Lian knew that he wouldn’t be able to convince the other party immediately. But he didn’t feel disappointed; instead, he felt relieved.
If someone like Teacher Yang were to simply submit so easily, then Yu Lian himself would be the first to fall into self-doubt.
“Then, Teacher Yang, can you give me some time?”
“Hm?”
“I actually want to see if this will work? I want to see if, in different universes... people’s needs are universal.”
Yang Xiyi watched Yu Lian board the Nicoya 14 with a heavy heart. He suddenly realized that in just half a year, he seemed to no longer recognize the other party.
The Nicoya 14 was a transport ship belonging to the Far Shore Star Region Defense Fleet. As the name suggested, this ship belonged to the Navy, not the local Luna Star System garrison. Theoretically, Yu Lian, as a special commissioner specifically responsible for the Luna Star System, could not command them.
But no matter what, he was still an “imperial envoy” from Earth’s Command HQ, so superficial courtesies were naturally required. As for Feifei, although her official title was “war correspondent,” who knew what other duties she carried?
In any case, as soon as they boarded the ship, before they even put down their luggage, they received an invitation from the Captain to dine with him.
The Captain of the Nicoya 14 was a 40-something Lieutenant Colonel Aiden, a graduate of Dandolo Naval Academy, who could be considered from the “elite group,” albeit a rather mediocre one. His biggest dream was to be promoted one more rank. That way, by the time he retired, perhaps they would let him enjoy a general’s retirement benefits, considering his hard work even without distinguished service.
He was indeed a very ordinary middle-aged military officer, more like a bureaucrat than a soldier. Because he was ordinary, he was realistic; because he was realistic, his way of dealing with people was very formulaic and it was hard to remember his persona.
“Ah haha! So, you two can rest assured. Our Nicoya 14 is also a large armed cargo ship. The rebels do have some small ships, but they absolutely cannot threaten us. This will be a very stable journey.”
The Captain thought for a moment: “Not to mention the small ships in the rebels’ hands, even the bandits who sneak across the border, I’ve encountered them several times, and each time I returned with a great victory!”
Throughout the dinner, what he talked about most, over and over, was the dangers of the Far Shore Star Region, and how excellent his ship was, how excellent his crew was; in short, how excellent he himself was.
Yu Lian clearly understood the other party’s meaning. All of this was not for him to hear, but for the people behind him, and for Feifei.
After all, Feifei was a military reporter, so who knew if she might be persuaded and go back to write a reportage like “Swift as the Wind! The Nicoya 14 and Her Heroic Crew.”
As for himself... well, for some reason, everyone seemed to think he had strong backing.
What surprised them somewhat was that the ship’s first mate was a slightly older Luna man named Captain Babakaoer.
“Uh, don’t worry, Old Babakaoer is absolutely a loyal Commonwealth citizen! I guarantee it with my honor!” Captain Aiden thumped his chest, “You two, being from Earth, might always feel that all Luna people are untrustworthy, but I’ve served here for twenty years, and I know better! Most Luna people are loyal and brave fellows!”
Yu Lian felt that this was probably the most insightful thing the Captain had said, so he smiled and shook hands with the Luna Captain.
“Judging by your name... are you related to Babalu?”
The old Luna man was still deliberating which hand to use to shake Yu Lian’s. Upon hearing this, he was slightly startled, then showed a suspicious expression: “...You, you’ve actually heard my son’s... uh, my humble son’s name? This, this... this is truly an honor.”
His Human Common Tongue was very good, but he was really not very skilled at these human-style diplomatic phrases. This short passage seemed to be spoken as if it cost him his remaining integrity.
It was difficult for ordinary people to discern changes in expression on the face of a carapace-covered Luna person, but Yu Lian, being a spiritual energy user, naturally sensed the subtle emotional fluctuations of the other party.
At this moment, Feifei interjected, “So, Captain Babakaoer also comes from Red Maple Factory, right?”
Captain Babakaoer’s flat head drooped slightly. His face, covered in wrinkles and carapace, still showed no obvious change, but his mood was clearly more dejected.