Chapter 489: He Min's Suggestion

Qin Ge did not go back to the dormitory afterward, but went to the office instead, since it was still work hours and he could not abandon his post.

In the office, He Min, serving as the Secretary Ship, was helping Qin Ge organize documents; seeing Qin Ge return, she smiled and said, "Welcome back, Commander."

"Has the welcoming ceremony been completed? How did it go?"

Qin Ge nodded, "Just now we met briefly at the pier; later tonight there will be a welcoming banquet, so we didn't talk much and instead had them go back early to tidy their rooms and rest."

"So that's how it is, but I feel your mind isn't here, Commander; did something happen?" He Min asked.

Qin Ge nodded, "When I was looking at the dossiers of the newly arrived commanders today, I remembered an old acquaintance. It's been over three years since I last saw them, so I had Hu Feng look into it."

"Although I have found their whereabouts, I don't know how to repay them; I feel conflicted."

"Hehe, there aren't many things that would trouble the Commander; I wonder how that person originally helped you?" He Min asked.

Qin Ge smiled, "You know I wasn't originally from this world, but I suddenly arrived here due to an accident."

"When I first came to this world, I was in Minghai City. At that time, a Siren mass-produced destroyer was preparing to fire on me."

"At that critical moment, that person and his warship girl appeared, annihilated the enemy, saved me, then brought me back to Minghai City and gave me some money and a letter of introduction to the Commander Academy."

"It can be said that without him, I might have died on the spot or become a civilian; since I'm still trying to find my way home, there would be no me as I am now."

"So that's how it is."

Although Qin Ge's explanation was simple, He Min still sensed the risk; she then asked Qin Ge, "How do you plan to repay that person, Commander?"

Qin Ge said, "Actually, what I most hope for is that he joins my Grand Fleet; then, being by my side, I can assist and promote him—this is the most direct approach and currently seems the best."

"But after all, everyone has their own aspirations; if he is unwilling to go to the Front Line, bringing him over like this would actually harm him."

"Yet if I were to send him supplies and resources, it would feel like charity, which doesn't seem right."

He Min smiled, "Why don't you go to Minghai City in person to thank him, ask carefully what he needs, and then offer help? That way you wouldn't have to worry about this or that."

"But in a few days I have to go out on a sortie with you all; going now would delay things." Qin Ge said.

"A sortie isn't something absolutely necessary, and even without the Commander, we can still carry out a sortie."

"Commander, please don't underestimate us; so consider giving yourself a break, go to Minghai City to see that old acquaintance, and also fulfill a wish." He Min smiled.

Qin Ge smiled, "That sounds not bad, but would that count as abandoning my post?"

"No, I'm sure the ladies of Gangqu also wouldn't want this matter to remain a lingering concern in the Commander's heart." He Min smiled.

Qin Ge nodded, thought a moment, and said, "For the next few days, let's first settle the affairs in Gangqu, then later decide who will go with me."

"Hmm." Seeing her suggestion accepted, He Min felt rather pleased.

The two then chatted for a while longer; as time passed, evening soon arrived.

The welcoming banquet was held in the banquet hall of the Gangqu garrison; most attendees were commanders, each accompanied by their own secretary ship, though the total number of warship girls was still relatively small.

When Qin Ge attended, he naturally brought He Min; Li Chenming brought Z1, and others likewise brought their current secretary ships.

Before the proceedings began, naturally came self‑introductions; this time the introductions were not given by the original commanders of the Grand Fleet, but by the newly joined commanders.

"Hello everyone, I'm Li Yuanqi, currently a Lieutenant Commander. I've heard the name of Commander Qin Ge before; he is my idol, so joining the Star Sea Grand Fleet this time is like a dream come true." A young commander said with a smile.

After the self‑introductions finished, everyone looked at Qin Ge with smiles; Zhang Xiao said, "Commander, she's your fan—aren't you going to say something?"

Qin Ge smiled, "I really don't deserve to be called an idol; I merely did what I'm good at and achieved some results."

"If you like tactics and want to study them in depth, you can also come find me when you have free time, and I'll explain some things to you."

"Hehe, Commander, that's correct. Back at the Commander Academy, whenever we had a tactical question we didn't understand, we would go ask him at any time."

"Even when he was busy, he would make time to explain the situation to us, and sometimes he would hold joint drills to verify the feasibility of that tactic." Chen Bo Jun said.

"That's really great." Li Yuanqi looked excited.

Immediately afterward another person stood up, "I'm Guan Xue; although my name sounds feminine, I'm a true man at heart. My greatest wish is to go to the Front Line and fight the Sirens."

"However, many people think I'm weak, so suitable partners are rare; this time it's also a fortunate coincidence. I'm very happy to have joined the Star Sea Grand Fleet family, and I hope everyone will feel free to advise me on any matters in life."

"Guan Xue? Hehe, I'll remember that." Qin Ge nodded.

"Commander, I have a question I'd like to ask, may I?" Guan Xue asked.

"Of course; today this is the welcoming banquet, a time for us to exchange and learn—if you have any questions, please feel free to raise them." Qin Ge laughed.

"I want to ask why, in the Grand Fleet, your rank is Major while most others are Sergeant or Sergeant First Class, and the highest among them is only Second Lieutenant?" Guan Xue asked.

"Well?" Qin Ge smiled, speaking to Guan Xue and the other curious individuals, "Because our Star Sea Grand Fleet was formed from the Commander Academy, and aside from you all in the fleet, the other personnel are all first‑ and second‑year students from our cohort."

"The reason I hold such a high rank is that Donghuang Command Headquarters' Commander‑in‑Chief Yixian personally approved it specially; otherwise my rank would be the same as theirs, at most a Second Lieutenant or First Lieutenant."

"Ah! So you all just graduated not long ago?" Guan Xue asked in surprise, "But why do you have the strength to garrison on Riyue Island?"