The guy was grinning maliciously, and Yu Lian immediately had a bad feeling.
"Uh, Teacher Yang, if I remember correctly, I'm about to take command of this joint operation. In a sense, it's still my old line of work—diplomacy."
"Exactly! But they say the capable should shoulder more responsibility. Old man Parris should definitely give you more to handle. So, as for the defense of the New World, the High Command has decided to establish a unified New World Defense District, with me as its commander. Major General Makarov will be deputy commander, and that girl Eleanor..."
"Wait, Old Man Makarov was promoted to major general last year. By any measure, he ought to be the commander." Yu Lian spotted the flaw and quickly raised his hand.
"Exactly! It would be great if that were the case, but the old man stepped aside in favor of someone more capable. He said he was just an engineering graduate from a technical school, with no experience in staff work or command at the strategic level, and that he was getting on in years and couldn't handle too much pressure. We needed someone young and strong, and then, for some reason, he recommended me."
"And then you recited a poem?"
"I did recite one... Bah! Anyway, that's how I got the job. I'm the commander, Old Man Makarov is my deputy, and Eleanor is chief of staff. You'll be deputy chief of staff! Though Makarov and Eleanor will still be busy running the Thirteenth Fleet, so you'll be the acting chief of staff!"
"Acting chief of staff, my foot!" Yu Lian raised his voice. "Don't I still have to handle diplomatic work? I won't even be there, so how am I supposed to be chief of staff? Have you ever heard of a