Chapter 224 Bloody Dinner

Schwerin Hive World, Spaceport.

When Fu Qinghai saw the Sword-class frigate quietly anchored at the spaceport, he breathed a sigh of relief.

This nearly undefended hive world has not been visited by traitors, heretics, or aliens.

After identifying themselves to the spaceport, the three ships anchored in the best berthing area of ​​the spaceport.

Koshvito led his men to greet them.

The Space Marines and Spartans met and hugged each other, their armors clanging against each other. Koshveto took off his iconic helmet, revealing his broad face, and laughed:

"Qingshan, I envy you so much for being able to participate in the major events of the plot line, unlike me who can only stay in the Hive World and kill time by training these little guys."

Koshveto has a typical Central Asian appearance, a combination of Mongolian and Caucasian. He said that his homeland was once a member of the former Soviet Union, probably a "Stan country" in the north of Central Asia.

Fu Qinghai introduced several Space Marines and community members behind him to Koshveto, and introduced the identity of the Spartan warriors - Fu Qinghai's collaborators.

"How's Gladys's business going?"

After a few pleasantries, Fu Qinghai asked seriously.

"Three months ago, a fast ship from the Ministry of the Interior arrived at the Schwerin Hive World, bringing new appointment documents and the Star Language Choir, announcing that Gladys Sommerfeld would be the new planetary governor. In addition, in recognition of the Sommerfeld family's contribution to the elimination of the planet's rebellious forces, the tithes on the Schwerin Hive World will be exempted for the next three years."

Koshvito said.

"Everything is just as you expected, Aoyama."

Fu Qinghai rolled his eyes:

"Isn't this nonsense? This is the result of my operation in the throne world. What I want to ask is, have you been appointed?"

Koshveto replied:

"Gladys has recommended me to the Military Affairs Department as the commander of the newly formed Schwerin Corps as per your request. The application has been submitted. It depends on how the Military Affairs Department approves it."

Fu Qinghai said calmly,

"This is easier than appointing a planetary governor. We have a lieutenant general in the Military Affairs Department. The title is not the key. The key is whether the Military Affairs Department is willing to allocate funds to help rebuild the Schwerin Corps."

Koshveto shrugged.

"I don't know about that."

Pushing Gladys to the position of planetary governor was only the first step of the plan. The second step was to appoint Koshveto as the commander of the planetary garrison.

The relationship between the Space Marines and the local administrative bodies of the human empire can be divided into two stages.

During the Great Crusade, everything was based on militarism and wartime regulations. Many planetary governors of planets that had just been incorporated into the Empire's territory were directly appointed by the expeditionary headquarters, that is, the Warmaster Horus. The Primarchs of each legion could also directly appoint planetary governors.

In the 41K period, the High Lords Council strictly prohibited Space Marine Chapters from participating in local administration. Except for the Chapter's own home world and the direct territories of the Regent Lord such as the Five Hundred Worlds of Ultramar, no Space Marine was allowed to interfere in local administration, including the Planetary Defense Force and the Imperial Guard.

This small detail marks the transition of the Human Empire from the era of Primarchs and Space Marines to the era of mortals in charge.

The Great Purge period was at such a critical juncture of historical transition. The Primarchs had not yet disappeared for various reasons, but the purpose of separation of military and politics had begun to manifest itself, and the Space Marines no longer interfered with the operation of local administrative agencies.

Although Fu Qinghai cannot directly make demands on the Ministry of Military Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior, with Chagatai Khan and Ilia Lavallee around, it is more than enough for him to operate a planetary governor and the commander of the Imperial Guard.

Although the Schwerin Nest was recaptured by Fu Qinghai alone, on the surface, these personnel appointments had nothing to do with Fu Qinghai, and most of the Space Marines were focused on combat missions and would not think of interfering in local administration.

Of course, there are also negative examples. For example, the Astral Claws Chapter, which was responsible for the defense of the Maelstrom in later generations, had a falling out with the imperial authorities because of its commander, Luft Huron, who withheld tithes without authorization.

Huron was driven crazy by the bureaucracy of the Terra government. He wanted to arrange the Maelstrom defense zone according to his own ideas and simply became the actual controller of the Badab sector. He was known as the "Tyrant of Badab". Of course, the Inquisition could not sit idly by, so the "Badab War" broke out. In the end, Huron failed and fled into the Maelstrom. From then on, the Black-hearted King of the Red Corsairs became the leader of the Chaos forces second only to Abaddon.

With the "precedent" of the Black-Hearted King Huron, even though it is not the 41K era yet, the Brotherhood of the Divine Machine cannot have any relationship with the local administration of the Schwerin hive - any relationship in the open.

Fu Qinghai is not a one-track-minded fool like Huron, who has to openly resist taxes to intensify the conflict. He can use agents to control the Schwerin hive world. He helped the planetary governor Gladys to the position, and the commander of the planetary garrison, Koshvitor, is also his man. What is the difference between this and directly controlling the hive?

Luft Huron is a pure Astartes officer. His starting point may be good - to improve the defense of the Great Vortex, but the means he adopted are not smart.

First, we must bring the Hive World under our command, as well as the future Forge World and the Chapter's home planet... Well, we must eat one bite at a time and take one step at a time.

Fu Qinghai was enjoying looking into the future when a group of mortals dressed in gorgeous aristocratic robes came to the spaceport in a mighty procession. They bowed respectfully to Fu Qinghai and said:

"Lord Qingshan, the planetary governor has prepared a dinner at the top of the tower and invites you to condescend to attend."

"OK."

Fu Qinghai agreed and turned around to talk to his teammates, but when they heard the word "dinner", the four women said they wanted to go back and change their clothes.

Fu Qinghai had no choice but to ask the visitor to wait for a while.

The other party said there was no problem and stood there waiting patiently.

"Oh, call the astropath and the navigator as well. Eugene Eleanor will stay on the battleship."

Fu Qinghai turned around and shouted, then turned back to chat with Koshvito:

"Did you find any results for the young man I asked you to help me screen before I left, Instructor Keshi?"

"The results are out. The Sommerfeld family cooperated with me to select a total of 135 teenagers. I don't know what your Space Marine selection criteria are. In addition to the basic physical conditions, no hidden injuries, mutations, and drug addiction, I selected the will and spirit according to the UNSC Hell Troopers' training standards. To be honest, it is very rare for a teenager between the ages of 15 and 17 to survive the Hell Troopers' training standards."

Koshvito whispered.

"Can."

Fu Qinghai nodded.

Before leaving the Hive World, Fu Qinghai didn't know that he would become a powerful Astartes captain. He just asked Koshveto to screen him for the future. Now it seems that 135 candidates are a bit too few, and he has 407 gene seeds in his hands.

Fu Qinghai called a few Space Marines over and said,

"Bring the 135 new recruit candidates aboard before you leave. Camille will perform the transformation operation, and Qiao Shida will be responsible for the training of the new recruits after the transformation is successful."

"Understood, Khan."

The two of them responded in unison.

Fu Qinghai looked at No. 56 and Sartre Fran:

"I have another task for you."

The two nodded slightly.

…

Schwerin Hive, the spire area.

The magnificent banquet hall is the epitome of luxury. The Baroque-style glass light well casts the light from the stars. This is a night view that can only be appreciated from the top of the tower, and it is more precious than any artificial lighting.

The shiny marble floor reflected the busy figures of waiters and valets moving back and forth, carrying plates and wine glasses, like black butterflies flying among flowers.

Between the exquisite columns and gorgeous murals are exotic flowers and plants from alien planets. They are meticulously trimmed, and their blooming stamens emit a faint fragrance.

The long square table is carved from a whole piece of natural stone. Sitting at the head of the long table is a very young woman with light gray curly hair tied into a bun, which highlights the woman's elegant neck and jawline. She looks delicate and fashionable.

However, the uniform and cloak, the golden epaulettes and drooping tassels, and the exquisite patterns on the upright collar all reminded others that this overly young woman was the planetary governor of a hive world.

He holds the power over the life and death of hundreds of millions of people.

Gladys did not wear an evening gown like a noble lady, but chose to attend the dinner in the uniform of the planetary governor, which did not surprise Fu Qinghai.

She seemed to be announcing something.

She is a woman with a strong desire for power.

Sitting on the right side of the governor's seat is Fu Qinghai.

Beside Fu Qinghai were four Astartes monks. They were all wearing the same bone-white power armor with red edges, but they were not wearing helmets. There were lightning-piercing bars on the right shoulder armor, and the patterns on the left shoulder armor were crows, wolves, snakes, spirals, and Fu Qinghai's gear skull.

Power armor is the formal dress of the Astartes, and Space Marines wear power armor when attending any ceremonial occasion.

On the sides of the five Space Marines were the Astropaths and the Navigators. Tracy Gray wore a gorgeous dress from an upper-class family on Terra. The trendy design style from the Throne World made all the noble ladies present envious. Xia Long Frospin was still wearing the Astropath's robe. The girl was a poor student who had just graduated from the Psionic Academy and did not have her own evening dress.

After the navigator and the astropath, there are four women.

The four beauties were wearing their own evening gowns, Chen Xin's was a exposed chest, Zhang Yuning's was a backless one, in dark black, dark silver, and dark green. The four beauties had their own styles. The evening gowns were from modern times, with simple and fashionable designs, which were completely different from the Gothic style prevalent in the hive world. However, the Human Empire has always been a diversified country. With two million planets and two million styles, the ladies of the hive world are not surprised.

Finally, there was Ron, who was holding a plastic doll.

From this seating arrangement, we can also see the ranking of nobility in the hive world. Fu Qinghai sits next to the planetary governor, followed by other Astartes, then official psychics, and then a group of mortal servants.

Koshevitto did not attend the dinner. He said he had been tortured by the endless banquets and salons of the upper class at the top of the pyramid and was about to vomit. The Spartan warriors retreated back to the barracks.

Sitting opposite Fu Qinghai and the others were a group of old men in gorgeous clothes. Their hair and beards were all white, and their faces showed traces of life-extending surgery. Some of them had life-support tubes inserted around their necks. Facing Fu Qinghai's gaze, the old men tried their best to smile and nod. However, when they occasionally glanced at Gladys in the main seat, Fu Qinghai still caught the gloom and dissatisfaction that flashed across their eyes.

Gladys's position as governor is not stable... Fu Qinghai picked up a glass of wine and took a sip, thinking calmly in his heart.

If it weren't for Koshveto and his Spartan gang, the planetary governor appointed by himself would probably have died a violent death before long, and the perpetrator might very well have been an elder of his own family.

The warm yellow crystal chandelier emitted a sparkling glow, and a band holding classical instruments was playing melodious music on the side stage. The banquet was filled with clinking glasses, laughter and joy, and it was very lively.

The people on the Fiery Horse were not opposed to this dinner.

They had already had enough of the military rations on the cruiser, and the rich and varied drinks and delicacies from various agricultural worlds at the dinner were an eye-opener for everyone.

The quantum spin ice water alone, which serves as a pre-meal refresher, is something the reincarnators have never tasted before.

It's much more rare than "Beverly Hills H2O", "Face", "Evian" and the like.

Fu Qinghai turned his head and glanced at Chen Xinlu.

He could see that Chen Xinlu was a little nervous.

After all, just a few years ago, she had led a group of illegal psychics in a coup to overthrow the planetary governor in the Schwerin hive. The planetary governor at the time was Gladys' great-grandfather, Odysseus Sommerfeld.

The Iceberg Queen lowered her head, cut the bloody steak with a dinner knife, put it into her mouth and chewed it in small bites.

Chen Xinlu was feeling complicated at the moment.

She thought that what she had done in the Schwerin Hive was quite impressive, but none of the nobles at the dinner recognized her.

Recognize this former wanted criminal from the Hive.

This is so ironic.

Chen Xinlu thought to herself as she ate.

Was it that the nobles at the top of the tower were too obsessed with life and dreams and completely ignored the life and death of the people below them, or was it that the shocking coup that he thought was not worth mentioning in the eyes of these carnivores?

Fu Qinghai knew why.

Baron Zedu was the only one who had close contact with Chen Xinlu's gang. He and his family had been exterminated by himself. Almost all the real people in charge of the four major families at the top of the tower died in the rebellion initiated by Baron Zedu. The rest were just people who were in office but did nothing.

"Ding, ding, ding!"

A crisp sound came from the head of the long table, and Gladys tapped the plate lightly with the butt of her fork.

The entire banquet hall fell silent in an instant.

"Everyone, ladies and gentlemen."

Gladys raised her goblet.

"On this occasion of joyous gathering, let us raise our glasses together to thank Captain Qingshan and the powerful Astartes for bringing the long-lost peace, stability and prosperity to the Schwerin Hive."

After saying that, Gladys looked at Fu Qinghai with her beautiful eyes.

Since the hostess said so, Fu Qinghai also picked up his cup and said calmly:

"For the Emperor."

"For the Emperor!"

Everyone present responded in unison.

After a few drinks, the scene returned to noisy laughter and heated conversation.

Fu Qinghai glanced at the scene, leaned close to Gladys and whispered:

"Are you satisfied?"

Gladys smiled slightly and replied:

"A little bit."

Fu Qinghai said calmly,

"Gladys, we still have a long way to go, far beyond the little intrigues we are facing now."

"I know." said the young noblewoman.

"I know Captain Qingshan helped me become the planetary governor, definitely not because he likes me."

"You're wrong about that."

Fu Qinghai smiled and said, "You are indeed the Sommerfeld that I like the most."

At this time, on the other side of the long banquet table.

Ron was eating hard.

Suddenly, a fragrant breeze floated in the air, and a charming voice sounded behind him:

"Hey."

Ron turned around, his mouth still stuffed with food.

In front of him was a noblewoman in a gorgeous dress, with layered and puffy Rococo-style skirts, elbow-length silk gloves on her hands, and a corset that squeezed out half of her breasts. Her bulging soft flesh swayed in front of Ron's eyes, and her face was half covered by a black veil, revealing her sexy red lips.

Ron swallowed his food and saliva and asked:

"What's the matter?"

The woman looked at Ron with interest and said softly,

"Has anyone ever told you that your freckles are cute?"

Ron thought, no one has ever said that, and he said:

"My name is Ron, may I ask your name, young lady?"

"Melodie Sommerfeld, I am the cousin of the Planetary Governor."

There was a hint of pride and complacency in the noble woman's tone.

Ron put down the plastic doll in his arms, stood up and faced her, praising her exaggeratedly:

"What a beautiful name."

Although he doesn't know where the beauty is.

Melody smiled softly and said:

"You have such a sweet mouth."

She invited Ron in a low and ambiguous tone:

"Well, it's so noisy here. Are you interested in going to a quieter place with me so we can have a good chat?"

"It is a great pleasure, my lady."

Ron agreed immediately.

Before leaving his seat, he hesitated for a moment, but still picked up the plastic doll on the seat.

The noble woman felt a little strange when she saw this scene, but she didn't say much. She led Ron through a group of standing waiters and bartenders and walked to a corridor on the side of the banquet hall.

...

(PS: This chapter is not finished yet, I will post half of it first.)

(End of this chapter)