Chapter 137: Patchwork

Regiment 101.

Completely different from conventional naming, the Asitate Zhanduan.

This ultra‑simple designation made everyone's eyes light up.

Because the Black Watch veterans who can join Regiment 101 not only indicate they are about to become Asitate, they also prove that, like the original Regiment 101 veterans who first followed Xisi, each has endured countless Hell‑like apocalyptic trials.

Simply being able to bear this title already means they possess the galaxy's top‑tier combat power!

After the Black Watch expanded, they were dispatched to some battlefield; the local defenders might only be worried that the situation has become this difficult.

But when "101" appears on the battlefield, they merely flash a radiant smile to greet their fate while sincerely pitying the opponents who are about to face "101"!

Although it is not a normal four‑character title, everyone still chose to accept it; Bai'er, after receiving the name of the legion he is about to create himself, respectfully turned and left.

Because the next topic among the group was not how Xisi had secured three years, but an explanation of why they had not yet set out.

In the Warhammer galaxy there is little complaint or hesitation; war after war has forged everyone's straightforward efficiency.

He didn't even continue the "greeting" to ask Terra and Kiriman where they were; Xisi simply faced the remaining people, tapped the table, and then sighed:

"Let's just talk, starting with 'starch' first."

Facing many questions, Xisi opened by mentioning starch, but the people present almost instantly turned their gaze to Fanluosi and Ana.

Fanluosi had clearly been racking his brain for a while; without food there is no continuation of anything, so Fanluosi, bracing himself, presented every method he could think of:

"First, immediately seek merchants to trade noble goods for starch; for merchants we can approach the Falomoer Family, with whom we have previously cooperated. They are not only powerful, but also seem quite enthusiastic toward Lord Sisi."

"Then, in accordance with the High Lord Council and the Regent's decree, send people to the nearby star sectors to requisition the materials listed in the requisition."

After Fanluosi finished speaking, the former was more practical and quicker to show results, while the latter was typical Imperial thinking.

After all, when Fanluosi heard that the nearby star sectors refused to pay 'taxes' because war had brought them close to extinction, he could barely contain his laughter!

"Whether you become extinct or not is none of my business, but if you can't collect taxes, you don't have to wait for the Alien Form to wipe you out; the Interior Ministry's tax‑collection fleet can blow you away!"

After all, loyalty to the Empire is almost entirely judged by whether you pay taxes on time!

"You don't even pay taxes, yet you dare claim loyalty?!"

Only Xisi, looking at Fanluosi's suggestion, gave a speechless glance.

It's not that Xisi sympathizes with the surrounding star sectors; as the outer shield of the Alert Star, these sectors really can't be tampered with.

Otherwise, the various enemy forces ravaging those sectors would have to strike the Alert Star directly.

"I agree with the first point; let's discuss the second later."

After speaking, Xisi looked at Ana, and under Ana's instantly expectant gaze, after holding back for a while, he reluctantly spoke:

"Ana, has the process for that blue‑turning starch you made before been upgraded?"

Ana quickly nodded; after all, all this time, only Ana has yet to make a remarkable contribution.

"Lord, rest assured, whenever I have a moment I will upgrade the technology. Now my starch output is larger; I can use carbon‑dioxide clouds, wasteland, and Phosphorus to mass‑produce 'Corpse Starch'."

"And regarding the blue issue you worry about, I guarantee that this time, after eating it, your people and soldiers will definitely not turn blue!"

Xisi's eyes lit up at the words, but then he suddenly sensed something was off.

He frowned at Ana, and to make sure he hadn't misheard, Xisi also glanced at the people around him.

Seeing everyone else also frowning, Xisi then hesitated a bit:

"You mean, Corpse Starch without the corpse?"

Ana lifted her head, exuding a certain pride.

And Xisi, listening to this starch that now contains not even a speck of biomass, held back for a while and could only reassure himself that in the Empire, Corpse Starch without a corpse is indeed normal.

At least this time his soldiers won't become 'Titan'.

"At least you've improved the process, preventing the soldiers from changing color after eating it."

Ana, hearing the praise, showed even more pride on her face, and even deliberately elaborated:

"Actually this part is simple: I added industrial pigment to the starch, and after neutralizing the blue, it can simulate normal skin color."

Xisi: "???"

Everyone: "???"

Xisi's cheek twitched, his mouth opened several times, and after staring at the proud Ana for a while, he could only withdraw his gaze helplessly.

At least they aren't starving to death.

"Let's arrange the starch this way for now."

"Immediately contact the Falomoer Family to purchase starch, and at the same time deploy Ana's new technique in all starch factories in the Heberia Nest Area."

"If necessary, some non‑military factories should also be converted into starch factories, fully producing 'New‑style Starch'."

The local officials further back, upon hearing this, immediately performed a respectful salute, and then, under Ana's lead, carefully left the Xisi Office.

After that, Xisi flipped through the starch inventory, looked at the urging from Terra, and this time did not ask Fanluosi and the others again.

He casually tossed the report onto the table, placed his right hand on the surface, and lightly tapped with his fingertip.

Amid the crisp "tap‑tap" sound, Xisi, after a brief thought, spoke directly:

"Except for the workers, all men over sixteen must enlist in the army."

Originally, by Empire custom, women also had to enlist, but the Alert Star is in a state of ruin, having taken all the women away; Xisi fears that the subsequent population recovery rate would be severely reduced.

Moreover, the factory itself is a giant beast that devours lives; without sufficient population, the Alert Star will soon cease production.

"But with the current productivity, this nearly ten‑billion‑strong army can barely find food, let alone weapons and equipment..."

Fanluosi hesitated, but Xisi's light tapping on the table continued without pause:

"Weapon and equipment production can continue, but training must commence immediately."

Xisi spoke, Fanluosi did not reply further, and Xisi added quietly to himself:

"After all, even if it's just melee, a hundredfold training will allow them to contribute somewhat on the battlefield."

Now, facing the imminent relief of Terra, Xisi has truly exhausted every method to gather any power he can muster.

Even if the equipment is insufficient, Xisi still has to pull people onto the battlefield, after all once on the battlefield, guns are everywhere.

"Besides, the National Church and the Mechanical Church have already conferred upon me the title of Saint; Alert Star is also a holy site of both churches."

"Then, in my name, issue a summons, calling all followers of both churches to go to Alert Star and join my 'Terra Grand Pilgrimage' force."

Fanluosi this time directly expressed agreement:

"The believers are mostly fanatical; they will not only bring high‑quality troops, but also the spaceships they use for travel."

"There might even be a few warships in there."

Fanluosi remained as optimistic as possible; Xisi kept lightly tapping with no response, and Bunoke let out a faint cold snort.

Even if there really are warships, how many could there be? Only those truly rich and powerful—aside from the National Church itself—would stake their entire fortune on faith?

One could say that the believers who can follow Xisi are either destitute with nothing left but themselves, or are unwelcome and have no way out but to 'follow the faith'.

Even if there are truly fanatical believers, they amount to nothing compared with regular military strength.

Xisi ignored the various reactions from those below and, after finishing the list of forces the Imperial Side could muster, unexpectedly shifted tone and continued:

"We've finished enumerating what the Empire can gather; now let's talk about the Chaos side."

The people below stared blankly, yet even Fanluosi could keep a straight face and look at Xisi.

Then, just as Xisi was about to rally some small war bands that had previously sought him, the great door behind him was suddenly flung open.

A local official, his face alight with excitement, stood in the doorway:

"Reinforcements!"

"Lord Kiriman has sent us reinforcements!"