Chapter 45 - Forty-Five: Star Military God

Three days whisked by. On the morning of the fourth day, everyone at the research institute had compiled their findings and presented them to Zhao Zhenhuai, who was to report to the "Idol Actor." On his first day of work, Zhao Zhenhuai was completely exhausted. No one in the entire research institute was more "diligent" than he! The researchers, judging by that pot of orchids, concluded: This is a sycophant without real talent, someone who has climbed the ranks by ingratiating himself with superiors. Everyone loved to take down a "monster," and the researchers also had quite a few complaints about the Director’s arrangements. As a result, Zhao Zhenhuai shockingly found himself caught between a rock and a hard place, enduring frustrations every day. Speaking of which, Zhao Zhenhuai was also a well-known tactical prodigy in the military. However, those selected for this research institute were all tactical geniuses, making his abilities seem quite ordinary. The aggregated research results revealed both achievements and lingering questions. The "Heavenly Pillar Collapse" tactic had a central idea: commanders needed to make on-the-spot decisions when facing different enemies and battlefield situations. However, most of the army’s junior officers lacked this capability, necessitating a significant expansion of the tactical manual. Yet, there were some situations that even these tactical geniuses didn’t know how to address. So, they simply threw all the problems to the Director. When Chen Gu received these questions, he immediately lashed out at Zhao Zhenhuai, "Do these simple questions need me, the Director, to address them personally? What are you all even doing? Living off the taxpayers’ money, aren’t you ashamed?" Zhao Zhenhuai had also reviewed the compiled findings. Although he had previously been frustrated with the researchers, after seeing the results, he couldn’t help but feel some respect for them. He realized he had been a frog at the bottom of a well. Each of these researchers was more skilled than he was. Faced with such a scolding from the Director, he kept silent, sneering inwardly, So fierce and threatening. Probably all bark and no bite. These are problems the geniuses couldn’t solve; you’re likely out of your depth too. Zhao Zhenhuai suddenly realized, These researchers are no pushovers either! They’re deliberately giving the ’Idol Actor’ a hard time by stumping him with difficult questions! At this thought, Zhao Zhenhuai felt a profound sense of satisfaction, his mood as refreshed as if he’d drunk a glass of ice water on a scorching summer day. Yet, what he didn’t expect was that while scolding him, the "Idol Actor" rapidly laid out various solutions! For two of the toughest problems, he even provided three different combat plans, all capable of achieving the operational goals! Drawing upon the ingrained memories, Chen Gu quickly found solutions to the problems. It was at this moment that Chen Gu had an epiphany: the greatest boon *The Past of Four Hundred People* provided him wasn’t the skills of those professionals, but their wealth of experience! Thrusting all the solutions at Zhao Zhenhuai, Chen Gu added disparagingly, "Tell those incompetents that if they can’t handle this job, they should resign. Don’t make me fire them; it will be awkward for everyone." "Alright, back to your research. The same rule applies: exchange information every three days. But next time, I expect them to come up with some more profound questions, not waste my time with these idiotic ones!" "Do you understand?" Zhao Zhenhuai instinctively lowered his head. "Understood, Director. Please take care." Inside the research institute’s main conference room, the researchers sat slouched, their attitude lax. They were still chatting casually when Zhao Zhenhuai entered. This deputy director truly had no authority in their eyes. Then, Zhao Zhenhuai casually tossed out the solutions provided by the "Idol Actor" and sat down without a word. The chatter gradually quieted. The researchers were drawn to the answers, growing more astonished as they read, and slowly, they all sat up straight. After a while, they finally finished reviewing the material. One of them glanced at the time and asked in astonishment, "He... he came up with solutions this quickly?" Zhao Zhenhuai knew what role he played in the eyes of these people. He had initially been filled with resentment towards the "Idol Actor," but seeing the stunned looks on their faces suddenly gave him an idea: A true man can bend and stretch! Why not use the ’Idol Actor’s’ influence to knock some sense into these people who look down on me? As for the grievances between myself and the ’Idol Actor,’ outsiders don’t know about them, do they? I can always find a way to deal with that damned old man later! So, with an expression of grave concern, he tapped his knuckles on the table and said, "Gentlemen, gentlemen!" "Please, take your work more seriously. The Director effortlessly solved these problems. He is very angry and feels you are wasting his time." "Moreover, he said that if such superficial problems arise again, he will start firing people." The researchers shuddered. Being sent back like this would be utterly humiliating. What would we say to our colleagues and comrades back home? Although no one said it aloud, the researchers secretly resolved to work twice as hard. They were determined not to be underestimated by the Director again! Zhao Zhenhuai watched their expressions change and felt incredibly satisfied, thinking, Look down on me, will you? Now you’ll see there are always people better than you! Before our Director, you’re all just juniors! After his silent gloating, he suddenly reflected: If I’m indeed not as good as these ’juniors,’ then what am I? A lesser junior? ... Chen Gu had a nagging feeling that something was amiss. According to the memories of Milna Katerina and Griffin Wester, there were nine major Energy Levels for professionals. Griffin Wester was at the Fifth Energy Level, already considered ’mid-tier’ among them. Yet, in terms of tactics, he could utterly dominate the Confederation’s military tactics research institute! After concluding his exchange with Zhao Zhenhuai and exiting *The Gap,* Chen Gu immediately logged into the Star Network to look up information on Griffin Wester and the "Blue Blood Hooligans." What he discovered startled him. Griffin Wester had a low profile among the public. Even in authoritative historical evaluations, he wasn’t considered "prominent." However, in many specialized military works, Griffin Wester was highly esteemed, with many authors suggesting he should be regarded as the "Number One Military God of the Star Era!" The starship fleet he commanded, the "Blue Blood Hooligans," had scarcely tasted defeat and boasted numerous classic battle records. Each one could be written into textbooks, enough for a tactical history expert to spend a lifetime researching as a major project! However, because the "Blue Blood Hooligans" were a mercenary group, official histories seldom mentioned them, and the various Star Nations were reluctant to acknowledge Griffin Wester’s status in military history. Good heavens, this paranoid lug is really something else, Chen Gu muttered. Then a new thought: If Griffin Wester is this impressive, Milna Katerina, who is listed with him in *The Past of Four Hundred People,* must also be far from simple... However, Chen Gu had yet to discover what exactly made the "Nuclear Explosion Nun" so remarkable. He immediately searched for Milna Katerina on the Star Network but found nothing significant. He only located her name on a very old list of nuns from the Atomic Holy Church. This doesn’t make sense... Chen Gu murmured.