Empire Conquest
Chapter 301 - 297: Timely Assistance from Zheng Jiangming

Chapter 301: Chapter 297: Timely Assistance from Zheng Jiangming

Imperial Capital, Little Eldest Princess Mansion.

Although he had been back for half a month, Bai Zhizhan still hadn’t shaken off the habit of rising early; he woke up before dawn every day.

What was different was that, after returning home, the purpose of rising early was for exercise.

Despite being engaged for several months and living together for as long, Bai Zhizhan still found it hard to get used to the life where he could drink hot water right after getting out of bed.

Using Li Yunxiang’s words, "He’s just being fussy."

Of course, the early rising was also because the mornings in summer were cooler. Once the sun rose, it became impossible to engage in outdoor activities.

August in the Old Calendar is the hottest month of the year.

Like the previous few days, after getting up, Bai Zhizhan ran a few laps around the manor, then went to the pond in the backyard and did a set of stretching exercises in the pavilion that was built especially for him. While working out, he could also admire the lotus flowers that filled the pond, breathe the fresh morning air, and bask in the first ray of sunlight.

Unfortunately, today was cloudy, looking like it might rain.

When he returned to the front courtyard, ready to head to the dining room for breakfast, he encountered Zheng Jiangming who had just arrived.

Seeing the expression on Zheng Jiangming’s face, Bai Zhizhan knew for sure that it wasn’t good news.

"Wait a moment, I’ll go take a shower."

"There’s no rush."

Bai Zhizhan didn’t say much more; if it really wasn’t urgent, Zheng Jiangming wouldn’t have needed to make a trip so early in the morning; a phone call would have been enough.

Back in his room, Bai Zhizhan then saw Zhang Xiaoqing.

It was certainly that personal maid who had informed Zhang Xiaoqing of Zheng Jiangming’s arrival; otherwise, she wouldn’t normally get up so early.

It wasn’t even seven o’clock yet.

"Is there a problem?" Zhang Xiaoqing was obviously prepared.

"There should be." Even though they had been engaged for more than half a year, Bai Zhizhan was not very talkative most of the time, but fortunately, Zhang Xiaoqing was already used to it.

"Will you be coming back for dinner tonight?"

"I’ll try."

Zhang Xiaoqing didn’t ask further. While Bai Zhizhan was taking a shower, she prepared a clean military uniform for him.

In fact, Zhang Xiaoqing was quite content that Bai Zhizhan had been able to stay at home for half a month. It was wartime, not peacetime; the soldiers were fighting hard at the frontlines!

Even if two fleets took turns being deployed, the other officers and soldiers who were scheduled to rest stayed at Nagiu Port.

At a single command, they would be able to steer their battleships out to sea.

Besides, not every officer and soldier could enjoy the privilege of being flown by plane.

Of the entire Special Mixed Fleet, only Bai Zhizhan took advantage of his status as the Prince Consort to arrange something special.

Using the Imperial Family’s private plane, the round-trip costs were deducted from the Imperial Family’s daily expenses, not costing the Navy a penny more, and also deducting the corresponding allowance for leave.

While Bai Zhizhan was bathing and dressing, Zhang Xiaoqing also went to prepare breakfast, even putting together a portion for Zheng Jiangming.

He had rushed over so early; he surely hadn’t had breakfast.

Over the past half a year, Zhang Xiaoqing had gotten to know several of Bai Zhizhan’s close brothers, and she had the most frequent contact with Zheng Jiangming, feeling quite fond of him.

While Zheng Jiangming was usually a man of few words, he was warm-hearted and always ready to help others.

Finally, Zhang Xiaoqing also escorted Bai Zhizhan to the door, watching as he left in the car.

"I’m really sorry." Zheng Jiangming felt quite remorseful; after all, Bai Zhizhan hadn’t had an easy time these last few months.

"What happened?"

Truth be told, Bai Zhizhan was actually quite grateful to Zheng Jiangming.

Why?

During the half month he was back, Bai Zhizhan only did one thing—prepare for the grand wedding that would take place next month!

Although among the three great joys for a man, there was the wedding night, but things like preparing for a wedding ceremony, probably no man would enjoy doing.

Moreover, Bai Zhizhan was a bona fide soldier.

Even among soldiers, he was considered to be rather meticulous and delicate, but when faced with all sorts of trivial matters, he was extremely frustrated.

For example, last night, Zhang Xiaoqing had gone on and on with Bai Zhizhan about the design of the wedding chamber’s window decorations for the entire evening. There were only a few styles to choose from, and picking any would do, but Zhang Xiaoqing was never satisfied. Bai Zhizhan couldn’t take it anymore, and she was still a bit upset.

The key was that he couldn’t escape these trivial matters!

If he had married a girl from an ordinary family, it would have been okay. Even if she was a lady of a prestigious family, with Bai Zhizhan’s current status, he could have been aloof.

In front of today’s Little Eldest Princess, he was just nothing.

As a result, he could only obediently follow his wife’s orders.

A few days ago, Lian Xusheng had visited and given Bai Zhizhan a comment: Capable on the battlefield, graceful in the hall.

Even though it was a joke, Bai Zhizhan was equally annoyed.

What did it mean to be "graceful in the hall"?

He was truly a good man of our times!

Alright, Bai Zhizhan admitted that he had long grown weary of these trivial issues and had been eager to find an opportunity to slip away, and Zheng Jiangming rescued him.

Without much explanation, Zheng Jiangming handed over a telegram, or to be precise, a copy of the telegram to Bai Zhizhan.

As he opened it, Bai Zhizhan immediately furrowed his brows.

An intelligence report.

Just last night, or to be accurate, yesterday morning in Empire time, the Federation President held a secret meeting in "Shangri-La". It was not only attended by high-ranking officials from the federal government, leaders of both houses of Congress, and Military generals but also by more than a dozen members of the Traveler Clan’s "Ark Club".

This "Ark Club" was the core leadership organization of the Traveler Clan’s conglomerate.

The most famous were the Rose Son family, who had fled from the Bulan Kingdom to the Newland Federation and then created the contemporary Federal Reserve Bank.

The "Ark Club" had long been controlled by the Rose Son family, serving as a tool for the family to maintain its core interests.

Afterwards, Rofuss had a private meeting with two Military men, one of whom was Major General Nizi, who seemed to have his trust and was very likely to replace Admiral Kimmel to command the East Ocean Fleet after the war began. The key was that he was a firm member of the War faction and also a rare talent.

And that was not all.

On the second day, in fact, just a few hours ago, the Secretary of State, who had been at the meeting in "Shangri-La" yesterday, flew to Wangxi Canal. And soon after getting off the plane, he went straight to the construction site of the new lock, having the project manager give a report on site.

Once the new lock, reaching a width of 45 meters, is completed, Wangxi Canal will achieve "unlimited" navigability!

All these things, without exception, indicated that Rofuss was preparing to make his move.

"That’s all?"

"There’s another report that is top secret, which I can’t bring out."

Bai Zhizhan just nodded without saying much.

Obviously, because it was top secret information, Zheng Jiangming had made a special trip to pick him up and take him to the Navy Commander’s office, rather than delivering the report to him.

"It’s related to your lifelong event."

"What?"

Zheng Jiangming unexpectedly added a sentence, almost causing Bai Zhizhan to leap up, thinking he had misheard.

"According to the information mentioned in that report, the Newland Federation is very likely to enter the war within a few days of your grand wedding."

"Isn’t that taking me too seriously?" Bai Zhizhan was speechless, thinking that Zheng Jiangming was joking.

"It’s true, Rofuss particularly values you."

Bai Zhizhan shook his head with a bitter smile.

"I can’t discuss the specifics. Wang is back, he’ll tell you."

"Where to now?"

At this moment, Bai Zhizhan noticed that Zheng Jiangming was driving west, while the Navy Commander’s office was to the east.

"Imperial Guard Headquarter in the Imperial Capital."

Before Zheng Jiangming could answer, Bai Zhizhan had already guessed.

In fact, it was the Imperial Guard’s headquarter.

The Sixth Bureau was under the Imperial Guard. Even though it operated independently, its headquarters was within the Imperial Guard’s headquarter, in a separate yard.

Furthermore, to facilitate the War Cabinet’s understanding of the frontline situation, the Imperial Guard had specially set up a command center.

For major issues, everyone would go to the Imperial Guard’s headquarter.

You could say that place was even safer than the Imperial Palace.

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