Chapter 357: After the war, 348 contacts
After meeting with General Caesar again, Bai Zhongqi was still on a space station, only this time, it belonged to the Gigite people.
After the war, Bai Zhongqi had received an invitation from the Gigite Civilization. The party very humbly expressed gratitude and appreciation to the Earth Civilization, and expressed a desire to hold consultations with Earth Civilization at the Gigite Star space station.
Although the Gigite people were the hosts, Caesar still welcomed Bai Zhongqi and Xu Lanzhou as a representative of the Order Association at the space station.
When Caesar saw Bai Zhongqi, he was still somewhat surprised, but he quickly realized that this young man was not the low-level staff member he had previously thought to be. Xu Lanzhou followed closely behind Bai Zhongqi, very respectfully, clearly indicating Bai Zhongqi held a higher status than the female captain who had just commanded that impressive fleet.
This made Caesar begin to question what exactly Bai Zhongqi's identity was.
"Let me reintroduce myself, I am the Iridium Star Chancellor of Earth Civilization, Bai Zhongqi."
Caesar was taken aback, his hand that was just extended suddenly turned awkward. In any diplomatic activity amongst Universe Civilizations, regardless of the disparity in civilization levels, if an adversary's actual civilization leader is present, one must show respect to the other party.
What surprised Caesar the most was that Bai Zhongqi, as the Chancellor of Earth Civilization, even appeared personally on the battlefield and might have even directly participated in the fight. There are many civilizations within the Galaxy, each with different systems; many adopt a form similar to an absolute leader system, but such authoritarian figures often hide on their homeworlds, and many would not even travel in a spaceship to inspect other Administrative Stars.
Seeing a leader who dressed as an ordinary officer and fought in person was a first for Caesar.
Caesar, shrewd as he was, pretended he had not seen Bai Zhongqi before and bowed his head to him, saying, "Greetings, esteemed Chancellor of Earth."
Bai Zhongqi shook his head, "Iridium Star Chancellor is more appropriate."
The members of the Order Association still didn't understand the relationship between Iridium Star and Earth, wondering why Bai Zhongqi needed to introduce himself as the Chancellor of Iridium Star rather than the Chancellor of Earth. Bai Zhongqi didn't have time to clarify for these people.
"Regardless, thank you for your valiant assistance, which saved Gigite Star from destruction and also rescued our most important fleet in the Order Association," Caesar said with some sorrow.
The Order Association, though comprising many civilizations, all had similar military strengths. Caesar had always led a coalition fleet from various nations as a general of the Order Association, but unfortunately, the Order Association didn't have a combined fleet of more than two thousand warships anymore. This time, the Order Association had struggled to muster 1,400 warships, but about two-thirds were lost in the fiery conflict.
If it weren't for Bai Zhongqi leading the Star Alliance Fleet into the fray midway, this important fleet of the Order Association, which might concern the safety of many other civilizations, would likely have been completely destroyed.
Even though Caesar still regarded Earth Civilization as unreasonably aggressive, the upright "Gorillas" are clear about love and hate. If someone has helped them, he would definitely show his gratitude.
Bai Zhongqi was not interested in Caesar's thanks. He casually remarked, "Teizene people are our enemies, eliminating them has nothing to do with you."
Caesar felt slightly embarrassed, and now that Bai Zhongqi's identity and the strength of Earth Civilization were clear, representatives from the Order Association began to behave more respectfully and subserviently, with no civilization daring to directly provoke Earth Civilization anymore.
Bai Zhongqi saw an official from Gigite and stepped forward to comfortingly say, "Those in the Gigite fleet are heroes; their valiant actions earn our great admiration."
This was a deliberate tactic to bypass the Order Association and express goodwill towards Gigite Civilization. Caesar's face slightly darkened upon hearing this.
The representative of Gigite Star, actually Gigite Administrator Weinfe, looked tearfully grateful as he spoke to Bai Zhongqi, "It is thanks to His Excellency the Chancellor and Earth Civilization that their sacrifice was not meaningless."
Caesar frowned upon hearing this. Weinfe was not very supportive of dealings with the Order Association unlike Samalou who was much inclined towards it. Early on, Weinfe claimed that Gigite people should not be too close to the Order Association, nor was there a need to send warships to them.
The implication in Weinfe's words was clear, although Captain Samalou and his people died for their own civilization, the Order Association did not have the capability to give their sacrifice real value.
As they took their seats, Bai Zhongqi spoke first to Weinfe, "This great war has caused considerable damage to the outer space environment of Gigite Star, especially the numerous debris from the warship wrecks, which severely affect normal spaceship navigation. Acting responsibly, our Iridium Star Earth Civilization is ready to undertake cleaning and recovery of these debris. We extend this explanation to Gigite Civilization, and if there are similar needs, please feel free to contact us."
Upon hearing that Earthlings wanted to clean up the massive amounts of debris near Gigite Star, which Weinfe estimated would take at least six weeks to sufficiently clear an area, Weinfe realized that Earth people working here would invariably lead to more interaction and cooperation with Gigite types.
As Caesar watched, he grew increasingly anxious, but since this was Gigite territory, the Order Association, merely being guests, could not make decisions for Gigite.
At this moment, Weinfe took the initiative to say, "Your Excellency the Chancellor, here Gigite Civilization would like to make a humble request to Earth Civilization. Our fleet was almost entirely lost in this war and we also lack adequate reserve troops to arm ourselves. Although Teizene was defeated this time, it is unclear when they might return. Thus, Gigite Civilization needs a powerful friend, like Earth Civilization that can easily defeat them, to help us protect our home."
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Bai Zhongqi seized the opportunity and responded with a smile, "Gigite Civilization, like our Earth Civilization, is a force of justice against the Teizene Empire. When Gigite Civilization needs help, we are happy to extend a helping hand. If Gigite Civilization agrees, the Star Alliance will build more defensive weapon platforms and space stations around Gigite Star to assist in reconnaissance, striking, and self-defense."