The old emperor's stereoscopic projection, with several suspended projection balls, shuttled between Yang Ming and Daphne's bedroom. The maids and machine guards bowed their heads or knelt down on one knee.
The old emperor was obviously dressed up carefully today, wearing a purple robe with a blue lining, and a top hat inlaid with golden patterns and several types of dangerous precious metals.
Yang Ming had "awakened" at this moment and was lying on the bed with a pale face.
"His Majesty……"
He shouted hoarsely and tried to struggle to sit up, but was falsely 'pressed down' by the projection of the old emperor.
The surrounding projection balls began to snap pictures quickly.
"Hanton, there is no need to salute."
The old emperor used his gentlest tone and said to Yang Ming:
"You are a hero who has saved hundreds of billions of people in the empire, and you are the greatest contributor to the empire. I know that your body is in pain because of your fight against the Queen, and I am suffering all the time.
"How are you?"
"Your Majesty, I'm fine," Yang Ming sighed weakly, "Maybe my combat strength has been somewhat compromised. After my body recovers, the energy it can carry will be reduced by five to ten percent.
"
"You are still invincible, Hanton."
The old emperor said warmly, with a bit of emotion in his eyes, and a little bit of joy that didn't seem to be fake.
"That's the best if you're fine," the old emperor changed the topic, "What reward do you want? Hanton? I can satisfy you. Moreover, we are live broadcasting nationwide, and my promise to you will never be
Invalid."
Yang Ming:……
This old man is also quite treacherous.
Saying "Live broadcast now", and proactively asking what he wanted, he directly stood up Boss Yang.
If Yang Ming, considering his "heroic" persona, talks about power and wealth at this moment, it will easily make the people who are "strict in disciplining others and being lenient in treating themselves" feel disgusted.
Fortunately, Boss Yang is no longer a simple young man on the Kilgrove research ship.
Yang Ming first coughed weakly twice, then slowly sighed and whispered:
"Your Majesty, if I refuse your reward, it will be disrespectful to you.
"But I really don't need anything anymore.
"For the world in this dimension, I have completed my mission as a transformed body of the ancient god. My only wish is that the empire can treat my hometown well.
"In my confrontation with the Great Queen, I saw a whole new world... although I paid a very high price for it.
"Your Majesty, what I need to do now is to recover from my injuries, wait for the opportunity to come, and continue to make myself better. Then, I want to take the genes and honor of our Shermans and go to the high-dimensional world.
, learn from high-dimensional civilization to understand the true meaning of life and the mystery of time and space, continue to fight against the evil Zerg there, and on behalf of the great Sherman Empire and you, conquer more high-dimensional Zerg."
The old emperor looked slightly touched.
He stared at Yang Ming, the look in his eyes was complicated and emotional.
Obviously, there is no content to deal with the current topic in the "speech reserve" prepared by the old emperor.
But fortunately, although the old emperor is old, he has not yet reached the stage of pulling his pants, ahem, and pulling his crotch.
He lamented:
"Hanton, the areas you are involved in are areas that the empire has never touched. I am really proud of you, and I am also very proud that the high-dimensional civilization can always trust the empire and let the imperial soldiers become their warriors.
Heartfelt happiness.
"But these are two different things.
"Before you enter the high-dimensional world, you are still a subject, soldier, subject, and noble of the Sherman Empire. You should be rewarded and receive the full support of the empire.
“Wherever you go from now on, the people there should pave the way for you with flowers, welcome you with cheers, and express the highest respect for you with their respectful eyes and complicated etiquette.
"This has nothing to do with power or wealth.
"This is the respect you deserve."
Yang Ming clicked his tongue softly in his heart, this old emperor really has a skill.
Are you trying to get rid of him with some vain 'honor guard-style reward'?
"His Majesty……"
Yang Ming said sternly: "I don't want to be special, let alone be separated from the people. My roots are in the Sherman Empire. If I really do what you said, it will definitely make me extremely uncomfortable."
"Oh, Hanton, tell me," the old emperor said with a smile.
His patience was clearly running out.
"What kind of reward do you want?"
"Your Majesty, I don't want a reward."
Yang Ming said seriously:
"If Your Majesty insists on giving me a reward, then please erect two virtual tombstones. One tombstone will record the names of all the victims of natural disasters, and the other will be engraved with the names of the Imperial soldiers who sacrificed their lives heroically to fight against the insect tide.
"Perhaps, I am more conspicuous among them because I have gained more power.
"But actually, I am the same as them."
The old emperor smiled and nodded: "We have the same idea. These two monuments are already being made. I named them, one means sigh, and the other means admiration."
"Then I have nothing else to ask for," Yang Ming closed his eyes and breathed weakly, "Your Majesty, thank you for your kindness."
Daphne stood behind the screen and thought carefully.
This confrontation between two old foxes, one old and one young, gave her... a lot of benefit.
The old emperor continued to laugh:
"Even if you keep declining, Hanton, the empire must make enough gestures to express the people's gratitude to you.
"We are a political system based on every citizen. The reason why we maintain the empire's system is to allow the entire system and such a large territory to operate efficiently. This insect wave is also a test of the major political systems in the galaxy. We are influenced by
The one with the smallest degree of disaster is also the one with the highest disaster relief efficiency after the insect tide. This is our superiority.
“But the basis of all this is that we must be absolutely fair.
"If the reward for you is too light or thin, the people will not agree to it, and I will not agree to it!
"By the way, Hanton, when I connected with you, the military department was discussing to set up an honorary commander position for you..."
Yang Ming opened his eyes and looked a little excited: "This won't work, Your Majesty, this absolutely won't work."
"Oh? Why not?"
The old emperor looked innocent: "I don't know much about military affairs. Are there any rules and regulations?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Yang Ming said sternly, "The Imperial Military has never seen such a young commander. Even if he is an honorary commander, he has broken the rules that have lasted for tens of thousands of years."
The old emperor said with a smile: "Aren't rules meant to be broken? Updating them is also important."
Yang Ming continued:
"Your Majesty, you are right, but the Imperial Military Department is related to all aspects of the military. A commander must not only have merit, but must also have the ability to command thousands of ships, possess various outstanding qualities, and most importantly, the accumulation of time.
"If I break this rule, the impact on the military will be in every aspect.
"The army, national defense, ships and soldiers are the foundation for civilization to stand in the galaxy, and this must not cause chaos.
"To be very realistic, I don't understand command. Your Majesty, I am just a vanguard, and I am willing to continue to be a vanguard."
"That's right," the old emperor nodded, "what you said does need to be considered, but your military merit must be commended. Maybe I can ask them to draw up a promotion plan. For example, you can be promoted to lieutenant general immediately, and
After arriving at a certain point in the future, I will be promoted to general or marshal, what do you think?"
Yang Ming smiled and shook his head, looking at the emperor as if he were looking at the old man next door: "It's fine that you make the decision in everything, but I'm really not suitable for promotion too quickly."
"This is just your military exploits, Hanton."
The old emperor was also a little tired.
How to reward Yang Ming affects many aspects, but for him, this is a good opportunity.
Before and during the insect wave, it had nothing to do with him as the emperor. If he doesn’t show his face now, how will the history books be written in the future? Just write, ‘The great insect wave occurred during the reign of a certain emperor’?
He must play a key role and leave a deep impression on the people.
Therefore, the old emperor continued to be patient and said gently:
"Hanton, please don't refuse next. I have decided to grant you the title of Grand Duke of the Empire."
Boss Yang looked puzzled: "Your Majesty, this..."
"Hey, I can't refuse."
The old emperor said warmly:
"The merits you have made for the empire will not be exaggerated even if you are given the title of king. However, there is no precedent for this in the empire, and the voices within the Council of Elders are also very fierce.
“The empire’s national policy is to reduce and control the number of nobles to prevent them from oppressing ordinary people.
"So, as the emperor, the highest title that can be given to you is the Grand Duke of the Empire. You can be above ordinary dukes, and have control over the imperial nobles regardless of hereditary status or reputation.
"It doesn't matter when you go to the high-dimensional world. Your wishes and concerns will become the empire's wishes and concerns from now on.
"In addition, Hanton, the empire's development of the divine religion will also grant you the honor of 'Bishop of Radiance'..."
The old emperor talked endlessly, and Yang Ming listened with "moved eyes".
Of course Boss Yang knew that the old emperor's words needed to be analyzed from another angle.
The so-called being above ordinary dukes refers to princes, princes, and princesses with a lower surname than Sherman;
There is no distinction between hereditary status and reputation. In fact, it cannot be hereditary. It is only a special title given to Yang Ming personally;
Having the power to control the imperial nobles is more like a joke. Yang Ming can now take over any major imperial nobles except the Sherman family, both overtly and covertly.
However, when Yang Ming thought about it, he had already gained enough.
The youngest lieutenant general in the history of the empire, it is not an honorary title, but a lieutenant general with real power to command troops. His status is the same as Thomas before his promotion.
The only grand duke in the empire at this stage, all non-royal nobles in the empire would take the initiative to salute him when they saw him.
And, this ‘Bishop of Glow’.
The empire developed the religion and was the home of Li.
This reward was the least impressive in the list given by the emperor, but it concerned Yang Ming the most.
Yang Ming declined a few words appropriately, and then borrowed the donkey from the slope to express his gratitude and satisfaction to His Majesty the Emperor for the reward.
This drama played to the people and nobles has finally come to an end.
A reminder came from the old emperor: "Your Majesty, the live broadcast has been suspended."
The old guy's face fell instantly and he frowned at Yang Ming: "Hanton, are you really hurt?"
"Ahem, cough, cough," Yang Ming smiled bitterly, "Your Majesty, all the people who fought with me were killed in the battle."
"Oh fine."
His Majesty the Emperor showed regret and patted Yang Ming's arm with a projection: "Well done, my knight commander."
Yang Ming continued to remain weak: "Your Majesty, are there many people who are maliciously slandering me in your ears?"
"They are jealous of you and afraid of you," the emperor smiled. "You have absolutely overwhelming personal combat power and unrivaled prestige. This prestige connects the people of the empire, the army, and even the small nobles.
, it seems more appropriate for you to be the emperor."
"His Majesty!"
Yang Ming struggled to sit up: "You!"
"Hey, I'm just kidding you, don't be nervous."
The emperor sighed, as if he was deep in thought, and suddenly asked: "Hanton, how much do you know about the empire's national defense system?"
"I just know a little bit, not a lot."
"Then how much do you know about my ancestor, Levi Sherman?"
Teacher Yang Ming explained: "Limited to the imperial history books and the "Emperor's Biography", Your Majesty."
"Oh fine."
The old emperor pondered for a few times, as if he was thinking about a certain problem.
Yang Ming asked: "Your Majesty, what's wrong?"
"I'm thinking about how to restrain the Imperial Guard system," the old emperor said calmly, "According to the secret information I got, this system is already showing signs of being out of control. We can't let her continue to run wild. Once the Imperial Guard system gets out of control, it will
It will be an extremely vicious event that is far more harmful than this insect wave. The second disaster has just passed, so you don’t want the third natural disaster to come directly, right?"
Yang Ming said in surprise: "Are you saying that the Imperial Guard system may become the third natural disaster?"
"Yes, Hanton, that could very well happen."
The old emperor nodded calmly and said:
"However, this matter is very complicated and cannot be explained in a few words, but fortunately, we already have an alternative, the Imperial Guard System 2.0, and you, an ancient god warrior whose conventional combat power cannot be matched.
"Hanton, what do you think will happen if I ask Imperial Guard 2 to replace Imperial Guard 1?"
Yang Ming:……
feel?
Can this be concluded simply by intuition?
Yang Ming really thought just now that the empire had seen through Li's plan and noticed that Li was quietly breaking away from his restraints. This information was provided by the three old men of Omnic Twilight.
However, Yang Ming has figured it out now.
The old emperor has been humiliated one after another by Li, and he can no longer bear it.
For a long time, the adjectives of the maids and ministers around him, as well as the adjectives "great", "wise" and "big idiot", made the old emperor accustomed to the sense of superiority at the top of the galaxy.
This Emperor Star attack not only greatly damaged the old emperor's self-esteem, but also directly denied his control over the empire.
If Li was completely and continuously enslaved by Levi Sherman, what measures would be taken to deal with this situation?
There might be a fake cockpit in the Emperor Star Mecha, allowing the current emperor to stay inside and get a sense of participation in some historical events.
Li did not do this.
This made Yang Ming seriously suspect that he was deliberately provoking and ridiculing the old man.
"Your Majesty," Yang Ming said, "this plan is a bit risky, but it is not impossible to try."
"Right?"
The old emperor smiled and said: "If you can support me, that would be great, Hanton. The only power I can trust and rely on now is you. Your power is far greater than that of a battle group."
Yang Ming immediately expressed his position: "If it is for your sake, I am willing to use all my strength, like sniping the queen, to complete the task you assigned."
"Very good," the old emperor said. "Take good care of your injuries first. Those rewards and promotions will be finalized soon. I will send two finance ministers over later. If your territory wants anything, just ask them."
The thoughts in Yang Ming's heart changed rapidly.
"Your Majesty, I have one more thing to report."
"Just say it."
"The Faya people also gave me a mission, asking me to find a human," Yang Ming said. "After I recover from my injury, I have to go on a long journey. You see..."
"The Faya people told me?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"You can do this first and set off as soon as possible. If you need ships, let the military department mobilize them," the old emperor said with a smile. "I am also very curious about the Faya civilization. Of course, let me try to carry out ninety-nine percent of it."
I still don’t have the courage to experiment with the transformation of mortality.”
Yang Ming nodded with a smile.
The old emperor stood up and waved his hand, and the projection was turned off at the other end.
Yang Ming and Daphne looked at each other and breathed a sigh of relief at the same time.
Daphne asked, "How do you feel?"
"Tired," Yang Ming winked and couldn't help but yawn, "your father is very dissatisfied with the Imperial Guard system, and we need to be vigilant about this."
"Why?"
"He can't beat the Imperial Guard."
"Uh," Daphne said a little confused.
Yang Ming lay there and sorted out his thoughts.
Military ranks, titles, and the title of Bishop of Glow are all available in this wave, and Saka Star can also get a large amount of resources;
More importantly, there is no risk of his basic reputation being damaged among the public.
Well, that's enough. This is the 'maximum' benefit that can be obtained currently.
Next…
Half a month later, the Sherman Empire sent a formal diplomatic letter to the fifth most powerful country in the galaxy, the Arta Democracy. The Grand Duke of the Empire, White Ghost Hanton, would officially visit the country.
A formation composed of hundreds of ships left the outer space port of Saka in a mighty manner and completed a synchronous jump in the gravitational balance zone.
It’s time for Forerunner No. 5 to reveal his true colors in Lushan.
…………
(PS: Let’s get started first and then get rich later. I’ll just say I’ll have it at night! In fact, the energy to write the plot of Hera came to me, so my mind was filled with this girl. I was seriously stuck and could only stay up late until now to wait for inspiration.)