Abyss Solo

He appeared relaxed, as if he had already grasped these old men's weaknesses.

The sound of crunching fruit was a bit louder, making the expressions of several elders attending the meeting via holographic projection appear somewhat displeased.

When Yang Ming took his seat at the end of the conference table, the maid spoke:

"Gentlemen, His Majesty is unwell and will not attend this meeting. Today's meeting will be presided over by Director Eno."

"The main topic for discussion today is how to resolve a series of conflicts within the Empire, focusing on how to suppress the conflict between the noble class and the commoners."

"Violent clashes are occurring every moment, and we hope you can quickly provide solutions."

Having said this, the maid bowed, then calmly stood behind Yang Ming.

Her positioning was interesting.

This indicated that the Old Emperor now supported the White Ghost, who at this moment represented the Emperor's will.

Yang Ming's gaze swept across the room. Aside from Director Eno, most people were intentionally or unintentionally avoiding Yang Ming's eyes.

"Since no one is speaking," Director Eno said, "let me first start the discussion... Hanton, the White Ghost, the center of the previous storm, is now sitting here discussing with us how to solve the current troubles. You all should know how severe the situation has become."

The director placed a medal-sized projector in front, and dozens of projection screens facing various directions instantly appeared on the conference table, showing scenes of intense conflict.

These scenes often shared similar features: chaotic streets where hundreds to thousands of people were crowded together, shoving and jostling toward a certain direction. At the forefront of the crowd, a wall formed by local security personnel might appear, or a line constructed by mechanical guards.

This was considered the mildest conflict.

More images showed burning objects and explosives.

In the conflict with the greatest casualties, someone unknown had used precision weapons from afar to attack the local security team, who immediately retaliated. In the middle of the battlefield where both sides fought fiercely, there was a parade of thousands of civilians...

A large number of people fell amid gunfire and hail of bullets, with ion beams crashing from the sky directly burning through the building where the attackers were firing.

"This is just a small segment."

Director Eno said:

"Many of these conflicts are caused by foreign agents stirring trouble, yet people taking to the streets cannot discern where their backers come from at this moment.

"The nature of the protests has completely changed. This matter is no longer related to the White Ghost being suppressed by the Military Department; the current demand of the public is to abolish the nobility and achieve class equality.

"The area with the most severe conflict is within the Emperor Star Circle. This is something I hadn't expected. Can anyone explain to me why the Emperor Star Circle is the place with the most severe conflict? Isn't it supposed to be the wealthiest region?"

An elder murmured, "Because of wealth, the people here are most severely corrupted in their thinking."

"After gaining wealth, they surely want more," a commander sneered, "deep down these people think the government should not override their personal interests."

Many began to speak, all with similar arguments.

"Um..."

Yang Ming frowned and asked, "Do we not have the corresponding panel of experts for this meeting?"

Director Eno asked, "Are you talking about a think tank? The think tank is mainly distributed within various departments, and this meeting is of the highest standard, so ordinary think tanks do not have the authority to participate."

Yang Ming nodded and said solemnly, "Director Eno, I just want everyone to pay attention to a phenomenon. Look, the majority of the parade within the Emperor Star Circle consists of young faces. Many are also homeless, dressed in rags."

The crowd nodded in agreement.

Yang Ming said:

"If you don't understand society deeply, you should go out more often. The Emperor Star Circle is indeed affluent, but the wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few.

"Young people without local registration face enormous living pressures.

"The middle-aged homeless wandering the streets have lost any chance of turning their lives around; they can't see any hope of survival.

"The average wealth index here is indeed high, seemingly the most prosperous, but in this affluent city, there are many young outsiders who need aid, whose median income is far below the average. This is the problem of the Emperor Star Circle.

"And on various planets, the groups conflicting with local sheriffs are often held together by surnames. Local family forces have always existed.

"Of course, some are still my White Ghost's fans.

"Now what you should discuss first is how to resolve these conflicts within the Emperor Star Circle—that is, how to appease these oppressed, almost crushed young people. They are the production force of the Empire."

Director Eno nodded slowly.

An elder nearby frowned and said, "Grand Duke Hanton, don't you think the tone of your sarcasm is a bit too harsh?"

"Is it wrong to mock you?"

Yang Ming leaned slightly forward, his hands clasped on the table, not distinguishing anyone and directly fired his words across the table:

"For someone who can come up with the idea of using my footage against terrorists to suppress me, must I still expect him to understand what the current public demands really are?"