Chapter 224 Bloody Dinner
Schwerin hive world, spaceport.
When Fu Qinghai saw the Sword-class frigate parked quietly at the space port, he breathed a sigh of relief.
This almost undefended hive world has not been visited by traitors, heretics and aliens.
Having identified themselves to the spaceport, the three ships were moored in the best berth area of the spaceport.
Koshvito led his men to greet him.
The Space Marines and Spartans met and hugged each other, their armors clanging against each other. Koshvito took off his iconic helmet, revealing his broad face, and laughed:
"Qingshan, I envy you so much. You can participate in major plot events, unlike me who can only sit in the hive world and pass the time by training these brats."
Koshvito has a standard Central Asian appearance, a combination of Mongolian and Caucasian. He said that his homeland was once a member of the former Soviet Union, and it was probably a "Stanland" in the north of Central Asia.
Fu Qinghai introduced several Space Marines and team members behind him to Kirshvitto, and introduced the identity of the Spartan warriors - Fu Qinghai's collaborators.
"How's things going with Gladys?"
After a few words of greeting, Fu Qinghai asked seriously.
"Three months ago, a clipper ship from the Ministry of Interior came to Hive Schwerin, bringing new appointment documents and an astral choir, announcing Gladys Sommerfeld as the new planetary governor, and In recognition of the Sommerfeld family's contribution in purging the planet of rebel forces, the Schwerin hive world is exempted from tithes for the next three years."
Kirshvitto said.
"Everything is as you expected, Qingshan."
Fu Qinghai rolled his eyes:
"Isn't this nonsense? This is the result of my operation in the throne world. What I'm asking is, has your appointment been approved?"
Koshvito replied:
"In accordance with your request, Gladys recommended me to the Ministry of Military Affairs to become the commander of the newly formed Schwerin Corps. The application has been submitted. It depends on how the Ministry of Military Affairs approves it."
Fu Qinghai said calmly:
"This is simpler than appointing a planetary governor. There is a lieutenant general in the Ministry of Military Affairs who is ours. The title is not the key. The key is whether the Ministry of Military Affairs is willing to allocate funds to help rebuild the Schwerin Corps."
Kirshvitto shrugged:
"I don't know that."
Promoting Gladys to the position of planetary governor was only the first step in the plan. The second step was to appoint Kirshvitto as the commander of the planetary garrison.
The relationship between the Space Marines and the local administrative bodies of the Human Empire can be divided into two stages.
During the Great Crusade, everything followed military doctrine and wartime regulations. Many planetary governors of planets that had just been incorporated into the empire were directly appointed by the expeditionary force’s headquarters, the Warmaster Horus. The genetic origins of each legion were The body can also directly appoint a planetary governor.
During the 41K period, the High Lords Council strictly prohibited Space Marine Chapters from participating in local administration. Except for the Chapter's own home world and the direct territory of the Regent such as the Five Hundred Worlds of Ultramar, no Space Marines were allowed to interfere in local affairs. Administration, including the Planetary Defense Forces and Imperial Guard.
This small detail marks the transition of the human empire from the era of Primarchs and Space Marines to the era of mortals taking charge.
During the Great Purge, we were at such a critical juncture in history. The Primarchs had not disappeared for various reasons, but the purpose of separation of military and political affairs had begun to be reflected, and the Space Marines no longer interfered with the operation of local administrative agencies. .
Although Fu Qinghai could not directly ask the Ministry of Military Affairs and the Ministry of Interior to do anything, but with Chagatai Khan and Ilia Lavalley here, it was more than enough to run a planetary governor and commander of the Imperial Guard.
Although the Schwerin Nest was recovered by Fu Qinghai alone, on the surface, these personnel appointments have nothing to do with Fu Qinghai, and most of the Space Marines focus on combat missions and would not think of intervening in the local area. administrative.
Of course, there are also negative cases. Chapter leader Luft Huron of the Star Claws Chapter, which was later responsible for the defense of the Maelstrom, fell out with the imperial authorities because of unauthorized interception of tithes.
Huron was driven crazy by the bureaucracy of the Terran government. He wanted to arrange the Maelstrom Defense Zone according to his own ideas. He simply became the actual controller of the Badab Sector, known as the "Badab Tyrant". Of course, the Inquisition Unable to sit idly by, the "Badab War" began. In the end, Huron failed and fled into the Maelstrom. From then on, the Black-Hearted King of the Red Pirates became the leader of the Chaos forces second only to Abaddon.
Based on the "lessons learned" from the Black-Hearted King Huron, even if it is not yet the 41K era, the Shenji Brotherhood cannot have anything to do with the local administration of Schwerin Nest City - a relationship on the surface.
Fu Qinghai is not a one-minded idiot like Huron. He insists on intensifying conflicts by publicly resisting taxes. He can use an agent to control the world of Schwerin Hive City. Planetary Governor Gladys is his one-hand support. The commander of the planetary garrison, Koshvito, is also one of his people. What is the difference between this and direct control of this nest?
Luft Huron is a pure Astartes officer. His starting point may have been good at the beginning - to improve the defense of the Maelstrom, but the methods he adopted were not clever.
First bring the hive world under your control, as well as the future forge world and the chapter's home planet... Well, you have to eat one bite at a time and take one step at a time.
Fu Qinghai was enjoying looking forward to the future. A group of mortals wearing gorgeous noble robes arrived at the space port. They bowed respectfully to Fu Qinghai and said:
"Lord Qingshan, the planetary governor has prepared a dinner at the top of the tower, and invites you to condescend to come."
"OK."
Fu Qinghai agreed, turned around and was about to talk to several teammates. When he heard the word "dinner", the four women all said that they wanted to go back and change their clothes.
Fu Qinghai had no choice but to ask the visitor to wait for a while.
The other party said there was no problem and stood there waiting patiently.
"By the way, call the Astropath and Navigator, and Eugene Eleanor will stay on the battleship."
Fu Qinghai turned around and shouted, then turned around and started chatting with Koshvito again:
"Did you get any results from the young people I asked you to help me select before I left, Instructor Kosh?"
"The results are there. The Sommerfeld family cooperated with me and selected a total of 135 young men. I don't know what the screening criteria are for your Space Marines. In addition to basic physical conditions, there must be no hidden injuries, mutations and Apart from drug addiction, in terms of willpower and spirit, I selected them according to the training standards of the UNSC Helltroopers. To be honest, it is very rare for a 15 to 17-year-old boy to survive the training standards of the Helltroopers."
Koshvito whispered.
"Can."
Fu Qinghai nodded.
Before Fu Qinghai left the hive world, he did not know that he would become a powerful Captain of the Astartes. He just asked Koshvitto to screen for the future. It seems now that there are 135 candidates. The human scale is still a bit small, and he has 407 copies of gene seeds in his hand.
Fu Qinghai called a few space warriors over and said:
"Before leaving, we brought one hundred and thirty-five recruit candidates on board. Camille performed the transformation surgery, and Joestar was responsible for the recruit training after the transformation was successful."
"Understood, Khan."
They both responded in unison.
Fu Qinghai looked at No. 56 and Satflan:
"I have another task for you."
The two nodded slightly.
…
Schwerin Hive, spire area.
The magnificent banquet hall embodies the luxury of the world. The Baroque-style glass light well casts the light from the stars. This is a night view that can only be enjoyed at the top of the tower. It is rarer than any artificial lighting.
The shiny marble floor reflects the busy figures of waiters and servitors walking back and forth, carrying plates and wine glasses, like black butterflies shuttled among the flowers.
Among the exquisite columns and splendid murals, there are also exotic flowers and plants from alien planets. They are meticulously pruned, and the blooming stamens exude a faint fragrance.
The long square table is carved from a single piece of natural stone. Sitting at the head of the long table is a particularly young woman. Her light gray curly hair is tied into a bun, highlighting the woman's elegant neck and chin. line, looks sophisticated and fashionable.
However, the uniform and cloak, the gold epaulettes and drooping tassels, as well as the exquisite patterns on the upright collar, all reminded others that this excessively young woman was the planetary governor of the hive world.
He holds the power of life and death over hundreds of millions of people.
Gladys did not wear the evening dress of an aristocratic lady, but chose to attend the dinner in the uniform of a planetary governor, which did not surprise Fu Qinghai.
She seemed to be telling something.
She is a woman with a strong desire for power.
Sitting on the right hand side of the governor's seat is Fu Qinghai.
Next to Fu Qinghai were four Astartes monks. They were all wearing bone-white power armor with red edges, but they did not wear helmets. The right shoulder armor was full of lightning strike horizontal bars, and the left shoulder armor had patterns. They are crow, wolf, snake and positive spiral, as well as Fu Qinghai's gear skull.
Powered armor is the dress of the Astartes, and is worn by Space Marines for any ceremonial occasion.
On the side of the five Space Marines are Astropaths and Navigators. Tracy Gray is wearing the gorgeous dress of Terra's upper-class family. The trendy design style from the Throne World makes all the noble women present envious. Summer Flospin was still wearing an Astropath's robe. The girl was a poor student who had just graduated from the Psychic Academy and did not have her own evening gown.
After the Navigator and Astropath, there are four women.
The four beauties are wearing their own evening gowns, Chen Xinlu's breast-covering, Zhang Yuning's backless, dark black, dark silver, and dark green. The four beauties each have their own style. They come from modern evening gowns, with simple and fashionable designs, and He Chao The Gothic style prevalent in the metropolitan world is completely different, but the Human Empire has always been a diversified country. There are two million styles on two million planets, and the hive ladies are not surprised.
Finally, there is Ron holding a plastic doll in his arms.
From this seating arrangement, we can also see the ranking of nobility in the heart of the hive world. Fu Qinghai sat next to the Planetary Governor, then the other Astartes, then the official psykers, and then a bunch of mortal servants.
Koshvito did not attend the dinner. According to him, he had long been tortured to vomit by the endless banquets and salons of the upper class society in the spire, and the Spartan soldiers retreated to their barracks.
Sitting opposite Fu Qinghai and others were a group of richly dressed old men. Their beards and hair were all white, and their faces had traces of life-extending surgery. Some of them had life-support tubes inserted into their necks. Facing Fu Qinghai's gaze, the old people tried their best to smile and nod. However, when they occasionally caught a glimpse of Gladys on the main seat, Fu Qinghai caught the flash of gloom and dissatisfaction in his eyes.
Gladys' position as governor is not stable... Fu Qinghai picked up a glass of wine and took a sip, thinking calmly in his heart.
If it weren't for Koshvito and his Spartan gang, I'm afraid that the planetary governor appointed by himself would die a tragic death soon, and the person who did it might be an elder of his own family.
The warm yellow crystal chandelier exuded a sparkling light, and a band holding classical instruments was playing melodious music on the side stage. The banquet was full of people drinking and laughing, and it was very lively.
Everyone on board the Liema did not reject this dinner party.
They had had enough of eating military rations on the cruiser. The rich variety of drinks and delicacies from various agricultural worlds at the dinner were an eye-opener for everyone.
Just the quantum spin ice water used as a palate cleanser before meals is something that reincarnators have never tasted.
It's even stranger than "Beverly Hills H2O", "Face", "Evian" and the like.
Fu Qinghai glanced sideways at Chen Xinlu.
He could tell that Chen Xinlu was somewhat nervous.
After all, not long ago, she led a group of illegal psykers to stage a coup in the Schwerin Hive to overthrow the Planetary Governor. The Planetary Governor at the time was Gladys's great-grandfather, Otis Thor. Morfeld.
Sister Bingshan lowered her head and cut the bloody steak with a table knife, put it in her mouth and chewed it.
Chen Xinlu's mood at the moment was very complicated.
She thought that what she did in the Schwerin Nest City was quite spectacular. However, not one of the nobles at the dinner recognized her.
Recognize this former wanted criminal in the hive.
This is so ironic.
Chen Xinlu thought to herself while eating.
Is it that the nobles at the top of the tower are too intoxicated and completely ignore the life and death of the people in the lower nest, or is it that the shocking coup they think is not worth mentioning in the eyes of these carnivores?
Fu Qinghai knows why.
Baron Zedu was the only one who had close contact with Chen Xinlu's gang. He and his family had been exterminated by himself. Almost all the real talkers in the four major families at the top of the tower were involved in the rebellion launched by Baron Zedu. They were all dead, and all that remained were mediocre and inactive people.
"Ding, ding, ding!"
A crisp sound came from the head of the long table, and Gladys tapped the dinner plate lightly with the end of her fork.
The entire banquet hall fell silent instantly.
"Everyone, ladies and gentlemen."
Gladys raised the goblet in her hand.
"On this occasion of gathering together, let us raise a toast together to thank Captain Qingshan and the powerful Astartes for bringing long-lost peace, stability and prosperity to the Schwerin Hive."
After saying that, Gladys looked at Fu Qinghai with her wonderful eyes.
The hostess said so, Fu Qinghai also picked up his cup and said calmly:
"For the Emperor."
"For the Emperor!"
Everyone present responded in unison.
After a glass of wine, the scene resumed its noisy laughter and eager conversations.
Fu Qinghai glanced at this scene, leaned close to Gladys and whispered:
"Are you satisfied?"
Gladys raised a smile and replied:
"A little bit."
Fu Qinghai said calmly:
"Gladys, we still have a long way to go on our journey, far beyond this point in time."
"I know." said the young noble woman.
"I know that Captain Qingshan helped me become the planetary governor, and it was definitely not because he liked me."
"You're wrong about that."
Fu Qinghai smiled and said: "You are indeed the Sommerfeld who pleases me the most."
At this time, on the other side of the long banquet table.
Ron was working hard.
Suddenly, the fragrant breeze floated, and a charming voice sounded behind him:
"Hey."
Ron turned around, still stuffing food in his mouth.
In front of him was an aristocratic woman wearing a gorgeous dress, a voluminous rococo skirt, elbow-length silk gloves on her hands, and a belt that squeezed out half of her breasts. The bulging soft flesh swayed in front of Ron's eyes. The black veil half covered her face, revealing her sexy red lips.
Ron swallowed the food and saliva together and asked:
"Is there a problem?"
The woman looked at Ron with interest and said softly:
"Has anyone ever told you that your freckles are cute?"
Ron thought to himself, no one really said that, and he said:
"My name is Ron, what is the girl's name?"
"Melody Sommerfeld, I am the planetary governor's cousin."
The noble woman's tone was quite proud and complacent.
Ron put down the plastic doll in his arms, stood up and faced her, and praised her exaggeratedly:
"What a beautiful name."
Although he doesn't know where the beauty lies.
Melody covered her mouth and chuckled, saying:
"You have such a sweet mouth."
She extended an invitation to Ron in a low and ambiguous tone:
"Well, it's so noisy here. Are you interested in going to a quieter place with me so we can have a good chat?"
"A pleasure, my lady."
Ron agreed immediately.
Before leaving his seat, he hesitated and picked up the plastic doll on the seat.
The aristocratic woman felt a little strange when she saw this scene, but she didn't say anything. She led Ron through a group of standing waiters and bartenders and walked to a corridor on the side of the banquet hall.
…………
(PS: I haven’t finished this chapter yet, so I’ll post half of it first.)