Abyss Solo

Yang Ming:...

"Let some of it in appropriately," Yang Ming said, "it's good to use land finance to handle emergencies. Are we still financially stable?"

"But boss, that can easily lead to an economic bubble, and with the mismatch in population growth, it could result in lots of unfinished buildings."

Lyu laughed:

"Governor Godoy applied for a huge amount of relief for Saka Star, and the public donations here have already reached hundreds of billions of Empire Coins.

"This isn't a donation we initiated; most of it is due to your influence.

"A small part of it is somewhat peculiar.

"We can now fully absorb talent using high-tech industries. I've already started preparing this type of group industry."

Yang Ming asked, "What's the small part about?"

"Daphne, the Imperial Songstress," Lyu couldn't help but raise his hand to rub his forehead, "boss, you've been focusing on the war over at Luofeng, so I haven't had the chance to report this little matter to you. This princess really has a knack for it."

"What's the situation?"

"She debuted," said Lyu, half laughing and crying, "and in just half a year, she became a nationwide idol, with the Imperial Sweetheart's impact being very impressive."

Yang Ming paused for a moment, "The royal family allows it? They don't mind?"

"At first, Daphne was interfered with by the royal family. I heard she was even under house arrest for some time, as it was considered damaging to royal dignity.

"But Daphne somehow managed to persuade her father, the Old Emperor publicly praised Daphne, saying she was... enjoying with the people, and then the public opinion quickly shifted."

Lyu clicked his tongue:

"In all the talk shows Daphne has participated in, she mentions you, saying she was inspired by you to use her voice to convey love and peace. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦•𝘯𝘦𝘵

"Just piggybacking on the White Ghost's popularity.

"She called for nationwide attention to the few planets most affected by insect infestations, which had some positive effect, and Princess Daphne also plans to hold several personal concerts on Saka Star in the coming months to support the construction here."

Yang Ming:...

"It's a good thing, I suppose," he said with a sigh, looking up at the blue sky and white clouds above.

Lyu laughed, "Although we can't yet achieve complete planetary climate improvement, we can now ensure local air quality and oxygen levels. We've made new discoveries in this planet's crust."

"What new discovery?"

"Two full sets of large-scale Planet Transformation Systems, products from two thousand years ago, are assumed to be remnants from Saka Star's initial development, which took hundreds of years to adjust the molecular ratio of the atmosphere gases into a human-friendly environment, modifying airborne microorganisms.

"These machines have excellent composite materials designed to withstand various harsh environments. I cobbled together parts and successfully restored one system's operational functions.

"Saved a huge amount, indeed!"

Yang Ming chuckled silently, looking at the solid-state display screen in front of him with Godoy's face, now showing a bit more wrinkles, and slightly raised an eyebrow.

"Boss, do you want to meet with Governor Godoy?"

"Not for now, let's head back to Luofeng," Yang Ming lifted the Stealth Boat and sped towards the planet's outer orbit.

The battered Space Port has restored some functions, at least it can handle passenger and cargo transfer, serving as a transportation hub for Saka Star.

Pretty good overall.

"How are things on Catherine's side?"

"Her organization now has over three thousand people, secretly expanding in the peripheral zone of the Empire."

Lyu laughed:

"I've secretly helped her a few times.

"But she's very cautious this time, established her own communication network, and already cooperated with the intelligence department of the Free Federation."

"Rest assured, boss, she hasn't shown her face. Everything is conducted remotely offline, only a tiny fraction originally knows Catherine is the leader of this uprising organization."

Yang Ming asked, "I mean, has she sent me any messages or something?"

"Ah, I reply to them on your behalf daily, just sweet nothings and such."

Yang Ming turned and glared at this guy, "You're handling my love life too? How am I supposed to feel involved?"

"Well, hehe," Lyu gave an innocent grin, "Your intelligent replies, that's me, this Mechanical Thought Body replying. It's the rule you set."

Yang Ming made a move to hit, and Lyu quickly covered his head and squatted down, the entire action was smooth.

"Don't handle these things for me in the future!"

"Got it! Boss, don't be angry."

Yang Ming shook his head and asked about the situation within the Empire.

Revelle was becoming increasingly active, building a good network, and even established the 'Imperial Nobles Ghost Support Association', recruiting many Little Nobles as members.

The Imperial Defense System, which made Lyu most apprehensive, and her predecessor, remained quiet.

The first batch of war reparations from the New Federation had already been delivered to the Empire, making it the biggest political event within the Empire in the past year.

As for many interstellar organizations condemning the Empire for launching an expedition, it wasn't even considered news within the Empire.

The Empire had plenty of other areas to be condemned.

The Stealth Boat returned to the tail hangar of the East Wind, and Yang Ming indulged in the hot meat stew brought by 026, quickly regaining his mental state.

"Come, let's study what we can extract from this United Kingdom."

026 whispered, "Boss, should we also bring Han Yin and Han Xiang along?"

"Those two have Emperor Star backgrounds, not suitable to enter my core team, let them continue on Saka Star as officials, focusing on construction."

026 nodded quickly.

She was merely asking for the two sisters.

...

Edwan looked at the military report before him, raising his hand to rub his brow.

In front of him stood several representatives from the Military Department and a few ministers from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, most of them looking grave.

Several generals reported solemnly:

"This Nonar United Kingdom is not giving up their ambitions; there is evidently a force backing them, which we suspect is the New Federation."

"In the past three months, they have added eighty-two main battleships and three hundred sixty different types of auxiliary warships, significantly replenishing their previously lost combat strength, and they are actively learning from their previous defeat, conducting tactical exercises."

"They are expanding their personnel through contracted soldiers; it's said that there is also a large influx of interstellar mercenary ships joining their battle lineup."

"What mercenaries, I think it's just that bunch of bastards from the New Federation!"

"Generals," Edwan said softly, "how is our preparation for war?"

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, with General Leon's artful command, we have confidence in defeating any invading enemies."

"However, Your Majesty... this time, we must resolve firmly, if we win, we should occupy their territory and force immediate reparations, as there is not a trace of the compensation promised from the last peace talks."

A Minister of Internal Affairs said in a low voice, "Moreover, Your Majesty, although our ship production lines are running at full capacity, the output is always limited, and even with the Empire's fully automated shipbuilding technology, it still takes four months to build six six-hundred-meter-class gunships and star patrol ships... our war potential is significantly constrained by our industrial base, seriously inadequate to sustain a long-term war."

"Your Majesty, can we not purchase some warships from the Sherman Empire? Even request their military support, we still have ample budget."

Edwan smiled wryly: "Do you really think it's the New Federation behind Nonar?"

A general whispered: "Indeed, this point is puzzling for us. According to data from our spy detectors, their new ships are mostly... in the usual style of the Sherman Empire."

"Our mode of alliance to expand territory might have touched Sherman Empire's red line."

Edwan sighed softly:

"However, this situation was also within our consideration, now that this battle has reached this stage, there's no intention to retreat, as long as we can crush their second wave, we can establish a foothold in the nearby Star Domain."

"The approach is wrong."

Laughter suddenly came from the side.

Edwan perked up and turned towards the source of the voice.

There, a Mechanical Guard held a small holographic projection in its palm, showing Yang Ming, the Earl of Luofeng Empire and confidant of the Emperor, smiling in a chair.

"Your Majesty, we need to change our mindset, we can't always be on the defensive.

"This battle cannot be one of passive defense, that would make us too passive."

Edwan suddenly felt much more at ease, he smiled: "How do you plan to fight it?"

"Strategically passive defense, tactically active offense," Yang Ming gently raised an eyebrow, "I've already sent a spy team to infiltrate their territory, I will discuss the detailed plan when I return, no need to worry too much."

Edwan shrugged slightly: "I've always thought Wind would weather this crisis smoothly."

"Of course," Yang Ming laughed, "maybe we can even make a fortune."