Chapter 59
Chapter 59
Face-Slapping the Interstellar General and His Ger (3)
Editor: ghost
Zhou Xu thought for a moment before deciding to make his move through the painting hung in the room. Since it was the army, he could not look at the documents, nor could he casually move or touch anything. Thus the simplest way was to act on something that he could see. He needed to hit the mark in one attempt otherwise he may make the general feel that he was overstepping his boundaries. There was even a possibility of the general directly ruining his military career.
Zhou Xu straightened and pointed at the painting as he spoke, “General, this painting of a battle has a part which is inappropriate.”
“Oh? Which part?” The general maintained his smiling-yet-not-smiling expression as he stared at Zhou Xu with deep interest. This gaze did not make Zhou Xu very comfortable; it was as if he was being seen through.
What Zhou Xu did not know was that Mu Xinhua actually already knew his name. Wu Mingdi had already handed Mu Xinhua basic information on Zhou Xu and so when he heard “Zhou Xu” again, his eyes had glimmered for a moment. Mu Xinhua realised that he and Zhou Xu may really have a lot of fate. Of course, even if there was no fate, Mu Xinhu would engineer it.
Looking at Zhou Xu who was standing upright, the corner of Mu Xinhua’s mouth hooked up. There was no need for him to engineer “fate”; the other party had already started on it. Excellent.
“The upper left corner is inappropriate. Following the content of this painting, the enemy invasion should be coming from the top left corner, meaning that the soldiers there would be the first to encounter the enemies. However, the soldiers were only placed above and below the enemies’ invasion path. In other words, the painting’s meaning is not to obstruct their path, but to allow them to enter our side’s encirclement. But General, look, if the enemy army slightly shifted their direction, wouldn’t our side become very passive….”
Zhou Xu was an interstellar military advisor. In regards to how to organize battle or resist enemies, he had his unique theories and principles. In addition, he was not simply doing idle theorizing, moving his mouth and not his body. Even in Zhou Xu’s real world, he was an outstanding mecha user. A normal military advisor would not enter the battlefield, but Zhou Xu could fight on those grounds very well.
Zhou Xu had participated in both major battles and minor skirmishes, as well as various drills. This added to no less than a hundred times, so he had a thorough understanding of attack and defence.
As for the picture, if it was someone who had no real battle experience, they definitely would not have been able to think of the point Zhou Xu had noticed. This picture was a record of the first time Mu Xinhua lead ten mechas to defend against the enemy’s invading hundred. He had gained overnight fame from that one battle. However, after the battle he had realised that if the enemy had slightly shifted their bearing when they had invaded, none of his squad of ten would have been left.
Mu Xinhua had come to this sudden realisation only a year later. He had been proud of his ingenious tactic for a long period of time, but once he realised the truth, he became more composed and keen-witted. He continued to leave this picture in his office solely to remind himself that he must not take any impulsive actions on the battlefield.
However, Zhou Xu was only a little devil who had just turned eighteen. How did he see through the painting’s oversight with just a glance?
Mu Xinhua’s eyes glinted in increased wonder. He realised that he had only seen Zhou Xu twice in total, but in both times, Zhou Xu let him experience what was “stunning”. He even guessed that in the future, Zhou Xu may leave him stunned many more times. But now, what should he do about him?
Thinking for a while, Mu Xinhua firmly believed that he definitely did not want to leave him by another’s side. It was unacceptable, no matter how trusted the other person was. He had to keep Zhou Xu by his side. Even just being a minor rear end logistics member was good. In any case, he would give opportunities to Zhou Xu to be promoted.
Starting from the position of colonel, one could have his own soldiers in the rear end logistics department. A general could have four soldiers, but Mu Xinhua did not have a single one. However, now he felt that recruiting one was not bad. He smiled and faced Zhou Xu to speak, “Zhou Xu, what is your current post?”
“Cookhouse squad, no particular post.”
“Then go and find Colonel Lin tomorrow. Tell him that you are now a member of my rear end logistics department.”
Standing upright and saluting, Zhou Xu said, “Yes, General. I will take my leave now.”
“Wait a moment.”
Zhou Xu stood at attention again. “Yes.”
“No need to follow the rules to such a tee. Come over and accompany me for a meal.”
Zhou Xu was stunned. Accompany a general for a meal? There was only one portion–was he supposed to watch as the general ate? Also, since when did logistics soldiers need to accompany the general for his meal?
Zhou Xu suddenly understood why the general’s gaze had made him uncomfortable; he had this kind of intention?
Smiling coldly, Zhou Xu replied, “I apologise, General, I have to reject your offer.”
This time, it was Mu Xinhua’s turn to be stunned. Such a minor rear-end soldier said he rejected him?
Mu Xinhua had just stood up to leave for his meal, but sat back down. The same thoughtful smile resurfaced on his face, “What did you say?”
“General, I don’t want to eat with you. In all the army’s rules and regulations, there isn’t a clause that states that rear-end soldiers need to accompany their general for a meal.”
“The main idea of the rear-end soldiers’ code of conduct is to assist their superiors and ensure a good working environment for their superiors. The regulations are all to support this main idea. In other words, you should listen to whatever I say.”
“If that is the case, General, if you tell me to die, would I need to go do it? Not conforming to the rules is what it is. A man of honor would not have such elaborate word play to twist these rules.”
Mu Xinhua was unexpectedly criticized by Zhou Xu until he was speechless. In the end, he could only wave his hand and say, “Then you may leave.”
Zhou Xu saluted and left.
Mu Xinhua stared at the leaving figure. He sat on his chair and weakly supported his forehead while wryly laughing. He was really convinced by Zhou Xu. However, since this kid rejected him like that, he should have seen through his “evil intentions”. What should he do now?
Forget it. He should go step by step. Mu Xinhua decided to first eat his late night refreshments. In any case, Zhou Xu was now his rear end logistics soldier–he had time to change Zhou Xu’s mind.
In reality, Zhou Xu did not hate Mu Xinhua as much as Mu Xinhua thought he did. It was just that Zhou Xu hated to be in a passive position right from the start. Thinking back, Mu Xinhua’s act of supporting his forehead resembled his past lovers. They all liked to do this to relieve stress. Hence Zhou Xu suspected that Mu Xinhua was his lover of this world.
In the next few worlds, Zhou Xu would realise that no matter his lover’s personality, he would definitely be strong and capable.
However, his suspicion was still just speculation. Zhou Xu still needed to get closer to confirm it.
On the second day, Zhou Xu went to find the afore mentioned Colonel Lin and did a simple handover. Zhou Xu became Mu Xinhua’s logistics soldier.
A logistics soldier was indeed as Mu Xinhua had said; their chief duty was to ensure that their superiors’ work goes smoothly and to take care of the various day to day matters. However, Mu Xinhua seemed unused go having a logistics soldier hence three days after taking up the position, Zhou Xu really had nothing to do.
However, although there was nothing to do, he still needed to follow Mu Xinhua. Zhou Xu was essentially an attendant if Mu Xinhua did not have any specific orders for him.
However, true gold will shine. A few days later, Mu Xinhua brought Zhou Xu to visit the mecha training camp.
This place was no stranger to Zhou Xu. However, what made Zhou Xu shocked was that the basic mechas here were unexpectedly about the same as the medium grade mechas in his reality. This meant that the world’s level of mecha operation should be higher than in his original world. This made Zhou Xu rejoice.
Mu Xinhua only went to the camp to walk around and encourage training. However, seeing the expression in Zhou Xu’s eyes, his footsteps slowed. He even sent away his entourage and patiently explained the camp to Zhou Xu.
When Mu Xinhua was done explaining, Zhou Xu’s gaze had already returned to his usual cold one. It carried a kind of rationality that made people apprehensive.
“Zhou Xu, is there anything you want to say?” Mu Xinhua asked Zhou Xu.
This training camp was for low grade mechas. To Zhou Xu, the process was extremely familiar, hence he did not need Mu Xinhua’s explanation. What he cared about was the empire’s high level mechas.
Zhou Xu answered, “The training method needs some improvements. Currently, this training method can improve on both stamina consumption and mecha operation familiarisation. In addition, although they are basic mechas, the mechas’ internal parts can be improved, like the range of vision and the dimension of hearing.”
For the first time, Mu Xinhua earnestly looked at Zhou Xu, “Go into detail, don’t be so vague.”
“Yes. Firstly, the basic mecha operators’ training time is unreasonable. Six hours is too long; in 90% of interstellar battles, a true clash between mechas would only last roughly two to four hours. Training for six hours is simply harming the operators’ bodies. In addition, a mecha operator’s left hand must be trained more than their right hand since their right hand’s sensitivity is far greater than their left hand’s. This is a limit….”
Zhou Xu continued speaking frankly and with assurance. Without realising, he voiced all his opinions, including ways to improve, how to utilise various facilities as a complement, as well as the purpose of having quick mecha activation during wartime.
By the time he was finished speaking, Mu Xinhua’s expression was extremely serious.
“Who the hell are you?!” Mu Xinhua’s tone was very cold, like the bone chilling gusts of wind during a severe winter, and it was laced with the sharpness of a blade.
Zhou Xu understood that he had been too rushed in showing his capabilities; no one would believe that a mere vegetable washer in the cookhouse squad had such knowledge. It was very obvious that Zhou Xu understood mechas very thoroughly, but in the army, only military academy graduates had the opportunity to come into contact with mechas. How could Zhou Xu know all of this information?
Could it be that Zhou Xu was from another galaxy?
It was precisely because of this suspicion that Mu Xinhua’s tone became so cold and harsh. When the country and his own personal feelings had contradictions, as a soldier, he would have absolutely no hesitation in choosing his country.
Zhou Xu did not blame him for this point; if it was himself, although he never thought of himself as a good person, if the Noah Star’s interests and his own feelings clashed, he would also choose the Noah Star over himself without any hesitation.
Standing straight at attention, Zhou Xu held his head high and puffed his chest as he answered, “I am Zhou Xu. I have been studying mechas since I was young and have read all the books pertaining to mechas. Moreover, I have always had an interest in military tactics and especially liked to read books on them.”
Mu Xinhua’s voice grew colder, “Then, why is there a plaster at the corner of your eye?”
Zhou Xu paused and nodded his head before lifting it again. He extended his arm to touch the plaster, “Because I am not a man.”
He intentionally softened his voice and made himself appear as the weaker party. In this situation, he was someone a soldier needed to protect: an ordinary civilian who had a passion for military tactics and mechas.
“Not a man?”
“Yes, but the army only accepts men. If I hadn’t disguised myself, I wouldn’t have been able to even enter the army. I could have gone a lifetime without having the chance to see the mechas I love.” Zhou Xu said.
After a few seconds of silence, Zhou Xu gathered enough courage to raise his head. He was unexpectedly met with the same thoughtful smile.
Mu Xinhua inched closer towards Zhou Xu, making Zhou Xu press back against the wall. Both of Mu Xinhua’s palms were on the wall as he looked downwards at Zhou Xu, “Since you are not a man, then you are a Ger? Since you are a Ger, can you consider me? Consider pairing with me?”
T/N: sorry for the delay