My father used to be a workshop director at Red Maple Factory, and later he served as a deputy chief Engineer.
It's safe to say I grew up in the factory!
The old Lumina man showed a nostalgic expression.
Though his mood was low, he didn't deliberately avoid the topic, whether because he had come to terms with it, or because the subject was Captain Yu Lian, whom his own Captain seemed to be vaguely flattering.
Indeed, this Lumina officer truly didn't resemble a typical Lumina warrior, but rather a middle-aged socialite striving to fulfill his responsibilities.
Whether it was dignity or exhaustion, nothing was more important than life itself.
So, the factory…
“Sigh, it's still the same! That kid Babalu is still at the factory, not giving up.
I told him to come work on the ship, and even the Captain agreed, but he still refused.
Uh, Captain Yu Lian, I'm not sure how you knew about him.”
“Your child is actually more famous than you think.
A Lumina youth who graduated from high school, yet was able to organize so many factory workers to resist the roving pirates, protecting the factory area and a multitude of citizens—that made the news.”
“Yes!
He has always been my pride, with nothing bad about him except that he's even more stubborn than this old man.
But that kid is truly a foolish ingrate!
He doesn't know how to appreciate the Captain's kindness!”
“Aren't all young people like that?
Anyway, I've always kept Babalu's position open.
There's no need to rush.” Captain Aiden appeared very magnanimous.
On one hand, he was naturally too lazy to bother with a young man; on the other hand, his private relationship with his first mate was indeed good, and after all, the other party was “just” a Lumina, so no matter what, he couldn't threaten his position.
Yu Lian and Feifei exchanged a look, then didn't continue, instead subtly shifting the topic to political gossip from Earth.
Clearly, Captain Aiden was more interested in this topic, and Captain Babakaoer at least appeared very interested.
Thus, after a rather unproductive chat, both host and guests were pleased.
However, as everyone was preparing to return to rest, Captain Babakaoer found an opportunity when only he and Yu Lian were Present, and stammered, “Uh, Captain, you are a Central Special Envoy, so you'll still be going to Maple City, right?”
Yu Lian glanced at him and didn't hide anything: “Red Maple Factory is a heroic sacred place with a glorious tradition, and even now, a portion of it is considered military property.
I do have plans in that regard.”
Captain Babakaoer sighed in relief but then began to hesitate, until Yu Lian started to feel a bit impatient, at which point he stammered, “If there's a chance, and you happen to see my son, could you try to persuade him?”
“?”
“...The factory is already in this state; even if he stubbornly holds on, it will only lead to ruin.
I truly don't want him to waste away like this.
He was the king of the kids in the city since he was little, and as his father, I really don't have much authority.
However, if it's you, you might just be able to convince him.”
It took Yu Lian several seconds to grasp the other person's thoughts.
In short, the Captain's impressive son, Babalu, had been the most outstanding Lumina child in the city since childhood... one could even remove the 'Lumina' prefix.
Precisely because he was outstanding, he was stubborn.
People inferior to him had no right to offer suggestions.
Isn't that just human nature?
Besides his eldest son, Babalu, who had grown into an adult, Captain Babakaoer had twelve other children to support.
Additionally, he was a righteous man, occasionally helping out relatives and old friends, and although a military transport ship's first mate's salary was indeed not low, and he also had private side jobs, he still lived hand-to-mouth.
The Captain urgently hoped that the most important labor force in his family besides himself could help him, and more importantly, he truly felt that his excellent son should have a better future.
“Actually, if things really don't work out, going back to the forest to grow mushrooms, or back to the pond to raise lizards, one can still make a living… Lumina's ancestors lived that way for generations.
It's just that once they entered the city and saw the world, they could never go back.” Speaking of which, the old Lumina trembled slightly, and even from within his carapace, a hint of cautious pleading seemed to squeeze out: “Special Envoy, we are all Commonwealth citizens who grew up in Maple City… We are different from those rebels hiding in the mountains and Swamp ponds.”
Yu Lian nodded, patting the other's shoulder in a friendly manner.
The old Captain, with his four arms, wasn't quite used to this gesture; his body seemed a bit stiff, but he still forced out what should have been a smile on his face.
...This, should be a smile?
If he couldn't perceive their emotional changes with his abilities, Yu Lian truly couldn't distinguish the expressions of this race, which looked remarkably like upright “mantises.” Thinking about it carefully, perhaps this was one of the reasons why Luminas and Earth people had so many disagreements.
Thinking further, that Lumina youth named Babalu could actually organize Earth people as well; he truly was a remarkable individual!
However, if Feifei hadn't reminded him, Yu Lian wouldn't even have known that such a person existed there.
That Lumina youth was indeed a native of Maple City, a child born and raised there; according to some Earth officials, he was a typical “tamed barbarian.” As he grew up, he naturally entered the Red Maple Factory to work, and then just as naturally became the leader of the young people.
Currently, his most glorious moment was the Battle of Maple City four years ago.
A group of interstellar pirates, who had crossed the Far Shore border and passed through the Far Shore Defense Fleet's defense zone, entered the Luna Star System.
These exhausted and desperate pirates, after some discussion, decided not to provoke New Seville, where humans mainly gathered, but instead headed directly for Maple City, the only modern city on Lumina Planet.
As soon as this group of over a thousand pirates air-dropped into Maple City, they were cornered on the surface by the arriving Distant Shore Defense Fleet.
The pirates were not afraid at all, because there were over 2 million citizens in the city.
They believed the entire city was their hostage.
The Distant Shore Defense Fleet was indeed very nervous, because half of those over 2 million citizens were Earth people.
In addition, there were two Lumina tribal elders who had entered the city for a wedding.
If something truly went wrong, the Lumina separatist rebels would likely not be of their current scale.
Then, after a twelve-hour standoff, the pirates were annihilated by the workers in Maple City…
This was what was called the “Battle of Maple City.” However, in the turbulent great era, this event truly wasn't a big deal.
Mr. Babalu was, after all, just a young worker leader, and it was indeed difficult for him to become widely known.
...However, I remember that 50 years later, after the Commonwealth was whitewashed, the Lumina Vanguard, which jumped out to rebel against the Empire, had a leader named “Babakat”?
It truly makes one think.
“So, I should visit Mr. Babalu at the first opportunity,” Yu Lian said.
“…Yu'er is a Central Special Envoy, and first must report to the Luna Garrison Command HQ, which is located in New Seville.
The Garrison Command HQ will probably throw a big banquet to welcome you.”
“Indeed, as mature adults, the necessary formalities must naturally be observed…” Yu Lian understood.
It's also a good opportunity to visit the Independence Memorial Hall.
The so-called Independence Memorial Hall was formerly the residence of Tangheisser Duke.
This memorial hall was a disgrace to the Empire, but a glory to the Commonwealth, and even to the Lumina people.
As a newly appointed Central Special Envoy, it was only natural to pay a visit and pay respects to the gentlemen.
Yu Lian felt that he was very familiar with this aspect, so it shouldn't take much time.
“I thought… Yu'er was here to investigate the All-Unification Church.”
“Oh, if you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have forgotten…” Yu Lian chuckled.
“Yu'er!”
“Alright.
We must first grasp the principal and secondary contradictions.
At least in this star system, The Myriad Souls Heresy are merely outsiders, parasites clinging to the Lumina separatists.
Once the Lumina separatists are dealt with, they will naturally have nowhere to hide.
Therefore, we must first seize the principal contradiction!” Yu Lian paused: “But, what truly caused the Lumina people to lose trust in the Commonwealth Government—was it their sky god, their tribal elders, or the Red Maple Factory and Maple City, which are now on the verge of bankruptcy?”
Feifei was slightly taken aback, showing a look of regret: “Indeed… If it weren't for the previous governments' mistaken decisions regarding Red Maple Factory, the Lumina people would have already integrated into our political system… So, what Yu'er said wasn't just to scare people?”
“What did I say?”
“Fairness, fairness, and still fairness!
And not swatting flies, only hitting tigers, and so on.”
“Fairness depends on how you understand it.
The Lumina people have already seen the universe, so they cannot be forced back into the forest to grow mushrooms; that is the greatest fairness.”
“As for the existing rebel organizations, and the Wanling Sect that colludes with them here, they are certainly tough enemies…”
The Great Sect Master Wang is a formidable figure, and many of his disciples and grand-disciples are experts, but I know almost everything about them.
Therefore, I can tactically take them seriously!
“However, compared to how to restore long-term peace and stability here, they are truly just flies.”
Besides, wouldn't it be interesting to let the working people of this universe begin to understand what kind of power they hold?
Thinking of these things, Yu Lian was a little impatient.
He felt he needed to seriously plan his time and schedule.
As a very fulfilling protagonist, just like before, there were many things to do!
“Yu'er…”
“What?”
“This is very good!”
“?”
“This kind of Yu'er seems to be glowing.
I think, this kind of Yu'er is very good!”
Yu Lian looked at the girl's moving cherry lips, and his heart also warmed, suddenly wanting to taste rouge.
In any case, Feifei was very enthusiastic afterward.
After enthusiastically playing mahjong, she once again earnestly told Yu Lian everything she knew, in full detail.
Yu Lian always felt that it was a very happy thing to discuss national politics on the ship, so he let it be.
Of course, under normal circumstances, the Nisia 14 cargo ship would certainly have been attacked en route.
However, tragically, the Far Shore Star Region, whose public security could almost be considered the worst in the entire Commonwealth, surprisingly didn't play by the rules this time; nothing at all happened until they reached New Seville.
When disembarking, Captain Babakaoer seemed to hesitate as he bid farewell to Yu Lian.
As for Captain Aiden, he was still all smiles and enthusiasm, happily telling Yu Lian that if there was a chance, he would take Yu Lian to see the border.
The frontier of the Far Shore Star Region, formed by a vast nebula of numerous unstable celestial bodies, colored the originally deep universe with vibrant hues.
Although fraught with danger, it was also immeasurably grand.
“Alright, if I can, I really want to go to the edge of that colorful nebula and take a piss towards it,” Yu Lian chuckled.
The Captain was slightly startled, then showed a smile that only men understood.
“You're a fun one!
Captain Yu Lian, Moon People should be fun like you!”
As a military bureaucrat whose only life dream was to climb one more rank, whether he was speaking officially or making polite conversation, it always felt a bit formulaic, but this time, there was a hint of genuine sincerity.
The Nisia arrived punctually in New Seville on September 12th, common era.
This was a beautiful blue planet, with ninety percent of its surface covered by ocean.
This was once Tanghauser Gate, the former territory of Tangheisser Duke of the Galactic Empire, whose lineage was completely extinguished in the Independent War.
Of course, it was also Lilia's hometown.
The girl had been home for nearly a month, and her main job was currently reorganizing her family's militia, commonly known as the “civilian corps,” and she was extremely busy.
Catching up was naturally impossible, at least not now.
As mentioned before, everyone was an adult who had entered the workforce, so they couldn't be as spontaneous; the necessary formalities had to be completed first.
“The security and public order of the Luna Star System were originally the unified responsibility of Brigadier General Luben, the Garrison Commander.
However, due to the increasingly frequent Lumina riots over the past two years, the Far Shore Star Region specifically dispatched a Marine Corps brigade to Lumina Star, commanded by a Colonel Hesa.”
Before meeting with the local military high command, Feifei had fully informed him of all the information she knew.
“So, the relationship between these two certainly won't be too good,” Yu Lian said with almost certainty.
Feifei showed a “you know” smile.
Hmm, unclear authority, unclear command, unclear objectives, local strongmen and airborne forces mutually obstructing each other, so naturally, no real work gets done.
This truly is a traditional art!
Feifei once again showed a “you know” smile.
Of course, regardless of the true character of these two high-ranking officers, they still maintained a very soldierly demeanor on the surface.
Brigadier General Luben appeared to be around sixty, with meticulously combed gray hair, and was slightly overweight, but showed no signs of the fatigue or decline of old age; at first glance, he resembled a refined and elegant general.
Colonel Hesa, on the other hand, appeared to be in his early fifties, with a lean build but a remarkably fierce demeanor, clearly an old veteran who had spent half his life in the military.
Yu Lian felt that the more someone looked like a proper person, the more improper they might be; these two might just be the biggest national parasites in the entire Luna Star System military.
Afterward, these two would likely humble themselves, feign pity, and attack each other, shifting blame in front of him.
It wouldn't be impossible for them to even resort to traditional tactics like 'burning warehouses to cover up embezzlement.'
As he thought, he greeted the two officers, and then saw Colonel Hesa say in a direct tone: “It's excellent that you've arrived.
We just need to leverage your Wisdom!”
After speaking, he twitched the corner of his mouth, immediately giving off a wolf-like sense of oppression.
“Yes.
The New Seville Garrison and the 141st Brigade are preparing to cooperate in a large-scale clear-out operation on Lumina Star.
Furthermore, the Far Shore Fleet will also dispatch a detachment to assist us in orbit!
We hope you will definitely participate in our military meeting!” the slightly plump Brigadier General Luben also said.
Although a gentle smile hung on his face, his eyes were remarkably firm, carrying a strong sense of “wearing golden armor after a hundred battles in the yellow sand.”
…What the hell, why is no one playing by the rules?