Kastin's nervousness was completely understandable, as they were invited to the Governors Mansion for a diplomatic reception. At least Commissar Cain had to attend, and Kastin, as the regimental colonel and Honor Guard, naturally wanted to be there as well.
She seemed a bit jumpy for such a dinner, having never attended an event of this caliber. Cain, however, was already accustomed to such occasions.
One of the benefits of Cain being an imperial hero was that hosts of certain social events always made him the center of attention. This meant he had many opportunities over the years to enjoy comfortable rooms, fine wine, and even 'pleasant conversations' with the beautiful daughters of those old gentlemen.
Over the years, Cain had long since mastered the intricacies of social etiquette. The key was the daughters of the old gentlemen... very alluring... At this moment, Li Feng noticed that Kastin was still a bit awkward, so Li Feng gave Fides a look. As a woman, Fides naturally knew what Kastin, also a woman, was worried about.
Fides then looked at Kastin and began to work on her:
"Remember the most important thing is not to worry too much about the formalities. They think Soldiers can never meet their standards, so just let them be as much as possible."
Kastin showed a faint smile, adjusted her posture, and relaxed slightly in the official vehicle.
Kastin smiled and said, "Sister, you say that so easily. You are the Emperor's daughter, and I am just..."
"One of the youngest regimental commanders in the entire Guardians," Li Feng interrupted, "You earned this position entirely on merit, and joining our team is not an easy feat. At least it proves that you are part of the Imperial elite."
Li Feng added with a smile, which was exactly what Kastin needed to hear at that moment.
"So, what are your suggestions, sir?" Kastin asked.
Li Feng pinched his chin, pondered for a moment, and said, "They may be rich and powerful, but they are ultimately civilians. No matter how they try to hide it, they will always hold you in awe."
Commissar Cain also added, "My advice is to maintain a Soldier's straightforwardness and simplicity, and stay out of politics. 'The Emperor waves, and I advance.' That's all you need."
"So we don't talk politics, and try to avoid political questions?"
Cain: "Exactly. If they want to talk, just tell some combat stories. That's all they want to hear."
Meanwhile, Yang Wen-li, who was revising his speech, also perked up his ears. He silently took note of these words, for he was ultimately different from Reinhard and Siegfried.
Those two were genuine Terra nobles, while he was just from an ordinary middle-class family on Terra, far from the Imperial Palace District (a middle-class family on Terra...).
Cain felt his words couldn't be more accurate. He was almost certain that his role in this banquet was merely as a symbol of deterrence, to let those Tau know that if they dared to provoke the Imperium, the warriors here would make them retreat in the face of difficulty.
Although for Cain this meant they could come to the Governors Mansion at any time to discuss diplomatic issues, he clearly didn't care about these things. He only cared if he could have a good meal at the Governors Mansion today.
The Governors Mansion was located in what locals called the "Old Town," the only area untouched by Tau architectural style.
The unease that had Entanglement Cain throughout the journey gradually dissipated as the car arrived. The villas and residential buildings flashing past the window reverted to the Imperial architectural style he had known his whole life, solemn and square, invigorating his spirit. Cain was ready to enjoy the night.
Yugen drove, following the convoy through the exquisite iron gates adorned with the Imperial Aquila. Tires crunched over the gravel path, and the vehicles slowly advanced along a long driveway lined with large candelabras.
Behind them, trucks full of Soldiers, infantry fighting vehicles, and tanks followed, the sound of their treads on the gravel particularly harsh in the night. Soldiers in the open compartments looked around, pointing and chatting as they went.
Li Feng's purpose this time was clear: he was very dissatisfied with the Governor, even to the point of murderous intent. How incompetent must a Planetary Governor be to allow his planet to be infiltrated by aliens to such an extent!
Illuminated by firelight, a wide lawn surrounded them, dotted with shrubs and delicate fountains. Commissar Cain instinctively began to ponder whether these decorations could be used as cover.
Two tanks and several infantry fighting vehicles mercilessly rolled onto the surrounding lawn, completely disregarding the pleas of the Governors Mansion servants. It was as if the arrival of these armored vehicles was not to escort Li Feng to the banquet, but rather to accompany him in clearing the place.
Kastin gasped, seeing the massive palace for the first time through the car window. And as the car turned, the magnificent building came into Cain's view.
Li Feng said casually, "Not bad, this barracks is pretty good."
Kastin recovered, suppressing her earlier astonishment, and replied with a hint of self-mockery, "It reminds me of a rich woman's pleasure ground I used to frequent when I was a cadet officer."
Cain couldn't help but laugh, secretly praising Kastin's quick wit. After all, facing such opulent scenes, young officers like Kastin had to appear calm and collected.
Cain still reminded her, "Remember, we are Soldiers. These decorations don't scare us."
"Absolutely not." Kastin hastily straightened her jacket, answering firmly.
Yugen smoothly stopped the car at the end of the red carpet, as skillfully as a pilot landing on an aircraft carrier. The trucks behind also stopped, and the Soldiers quickly formed ranks on both sides of the red carpet, their lasguns, adorned with golden decorations and holy seals, shouldered in perfect unison.
At the end of the red carpet stood a corpulent man in ornate clothing, flanked by a group of people who looked sickly, seemingly corrupted to the core by pearls and alcohol fumes.
Cain rolled down the windows of the driver's cabin and the back seat, casually instructing Yugen, "Find a place to park the car, and then go in and find something to eat later."
The Honor Guard outside, seeing Li Feng's car window lower, received the same instructions from Li Feng, but they responded in alternating turns, softly saying, "Yes, sir."
He then led his Soldiers to execute a precise halt, several pairs of awestruck eyes watching them from not far away, clearly impressed by this imposing unit.
A servant from the Governors Mansion tried to approach to open the car door, but was deterred by the Soldiers' gazes. Soon, two tall Space Marine Chapter Masters, Huron and Forros, wearing power armour adorned with elaborate decorations, emerged from behind the convoy.
Forros walked to Li Feng's car door, his large hand slowly reaching for the door, which was small to him, and gently pulling the handle.
As the car door slowly opened, the Governor saw a young man in a simple yet finely tailored military uniform step out. He didn't have many medals on his chest, but a simple row of ribbon bars.
The metal skill badges below his chest indicated his proficiency in artillery, airborne operations, close-quarters combat, and field medicine.
At this moment, the clearly unhealthy Governor walked with heavy steps along the red carpet towards them. After only a few steps, he began to pull out a handkerchief to wipe the greasy sweat from his forehead, as if the normal outdoor temperature and these few steps had already turned him into a suckling pig on a rotisserie.
Some nobles stood at the end of the red carpet, looking at Li Feng with hostile eyes. They were very displeased with Li Feng bringing an army to this planet, and that upon his arrival, he had executed several officials and then 'exposed their bodies to public view'.
Furthermore, he even allowed the Military Police to directly beat people in the streets, storming into homes to cut off the Tau braids of residents and scrub off the blue paint on their faces with steel wool, instantly throwing the entire planet into a state of panic.
"Lord Li Feng! I finally meet you."
"Governor-General Greys."
The man walked up to Li Feng and extended his hand, wanting to shake Li Feng's hand, but Li Feng merely nodded in response. The reason was simple: this person had a deathly pallor, looking as if he had suffered a stroke.
Li Feng was unwilling to have physical contact with such a thing, lest it dirty his hands... Undoubtedly, this corpulent, sickly man was the Governor himself. Li Feng had met many Planetary Governors, 60% of whom possessed traits of incompetence, but among the remaining 40%, there were also heroic figures of great spirit.
However, Governor-General Greys before him would undoubtedly earn the 'Incompetence Champion' title. His skin was pale like a dead fish, malnourished and obese, with flabby muscles, and his eyes were hollow and lifeless, receding behind a sparse, nearly bald head of grey hair.
At this point, the Governor made a gesture of invitation, and Li Feng, along with Cain and his entourage, stepped onto the red carpet and walked towards the Governors Mansion. Meanwhile, from the cars behind, Winters, Spears, and other officers also disembarked from several military jeeps, dressed in their service uniforms and berets, jogging to keep pace with Li Feng.
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