Chapter 130 124 Lv Zhinian
The bustling population in Ruyi City had surged in the past few days, with representatives from Country C coming and going for work and various handover activities.
Clad in military attire, Huang Quan, with his quick steps, made his way through the military district of Ruyi City. There were quite a few other soldiers from Country C dressed in various military uniforms, all there to take over the military aid from Iridium Star.
Huang Quan had once encountered the Iridium Star Chancellor, but it had left him with an unfavorable impression. He felt somewhat uneasy, unsure of what changes his future military career might hold. Nevertheless, he believed that Bai Zhongqi had ultimately encouraged him to make his mark in the Star Alliance Universe Army.
Thus, he had submitted his application to transition from serving in the Army to the Universe Army.
Huang Quan saw a short figure dressed in a white military uniform ahead of him and couldn't help but smile. He quickened his pace and patted the figure on the shoulder. Discover exclusive content at empire
"Brother Zhinian," Huang Quan greeted.
The short naval officer glanced at Huang Quan with little change in his expression, but slowed down to walk alongside Huang Quan and said, "Staff Officer Huang."
This short naval officer, with the same military rank as Huang Quan and without any significant background, would have irked Huang Quan had someone else been so casual with him. However, recently, Huang Quan had been very mindful of his temper, and he knew that this naval officer named Lv Zhinian was not an ordinary man.
Six times he had participated in interregional live combat exercises organized by the Navy and six times he had been recognized as the best performer, receiving three second-class merits and one first-class merit. Under his command, his warship had earned the title of best combat unit. In the fiercely competitive Navy, he had ascended to his current position on his own merits.
Many superiors took great care of him. The recently retired Navy Commander even lamented that Lv Zhinian was born in the wrong era, suggesting that if he had lived in a more dramatic period, he could have been a figure like Nelson, Mahan, or Nimitz.
However, this retired officer did not realize that Country C was coincidentally experiencing such a grand era.
Huang Quan was opportunistic, but he was smart and respected those with ability. Therefore, he did not mind the attitude of Lv Zhinian.
"Captain Lv, it seems you've stepped down from the destroyer. Are you planning to transfer to the Universe Army?"
Lv Zhinian's expression remained indifferent, bland like thin soup, even in the most challenging simulation exercises he always appeared listless.
"Not exactly, but I don't mind telling you since the classification levels have been lowered because of the military reform and the establishment of the Universe Army. I stepped down from the destroyer to take over the 001A."
Huang Quan was surprised to hear this, but after thinking it over, he understood the awkward situation Lv Zhinian was in. He said, "That's something to congratulate you on, but as a comrade-in-arms, I still have something to say. The reform plan up top is fixed, and in the future, it will be divided into the Universe Army and the Earth Defense Forces.
The tri-services of land, sea, and air will all come under the command of the Earth Defense Headquarters, with even the Army and Air Force units being restructured as command posts.
It's not so bad for the Air Force, but the Army and Navy don't have much of a role in this round of military assistance. The Army is moving towards full mobilization of infantry, but traditional tank and armor units are going to be gradually phased out. The Navy doesn't even have a single serious model of military aid equipment. The idea is to make some major improvements to existing equipment.
However, the Navy has managed to secure the aerospace fleet of the Earth Defense Joint Command. In the future, if there's room for real contributions, it will be in the Universe Army."
Lv Zhinian nodded slightly in agreement with Huang Quan's words and added, "You're not wrong there."
Huang Quan felt helpless with this man who couldn't produce results despite his efforts and had to continue, "If you apply for a transfer now, you will immediately enter the Star Alliance Military Academy, and after training, you will be directly admitted to the Universe Army. Those who perform well might even get to command a starship right away.
If you transfer later, your years of service and seniority won't stack up, and I'm afraid you won't find a better opportunity than this."
Lv Zhinian cast a faint glance at Huang Quan, who felt uncomfortable because Lv Zhinian's gaze seemed to see through his ulterior motives.
Lv Zhinian just said lightly, "No matter the position, it ultimately needs someone to fill it."
Huang Quan fell silent. Watching Lv Zhinian walk leisurely, he suddenly seemed to understand something. Huang Quan quickly caught up with him and asked in a very low voice, "Brother Zhinian, do you have some information?"
Huang Quan's thinking was always associated with gains and losses. He thought he understood Lv Zhinian as well. He seemed not to vie for much, but he had never made a wrong step in his career, rising effortlessly. If you said he was without plans, Huang Quan would never believe it.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
Before the arrival of the Iridium Star people, the Navy indeed offered a good career path, receiving massive investments from the nation and even plans to build several aircraft carrier fleets. Now, although the Navy had been allocated an aerospace fleet, it was clear the surface force would not see much growth anymore.
It made logical sense; when warships could fly and even leave the atmosphere, why retain ships that could only move on water?
The plans for the Navy's type 002 and even the nuclear-powered type 003 aircraft carriers with electromagnetic catapults had been shelved by now. While it was a pity, there was nothing to be done. It was time for the tech and design teams to learn new things; continuing with their previous projects would be a blatant waste of national resources.
This meant that the type 001A aircraft carrier Shandong would be the last echo of the C country's Navy's surface carriers. The Iridium Star would send engineering teams to help the C country Navy significantly upgrade the Liaoning and Shandong, enhancing their combat capabilities. But that was it; there would be no more surface carriers developed by the C country.
Lv Zhinian's expression remained relaxed and calm. He looked at Huang Quan, who was deeply suspicious, and finally spoke up, "Councilor Huang, have you carefully read through all the documents regarding our country's accession to the Alliance?"
Huang Quan blushed slightly, "I haven't."
Lv Zhinian nodded and did not mock Huang Quan; he simply took out an intelligent device issued by the Iridium Star and handed it to Huang Quan.
A holographic screen popped up from the intelligent device, displaying the map of the C country.
Still puzzled, Huang Quan asked, "What does this mean?"
Lv Zhinian seemed to reach the limit of his patience with Huang Quan's poor comprehension and finally revealed, "What you see is the territory of the C country as recognized by the Star Alliance. However, to my knowledge, not all parts shown on this map are under the official government control of the C country.
You might think that joining the Universe Army now is the best time, but the conflicts on Earth are not yet settled, so what talk of fighting wars in the universe?"
Huang Quan was shocked, "Are you suggesting that we will take military action against the surrounding disputed territories?"
Lv Zhinian remained unperturbed and said, "Why not? Once this military aid is secured, there will no longer be an enemy on Earth capable of opposing us. We, the people of C country, have always been reasonable. What's ours is ours. Those that have belonged to us since ancient times cannot be taken by others. Once we reclaim our own territory, we won't covet others'.
After all, there's a much vaster cosmos waiting for us."