Chapter 104
Because it was a private meeting, the location was set in a side hall that was not very high-profile.
Compared with He Yunting and Xu Zhiheng who were dressed formally, the man standing in front of the window looked very casual.
Although returning to a dual constitutional monarchy political system has many disadvantages compared to the Earth era, it can better hold power in one's hands and develop military strength faster under a unified, high-pressure centralized system. This is why the empire has been able to reach its current state step by step and no one dares to provoke it.
Even the side halls are decorated extraordinarily gorgeously, with the Baroque style permeating every detail. The tops of the intact stone columns are inlaid with golden capitals, the ceiling is painted with exquisite large-scale oil paintings, and the white reliefs extend along the long and magnificent corridor.
Wen Zhao casually put on a velvet coat, his eyes fixed on the fountain sculpture with exquisite lines outside the window.
He has slightly long black hair and a slight tiredness on his face, which has reduced some of his fierceness, but he still has his innate unique aura.
His fingers seemed to be playing with something, his movements leisurely and relaxed.
Seeing the two people coming, he retracted his gaze, raised his hand to tell them not to greet each other formally in a private setting, and sat down again.
"You've worked hard, General." Wen Zhao's voice was quite gentle. He turned to look at Xu Zhiheng and said, "I've heard that Professor Xu's academic achievements are at the pinnacle. I've admired him for a long time."
Xu Zhiheng nodded in response neither humbly nor arrogantly.
"Don't be so reserved, just chat casually," Wen Zhao said casually, his hands flexibly moving the small object between his fingertips to play with it, "Don't put too much pressure on yourself."
But after saying this, he continued: "I just want to know what plans you two have for the current situation."
Although the tone was like casual chatting, the questions did not sound casual at all.
"By the way," Wen Zhao turned to He Yunting, "The last decision was made by the general, right? The decision to 'massacre the city'."
According to the imperial system, even though the admiral's say might not be as strong as that of the parliament in some aspects, fundamentally, he does not need to have anything to do with those old men who quarrel all day long, because he only needs to obey the emperor's orders.
Unless Wen Zhaoming issued an order denying it, He Yunting would not have to be restrained.
He Yunting lowered his eyes and said in a deep voice: "Yes. I told you the details when I came back to report on my work last time."
Including why you made this decision instead of waiting in that place for a while longer.
Although it was an imperial system, a previous emperor abolished humble titles and everyone could call themselves "I" and only needed to address those in higher positions as "you" or "position".
"Oh." Wen Zhao responded casually, and no emotion could be heard.
He Yunting finished the rest of his words: "But Your Majesty, Professor Xu's antagonist played an indispensable role."
Wen Zhao threw the thing in his hand high up, then caught it accurately and held it in his palm: "Indeed. I have always wanted to meet Professor Xu in person, and this time I finally have the chance."
He changed the subject: "But, the current situation..."
Wen Zhao placed his other hand on his forehead, tapped his temple gently, and said, "Proton Star is the most important of all the self-governed planets in the Empire."
"That's why I invited the general to form a team to go to Proton Star."
He Yunting stood up and saluted again with the most standard imperial salute: "I will send a new fleet as quickly as possible. This time, no matter what, we will definitely solve the problem thoroughly."
"I have never doubted the admiral's ability." Wen Zhao said calmly, "I will not take back any decision-making power."
"No matter what the result is, I believe the general has done his best."
"As for the starship," Wen Zhao said, "the admiral does not need to report to me if he can use it."
He Yunting lowered his head and responded without saying anything else.
Wen Zhao seemed to really trust him. He didn't ask He Yunting how he was going to solve the problem, nor did he ask him how he wanted to solve it.
Is it possible that there is really only one person left on Proton Star? He will still give all his trust to his most capable subordinates.
"Professor Xu, it's up to you to decide," Wen Zhao said. "After all, I can't bear to see such an academic pillar take such a risk."
"Professor Xu, you don't have to go." He Yunting spoke again, "Proton Star is too dangerous, and the situation is different from last time. I may not be able to protect you. As for the previous doubts and insults, I will do my best to speak for you."
Xu Zhiheng seemed to realize belatedly that he had to decide whether to go again so soon. Without a moment's hesitation, he immediately saluted and stepped forward: "I will go with the general. Don't worry about my safety. I will not be as reckless and impulsive as last time."
"Besides, I developed the antagonist. Even if there is an accident, I should bear the consequences alone."
Wen Zhao smiled after hearing his words: "You are worthy of being a pillar of the empire."
He stood up and said, "Since you have all made your choices, I will not interfere any further."
Xu Zhiheng left first, and He Yunting came a little later. He made a new report on the base. Wen Zhao then waved his hand and asked He Yunting to go back as well.
Everything is very casual. All the spokesperson needs to do is to compile the final result and tell the parliament and official media. The form does not seem to be important to him.
Wen Zhao raised his eyes, but his gaze did not fall on any place.
He put the object in his hand back on the table - it was precious and smooth all over, and it was obvious that it was made of rare materials and top-notch techniques.
It turned out to be a chess piece.
He Yunting didn't expect to meet someone he hadn't seen for a long time on the way back.
Wen Tianyao seemed surprised as well, but he still forced out his favorite smile and greeted He Yunting.
After the incident during the last training, for some unknown reason, he rarely contacted He Yunting, let alone came to the base.
He Yunting stepped aside to let Wen Tianyao go first. When he was about to leave, he saw that the assistant who always followed him was replaced by another person.
"Your Highness." He Yunting stood still and said, "Where is your former deputy?"
Wen Tianyao turned around and looked at his new deputy who was just as confused as he was: "Who is the admiral referring to? Xi Yuan?"
Wen Tianyao didn't seem to expect that the admiral, who was usually taciturn, would care about his deputy. He was stunned for a moment and said, "I have been transferred to another job and have not been here for a long time."
"So, Your Highness, you don't care at all about where your former deputies ended up." He Yunting said.
"...Admiral?" Wen Tianyao felt puzzled. "It's normal for me not to tell you about the job transfer of my subordinates, right? Besides, it was Xi Yuan who proposed it himself, so of course I wouldn't stop it."
He saw that He Yunting seemed to think for a moment before he said sparingly, "I understand."
For some reason, Wen Tianyao actually heard a hint of mockery in He Yunting's tone, which never laughed.
He Yunting didn't want to say more to him, so he withdrew his gaze and left.
The two were summoned by the emperor, and the news that He Yunting was about to take Xu Zhiheng back to Proton Star spread quickly. Various opinions were rampant, with some praying, some anxious, some pessimistic, and some having conspiracy theories. For a moment, it was impossible to tell which side had the upper hand.
This time, just like the last time, the incident happened suddenly and there was not much time to prepare.
The base seemed to have already started preparations when the Proton Star incident occurred, and reorganized its forces and personnel. The difference was that this time Xu Zhiheng's freedom was not restricted, but he was arranged in Qi Jiamu's mecha.
The reason why people feel that the Empire is serious this time is that they are no longer a streamlined elite team, but, like the previous training, they have mobilized starships that are rarely deployed.
The training was originally intended to experience real combat, and battleships would only be used when there were a large number of people and mechas. However, this time, the battleships used were not those used in the training, but giant starships that could accommodate tens of thousands of people.
Some people began to wonder why such a large-scale expedition was needed. As a result, the base directly announced a partial list of names. Many brave and capable soldiers were on the list, not to mention the rescue team and expert group directly allocated by the empire.
The base seemed to have made all preparations. Even if an accident really happened like during the training, they would be able to solve it with all their strength and without any worries.
-
"I'll go with you." Lin Han heard the apartment door open and knew that He Yunting was coming.
He didn't beat around the bush and waited until the other party stepped into the door before speaking directly.
He Yunting was still wearing the formal suit he had brought back from Wen Zhao. Lin Han reached out and touched the tassels on his epaulettes. He seemed to like the designs of some of the Empire's uniforms. "I don't often see you wearing them. This is so rare."
He Yunting knew that Lin Han had already made up his mind when he said this. Just as he was about to say something, Lin Han moved his lips and continued.
"I have arranged my work schedule. If the institute doesn't have any tasks, it will be very easy. Don't worry about me."
"What's more, if you use starships, I can barely be considered an expert." Lin Han said confidently.
He Yunting looked down at Lin Han, who was playing with the tassels on his shoulders. "Yes, Doctor Lin."
"Why are you still calling me that?" Lin Han looked up at him helplessly, but she was not angry. She just felt that He Yunting was becoming more and more interesting. "You call me that, which makes me look old."
Lin Han's fingers kept waving in front of He Yunting's eyes. He couldn't help but reached out and grabbed the other's slender white wrist.
He Yunting knew that Lin Han could hear what he was thinking: "Have you thought it through?"
Lin Han nodded: "It's all about the general's special invitation letter."
He Yunting knew Lin Han's decision: "Then I'll let Lu Anhe prepare."
"We have to leave the day after tomorrow morning at the latest." He Yunting said, "I will help you arrange it."
One advantage of going to a proton star over a border area is that it does not require a jump, and if the means of transportation is a starship, the speed will be much faster and you can arrive in one day.
"That's great," Lin Han said, "I can go to places I haven't been to before."
"I will protect you, don't worry." He Yunting leaned over to hug him, but was afraid that the epaulettes on his chest would rub against Lin Han and make him uncomfortable, so he deliberately moved away.
But Lin Han didn't mind at all. Instead, he pulled him closer by his ribbon and rested his head on his epaulettes: "Yeah."
"You said the same thing last time in the border area. I believe you."
He Yunting was stunned for a moment, then he stroked the other person's soft black hair again.
"At that time, I didn't know I liked you." He Yunting said truthfully, "Or rather, I didn't understand this emotion."
"But I just don't want to see anything happen to you."
Thinking about what the two of them went through later, Lin Han was so weak that even his mind-reading ability disappeared, and He Yunting almost died for food and water. But when he recalled it now, it seemed like a long time ago and he was a little dazed.
"Then I won't stay on the starship this time." Lin Han said, "Leave the second cockpit seat to me."
Anyway, most of the people going there are from the base. If you really don't want to be seen, the M2742 is so big that you can quietly come out of the second cockpit without attracting attention.
He Yunting held Lin Han's waist and said "Okay".
"Okay, you can rest here tonight and get ready tomorrow." Lin Han pushed He Yunting to the bathroom, then thought of something and said, "My bed is a little small, so just make do with it."
Lin Han unbuttoned the collar of He Yunting's military uniform one by one. He Yunting saw Lin Han's fascinated eyes and asked, "Mr. Lin, do you like this very much?"
"Yeah, I like it very much." Lin Han answered without hesitation, with his eyes curved.
"I like your hat, the collar, the epaulettes, the ribbon, everything about it."
Lin Han opened the exquisite belt buckle on He Yunting's waist and said with a smile.
It feels like holding a hero of millions of people in my arms.
He didn't say this.
-
The starship departed as scheduled.
Lin Han successfully boarded the starship as a member of the expert group, but due to his different identity, he was temporarily not on board with He Yunting.
Due to the different formations of starships and mechas, the navigation trajectories are naturally different, but in order to facilitate landing, the location was chosen in Chris Port.
This city had been cleared once before, and Proton Star did not have the energy to rebuild it in a short period of time, so it could only leave these empty cities for the time being.
But after all, Chrisport is by the sea, so its circulation is better than other cities. The starship landed here for the first time, and then was re-divided into mecha formations according to various needs.
Everything went in an orderly manner, and after surveying the surrounding environment, the starship was able to dock safely.
According to convention, there will be a group of pioneer small mechas used for survey, connecting to the main ship in real time, and waiting for the commander to give orders to continue with the next plan.
The small mecha responsible for exploration got off the starship first, and the picture was connected successfully. He Yunting sat in the middle and watched the current situation intently.
Unexpectedly, this place that was supposed to be a dead city seemed to be changing in some way.
"Wait a moment."
"Number 8775," He Yunting said in the public communicator, naming a small mecha that was searching, "step back."
The other mecha didn't understand and just followed orders.
When the front legs of this small mecha moved away, everyone realized that it seemed to have stepped on a corpse.
But those who had participated in the training or had seen Wen Tianyao before couldn't help but gasp after seeing the person under the mecha clearly.
The corpse was none other than Xi Yuan, the former deputy of His Royal Highness the Prince.
The author has something to say: I am here (peek in)
The protagonist will not always be led by the villain! It will be ready to tear up soon! Trust me!
Woohoo, there are so few messages recently. Has everyone left? qwq But I can’t afford to send red envelopes recently 1551
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