Cannon fodder in the Interstellar

“The stationed forces on Topaz Star generally only reach the level of Tier 4 warriors; only the soldiers in the Mecha Battalion have higher training. However, those soldiers are also the hardest to control. In a place like this, no discipline works better than brute strength—you need to subdue them first if you want to accomplish anything after that,” Lin Changfeng explained, slowly summarizing the situation within the Topaz Star military.

Ruo Manni understood that Lin Changfeng was teaching her how to handle her subordinates. Although she had already received training in such matters, she listened carefully, knowing that each person has unique insights, and this was also an act of sincere guidance from her elder.

The past six months since graduating from the First Military Academy of Xuan Gu had not gone to waste. Together with Hua Deli, Ruo Manni was placed by Hua Deyu in the Hua De family’s Third Corps, where they underwent an intensive “Officer Fast-Track” program. This training bridged their academic knowledge with the practical realities of leading troops—an education only available in military families like the Hua De.

For those without such a background, much of this understanding must be gained through years of gradual experience in the ranks, which can take decades to truly master.

The First Prince dared to entrust Lin Changfeng with the role of military and political commander of a critical strategic star not just because he was a loyalist but also because Lin himself came from a military family. Though still young, he had proven his capability.

Ruo Manni’s timing could not have been better. The captain of the Third Company of the Mecha Battalion in the regiment stationed outside Baili City was retiring due to age, leaving a vacancy that had been handed to her, effectively bypassing the expected promotion of the current vice-captain.

It was clear that as a young woman, not even an adult, who was placed directly into this position—especially with the vice-captain as a potential “rival”—Ruo Manni would face significant challenges and hostility.

At a minimum, most of the camp’s personnel would resist following her lead, and she would likely face a series of provocations.

In truth, there was a simple solution: Lin Changfeng could have easily reassigned the vice-captain to another position. But he believed that if Ruo Manni wanted to gain authority and establish her presence swiftly, using the vice-captain as a target to set an example would be the most effective approach.

Not only did Ruo Manni possess the strength to surpass almost everyone on Topaz Star, but she also had extensive knowledge and the guidance of her elders. With confidence in her abilities, Ruo Manni wasn’t afraid of the challenges awaiting her.

“I’ve kept your return to Topaz Star under wraps so that no one outside knows about it. Those people won’t know your background. So, at first, avoid using your true identity. Once you’ve gained their respect, then reveal who you are—it should be quite effective. Your status should serve you well here on Topaz Star,” Lin Changfeng concluded.

“Yes, people outside are already calling Manni our little princess of Topaz Star,” Fang Yaxi said with a fond smile, genuinely feeling that Manni lived up to the title.

“I know my current reputation here is all thanks to your efforts to build it up, Uncle Lin,” Ruo Manni replied.

As she was preparing to return to Topaz Star from the capital planet, Ruo Manni had taken every opportunity to research Topaz Star’s recent events, wanting to get a quick overview of its current state.

That was when she noticed the numerous news stories about her on Topaz Star, painting her in an almost mythical light.

News coverage about her had first begun after her stunning performance at the Youth Elite Competition a year prior, which had shown the people of Topaz Star that their planet had produced a prodigy renowned across the entire Gumera Star Region.

Although it had since been revealed that this brilliant young woman was the eldest daughter of an elite family from the capital, to the people of Topaz Star, she had still grown up there. She had risen to fame by entering the First Military Academy of Xuan Gu straight from Topaz Star, and no one would dispute that she was a talent nurtured by their own planet.

Gradually, news on Topaz Star began delving into Ruo Manni’s dramatic backstory. They speculated on how her royal connections likely brought Topaz Star preferential treatment and resources, improving life for the common people over the past few years.

These reports gave detailed examples of Topaz Star’s recent progress, and Ruo Manni could see they were true. It made her suspect that these details were leaked by insiders.

The greatest beneficiary of this publicity was undoubtedly Ruo Manni herself. With such repeated coverage, nearly everyone on Topaz Star now saw her as a highly capable, grateful, and dutiful prodigy.

Several agencies on Topaz Star conducted public opinion polls over the past year, showing that Ruo Manni’s approval rating among residents was over 91%.

For politicians, such a high approval rating would be enviable—any public official with such support would have no shortage of opportunities for promotion.

King Adam and the Crown Prince, both deeply committed to the development of the Gus Empire, had popularity ratings around 71% for the King and about 75% for the Crown Prince, owing to his combination of good looks and competence.

Compared to them, it was clear just how popular Ruo Manni was on Topaz Star.

Ruo Manni suspected that someone was intentionally boosting her reputation to help her gain widespread recognition.

A year ago, she hadn’t yet informed anyone about her plan to return to Topaz Star. The Hua De family wouldn’t have reached all the way here to run a publicity campaign for her.

Thus, she concluded that it must have been Lin Changfeng behind it all, as this move also benefited him.

The news reports explicitly stated that Ruo Manni’s adoptive father on Topaz Star was Lin Changfeng, and people naturally attributed some of Ruo Manni’s success to his influence.

As Ruo Manni’s popularity soared, Lin Changfeng’s approval ratings rose as well. In the latest public opinion poll, his support had climbed to 78%.

Three years ago, when Lin Changfeng first took office, some slanderous news from his predecessor surfaced, and although it was quickly suppressed, it had affected his reputation to some degree.

However, due to his background and the Crown Prince’s open support, Lin Changfeng maintained an approval rate of around 60% within the military. But the general public, less aware of these internal matters, only gave him about 20% support when he first took on the role of Military and Civil Commander. This low rating had been a strong point of attack for his opposition on Topaz Star.

If not for the Crown Prince’s strong backing and the economic growth Lin Changfeng had spurred on Topaz Star, his approval ratings wouldn’t have risen gradually, and the opposition might have removed him from power by now.

“I didn’t do it for you; it was for myself. Since news about you broke on Topaz Star, the opposition voices against me have vanished,” Lin Changfeng said candidly.

“But the one who benefited most is me,” Ruo Manni said with a smile.

She suspected that Lin Changfeng’s large-scale efforts had the Crown Prince’s support and guidance. After all, the Crown Prince needed Lin Changfeng to firmly secure control over Topaz Star’s military and civil authority.

This approach, winning the people’s genuine support, was the best way to unify the military and civilian population in the face of impending war.