Empire Conquest
Chapter 257 - 253: The First Day of the New Year

Chapter 257: Chapter 253: The First Day of the New Year

When Bai Zhizhan awoke, he realized he was already lying in a hotel bed.

He hadn’t blacked out this time, he clearly remembered walking back to the hotel, where the receptionist even offered to help him upstairs, which he declined. After returning to his room, he hadn’t forgotten to wash his face and rinse his mouth, but he couldn’t remember how he got into bed, took off his clothes, or pulled up the covers.

In fact, he hadn’t drunk much last night, at most half a bottle.

It wasn’t that Bai Zhizhan couldn’t hold his liquor; it was that the chef was a bit stingy. Seeing how quickly Bai Zhizhan was drinking, he hid the other bottle.

The main issue was that sorghum liquor had a particularly strong lingering effect.

You wouldn’t feel it as you drank, but once it hit, it was overwhelming.

After washing his face with cold water, Bai Zhizhan felt much more awake.

The chef wasn’t being stingy but was actually worried about him getting drunk; still, he ended up drunk, though he hadn’t made a fool of himself and managed to walk back on his own.

He couldn’t drink like this next time!

As Bai Zhizhan was brushing his teeth, someone knocked on his door.

"I’m coming, I’m coming! Stop knocking; even debt collectors aren’t this impatient!"

The knocking was urgent—bang, bang, bang—sounding like thunder, which annoyed Bai Zhizhan.

Opening the door, he discovered Zhou Yongtao, who was dressed in formal attire.

Was this guy going to a wedding?

Perhaps he was going to meet his future mother-in-law.

Seeing Bai Zhizhan in his pajamas, his hair a mess, and still reeking of alcohol, Zhou Yongtao was also surprised, or perhaps a bit shocked.

"This early?"

"Early? Do you know what day it is?"

"What day."

"New Year’s Day, it’s New Year’s Day!"

"Oh, the New Year. You’re so dressed up—are you going to present yourself to your future mother-in-law?"

"How much did you drink last night?" Zhou Yongtao was clearly getting anxious.

"Just two glasses, at the restaurant."

"You... quickly go change into your formal attire!"

"What’s this about? You’re meeting your future mother-in-law..."

"It’s a commissioning ceremony. Today at the Privy Council, there’s a ceremony for newly promoted officers. Did you forget?"

Hearing Zhou Yongtao say this, Bai Zhizhan was startled, then rushed into the bathroom.

He had indeed forgotten!

He had been so busy recently that he’d forgotten the real purpose of his return to the Imperial Capital. If Zhou Yongtao hadn’t come to the hotel to find him, he probably would have gone to the headquarters after breakfast.

Zhou Yongtao too felt reflective, thinking he shouldn’t have left Bai Zhizhan alone.

The day after returning to the Imperial Capital, Zhou Yongtao rushed to the Naval Officer Academy, choosing a batch of outstanding graduates according to Bai Zhizhan’s instructions. Although the Naval Officer Academy graduated students each summer, in wartime, candidates could be assigned to their fleets and units ahead of schedule.

More than twenty years ago, Bai Zhizhan graduated early and went to the 21st Sub-fleet of the Domestic Fleet.

Late last night, or more precisely early this morning, Zhou Yongtao had just returned to the Imperial Capital by transport plane, then headed straight to the hotel to find Bai Zhizhan.

Who would have thought that Bai Zhizhan had forgotten about the event.

If he had known earlier, he would have called to remind him yesterday.

Fortunately, it was still early morning, and there was plenty of time.

Bai Zhizhan quickly took a shower and even washed his hair.

Taking the opportunity, Zhou Yongtao dug out the formal suit from the closet.

This was the suit sent by Li Yunxiang after Bai Zhizhan arrived in the Imperial Capital, claiming it was tailored by Fang Suqing the last time he was here. In Fang Suqing’s words, Bai Zhizhan had won a great victory and earned his laurels, and this formal suit would eventually come in handy.

When Suqing custom-made this suit, she definitely had Bai Zhizhan’s lifelong event in mind.

To put it directly, it was for him to wear something formal when meeting his future mother-in-law, to leave a perfect first impression.

After Bai Zhizhan put on the formal suit, he indeed resembled the Navy War God of the Empire.

He bore some similarities to Chen Bingxun.

Not to mention anything else, Chen Bingxun was also not particularly handsome, short among his peers, and even a bit unattractive, except for his bright, eagle-like eyes that seemed to perceive everything and see into people’s hearts, which intimidated everyone who saw them.

Emperor Shiwu described Chen Bingxun’s gaze as "eagle-eyed and wolf-guarded."

Bai Zhizhan’s gaze was not so sharp, perhaps due to intentionally restraining it in daily life.

"How is it?"

"Not bad, this suit is custom-made, right?"

Bai Zhizhan was speechless, realizing Zhou Yongtao was actually commenting on the suit.

"It’s getting late, let’s set off."

The two didn’t delay any longer; Bai Zhizhan went to the headquarter to complete the formalities, obtaining credentials from the Privy Council, while Zhou Yongtao picked up two breakfasts from the hotel restaurant and also arranged for a sedan.

On the way to the Privy Council, the two quickly finished their breakfasts.

The matter of granting rank wasn’t much related to Zhou Yongtao. However, after the ceremony, Xue Yuanzheng would personally commend and reward meritorious soldiers and officers, all from the grassroots level. As per tradition, the Navy used Fleets as units, with each Fleet selecting one or several representatives.

The First Special Mixed Fleet had just been established and was not large, so they selected only one representative.

Yes, that was Zhou Yongtao.

It was also a matter of convenience.

Although by military rank, Zhou Yongtao was considered a grassroots officer, by position, he served at the Fleet Headquarter, which was definitely not a grassroots soldier.

There was no helping it, as the First Special Mixed Fleet was still on standby in Nagiu Port.

When the two arrived at the Privy Council, other personnel attending the inauguration and award event had already arrived, and the street outside was packed with vehicles.

Fortunately, the driver was arranged by the hotel, so there was no need to find a parking spot.

The guards, from the inner security department of the Imperial Guard Army, commonly referred to as Imperial Guards, checked their credentials, then asked them to hand over any personal items they carried, and finally conducted a thorough search before letting them in, or accurately speaking, had the reception inside take them in.

It was the first visit to this place for both Zhou Yongtao and Bai Zhizhan.

This not so large courtyard was not only the nerve center of the Empire’s power but had also been the center of power for a long period in the past.

In the initial stages of the Empire, the Privy Council was Emperor Shiwu’s imperial study.

Even now, the symbolic significance of the Privy Council is second only to the Imperial Palace.

After the Constitutional Amendment, the primary duty of the Privy Council was to exercise the Emperor’s jurisdiction, to take charge of and use the National Seal, and to appoint Cabinet Ministers including the Grand Secretary.

Strictly speaking, the Imperial Chief Minister is just an administrative officer appointed by the Privy Council, accountable to the Council.

In day-to-day affairs, the Privy Council acts as a bridge between the Cabinet and the inner palace.

In exceptional times, the Privy Council directly follows the Emperor’s command.

Moreover, all significant events, not just officer commissions but also including the swearing-in of the Grand Secretary and other Cabinet officers, take place within the Privy Council.

Such arrangements symbolize that all the Empire’s power institutions must pledge allegiance to the Emperor.

Thus, this place is the most sacred site accessible to commoners.

Further up?

Then become a member of the Imperial Relatives, even only as a Prince Consort, to have the privilege to enter the Imperial Palace normally. Otherwise, even the current Imperial Chief Minister could only enter the Palace to meet the Emperor if a significant event occurred and the Privy Council gave permission.

Bai Zhizhan felt a bit excited, while Zhou Yongtao looked around curiously all the way.

It felt like two country bumpkins entering the Grand View Garden.

Actually, there wasn’t much to see.

It was just an ordinary courtyard, albeit heavily guarded.