Chapter 1087: How do you intend to handle this?

Perturabo hesitated for a moment, then spoke.

"They said... this is 'their' project. They said that knowing they are contributing to the food security of the Xiuluo Holy Star makes them feel... proud."

Perturabo said the last two words with some difficulty.

Yingzhou felt a stir in his heart and spoke slowly.

"Pride is a powerful motivator. It can lead people to go beyond the requirements of mere duty and make extra efforts.

This is not a bad thing, Perturabo, as long as you ensure they are not overworked."

"I have already adjusted the monitoring system. If any worker works for more than six consecutive days, the system will automatically flag it, and their direct supervisor will receive a mandatory rest notification.

Furthermore, I have increased the reserve manpower by fifteen percent to ensure that at any time, if a worker needs to rest, a replacement is available."

Yingzhou nodded in approval.

Perturabo might not understand emotions, but he had learned to respect the results brought about by emotions and to design institutional safeguards for them.

"Very good. So, overall, how is the progress of the Cappadocia Agricultural Zone? Setting aside that 3.7 percent delay."

Perturabo thought for a moment, organizing his words.

"The overall progress is in line with expectations. The first phase of the project is 84 percent complete, two days ahead of the original schedule—if we don't count the delay just mentioned.

The project quality inspection pass rate is 99.3 percent, slightly higher than the Star Alliance standard. There have been zero safety accidents and three minor injury incidents, all of which were minor cuts or scrapes that have been properly handled."

After a pause, Perturabo added.

"According to projections, after the first phase of the project is completed, it can increase food production for the Xiuluo Holy Star by 7 percent and reduce agricultural water consumption by 15 percent. If the second phase of the project is launched as planned, these figures can be increased to 12 percent and 22 percent."

"What does this mean, Perturabo?"

Yingzhou asked.

Perturabo was stunned for a moment, clearly not expecting his father to ask such a question.

"It means... higher resource efficiency, stronger self-sufficiency, and buffer space reserved for future population growth."

"Not just that."

Yingzhou pointed to several ecological domes that had already been built in the distance.

"Under those domes, wheat, rice, vegetables, and fruits will grow. That food will enter the markets, restaurants, and homes of the Xiuluo Holy Star.

People will use this food to prepare dinner, feed their children, and celebrate holidays. You are not just building an agricultural zone; you are laying the foundation for life."

Perturabo was silent for a long time. Then he spoke.

"I... understand. When planning the irrigation pipes, I calculated the water flow velocity and coverage area. But you are talking about... those water flows eventually becoming a bowl of soup on a dining table."

Yingzhou nodded in agreement.

"Exactly. This is why livelihood projects are so important. They directly connect the grand goals of the Star Alliance with the daily lives of ordinary people. A fortress protects the people from external enemies, while a field of crops protects the people from the threat of hunger. Both are necessary, and both are the meaning of the Star Alliance's existence."

Perturabo nodded and replied.

"I will keep that in mind, Father."

Yingzhou patted Perturabo on the shoulder. This simple action made Perturabo's body stiffen slightly, but he did not pull away.

"Now, we..."

Yingzhou's words were interrupted by a slight buzzing sound.

The communication device at Perturabo's waist lit up, displaying an encrypted message.

Almost simultaneously, Yingzhou's private communication channel also received a notification.

The two looked at each other and checked the message at the same time.

Perturabo finished reading first, his brow furrowing.

"Father, a report from the security department. Yingxin, along with Leman Russ and Fulgrim, has headed to the North Continent Industrial Zone."

Perturabo's tone carried clear disapproval.

"They did not submit a formal travel request and only used basic access permissions."

Yingzhou also finished reading the message and was silent for a moment.

"Father, this is a serious violation of safety protocols. Unauthorized travel, entering restricted areas, no formal escort arrangements. According to Article 44 of the Xiuluo Safety Regulations, leaving the core area requires..."

"I know the regulations, Perturabo."

Yingzhou gently interrupted Perturabo.

Perturabo stopped, but his eyes were still full of disapproval.

Yingzhou looked toward the north and spoke slowly.

"They went to the observation area of the Warhound-class Titan Foundry. Yingxin has been very interested in interstellar travel recently, but I told her it wasn't the right time yet. Leman Russ and Fulgrim might be trying to comfort her in this way."

"That cannot be a reason for violating safety regulations."

Perturabo insisted.

"Although the foundry is a relatively safe area, there are still industrial risks: high-pressure pipes, radiation leaks, and heavy machinery operations. Moreover, they are using basic access permissions, which means the security system only sees them as ordinary visitors."

"You are right."

Yingzhou admitted.

"From a safety perspective, this is inappropriate."

Perturabo seemed not to have expected his father to agree so directly, and his prepared further arguments were stuck in his throat.

"However, let us also consider it from other angles. Yingxin is 10 years old, receiving the best education, and protected by all of us. But her understanding of the Star Alliance mostly comes from books and holographic images. It is normal that she wants to see it with her own eyes and touch it with her own hands."

"That should still be arranged through formal channels."

Perturabo said.

"Yes, it should.

But sometimes, children, even Primarchs, will want a bit of spontaneity. A bit of exploration that isn't so 'formal'."

Perturabo was silent.

"Leman Russ and Fulgrim are with her. They are Primarchs, capable of protecting Yingxin."

"The public observation area of the Foundry was designed with safety factors in mind. Furthermore, if I am not mistaken, the moment they arrived, the Foundry's security chief would have been alerted, and there are surely additional security measures running in the shadows now."

Perturabo pulled up a Data Pad, performed a quick search, and then nodded slightly.

"Yes. Foundry security officer Lieutenant Kael submitted an anomaly report seven minutes ago, marked 'Primarch visit, Level Two alert initiated.' He dispatched four security personnel to the observation platform area, but did not intervene directly."

"See, the system is working, even in an informal situation. Security has not been truly ignored; it is simply being maintained in a different way."

Perturabo sighed.

"I still believe that protocols should be followed. Protocols exist to ensure that protective measures are optimized under any circumstances, rather than relying on ad-hoc reactions."

"I agree. But sometimes, we need to understand that following protocols perfectly is not the only thing that matters. Yingxin needs to learn, needs to explore, and needs to experience some autonomy within a safe range. And Leman Russ and Fulgrim... have also learned how to look after their sister."

These words caused a subtle change in Perturabo's expression.

"Are you saying... this is not just a breach of protocol, but an... informal educational opportunity?"

"From a certain perspective, yes. Although it is an uninvited educational opportunity."

Perturabo remained in Silence for a moment longer, then turned off the Data Pad, clipped it back to his waist, and turned to face his father.

"Then, how do you intend to handle this matter?"