Jiang Ye pondered for a moment, then picked up his phone and initiated a video call with Xu Yan.
The signal connected to the holographic projection in his study, and the call was quickly answered. Xu Yan's office scene appeared all around him.
"Good morning," Xu Yan said, dressed in a professional skirt suit and seated in her executive chair, her expression complex. "I heard about Ju Lanlan."
"Yes, it's all handled," Jiang Ye replied calmly.
"I actually suspected something would happen to Ju Lanlan a while ago," Xu Yan said, hesitating. "But never mind that, let's talk business. Did you call about new business?"
"Bi Rong Star, I should have secured one-third of its development rights," Jiang Ye stated. "The military will be holding a development competition. Each planet will heavily invest in developing their allotted territories on Bi Rong Star. In the end, whoever has the best territory will gain sovereignty. So, for the next few years, my focus might be primarily on Bi Rong Star."
"Dad!" Xu Yan's eyes lit up like forty-watt bulbs.
"What are you talking about, 'Dad'..." Jiang Ye was speechless.
"If you let me contract the construction of Bi Rong Star, I'll call you Dad for a whole year!" Xu Yan declared decisively.
"Ms. Xu, you're a renowned entrepreneur on Jiang Ye Star, with countless employees. You should at least maintain some dignity..."
"Can dignity make money? I can call you Dad in front of my employees!" Xu Yan's shamelessness was boundless. "I can call you Dad on television! I can change my social media profile to 'Jiang Ye is Dad'!"
Jiang Ye covered his face.
He remembered years ago, when he first met Xu Yan, she was a cool, professional white-collar worker, never cracking a smile.
Xu Yan, what has happened to you?
Money truly changes people beyond recognition!
"I will definitely let you contract many projects on Bi Rong Star, but I won't necessarily give you a monopoly," Jiang Ye said.
"Why can't I have a monopoly? Do I need to call you Grandpa?" Xu Yan frowned.
"Bi Rong Star is much larger than Jiang Ye Star, and its future development scale will certainly be immense. If only one company handles it, the pressure would be too great. It's better to find several companies to compete," Jiang Ye explained. "Don't worry, the main part will still be yours."
"Okay, Dad," Xu Yan nodded.
"No, that title feels so strange," Jiang Ye said. "I called to discuss the situation with Mill Biologicals."
"Bi Rong Star was occupied by the Mills for a period, and they planted a lot of Mill Biologicals there, right?" Xu Yan became serious again.
"You've been involved in construction on various planets. Do you have any relevant experience?" Jiang Ye asked. "For example, how to conduct large-scale sterilization of Mill Biologicals, how to establish cities in areas densely populated with Mill Biologicals, and ensure urban life is unaffected."
"My experience isn't extensive, but I can learn from the termite real estate company's database, or I can transfer experts from headquarters to help," Xu Yan said seriously. "I believe my construction team can establish qualified cities and military structures on Bi Rong Star."
"If you can access the company database, can you copy and send me the relevant knowledge?" Jiang Ye asked. "I need to know more about Mill Biologicals."
"The company database is strictly forbidden from being leaked. If caught, there are huge responsibilities, and fines that will make you bleed," Xu Yan said with a serious expression.
Jiang Ye was about to say, "Forget it."
"But since you're Dad, I'll secretly get some information for you to see," Xu Yan smiled.
Jiang Ye almost spat blood.
"Alright, alright, stop with that," Jiang Ye said. "We are peers."
"I am peers with Jiang Sen Lin," Xu Yan corrected.
Jiang Ye was utterly speechless.
Xu Yan, have you been possessed?
"Why don't you ask Li Nan Nan for the Mill data?" Xu Yan changed the subject.
"She's busy. I'll ask her later," Jiang Ye replied.
"Don't you have a military academy? Many instructors there are ex-military. Ask them," Xu Yan suggested. "Isabel should also know something."
"Okay, I'll ask them. I need the information from you too, send it to me as soon as possible," Jiang Ye said. "I'm hanging up, bye."
"Bye, Dad," Xu Yan waved.
The holographic projection flickered out.
Jiang Ye was filled with speechlessness.
He then called Che Zhen and assigned the task.
Che Zhen always agreed readily. "Yes, Commander! I remember a few military academy lecturers who have experience fighting the Mills and should have some understanding of Mill Biological control. I'll compile a list, form a specialized working group, and then hand it over to you."
"Good, thank you for your hard work," Jiang Ye paused. "Bi Rong Star will also establish its own local forces. Do you still have the energy to contribute?"
"Wherever you need me to go, I will go. Whatever you need me to do, I will do," Che Zhen replied decisively. "I'm still young and can handle the strain."
"Good, you have ambition. Prepare yourself mentally. The exact departure time is not yet determined, I'll notify you then," Jiang Ye said. "You can select a group of cadres to go to Bi Rong Star in advance."
"Understood!"
After hanging up, Jiang Ye smiled.
Every time he spoke with Che Zhen, he felt a sense of relief and contentment.
He now understood why ancient emperors doted on their capable subordinates so much.
It truly felt good!
Then he dialed Isabel's number.
She didn't answer.
He called again.
Still no answer.
After a while, a message from Isabel arrived.
"If you have something to say, just say it in the message. It's not convenient for me to take calls here."
Jiang Ye requested a document on Mill Biological control.
"I've been retired for a long time, and I can't access the military database anymore."
"But."
"I once."
"When I was in the military."
Jiang Ye frowned.
What was with this intermittent communication? Bad signal? Or was it inconvenient?
Jiang Ye: "Is it inconvenient for you to send messages? If not, just wait a bit."
Isabel: "I'm on a roller coaster."
Jiang Ye was speechless.
He pictured a long roller coaster, everyone screaming with red faces, while Isabel struggled to type on her phone, typing a few words before looking up and screaming again.
He didn't know whether to be touched or to laugh.
After waiting for more than ten minutes.
Isabel finally sent a complete message, presumably after the roller coaster ride was over.
"I haven't encountered Mill Biologicals, but I have encountered alien creatures from other planets and received systematic training in biological disaster prevention. I've also been stationed in heavily affected areas. Our unit had relevant work logs, and I have backups. Many situations are actually transferable, like toxic spores; the prevention methods are the same."
Jiang Ye was overjoyed.
"Reliable! Send me a copy!"
"I can send it to you, and I can also be your consultant, but there's a condition," Isabel replied.
"Just name it, why be polite with me?" Jiang Ye typed.
"I don't want to see my husband again, but I also hope he's doing a little better. So, let him stay on Jiang Ye Star and continue working. I won't return to Jiang Ye Star in this lifetime. When your territory reaches Bi Rong Star, I'll come there directly to meet you and work for you," Isabel replied. "A different planet, a different world, a different life."