Li Qi quietly moved behind me, slyly pinching the flesh on my waist, and whispered when no one was watching, "Are you making fun of me? If you don't like it, I won't let you play anymore. Anyway, I have so many good friends keeping me company now, I'm not afraid of loneliness. I just wonder if you'll miss it, considering none of your many wives ever dared let you look that way."

I secretly said to Li Qi, "A little bit of fun is good for regulating life's spice, don't you think?"

Li Qi leaned into my embrace contentedly without a word. Zhou Ni, standing nearby, chimed in happily, "This is great! We finally punished that detestable department head and secured the letter safely. Brother needs to cherish this opportunity and try hard to pass the written test."

Zhou Qiang and Tang Han stated, "We aren't worried about the written test, only the interview. The interview carries significant weight, and there's a lot of human factor involved."

I assured them both, "Don't worry. Once you pass the written test, follow Li Qi's lead diligently in your work. Who knows, maybe your names will be among the ministers of various commissions in the State Council in the future."

Tang Han asked, "Is classmate Li Qi also applying for the civil service? This batch is being sent way out to the Northwest. Is Zhao Qian willing to let her go?"

Li Qi feigned helplessness, "What choice do I have? What you just said was right: a good man's ambition lies in all directions. For the sake of our future happiness, a brief separation is sometimes necessary."

Tang Han whispered, "But you're not a man."

The matter of the civil service was finally settled. Although they were all young people, this didn't affect our larger future plans. Experience is gained through practice; with five years of work experience, I believe they can handle any situation.

The political career I didn't particularly favor might be unfolding, but Li Qi was right—some things you must face even if you don't want to. Politics isn't warfare; it has too many subtleties. Enemies sometimes appear as friendly as comrades on the surface. Perhaps, given enough time, I will adapt to this life.

The afternoon slipped away quickly amidst talk and laughter. I had intended to keep Zhou Qiang and Tang Han for dinner, but they staunchly refused, saying they needed to return and prepare for the exam in a few days, as this was a life-altering event they dared not take lightly.

Zhou Ni turned to us and said, "I'm heading home. How about you all? Shall we go together?"

Ouyang Qian replied, "I can't, or Su Xue will scold me again. She keeps complaining lately that I value romance over friendship."

Li Qi added, "I can't either. My father has been scrutinizing things strictly recently; I need to go back to my own home."

Zhu Da suggested, "Let the brothers find a place to eat. You all carry on with your own things."

Leaving Longteng University, Zhu Da contacted Xia Huren. We agreed to meet at the Haitan Hotel. When I stepped into the Haitan Hotel for the second time, the service staff gave me strange looks; the incident with Sha Biao must have frightened them.

Cai Bao'er instructed the waiter to bring a continuous stream of the finest dishes and drinks, then ordered them to stay far away and not disturb us. Zhu Da raised his glass, "Boys, it's been a long time since we've all been together like this. Let's have a toast first."

Indeed, ever since everyone started focusing on their own ventures, we hadn't replicated the scene from the eve of last year's Spring Festival, eating spicy hot pot under the snow outside my building. But this absence only made our friendship seem more precious.

Cai Bao'er sighed, "It's a pity I met you all so late. Otherwise, I could have joined you in grinding flour and selling tofu when you were starting your business; I was still coaxing my older sister back then."

Xia Huren countered, "Your contribution was huge too."

Cai Bao'er didn't immediately grasp it. Zhu Da nudged her, "Idiot. Coaxing your sister is like coaxing Commander Zhao's wife—that's a massive contribution!"

Cai Bao'er laughed, "I thought Brother Hu didn't joke. I've finally witnessed one today."

The Village Chief expressed concern, "Little Xia, you're not getting any younger. Shouldn't you be thinking about settling down? Look, Little Zhao's wives already exceed double digits; you need to hurry up!" Xia Huren chuckled, "Village Chief, no rush. I have a plan."

Zhu Da grumbled at the Village Chief, "Village Chief, Cai Baozi and I aren't exactly young either. Why don't you worry about us? Do you not care about us two brothers now that you have a wife?"

The Village Chief and Han Fen had already moved in together. We originally wanted to throw them a grand celebration, but both adamantly refused, saying that at their age, adopting the customs of young people would just make them look silly.

"How can I not care about you two? Didn't I introduce you to two potential partners a while ago?"

Cai Bao'er nearly spat out her drink, "Spare us, Village Chief! Those two prospects are almost as large as Commander Zhu and me combined. We only want women like Commander Zhao's wife; anything below standard is rejected."

The Village Chief looked troubled, "Then I can't help. Little Zhao chased his girlfriends back himself; you two must put in the effort yourselves."

Zhu Da protested, "What do you mean he chased them himself? The girls were chasing him! I just can't figure it out; we're both supermen, so why aren't we popular with the girls?"

Everyone burst into laughter, "You two should focus on losing weight first."

After three rounds of drinks and five courses, Xia Huren put down his chopsticks, "We still haven't found an entry point for the Nansha issue. We are fully prepared; we just lack the east wind."

Zhu Da insisted, "I think we shouldn't hesitate any longer. If they don't bother us, we bother them. Right now, the Yue Nan people are occupying our territory and refuse to return it; they are in the wrong."

The Village Chief cautioned, "But we can't send troops in the name of the Great Dragon Nation now, or all previous transgressions will be pinned on the Great Dragon Nation, which would be disastrous."

Cai Bao'er slammed the table, "Isn't it just about picking a fight? We'll initiate civilian confrontation. Let's send a few fishing boats out from the Xisha waters to fish around the Nanzi and Taiping Islands. If those damn Yue Nan and Ming Island forces dare to interfere, we'll have the fishermen hire the Red Dragon Organization for protection under the guise of private citizens. Once our warships sail into the Nansha waters, even the Jade Emperor couldn't make us pull out."

Xia Huren agreed, "I think that works. The 7 islands that Fei Lu lost can also be recovered using this method."

I considered it carefully, "This method isn't impossible, but its persuasive power is somewhat weak. Still, it's better than having no pretext at all. Commanders Zhu and Cai, spend the next two days investigating the situation of the Xisha fishermen, then give me a specific action plan so I can mobilize the Navy in time to enter the combat."

I sent a text message to Taozi, and in the blink of an eye, it appeared in the private room. It was in charge of intelligence work; Zhu Da and Cai Baozi's trip to Xisha would be impossible without its cooperation.

Taozi raised no objection to our plan and promised to mobilize all available resources for support when the time came. Recently, it had established intelligence agencies worldwide. Since those rats weren't suited for extensive mental labor, Xiao Yudi developed micro-recording devices that could be implanted in their eyes, allowing these rodents to infiltrate important departments in various countries to selectively eavesdrop and record vital intelligence.

Rats equipped with these recording devices would transmit the gathered intelligence to a satellite via specific hidden equipment in the nest after returning. The satellite would collect and relay the data back to base. Xiao Hui specifically developed software to automatically identify useful data; after being filtered by the computer, Taozi would classify and read it. What it deemed useful would be registered, while what wasn't immediately needed would be archived.

I have already instructed Liu Hu to select and train 500 intelligence analysts. In the future, the incoming intelligence will be overwhelming; Taozi, as one cat, won't be able to cope, so we must prepare for the rainy day.

The Nansha matter was thus decided. The detailed operational plan would be finalized after Zhu Da and Cai Baozi returned from Xisha. Zhu Da informed me, "I've finalized the hotel and restaurant properties. You need to send people quickly to take them over. I'm not cut out for that kind of management; trafficking arms makes money faster."

Zhang Xiaoya’s experience is too limited. If she manages things solo right away, problems might arise. I asked the Village Chief, "Village Chief, can you step away from the Citizen's Group for now? Since that side's affairs are on track, could you come help Zhang Xiaoya with the hotels first?"

The Village Chief readily agreed, "No problem. I'll speak with General Managers Yu and Xu and bring over a portion of the experienced management staff. I believe we can establish the management structure quickly."

I felt relieved, "That's good. That puts my mind at ease."

Zhu Da and Cai Bao'er complained, "Commander Zhao, can you increase the number of Super Soldiers? Sixty-five is too few! We need to transfer some from Tiger's side, and we also need manpower for invading the international underworld and the arms market—we're simply overwhelmed."

It wasn't that I didn't want to increase the Super Soldiers, but artificial gene repair is currently impossible. Our Super Soldiers are modified using Substance B. One Snake Pearl can only modify ten soldiers, and the value of one Snake Pearl is incalculable; the modification cost is astronomical. However, we desperately lack personnel like Super Soldiers right now. Machine Soldiers often expose their identities in certain tasks, while regular special forces suffer high casualty rates in dangerous situations. Only these supremely powerful Super Soldiers are the optimal operatives.

"Alright, I'll add 40 more. They will be divided into five major detachments, each with 21 Super Soldiers. We will select one detachment leader from each to command their respective unit. The five detachment leaders will report directly to Tiger for special operations in various scenarios."

Xia Huren advised me, "Currently, we operate in small squads of five led by a squad leader. I suggest retaining this structure. Small-scale operations are better suited to our immediate needs."

"Agreed. That makes five detachments and twenty squads, which should be more than enough for your various assignments. Make the anti-gravity boots standard equipment for the Super Soldier units. Also, report everyone's clothing sizes; the base just developed a new type of body armor, and I want two sets custom-made for everyone."

Zhu Da objected, "What do we need body armor for? Isn't that just adding an extra, unnecessary step, like taking off your pants to fart?"

What I referred to wasn't ordinary body armor. Zhao Fen developed it based on the skin of the giant python I consumed. She had been trying to find a way to remove the tangible evidence left on the python hide, but that Fen Snake hide, though as thin as gauze, was exceptionally tough and impossible to divide. After nearly a year of research, Zhao Fen finally analyzed the skin's atomic structure and used it to design bulletproof fabric as thin as a cicada's wing.

Body armor made from this material eliminates the bulkiness and inability to fold in multiple layers of old armor. It can be worn like a normal piece of sheer clothing, not affecting movement or arousing suspicion, and it's also heat-resistant. When struck hard from the outside, the armor material automatically disperses the force across the entire body, greatly reducing harm to the body.

Regarding Zhu Da’s comment, I replied, "Better safe than sorry. Everyone take two sets. The multi-functional helmet, anti-gravity boots, and body armor will be standard issue for all 105 Super Soldiers. Their missions are critical; lacking proper weapon systems will severely impact their combat effectiveness."

Xia Huren confirmed, "No problem. I'll contact the sisters directly about this."

With no other matters to discuss, Cai Bao'er and Zhu Da raised their glasses to invite everyone to drink. I got quite happy too and downed a few more bottles. Afterward, I was so muddled that I don't know who brought me home, or whose home I ended up in, but out of habit in the middle of the night, I reached out and touched a soft chest, realizing it was Xiao Yudi.

Seeing me awake, Xiao Yudi got out of bed and poured me a glass of water. "Brother, you actually get drunk sometimes! Don't drink so much in the future; it’s bad for your health."

"It’s nothing; everyone was happy. Oh, is Xiao Rou not here?"

Xiao Yudi giggled, "You want that, don't you? She's sleeping at Sister Susu's place. Let's talk, Brother. If you're feeling pent up, shall I help you relieve it?"

I pulled Xiao Yudi close, "No need. Being able to whisper secrets with my adorable robotic waifu is a great blessing in life."

Xiao Yudi nestled into my arms, "Actually, I am completely different from Xiao Hui. The difference I speak of isn't just in terms of physical materials, because my neural pathways and thinking are completely that of a normal Earth human, whereas Xiao Hui is a genuine robot."

"I understand. You can grasp certain social nuances that Xiao Hui struggles with. That's the difference between a machine and a person. Emotions make humans consistently richer than machines; even super-intelligent machines struggle to compare in this regard."

"Brother, tomorrow Xiao Hui and I are flying to Country M. We might not be with you for a while."

"Why?"

"Pan-American Media has completed its acquisition, and the Country M government has approved this massive undertaking. Tomorrow, Xiao Hui and I are flying to Country M to oversee a series of handover procedures. To avoid arousing suspicion from the Country M people, we won't be returning home for a while. We'll come back to be with you once the new management structure at Pan-American Media is stable."

This was actually good news. Controlling Pan-American Media meant controlling half of Country M's social narrative. Moreover, with new capital injection and support in energy and communications, Pan-American Media would become a new money-making engine. Although we already had more money than we could spend, controlling Country M's economy was the ultimate goal.

"Take Taozi with you. People's hearts are unpredictable; those Country M folks probably won't be entirely friendly. With Taozi there, you won't have to worry about them playing tricks. Any disloyal or ill-intentioned individuals can be promptly removed from the company, saving us trouble later."

"Hehe, you forgot I can probe people's thoughts myself! Taozi should stay with you; you need it more than I do. I'll take 50 Machine Soldiers; there shouldn't be any issues. Besides, I'm quite formidable myself, just that I never told you before."

"But I'm still worried. Bring 21 Super Soldiers as well. They are much more convenient than Machine Soldiers for handling certain situations."

"Thank you, Husband Brother, for your concern. I'll be careful, as you wish. Otherwise, who will give Brother that fantastic feeling later? That's my pride, you know."

The feeling Xiao Yudi gave me was indeed incomparable. Honestly, I felt a pang of reluctance to see her go. Even though it was only for a few days, the matters in Country M couldn't be delayed. I just had to endure it for a few days.

The conversation drifted from their bed to increasingly suggestive topics, and eventually, I was about to get handsy again. Xiao Yudi laughed, "Brother, Xiao Hui is arriving soon. Aren't you afraid she'll see? Go ahead and play."

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