Hearing Arni's words, the old retainer smiled slightly and replied:
"The main star of Badab is scorched earth, but not all of the Badab galaxy is. And what's important about that place is not the planetary environment. Its location determines that it will always be the center of the maelstrom. Get the Governor of Badab
position, then he will undoubtedly become the most influential person in the Maelstrom! Now many of the territories recovered by the empire have gradually begun fierce competition for future managers and ownership, and Governor Badab is the most important among them.
It is a hot location, and many big nobles are eyeing it, such as the Merton family of Endymion, the Panier family, the Adriano family of the Kliman drifting zone, the Santa Cruz family of the state church, and that one
The Vaughn family has clearly stated their intention to compete for the position of Governor of Badab. Master, the previous assassinations and frame-ups against you were the work of the Vaughn family and the Parnier family. They know that you are a strong competitor.
By."
"Isn't this matter decided by the Ministry of Internal Affairs? Moreover, it is such a key position, and it may have to be appointed by Terra."
"That's what I say, but in the current maelstrom, the Ministry of Internal Affairs is not the one who speaks the most effectively."
Putting the empty wine glass on the table and waiting for the waiter to pour the wine, Suhrab patiently explained to the "unacquainted" young master:
"There is a saying in the officialdom: it is better to be an official than to be in charge. In this whirlpool, there is only one person who can speak most effectively."
"You mean, supreme commander?"
"Exactly, Badab is still under the control of the expeditionary force, or most of the recovered worlds are like this."
"But you said before, he will leave eventually."
"A person in power can do a lot of things before leaving, such as 'temporary' appointing a manager. Think about it, is it easier to turn a temporary governor into a formal governor? Or is it easier to drop a governor out of thin air? Not to mention even if the governor is
If you want to airborne managers, you must also consider the actual local situation and the term 'fait accompli'. Those who seize the opportunity will always have the initiative, and it is not beyond the control of the Ministry of Internal Affairs."
Arni asked the attendant to turn off the entertainment device, then leaned back in the chair, shrugged, and said easily:
"Actually, I don't care much about this position. After the expedition is over, I hope to continue leading the troops to new battlefields to serve the Emperor."
The old retainer beside him sighed secretly in his heart. His young master had never experienced a truly difficult war, nor had he experienced a cruel battle in which the entire army was without food for several months. He probably did not know what would happen once he left the family's protection and went to other battlefields.
I'm afraid whether we can escape unscathed is another question.
But he knew how to persuade this "little general" who had seen big things since childhood.
"The expedition is over, and the war in the Maelstrom will not end, Master. Not to mention the Pale Stars and the remaining green-skinned cliques, the many rebellions that may break out after the war will require the Imperial Army to be busy for a long time. Maelstrom
There is still a need for strong Lord Commanders to lead the numerous Astra Militarum."
Upon hearing this, Arni's eyes suddenly moved slightly.
"Really, it looks like that"
"So, young master, only the most influential governor is qualified to become the most powerful lord commander. If you hope to continue to make achievements in the military field, then you must hold the position of Governor Badab in your hands.
.”
Arnie nodded.
"So what can I do? Apart from these minerals."
"You need to build a good relationship with the sages of the Mechanicum in Angstrom, but this is just to pave the way for the future. The most important thing right now is the military exploits. As I said before, the only ones who can talk about it now are
As the commander-in-chief of Soshyan Alexei, if you can gain his appreciation, the matter will only need a little work to be completed. As an Astartes, the most effective way to attract his attention is through military exploits.
"
Arnie stood up from his chair and took two steps back and forth.
"So we have to end the fight in this meaningless world as soon as possible, right?"
The old retainer smiled and nodded.
"What the young master is saying is that according to my observation, the main force of the expeditionary force will soon have a decisive battle with the Red Pirates. That is the big stage for you to show your talents."
Anil first sighed, then stamped his feet, sat back on the chair and said helplessly:
"But those damn mobs are huddled underground like bugs. I can't see the hope of ending the battle now, and there are also problems with the food supply of the soldiers. By the way, talking about this matter, you and those Mechanicus Magi
How did the discussion go? Can they give us priority in providing food? My soldiers can only die in battle, not starvation."
Suhrab thought for a moment, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and then whispered:
"That sage Fei Patrick has a request."
"need?"
"He said that there is currently a serious shortage of biomass on the planet, and various industrial facilities are still recovering. If we want to increase food supply, we need to supplement some raw materials." (Anti-complaint: The main material of corpse starch is not actually corpses, but if
If the raw materials are not enough or the production needs to be temporarily increased.)
"Replenish?"
"The bodies of fallen soldiers."
Arni was stunned for a moment, then immediately waved his hand.
"No, no, no! No, absolutely not! No matter what, they are my soldiers, regardless of their status or identity. I will at least let their remains rest in peace. I also plan to build a collective cemetery for them in the future, which is absolutely not allowed.
"
Then he thought about it.
"It's really not possible to distribute my food reserves to the soldiers."
The other person smiled and shook his head.
"Master, how can your little food be enough for so many people? But don't worry, I know you won't agree, so I changed a plan with Sage Fei Patrick, and finally I was able to supplement half of the rations."
"Only half?"
Arnie frowned.
"It's too little. How about getting some from other places? I heard that someone on this planet has already started operating an insect farm. How about -"
"Master, favors need to be repaid, especially for you who have a bright future now. Don't owe favors easily. You know you are kind-hearted and treat the soldiers well, but do you still remember what I taught you before?
Compassion does not control the army. No matter how well you feed the soldiers, they will only want more. If they eat ration bars today, they will have to ask for grain bread tomorrow. And if they eat too much, they will be lazy and have random thoughts.
, and it will also affect combat efficiency. Only by keeping them in a half-full state can we encourage them with rewards and spur them with punishments."
Saying that, Suhrab paused.
"As for ending the battle quickly, I have thought of a way."
Suhrab stood up, walked to the wall, and asked his attendants to unfold a diagram of the underground tunnel structure.
"Currently, it can be determined that the enemy's main stronghold in this mining area is in the EYM area, which is also the location of the main geothermal power station in the area. However, it is protected by a large number of mine tunnels. It is very time-consuming and laborious to advance down bit by bit, but if we use
Special machinery such as termite boring machines can quickly send a group of troops there."
Arni stared at the map, raised his fist at the height of his chin, lost in thought, and rubbed the knuckle of his index finger with his thumb.
Later, he whispered:
"I have actually thought about this plan, but we don't have a termite boring machine on hand."
"The Adeptus Mechanicus has it over there."
Arni turned his head suddenly, with a very surprised expression.
"Yeah!?"
"Yes, Sage Fipatrick has three termite boring machines, which is enough to send a battalion of troops to the predetermined location."
"One battalion? Too few. There are at least three to five thousand mobs underground. If they go directly into the center of the enemy, they will definitely be besieged."
"This is the battle plan. They will firmly attract the enemy's main force, and the large forces will take the opportunity to surround it from all directions, and then they can wipe out all the enemies underground! The number of routes is actually the same as when they captured the arsenal. This is called the blooming of the center!"
"Well--"
Arni looked at the structural diagram and nodded slightly after a moment of silence.
"It is indeed feasible, but it requires a lot of organization and discipline of that unit. Do I need to put in my bodyguards?"
"No, young master, I think the second battalion is good. Not to mention the years of fighting, but its resilience is very strong. Especially the commander of the second battalion is a very good frontline commander. I believe he should be able to
.”
"It doesn't matter whether it's the Second Battalion or not, let's go with them. When can the termite boring machine be delivered?"