On the sea, two warships, one big and one small, were docked side by side.
The former was the West Ocean warship with the number W291, while the latter was the exclusive warship of Lieutenant General Orton.
At this moment, on the deck of Lieutenant General Orton's ship, Brian asked Snow to hand over fresh mutton, fresh fruits, vegetables, and meat, as well as Nacia's specialty desserts to Lieutenant General Orton's adjutant.
Although Brian's gift was simple and not as luxurious as he had imagined, it could be seen that he had put in a lot of effort.
The supply points along the Great Sea Route were limited. Although they could go to the islands to replenish their supplies, Kong had urged Orton to take up his post in the West Sea, so they never stopped along the way.
The fresh ingredients on the ship had already entered the stomachs of all the officers and soldiers on the ship. Therefore, since the morning of the day before yesterday, Lieutenant General Orton had not eaten any food made from fresh ingredients.
"Set the table. I'm having a meal with the old man.”
"Yes, Lord Brian."
Under Brian's orders, Snow quickly set up the table and laid out exquisite tablecloths and tableware.
As the orderly placed the wine, meat, and fresh fruits and vegetables brought by Brian on the table, Lieutenant General Orton and Brian sat face to face.
"All of you can leave. This is my private lunchtime with the old master. I have some private matters to discuss.”
As soon as he sat down, Brian waved his hand and asked the navy soldiers to leave.
The adjutant hesitated.
Lieutenant General Orton nodded at the adjutant and said to the navy around him,""Go back to the cabin first. Don't come out without my order. I have some private matters to discuss with Brian.”
After the accompanying navy left, Brian picked up the fresh wine and poured a glass for Lieutenant General Orton. At the same time, he poured himself a glass of wine and said,"Old man, it's been a year, five months, and seven days since I graduated from military school.”
Brian wanted to start the conversation and catch up with Lieutenant General Orton, but Orton said calmly,""Zhan Guo was right. You came to find me in advance, and you wanted to persuade me to leave the West Ocean, right?”
Brian did not deny it." Yes, everything is as Sengoku predicted.”
Lieutenant General Orton stared into Brian's eyes and asked,"" Sengoku also told me that if I didn't leave West Ocean, you would get rid of me just like you got rid of Karl, right?”
Brian didn't avoid Lieutenant General Orton's gaze. He looked into his eyes and nodded."That's right, Zhan Guo was right. Unfortunately, you still came.”
Lieutenant General Orton clenched his fists. He was furious, not because Brian wanted to kill him, but because he did not bring such a genius to the right path and let down the navy and Brian's parents.
After about five to six seconds, Lieutenant General Orton continued to ask,""Is power really that important to you?”
" When I took my first step," Brian replied," it was like I was stuck in a swamp. I would only sink deeper, unable to break free.”
Bang! Lieutenant General Orton slammed his fists on the table. The cutlery on the table was shaken up. After it fell, it made a continuous tinkling sound.
The sailors hiding in the cabin felt their hearts tighten, afraid that the two would fight.
"Wake up, Brian!" Lieutenant General Orton grabbed Brian's collar with one hand and spat on Brian's face.""Your parents were excellent navy soldiers who were willing to sacrifice themselves for justice and to protect their companions!”
"What does that have to do with me? They are them, and I am me. We are just doing our best on the path we have chosen. That's all.”
Brian's reaction infuriated Lieutenant General Orton, who threw a punch at Brian.
Brian didn't dodge and let the fist hit his face.
"Why didn't you dodge?"
"Why didn't you use all your strength? Don't tell me you're still fantasizing that I'll turn over a new leaf and become a righteous navy again.”
"You're hopeless!"
Orton swung his fist again in anger, but this punch was much stronger than the previous one.
Brian wiped the blood off his mouth and said with a smile,""That's right. If you want to hit me, you should use your full strength. However, old man, you're old. Go back and retire. Don't run errands for Konghe Zhanguo anymore.”
"I should be the one to say this. You should return to Marlin Fando and reflect on your mistakes.”
As he spoke, Orton threw out another punch. If he was young, his punch could still smash a small hill. But now, he was old and weak. This punch was easily blocked by Brian.
Orton tried to free his fist from Brian's palm, but Brian's hand was like an iron clamp, holding his fist tightly and unable to move at all.
" Old man," Brian said," before you lecture me, I want to tell you a story. It's a story that I almost forgot. But it's a long story. I hope you can listen to it patiently."”
"What?" Orton was stunned.
"Once upon a time, there was a boy who had an ordinary but warm family. His parents were just ordinary farmers. One should not steal, steal, be envious, or be jealous of others, because the world was fair. As long as one studied hard, one could change one's fate with one's own hands.”
Hearing this, Orton was a little impatient because the story was too ordinary and had nothing to do with what they were going to talk about today.
" The boy followed his parents 'education and studied hard. From elementary school to university, his grades were always the best. The boy's dream was to have a good job after graduation so that his parents could be proud. At the same time, he would display his talents and contribute to the construction of his hometown, creating happiness for more people.”
" Then, with his own hard work, the boy successfully got a good job. He worked hard at his post, more serious and diligent than anyone else, hoping to get the recognition and promotion of his superiors. However, he did not know how to flatter, nor did he know how to wag his tail and beg for mercy. His family did not have the money to give him gifts either. Therefore, he stayed in the same post for five years. For the entire five years, he was just a handyman who was ordered around. As for those colleagues who got in through the back door and spent their days idling around without doing anything... They have all become his leaders."
" Two years later, in order to give the boy a wife and children, the whole family took out all their savings and bought a house in the city for the boy. However, as soon as they moved into the new house, the boy's father was sent to the hospital due to overwork. He stayed in the hospital corridor for more than a week, but he did not get a ward. However, the patients who arrived later than them had already completed the admission procedures through gifts and their own connections. They were admitted to the ward of the department and received more comprehensive treatment. However, the boy's father…"
Brian turned around. Although his expression was still calm, tears were silently dripping from his eyes onto the deck.
"What happened to the boy's father?" Orton vaguely felt that this story might be related to Brian, but Brian's parents were in the navy, and his grandfather was also in the navy, which was completely inconsistent with this story.
"The boy's father passed away the next year because he delayed the best treatment time. From then on, the boy began to question his worldview and values. At the same time, he hated his own incompetence.”
" This..." Orton did not know how to answer.
"So, do you think it's ridiculous to talk about love and equality and justice without experiencing despair and cruelty?”
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