Chapter 988 - 392: Meeting Turmoil
"Fighting against the Insect Swarm is not like facing the coalition of the three major powers. What we need is firepower and defensive capabilities, not so-called advanced avionics. We can deploy all kinds of old warships that we have stored away. We indeed have the capacity to launch a blocking battle against the Swarm beyond the second line of defense!"
"The structural layout of the Empire's Star Domain is Emperor Star - Emperor Star Circle - Pan-Emperor Star Circle Economic Zone - Peripheral Ordinary Administrative Star, with the last option being a strategic buffer zone."
"If the insect swarm simultaneously invades most political entities in the Milky Way... Given the current distribution of the Swarm, they've integrated six major Swarms, which will attack human civilization in the Milky Way from four directions. The Empire is likely to face two major Swarms! If we intercept them on the periphery, what consequences would that lead to? The Swarm would increase their forces, and they would inevitably mobilize more high-rank Insect Races into the Empire's territory, subjecting us to additional pressure."
"Everyone, please fully consider the Empire's position in the galaxy post-insect swarm. As long as Emperor Star Circle and the Pan-Emperor Star Circle Economic Zone remain intact, our position will be incredibly secure!"
"I oppose the main plan! Abandoning the people is not something we military personnel should do!"
"We must advance the main plan. Preserving the core strength of the Empire is our main reason for remaining unbeatable in the Milky Way!"
The venue grew increasingly chaotic.
Yang Ming had figured it out, these three plans had hidden intricacies.
Empire soldiers, from soldiers to generals, retain that fervor, and they actually prefer to engage in interception wars at the Empire's borders to protect every inch of the Empire's land.
The nobles and elders of the Empire, on the other hand, demand the protection of the Empire's core prosperous regions, letting ordinary administrative stars fend for themselves.
They are gambling on the chance that the Insect Race will not widely disperse their advance. If they win the bet, the Empire has great odds of winning, and the Emperor Star Circle would relatively have a higher security guarantee.
What is the attitude of the highest echelons of power in the Empire?
Most likely a compromise.
If Yang Ming's guess is correct, both sides will gradually reach a consensus amidst the argument and then implement alternative plan one.
For the ordinary administrative stars, abandon some, protect some;
Fully guard the Emperor Star Circle.
The Empire has precedent for such actions, with sparsely populated, economically poor planets being sacrificed.
Last time the entire Empire encountered a Fourth Rank Insect Swarm, Levi fleet, the core combat force of the Empire, didn't even show up to fight.
This somewhat reflects the will of the Sherman family elite ruling faction.
Emperor Star Circle...
No wonder young people in the Empire fight to get into the Emperor Star Circle, even if it means becoming the bottom tier of society in these prosperous regions, subject to exploitation from all directions; while those born in the remote areas of the Empire, even someone like Godoy Saka, a Little Noble, are never truly considered human by the Empire.
The constant decline in the Empire's population isn't just a social issue like the siphon effect of big cities.
The status of one's birth, the oppression of class, are problems the Empire cannot solve even in the interstellar era.
"What will the New Federation do?"
Yang Ming suddenly spoke, with just a simple question causing the entire room to fall silent again.
Yang Ming calmly said, "What is the New Federation's plan?"
The crowd fell silent once more.
Admiral Thomas spoke softly, "As far as we know, they're conducting a terminal defense for regions, abandoning agricultural stars, resource stars, and old industrial planets. Forty percent of the military forces will protect Minter City, with local defense forces gathering in regions, and they'll evacuate as many civilians who may suffer from insect disasters into protected areas as possible."
Yang Ming spread his hands, "Is it so hard to copy their homework?"
"Knight Hanton," an elder said calmly, "I must remind you, we are not the hypocritical New Federation. Their so-called protected areas are just the ruling party's fixed support base."
"Knight Hanton, if you don't have a solution, then please remain silent at today's meeting."
"How do you know I don't have a solution?"
Yang Ming countered, causing several elders and nobles to frown.
Yang Ming gave a confident smile.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I was the one who gave the insect swarm warning, do you think I don't have a response plan? Look at this."
He pointed to his Knight insignia.
"I now represent the great and wise His Majesty, so you'd better show me some respect."
A group of elders was momentarily speechless, with the faces of several old nobles turning as red as liver.