Chen Chuan was slightly surprised. According to the news he had received earlier, Cen Xinwu had secured the Supreme Advisory Council's recommendation slot, not him.
He did not reach out immediately to take the provisional letter of authorization, but instead looked at Fang Yanxing. "Advisor Fang, as I recall, I was not the one who ultimately secured qualification to join the council. Has there been some new development?"
Fang Yanxing lowered his hands slightly and explained, "Commander Chen, it is like this. In truth, nothing has changed on that front. Advisor Cen will become a reserve member of the council in the coming days. He will still need to undergo rigorous assessments and complete national missions assigned by the council before he can become a full member with voting and decision-making rights."
He paused briefly.
"Whereas what the council is conferring upon you now is the status of a full advisor."
Chen Chuan gave an acknowledging hum, then said, "I imagine the council would not make such a decision lightly, nor would it arbitrarily alter its established selection and appointment procedures. May I know the specific reason?"
Fang Yanxing explained, "Commander Chen, here is what happened. The council did not alter its procedures. Following established protocol, after selecting our nominee, we submitted the recommendation to Tianshu, and Tianshu approved it. However, while endorsing our submission..." He glanced at Chen Chuan. "...Tianshu additionally designated you, Commander Chen, as a full member of the advisory council."
At this point, his gaze toward Chen Chuan carried a trace of complexity.
The higher authorities generally did not directly veto the council's recommendations, as doing so could easily be interpreted as a grave political signal—implying that Tianshu no longer trusted the Supreme Advisory Council—which would trigger political unrest and unnecessary turmoil.
This was why the council had assumed from the beginning that the upper echelons would not object to their submitted recommendation; for the sake of stability, the authorities would certainly not overrule their proposal absent any major blunder on the council's part.
Yet this time, circumstances had defied expectations. The higher-ups indeed had not rejected their nominee, but had instead issued an additional directive promoting Chen Chuan directly to full advisor.
One had to realize that this was a direct appointment made by Tianshu, the supreme governing body composed of the nation's highest powers.
In the ninety-odd years of the Republic of Great Shun's history, such an occurrence had only ever taken place during the founding era. He had thought no further precedents would ever arise, yet here was one now. It was recognition directly from the supreme organ of power, and its weight was self-evident.
Fang Yanxing did not know what considerations had led Tianshu to this decision. Was it because of the merit Chen Chuan had accumulated? Before them was the feat of toppling an empire; purely from a military standpoint, this was indeed the greatest campaign triumph since the overthrow of the old dynasty and the founding of the Republic.
And even setting that aside, Chen Chuan had been one of the primary drivers behind launching the Skyline, demonstrating comparable achievements in politics. Had he been granted full council membership in light of all this?
Perhaps.
In truth, the greater loser here was likely Cen Xinwu, jointly recommended by the Refinement and Integration factions. Tianshu's decision not only rendered his competition with Chen Chuan meaningless, but was also practically an explicit declaration that Tianshu was dissatisfied with their original choice.
Given Tianshu's stance, would Cen Xinwu ever have the chance to become a full advisor in the future? He felt the chances were exceedingly slim.
Many thoughts flashed through Chen Chuan's mind. He glanced at Fan Zhentong, seeing that the man stood quietly by his side without speaking. After a moment's reflection, he asked, "When will this outcome be made public?"
Fang Yanxing replied, "After the New Year, typically before the second day."
He said earnestly, "That is why we would like to invite you back to Zhongjing over the next couple of days, Commander Chen, so that we can conduct a formal voting procedure for you."
Chen Chuan said, "Is holding another voting procedure necessary?"
Fang Yanxing said, "It is necessary. Advisor Chen, you are already an advisor, and we also hope that in this matter, you can align your considerations with the council."
For if the procedure was not completed, Chen Chuan theoretically would not yet be a member of the council, and only the previously decided slot could be announced.
If Chen Chuan's appointment were subsequently proclaimed, anyone with a discerning eye would immediately see the underlying conflict.
However, if Chen Chuan could return before the end of the year, they could procedurally ensure that Chen Chuan appeared to have been voted in and nominated by the entire council, preventing people from thinking there was a rift between the council and the will of the upper authorities.
Chen Chuan nodded. "I understand. However, as frontline commander, I shoulder a grave national responsibility. I likely will not have time to return in the next two days; it will have to wait for a while."
Fang Yanxing immediately urged, "Commander Chen, I believe there are ways around that in this matter, are there not?"
His meaning was clear: they were all Dongxuan View martial artists—leaving an avatar behind while making a trip back in person would hardly be difficult, would it?
Chen Chuan shook his head. "The New Year is upon us. I will not leave all my subordinates behind to return to Zhongjing alone; not a single high-ranking officer here would do such a thing. As their commander, it is all the more incumbent upon me to lead by example. I will make no exception. Unless someone arrives to relieve me of my duties, only then will I accept orders to return to Zhongjing."
Fang Yanxing was immediately put in a difficult position. Replacing the supreme frontline commander was no simple matter; it required an intricate bureaucratic process and involved political maneuvering among various interest groups.
Even the Supreme Advisory Council could not possibly push that process through within a few days. Furthermore, the council wanted Chen Chuan back early precisely to handle the matter quietly and prevent a public spectacle.
If they made a major fuss over this to the point of transferring the frontline supreme commander, it would be tantamount to broadcasting the situation for all to see.
Yet looking into Chen Chuan's calm, resolute eyes, he knew there was no changing his mind.
He took back the provisional letter of authorization and said helplessly, "Very well. I will convey your views to the council, Commander Chen."
This matter could only be left as a headache for the advisory panel once he returned. After all, the council had acted without prior notice, and a frontline commander refusing to abandon his troops was entirely understandable—in fact, it was the most legitimate justification possible.
He shook hands with Chen Chuan again, exchanging communication contact details in the process. "Then, Commander Chen, I shall take my leave. If you have any further thoughts, please feel free to contact me."
With that, he lingered no longer. After exchanging a brief farewell with Fan Zhentong nearby, he returned to the airship, which departed a short while later.
After he left, Chen Chuan invited Fan Zhentong into his office inside the fortress. He poured cups of tea for both of them, handing one to Fan Zhentong, who took it and said:
"Fang Yanxing belongs to the neutral faction within the council. He is a well-known peacemaker who tries not to offend either side. He didn't participate in the voting this time; usually, he serves as the lubricant between different camps, which is why they sent him to persuade you.
"Commander Chen, your choice was entirely correct.
"You have no need to fuss over the supposed collective interests of the council. As advisors, our duty is to stand firm in our convictions. The council's interests can never supersede those of the nation.
"Besides, certain people hardly represent the council as a whole."
Chen Chuan nodded. He understood full well how the current situation had come about. Rushing back now would essentially amount to endorsing those who had opposed him.
While considering the overall unity of the council had its place, that presupposed both sides shared common ground.
In his view, the capitulationists and conservatives were adversaries, and there was no room for compromise with them. Once he formally joined the council, they would be his primary targets.
"I will not be returning anytime soon," he said, taking a sip from his teacup. "We can revisit this after the New Year."
Fan Zhentong voiced his agreement. "Commander Chen, where there is opposition, there is also support. Before your formal induction, feel free to focus on your duties. We will take care of the rest."
Around the time Fang Yanxing's airship departed, another airship was steadily cruising toward the front line.
Gao Ming sat in the passenger cabin. After finishing the breakfast provided aboard the airship and freshening up, he walked over to the viewport and looked down.
Gazing downward from on high, he saw that most of the terrain was shrouded in a dense mist. Little was clearly visible, save for the faint outlines of military encampments scattered across the vast expanse of earth.
He had learned beforehand that this was typical of the convergence zone; the view would likely clear up past noon. In any case, they should be nearing the front line by now.
Just then, a brief chime sounded from his boundary credential.
He retrieved a pill from his pocket, turned back to pick up the water glass from the table, and swallowed it down.
Before coming, he had been instructed that when operating within the convergence zone, even ordinary people without mutated tissue had to guard against alien contamination, ideally taking a suppressant pill every three hours.
Taking too much of the drug could be habit-forming and detrimental to one's health, but fortunately, he would only be staying a few days at most before returning.
After flying for another ten-odd minutes, the airship finally arrived at its destination amid the announcements of the inactive conscious entity.
When he disembarked, an orderly waiting on the platform saluted him. "Greetings, Advocate Gao. I have been ordered by the commander-in-chief to receive you. You may leave any nonessential items to us."
Gao Ming expressed his thanks and followed the orderly into the battlefield fortress, riding an elevator up to the upper level.
Chen Chuan was waiting for him there. Seeing him arrive, he smiled. "Gao Ming, it must have been a tiring journey. Leave your things aside for now."
Gao Ming replied, "It wasn't bad. Just had to take medication more often along the way, nothing else really."
By now, the mist had mostly dissipated, revealing a magnificent, colossal fortress city in the distance. Setting down his suitcase, he stepped out onto the observation deck. Taking off his glasses to wipe them, he said, "Cousin, is that the legendary Youdu?"
Chen Chuan stepped out as well. "Yes, that is Youdu."
Gao Ming put his glasses back on and stared at it for a few moments. "Cousin, will this become the new front line in the future?"
Chen Chuan said, "Possibly. The Great Impact is an unknown; what will actually happen, no one can say for sure. We can only make limited analyses based on our current circumstances. But at the very least, it is certain that the urban belts centered around the various Center Cities remain the safest places for now."
Chapter 1464