Abyss Solo

"This station's reporter brings you the midday news:

"The Earl's death case continues to ferment. In the past six Galaxy Times, there have been over twelve thousand incidents of conflict between nobles and peasants within the Empire. Currently, more than 160,000 people have been injured in this unrest, and 7,232 have died.

"A spokesperson for the Imperial Elder Council has called for restraint from the Empire's noble class.

"The Imperial Military Department has announced a nationwide Second Level readiness state, and local reserve soldiers have already begun assembly procedures to maintain local security.

"The chairman of the Dominicos United Union publicly commented, saying the White Ghost's refusal to follow the Empire's orders to plunder Dominicos Star is just and aligns with the Empire's long-term interests. The White Ghost's political abilities far exceed those of most Empire officials and politicians, and the Dominicans are forever grateful to the White Ghost.

"The Empire rebel organization has expressed concern over incidents of noble oppression of peasants in the Empire and has threatened to punish those individual nobles who oppress the peasants.

"The leader of this organization, Catherine, is about to issue an official statement..."

Beep.

The projection screen in front of Yang Ming was directly pressed off by a jade-like finger.

Boss Yang looked up at Daphne.

"A wise girlfriend would never interrupt her boyfriend watching political news."

"Hanton!"

Daphne couldn't help but raise her hand to her forehead.

"With things already at this point, if they can't control it, they will certainly resort to some tough measures. The Empire painstakingly pursued policies respecting public opinion for so many years, which might change, and it will affect billions of citizens then!"

Yang Ming spread his hands: "But, what can you expect me to do?"

"You started the fire!"

"I can only admit that initially, I indeed intended to use public opinion to pressure your family," Yang Ming said calmly, "Among the tens of thousands of initial sparks, only one was ignited by me, but now, this empire-burning fire has nothing to do with me."

"Did you kill that old guy?"

"This has absolutely nothing to do with me."

Yang Ming explained to Daphne seriously:

"If I had arranged for someone to do it, such a big slip-up couldn't possibly be left, allowing the officials a chance to explain it."

"I guess the Earl's autopsy report is already out, was it poisoning?"

Daphne stared at Yang Ming with a complex gaze, speaking in a low voice: "The cause of death was the malfunction of his brain chip."

"Auxiliary chip?"

"Many nobles lower their happiness threshold by installing adjustment chips in their brains," Daphne explained, "If you're not lying, then indeed this has nothing to do with you; it wasn't poisoning, it was the irregular discharge of the auxiliary chip causing his brain's death. The sudden hallucination leading him to the street, including those plebeian remarks, were all caused by this microchip."

"No way," Yang Ming puzzled, "Are the nobles insane? Actively chipping their own brains?"

Daphne retorted: "They indulge from a young age, making their perception of pleasure increasingly blunt. This isn't uncommon."

"Then the officials should just announce the cause of death."

"They announced it, but it's useless."

"Why?"

Daphne, full of headaches, held her forehead: "Because it's too late, before the official press conference, new conflicts are already breaking out everywhere, hundreds of nobles have been beaten or injured, thousands of civilian casualties, tens of thousands arrested."

"See," Yang Ming spread his hands, "The main reason for the current situation being out of control is the officials' slowness. The underlying reason is thousands of years of class conflict pressed internally in the Empire. The secondary reason is foreign force agitation; the superficial reason stems from the Sherman family's inherent arrogance and recklessness... What does this have to do with me?"

"You!"

Daphne almost choked with anger.

Yang Ming squinted and smiled, leaning back on the sofa, patting his thigh.

"Come, sit down and talk."

He was apparently in a very good mood, already starting to joke with Daphne.

Normally, Daphne would likely play along with Yang Ming. They've played this flirting game before, usually ending with Yang Ming putting the brakes on.

But today, Daphne was truly not in the mood.

She walked to Yang Ming, sat on the edge of the sofa, and whispered:

"Hanton, you have feelings for the Empire, and so do I. Although I crave power and wish those people would respect me, I cannot sit by and watch the Empire collapse.

"Only you can now stabilize public sentiment. Uncle Eno and the sober-minded individuals in our family all hope you can step forward.

"They definitely won't treat you badly."

Yang Ming almost laughed aloud.

"Daphne?"

"What?"

"Do you think I'm clueless or have a screw loose?" Yang Ming pointed to the sky, "The Dreadnought is pointing at me, yet they let me do this and that."

"Some of the Stubborn Faction don't want to yield to you," Daphne said, "But rest assured, three sets of operators are already on standby next to the Dreadnought's fire button, and the fire button has been locked. They're just posturing, asking you for a favor."

Yang Ming said calmly, "They want me to give them face and help them find substance; isn't that too much to ask?"

"Hanton, it's not just about civilian protests anymore," Daphne urged, "On planets that already have sharp conflicts, the noble and peasant classes are already in direct opposition, with violent events now counted by the second."