Read Novel Full Chapter 1654: Compromise
Chapter 1654: Chapter 1654: Compromise
At this moment, a series of rapid footsteps came from outside.
A group of high-ranking officers quickly walked in from outside. They hadn’t heard what Admiral Liu Jinyi had said to Ling Zichen earlier, but they clearly heard the words Ling Zichen had projected outside through divine consciousness.
"Commander, what’s going on? That’s the Tang Sect Fleet. Why have we received orders to prepare for attack at any moment?" A lieutenant general couldn’t help but ask.
"Silence. This is a military command." Liu Jinyi stood up abruptly, his gaze coldly scanning across the high-ranking officers in front of him.
The lieutenant general who spoke frowned deeply but didn’t say anything more. A thin-looking admiral remarked, "Commander, do we really have orders to confront Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect? That doesn’t seem plausible."
Liu Jinyi said flatly, "Our orders are to guard this place. All intruders are to be expelled without exception."
The admiral frowned and said, "Including Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect? At least we should listen to what they have to say, right? Otherwise, it might cause unrest among the troops."
Liu Jinyi burned his gaze at him and said, "Tang Yaotong, as the Chief of Staff, you should understand that a soldier’s duty is to obey orders. Moreover, we are not really going to attack them; we just wish for them to leave swiftly. This involves a higher-level political struggle, and all we need to do is follow orders, do what soldiers are meant to do."
Admiral Tang Yaotong sighed and said, "I understand. But, take a look first."
As he spoke, he pointed toward the operational big screen at the command post.
This screen displayed the mothership’s radar system, capable of monitoring distant areas, including twelve split screens showing the areas surrounding the fleet.
Admiral Liu Jinyi turned his head to look at the big screen, and instantly, his eyes widened.
On the big screen, several warships were shown separating from the Fourth Fleet’s formation, flying toward the opposing Shrek Academy and Tang Sect Fleet.
"I did not issue an attack order! Quickly, send a command to bring them back." Liu Jinyi was shocked.
As a Cosmic Fleet, following commands is paramount! All warship movements must receive his consent, especially battlecruisers and above.
Yet now, there were already two Dragon King Level Guard Ships, seven War God Level Battleships, and some smaller warships flying out with them.
"Look more closely, are they launching an attack?" Tang Yaotong said somewhat helplessly.
Liu Jinyi focused his eyes. Attack? These warships flying out had no intention of attacking! The protection covers on their warships were all deactivated, and none of the gun barrels showed signs of charging. Anything that could retract into the warship had been retracted. This rather looked more like surrender than attack.
More importantly, not a single warship reported to him, nor did any other report come in.
"Tang Yaotong, what is happening?" He turned around abruptly, glaring angrily at his long-term partner. This Chief of Staff was in charge of intelligence and communications!
Tang Yaotong sighed and said, "I gave the order not to notify you on this side. Jinyi, you still don’t fully understand the influence of Shrek Academy. No fleet in the federation would ever launch an attack on Shrek Academy. Not to mention Tang Sect, how many powerful individuals and students has Shrek Academy produced?"
"Are you one of them?" Liu Jinyi stared intently at him.
Tang Yaotong shook his head and said, "I’m not, because I didn’t get in at that time. But my grandfather was. Before he died, he told my father that Shrek’s glory shines forever. Whenever in doubt, our family line must never stand against Shrek. Direct students from Shrek Academy are limited each year. But don’t forget, in over twenty thousand years as the number one academy on the continent, how enormous could the influence of its students and their descendants be?"
Liu Jinyi roared, "But this is the military. Are you letting private feelings make you forget even a soldier’s duty?"
Tang Yaotong replied bitterly, "Yes, you’re right. These are private feelings. But you must understand one thing, Shrek has never been wrong. They have never made a wrong choice and have more than once turned the tide to save the federation. Without Shrek, the federation would’ve ceased to exist long ago. So, when Shrek appears, our first thought is that their decision is right, and standing against them puts us likely in the wrong. Moreover, Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect have never lacked zealots among their ranks. Shrek is no longer just about cheers; don’t you understand yet?"
Liu Jinyi stepped back a few steps, slightly lost. The Fourth Fleet, directly under the military jurisdiction, known as the ironclad Fourth Fleet!
If it wasn’t for the absolute trust of the military, this rather unsavory task wouldn’t have been entrusted to him. Yet, he hadn’t anticipated that even within the Fourth Fleet, there were so many direct or indirect adherents of Shrek Academy.
He understood that even if he issued an attack order now, likely few warships would be willing to attack Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect’s fleet.
It was only today that he realized how immense the influence of Shrek Academy, which always maintained neutrality and kept a very low profile, really was.
They might never have thought of ruling the federation, but their influence is omnipresent.
Taking a deep breath, he painfully closed his eyes. He murmured, "So, what do we do now?"
Tang Yaotong sighed and said, "You should know their purpose for coming. Let them pass. We can’t stop them in this matter."
Liu Jinyi smiled bitterly, "If I let them pass, how do I explain this to the military department?"
Tang Yaotong shook his head and said, "No, it should be the military explaining to Shrek Academy. The military publicly defied the parliamentary decision, hypocritically carrying out earlier orders to support the Dragon Horse Federation. This is a morally significant mistake. Since Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect Fleet have shown up here, they might truly be taking action. We are soldiers, existing to protect the federation. Let’s wait for the outcome. We are not suited to participate in political struggles."
Liu Jinyi glanced at Tang Yaotong, then at the senior officers behind him, "Are all of you also connected to Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect?"
The initial speaking lieutenant general sighed bitterly, "Even without connections, we wouldn’t want to oppose Shrek Academy or the Tang Sect! Don’t you forget, who doesn’t hope their descendants could study at Shrek Academy. And the Eternal Tree at Shrek Academy is the life core of the entire Douluo Planet."
Liu Jinyi fell silent. After a long time, he slowly said, "I understand. Cancel all attack preparations. Communicate with the flagship of Shrek Academy."
Tang Yaotong walked to his side and saluted him.
After making the decision, Liu Jinyi felt somewhat relieved. He was, after all, a general of the military and even commanded a fleet, so even if the military wanted to penalize him, it wouldn’t be easy.
Somewhat wryly, he said, "If I didn’t agree with your opinions, would you have acted against me as well?"
Tang Yaotong said bitterly, "How could that be possible? After all, we’re old partners, brothers for so many years. At most, we would hinder you, preventing you from giving the order. Anyway, after this matter concludes, I’ll accept any punishment."
Liu Jinyi took a deep look at him and saw Tang Yaotong’s candid gaze, smiling bitterly, "I understand, you mean well for me. Let’s meet the Pavilion Master together."