Jiang Ye wearily pushed open the office door. The lights and air conditioning automatically activated, the pantry whirred to life, and a cup of hot tea was brewed.
He shed his clothes, downed the hot tea, and sat down at his desk.
The first continent was completely occupied, and the troops had already begun exploring the second. A new historical phase had arrived.
There was no victory banquet, no fireworks, but Jiang Ye was still in good spirits.
He tapped the screen on his desk to review various pieces of information:
[Jiang Ye Autonomous Region / Development Index 5393 / Rank 8561]
Account Balance: 22,750,000,000 Yuan
Territory Area: 21,998 square kilometers
Military Personnel: 3,012
Police Personnel: 1,488
Total Population: 49,720
The development index was steadily rising. With no major projects recently, the growth wasn't rapid.
However, they had already surpassed Binglü Star, narrowly exceeding two others and temporarily holding them at bay.
The account balance was increasing slowly. With the heavy snow of winter, residents were staying home, sleeping by their heaters. Those who did work had low efficiency, and the economic situation was continuously declining. There was nothing that could be done about it; one couldn't force people to come out and spend or do business.
The population was continuously growing, primarily due to enterprises from other planets setting up operations and alien exchange students.
The number of military and police personnel had also increased, and both were undergoing intensive training.
Judging by the data, the colony's situation was excellent, practically prosperous.
However, Jiang Ye was still anxious.
Two mountains weighed heavily on his shoulders.
The first mountain was the possibility of the Mil people sending a Frog Mother. So far, they had only encountered one, but Jiang Ye had a premonition that the number of Frog Mothers would increase, posing a significant and not-to-be-underestimated problem.
The second mountain was the goal of ten thousand development index points. Jiang Ye had repeatedly dreamt of building a star station at night.
He had planned to relax for the evening and sleep in, but the thought made him lose his sleepiness.
Jiang Ye took out his phone and sent a message to Xu Yan.
Jiang Ye: "I need a new military base and a naval port capable of docking multiple warships. Please provide a plan and budget report."
Xu Yan immediately sent over the plan, indicating she was prepared.
Jiang Ye clicked to view it. It included design drawings with textual explanations, detailing the specifics. The military base had a similar layout to the previous one. The naval port was a massive U-shape, capable of accommodating twelve frigates. It also included a repair workshop, a power plant, and a logistics area for storing cargo containers, making it suitable for both military and civilian use.
The total quote was 1.7 billion, with a radar station offered as an immediate bonus.
He promptly agreed and transferred the 1.7 billion.
Jiang Ye: "Have you moved yet?"
Xu Yan: "We are busily packing our belongings."
Jiang Ye's face darkened. Busily packing? More likely, Xu Yan was sending the message from a mahjong table. He could imagine several girls playing cards in their pajamas.
Closing his phone, Jiang Ye leaned over the desk screen, reviewing various basic functions.
The commercial factories were empty, as difficult to secure as ever.
However, he had accumulated over a dozen company resumes, which Jiang Ye began to review one by one.
"Knock, knock, knock!" The sound of banging on the door.
Jiang Ye frowned and looked up at his office door. The visitor was clearly agitated or extremely rough. Liu Jizi always knocked gently when he visited.
He pulled open a drawer, placing his handgun at the opening, and called out, "Please come in!"
The door was shoved open, and a burly soldier entered. He closed the door, snapped his boots together, and saluted Jiang Ye.
Jiang Ye was confused; he didn't recognize the man.
"Report! New recruit Cheng Hong from the Second Battalion, requesting an audience!"
"Please sit," Jiang Ye said politely.
"I won't sit. I'll leave after I've spoken!" Cheng Hong's voice was deep and resonant. He trembled slightly, his eyes wide with anger. "I believe your bombing today was inappropriate!"
Jiang Ye was somewhat bewildered and hadn't yet reacted when Cheng Hong spoke again.
"That's all I have to say. Goodbye, Commander!" Cheng Hong saluted again and turned to leave.
"Whoa, whoa, don't rush off," Jiang Ye quickly said. "Come sit down, and let's talk it over."
Cheng Hong's hand gripped the doorknob, and he froze, not turning around, nor leaving.
Jiang Ye could see he was very nervous. He spoke in a gentle tone, "Just come and sit. Would you like something to drink?"
Cheng Hong turned, saluted, and marched with a formal gait to the desk, sitting down with his legs together and hands on his knees.
Jiang Ye smiled and observed him. A young, handsome man with resolute features, but his skin was as fair and delicate as a maiden's. He was definitely a recent recruit who hadn't gone through the grueling training yet, otherwise, his skin wouldn't be so good.
Cheng Hong was clearly very nervous, sweat beading on his forehead.
"Sit down and relax," Jiang Ye said. "You've got 'nervous' written all over your face. What's there to be nervous about? I'm not a tiger; I won't eat you. We're all part of the same army. Although our positions differ, we are comrades. There's no need to be nervous. I'm glad you're willing to come forward and report."
"Sir, you may not be a tiger, but you are more terrifying than a tiger!" Cheng Hong said with a stern face. He hesitated for a moment, then adopted an expression as if facing certain death. "And more detestable than a tiger!"
Jiang Ye smiled. "Why do you say that?"
"Tigers eat people, but they only eat one or two at a time before they are full. You, in a single day, killed over four hundred innocent people! Those four hundred people did not die in battle; they were slaughtered! Cruel rulers are worse than tigers, and your actions are a crime! I can't sleep; I can't sleep at all. That's why I couldn't hold back. I had to come and say this!" Cheng Hong was almost shouting, his face flushed with anger. "I believe you should apologize to the deceased! And never do such a thing again! This kind of slaughter is only something brutal ancient kings would do, but this is modern society!"
Jiang Ye's smile gradually faded, and his expression became serious.
"You have quite a lot of courage," Jiang Ye said, his tone calm.
"I came here with the resolve to die to say these words to you. If you don't listen, then execute me!" Cheng Hong roared. "The moment I walked through this door, I had no intention of walking out again!"
Jiang Ye almost gasped. This new recruit, while shouting, was also sweating profusely from nervousness. Such courage was truly extraordinary.
"I was about to rest, but it seems you won't be able to sleep if I don't clarify this," Jiang Ye said, standing up. He poured a cup of black tea and placed it on the desk in front of Cheng Hong. "Have some tea, and let's talk for a while. You are a man, and I admire your courage. After we talk, if I manage to convince you, I will promote you to captain. If you remain unconvinced, you can resign from the army, and I will provide you with severance pay."
Cheng Hong's expression was one of utter astonishment, staring blankly at his superior.
He had expected Jiang Ye, being cruel and mad, to pull out a gun and shoot him, or at least arrest him and throw him in jail.
Instead, the superior was not only not angry but offered a promotion?
Cheng Hong lowered his head to look at the tea in the cup. Could it be poisoned?
He picked up the teacup and drank it down in one gulp, like drinking wine, with an expression of "I fear nothing." Still sweating profusely, he looked across the desk.
"Alright, I'll tell you now why I did it," Jiang Ye said with a long sigh.