Chapter 987 - 392: Meeting Turmoil
A swarm of insects, shrouding the planets like dark clouds, gathers near the Constant Star, making many old nobles shiver and feel uneasy.
The meeting venue maintained a serious atmosphere, and the first agenda item quickly followed its course.
The committee's list was predetermined, and Yang Ming was one of the thirty-six formal members of the committee, with the power to initiate proposals subsequently.
He originally felt quite emotional.
——The Empire is finally beginning to show its efficient side.
This serious atmosphere, the image of various departments of the Empire uniting as one, made his blood boil a little.
Then... that boiling blood quickly fizzled out.
Admiral Thomas announced that the meeting would enter the second stage.
The main plan and backup plans to deal with the insect swarm had been drafted in advance by the Military Department and the Elder Court and required approval through discussion by the committee.
Yang Ming roughly summarized that there were actually three plans or options, and the difference between the plans was only in the position of the defense line.
The main plan, currently deemed the most feasible, is to lure a large number of the Insect Swarm to gather outside the Emperor Star Circle, and then focus the Empire's fleet firepower to annihilate the swarm.
Backup Plan 1 involves pushing the battle line further out to protect economically developed planets outside the Emperor Star Circle.
Backup Plan 2 is to intercept the Insect Swarm at the Empire's borders.
Almost sixty percent of those present agreed with the main plan; ten percent agreed with Backup Plan 1, and twenty percent suggested Backup Plan 2.
Boss Yang almost cursed.
It felt as if the residents of the Empire's ordinary Administrative Stars, sprawled across the vast range from the Empire's borders to the Emperor Star Circle, weren't considered human?
When it came to the committee's discussion session, Yang Ming spoke directly:
"The main plan suggests we abandon forty percent of the current population? The local defense forces are to be withdrawn as well?"
Admiral Thomas sighed, lowered his head, and sat down without speaking.
An elder took the initiative to explain:
"Knight Hanton, you should consider this issue from another perspective."
"Then give me a perspective."
"Alright."
This elder was visibly prepared and explained unhurriedly:
"First, this is a war between civilizations, a war between two dominant species; it can't be delineated by the gain or loss of a single Administrative Star.
"Second, the Insect Swarm will undoubtedly prioritize attacking the most prosperous Emperor Star Circle. Just like last time, the offensive initiated by the large Mother Worm was aimed directly at the Emperor Star. They possess an extremely high level of civilization and know how to extinguish a civilization. In this tier of warfare, we can't cruelly expect to guarantee that every citizen of the Empire remains unharmed.
"Third, we must concentrate our superior firepower. This insect disaster is unprecedented in thousands of years, possibly more devastating than we can imagine. Gathering all our forces is the best means of countering the insect swarm.
"This is the best tactic derived from the Military Department after opening the Empire's tens of thousands of years of military database. Instead of scattering our forces to be incrementally consumed, we might as well converge and engage in a decisive battle with the Insect Race.
"Were we to extend the battle line, placing all military forces at the borders, our core area would be directly exposed to the threat posed by the Insect Swarm. Their transition capability outmatches that of our fleet.
"Fourth, and most importantly, the Insect Swarm will first annihilate our military forces before moving on to massacre civilians.
"Statement concluded."
Yang Ming nodded, pondered for a few seconds, and just asked: "The fourth point, how did you arrive at that conclusion?"
The elder pondered for a moment and said: "It should be like that, just like when we went to war with the New Federation."
"However," a general couldn't help but speak up, "in the models and projections we've made, there is a sixty percent chance the Insect Race will adopt a strategy of advancing along the entire border. Their numbers are overwhelming; they are very likely to slaughter hundreds of stars simultaneously, then gradually concentrate inward."
An elder retorted: "How did the General come to this conclusion?"
"I just mentioned, from model simulation," the general frowned, "Model and projection conditions are based on precious data accumulated over tens of thousands of years by the Empire, an advantage unmatched by other polities."
An elder immediately said: "That's only a sixty percent possibility. Forty percent is not low. If we scatter our military forces, and the opponent's main force strikes directly at the Emperor Star, what would the consequences be? Has anyone considered this?"
Yang Ming said: "The consequence would be the Emperor Star activating its secret weapon to directly defeat the opponent... Are you all questioning the firepower deployment around the Emperor Star?"
Several generals smiled.
Following this, a fierce verbal battle ensued between the Military Department and the Elder Court.
"Everyone has seen the numbers of the Insect Race. If we forcibly try to defend the entire domain, we will inevitably have to rob Peter to pay Paul in the end!"
"But if we only defend the Emperor Star Circle and the Insect Race chooses to slaughter our ordinary Administrative Stars, are we sure our troops won't mutiny? Everyone, eighty percent of the Empire's military personnel come from outside the Emperor Star Circle, nearly all branches have this ratio."
"The Empire's territory is so vast that if the Insect Swarm focuses on attacking the strongest within the Milky Way, support from other countries will be nearly zero."
"In the face of an insect swarm of this scale, what we have to think about is getting the Empire through this alive."
"Is it the Empire that survives or your families and assets, elders, that survive?"
"We are discussing matters concerning the Empire's life and death. What exactly is the Military Department's agenda! Are you trying to place the Emperor Star in danger?"