Getting Their House in Order

Edmund personally saw off the two fleet commanders. Bertley was directing the sailors to help lower the small boats, while Edmund stood on the ship's side, looking at the distant coastline, feeling a surge of pride.

Perhaps because he had been on duty on the lookout tower for the past few days, Edmund's clothes were all wrinkled, and his sleeves and trouser legs were rolled up, but all men at sea are like that, and Edmund didn't care.

However, Gilles and Texera felt that Edmund's appearance was somewhat inappropriate. They hadn't noticed it when they were drinking in the cabin, but now Edmund was completely lacking the aura that a fleet commander should have.

Gilles was dressed in practical clothes, but they were clean and tidy, and he looked very energetic. He coughed twice and reminded Edmund, "Captain Edmund, you must have had a hard time these past few days. We're very close to the coastline now. You could take a short rest, wash up properly, and cheer up. We still have a lot to do."

He was subtly reminding Edmund that he should wash up, tidy himself up, and change into clean and tidy clothes to set an example for his subordinates.

Edmund was still confused when he heard this, so he patted his chest and said, "I'm young and healthy. I've just been staying up late and getting a bit chilly these past few days. I'm in great spirits and it won't affect my work at all."

Seeing that Edmund didn't understand his words, Gilles had no choice but to speak bluntly, "Captain Edmund, as the commander, you should also understand our Kingdom Navy regulations on internal affairs. Although we are currently on a long voyage, now that we are about to begin the next phase of our work, it is time to do some internal tidying up."

After saying that, Gilles made a gesture of touching his chin. Edmund, seeing this, also touched his chin and felt very pleased.

Edmund then realized that he hadn't shaved for several days, and his once-smooth chin was now covered with a beard half the length of a finger joint. According to the internal regulations of the Kingdom Navy when they were in the port area, his long, unkempt beard might have gotten him whipped.

After the reformists took over the Kingdom Navy, they not only improved the military system but also modified many regulations. In particular, to emphasize discipline, they made more detailed regulations on internal affairs, including detailed regulations on personal attire and ship cleaning and maintenance. However, these regulations were still quite humane, distinguishing between port areas and long voyages, with more relaxed internal affairs management during long voyages.

But Edmund's appearance—unshaven, wrinkled, with rolled-up trousers and large patches of dirt—would have earned him a scolding in any situation.

Edmund realized his mistake and his face turned red. "I'm sorry, seniors. I'll tidy it up later."

Gilles and Texera nodded. Edmund was so humble and open to advice. With his outstanding abilities and great achievements, his future success was sure to be remarkable. Both of them were glad that they had taken the initiative to befriend Edmund.

By this time, the small boat had been lowered to the same level as the ship's gunwale. The two men did not linger any longer, as they had indeed been on the Leiban for far too long.

After each boarded their small boat, they bid farewell to Edmund. Then Bertley ordered the sailors to slowly turn the pulleys and lower the small boats into the sea. Soon, the two small boats, carrying the two fleet commanders, left the Leiban.

Edmund stood by the ship watching them leave, and only after confirming that Gilles and Texera had returned to their own ships did he call Bertley.

"I'll go back and rest for a bit. You keep an eye on the fleet for me. We can slow down now. You can lead the fleet north along the coastline and find a suitable bay to land in."

"Yes, Fleet Commander."

Edmund was about to leave when he glanced again at the still somewhat messy deck and the dirty sailors on it, and he called out to Bertley again.

"Take them and tidy up the ship inside and out. Do the same for the other ships in the fleet. We're about to reach our destination and we're not short of fresh water. Let everyone take a good shower and wash their clothes, and tidy up their quarters. Don't let people think our Kingdom Navy is a pirate ship."

Bertley then realized that his clothes were indeed dirty, and the smell under his armpits was also very strong. He quickly replied, "Yes, Fleet Commander."