Picking Up An Alpha On Garbage Star - Chapter 74

Pei An did not have Pei Zhiyu with him; they had not yet settled down, and it was too dangerous to have Pei Zhiyu with him at the moment. Instead, Pei An sent the child to stay with Pei’s parents.

 

Since Pei’s parents had been stationed at the frontlines with the Independent Army and had not returned to Central Star for years, their family business was managed by professional managers, so they didn’t need to be involved directly.

 

It was fortunate that Pei’s parents had not returned to Central Star. Clovis Mondrei had become a mad dog, biting anyone he could find. After Pei An had destroyed his reputation, Mondrei, seeking revenge, sent people to capture Pei’s parents in an attempt to use them as leverage against Pei An. However, Pei’s parents had been gone for years and were now in a place so secure that no one could disturb them.

 

Clovis Mondrei, once a powerful duke who could send thousands to their deaths aboard the Light Goddess, had now become a pariah hated by all.

 

Gu Yuanyang and his team directly captured Clovis Mondrei and held him as a war criminal, forbidding him from contacting anyone outside and preventing any chance of escape. Mondrei would be well-guarded until Pei An arrived with his forces to deal with him personally.

 

Xie Rao and his team made significant advances, turning the Lyte Empire into a north-south corridor. Initially, they intended to deploy troops to fight the Independent Army head-on, but once the troops were moved, Xie Rao and his team started a rebellion in the heartland.

 

After removing the royal flag of the Lyte Empire, Xie Rao led the change to a red flag with a golden kapok flower and openly clashed with the royal family and the parliament.

 

Xie Rao gave several public speeches urging people to abandon the corrupt royal family and parliament and establish a new regime.

 

“We fought alongside the late emperor through thick and thin, never intending to create such an inept country. Yet when the rebels declared war on the empire, the royal family responded in that manner, deeply hurting our patriotic hearts. I, Xie Rao, played a part in establishing this country, so I believe I have the right to participate in creating a new one if the current one cannot protect its people!”

 

Xie Rao harbored grievances against the late emperor for hastily departing and leaving behind an unqualified successor, and he resented Rosskin for not inheriting the late emperor’s abilities, mismanaging the country, and he also resented the old nobles of the parliament who schemed daily for power and wealth. He also blamed himself for his incompetence, which led to so many years of unfair treatment for the people of the Lyte Empire.

 

He knew Pei An’s reforms were making a huge impact, and every time he saw reports on the star network, he and Gu Yuanyang would marvel at how Pei An would do even better in the future.

 

However, they had not yet exited the historical stage and could still fight at the forefront.

 

After ending the war with the rebels, the Lyte Empire’s controlled star systems were thrown into chaos with internal strife.

 

Pei An did not actively declare war on the Lyte Empire. He waited until the royal family and the parliament ordered an attack on the Independent Army before being forced to announce the war, and it was against the royal family and the parliament, not the Lyte Empire’s army or the Lyte Empire itself.

 

“The Independent Army has always upheld the late Emperor Bodenna’s will, fighting for the people of the nation. Since Emperor Bodenna is no longer with us, the monarchy should also cease to exist, especially when the monarchy cannot benefit the people.”

 

“The Independent Army will create a new world for the people. In this new world, the people will have a new life.”

 

With Pei An’s strong assurances, the Independent Army stormed into the star systems still controlled by the Lyte Empire.

 

Pei An publicly exposed the crimes of the royal family and the parliament’s unjust composition, mostly consisting of nobility. He promised everyone that even if the parliament and the royal family were abolished, the honor of the Lyte Empire still belonged to everyone.

 

“The Independent Army will establish the Lyte Republic in the near future.”

 

The Lyte Republic?

 

What is a republic?

 

…

 

“Secretary General, the commander has successfully breached the enemy’s defense perimeter. The entire defense perimeter has been devastated by the troops, and the enemy surrendered so quickly it was faster than my slam dunk in basketball,” Pang Li handed the battle report to Pei An, his face showing undeniable pride.

 

Once, the eight major armies, aside from their armament, had similar practical combat levels. Except for certain legions, like the 258th Legion, which were significantly superior, other legions were more or less on par. However, after four years of fighting the rebels, the Independent Army’s combat capabilities had surpassed those of the rear-echelon units.

 

What kind of beings are the rebels? They are inhumane to the extreme, and fighting them is about pushing them to their limits. Thus, the Independent Army’s combat skills had risen sharply, leaving their former comrades far behind in just four years.

 

Moreover, during these four years, Pei An had invested heavily in updating the Independent Army’s equipment, replacing a large amount of outdated arms from Lyte Empire’s arms dealers. Since they no longer relied on these arms dealers, they had their own armories, and phasing out old equipment was inevitable.

 

Pei An adhered to a principle of frugality, recycling all outdated equipment. Everything that could be dismantled was taken apart, and anything usable was repurposed, even saving a single battery.

 

Initially, during the war, the Independent Army was extremely poor. Pei An had to find ways to raise funds, even exploiting aid groups to gather substantial military funds. However, as the war progressed, the Independent Army became wealthier, and with the recovery of more territories, they acquired numerous resource-rich planets. With resources at hand, money was no longer an issue.

 

Pei An used the reclaimed resource planets to support the establishment of many companies, aiming to gradually reduce the Independent Army’s reliance on its military support structure during the war.

 

In the beginning, the Independent Army had to rely on the military’s operations, mainly on Xie Rao and his team who kept their word. As time progressed and their influence grew, the Independent Army became truly independent.

 

At the same time, every company founded by Pei An was owned by the Independent Army rather than individuals. After completely taking over the government, these companies, which controlled significant resources, would become the economic foundation of the new regime and the country’s enterprises.

 

Especially the arms factories, which were to be converted into companies under the national banner. They must not fall into the hands of arms dealers like in the Lyte Empire, who had sold weapons to the rebels for profit. Pei An would not allow such things to happen under his watch.

 

To this end, Pei An invested heavily in the arms factories, and the results were promising. Xie Rao led the troops to devastate the defense perimeter, causing the Lyte Empire’s army to surrender in a panic. Even the remaining stubborn forces would not affect the overall situation.

 

“Commander Xie and Commander Gu have been of great help. Their prestige among the people of the Lyte Empire is irreplaceable, especially among those who witnessed the empire’s establishment step by step. With Commander Xie and Commander Gu’s involvement, and the support of the old marshal, no matter what promises and schemes the old nobles make, chaos will still ensue.” Pei An signed the document and handed it to Pang Li. “Lika and the others have gone to the frontlines with Xie Rao. This latest list of soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the battle against the rebels has been prepared with compensation allocated based on their rank, duties, and family situation. Please take care of it.”

 

There were still many people remaining here. It would be more appropriate for generals like Han Jingshan to handle the compensation arrangements personally, but Pei An did not want to call people from the military base from afar. Pang Li happened to be here, so he was entrusted with the task.

 

Moreover, many of the colonels who had been with Xie Rao for years were to be promoted soon. Pang Li had enough military achievements. Although it seemed he appeared suddenly in the later stages of the war, much of the equipment supporting the frontlines had been manufactured and transported through him. He had served as logistics for several years and had made significant contributions.

 

“Yes, I’ll handle it immediately.” Pang Li took the document and glanced at it, noting the staggering figures.

 

It’s hard to imagine how the Secretary General managed to fund the war while also making money. In the interstellar era, war is truly burning money; the cost of a single shell could be several thousand. Over these four years of war, not only had they not become poorer, but they had also grown wealthier. Even benefits for each level of officers and soldiers had increased, allowing them to better care for their families and reduce their worries.

 

Pei An had done so much. He even lost his only child in his lifetime but still stepped up and stood in the forefront despite the grief.

 

Pang Li had reason to believe that Pei An would lead the country to a better future.

 

Because of Pei An, Pang Li had not bought a single new piece of clothing in four years, except for necessities.

 

Sharp-eyed netizens noticed this and made a video compilation of Pei An’s clothing over the past four years during public appearances. Although he wore formal attire rarely, even the best fabrics wear out over time. From the first year of the war to the fourth, Pei An’s clothes became progressively more worn but were never replaced.

 

If someone asked Pei An why he couldn’t bear to buy new clothes, he might say, “Because I used the money to buy groceries, and let Commander Xie cook delicious meals for me.”

 

In reality, Xie Yu spent only about a quarter of the time with Pei An over these four years, and even then, Pei An was often dining in the mess hall. When calculated, Pei An spent very little on meals.

 

The Independent Army advanced rapidly, cutting through to Central Star. Xie Rao and Gu Fan split their forces to attack from both sides, dispersing and defeating the enemy’s already limited forces, while Xie Rao and Gu Yuanyang rallied support, causing Central Star’s already tense situation to explode.

 

For the young people of Central Star, that day was the most terrifying. Born after the establishment of the Lyte Empire, on the wealthiest planet of the country, they enjoyed the best resources nationwide, with constant temperature systems protecting them from harsh climates. As the political, economic, and cultural center, with the royal palace and parliament located there, it was the safest place in the country, with wider and brighter streets compared to other star systems—a truly garden-like city.

 

But everything collapsed when Xie Rao attacked the palace and the parliament, and Gu Yuanyang dismantled all the defenses of Central Star.

 

The long-pampered royal guards were no match for Xie Rao and Gu Yuanyang’s trusted aides, who had emerged from the fires of war. Many royal guards were more symbolic than functional, with numerous people placing their children there merely to enhance their resumes and climb to higher positions.

 

A royal guard unit used merely to gain experience was ill-prepared for real combat, even struggling to hold a rifle steady.

 

With a three-pronged assault, the Lyte Empire, symbolized by the monarchy, was bound to collapse.

 

…

 

“Is it An An who’s arrived?” Mrs. Pei opened the door and, seeing Pei An standing outside, was delighted. “Why the sudden visit? You didn’t even tell us, so we didn’t have time to prepare any special food for you.”

 

After the truth about the Light Goddess incident was revealed, Pei An chose to reunite with Pei’s parents, for the sake of the original owner and Pei Ruyu.

 

Pei’s parents had cried deeply upon learning the truth about Pei Ruyu’s death. Clovis Mondrei had genuinely treated Pei Ruyu well. He appeared to be a complete gentleman, attentive and kind to Pei Ruyu, and at that time, Mondrei was a renowned figure, with many people wanting to marry him, not just for his status and wealth but also for his good nature.

 

The real Clovis Mondrei, however, was a madman. He deceived everyone with a facade of deep affection, fooled Pei Ruyu, and used his own child for drug experiments. When the truth came out, he murdered his partner and child, along with everyone aboard the Light Goddess.

 

Pei’s parents blamed themselves. They often wondered why their judgment hadn’t been better and why they entrusted their child to such a perverted person as Clovis Mondrei. If they had been more discerning, perhaps Pei Ruyu wouldn’t have been killed and kept in the dark for over a decade.

 

At that time, Pei An was only twelve years old.

 

The survivors of the Light Goddess were centered around Pei An.

 

It’s hard to imagine how a twelve-year-old child managed to lead these survivors, carrying thousands of lives, to survive in the corners of the country and gradually develop and grow.

 

Pei An himself did not feel such suffering. After all, he was not the “real” Pei An but someone who had survived through the apocalypse. He had powerful mental abilities, and before his rebirth, he was a top student from a prestigious family, with influential grandparents. He didn’t have to start from scratch and had the mindset of an adult.

 

Pei’s parents were greatly impacted after learning the truth. However, Pei An brought Pei Zhiyu to them and asked them to help take care of him, which helped Pei’s parents regain their spirits.

 

Pei An brought the child and said, “From now on, this will be our biological son with Xie Yu. We don’t have time to raise him at the moment, so we’d like to ask you to take care of him for a while.”

 

Of course, Pei’s parents were willing. If Pei An trusted them with the child, it meant he was close to and trusted them. They would ensure Pei Zhiyu was well cared for.

 

Although Pei Zhiyu was already quite chubby from birth, thanks to Geng Ting’s attentive care, there is always an inherent bias when elders look at their juniors.

 

Pei’s parents also inquired about the child’s origins. Pei An explained everything, which aroused their compassion. Since the child’s parents were martyrs, they felt even more compelled to care for him well.

 

Caring for a small child made the days less difficult for the couple.

 

Pei An’s visit was completely unexpected for them and brought immense joy.

 

“Are you here to see Guang Guang? He just finished his milk and is playing now,” Mrs. Pei said warmly as she led Pei An to the specially decorated nursery for Pei Zhiyu. Despite his small size, Pei Zhiyu already had a room full of toys.

 

“Guang Guang, look who’s here?” Mrs. Pei picked up Guang Guang from the carpeted floor and waved his small hand to greet Pei An. “Look, it’s Daddy.”

 

Pei An bent down and opened his arms. “Come here, Daddy will hold you.”

 

Pei Zhiyu smiled, showing his two front teeth, and reached towards Pei An.

 

Pei An held Pei Zhiyu carefully in his arms, protecting his delicate neck. “Hmm, looks like you’ve gained a bit of weight since last time.”

 

Pei Zhiyu waved his little hands and made excited noises.

 

“Today I haven’t made anything special, just some home-cooked dishes. Will you manage with that?” Mrs. Pei wanted to be close to her grandson, but Pei An was usually too busy to visit, so she wasn’t sure of his food preferences. Fortunately, today’s menu was simple home cooking, which was unlikely to go wrong.

 

“The food you make is very good,” Pei An smiled. “I enjoyed it last time.”

 

Mrs. Pei’s cooking was indeed excellent. Pei Ruyu had learned to cook from her, and Pei An was won over as soon as he arrived in this world. The second person to win him over was Xie Yu.

 

Pei An sat at the dining table with Pei Zhiyu and the family, chatting as they ate.

 

“Guang Guang never cries except when he’s hungry. At other times, he’s always smiling. He seems like a good child. He might grow up to be a scholar like your father,” Mrs. Pei thought sincerely.

 

Pei Zhiyu continued to make excited noises, though no one could quite understand what thrilled him.

 

However, one thing was certain: Pei Zhiyu had not inherited Pei Song’s scholarly demeanor. Instead of being a scholar, he would climb trees, swim, and beat up other children his age.

 

“By the way, I came to let you know that we’ll soon be able to move back to Central Star System. You should start packing and follow the fleet when the time comes,” Pei An said.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Pei exchanged glances. Mr. Pei hesitated, “Wouldn’t it be inconvenient for us to follow the fleet?”

 

Pei An adjusted Pei Zhiyu’s position so he could rest comfortably in his arms.

 

“My flagship will head directly to Central Star. Once there, I will need to meet Clovis Mondrei,” Pei An said.

 

The pleasant atmosphere at the dining table dissipated with the mention of that unwelcome name. Mr. Pei put down his chopsticks, his expression serious. “I read reports about Clovis Mondrei. He’s charged with treason.”

 

Pei An nodded. “Yes, Clovis Mondrei is a war criminal. According to our list of war criminals, Clovis Mondrei will be executed.”

 

Therefore, I’d like to ask you to witness Clovis Mondrei being taken away as a criminal and standing in court to face judgment.

 

Mr. Pei wiped his eyes, while Mrs. Pei covered her face and cried. After so many years, they finally saw the day when Clovis Mondrei would pay for his crimes.

 

“Alright, we’ll start packing today. As soon as you say it’s time to leave, we will go back to Central Star,” they said.

 

Although Pei An had asked the Pei couple to start packing, he still had a lot of work to arrange before heading to Central Star. Every star system he had been to over the years had traces of his work, and getting everything settled was not something that could be done quickly.

 

More importantly, once Pei An entered Central Star this time, he would not be coming back. If he had the time in the future, he would visit the places where he had left his mark, but he would not be able to stay for long.

 

Before leaving, a proper farewell was necessary.

 

“Secretary-General, we’ve worked together for many years now, haven’t we?” Ayegud walked beside Pei An, reflecting, “These four years have flown by so quickly, it feels like just yesterday that we were scheming together.”

 

From the moment Ayegud became passive in resisting the enemy at Central Star, he no longer considered himself an official of the Lyte Empire. Later, he realized Pei An’s plans and smoothly handed over the Galax System to Pei An’s team. With Pei An’s support, major reforms were implemented. Due to its unique position as the frontline of the war, the reforms in the Galax System went smoothly. Today, the Galax System, like the Moran System, is under the leadership of the Independent Army.

 

“You know, once you overthrow the royal family in Central Star and establish a new regime, do you think we’ll have to call us to Central Star for a meeting?” Ayegud said with a click of his tongue. “I haven’t been to Central Star in a while and have no idea what it’s like now.”

 

Pei An smiled gently, “You can take your time to see.”

 

Ayegud: “???” How can I take my time if I’m in the Galax System?

 

Wait a minute…

 

Ayegud slowly opened his mouth wide enough to fit an egg: “You mean, you want me to go to Central Star with you?”

 

“Yes,” Pei An said seriously. “The organization highly values your work ability and years of experience, so we would like to offer you the position of…”

 

“Director of the Office of the Lyte Republic.”

 

Ayegud was still in a daze: “Does this mean I’m getting a promotion with everyone else benefiting?”

 

Pei An: “…”

 

“Next time, don’t misuse idioms.”

 

Who says they’re benefiting like a chicken or a dog?