Saturday, November 11, 1634.

Beginning in 1631, the Chinese Congress passed a bill establishing a "National Youth Day", which was celebrated on November 11 of the Gregorian calendar. In a certain country in the future, it also has another name - "Singles' Day". In the end, which one of the first to come up with the bad idea is also divided among the people.

It was already 22 o'clock in the evening, and at the military port wharf in the western district of Long Island, Manchu, under the illumination of the lights, the two large light cruisers Princess Xijun and Princess Jiewu were moored side by side, and the frigates Camellia and Rose were docked outside them.

On the streets of the city, not far from the military port, a large bar is still open. The bar has a "mermaid" sign on the lintel, and it is even luxuriously decorated with a circle of red-painted light bulbs, which looks extremely extravagant and gorgeous.

The Mermaid Bar is one of the properties of Ouyang Ling, the proprietress of the Yipinspoon Hotel, and since its establishment ten years ago, it has become a favorite gathering place for Chinese and American naval officers and sailors on vacation, and over time, it has become an informal naval club. In view of the inexplicable mutual displeasure between the army and navy, in order to prevent accidents, the attendants here will often be very kind to refuse the entry of the army officers and men.

The 17th-century pseudo-modern pub is packed with young naval officers and sailors, and a cellist plays soothing music on a stage illuminated by a variety of colorful light bulbs. The young people in the audience blushed one by one, raised their wine glasses and talked loudly, celebrating this festival that belongs to them. Most of the people here are the officers and men of the Home Fleet who are resting in the military port, especially the officers and men on the two Princess-class light cruisers.

“…… Haha, you know, those French hillbillies saw our fleet, their eyes were so big, it was like seeing God! ”

A young European naval sergeant appeared to have drunk too much as he banged on the table. While deliberately imitating the stupid appearance of staring eyes, the colleagues around him should laugh in harmony. At the same time, several naval officers who had drunk too much were still hugging each other affectionately, their leather shoes kicking the rhythm on the ground, and singing the naval military song loudly.

In one corner, two young Europeans with the rank of captain of the Navy were sitting facing each other, with low-alcohol fruit wine in front of them, maintaining a calm that was completely different from the other naval officers and sailors around them.

Except for a slight difference in size, there are many similarities between the appearance of the two young men. They are the sons of Lieutenant Commander Andrew, now the commander of the American Asian Fleet, Captain Elson, and Captain Baker, the former 28 years old and the latter 26 years old.

As the first graduating class of Long Island Naval Academy, the two brothers, Elson and Baker, inherited their father, Andrew's natural spirituality for the sea. Although the two are not recognized geniuses like Captain Aven and Captain Ruiter, they have been promoted to captain step by step over the years, and joined the captain's class of the Navy at the beginning of this year, and will graduate in the second half of next year, and then have the qualifications to serve as acting captain.

Two decades ago were still standing in the corridor of the capital's hospital. The Navy cadet, who was crying and waiting for his burned father to be discharged from the hospital, has now grown up to be a second-generation captain-level officer in the Chinese Navy. This legendary immigrant family with two generations of father and son captains is enough to create the most typical "gorgeous dream".

Manchester City Weekly and Radio Manchester have dedicated a special column to the two new captains who have been interviewed when they join the captain's class. And before. The story of Captain Ji Chaohai, a Chinese immigrant who has served as the acting captain of the frigate Cornflower, has been hyped up in many versions.

The two seemed to have been sitting together for a long time, with the younger brother Baker constantly pulling out his pocket watch to check the time, while the older brother Elson was slowly holding his wine glass. Watch the frolic of fellow Navy officers in the depths of the bar.

In the midst of the commotion, the group slowly walked towards the two brothers, and Baker's eyes lit up. Quickly straightened out his military uniform and stood up, while tapping his fingers on the table to remind his brother.

"Miss Martina, Miss Lumei, Ingrid! Captain Aven, Captain Don Hannah! Over here! Baker raised his arm and beckoned to the men and women who came over, with a big smile on his face, "You're finally here!" ”

There were six people, two men and four women. Except for Don Hannah, who was still wearing a military uniform, the other three beautiful women were all ordinary clothes.

"I can't see it, your days as soldiers are quite nourishing!" 23-year-old Lu Mei, dressed in a Western-style dress, is holding her sister Tang Hannah, and has been smiling and looking around since she walked into the bar.

Lu Mei, who is one year younger than Tang Hannah, is an honors master's degree student in law who graduated from an Ivy League university this year, and is now an assistant minister to the Cabinet Justice Department.

Ingrid, 22, the younger sister of Elson and Baker and a classmate of Lu Mei's in middle school, just graduated from the master's degree in clinical medicine at Manchester City Medical College this year, became an intern at the National Hospital in the capital, and is about to marry a police officer in the city.

And the 19-year-old Portuguese girl named Martina is a merchant family who immigrated from the American Concession in the Azores only this year. Martina, whom Baker met in the American Concession of the Azores when he was a midshipman on the Republic, is now Baker's fiancée and will be married after Christmas.

As for the young naval officer standing at the back, it was Lieutenant Hu Huan, who was a few months younger than Tang Hannah, a young man with a drooping head and a little absent-minded.

"Miss Lu Mei, good evening!"

was secretly stabbed by his younger brother, and after seeing Lu Mei beside Tang Hannah, Elson's face turned a little red, and he hurriedly took a few steps forward and politely stretched out his hand towards the seat.

"Senior Elson, why are you so red today? Before Lu Mei and I came, we drank alone. Seeing Elson's embarrassed appearance, Tang Hannah couldn't help but deliberately glance at her sister Lu Mei.

"......" was teased by Tang Hannah like this, Elson felt even more hot on his face, and he didn't know what to say for a while, so he stood stupidly, and Lu Mei secretly pinched Tang Hannah's arm.

"Congratulations, Captain Elson, Captain Baker, I heard that the Navy Command has decided to make you the acting captain of the newest USS Alfalfa and USS Tequila next year!" Captain Evan smiled at Don Hannah and took the initiative to stand up and divert the topic.

The two newly-built warships in Captain Aven's mouth, which are still lying on the slipway of the Beiyang Shipbuilding Company in the western district of Long Island, are the first generation of all-steam-powered light cruisers of the Chinese and US Navy, the "Alfalfa-class", which are still at least half a year away from formal service. However, rumor has it that the naval command intends to introduce the latest regulations on the classification of capital warships in 1636, and it is very likely that the Alfalfa class will be downgraded to the level of frigates after only a few months of entry into service.

"The command of the Navy is just thinking about it. Not necessarily...... It's Captain Evan and Captain Ruytel, who have officially become acting captains! Seeing that someone was saving the scene, Elson quickly picked up the conversation, and showed an embarrassed smile at Tang Hannah, "I heard that Captain Tang Hannah is also going to work as an assistant instructor at the Long Island Naval Academy." ”

"My sister should have had this qualification a long time ago!" Lu Mei tugged on Tang Hannah's arm tightly, looking very proud.

"It's not fun on the boat!" It's still Tang Hannah who is careful, although it looks lively in front of her, but she finds that Hu Huan, who has always been her follower, is a little absent-minded, "Hu Huan." What happened to you? ”

"Ah...... I didn't, nothing. Hu Huan was in a trance, and when he was shouted like this, he suddenly raised his head and looked at everyone blankly, not knowing what to say for a while.

"Lieutenant Hu Huan only returned a few days ago, and it is estimated that he has not rested well." Ai Wen generously welcomed Tang Hannah and other women into the seat, and then kindly played a round for Hu Huan.

"Senior sister, I'm still not very good at drinking." After Hu Huan sat down. I touched the wine glass and held it for a while, with a wry smile on my face.

"Today is a celebration of Captain Awen's appointment as acting captain of the Lapis Lazuli, and he will be on his way to the South African fleet tomorrow, and he will not see him again in the next year or two. Don't drink him down today. I'm sorry for the hospitality expenses of Elson and Baker. Glancing at the junior brother slightly, Tang Hannah's eyes showed a hint of hatred for iron and steel.

Glancing at Captain Ai Wen who was smiling opposite, Hu Huan suddenly felt a sense of competition in his heart, and he didn't speak. Grabbing the wine glass, he drank it all, only to choke and cough after a few seconds.

The subtle embarrassment on the wine table was dissipated in this way, and Tang Hannah and the others leaned forward and backwards with laughter. Lu Mei, Ingrid, and the younger Martina desperately covered their mouths and didn't dare to laugh.

Just as Tang Hannah and the others were about to collectively toast Captain Aiwen, who was about to rush to Nanshan Port, two groups of naval officers and sailors suddenly scuffled at the other end of the bar.

It is still good as the ancients said, "Wen Wu is the first, Wu Wu is the second", at this time, the officers and soldiers on the Princess Xijun and the Princess Jiewu actually made a fuss over whose ship was more qualified to become the flagship of the new home fleet.

Although the Princess class has been in service for some time, the flagship of the home fleet is still the Republic. However, everyone knows that next year, the flagship of the home fleet will definitely make adjustments. With a full load displacement of more than 2,500 tons, 2 powerful 120 mm twin main guns and 8 single 90 mm secondary guns, the firepower is second to none, and the flagship throne has no choice except for the princess class.

Speaking of which, when the princess class was named, it also caused a small controversy in China. A small number of people believe that those ancient Chinese princesses who once married away from home are a symbol of humiliation for the Chinese nation, and that there is no need to "pay" for the past history of the thriving Chinese American Republic, as a thriving Chinese American Republic.

But Admiral Wang Tiezhu, commander of the Navy, had his own opinions. Those royal women who married far away from home in order to alleviate the feudal dynasty and the contradictions between foreign races in the Central Plains, no matter how unworthy the historical background was, they all made great personal sacrifices for the peace and stability of the country. Why do you belittle these lonely women because of the incompetence of men?

To put it simply, the use of the names of these princesses to name the most powerful warships of the Chinese Navy today is to warn future generations and emphasize the sacred duty of Chinese and American Navy soldiers to protect their homes and defend the country.

The Princess is the lead ship of the princess class, and naturally the officers and men on it are naturally considered to be the unyielding choice of the flagship. The officers and men of the Princess Relief believed that Admiral Wang Tiehammer had personally inspected the Caribbean Fleet on this ship, which was a signal that he would serve as the flagship of the Continental Fleet in the future.

Drinking too much wine is naturally unstable, not to mention that today is still the Youth Day of the blood and strength, and after a few words, the officers and men of the two battleships on the alcohol twisted together under the leadership of the junior officers.

All kinds of wine bottles and benches flew wildly, and the sound of vulgar scolding was in the ears, and the officers and men of the other ships who had suffered from the fish in the pond jumped to avoid accidental injuries while shouting loudly on the side.

"Oh, ladies and gentlemen, don't fight! Ouch! ”

The Chinese bar owners were about to cry at this time, and the boxes of unopened beer or high-end fruit wine in their eyes were blatantly used as weapons by these naval officers and men, and every bottle of meat on the boss's face had to be jumped.

"Fortunately, the 'Princess Wencheng' is not in the port." The half-cut wooden stool flew from somewhere, and just hit the back of Aven's seat. The young captain looked back at the flares flying everywhere and spread his hands half-jokingly.

After a while, a sharp police whistle sounded, and more than a dozen policemen rushed in, but when they saw the current scene, they were also stupid.

……

It's almost early in the morning, and in a luxury community in the southern part of Manchester, there are still lights on in a villa estate.

Yan Xianping was dressed in a navy uniform, with the rank of lieutenant on his shoulder, and now he was sitting in the center of the sofa. With his hands on his lap and his head tilted slightly, he seemed to be angry. Not far from her side, Sun Yang was coaxing his one-year-old daughter with a tangled face. And the nanny, who was supposed to take care of the children at this time, did not appear in the living room with interest.

“…… You don't believe me! I really didn't go to her house! The child in his arms was still crying, and Sun Yang didn't know why not only his wife was angry today, but the child was also making trouble, "Hey, talk." Is the baby weaned too early? ”

The wife was still indifferent and ignored, and Sun Yang had no choice but to sit aside, shaking his daughter with a sad face.

"It's not too early or too late, you didn't get it!" I felt that my daughter was crying a little tightly. Yan Xianping finally couldn't help but turn around, snatched it and comforted him personally, while glaring at her husband through gritted teeth, "Since you are the heir of the Sun family." If you really want to bring it in and raise it, I won't stop it, but ...... On the day of your betrothrietion, there are three chapters of the law. Don't associate with those women anymore, and you went to the hotel to make an appointment today, am I really blind? ”

"Then it's not like going to her house......" Sun Yang's heart was empty, but his mouth was still holding on, "I just happened to pass by and met her...... After all, she still has my baby with her. ”

"And what about the month before that? Did you also pass by by by chance? Yan Xianping was furious, stood up with the child in his arms, and walked directly towards the bedroom, "If people don't know, unless you don't do it!" I'll take the child back to Seventh Aunt's house tomorrow to live, and you can do it yourself! ”

"Wellett lives alone, she is an ordinary nurse in the hospital, and she can only board two children in school at ordinary times, and now the children are sick, can I not care?!" Sun Yang also became angry, slapped on the coffee table, and his previous attitude of forgiveness disappeared.

"I'm just going to give next year's child support, and I'll take a look at the children by the way!" Sun Yang tore off his military uniform and threw it aside, almost knocking over the tea set on the coffee table in irritation.

"......" Yan Xianping was stunned for a moment, slowly turned around, and looked at her husband quietly.

"You take the child, I'll go to sleep in the study today!" The more Sun Yang spoke, the more "justified" he became, and as soon as his temper came up, he immediately walked towards the other end of the corridor.

"You...... Well, you're bullying our orphans and widows! Yan Xianping hugged her daughter and cried, and the nanny hiding outside the living room had to run in and comfort her.

Just at the messy stall, suddenly a rapid rattle sounded at the gate of the manor, and the two quickly stopped and watched the nanny run out.

"Report to the commander, the officers and soldiers of the Princess Xijun and the Princess of Relief have been arrested by the gendarmes for picking quarrels and provoking trouble at the mermaid bar!" An ensign from the operations office of the home fleet stood in the living room, saluting Sun Yang with his chest held up.

"These bastards, are they itching one by one? Lao Tzu's house is still fighting......" Sun Yang was stunned for a moment, looked back at his wife who was rolling his eyes at him, frowned, grabbed the tie and military uniform on the sofa, and walked out without looking back.

"Young grandma, take a break...... Men, there will always be a little bit of affair...... As long as the young grandmother gives birth to a son-in-law and an eldest boy, everything will be worry-free. After the male owner of the family left, the Chinese nanny dared to speak.

"Who gave him a son, this idiot ......" Yan Xianping put her daughter to her face, staring at her husband's distant back, muttering softly.

……

Although they did not directly participate in the "princess dispute", Tang Hannah and others were still interrogated by the military police as eyewitnesses. It was already past 2 o'clock in the morning, and Tang Hannah, Hu Huan and others came out of the Manchester City Garrison Headquarters, and then went back to their respective homes.

With the exception of the main thoroughfares, the street lights in most of the blocks had been extinguished, and as she walked down the dimly lit streets, Don Hannah took a deep breath of air.

"Hu Huan, you don't seem to have a good impression of President Ai Wen?" Tang Hannah stopped, turned around, and looked at the junior who was walking with his head down.

"Am I entitled to be disgusted?" Hu Huan leaned against the wooden railing of the green belt on the side without a good voice, and looked at the night sky blankly, "Several of them are recognized geniuses in the navy, and I am just a little lieutenant who lives in the navy with his family background." ”

"You idiot, how can you belittle yourself like this!" Tang Hanna took a few steps and directly touched Hu Huan's forehead, staring at each other with a pair of big eyes, "I sue you, I and President Ai Wen are just ordinary friends!" ”

"......" Hu Huan lowered his head, as if he didn't take the other party's explanation as good news.

Ordinary Relationship ...... It's not ordinary after a long time. Hu Huan understands it this way.

"It's impossible for me to be with him, and I'm not mentally ready to get closer to an 'ancient man'...... Maybe Lu Mei is young, so she will be more acceptable than me......" Tang Hannah untied the hairpin on the back of her head, her blonde hair spread out in the night, and then walked towards the Zhong family in the distance.

Looking at the distant back, Hu Huan's eyes gradually flashed with excitement, and he clenched his fists and shook them fiercely in front of him. (To be continued......)