Abyss Solo

Lyu chuckled, "I will soon go and decipher the things Li left for me. There might be some clues in there, but the preparation work will take about two weeks. Our influence on Yaha Star is too weak."

"Then we'll wait two weeks."

Yang Ming clapped his hands and announced:

"Alright, today's meeting will wrap up here for now. Everyone should know what to do next.

"I will soon return to the Sherman Empire, use the existing connections to approach the Military Intelligence Bureau, and understand the internal structure of the Foreign Affairs Bureau through them.

"026, come back to Saka Star with me."

"Okay, boss!"

"As you wish, my great father."

"But," 026 asked softly, "what exactly are we supposed to do next?"

Lyu and Dabichi both looked over simultaneously.

Yang Ming felt slightly choked.

...

Military Intelligence Bureau.

The Sherman Empire's intelligence agency, long criticized, remains a deadweight for the Sherman Empire's Military Department.

Currently, there is a rising star in the Imperial Military Intelligence Bureau—Major General Atro.

Atro and Yang Ming's connection dates back a long time. He is one of the young people chosen by the Emperor, with a retired but powerful backer from the military department. Whenever Atro encounters an insurmountable problem, he sings that song 'Where is the Magical Third Uncle.'

Yang Ming and Atro's private friendship has always been decent, which is why Yang Ming considers him a major investment 'friend.'

Now, it's time for Atro to step up.

Before heading to Intelligent Mechanic Dusk, Yang Ming had Lyu send a few messages to Atro under the alias White Ghost, reminding him to be wary of the New Federation CIA's activities.

Now it just so happened to be a good opening topic.

Yang Ming took the initiative to send a text message, chatted with Atro a bit, and then Atro proposed an encrypted call to discuss something significant.

'Could this guy have noticed something strange between Wind and me?'

Yang Ming was indeed a little apprehensive.

After all, Atro has a Third Uncle behind him.

The call connected, and Atro appeared in the projection, looking exhausted with dark circles under his eyes, and sighed at Yang Ming.

"Oh, Hanton, you look quite well."

"Mm-hmm," Yang Ming shrugged with a light laugh, "Resting in the territory does indeed make you look and feel refreshed. What are you busy with?"

"Various affairs of the Military Intelligence Bureau," Atro instinctively glanced left and right.

He was in a villa, his recent workplace, with a piece of women's lingerie hanging on the chair behind him—probably a battle armor unintentionally left behind from prior engagements.

Atro complained, "I'm being targeted, Hanton, just like how you were targeted by the Great Elder."

Yang Ming asked knowingly, "Why?"

"The generals of the military department think I am the Emperor's person and deliberately want to hinder my promotion, which makes me feel very uncomfortable. My Third Uncle also said that the military has its own ecosystem, suggesting that I should climb step by step and not rush to seek power."

Atro rubbed his brow in frustration:

"But Hanton, you should know, the Emperor places high hopes on us. The Emperor's intention is for me to control the Military Intelligence Bureau in ten years and complete the reforms of the Bureau.

"That means, in the next few years, I have to seize control of the Military Intelligence Bureau; otherwise, the reforms won't even start!"

Yang Ming laughed, "Why don't you cry to the Emperor about it."

"Oh, I've really thought about your idea," Atro gave a wry smile, "but such an incompetent display would surely disappoint the Emperor, so I can only find my own way."

"You mentioned something urgent just now," Yang Ming asked, "what is it?"

"It's about you, Hanton."

Atro lowered his voice:

"You know, now I am in charge of domestic intelligence sorting, responsible for building an intelligence organization that monitors various departments domestically.

"This actually amounts to holding real power, but it's one of those positions where you have to put in a lot of hard work to gain a slight hold of authority, which is far from what I imagined. I've always wanted to sit in a seaside office, basking in the sun, watching assistants running on the beach, spending a little time each day handling official duties, and having the entire Military Intelligence Bureau under my control... Hey! Hanton! What's that expression of yours?"

Yang Ming: "A fool's expression."

"Hahaha! I also know I'm dreaming foolishly, but think about it, we are the Emperor's chosen ones! Isn't that enough?"

Atro's mood visibly improved:

"Alright, let's get down to business, those nobles are still plotting against you and your Saka Star.

"I haven't got precise details on how they plan to operate, but I've learned that this time, several old princes, who usually stay out of sight, have come forward to impose some minor punishment from the Sherman lineage upon you.

"They're trying to make you bow to the Imperial Nobles, Hanton. You need to be mentally prepared."

"And most likely, they want Princess Daphne—this beautiful princess, who has become the dream lover of countless young Imperial Nobles—to make a move on you during her tour on Saka Star."

Yang Ming raised an eyebrow slightly.

A tour?

He had heard Lyu mention it, but hadn't really paid it any mind.

Yang Ming chuckled, "Let them come, I won't be as gentle as last time."

"Alright then, hahaha, the last time you hacked so many resources, it almost made those old nobles spit blood. The Imperial Great Nobles are now more united than ever, thanks to you."

Atro stretched lazily:

"Alright, esteemed Mr. White Ghost, I've finished my report."

"Do you have any instructions or advice? I'm happy to provide some intelligence support, as long as it doesn't involve confidential information from my side."

Yang Ming felt a slight stir in his heart, almost blurting out to ask Atro about the structure of the Foreign Affairs Bureau.

No, asking now would make this guy overthink things.

"Nothing else," Yang Ming said gently, "I'm just a small lord on Saka Star, not interested in these matters."

"You're quite relaxed," Atro blinked, "Princess Daphne is said to be the most beautiful Imperial Princess in three thousand years, and she's reportedly very interested in you. Are you... hmm?"

Yang Ming laughed, "I never trust the chastity views of Imperial Nobles."

"That's narrow-minded, you're too narrow."

"Get lost, be careful Captain Catherine doesn't appear behind you with her Ship-Slicing Blade."

Atro shuddered a few times, and said guiltily, "You won't tell Captain Catherine about our chat, will you?"

"Depends on your performance."

Yang Ming ended the communication, grinning to the side.

While chatting with Atro, he had already thought about how to naturally inquire about the Foreign Affairs Bureau.

First, he had to make the Foreign Affairs Bureau famous, sparking topics and discussions.

"Lyu?"

"Here!"

Lyu popped out wearing an evening dress, with light makeup on her face.

Yang Ming, about to give an order, paused, puzzled, "Going to date some Mechanical Thought Body?"

"Uh, no, I'm just establishing a tangible reserve image," Lyu blinked, "As long as you give the word, Boss, I can create hundreds of simulation entities!"

"Save your resources, what's so good about entities?" Yang Ming smiled, "Let's get to work, bribe a few renowned scholars within the New Federation to write some analyses on the Imperial Foreign Affairs Bureau."

"Analysis?" Lyu was puzzled.

"Yes, introduce how important this department is to the Empire, emphasize the support and boost from the annual silver of the vassal states to the Empire, and highlight the damage caused to various vassal states."

Yang Ming spoke softly:

"These articles can focus on criticizing the issues of the Imperial Affiliated Countries, just create a... yeah, something like the Sherman Affiliated Countries Human Rights Investigation."

"Let it ferment on the interstellar network first, then spread it on the Empire's internal network. It's best to make this issue hotly debated, sparking widespread discussion."

"That way, it will be convenient for our next actions."

"I sort of understand," Lyu hummed a few notes, "I'll arrange it, but it will take some time, about a week or so." Check latest chapters at 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡~𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢~𝙣𝙚𝙩

"No rush, our assassination squad won't be fully formed for another three months anyway. Take your time," Yang Ming smiled, "First, let the Foreign Affairs Bureau become famous, maybe it will shake out some big fish."

Lyu asked, "We actually have some explosive news—the Foreign Affairs Bureau replacing the Vassal Emperor."

"No need for now," Yang Ming said, "That's a trump card to be revealed at a critical moment when we break with the Empire. If we use it now, its effectiveness will diminish."

"Understood!"

"Go ahead... also, evening dresses don't suit you much. I personally prefer a sweeter style," Yang Ming raised an eyebrow. Lyu pouted, muttered, and her projection vanished instantly.

Making the Foreign Affairs Bureau famous is just the first step.

Yang Ming began to ponder deeply over how he could thoroughly understand the Foreign Affairs Bureau's bottom line and formulate subsequent plans...

Buzz, buzz!

Yang Ming's daily network access terminal vibrated slightly, displaying a beautiful avatar with blonde hair and blue eyes.

Daphne?