They just had to come at this exact time.

If they obediently leave now, they can pretend this never happened.

But if those guys outside cause any more trouble, don't blame them for settling scores later!

Okay, don't be angry.

"Let's continue eating." Zhong Xiaoyun gestured for the person to pass on the message.

Then he urged his family to hurry up and enjoy the food.

"It's so delicious! Even better than what we have at state banquets!"

"These are all dishes we like to eat. It brings back so many memories of those flavors."

"When we went to the Northern Starship Military Academy, our parents were worried that we would be too tired, so they specially rented a house there to accompany us."

Although the house wasn't big, I could always enjoy my father's delicious cooking, which made the pressure of studying seem much less!

"Yes! Back then, after a long day at the academy, all I looked forward to was a meal when I got home."

"If it weren't for this bite, I don't know how I would have survived!"

The Zhong sisters ate while praising the food.

Listening to this, Mr. Zhong's face was beaming with joy.

"Alright, stop laughing."

"Eat quickly." Mrs. Zhong glared at Mr. Zhong, then put food on her two daughters' plates.

In the Zhong family, the father was primarily responsible for °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° domestic affairs, while the mother was more involved in external affairs.

Currently, the Zhong family's businesses are mostly managed by Mrs. Zhong.

And you know what? It actually brought some results for Zhong's mother.

Neither of the Zhong sisters expected that their mother would reveal her strong, independent nature.

"Speaking of which, Xiaoyun, the Fifth Legion Fleet you're in isn't carrying out His Majesty's mission..."

"Xia!" Zhong's mother glared at Zhong Xiaxia at this moment: "Don't forget your discipline!"

Zhong Xiaxia then realized that she had been too relaxed and hadn't even kept her conversation from her parents.

Although she personally didn't care much, according to regulations, it was still considered a military secret.

Zhong Xiaoyun immediately added, "Let's not talk about confidential matters, only what we can talk about."

I returned this time with Marshal Leona's permission, so you could call it a vacation.

Zhong Xiaxia suddenly realized that, considering her mother's reminder, she didn't talk about that anymore and instead chatted with her parents and sister about everyday things.

The banquet was halfway through.

Suddenly, Zhong Xiaoxia's handheld terminal started flashing.

Upon seeing this reminder, Zhong Xiaoxia's expression immediately changed, transforming from a family daughter back into the demeanor of a JF-17 officer.

"Is there something urgent?" Mrs. Zhong asked immediately.

"This is an emergency communication, the highest level."

Even if the sister doesn't answer, the call will be automatically forced to connect after five seconds.

"They're usually from the Emperor of the Dragon Kings, Lilith's Chief Secretary, or Grand Marshal Charlotte," Zhong Xiaoyun explained from the side, while also wondering why her sister would contact her at this time.

Upon hearing the names of these three people, Mr. and Mrs. Zhong were quite surprised.

After all, these three are currently at the very top of the Dragon Star Empire!

"Should we leave for a bit?" Mr. Zhong asked anxiously.

At this moment, Zhong Xiaoxia raised her hand, signaling everyone to be quiet.

Then she tapped the device on her wrist a few times, and a thin curtain appeared around Zhong Xiaxia.

At this moment, Zhong Xiaxia's appearance became blurry, and the sounds coming from inside could no longer be heard.

"Sister has already turned on privacy mode." Zhong Xiaoyun immediately explained when she saw her parents holding their breath, as if afraid that even the sound of their breathing would disturb their daughter.

This relieved Zhong's parents.

Mr. Zhong glanced at his eldest daughter behind the screen and asked cautiously, "Aren't you on holiday?"

At this time, why did those adults contact your sister directly? Is it something very important?

Could it be that your sister did something wrong?

At the end, Mr. Zhong immediately showed a nervous expression.

Zhong Xiaoyun shook her head and said, "It's not a mistake. If it were a mistake, it would have been announced before the new year."

It wouldn't have waited until now.

I reckon it must be some important mission.

Zhong Xiaoyun's face also showed a serious and curious expression at this moment.

As a lieutenant general in the Imperial Army and an officer in the JF-17 Dragons, she was well aware that during her originally scheduled leave, the higher-ups would contact her directly.

The person who visits the temple without a reason must have something very important to say.

But given the current situation, what could be so important that requires contacting her sister privately?

This puzzled her greatly, and she could only wait for her sister's answer.

The entire communication between Zhong Xiaxia and her parents lasted less than three minutes, but it felt like an eternity to them.

When the barrier falls.

The holographic communication window also disappeared.

The Zhong family parents looked at their eldest daughter, about to ask a question, but seemed worried about something, looking as if they wanted to say something but hesitated.

"Sister, who contacted you?"

"Is it convenient to talk about it?" Zhong Xiaoyun asked bluntly.

"This is no secret."

"You could say that," Zhong Xiaxia replied.

The Zhong family parents immediately asked with concern, "Which adult is it?"

"Supreme Marshal Charlotte," Zhong Xiaxia replied.

"Supreme Marshal?"

"What important matter has this gentleman contacted you about?" Mr. Zhong asked with concern.

Zhong Xiaxia hesitated for a moment.

Upon noticing this, Zhong's mother immediately said, "If it's related to your work secrets, don't tell us."

We all know the rules.

“This matter isn’t really a secret, and it will be announced in a while.” Zhong Xiaxia paused, then continued to explain, “Actually, Grand Marshal Charlotte contacted me directly this time.”

This was because the military high command made a unanimous decision, which was approved by His Majesty the Emperor.

A special elite fleet consisting of interstellar stealth reconnaissance ships will be established.

And I will concurrently serve as the supreme commander of this elite fleet.

My leave ends today, and I will need to return to my post to oversee the formation of this elite fleet.

After listening to Zhong Xiaoxia's explanation.

Mr. Zhong breathed a sigh of relief and patted his chest: "You scared me to death. I thought you had done something wrong and were being punished."

So all you were asked to do was build an elite fleet...

Wait... forming... an elite fleet?

"The supreme commander of the elite fleet?"

Mr. Zhong's eyes widened suddenly, as if he had realized something.

Zhong's mother jumped up immediately: "You want to be the supreme commander of an elite fleet? That means... that means..."

"My sister is going to be a marshal!" Zhong Xiaoyun blurted out the answer, her face beaming with surprise.

Zhong Xiaxia smiled faintly and said demurely, "I haven't been promoted to marshal yet."

He was only responsible for assembling this elite fleet.

Moreover, it's not a combat-ready elite fleet; it's only responsible for interstellar stealth reconnaissance ships.

"Isn't putting you in charge of setting it up just handing it over to you?!"

The formation of those elite fleet groups was personally overseen by those marshals, and they are now in charge of managing them, aren't they?

Doesn't this mean you'll become the supreme commander of an elite fleet group in the future?

Although you are not a marshal now, sister.

But now, which elite fleet group's supreme commander isn't an Imperial Marshal?

Sister, it's only a matter of time before you're promoted to Imperial Marshal.

"What? The elite fleet of interstellar stealth reconnaissance ships isn't an elite fleet anymore?" Zhong Xiaoyun looked at her sister excitedly.

She felt genuinely happy for her sister, as if she herself were about to become the Imperial Marshal.

"Hahaha! This is great news! This is great news for our Zhong family. Our eldest daughter is going to become a marshal."

"My daughter is a marshal!" Mr. Zhong said, hands on his hips, looking very proud.

But the next second, his mother slapped him on the head.

"Why are you shouting so loudly? Are you afraid the people outside won't hear you?"

Although this matter is not a secret, it hasn't spread outside yet!

"Keep your mouth shut!" Mrs. Zhong glared at her husband.

Mr. Zhong chuckled, but he couldn't help but smile.

Then, Zhong's mother looked at her eldest daughter with relief, but her eyes were also filled with heartache: "Xia Xia."

We are happy and proud of you for becoming the supreme commander of an elite fleet.

But don't put too much pressure on yourself. If... if you don't do well, or if you get too tired, then we'll step down.

Now, even with our small plot of land, the Zhong family can provide you with a comfortable life.

You are the best in our Zhong family.

Of course, our Yun'er is the best too!

"Hehehe, one day I will catch up with my sister!" Zhong Xiaoyun said confidently, hands on her hips.

Then, Zhong's mother cautiously asked Zhong Xiaoxia, "What about this sudden appointment and this task?"

"Don't you... have to go back now?"

At this moment, Mr. Zhong realized that his daughter might have to leave.

Now, even Mr. Zhong was reluctant to part with his eldest daughter.

We haven't even finished this perfectly good meal yet.

Zhong Xiaxia smiled as she looked at her parents and younger sister, and said, "Didn't I just say that?"

My vacation ends today, and there are still five hours left until the end of the day.

So, we can finish this meal!

Hearing that they could finish the meal, the sadness on Zhong's parents' faces lessened considerably.

"Haha, that's good, that's good."

Let's keep eating!

No, I need to order a few more dishes.

"This is a great day for our family! We're going to celebrate Xia's promotion!" Mr. Zhong stood up and walked outside, excitedly muttering a few dish names.

At this moment, Madam Zhong also stood up and said with a serious expression, "I'll go check on those servants outside and give them a few words of advice."

Your dad was speaking a bit loudly just now, they might have heard him.

I told them to keep their mouths shut, and then I arranged for others to secretly monitor them to prevent them from spreading anything they shouldn't.

After saying that, Zhong's mother walked outside.

Seeing how much her parents cared for her, Zhong Xiaxia felt a warm glow inside.

She looked at her younger sister and said, "Xiaoyun, I'll leave after I finish eating."

You still have a few days of vacation left, so please spend some quality time with our parents in my place.

We only get to come back for a few days a year.

It's a rare opportunity for me to come back, but I only stayed for one day before having to leave.

They must be very sad and upset.

Please make amends for me and comfort them properly.

Zhong Xiaoyun nodded heavily: "Sister, you can go to work without worry."

Leave everything at home to me; I'll spend the next few days with them.

Taking advantage of this moment, Zhong Xiaxia opened a document window and began editing some information.

After accepting such an important task, if it weren't for her parents, she would have completed the task immediately, given her personality.

After all, the fact that Grand Marshal Charlotte contacted her immediately was enough to show how important this mission was.

"sister.

"Your ace fleet? Your Majesty, how many units have you been given?" Zhong Xiaoyun asked curiously.

Zhong Xiaxia didn't hide it, because it wasn't encrypted to begin with.

It's impossible for such a large-scale interstellar stealth reconnaissance fleet to completely conceal its existence from the outside world.

Therefore, the JF-17 military headquarters will take some time to publicly announce the establishment of this elite fleet group and the appointment of Zhong Xiaoxia.

"Currently, the plan is to deploy 100,000 interstellar warships, but considering that many of these are active interstellar stealth reconnaissance ships from various legion fleets."

"So, the only ships directly under my command are 40,000 interstellar stealth reconnaissance ships," Zhong Xiaxia said.

Zhong Xiaoyun nodded knowingly. Her eyes darted around, and she leaned closer to her sister, whispering, "Sister."

You mean, at this time, why suddenly and urgently establish such a large-scale elite fleet of interstellar stealth reconnaissance ships?

Is there something big going on with us lately?

Moreover, establishing such a special elite fleet group will definitely change our original combat command system.

This means that this major move is definitely different from what happened before.

So... does that mean inter-universe warfare?

Our current adversary allows us to fight across the universe.

Devouring civilization?

"Take the initiative and defend with the best offense?"

Zhong Xiaoyun, as expected of an officer trained by the JF-17 Thunder, was able to deduce a general idea from just this one piece of intelligence.

Thinking about all this, Zhong Xiaoyun's eyes were filled with excitement.

Zhong Xiaoxia, however, didn't hold back and tapped her on the head, then said, "Don't overthink it."

As soldiers, obeying orders is our bounden duty; all we need to do is follow orders.

Don't overthink or speculate about other things.

"You're now the deputy commander of a legion fleet group; you need to correct this habit!"

"Hehehe, I haven't become a marshal yet."

"And then she started teaching me!" Zhong Xiaoyun pouted and stuck out her tongue at her sister.

............

End of January, Galactic Calendar 3040

In the first month, only one major event occurred.

That was the appointment of the first senior officer of the new year, and the formation of a new elite fleet group.

Xiaolong Imperial Aircraft officially announced that the Xiaolong Interstellar Empire will establish an elite fleet composed of interstellar stealth reconnaissance ships.

General Zhong Xiaoxia was specifically responsible for the formation and training of this elite fleet group, and temporarily served as its supreme commander.

At the same time, this elite fleet was officially named 'Ghost Scouts'.

This marks the sixth elite fleet group established by the Xiaolong Interstellar Empire.

Not long after the appointment was made, Zhong Xiaxia had already completed the construction of this elite fleet group.

Dragon Emperor Star Command Ship - Bridge

"This is some data about the Ghost Scouts team that was formed during this period."

I've circled the important parts.

"Please take a look, Your Majesty." Zhong Xiaoxia stood before Emperor Xiaolong and reported solemnly.

Because this matter is quite important, and it is located in the Xiaolong system.

Therefore, Zhong Xiaoxia personally went to the scene to report this news.

Zhao Chen didn't look at the document report; he handed it directly to Lilith next to him, asking her to record it and submit it to the secretariat for review.

I'm not going to watch it.

I have faith in your abilities.

"I'll just ask you a few simple questions." Zhao Chen looked at Zhong Xiaoxia.

Zhong Xiaxia straightened up: "Your Majesty, please ask!"

"I've heard about the formation and training of the Ghost Scouts."

You have your own ideas, and you've already put them into practice.

When it comes to training matters for each elite fleet group, the supreme commander of that fleet group has the highest authority and can execute orders without military approval.

Your actions are in accordance with the procedure.

But I still want to ask for your thoughts here.

After all, the other elite fleet groups are just different from the regular Imperial Legion fleet groups in terms of tactics.

In terms of organizational structure, it is still the same as a regular legion fleet group.

Only your elite fleet stands out from the crowd.

Although the military had no authority to intervene, many people were discussing it and even raising questions.

You should know all of this, right? Zhao Chen looked at Zhong Xiaxia.

Zhong Xiaxia immediately said, "Regarding the establishment and training of the Ghost Scouts, I made the arrangements based on my previous experience as the captain of the interstellar stealth reconnaissance ship and the experience I have accumulated over the years in commanding interstellar stealth reconnaissance ships to carry out missions."

This arrangement is not yet in its final form.

They will also take a break after actual operation and task execution.

Based on the current arrangements.

First, I divided the interstellar stealth reconnaissance ships under the Ghost Scouts into directly subordinate starships and dispatched starships.

As the name suggests, an outpost starship is an interstellar stealth reconnaissance ship that is deployed to various legion fleets to carry out missions in cooperation with the legion fleets.

Currently, the number of directly controlled starships is 40,000.

I did not use our conventional three-tier system of 'legion', 'corps', and'small fleet' for these 40,000 interstellar stealth reconnaissance ships.

The quantities are also quite different.

After all, these are interstellar stealth reconnaissance ships; they don't need to fight, and their main task is reconnaissance.

Reconnaissance and combat are two completely different things.

Applying the same organizational structures and procedures to stealth interstellar reconnaissance ships as to combat-type interstellar warships would be highly inefficient.

Zhong Xiaxia began to elaborate on her ideas, and even opened the organizational framework document that her Ghost Scout Ace Fleet was currently executing.

"My Ghost Scout Ace Fleet uses the structure of'squadron,''squadron,''small squadron,' and 'group.'"

Fleet Group: We also call it a reconnaissance group.

It consists of three interstellar stealth reconnaissance ships, which can be responsible for reconnaissance work from the front, observation from the side, and command from the center when carrying out missions.

When their whereabouts are exposed, two of the interstellar stealth reconnaissance ships will also cover the withdrawal of one of the interstellar stealth reconnaissance ships, thereby ensuring the transmission of intelligence information.

The reconnaissance squadron level consists of nearly thirty interstellar stealth reconnaissance ships, organized into ten reconnaissance fleet groups.

It can often carry out detailed reconnaissance over a galaxy or reconnaissance of a local battlefield.

The reconnaissance squadron level consists of ten reconnaissance teams, totaling nearly three hundred interstellar stealth reconnaissance ships.

A reconnaissance squadron can carry out reconnaissance missions over multiple star systems and firmly control intelligence information and intelligence transmission within a battlefield area.

Above that is the highest-level reconnaissance brigade.

It consists of ten reconnaissance squadrons and has three thousand interstellar stealth reconnaissance ships.

Currently, the Ghost Scout Ace Fleet consists of a total of thirteen reconnaissance squadrons.

And these reconnaissance teams.

Depending on the different tasks being performed, there are actually some classifications.

For example, rapid reconnaissance teams, armed reconnaissance teams, battlefield reconnaissance teams, and reconnaissance teams behind enemy lines.

Different types of reconnaissance teams are good at carrying out different missions.

Because intelligence gathering and reconnaissance seem simple.

However, in practice, the situation is quite different.

This is based on my personal experience when I was the captain of an interstellar stealth reconnaissance ship.

For example, reconnaissance teams behind enemy lines can be divided into long-term and short-term operations.

A long-term reconnaissance team behind enemy lines would prioritize long-term concealment. Therefore, before carrying out a mission, it would need to have more resources in reserve to ensure that the team can remain infiltrated for a long time, such as a month, six months, a year, three years, or even five or ten years!

For example, an armed reconnaissance team, as the name suggests, may engage in armed conflict with the enemy, so it needs to prepare some weapons.

Carry more weapons and ammunition, and add some turrets, etc.

Therefore, our current interstellar stealth reconnaissance ships are too limited in type. Although they are excellent, they are not suitable for performing every type of combat mission.

............

Zhong Xiaoxia explained her thoughts very seriously.

He fully explained his ideas about interstellar stealth reconnaissance ships to Emperor Xiaolong.

Looking at the general in front of him, Zhao Chen felt that she was radiating light, and her eyes held a very firm emotion.

At that moment, Zhao Chen understood perfectly.

Charlotte and Xue Xiaoxiao made the right choice in recommending this person to themselves.

Zhong Xiaoxia is indeed the most suitable leader for this position.

"Okay, that's about it."

"After all, I only have a general understanding; I'm not a professional." Zhao Chen interrupted Zhong Xiaxia's attempt to continue.

Given Zhong Xiaxia's current dedication, she could probably talk for a whole day and night without any problem.

But Zhao Chen didn't have that much time.

"From what you've said, although I don't know much about it, I can see your dedication to the Ghost Scouts."

Just do what you think is right, don't worry, no one from the military will interfere.

It's okay even if you make a mistake.

Since we're doing something, it's impossible to never make a mistake.

"It's enough to simply identify and correct mistakes promptly after they occur, minimizing our losses."