Shire politely invited Miyamoto Jiro into the meeting room and had the serviceman serve coffee and fruit.
"Mr. Ming Yuan," Shire leisurely stirred his coffee and asked Miyamoto Jiro, who sat upright opposite him, "Are you affiliated with the Navy or the Army?"
Embassy military officers are usually military-savvy officers, and naturally, there is a distinction between Navy and Army.
"Navy, Vice Admiral," Miyamoto Jiro replied respectfully, "attached to the First Fleet."
Shire uttered an "Oh" and then his face darkened: "So, you contacted the Minister of the Navy because of that? Mr. Ming Yuan, do you look down on me for being in the Army?"
Miyamoto Jiro was startled and quickly stood up to bow: "I'm terribly sorry, Vice Admiral. Because we were discussing the naval shipbuilding plan, I contacted the Minister of the Navy, not meaning to disrespect you... I'm very sorry! Please forgive me!"
Miyamoto Jiro maintained his bowed posture, hardly daring to breathe.
