Chapter 24: Storm-Tossed
On November 15, Bai Zhizhan's eighth day at the Puzhou Navy Shipyard.
Like the previous days, he left the warmth of his bed before dawn, dressed in fall attire and rubber shoes, and went for at least an hour's jog around the shipyard.
After several days, it had become a routine for Bai Zhizhan.
Actually, it was mainly because there was nothing else to do.
Though the Navy hadn't canceled the order for the "Longjiang," construction had been suspended for half a year. It wasn't just materials that were scarce, even the shipbuilders had largely dispersed. As for the "Longjiang's" supervising officer, Bai Zhizhan had been there eight days without a glimpse. Were it not for a notice board at the shipyard gate with photos of the supervisor and other key personnel, Bai Zhizhan wouldn't even know what Colonel Liu Xiangdong looked like.
Since no one inquired, Bai Zhizhan didn't need to report to the shipyard every day.
Of course, this didn't mean Bai Zhizhan indulged himself.
The rumors that the Luosha Empire had experienced a coup and the entire Imperial Family had been killed were confirmed. Moreover, the insurgents who staged the coup had established a temporary government, which announced its withdrawal from the Alliance Group and its willingness to negotiate peace without any additional conditions with all warring countries, including the Liangxia Empire.
Afterward, the temporary government unilaterally issued a cease-fire order, directing the Luosha Army under its command to voluntarily retreat ten kilometers from the frontlines.
This caused quite a stir.
In a sense, this series of upheavals turned the Luosha Empire into the first fallen domino.
It wasn't about the outcome of the war, but about an order that had existed for hundreds of years.
The rise and fall of one royal house wasn't anything significant, but what about all the royal and noble families around the world?
With the Luosha royal family obliterated, could the others be safe?
Don't forget, just one year ago, the royal family of the Ter Empire had been eradicated.
So, who's next?
Two days later, on November 11, Wild II suddenly announced without any warning that the Tiaoman Empire hadn't been defeated!
That day, the Tiaoman Army, heeding the Emperor's call, relaunched their offensive on the Western Front.
Although the effect was minimal, mainly due to insufficient preliminary preparations, Wild II's contradiction effectively shattered the Alliance Group's dream of victory without fighting.
However, it didn't quite rekindle the fires of hope.
During those days, the Empire's leading newspapers, as if infused with new energy, published editorials declaring imminent victory, as though triumph were just around the corner. But a bit of calm would reveal that the prospect of victory was a mirage, merely a brief resurgence from the Tiaoman Empire.
According to propaganda, after making peace with the Luosha Empire, they could aid the Tiaoman Empire by transporting food through Luosha, helping them through their ordeal.
Seizing the opportunity might even allow an alliance with the Luosha Empire, offsetting the impact of the Ter Empire's defeat.
If the three great empires joined forces, dominating both the Giant Continent and West Continent, victory seemed certainly within reach.
But how could the Liangxia Empire, itself a clay Buddha crossing a river—hardly capable of saving itself—help others cross?
Moreover, even if a peace treaty were reached, the Luosha Empire might not open its borders, let alone allow the Liangxia Empire's trains to pass through to the Tiaoman Empire.
The idea of allying with the Luosha Empire to fight the Alliance Group again was even more of a pipe dream.
Nevertheless, with the Tiaoman Empire's resurgence and the Luosha Empire following in the footsteps of the Ter Empire, the situation on the battlefield underwent drastic changes, and the future became even more unpredictable.
In Bai Zhizhan's view, a major battle was likely in the near future.
The key was, neither party had yet reached a point of desperation.
Bai Zhizhan also felt that both sides might not fight to the bitter end, possibly taking the coup in the Luosha Empire as a cautionary tale.
In that case, they might sit down to negotiate.
"If we're going to negotiate, then we need bargaining chips that we can use to haggle."
If the negotiations fail, there might even be a fight.
As long as the war isn't over, the battleships laid out on the shipways must continue to be built.
One day, when the Imperial Navy suddenly comes to its senses, it might vigorously push forward the construction of the "Mo River" and "Longjiang."
By then, perhaps I could return to Mast Harbor and once again join the Fleet to set out on an expedition.
It was with this belief that Bai Zhizhan didn't give up and persisted in training, preparing for a sortie that might never come.
Even if it was just self-deception, he couldn't afford to be complacent, let alone drift along with the current.
After jogging around the factory area, Bai Zhizhan didn't return to the dormitory. Timing it right, he went directly to the senior cafeteria, which was specially open to military representatives.
Although there was no fee and entry was by facial recognition, breakfast time was only half an hour, and it was limited supply.
The breakfast wasn't rich, mainly consisting of various pastries, with three types of drinks—milk, soy milk, and juice. And the milk was rationed; each person could only get one cup.
The flavors of the various meals were not bad, and there was generally enough pastries.
It wasn't about eating whatever you wanted; rather, many military representatives didn't stay in the factory area and wouldn't come here for breakfast, yet the supplies provided by the military didn't decrease accordingly.
In reality, an officer like Bai Zhizhan wouldn't binge or drink carelessly just because there was no limit, let alone conceal and sneak away food.
In the workers' cafeteria of the factory area, that was a different matter altogether.
Bai Zhizhan arrived early. Actually, he came at this time every day. The chef hadn't left yet, so he could enjoy a privilege and ask the chef to make two fried eggs.
After Bai Zhizhan got some pastries and milk, the fried eggs were almost ready.
"Chief Bai, is it the usual seven-minute sunny-side up with a runny yolk?"
"Master Wang, how many times have I told you, just call me Bai," Bai Zhizhan wasn't speaking out of line, because the chef was a middle-aged uncle over fifty, several years older than his own father, yet he called him chief, which, even as a formality, sounded very awkward and was uncomfortable to hear.
"Chief Bai, to be honest, I've worked at the shipyard for nearly thirty years; I've seen a thousand officers if not eight hundred, yet you're the most approachable."
Bai Zhizhan was left speechless, but he didn't quibble with the chef.
The chef was so polite, frankly because of the pressure of the times; finding a job to support a family was simply too difficult.
Even though Bai Zhizhan was just a supervising officer who hadn't yet assumed his post and had little to do with the Navy Shipyard, his words alone could cost the chef his job, or at least some suffering, since the logistics head of the Navy Shipyard would definitely not offend a military representative for the sake of a chef.
Moreover, this military representative was sent by He Yongxing.
In fact, Bai Zhizhan always suspected that it must be He Pengfei spreading the word about his relationship with He Yongxing, which is why the people in the shipyard were so exceedingly courteous to him.
Right, He Yongxing was promoted to a Navy Admiral two days ago, officially taking on the role of Domestic Fleet Commander.
According to the unwritten rules, he is now the second in command of the Imperial Navy; even as the lowest Fifth-rank Admiral, his authority is second only to the Navy Commander.
"Chief Bai, the eggs are done—seven-minute sunny-side up, with a runny yolk!"
The two eggs were fried perfectly, crispy on the outside and tender inside, with the yolks still soft, making one's mouth water just at the sight.
"Your appetite looks good—that must be delicious. Make two for me as well."
The sudden voice from behind startled Bai Zhizhan, not out of fear, but because that familiar voice surprised him so much.
"Colonel Gui, you are too... It looks like I should call you General Gui now."
Indeed, it was Gui Boyong.
But he was no longer a Navy Colonel; on his shoulders were the epaulettes of a Brigadier General.