556: Martin's arrival

Hearing this, Qi Fang's initially excited expression gradually became hesitant. He slightly lowered his head and fell silent.

In fact, this was precisely why he had planned to ask Li Yang for advice.

These two paths were like two forks in the road before him, each presenting unknown challenges, making it difficult for him to choose immediately.

After a long while, he finally raised his head, a trace of confusion and helplessness in his eyes, and whispered.

"Brother Yang, I don't know what I should choose..."

His voice sounded somewhat low.

Li Yang looked at Qi Fang's conflicted appearance, couldn't help but smile, and then patiently said.

"Silly, of course, you should choose the path of independently leading a fleet. Although you won't belong to a military unit, this is the path with the greatest future potential. Once you reach the General Rank, your previous fleet will be incorporated into the military and become your personal guard unit. Most importantly, do you really want to graduate and immediately receive a warning disciplinary action?"

His tone carried a hint of teasing, but mostly sincere advice.

As soon as he said this, Qi Fang was stunned at first, a confused expression appearing on his face, seemingly not fully grasping Li Yang's meaning.

But soon, his eyes suddenly lit up, and an expression of sudden realization appeared on his face.

He remembered what Li Yang had said before about notifying his affiliated unit to issue him a warning disciplinary action.

But if he chose to lead a fleet independently, it would mean he had no affiliated unit, and naturally, it would be impossible for him to receive a warning disciplinary action.

It turned out that Li Yang had already planned this step for him.

Qi Yu, standing nearby, also smiled softly, her bright eyes filled with amusement.

Thinking about it, Li Yang must have long planned Qi Fang's path; otherwise, he wouldn't have said those things in front of Councilor Shenba and the others.

After all, in front of so many people, Li Yang did indeed act fairly and justly, silencing everyone, but the reality of the situation was known only to insiders... Early the next morning, Li Yang sat in his office, lightly touching the light screen with his fingertips, as lists of documents requiring processing refreshed line by line.

Applications for interstellar route scheduling, planetary resource quota adjustment plans, personnel transfers, and so on, were already neatly sorted by priority.

Just as he raised his hand to select the first document, a prompt suddenly popped up on the Light Screen, accompanied by the exclusive encrypted identifier of the Tianzhuo Constellation Galaxy Administrative Center.

He raised his hand and tapped, and the announcement content unfolded on the Light Screen.

"Following verification and evidence collection by the Inspection Department of the Tianzhuo Constellation Galaxy Administrative Center Department, it is confirmed that Heaven Tyrant, the former Deputy Director of the Finance Department Office of the Galaxy Administrative Center, committed verbal offense and physical provocation against a human citizen within the 'Tianlong Luxury Realm' bar on Tianlong Star on X day, X month, X year of the Empire. His actions violate Article 73 of the 'Xili Empire human citizen Rights Protection Law' and Article 31 of the 'Code of Conduct for Administrative Public Officials,' constituting a serious offense that damages the credibility of public servants.

Following deliberation and voting by the Tianzhuo Constellation Galaxy Administrative Center Council, the following disciplinary decision is hereby issued: 1. Heaven Tyrant is given a severe administrative warning, and the result of the disciplinary action shall be recorded in his personal public service file; 2. He is removed from his position as Deputy Director of the Finance Department Office and demoted to a Level Three Administrative Clerk; 3. His eligibility for all promotions within the next ten years is canceled, and his annual performance review during this period shall not be rated as 'Excellent' Rank. This announcement shall take effect from the date of publication and is subject to supervision by all citizens of the Galaxy."

Attached at the end were the file number for Heaven Tyrant's appointment and removal, as well as the seal of the Tianzhuo Constellation Galaxy Administrative Center, the red seal glowing solemnly on the Light Screen.

Li Yang's fingertip paused briefly at the end of the announcement, and a slight curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.

It had only been a dozen hours since the dispute was resolved last night, yet Councilor Shenba was able to issue the result as a formal announcement. The efficiency was undoubtedly high, and the attitude was sufficiently clear.

This was following his instructions, putting the matter out in the open, and providing an explanation to everyone.

He closed the announcement interface, reopened the list of tasks requiring processing, and began his work.

This storm in Draco had finally come to a complete end.

Councilor Shenba was sensible; he saved face for himself and also saved Li Yang any unnecessary trouble, which was quite convenient.

A new day began, with more official duties awaiting processing. As for Heaven Tyrant's little affair, it was merely an insignificant speck of dust in the long process of Galaxy governance... Several days passed in a flash, and only one day remained before the highly anticipated Hope Merchant Guild auction.

At the Main Spaceport of the Longlan Star Cluster Administrative Center, the humming of starships taking off and landing was continuous, but one dedicated docking area was exceptionally quiet.

A military starship that had just completed a jump was docked here. The Empire's emblem was printed on its side, gleaming with a cold, hard light in the morning sun.

Li Yang, along with Pal, He Dong, Qi Yu, and Qi Fang, were already waiting on the Docking Platform.

He was wearing casual clothes, no epaulets, only an Empire Star Badge pinned to his collar, his gaze calmly fixed on the slowly opening hatch.

As the hatch lowered, a loud burst of laughter came out first.

"Brother Li Yang, you're being too polite!"

Martin, wearing a sharp Major General's uniform, strode down briskly.

With a hearty laugh on his face, he stretched out his hand toward Li Yang from a distance.

"To trouble you to come and pick me up personally, there's absolutely no need for such fuss!"

"Brother Martin has come a long way; I certainly had to come and greet you."

Li Yang shook his hand, only feeling a sheet of coldness. This Machine Race was indeed different from flesh-and-blood races.

"Was the journey smooth?"

"Smooth, smooth. It's an Empire starship, how could it not be smooth?"

Martin patted his arm, his gaze sweeping over Pal and the others nearby, his eyes carrying scrutiny before he smiled again.

"comrade Pal, long time no see. I heard long ago that Brother Li Yang had an Aide who could hold up half the sky, and I knew it was you."

Pal stepped forward and nodded slightly.

"I didn't expect General Martin to still remember me; it is my honor."

The other three behind Li Yang quietly exchanged glances.

It was truly the first time they had seen someone Li Yang personally welcomed and addressed as "Elder Brother."

Judging by this posture, this Martin not only held a high Rank but also shared an extraordinary personal relationship with Li Yang.

He Dong's gaze never left Martin's back. Seeing the lively conversation between him and Li Yang, he finally couldn't hold back, quietly moved next to Pal, and asked in a low voice.

"Pal, what's the background of this comrade Martin? He seems to have quite a close relationship with Division Commander Li."