Empire Conquest
Chapter 259 - 255: Three Cups of Tea

Chapter 259: Chapter 255: Three Cups of Tea

In a tea room in the backyard.

The secretary left Bai Zhizhan there and took his leave.

The room was not very large, about ten square meters, furnished with a tea table and two chairs, on which sat an unboiled kettle of tea.

The purple clay teapot and cups formed a set, appearing quite valuable.

Judging by the scent, it seemed to be Da Hong Pao or some other type of black tea, though Bai Zhizhan was not entirely sure.

In the Navy, coffee culture was prevalent, whereas tea culture belonged to the Army.

Originally, when Chen Bingxun led the expeditionary army to conquer Mala, he showed no interest in local specialties like bird’s nest, except for the Kopi Luwak coffee. Soon afterward, a retired navy officer, disabled in service, established a company in Mala specializing in the export of coffee. Over the following decades, Kopi Luwak became an exclusive product for the Imperial Navy, not easily accessible to others despite their wealth.

Navy personnel also drank tea, but mostly it was common among rank-and-file soldiers.

In the era when coal-fired steamships were still in use, refreshing tea was an essential beverage for those working in the boiler rooms.

As for tea artistry, Bai Zhizhan was completely clueless.

He could manage to brew coffee without much trouble, but asking him to perform the tea ceremony was too much to ask of him.

After a quick survey, Bai Zhizhan chose the seat with its back to the door.

This was the guest seat.

A few minutes later, the tea boiled.

Bai Zhizhan did not attempt to make tea, but merely turned down the stove fire.

Why had Xue Yuanzheng’s secretary brought him here?

Perhaps Xue Yuanzheng had met with Liu Xiangzhen first.

When he had emerged from the awarding hall, Bai Zhizhan saw Liu Xiangzhen and another young man, who appeared to be a secretary, exiting through another door.

It wasn’t strange for Xue Yuanzheng to meet Liu Xiangzhen alone.

It was not because Liu Xiangzhen came from a naval family, but during the recent battles, it was indeed he who commanded the Special Mixed Group aiding the Marine Corps in capturing Liuhuang Island. Earlier, he had led the same group at Xu Sea, helping the Imperial Guard’s Armored Forces sweep through the Ice Storm Peninsula with lightning speed.

Honestly, Liu Xiangzhen’s military achievements were no lesser than those of Bai Zhizhan.

Moreover, the Special Mixed Group was also active in West East Ocean, providing anti-air cover for the Marine Corps on Liuhuang Island and the transport ships at the landing sites, and intercepting Saiyi ships attempting night raids. Liu Xiangzhen had taken time to return to the Imperial Capital, and after the award ceremony, he was expected to return to the front.

Perhaps he would leave tonight.

Hearing a noise from outside the door, Bai Zhizhan immediately stood up.

"Don’t be formal, just help yourself," said the person who entered—it was Xue Yuanzheng.

Though sixty years old, he still moved briskly, with the vigor of his days commanding battles on the Ice Storm Peninsula.

The Xue Yuanzheng of those days was famously fierce.

"Are you not thirsty?"

"No... it’s not that, I dare not presume in front of the Prime Minister," Bai Zhizhan said awkwardly, having forgotten about the tea he had started.

"Principal Zhu once told me, the Navy prefers coffee."

While saying this, Xue Yuanzheng had already prepared two cups of tea.

"It’s not the best, last year’s Da Hong Pao."

"You are too modest, Prime Minister."

As Xue Yuanzheng handed him a cup of tea, Bai Zhizhan quickly received it with both hands.

"No need for modesty. Honestly, if I had enrolled in the Imperial Naval Academy, I would technically be Principal Zhu’s founding disciple, your senior brother."

Xue Yuanzheng’s attempt at closeness unexpectedly left Bai Zhizhan at a loss for how to respond.

To play along seemed too much like flattering.

To refuse would be too disrespectful.

Twenty years ago, Bai Zhizhan had acknowledged a "big brother," uncovering He Yongxing. But now, their relationship was just average.

"I asked Liu Changxun, and he told me he had handed over the reform of the Navy command system to you," Xue Yuanzheng had also seen Bai Zhizhan’s intentions and didn’t digress anymore. "As far as I know, he had previously approached Liu Xiangzhen as well. Tell me, why did you take on this hot potato?"

That was pretty direct!

Bai Zhizhan was speechless because, in his understanding, after over a decade in the Empire’s bureaucratic circles, Xue Yuanzheng seemed more like a politician than a military man.

Which politician would be so blunt!?

Xue Yuanzheng didn’t ask further and seriously began performing tea art.

He probably felt that Bai Zhizhan needed some time to think and wouldn’t immediately respond.

"The potato is hot, but once peeled, it is a rare delicacy," Bai Zhizhan answered after a brief thought, within just half a minute.

This time, it was Xue Yuanzheng’s turn to be surprised.

His hand holding the teapot paused in mid-air, and just as the tea was about to overflow from the cup, he set the teapot back down.

"A hot potato, once peeled, indeed becomes a delicacy. You are right, but how many can endure the scalding pain? No wonder Principal Zhu highly favors you."

"The Prime Minister flatters me."

"Whether I flatter you or not isn’t for me to say."

When Xue Yuanzheng handed over the second cup of tea, Bai Zhizhan hesitated noticeably.

So, this tea wasn’t free.

"Newland President Rofuss has proposed that we cease fighting and start negotiations. What do you think?"

This time, Bai Zhizhan pondered for quite a while, slowly sipping the tea that was barely enough to moisten his throat.

Yet, it was only the time taken to drink a cup of tea.

"If we can descend the slope with ease, why not do it?"

Xue Yuanzheng nodded but didn’t brew new tea. Instead, he passed the cup he had initially poured for himself to Bai Zhizhan.

Bai Zhizhan was visibly startled, unsure whether to accept it or not.

This cup of tea was the Prime Minister’s, and even if it was from the same pot, sharing a cup with the Prime Minister was extraordinary.

"Take it, there’s just one more question left, and I’m too lazy to brew another cup."

It seems Bai Zhizhan had misunderstood the situation.

After Xue Yuanzheng said this, Bai Zhizhan did not fuss and took the cup with both hands.

"If we fight, do you think it is necessary for us to land on the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom’s homeland? Where should we land, and how should we proceed after landing?"

Is this a question!?

Bai Zhizhan regretted it immediately; explaining all these issues clearly would take more than a pot of tea.

Xue Yuanzheng was indeed being stingy, sparing even a bit of tea and complaining about brewing another.

This Da Hong Pao tea was really delicious, something that couldn’t easily be bought even with money.

In just a moment, Bai Zhizhan had his answer.

"Think it through and speak up, don’t feel burdened," Xue Yuanzheng encouraged.

"Ever since Marshal Chen Bingxun led the Fleet into East Capital Bay, the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom has been copying us and has never truly submitted. In my opinion, they haven’t suffered enough. If after this war the situation remains the same, then it is completely meaningless," Bai Zhizhan paused briefly before continuing, "This is just my personal opinion, but it involves eighty million mouths to feed each day, and they are eighty million burdens and hindrances, possibly even becoming eighty million overlords. Since we must fight properly on Saiyi’s homeland, let them fight. Whatever the outcome, it is the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom’s affair. We can step in when it’s nearly over, and the surviving Saiyians will be grateful. In the long run, having the Saiyians suffer enough is more conducive to maintaining our relations with them."

"Self-destruction?"

Bai Zhizhan had said so much, but Xue Yuanzheng summarized it in just one word.

"It’s not unheard of in history. The Warring States Period lasted for hundreds of years. A few decades of conflict won’t be a big problem, right?"

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