Empire Conquest
Chapter 198 - 194: Return to the Imperial Capital

Chapter 198: Chapter 194: Return to the Imperial Capital

New Calendar year 99’s last day, at the military airport on the outskirts of the Imperial Capital.

Before the plane had stopped, Bai Zhizhan looked through the porthole and saw the vehicles parked alongside the runway.

Yesterday, after arriving at Mast Harbor, because he went to visit and comfort the wounded who had been sent back early and attended the banquet hosted by the base commander, it was delayed for half a day.

Mast Harbor was the home port of the Domestic Fleet, figuratively Bai Zhizhan’s maternal home.

If it had been at Chengjiang Port, Bai Zhizhan could have disregarded giving face. But returning to Mast Harbor, even if in a tight schedule, he had to give the due face.

A north wind whistled, and even with the bright sun overhead, it was bone-chilling outside the cabin.

Probably because it was too cold, the people who came to pick up Bai Zhizhan and others stayed in their cars, and only after the plane stopped did they come down.

"Old Zhao!"

Seeing Zhao Yu, Bai Zhizhan was quite surprised.

Speaking of their relationship, Zhao Yu could be considered Bai Zhizhan’s best friend, closer than brothers. The two were not together for the sake of interests but shared similar aspirations. To speak frankly, Bai Zhizhan would entrust his life to a few close friends, but he would only entrust his honors to Zhao Yu.

For a soldier, honor definitely ranks above life.

Also, Zhao Yu was truly a very busy man.

Although the Great Country Maker had been abolished and there were no similar official positions, what Zhao Yu had done in the past decade was not much different from the Great Country Maker.

Because Zhao Yu was too busy, and Bai Zhizhan also had little spare time, it was quite good if the two could meet once a year.

More than ten days ago, when Bai Zhizhan returned to the Imperial Capital for a combat meeting, he hadn’t seen Zhao Yu.

What kind of wind had blown him here this time?

"Not bad, not missing any arms or legs, and not disabled."

Bai Zhizhan was speechless.

Was this how old friends greeted each other after a long absence?

"Haha..."

Zhao Yu suddenly burst into laughter and hugged Bai Zhizhan warmly, patting him a few times on the shoulder.

What’s this all about?

Bai Zhizhan was completely baffled, wondering if Zhao Yu’s brain was waterlogged again.

Perhaps it started when he got pinched by the car door while alighting.

"General Bai, don’t take it the wrong way. Hearing you were coming back today, President Zhao got up early specifically saying that he could only be at ease after seeing you."

The one speaking was He Pengfei.

Actually, he was just as busy.

Although his fame and influence in the Imperial High Command were not as great as Zhao Yu’s, he wasn’t doing badly either; he was now the boss of several companies. His Whirlwind Airplane Manufacturing Company was definitely a heavily supported and favored military-industrial enterprise. This guy was not far from soaring high.

If the two came to the airport to welcome Bai Zhizhan and others, there must be some very important matters.

The group did not talk much, greeted each other, and split up to get into the cars.

Bai Zhizhan and Zhao Yu got into one car, and He Pengfei took Li Yunxiang to another.

"Don’t believe that kid He Pengfei. Actually, it was your sister-in-law who asked me to come. She said if you ever come back to Puzhou, you should come to our house for a meal, and she’ll prepare a table full of hometown dishes for you."

"Alright, we’ll talk about it when I’m free," Bai Zhizhan had no way to refuse.

Zhao Yu’s wife was also from Yuzhou, and she was from the same hometown as Bai Zhizhan. Since she was a few years older than Bai Zhizhan, she considered Bai Zhizhan as her younger brother.

However, Bai Zhizhan knew that this meal would definitely be "not delicious."

Over the years, the people who had connections with Bai Zhizhan and were a few years older than him were most worried about his personal issues that had not been resolved till now.

As a result, whenever there was a chance, they would introduce him to someone.

This kind of involving internal affairs normally had women lead the process.

If Zhao Yu were to propose marriage, even if it wasn’t taken as a joke, it would be laughed off.

Regarding the matter of matchmaking, Bai Zhizhan actually felt a strong aversion, but he couldn’t refuse in front of Zhao Yu, especially since Zhao Yu and his wife meant well.

"Seriously, you should consider it too, after all when it comes to personal matters..."

"Old Brother Zhao, do you think this is the right time to bring that up?"

Zhao Yu sighed. Bai Zhizhan was resolute, and pushing further could hurt their feelings.

"Let’s speak about serious matters. You and He Pengfei didn’t just happen to come here together, did you?"

"Of course it was a coincidence." Zhao Yu smiled then added, "Of course, he and I are different. He’s here to find Li Yunxiang; it has nothing to do with you."

Bai Zhizhan’s eyebrows twitched a few times rapidly, but he quickly controlled his emotions.

What did He Pengfei want with Li Yunxiang?

Bai Zhizhan wasn’t foolish and instantly saw through it all.

Clearly, the hints Gui Boyong had given were not unfounded; Li Yunxiang had definitely made arrangements, only he hadn’t informed Bai Zhizhan about it.

It seems Li Yunxiang couldn’t be retained after all.

But there was nothing much to lament about.

Li Yunxiang had always been a "Big Air Force" flagship leader. Initially, when he couldn’t make it in the Army, he had transferred to the Navy under Bai Zhizhan’s persuasion. Now that the situation had shifted, the Army Air Force undoubtedly had major moves planned, offering a broader prospect for development. It was normal for Li Yunxiang to make other plans.

Bai Zhizhan really wanted to ask a few questions, but since Zhao Yu had said it had nothing to do with him, he could only hold back.

"I came to find you because I wanted to tell you to be more patient."

"Old Brother Zhao..."

"Specifically, I shouldn’t say much, nor do I need to say much. You can figure it out yourself. The current situation, admittedly, isn’t very optimistic for you, since the overall condition is laid out here and we can’t deny it. However, you also have to believe, this won’t last long."

"Is there new information?"

"You’ll know once you reach Navy headquarters."

Bai Zhizhan frowned, feeling that Zhao Yu was being deliberately mysterious—saying it seemed like trickery wasn’t far off.

"Another thing, once you have time, come to Puzhou and visit me. I’ll show you something that will definitely amaze you."

"Really?" Now, Bai Zhizhan became interested.

Over the years, Zhao Yu, who appeared and disappeared unpredictably, had acquired quite a few interesting items, some of which had been crucial in naval battles, like the radar.

The good thing he spoke of certainly wouldn’t disappoint.

"Don’t believe what I’m saying?"

"It’s not that I don’t believe you, just afraid you might trick me into attending a matchmaking meal."

"That’s your sister-in-law’s business, not mine, and I’m not minded to interfere."

At this, Bai Zhizhan couldn’t help but laugh.

Fortunately, there was nothing else.

Following that, Zhao Yu inquired about some combat-related matters, but what he most cared about wasn’t the battle results but the carrier performance.

The reason was simple: "Imperial Capital" class was his masterpiece.

To be accurate, Zhao Yu was the chief designer of the "Imperial Capital" class, but it was his name on the project, while other designers handled the specifics.

Bai Zhizhan was also prepared and carried a copy of the battle report with him.

Without exception, all pointed out issues and the deficiencies that needed to be addressed. As for positive aspects, those were in another report.

What Zhao Yu wanted were the problems and defects discovered during the operation by the troops.

The two discussed a lot about topics related to the carriers, Zhao Yu noted down all issues and defects emphasized by Bai Zhizhan.

It must be acknowledged, Zhao Yu was impeccable in his work attitude.

Despite being in his fifties, he remained a typical engineering man, entirely devoted to whatever he undertook.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to become the Navy’s chief engineer and chief designer, holding these positions for over a decade.

To be fair, a battleship designed by Zhao Yu was a guarantee of quality and performance.