Compared with Major Luo Bo, who is a blessing in disguise and temporarily lives a life of idle clouds and wild cranes with worry-free food and clothing and beautiful women on the planet "Taiji", Captain Jiang Ziyue's life is much busier.

On the planet "Iserlon", the day after meeting with the Imperial Archon and the Commander of the Border Fleet, Captain Jiang Ziyue led all the members of the "Siegfried" to hold a farewell ceremony for the body of Second Lieutenant Omar Azay.

Due to the long time in space, the members of Siegfried were so tired that they did not even adapt to the planet's gravity. However, all the soldiers who participated in the ceremony still showed high morale and full spirit.

They split into two small phalanxes and lined up in front of a pitch-black airplane with a white Imperial Double-Headed Eagle insignia.

It was the Aurora of the Imperial Army's coffin spaceship Valkyrie. The Valkyrie is one of the Empire's most notorious mourning ships, and she specializes in returning the remains or relics of soldiers who have died in battle to the Empire's Valhalla on their home planet.

Another worthy of the same name is the "Charon" spacecraft, which is dedicated to the civilian transportation of corpses.

The smart electric vehicle carrying the corpse containing the remains of Second Lieutenant Omar Azaei, which had been treated by the funeral home, drove into the airfield in front of the Border Fleet Command.

The streamlined coffin, made of composite materials, was covered with the flag of the New Roman Empire, a rectangular black flag with a silver Milky Way disk painted in the middle, with a golden double-headed eagle holding a golden beam rod in each talon.

There is a titanium nameplate nailed to the front of the coffin, which is engraved in Chinese and English: For the Senate and the people of Rome, fly into space! The Senate and Second Lieutenant Omar Azay, the People's Warrior of Rome. and inlaid with funeral copies of all the medals received by Azai.

The smart car stopped in front of the send-off team.

Captain Jiang Ziyue, captain of the "Siegfried," led the first mate, Lieutenant Joseph Dietrich, early warning sergeant, Sergeant Tang Xingyun, and communications sergeant Sergeant Abighiji Kumanful, to step forward, lift the coffin, and walk toward the "Aurora" aerospace plane.

"Salute—" Sergeant Ralph Turk, a fire control sergeant, led a guard of honor with three gun-wielding soldiers, and shouted a command from the side.

The others raised their right hands in unison, patted their chests, and threw them upward.

A small military band plays the march of "The Ancient Expedition", which symbolizes the re-dressing of the dead soldiers. Three honor guards raised their ancient gunpowder rifles and opened fire into the sky.

The sound of powerful gunfire and music echoed across the empty airfield.

With a heavy heart of losing his comrades-in-arms, Jiang Ziyue and his comrades-in-arms carried Omar Azai's coffin and walked slowly to the front of the "Aurora" aerospace plane.

Amid the music and gunfire, four Valkyrie soldiers took Azai's coffin and carried him onto the plane.

Aurora will take Azai to orbit the Galleri Corpse and then transport it to the planet New Mecca, a thousand light-years away. It is the hometown of Ensign Azai and the most populous planet in the Perseus Spiral Arm interstellar world. There Azai will be buried in the cemetery of the Imperial Military Cemetery "Valhalla" according to the custom of ***.

Illuminated by two stars named after the legendary god of war, Aurora took away the martyr Omar Azai. At the same time, he also brought a letter of condolence written by Jiang Ziyue, who was the commander of Azai, to Azai's sister.

The departure of the "Aurora" could not take away the sadness in Jiang Ziyue's heart.

Omar "Sanda King" Azai lost both parents to his sister at an early age, and his childhood hardships made him a warrior. He has been working with Jiang Ziyue for a year, is an excellent navigator, and is a brave fighter. That damn mole Felix Bridgeman should have cut off his head with his own hands to honor Azay! Jiang Ziyue thought resentfully.

At this time, a gray-haired man was standing behind the glass curtain wall high above the Frontier Fleet Command building, looking down at the small farewell ceremony on the ground.

His position and status were too important, so although he wanted to see off every ordinary soldier who died in battle, he chose to watch the departure of the loyal soldiers who gave their lives for the Empire.

But then, he felt it was absolutely necessary to break with convention and tradition and make a high-profile appearance to kick off a future veteran candidate he had chosen.

Imperial Consul Wang Zeren turned around and whispered to Otto Bateman, his personal assistant standing behind him: "Otto, please take out my dress and inform General Karios that I will personally confer the title on Captain von Jiang Ziyue. ”

However, the veteran Otto Bateman did not immediately obey the instructions of the Imperial Consul. Otto Bateman, who had been following Wang Zeren for forty years, was puzzled by the consul's decision, so he put forward his own opinion:

"Sir, your personal conferral of the title of a junior officer is an unprecedented move by the Empire."

"I understand your doubts." Wang Zeren smiled slightly, "I have to build a grand stage and perform for Captain Feng Jiang Ziyue." If he can't act, it can only mean that there is something wrong with my vision. But if he becomes the protagonist of history, you and I can enjoy retirement with peace of mind. ”

"I see, sir." Otto Bateman nodded happily and replied, "I'll do it." ”

"Excuse me, Otto."

After Wang Zeren finished speaking, he turned around again and looked down at the members of the "Siegfried" who were lining up to come to the office building at the airport.

Forty years ago, with his family background and his own outstanding talent, Wang Zeren, who graduated early from the Staff Department of the Imperial Military Command Academy at the age of 21, had just made his debut, and was entrusted with the important task of serving as a staff officer of the Central Fleet Command.

Corporal Otto Bateman, who happened to be five years older than him, was appointed his guard. Since then, the two have formed a long-term "master and servant" relationship. Whether it was the Battle of the "Himalayas" Star Field or the ascension to the throne of the Imperial Consul, Otto Bateman always followed Wang Zeren's side.

So Otto Bateman can understand Wang Zeren's seemingly whim-struck decision.

The Senate does not look for a successor when the general election is approaching, and all Imperial citizens who step into society will become the object of the Senate's succession inspection. Those who made outstanding contributions to their profession at a young age were often noticed by the Senate.

When the new Roman Empire began to rise in Perseus, this system was firmly implemented and strongly promoted the prosperity and growth of the empire.

However, power politics is a restless cell that, under the right conditions, can easily become cancerous. This was especially true of the Senate system, which had too many opaque procedures, and the empire's long-term stability and prosperity led to the growth and spread of corruption. The Senate has long had problems recommending successors, and "meritocracy" has been corrupted into "cronyism".

Wang Zeren became the first senator of the Senate and became the consul of the empire, largely thanks to the "Wang family" behind him. This family has produced two elders, one is Wang Zeren, the other is Wang Zeren's great-grandmother, and there have been as many as thirteen alternate elders.

Otto Bateman knows very well that Wang Zeren is not the kind of person who is depressed in the small circle of the family, he has great ideals and a broad heart. Otherwise, it would be impossible for me to follow him for so many years.

Wang Zeren did not want to see the new Roman Empire degenerate from corruption. Once the Senate becomes a place where various interest groups compete for power and cannot seek the well-being of the whole people, then the name of the state, the "Senate and the Roman People", will inevitably come to an end.

As the first senator of the Senate and concurrently the consul, Wang Zeren firmly believed that he had the responsibility and obligation to reverse this decadent situation. Therefore, he decided to take advantage of the opportunity of selecting a successor to secretly raise a group of people who were loyal to him but who could represent or lead the people of New Rome to a new prosperity, so as to support him in fulfilling his responsibility for maintaining the correct system of the Senate.

Jiang Ziyue is not the only candidate for Wang Zeren's succession, but he is currently the one with the best performance and the most outstanding achievements, and the one with the most clean political background, and the key is that he has made a name for himself in the army.

Wang Zeren is now going to build a new big stage for this far ahead "grassroots player", and let Jiang Ziyue go up to sing a big show. If Jiang Ziyue succeeds, he can justifiably recommend Jiang Ziyue to the Senate as a candidate for alternate senator, and finally straighten him out.

In this way, he will be able to smoothly reopen the atmosphere of "meritocracy" and correct the senate system to the correct track.

But does it really work? Even if it works, will there be a problem of "forming a party"? "Forming a party" is not much different in essence from family politics and nepotism.

While Otto Bateman understood Wang Zeren's decision, more questions arose in his mind.

At this time, Wang Zeren, who was looking down at the world from a high place, was expressionless, and his body did not move at all, like a statue squatting in front of a glass window.

In fact, he had in mind a more far-reaching problem than Otto Bateman's mind.

In the hall of the headquarters of the Frontier Fleet of the New Roman Empire, all the members of the "Siegfried" were already lined up in a neat queue, waiting for the arrival of the commander who was awarded the title.

In front of them to the right are three flag bearers. The flag bearer in the middle holds the black Imperial flag, and on his right is the red Imperial flag. The pattern of the two flags is the same, but the background color is black and red. Black represents the true color of the universe, and red represents the blood of soldiers.

The third flag is the Frontier Fleet flag on a yellow background, which has a different pattern than the first two. In the middle of the banner is a silver shield on which stands a small black double-headed eagle, and behind the shield is crossed a sword and a gunpowder rifle.

All flags with golden-yellow trim and two flowing tassels look quite gorgeous.

To their left, a military band is playing the march "March of Military Might" with traditional brass, drums and carillon.

The high-pitched rhythm dispelled the grief of the loss of their comrades-in-arms in the hearts of the officers and men, and they waited energetically for the arrival of their superiors.

Since it was foreseen that this would be just an ordinary investiture ceremony, there were very few journalists who came to cover it. They stood outside the cordon, lazily waiting for the ceremony to begin.

Suddenly, the music stops, and the bugle blows a short, powerful rhythm.

The hearts of everyone present were shocked. This trumpet is only heard when the Imperial Archon is officially present. This ordinary investiture ceremony will undoubtedly become extraordinary.

The few reporters all excitedly raised their "spears and cannons" in their hands, ready to "fire" at the upcoming imperial consuls.

The trumpet ends, and the march of "The Senate and the Coming of the Roman Consuls" sounds.

Accompanied by the majestic music, Wang Zeren, the imperial consul dressed in an ivory white robe, walked into the hall proudly.

The opening of the robe is inlaid with a fuchsia stripe, a purple stripe about thirteen centimeters wide is worn on the right shoulder, and the golden sword oak leaf gold Caesar medal is worn on the left chest.

Immediately behind the Imperial Archon was an Imperial Colonel, who held aloft a Senate flag hanging from the flagpole topped by a two-headed golden eagle ready to fly. The flag is square in shape, with a bright red background and golden trim and tassels on the bottom edge.

In the middle of the banner is a two-headed golden eagle holding a rod in both paws, surrounded by two crossed golden oak leaves, each with four silver five-pointed stars on each oak leaf, and a larger silver five-pointed star at the intersection of the oak leaves. The nine stars represent the nine patriarchs, and the oak leaves represent all the people of New Rome.

This motif is the official national emblem, alluding to the name and body of the country "Senate and the Roman people", and the double-headed eagle represents the two centers of human civilization in the interstellar circle of the Perseus Spindle - "Andromeda" and "New Byzantium".

Led by the Senate flag, Admiral Blake Karios, commander of the Imperial Frontier Fleet, also walked out. On this formal occasion, the admiral also wore a large black stiff cap with two gold oak trim brims, long boots on his feet, a sword on the left side of his waist, and white gloves on his hands.

Later, the generals of the Frontier Fleet also appeared in full gorgeous dresses.

"All stand upright!"

With a sound of the order, the officers and men of the "Siegfried" made a "snap" sound in unison.

Wang Zeren led the generals to the front of the queue and stopped.

Three standard-bearers immediately stepped forward and lined up behind the Senate flag.

The march of "The Arrival of the Archon" then stopped, and the entire hall immediately presented a solemn atmosphere.

Jiang Ziyue took a step forward, turned around and walked in front of Wang Zeren, saluted and reported loudly: "Report to Your Excellency the Consul, all the officers and men of the Senate and the Roman People's Cruiser 'Siegfried' have been assembled, please instruct!" ”

Wang Zeren also made a standard imperial military salute, and then gave instructions: "Please be in the ranks, captain!" ”

Jiang Ziyue saluted again, then took a step back, turned around and walked back to the queue.

Wang Zeren turned to the queue, stepped forward, and exhorted in a loud voice: "Where are the warriors of the Senate and the Roman people? ”

ALL OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS OF THE QUEUE IMMEDIATELY RESPONDED IN UNISON IN LATIN: "VENIVIDIVICI"

In 47 B.C., Caesar wrote the message of the Senate of the Roman Republic after defeating Pharnac II, which means the famous "I come, I see, I conquer". Three thousand years later, this victory became the resounding slogan of the new Roman Empire's army.

When the consul Wang Zeren returned to his place, the commander of the Frontier Fleet, Admiral Blake Karios, drew his sword, raised it high in front of his left chest, stepped forward, and announced loudly:

"I respectfully respect the will of the Senate and the Roman people, and promote Imperial Captain von Jiang Ziyue to Imperial Major, Imperial Lieutenant Joseph Dietrich to Imperial Captain, Sergeants Tang Xingyun, Ralph Turk, and Abigi Kumanvre to sergeant, and Sergeant Jerry Morris to sergeant, and the rest of the meritorious soldiers will be rewarded according to the law."

In response to the commendation, all the members of the Siegfried shouted in unison: "Long live the Senate and the people of Rome!" ”

Admiral Calrios then proclaimed: "I respect the will of the Senate and the people of Rome, and ask His Excellency Consul Wang Zeren to confer the title on Major von Jiang Ziyue on his behalf!" ”

When the general's voice fell, Jiang Ziyue took a step forward, raised his right hand and patted his chest, then quickly threw his arm diagonally upward, and finally raised his palm downward. Then he shouted: "VENIVIDIVICI".

At this time, the March of the Senate and the Glory of the Roman People (Cursus Honorum of Senatus Populusque Romanus March, often referred to simply as the March of the Glory of the Empire) played.

The inspiring rhythm of the silver flute, the sonorous drums, the fast and short brass winds, and the lively carillon create a high-spirited and agitated atmosphere in the hall.

The path of glory for the Senate and the Roman people was the system of political promotion of the citizens of the Empire, including the ranks of the government and the ranks of the army. The march that bears his name is the only piece that must be played every time a promotion or appointment is issued.

With the strong rhythm of the march of "Glory of Empire", Wang Zeren led the flag of the Senate and the national flag, military flag, and fleet flag behind it, and walked in front of Jiang Ziyue.

Vice Admiral Fernández de Zubarán, Chief of Staff of the Frontier Fleet, held in both hands a red mat containing all the epaulettes of the newly promoted ranks and the captain's hat, and sent it to the Imperial Consul Wang Zeren.

Wang Zeren first helped Jiang Ziyue remove the rank of captain with three four-pointed silver stars on his right shoulder, and put it on the red mat held by the lieutenant general of the De Zubaran Empire. took out another imperial major epaulette and put it on Jiang Ziyue. From then on, Jiang Ziyue's right shoulder was an epaulette of the rank of imperial major decorated with a golden five-pointed star.

Then Wang Zeren took off the captain's soft cap on Jiang Ziyue's head, put it on the red mat, and picked up a black hard cap for school officers with both hands and put it on Jiang Ziyue's head.

This kind of school hat is actually the same style as the general's hat, but there is no oak edge on the brim.

After putting on the epaulettes and military cap, Wang Zeren took a step back and raised his hand to salute the new imperial major.

Jiang Ziyue put down his right hand that had been held high, stepped forward, took off the gloves on his right hand, and shook hands with the consul. Then, he stepped back again, put on his gloves, and turned back to the queue.

Wang Zeren returned to his place with the Senate flag and the other three flags.

The Imperial Consul's ceremony to confer the title of Major Jiang Ziyue ended.

The marching band stopped playing the "Glory of Empire" march.

Admiral Karios then announced: "In accordance with the will of the Senate and the Roman people, I request the Imperial Major von Jiang Ziyue to confer the titles on behalf of Imperial Captain Joseph Dietrich, Imperial Sergeant Tang Xingyun, Ralph Turk, Abighige Kumanfre, and Imperial Sergeant Jerry Morris." ”

THE OFFICERS AND MEN PROMOTED BY THE "VENIVIDIVICI" SHOUTED IN UNISON, BECAUSE THEY WERE GIVEN THE TITLE ON THEIR BEHALF BY THEIR IMMEDIATE SUPERIORS, AND THEY DID NOT NEED TO RANK AND SALUTE.

The "Glory of Empire" march sounded again.

Jiang Ziyue came out of the ranks to receive the big red mat from General de Zubaran. First go up to his first mate, Joseph Dietrich, and hand him the mat.

Dietrich picked up the mat with both hands, and Jiang Ziyue took off the double silver four-pointed star lieutenant epaulette on his right shoulder, and then put on the captain's epaulette with three silver four-pointed stars for him.

After that, he took the mat again and walked in front of Tang Xingyun.

Similarly, Tang Xingyun also took Jiang Ziyue's cushion, and the commander changed him into a sergeant epaulette with three silver V-shaped stripes and a silver four-pointed star.

Under the witness of the imperial consuls and the banner of the Senate, and accompanied by the grand and gorgeous musical accompaniment of the march of "The Senate and the Road to the Glory of the Roman People", Jiang Ziyue completed the promotion and conferral of his subordinates.

The impassioned march, the sacred investiture ceremony, and the presence of the consuls formed a powerful catalyst that really stirred the hearts of these soldiers on the path of glory of the Senate and the Roman people.

The investiture ceremony is complete and the music stops.

Archon Wang Zeren stepped forward and asked in a loud voice, "Where is Imperial Major von Jiang Ziyue?" ”

"VENIVIDIVICI" JIANG ZIYUE SHOUTED THE SLOGAN, WENT OUT OF THE RANKS, WALKED IN FRONT OF THE CONSULS, AND SALUTED.

Wang Zeren took out a letter from a hidden pocket in the patriarch's robe, handed it to Jiang Ziyue with both hands, and then said: "I respect the will of the Senate and the Roman people, and give you the sacred task of commanding the newly formed Ninth Task Force to carry out operations according to the 'Cleopatra' plan. ”

After speaking, he deliberately lowered his tone, and slightly bowed his head to Jiang Ziyue and said: "Major, find 'Antnest', and the universe will be in the palm of our hands!" ”

He said this on purpose to the reporters present.

"Respect the Senate and the will of the Roman people!" Jiang Ziyue replied in a high-profile manner, saluted and returned to the queue.

Wang Zeren returned to his original position.

Admiral Karios, still holding his sword, announced in a loud voice: "This is the end of the award ceremony, please ask the consul to instruct the officers and men to confer the title!" With that, he put his sword back into its scabbard and returned to its place.

Wang Zeren stepped forward again and shouted: "Where is the Senate and the warriors of the Roman people? ”

THE OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS OF "VENIVIDIVICI" ECHOED IN UNISON.

Wang Zeren raised his hand in salute, and then retreated to his original position.

The high-pitched march of "Glory of Empire" was played again, and the tense music filled the hall.

In the music, Jiang Ziyue commanded loudly: "All to the right - step - walk!" ”

Then he took his subordinates and left the hall with a crackling sound to the beat of the march.

The Imperial Archon also returned with the Senate banner and the generals.

The award ceremony was over, but the reporters at the scene were boiling.

"The Imperial Consul himself bestows the title of an ordinary major" is a strange thing that has never been seen before. The consul actually said "Antnest" himself! This is an absolutely shocking headline.

Before Jiang Ziyue and all the members of the "Siegfried" walked out of the door of the hall of the Border Fleet Headquarters, the civilian news bulletin ship carrying the live video information they had received had already scrambled to fly away from the planet "Iserlon" and headed for various parts of the empire.

Six days later, the entire Perseus Spiral Arm human world, including the New Roman Empire and the Perseus Star Federation, will know the explosive news: the consuls of the New Roman Empire have appointed a hero with no political background to lead a task force to search for "Antnest"!

"I've set the stage for you, it's time for you to perform." Back in the lounge, the Imperial Archon, who had changed into a tunic and a mellow red robe, whispered to the "Bodhi Leaf" that was taking off in the distance outside the window.

Otto Bateman, his personal assistant, behind him, gave a faint smile.

Bateman was convinced that he was witnessing the advent of a great era. But what that era would be like, he couldn't say.

Maybe the Perseus spiral arm will move towards unity, maybe the empire will no longer be the community of the Senate and the Roman people, maybe the federation will no longer be aggressive, maybe ...... There are too many maybes, let's wait and see.

Otto Bateman decided not to speculate about the unknowns. Rather than meaninglessly speculating about the future, it is better to participate in the actual historical process.

So, he proposed to Wang Zeren: "Your Excellency, maybe you should return to the imperial capital. ”

"Yes." Wang Zeren turned around and said happily: "The Senate is waiting for me to return to my life." ”

(The overture to the prologue is over, so stay tuned for the next chapter: Expedition of the Empire)