Today, the café was alternating between discussions and silence. Perhaps it was because of the planet of death, or because of the shocking news, or because of the person mentioned in the exclamation, no one said the name because it had become a taboo for the Federation. On the military space station, even these merchants from Bermuda did not dare to touch it.
After a long silence, someone finally could not suppress the curiosity in his heart and asked in a low voice, "Where do you think that person is now? It has been more than two years, and we haven't heard of him anywhere. Is he really dead? "
"How could that kind of person die so quietly?" The silk smuggler replied with a serious expression, "There are rumors that he has been seen in a mine in the East Forest River West Region."
His companion beside him shook his head and disagreed, "That person can't still be in the Federation. According to many people's speculations, he must be hiding in Bermuda now. With that person's ability, as long as he leaves The Glory Of The Charter, who can find him?"
"But the last time I came to pick up the goods, I heard a few warship mechanics mention that the ground troops of the Old Moon base once saw that strange black spaceship flying over Kaqi Peak. They swore that their eyes weren't playing tricks on them."
"Speaking of which, two years ago, there was a round of new titles in the Empire, and one of them was a county …"
The young smuggler had just interrupted when he noticed the strange gazes of the surrounding merchants. He explained awkwardly, "I'm not changing the topic. I'm just wondering if this has anything to do with that person."
"It's possible that he's from the Empire. According to the Federation, he's at least a prince of the Empire. However, based on the past examples of that person, he definitely won't accept any title of nobility. Instead, he'll quietly hide in the underground sewers of some planet, waiting for the time when the situation is out of control before coming out to stir up trouble."
"If only that person was still in the Federation."
Someone subconsciously let out a sigh. Facing the surrounding gazes, he shrugged and said, "The War God thought so highly of him. If he fought side by side with Colonel Li Feng now, that princess will definitely not be able to hold on. No one on Planet Mo Hua will be able to stop the advance of the Federal forces."
"Ridiculous!" The silk smuggler did not hesitate to mock him. "Don't forget that the princess is most likely his sister! Do you expect him to kill his own sister for the sake of the Federation? "
The merchant who had just lamented was a little embarrassed by the word 'absurd'. He slammed the table with a red face and said, "How is this absurd? Did you not read the letter? That person has already admitted that the Federation is his home, and he still thinks of himself as a member of the Federation. Those soldiers who died on Mo Hua Planet were all his former comrades or subordinates, and I don't believe that he would watch this happen without doing anything. "
"Are you a member of the Federation?" The silk smuggler said coldly, "The blood that flows in that person's veins is the blood of the Empire. What you want to happen will never happen. Even the word absurd is not enough to describe it. In my opinion, what the Federation should be more worried about is that one day he will suddenly appear in the Empire's army and command them to attack the Federation!"
The atmosphere in the coffee shop was very strange, or rather, very subtle. No one mentioned that person's name, but everyone knew very well who that person was. Even the originally calm atmosphere changed because of that person. The merchants were divided into two factions and fell into a fierce argument, completely forgetting about the silent Federation officers at the three tables in front of them.
"No matter how much you fools brag about him, if that person really dares to lead the Empire's army to attack the Federation, no, as long as he dares to return to the Federation, I don't think any member of the Federation will let him go, and I definitely won't mind using a bullet to end his innately evil life."
A Federation officer at the table on the right stood up and turned around to look at the fiercely arguing smugglers. His expression was particularly gloomy and cold, and the words that came out of his thin lips were full of contempt.
Hearing this, the expressions of the Bermuda smugglers became extremely unnatural. They humbly lowered their heads and then sat back down in their respective chairs, naturally not daring to continue the discussion on this issue.
However, the coffee shop did not fall into a circular deathly silence. The sound of tables and chairs being pushed rang out from the front left, and another Federation officer stood up. Only when he stood up did everyone realize that this person was actually very tall and sturdy. His military uniform was actually somewhat deformed by his developed muscles, and coupled with his extremely short hair, he was filled with a kind of valiant and speechless feeling.
This sturdy officer slowly turned around and looked at the previous Federation officer with narrowed eyes. He suddenly opened his mouth and said, "There is no life that is innately evil."
The previous Federation officer who spoke with contempt and coldness was about thirty years old, but the epaulets on his shoulders indicated that he was already a major. Such a young major, if he didn't have a great background, then he had accomplished countless feats on the front lines. Only the accumulated confidence could support his evaluation. However, when he looked at the tall and sturdy officer in front of him, he couldn't maintain his cold and indifferent appearance. With a pa sound, he saluted, but the expression between his brows was great disapproval.
"Even if you are a lieutenant colonel, you still can't casually question my subordinate's evaluation."
Another Federation lieutenant colonel at the table on the left stood up, looked at the tall and sturdy other, and said coldly, "As a Federation officer, could it be that you still want to stand up for an Empire citizen?"
The tall and sturdy Federation lieutenant colonel was silent for a moment, and then said, "New Seventeenth Division, Xiong Linquan."
Hearing this name, the expression of the Federation lieutenant colonel suddenly became serious. He slowly put on his military cap, raised his chin slightly, and said seriously, "Iron Seventh Division, Murong Ke."
New Seventeenth Division, Iron Seventh Division, Xiong Linquan, Murong Ke. These self-introduction words were like sharp swords, spewing out from the eyes of the two Federation lieutenant colonels standing opposite each other. They cut the air in the coffee shop with a dense chill, and the temperature suddenly rose several degrees. In the distance, the Bermuda smugglers looked at each other, and some of the more cautious and timid people already began to prepare to leave.
Iron Seventh Division's Defense Battalion Commander Murong Ke said calmly, "I'm here to pick up the new recruits. You know that our division has suffered too many losses."
Xiong Linquan fastened the collar around his neck and said coldly, "Similarly, our division's casualty rate is not lower than yours."
The heavy casualty rate should have been sad, dejected, or at least low, but in the words of these two people, there was an unquestionable sense of pride. It was not that they were numb to the loss of their comrades, but that it represented how badly their respective troops fought on planet Mo Hua, and how powerful they were. It was just like how the real military medal of a soldier was the scars on their body.
"Lieutenant Colonel Xiong, do you have any objections to what my adjutant said just now?" Murong Ke stared at his face and asked, "Just now I said that I would stand up for an Empire citizen, and it seems that I was wrong. But I don't understand. Do you feel proud that an Empire citizen has appeared in the New Seventeenth Division and your Seventh Division?"
"If that guy dares to appear on the battlefield as an Empire citizen in the future, I will be the first to shoot. Even if he has to be killed, it can only be us. And before that, I will not allow anyone to speak ill of him in front of me, especially such a ridiculous sentence. Could it be that your adjutant hasn't been weaned yet? "
Because of this question that was full of sarcasm, the sound of tables and chairs being pushed away rang out loudly. The soldiers of the federation around the table suddenly stood up and stared at each other warily. They subconsciously clenched their calloused fists, not hiding the fighting will on their faces at all.
As the two most famous ace troops of the Federation, the New Seventeenth Division and the Iron Seventh Division had too many historical grudges. They had fought side by side on the battlefield before, but behind the scenes, who knew how many fierce conflicts had occurred secretly.
With the death of the God of War, the escape of the small-eyed man, and Division Shaoqing becoming the Federation's frontline commander-in-chief, the Iron Seventh Division undoubtedly had the absolute upper hand. But under the suppression of Du Shaoqing and Yan Ming's military discipline, this competition that was deliberately allowed by the military leadership did not go out of control. Instead, it had been fermenting and heating up in the dark.
At this time, most of the soldiers who stood up around the table were new, but they had already learned about the glorious history of their respective troops and the story of these two opposing mountains from their instructors in the intensive training camp. Now that they suddenly confronted each other, they did not dare to show the slightest hesitation.
Xiong Linquan's face was still indifferent. He did not care about the tense atmosphere at all. His eyes moved from Murong Ke's face to the young major of the Iron Seventh Division. The corner of his mouth slightly curled up and he said mockingly, "You want to destroy that innately evil life with one bullet? Before you say this, you should ask your battalion commander how many troops your division sent out and how many bullets you fired in the training camp, outside the military court, and in the wilderness beside the high-speed railway. "
"As for glory." He turned to look at Murong Ke, raised his eyebrows slightly and asked, "The great undefeated Iron Seventh Division has been defeated by the Empire's people time and time again. Do you think it's glorious?"
…
…
In the circular corridor at the edge of the space station, more than a dozen officers stood in the smoking area. Through the transparent material in front of them and under the soles of their feet, they looked at the deep and endless dark universe. A second lieutenant who had been recruited into the new 17th Division from the South Kezhou Special Forces finally could not hold back the strong doubts in his heart. He asked his superior beside him, "So Instructor Xiong is really from the Seventh Division? I was wondering why he looked so familiar in the training camp. So I've seen him on TV before. "
"Then don't you think I look familiar too? Or do you think I'm gentle and easy to bully, so you don't want to flatter me? "
Da Vinci took out a cigarette and stuffed it into his mouth. He looked at the rookies surrounding him and vaguely mocked them. After years of fighting on the battlefield, this arrogant son of a governor had calmed down a lot, but his words were still as frivolous as before.
The rookie of the 17th Division flipped his lighter and lit the cigarette between his lips. He said softly, "That's because you're a good person. It's natural for young people like us to feel close to you. It's hard to link you to the legendary Iron Blood Seven."
"They have a bright future. Whether it's our division or the Seven Group back then, the most important thing is this kind of shamelessness. Although the leaders are all very serious, they actually have more tricks up their sleeves than we do. What bullsh * t is the Iron-Blooded Seven Group? I don't even know who gave them that nickname."
Da Vinci took a deep puff of his cigarette and watched the smoke ring dissipate on his opponent's face with satisfaction. He said with slight envy, "In the training camp, you all said that Da Xiong was the cruelest demonic instructor in history. You know, when I first joined the army, that instructor was the scariest man in the world."
The rookies of the 17th Division around him were silently counting the time, recalling the documentary that was still quietly circulating on the Internet. Suddenly, someone raised his head and said in shock, "Could it be …"
Da Vinci took the cigarette between his lips and stuffed it into that person's mouth, stopping the latter half of the sentence. He looked at the crowd and said seriously, "I'm warning you all seriously. Our division, from Vice Division Commander He Lei to that fatty Gu Xifeng who squats in the kitchen every day, can't hear that name. Once you hear it, you'll be in a bad mood. It's very likely that you'll mistreat rookies like you. That's why after joining the army, don't ask about the past, especially don't mention that name."
"Bah! Bah! Bah! "
The rookie hurriedly removed the cigarette from his lips and looked at the wet carbon filter tip. He suppressed the disgust in his heart and looked at Da Vinci and said bitterly, "Instructor, I won't talk about the hygiene issues, but with your salary, isn't it a little too much for you to smoke such cheap Blue Box 377?"
Da Vinci's expression stiffened as he leaned against the wall and forced a smile. He said softly, "What do you know?"
…
…
Some names did not need to be mentioned, while some people did not need to be forgotten. This was because whether one mentioned it or not, that name would always be there. Whether one forgot it or not, that person would still stand there, squinting her eyes. Draped in a dazzling coat, she would grin, revealing a mouth full of white teeth, and smile brilliantly.
Just like the beautiful girl wearing a light blue dress on all the television screens in the space station, walking slowly under the clear lights, no matter how long she had not appeared in front of the people of the Federation, no matter if she was a lonely and innocent girl in a soap opera, or a young female commander who often dozed off on the USS Enterprise, no matter if her hair was purple or black, she would always stand there quietly and charmingly, receiving billions of fiery gazes, warm applause, and even uncontrollable tears.
This was the Federation's news channel, channel 23. It was the live broadcast of the national idol, Jian Shui 'er's official comeback concert by the three major private television stations.
As the national idol that was most deeply rooted in the hearts of the people in the 37th Constitutional Era, Jian Shui 'er had disappeared for too long. The last time she sang on stage was in the spring of the 70th Constitutional Era. She sang the ending theme of the documentary that had won countless awards. The last time she appeared in the eyes of the people of the Federation was at the funeral of the War God Li Pifu.
"After the War God's funeral, the image of Miss Jian Shui 'er holding the black and white portrait and walking crying made many people feel heartbroken and sad, but at the same time, it also led to some speculation."
On the screen, the female news anchor of the Federation's news channel had obvious wrinkles at the corners of her eyes. She looked at the draft that had just been delivered and slightly frowned. She immediately adjusted her emotions and looked at the camera with a smile and pride. "According to the confirmation sent back by Colonel Li Feng from the front line, our charming Miss Jian Shui 'er, whose real name is Jian Muzi, has the blood of the great Lees of Philadelphia flowing in her body."
"This comeback concert will be held in the Linhai State Gymnasium and fully sponsored by the Xiu Shu Foundation. All the proceeds, including the cost, will be invested in the Veterans Association."
The female anchor looked at the words that were obviously added on the teleprompter at the last minute and was clearly hesitant. "It's called … the silent march."
She sorted out her emotions as fast as she could and changed the topic. "Today, Miss Jian Shui 'er officially made her comeback and will be singing her first new song. So, before we enjoy the performance of the national idol, let us quickly review the touching laughter and tears she brought to all the people of the Federation since she was twelve years old."
The hologram began to quickly play the scenes that were still fresh in the memories of the people of the Federation. The voiceover quickly repeated the honor that the national idol had once received and the influence that she had once caused. However, it was very cautious not to mention the concerts that had once brought the title of Bane to Jian Shui 'er. As for the scandal that had once caused the entire Federation to be extremely lively, there was not a single word about it.
Under the hologram that flowed like a waterfall, Jian Shui 'er, who was wearing a light blue dress, slowly walked to the center of the stage. Under the careful carving of time, the national idol of the past had gently thrown away the word' girl 'in the middle. In the blink of an eye, she was even more charming than before and could only be described as boring and perfect.
She calmly smiled, so the entire Linhai State Gymnasium was quiet and a smile appeared on the faces of all the audience. She was originally the one and only idol of the Federation, and now it was confirmed that the blood of the Lees of Philadelphia flowed in her body. Her legendary color increased a bit, her mysterious and seductive color increased a bit. Every frown, smile, raise wrist, and blink of an eye attracted the attention of countless people.
Without any pleasantries, Jian Shui 'er directly began to sing. When the first word flowed out of her red lips and sounded along with the microphone, the hundreds of thousands of audience members in the concert began to crazily shout and scream.
In front of the TV screens of thousands of households, who knew how many aunties were looking at her with affection, as if they were looking at a daughter who had not returned home for a long time. Who knew how many uncles were hugging an old pillow with her face printed on it and crying, as if they had seen their daughter finally being taken away by a miserable young man with a face full of acne. Although time was not necessarily an evil butcher's knife, it could really change a lot …
The song echoed in the Federation.
"Before you left, the old man said goodbye to us in advance. That black coffin floated above the sea of people. Crying, I held his photo and walked alone in front of the crowd."
"There was an old woman who left the nightclub and silently guarded a tombstone without any words. There was a restaurant in Bermuda that had a new dish called Scorpion Tail. The broccoli beside the dish was like a beautiful man under the sun. His smile was as bright as the fireworks."
"I sat by the lake and gently stroked the edge of the bluestone, thinking about the stories you told me. I was tired of looking at the water, so I went to the big iron gate and passed a cigarette through the fence like a certain someone, but you were not there."
"In the past few years, I have been to many places. The aunties you mentioned are still in the market below the apartment. Linyuan really did tear down the airport that you thought would disturb the mood of eating, but when you think about it carefully, there was actually no trace of us here."
"I used to think about my parents and their hometown. I imagined how they would fight in the kitchen with a kitchen knife. If I was there then and I am here now, would I hide in the cupboard and tremble, or what?"
"After you left, no one bought plain porridge in the Linhai State Library. There was no raindrop under the stadium. There was no sequel to that documentary. There were only real stones left in the mines of Donglin."
"The seats on Parliament Hill did not change, but the people in them kept changing. I stood in the same place as before, quietly looking at the seats below and above, but I could no longer see your face."
"In the Windmill Knight, Schiller said that we have to dream those impossible dreams, defeat those undefeatable enemies, endure those unbearable sorrows, and go to places that even the brave dare not enter."
"However, when I was young, I packed my backpack and wanted to go to the West Woods to see the sea, but I always fell asleep under that tree halfway. What about you after such a long time? Did you also sleep soundly? "
…
…
In the spring of the 75th year of the Constitutional Era, at Jian Shui'er's comeback concert, accompanied by a light screen that resembled flowing water, accompanied by a simple and crisp string accompaniment, this song named "Fleeting Years" appeared on the federal television light screen for the first and last time. The song's melody was simple and clear. The female voice was basically dissociated from the arrangement of the song, only using it as background music. She used a plain and simple tone to tell a certain person, or everyone, a story and memories related to the story.
Many people at the concert and in front of the TV understood the long lyrics, or at least understood some of the hidden meanings that were not deliberately made obscure. They fell into silence and complicated emotions.
The Federation's news channel urgently cut off the live broadcast of the comeback concert. No matter how high the viewership was, no matter how high the national idol's military background was, the big shots would definitely not allow this situation to continue.
In the distant military space station, Xiong Linquan's angry roar suddenly rang out.
"Change the channel!"
The TV screen above people's heads changed from the news channel to channel 23, until it changed to a private TV station. Only the last scene of the concert could be seen. Jian Shui'er vaguely announced that she supported the silent march of a certain District S2 Councilman surnamed Tai.
…
…
In the 75th year of the Constitutional Calendar, it was the 728th year of the Imperial White Hibiscus Dynasty's Imperial Calendar. The Left Sky Starfield's unremarkable second-class administrative planet, the Li Ban Star, was in the bright spring.
From the flat field to the foot of the Yellow Rock, the mulberry trees swayed and rustled in the warm wind. The white fog that filled the sky of Pine Cone Ridge shyly retreated under the sun, revealing the true appearance of the scene.
Different from this peaceful and beautiful scenery, on the deep and dark mulberry forest road at the foot of the mountain, a man and woman in tattered clothes were dragging a five or six-year-old girl, fleeing in fear and pain. The straw sandals on the man and woman's feet had long been lost. Blood seeped out between their muddy fingernails, and their speed was very slow.
The wind blew the mulberry leaves, and a girl in white walked out of the forest.
The girl was about fourteen or fifteen years old. She was young and beautiful, with a faint pride and indifference between her eyebrows. She was unusually calm, and her light chestnut straight hair hung down to her waist like silk satin, without a trace of mess.
She looked at the frightened family and suddenly smiled, like a spring flower that had just bloomed gently, and asked, "Runaway slaves? Do you need help? "
…
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