The substance of the briefing given by Xi Wen was negligible. Both Andre and Pa, two outstanding scions of the Caesar family, were adept at the art of language, ensuring every questioner received a satisfactory reply. Yet, upon deeper reflection, one realized these two men had effectively said nothing of any real value.

“To wield official rhetoric with such artistry—the Caesar family’s tutelage is clearly exceptional.” After watching for a while and failing to glean any useful intelligence, Yang Ying shut off the holographic screen.

“This Istah stole Representative Andre’s delegated position, yet Andre shows no sign of displeasure. Clearly, he possesses profound self-control,” Brian remarked.

“For those born into major families, showing emotion too readily is a massive flaw. They spend their days plotting against each other; anyone who cannot hide their true intentions would have met an untimely end long ago,” Yang Ying told Brian. “From now on, the one to watch is Istah; Andre can be put aside for now.”

The only reason Andre was a committee member was his representation of the Caesar Mercenary Group. Now that he was no longer the representative, his committee seat likely wouldn't last long. By the time of the next Alliance Committee election, he would probably have relinquished all his posts, handing everything over to this new Representative Istah.

After some casual conversation, Yang Ying had the two Ghost Agents confirm that there were no listening devices nearby. Then, he used his communicator to contact Kalia.

“The trip to Worell is finally over. We achieved the results we expected. Although it will take a few more days to officially become a Large Mercenary Group, the outcome is essentially decided, and the process was unremarkable, without incident,” Yang Ying stated calmly.

“That was also anticipated. The promotion of the Teran Mercenary Group to a Large Mercenary Group is the way of the world. Unless a Super Mercenary Group intervenes, no other force can stop us,” Kalia replied composedly. “Even the Super Mercenary Groups won't stand in our way because, even without the formal title of Large Mercenary Group, the Teran Mercenary Group remains the Teran Mercenary Group. Blocking our promotion won't cause substantial harm, only alert us. So, even if a Super Mercenary Group truly intended to deal with us, they would choose a more clandestine method rather than directly obstructing our path to becoming a Large Mercenary Group.”

Yang Ying nodded. “Which is why we cannot let our guard down yet. The asteroid belt is a place where human connections are cold and every step is fraught with peril. We must maintain constant vigilance; perhaps some individuals within the Super Mercenary Groups are already plotting against us.”

Yang Ying understood deeply that complacency blinds people. He never assumed everyone held benevolent intentions toward the Teran Mercenary Group.

“Are there follow-up tasks?” Kalia inquired.

“There are,” Yang Ying responded. “According to the plan finalized with the review committee, an investigation team of about twenty people will arrive at Grayport shortly to verify several metrics from the documentation submitted by the Teran Mercenary Group. However, I have already agreed upon the team’s scope of activity with the committee to ensure they do not attempt to dig into Teran Company’s commercial secrets.”

“I imagine this investigation team won’t strictly adhere to their designated boundaries. After all, there will always be those who harbor ill intentions towards us,” Kalia immediately stated. “We should subject them to comprehensive, in-depth surveillance to prevent any overstepping of bounds.”

“You handle that part,” Yang Ying said easily. For espionage of this nature, no one was better suited than Kalia and the Ghost Agent unit.

“As you wish,” Kalia said, bowing slightly on the screen.

Yang Ying continued, “There is one more thing.”

“What is it, Sir?” Kalia asked.

“My trip to Worell was incredibly enlightening. There are many things I hadn’t noticed before, primarily the role of diplomacy. There is an old saying: ‘What cannot be won on the battlefield can be won at the negotiating table.’ I feel that sentiment profoundly now. We cannot focus solely on combat; the cultivation of diplomats must begin,” Yang Ying stated.

“Diplomats? But the clone gene bank at the base doesn't have an option for diplomats, and the cloning factory doesn't produce them,” Kalia expressed surprise. “Even us Ghost Agents, while capable of some clerical work, are primarily trained in combat, tactics, and espionage. It’s not impossible for us to become diplomats, but our proficiency would likely be limited.”

“Who said it has to be you Ghost Agents?” Yang Ying laughed. “I’ve thought about this matter extensively on the journey back and believe our clone gene bank needs significant expansion.”

“Add the genes for diplomats to the gene bank? That is one way,” Kalia immediately grasped Yang Ying’s meaning and nodded. “Our cloning factories only require a sample to initiate cloning. If we obtain a diplomat’s blood, skin, or anything containing their DNA, we can clone them.”

(DNA is the abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid, a substance containing all genetic information of a human, present in every cell.)

“However, talent alone doesn't dictate a person’s entire life; knowledge and experience are also essential, especially experience in diplomatic work,” Kalia said with some difficulty. “The clone training programs lack diplomatic knowledge. Even if we produce diplomat-type clones, we cannot make them qualified envoys.”

Yang Ying spoke seriously. “Indeed, everything must start from scratch. First, we must secretly seek out several outstanding diplomats, collect their knowledge and experience, and upgrade our clone training programs. Then we create our diplomats. Completing this plan will require a significant investment of effort, but it is worthwhile. The existence of diplomats will help us interact with other factions and gain at the negotiating table what we cannot achieve on the battlefield.”

“I will take care of this matter,” Kalia accepted the task and then extrapolated, suggesting, “Since we are upgrading the gene bank and training programs anyway, why not broaden the scope? People like politicians, artists, and business geniuses—they would also have a positive impact on our development.”

“That’s how we’ll do it!” This suited Yang Ying’s intentions perfectly, and he immediately agreed.

“As for collecting the genetic material, I suggest we use the Teran Company’s name to acquire several hospitals on Earth, and then have those hospitals collect samples for us. We can send personnel to retrieve them regularly,” Kalia, proving himself a high-IQ individual, instantly devised a feasible plan.

Yang Ying considered it and agreed. “Let’s proceed. We have ample funds now anyway. Allocate four billion; that should be enough to acquire more than ten reputable hospitals.”

“Why four billion? Not three or five billion?” Kalia asked curiously.

“Because I won a bet on Worell, winning exactly four billion,” Yang Ying recounted the events of the simulation exercise to Kalia.

After hearing the story, Kalia gasped in admiration. “Sir, your ability to generate wealth is truly astonishing.”

Yang Ying smiled. “Not at all, just good luck.”

The Alliance transport vessel carrying Yang Ying and his party returned safely to Grayport. They then transferred to Yang Ying’s new flagship—a yacht converted from Old Barrow’s escape pod—and returned to base.

When he arrived at the command center, Kalia was already waiting inside, sitting on the sofa with a stack of documents clamped under his arm.

“Welcome back, Sir,” Kalia rose immediately to greet Yang Ying as he entered.

“Was there anything urgent while I was away?” Yang Ying asked.

“Nothing major, but some documents have accumulated here that I hope you can find time to review,” Kalia handed him the stack of papers.

“No problem.” Yang Ying took the documents, walked to his desk, and sat down, first stretching his arms. He then spoke to Catterina, who had followed him in: “Prepare me a cup of tea first, my secretary.”

“Yes, Sir.” Catterina smiled, moving to the temperature-controlled water dispenser in the corner of the room, skillfully gathering the teapot, tea leaves, and other necessities to begin brewing.

Only after she had finished and brought the tea did Yang Ying begin to review the files.

He had only finished about a third when his communicator suddenly rang.

Yang Ying picked it up and was startled. The screen displayed that the incoming call was from Randolph!

“The old man has my private communication number.” Yang Ying had given his number to Randolph during his time on Light of Titan, and he had never changed it since.

This call probably isn’t about official business, Yang Ying thought, gesturing for Catterina and Kalia to be quiet before answering.

On the screen appeared a white-haired elder with a high nose, deep-set eyes, and features that resembled a fox—it was Randolph himself. He was wearing a gray round-neck shirt, unlike the military uniform laden with medals he had worn previously.

“Admiral Randolph, I hope you have been well?” Yang Ying greeted him.

Randolph burst into laughter. “Ah, young man! We haven’t been in touch for several months, and you’re already so formal? We are having a private conversation now, unrelated to official matters. You can call me Uncle Randolph or just ‘Uncle’!”

“If that’s the case, I shall call you Uncle Randolph,” Yang Ying said, though in his mind he thought: I called you General until now, and suddenly you want me to call you Uncle? Why not call me Grandpa? Is he afraid of sounding old? Look at that face.

“Good, call me Uncle,” Randolph adopted the benevolent expression of an elder. “Young friend Yang Ying, you haven't forgotten your Uncle all this time, have you?”

“I haven’t forgotten, certainly not,” Yang Ying replied.

“Then, you haven't forgotten my niece, have you?” Randolph’s expression suddenly turned mysterious.

His niece? An image of a spirited female officer flashed in Yang Ying’s mind. Wen Jing!