Abyss Solo

After Yang Ming ended the communication with Director Eno, before he could change into formal attire, several messages popped up one after another.

[The Imperial Military Department held an emergency press conference, announcing that previously the department had been infiltrated by foreign forces. The prior spokesperson of the department read an erroneous statement at an incorrect time, deeply hurting the simple emotions of Empire hero White Ghost and the Empire's populace.

The department has detained the responsible persons awaiting trial and has identified two senior agents of the New Federation.

Additionally, the Imperial Military Intelligence Bureau has confirmed the unrest within the Empire has an inseparable connection to the instigation by foreign forces.

The Empire hopes its citizens will remain rational and restrained.

At the same time, the military department has dispatched over six hundred work teams to closely monitor the radical actions of the Imperial Nobles to ensure the legal rights of military families are not infringed upon by the unrest.]

This efficiency of action;

Boss Yang had every reason to suspect that the military department had already prepared to hold this press conference beforehand, having drafted the plan to soften its stance in advance.

Following closely, the Imperial Military Intelligence Bureau published an editorial titled "Any Slander Against White Ghost Can Be Seen As Harm to the Empire Itself".

The Empire's media and political pundits, who take orders and obey commands, were momentarily stupefied, anxious, fearing being made scapegoats by the military.

Previously, it was clearly the military that ordered them to aggressively defame White Ghost and fiercely drive the agenda.

White Ghost's live streaming channel was again pushed to the trending pages of major portal websites by internet trolls, livestreaming the Empire military's withdrawal.

The dreadnought aimed at Saka Star started the energy recovery of the main cannon. The overall process was relatively slow, giving Little Lyu the opportunity to livestream the entire procedure.

Half a Galaxy Time later, the imperial fleet officially withdrew.

When the light of these ships' warp was transmitted to countless supporters of White Ghost through the livestream, it sparked waves of cheers.

This felt like a victory.

A victory achieved in a manner unknown to others.

Just as the imperial fleet left, Yang Ming directed Lyu to release the third video he had prepared in advance.

Of course, this third video had multiple options, and Yang Ming had prepared different answers for different 'story development routes'. The one released now was just one of them.

In the video, Yang Ming stood against the backdrop of the starry sky, gently speaking:

"Thank you all for your support and solidarity, it moved me deeply and also made me feel quite guilty.

"Henceforth, I will not discuss Catherine's affairs further; her actions may be somewhat radical, but I believe her ideological convictions continue to drive her to protect the Empire's citizens as a hero.

"I hope the public and the authorities can show some understanding for Catherine and her dozens of followers. As far as I know, Catherine has not planned or participated in any terrorism actions harming the Empire until now. I hope the Empire can take my opinion into account.

"I consider this matter closed on my end, and I will still take the initiative to apologize.

"I have many tasks to accomplish, and the time I have left in this dimension is limited. I believe the future of the Empire doesn't merely depend on the operations of the government and military systems, nor can it rely on the self-awareness of nobles to benefit society, but rather on the hard work of the broad populace to create social wealth.

"How we can keep more of the wealth we create in our own hands is a social question worthy of everyone's thought and effort.

"I have no particular expertise on this.

"I only know that what is based on the people is righteous. To the Empire's officials, I wish to add a word of advice: just as water can carry a boat, it can also overturn it. The Empire is an Empire because it has billions of citizens, not only because of its invincible fleets and cannons.

"Do not forget that the ones operating these ships are also the people."

The video content was exactly these words.

This also announced that Yang Ming would cease his little maneuvers from behind the scenes.

The conflict between the Imperial Military Department and White Ghost hence reached a conclusion.

The Empire's current challenge lies in the sharp contradictions between the noble class and the civilian class, and the Empire's slave status.

Nevertheless, Yang Ming has already gained enough face, successfully emerging temporarily unscathed from the vortex. As for how much substance he can gain, it still depends on his upcoming negotiations with the Empire.

The situation within the Empire underwent three changes within a single day.

Initially, the Empire wished to suppress White Ghost, but now the Empire has something to request from White Ghost, hoping White Ghost can step forward to temporarily cool the boiling public sentiment.

In the escort squad en route to Emperor Star from Saka Star, Yang Ming and Daphne boarded a transport ship together.

In the gap while Daphne was attending a meeting, Yang Ming also opened his network terminal to have a simple discussion with Lyu.

"Boss, the Empire is really anxious now."

The smile on Lyu's lips couldn't be contained:

"The current problem isn't just the conflict between nobles and the commoners; it's also involving the Empire's military.

"The majority of soldiers and technical staff, various Transformed Soldiers, and logistics personnel, are all civilians. They are the cornerstone of the military, while nobles typically begin their careers as officers. Bullying has long existed within the military, and now such bullying is also classified as nobles oppressing civilians.

"Letting the situation continue, there's even a possibility of mutiny within the military.

"And right now, the Empire can't come up with a feasible strategy to suppress this nationwide conflict."