Space Odyssey from Abandoned Mining Space Station-Chapter 668 - 203 Early Stages of War_3

"You have already proven yourself."

Chen Ming fell silent instantly.

A while ago, Chen Ming took a trip to Dusk’s Star Realm, causing a disturbance upon his departure.

And the Mechanical Race’s Star Realm...

Chen Ming did not bother asking Bai Quan what would happen if he refused, as that would be pointless.

The Empire has already started its operations and won’t halt for personal opinions.

The ability to change trajectory because of him was already surprising enough; stopping was absolutely impossible.

Even if Chen Ming doesn’t join, the Empire will find other solutions, albeit more difficult ones.

So Chen Ming was genuinely considering Bai Quan’s proposal in his silence.

After all, the proposal coincidentally aligned with his previous thoughts.

Chen Ming had already been contemplating where he should go next.

Because soon, all potentially habitable planets near the temporary base were nearly searched, and the second leap was about to begin.

At that point, he would have only two choices: either go out with his Pioneer Fleet, occasionally helping out, and focusing on research.

Or stay here, handling things that need to be done in the Empire, like improving technologies for Shao Yang, which also facilitates more logistical support within the Empire’s homeland.

The first option, honestly, was not appealing to Chen Ming.

Not because Chen Ming didn’t want to continue pioneering, but simply because going out was too uncomfortable.

Since he could essentially do the same tasks in or outside the Empire, and his Spiritual Energy would always instantly reach where it needed to be.

Given the choice, Chen Ming preferred staying where there were more people.

The solitary feeling outside cannot be alleviated by daily phone calls.

He must personally return to the Human World to feel being back among humans.

So Chen Ming’s plan was to stay in the Empire, remotely directing Brilliant for exploration.

And soon, Shao Yang will send the second Supreme Point over.

Chen Ming could even entrust others from Dusk to handle opening the Superspace Channel.

He could focus on other matters himself.

Given Bai Quan brought this up suddenly, he figured he might as well dive into it.

Not only for the potential gains Bai Quan mentioned but also for the precious items or technologies hidden in the ruins of another civilization.

Chen Ming was quite envious of that civilization, but the coordinates he discovered were far away.

Since there was a closer option nearby, with more opportunities than distant coordinates.

And since the Empire plans to strike against the Mechanical Race, countless battles are destined to erupt in their Star Realm.

Large-scale battlefields are the perfect test of command skills.

Chen Ming felt he could certainly give it a try.

"I can collaborate with you in researching the Mechanical Race, but..."

Bai Quan understood the implication in Chen Ming’s words and added, "Any achievements you make in the war will be rewarded by the Empire accordingly."

"Any spoils you earn in battles you participate in won’t be subject to the Fourteenth Legion’s internal rules on spoils."

"Additionally, beyond the Empire’s rewards, we have a reward and penalty system within the Fourteenth Legion."

"If you prefer not to engage directly in combat, you can affiliate with our research institute." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"Any institute that produces effective enemy analysis reports or relevant research during wartime can earn corresponding military merits."

"Of course, if you prefer alternatives, I could try to exchange for something you might need."

Bai Quan considered and said, "We can influence the local government to provide you with policy support, giving you green lights across various restrictions."

"Isn’t it true you’re always acquiring supplies over there? I can offer new channels for you to buy any basic materials you need at cost price."

"As long as the investigation into the Mechanical Race proceeds smoothly."

Policy clearance would mean it becomes much simpler for Old Wu to acquire materials since bulk transactions always need government involvement.

Although Old Wu was stationed at the Pirate Space Station, supplies were sent to the boss’s colony.

Even though the boss had relations with the government, Chen Ming preferred having stable personal connections.

Bai Quan mentioning cost price is even better.

Chen Ming’s temporary base sourced a third of its materials from the boss.

The boss initially wanted to provide for Chen Ming for free, but Chen Ming insisted on purchasing at cost.

Latterly, leveraging the temporary base, star systems and planets surveyed could offset quite a bit.

So the third part of the supply was manageable.

But the other two-thirds were bought by Old Wu from various manufacturers, relying on his personal or the plant manager’s connections.

Compared with the purchase price from the boss, there’s easily a 50% profit margin.

That’s not friendly to Chen Ming.

If the other two-thirds could all be bought at cost, that would be very good news for Chen Ming.