A is in StarCraft, just disembarked from the Zerg Prince spaceship.

*********************

......

"Humanity needs to accelerate its construction of permanent planets! Only with a stable stellar energy supply can we utilize planetary barriers indefinitely. Without stellar power, we'll have to rely on the energy blocks we pre-compressed in Liernia as a temporary solution!"

"Theoretically speaking, as long as there is sufficient energy, we can withstand everything, including natural disasters and man-made calamities!"

Minister Hawke snapped the projector off, then waved his hand dismissively, passionately addressing the generals: "No 998, no 98! It's free! The entire global barrier protecting the planet, including chip assembly, is all free!"

The alien friend was ruined by the live stream.

General Zhao Chongshan was deeply moved, holding his hand tightly: "Brother, we can't let you suffer too much of a loss. How can we thank you?"

Minister Hawke grinned and shook hands with him warmly: "Hey, we're all family, no need for thanks, we're all family. Our Liernian fleet will be returning in a few days. We're really worried that Earth will be without any barriers after we leave. It wouldn't look good if our Zerg Empire's Crown Princess's family were raided by space pirates. It's what we should do, it's what we should do."

General Zhao Chongshan: "Although your words are rough but the reasoning is sound, your words are just too crude..."

Minister Hawke: "Sorry, we soldiers aren't good with words, but we're just telling the truth..."

......

On one side of the conference table, General Zhao Chongshan and Minister Hawke chatted idly, while on the other side, Commander-in-Chief Qi coughed lightly a few times, restrained.

Several nearby military region commanders approached him and gave him questioning looks.

Commander-in-Chief Qi replied softly, "It's nothing."

It's just a minor cold, nothing serious.

The commander of the 37th Military Region leaned closer to him and whispered, "What do you think...?"

"It doesn't seem fake," Commander-in-Chief Qi said briefly. "Mainly because the Zerg have no reason to lie to us."

"Alright." The generals were somewhat relieved and returned to their seats.

General Zhao Chongshan and Minister Hawke had finished their long chat when Commander-in-Chief Qi got up to greet them.

"Minister Hawke."

"Commander-in-Chief Qi," Minister Hawke quickly shook hands with Commander-in-Chief Qi again, "How are you feeling?"

"Thank you, no problem."

Commander-in-Chief Qi released his hand, then clenched it into a fist, covered his lips, and coughed lightly a few times in a restrained manner.

"It doesn't seem like there's anything wrong. You should get some rest after the meeting; your health is important."

Minister Hawke said with concern.

Oh dear, I just couldn't resist.

In their Liernia, if a male insect is found to be sick and left unattended, the male protection council will throw him into jail.

"Thank you for your concern, I will." Commander-in-Chief Qi nodded. "But now I first need to discuss with you how to implement the construction of the mechanical star ring."

"Oh, please go ahead!"

"The Human Federation's 1141 military factories near the equator will simultaneously begin casting star ring components, smelting and casting the entire mechanical engineering in stages before assembly. We will need guidance and assistance from your engineers during this process, and we sincerely hope for your invaluable guidance. Thank you very much."

"No problem. Our technical team has already broken down the solution into every single component."

"Thank you." Commander-in-Chief Qi nodded.

The discussion came to an end, and Commander-in-Chief Qi gestured to Minister Hawke to leave.

"It's almost noon, and the military has prepared a simple working meal. We hope you can join us for a casual meal. We can discuss anything else over the meal."

Drinking culture is a universal business culture.

Many things can be extracted from someone over drinks.

"Oh!" Minister Hawke glanced around and, sure enough, it was already noon. Providing meals is a universal law, so he didn't stand on ceremony with the humans. "Of course, thank you for the treat!"

The group then moved from the conference room to the restaurant.

......

The military region's leadership dining hall features a rotating long table, and thirty-six spotlights under the dome of the hall illuminate the banquet hall brightly.

Most of the commanders had other commitments and left early, while the remaining dozen or so commanders took their seats to keep them company.

The dishes were served one by one, and wine cups were also placed on the table.

Because of his poor health, Commander-in-Chief Qi was unable to drink alcohol, so he simply had a teacup and drank tea alone.

Minister Hawke of Lyrnia and General Zhao Chongshan of the human race got along quite well, sitting opposite each other and exchanging toasts.

The more upscale the banquet hall, the smaller the wine glasses, which are only a few milliliters each, making it convenient for everyone to drink without getting drunk.

Minister Hawke's large, fan-like hands held the small white porcelain wine cup, a peculiar feature of Earth's banquet tables, as if he were holding a pigeon egg.

"Are these cups for licking your lips?"

General Zhao slammed his hand on the table and laughed loudly, "Exactly! I've long disliked these bird-feeding bowls. Minister Hawke, let's not drink with them, let's just have glasses!"

He pulled out two drinking glasses from the side, the kind that are ten centimeters tall.

"I'm going to treat our brothers to something real!" General Zhao Chongshan slammed the wine bottle down on the table, causing a few drops of the wine to spill from the glass, and said mysteriously.

"What?" Minister Hawke leaned closer.

As General Zhao Chongshan opened the bottle of baijiu, he said, "Brother, let me tell you, this is the best liquor on Earth, the Moutai served at state banquets! You can't get to drink it unless you're entertaining important guests!"

The aroma wafted out the moment the bottle's sealed cap was opened.

Moutai served at state banquets is like the Maserati of Chinese liquor.

Minister Hawke's nostrils flared, and his eyes suddenly lit up. The smell alone almost made him excited: "Wow, this is really amazing."

It smells so good, really.

Humans have the capability to prioritize economic development.

Earth's food culture would appeal to all carbon-based life forms in the universe.

There are so many things that humans can explore outwards.

Weakness is an inevitable process for every race as it develops into the universe; every race experiences this moment of weakness when it first enters the universe.

However, the racial characteristics that allow for outward development are especially valuable, as they are the essential foundation for a race to stand in the universe in the future.

General Zhao Chongshan filled both glasses to the brim and pushed one of them towards Minister Hawke: "Please!"

"please!"

They clinked glasses and then drank the wine in their glasses in one gulp.

"Excellent wine!" Minister Hawke put down his glass. "Human winemaking techniques are amazing, truly amazing. We in Liernia mostly use fruits or sugars to make wine, and we rarely have wine with this alcohol content. It's incredible that humans can make this kind of wine from grains."

"That's why they say it's for state banquets." General Zhao Chongshan refilled his glass and pushed it towards him: "Sip it, savor it carefully. Doesn't it have the aroma of flowers and fruits, the fragrance of honey, and a hint of caramel sweetness?"

Minister Hawke took another sip: "Indeed!"

General Zhao Chongshan refilled his glass: "Isn't it delicious! I wouldn't give this good stuff to anyone but my own brother. Another cup, please!"

"please!"

......

General Zhao poured him several more cups.

Minister Hawke had never drunk alcohol of this strength before. After several glasses, he started to lose control of his mind and began rambling incoherently:

"General Zhao, listen to me, I won't harm you. Let me tell you: in the interactions between cosmic powers, strength is the sole basis for determining attitude! Therefore, nothing is more important than strength! Strength is the true essence of development!"

Tons.

"You're right! I was wrong before, Lao Zhao, and I apologize to you."

Pour another cup.

"You are so far from the territory of the nearest intelligent race! Once you develop, all the unclaimed territories in the surrounding universe will be yours!"

Tons.

"That's absolutely right! Cheers! Let's have another drink!"

Pour another cup.

"Your moon satellite is quite remarkable! Next time, I'll take you to build a lunar cannon, turning the entire moon into an Earth-like fortress! Within the range of this satellite fortress, any invaders will be wiped out by firepower!"

Tons.

"That's great! You can't deny it when I bring this up with you later! Come on, brother, let's have another drink!"

Pour another cup.

......

The Predators of Lyrnia had never tasted such strong liquor.

After three rounds of drinking, one is basically knocked out by the old wine of humankind.

Commander-in-Chief Qi sipped his tea, listening calmly to the commotion from General Zhao Chongshan's side.