Fan Cheng's expression was grave as he said in a deep voice, "If we let these people go now, won't that just allow them to return and report back?"
"This is extremely disadvantageous to our Great Qian. What if these Earthlings have ulterior motives and attack the Great Desolation with their weapons?"
He certainly wouldn't believe these Earthlings would be benevolent.
If it were him, facing a piece of land that suddenly appeared in the Great Desolation, he wouldn't be able to relax his guard.
Not to mention Earth, a place with a complex national structure and not yet unified.
Even if some countries were willing to befriend the Great Desolation, what about the others? It was possible some country might secretly launch a weapon called a nuclear bomb.
In that case, even if they sought revenge on the Earthlings afterward, the losses and casualties caused could not be recovered.
Therefore, the current situation, where they were in the dark and the Earthlings were in the light, was the best and most advantageous for Great Qian!
The officer realized this after listening.
Letting these Earthlings go was undoubtedly like letting a tiger return to the mountains; it could not be done.
"Since we can't let them go, what should we do? We can't keep them locked up forever, can we?" Bai Zhan interjected.
He actually wanted to kill them all, but he worried that if people from Earth found out later, it would affect the friendship between the Great Desolation and Earth.
After all, given the current situation, with the permanent dispersal of the Endless Sea's mist, the Great Desolation was destined to become neighbors with Earth.
Therefore, it was better not to antagonize their neighbors. Of course, if those Earthlings were ungrateful, Great Qian would not show mercy and would kill them.
Great Qian had never feared war; even if nuclear weapons were powerful, what good would they be? They had to be able to hit them accurately first.
He had also looked at those memory fragments and discovered the drawbacks of these nuclear weapons.
That is, they were difficult to aim accurately and did not track targets for attack. Such methods could easily be evaded by cultivators, greatly reducing their threat.
Fan Cheng pondered and said, "Keeping them imprisoned indefinitely is also not an option. How about this: escort all of them to the Imperial Capital and let His Majesty see these humans from beyond the Great Desolation."
He knew His Majesty had always been interested in new things.
He believed the appearance of these Earth humans in the Imperial Capital would surely pique His Majesty's interest.
"That's a good idea!" Bai Zhan's eyes lit up, and he agreed wholeheartedly.
He then asked if they should go near the Demonic Beast Mountain to try their luck and see if they could encounter that Iron Winged Tiger King.
If they met it, they would kill it and offer its tiger bones and penis to His Majesty!
Fan Cheng was somewhat tempted. He knew His Majesty had recently begun selecting consorts, and offering tiger bones and penis would be most suitable.
However, going to the Demonic Beast Mountain would take a considerable amount of time, and to subdue the Iron Winged Tiger King, they would both have to act together.
This meant they would have to leave the military camp. If there were no powerful individuals guarding the camp at this time, it would be difficult to respond to any sudden changes in the Endless Sea.
Thus, Fan Cheng regretfully stated that they could not go to the Demonic Beast Mountain.
"Then forget it. We can capture that Iron Winged Tiger King next time we have the chance," Bai Zhan said with some regret.
Next, Fan Cheng began to order his subordinates to prepare. They would escort the over two hundred Earth captives from the prison onto the flying ship, preparing to send them to the Imperial Capital.
At the same time, Chen Wu and Wang Hao would personally deliver that peculiar glass bottle to His Majesty.
When they received the general's orders, Chen Wu and Wang Hao were ecstatic!
They had never dreamed that they, mere soldiers, would have the honor of going to the Imperial Capital to meet His Majesty!
"Fifth Brother, is this real? We're going to the palace to meet His Majesty, it feels like a dream?"
Wang Hao was somewhat dazed, feeling that happiness had come too suddenly.
When he received the order, he could feel the intense envy and jealousy from his comrades.
Even the副将 (fùjiàng - deputy general) looked at him with envy. This feeling made Wang Hao feel a bit giddy.
Chen Wu felt the same, his excitement evident on his face.
However, being older, he quickly calmed down, patted Wang Hao's shoulder, and smiled.
"Of course, it's real! You're not dreaming, boy, we're going to meet His Majesty in the palace soon!"
Wang Hao snapped back to reality, and his face broke into a wide smile.
"That's great! I never expected such a wonderful task to fall upon us. It seems the general really takes care of us!" he said excitedly.
Chen Wu didn't think so. He said, "Speaking of which, I'm benefiting from you, kid, that's why I get to go to the Imperial Capital to meet His Majesty with you."
"Fifth Brother, what are you talking about? Benefiting from me? What 'benefit' do I have?"
Wang Hao was very confused upon hearing Chen Wu's words.
"Don't you realize yet? Your daughter is now a candidate for a concubine. Even if she isn't chosen, she'll be a talented lady in the harem in the future, her status will soar, not inferior to those ministers in the court."
"And you, as the father of a talented lady, your status is naturally incomparable. Everyone will have to show you respect in the future!"
Chen Wu said with great envy.
Actually, becoming a talented lady was not that simple, as she would still be His Majesty's woman.
Even a general would have to salute her respectfully. It would be a salute from the heart, not just a formal one based on status.
Wang Hao was stunned for a long time before he finally reacted.
Yes, his daughter was now a concubine candidate, and in the future, she would be a talented lady. Their Wang family was truly prospering!
No wonder General Fan gave this task, which rightfully belonged to the deputy general, to the two of them, and the deputy general himself had no objections, only envy.
Wang Hao sighed, "I've lived most of my life, and I never expected to rely on my daughter's fortune in my old age. It's truly unexpected."
"Get lost! Stop showing off in front of me, kid! It's annoying to look at!"
Chen Wu's tone was very displeased, feeling that Wang Hao's words had a strong undertone. According to His Majesty's Sacred Edicts, what was it called? Versailles?
The Sacred Edicts of His Majesty were a collection of His Majesty's words, and since His Majesty's ascension to the throne, a thick volume had been compiled.
This book was extremely popular in the Great Qian Dynasty and favored by the common people, with almost everyone owning a copy.
In upper-class circles, if you didn't understand His Majesty's sacred words, you would be looked down upon.
The flying ship was ready. Soldiers began to escort all the Earth captives from the prison, one by one, onto the flying ship.
The captured Earthlings didn't know where they were being taken, but they knew in their hearts that they wouldn't have a good end.
Chen Wu and Wang Hao also boarded the flying ship. Chen Wu held a specially made metal box in his hand.
Inside it was that peculiar glass bottle.
This thing was very strange. Although it was temporarily determined to be harmless, Fan Cheng still sealed it with a special box and restrictions.
To prevent any accidents.
As for whether this box and restrictions could seal the glass bottle, he didn't know.
In any case, he had done his best.
..............