EBE Chapter 1478 Only 1%!
Chapter 1478 Only 1%!
The Lord of Yangxing sits enthroned in the highest seat of the council!
A middle-aged man with a dignified face and eyes as deep as the universe listened silently from beginning to end.
His fingers tapped unconsciously on the armrest of the chair, which was inlaid with a star map relief, as if he were thinking...
His gaze swept over the arguing faces below, as if scrutinizing a pack of hounds barking for a bone.
He knew perfectly well that what the hardliners wanted was face and the deterrent effect of making an example of someone, but the price might be too high to bear.
Pragmatists want substance, tangible resources, but adopting an overly subservient stance will damage the foundation of the federation's rule.
When the argument reached a fever pitch and was almost out of control, the Lord of Yang Star slowly raised his hand.
As if a mute button had been pressed, the entire domed hall fell into complete silence.
All eyes were fixed in awe on that hand that symbolized supreme power.
"quiet."
The Lord of Yangxing's voice was not loud, but it carried a soul-piercing majesty, clearly reaching everyone's ears.
"Xiao Ce, you have broken your promise and your crime is unforgivable."
He first set the tone, affirming some of the hardliners' demands, which boosted the morale of the hawks.
"However, the dangers and enormous costs of the expedition are undeniable facts."
He then raised the concerns of the pragmatists, prompting a slight nod from senators including Marian.
His gaze slowly swept across the entire room, finally settling on the image of the azure planet that was spinning alone on the star map, where he made his final judgment:
"The Strucker Fleet is the Federation's sharpest weapon; it cannot be carelessly thrown into the vastness of space. A direct assault is the worst possible strategy."
"Xiao Ce has seized Xing Shu and relies on his geographical advantage. I should use power to suppress him and lure him with benefits to force him to submit."
"Send a message to Commander-in-Chief Strucker:"
The voice of the Lord of Yangxing was like cold, icy legal code, each word clearly imprinted in the air:
"Firstly, we will utilize the existing passive feedback channels to continuously apply maximum pressure to Xiao Ce."
He declared his crime of betrayal, recounted the favors bestowed upon him by the Federation, and emphasized that everything he had today originated from Yangxing!
A stern warning: those who stubbornly resist will surely face the fury of the Federation, their lives and their clans exterminated, and even the stars will dim!
They demanded that it unconditionally open the Star Network Hub communication system and some core permissions, and promise to surrender 80% of the Spirit Essence mineral resources under its control as atonement and compensation to the Federation!
"Secondly, this 80% is the initial asking price, which is the maximum limit set in the negotiations."
Strucker needs to assess the situation and make a decision on the spot.
The bottom line is...30%! If Xiao Ce shows sufficient remorse and sincerity, we can negotiate with him within this range, ensuring the Federation obtains substantial and sustainable resource benefits! Report on the negotiation process regularly!
"Thirdly, the fleet maintains a high level of alert and continues to exert psychological deterrence."
If Xiao Ce remains obstinate and completely closes the final passage, or if negotiations break down entirely...
Then we will implement the alternative plan, sparing no expense to launch a distant expedition to quell the rebellion! At that time, we will not hesitate to sacrifice everything, even our own!
"This order shall be conveyed immediately!"
The Lord of Yangxing's orders were full of shrewd political wisdom.
By demanding "80%" as the absolute maximum price, the Federation demonstrated its anger and unwavering stance, thus maintaining a semblance of authority.
At the same time, the bottom line of "30%" was given, leaving Strucker room for maneuver in practice and ensuring that core interests could be obtained;
Finally, with the ultimate deterrent of a distant expedition as a backing, Xiao Ce was forced not to completely overturn the table.
This is a meticulously planned interstellar blackmail operation, with its sights set on the coveted Spirit Marrow vein.
The command, transmitted via hyperspace communication with the highest privileges, instantly traversed the vast cosmos and precisely reached the "Yuanwang" ship hovering at the edge of subspace.
Inside the bridge, Strucker looked at the order from the highest will of their home planet!
His face showed no surprise, only the cold composure of a chess player receiving a move order. He looked at the communications officer:
"Received supreme command from home planet. Analyze and execute immediately!"
"Yes! Commander!"
"A new highest priority encrypted pulse packet was sent again to the XZ-07 galaxy anchor point via the passive feedback channel."
The coded content follows the first directive of the highest level: enumerate the crimes, declare the favors, and issue a stern warning.
The demands include opening the Star Hub and surrendering 80% of its resources. The wording must reflect the Federation's fury and the severity of this ultimatum!
"Encoding complete... Send countdown... 3... 2... 1... Packet sent!"
...
Xiao Ce on the other side was also waiting!
Not long after, he also received the news.
"Your Highness, Yang Xing's latest ultimatum has arrived."
Lingxu's calm voice rang out, and a stream of information was projected onto the main screen.
[Commander Strucker of the Seventh Fleet of the Yangxing Federation wrote to Xiao Ce:]
You have betrayed your promise and seized control of the Federation's vital Star Network Core, declaring yourself king. Your crimes are unforgivable!
In consideration of the Federation's past support, if you immediately reopen the Star Hub Channel and grant core access!
And surrender 80% of all the spiritual marrow mineral resources under your control as atonement for your sins. The Federation may then show leniency and pardon your subordinates.
If you continue to stubbornly resist, the Federation fleet will one day besiege the city, and you will be annihilated, body and soul, and this planet will be reduced to scorched earth!
The writing is cold and arrogant, full of condescending condescension and naked plundering intent.
Xiao Ce finished reading quietly, and a slow smile curved his lips.
That smile held no warmth whatsoever, only endless mockery and disdain.
"Ah..."
A soft hiss, like ice shattering.
"Eighty percent? What a huge appetite! What a generous way to show leniency!"
Do those parasites in the Yangxing Council really think I'm just a fish on a chopping board, to be slaughtered at will?
The last trace of complex emotions he felt towards his home planet vanished completely!
Instead, there is pure sovereign will and cold, decisive action.
"Lingxu!"
Xiao Ce said firmly:
"Through that passive feedback channel they rely on to survive, send a highest-priority encrypted pulse packet with the following content:"
[Xiao Ce addressed Strucker, commander of the Seventh Fleet of the Yangxing Federation, and all attendees of the fleet:]
Your so-called ultimatum is utterly absurd and only makes us laugh.
This king has no interest in wasting words on mere mouthpieces. One standard star hour later, activate the full-spectrum, broadcast-grade encrypted holographic conference channel. Coordinates and key attached.
I, the King, am here, awaiting your representatives to speak with me in person.
Sending the message is like throwing a boulder into a calm lake.
The bridge of the Yuanwang ship was silent for a moment before erupting into uproar!
"Arrogant! How dare he order us around?!"
Model was the first to roar, and the bald man turned red with anger!
"Commander! This is a trap! This is an insult! We absolutely cannot..."
"Shut up, Model!"
Strucker interrupted sharply, but his face was equally ashen.
Xiao Ce's counterattack was so direct and so forceful that it completely took him by surprise.
He had anticipated all sorts of responses: silence, bargaining, or even a more drastic signal of cutting off contact...
But I never expected that the other party would take the initiative to request a holographic meeting, and in such an almost commanding manner!
"What makes him...?"
Chief Science Officer Sorenson was also incredulous.
Commander Lin Wei quickly and calmly analyzed the situation:
"He wants to exert pressure on us directly, demonstrate his strength, or... divide us?"
Commander Strucker, to go or not to go?
The conference channel is broad-spectrum encrypted broadcast-grade, which means it's accessible to anyone in our fleet!
Theoretically, anyone with the necessary permissions can access and observe, making complete confidentiality impossible.
Strucker's eyes flickered with uncertainty as he paced back and forth, appearing somewhat flustered.
Xiao Ce's move disrupted his rhythm.
Not going is a sign of weakness;
Going there might lead you into a psychological battlefield meticulously designed by the other side.
"go with!"
A few seconds later, Strucker made his decision, his voice cold and resolute, as if he had nothing to lose!
"Allow all officers of colonel rank and above on the ship to access the viewing channel!"
I want to see what this traitor is relying on to be so arrogant!
Sorenson, Lin Wei, and Model, the three of you will join me as the main representatives to access the core interaction layer!
The technical department is fully monitoring the signal source and analyzing the opponent's technical capabilities and environment!
不 ...
Their control center, Lingxu, is definitely listening. Prepare to connect!
An hour later.
In the center of the Star Network Hub Command Hall!
A soft beam of energy lit up, quickly creating a huge holographic projection space that was extremely realistic and rich in detail.
The space is cleverly divided into two equal areas.
On one side, Xiao Ce sat upright on a throne made of dark blue energy, with cold, hard lines. He was dressed in dark casual clothes, his expression indifferent, and his eyes were as deep as an abyss.
Yin Pan'er stood quietly behind him, like a statue guarding a goddess.
The entire projection background is the eerie blue light barrier of the Star Network Hub, where countless torrents of data flow.
It is filled with a cold and powerful sense of technology and oppression.
On the other side,
The holographic projections of Strucker, Sorenson, Lin Wei, and Model also solidified almost simultaneously.
They were in a virtual projection of the bridge of the "Yuanwang" ship, with busy bridge personnel and flashing instrument lights in the background, attempting to demonstrate the power and order of the Federation fleet.
Strucker sat in the conductor's chair, trying to maintain his composure, but the seriousness between his brows was undeniable.
Sorenson's sharp eyes scanned the details of the environment behind Xiao Ce.
Lin Wei's expression was serious, and her posture was wary.
Model clenched his fists, glaring angrily like a beast about to pounce.
An invisible energy field separated the two areas, but it could not isolate the tense atmosphere that was almost solidifying into reality.
"Xiao Ce!"
Strucker spoke first, his voice transmitted through the holographic system, carrying a deliberately amplified air of authority and anger!
"Why did you not salute the Supreme Commander of the Federation Fleet? Do you know your crime?!"
Xiao Ce didn't even lift his eyelids. He lightly tapped the armrest of the throne with his finger, producing a crisp tapping sound that seemed to strike the hearts of everyone present.
His voice was calm, yet it clearly drowned out Strucker's questioning, resounding throughout the virtual space and undoubtedly reaching all the channels accessed by the "Yuanwang":
"Commander Strucker, there's no need for unnecessary words."
"My time is precious, let's get straight to the point."
He slightly raised his eyelids, his gaze like a solid icicle, piercing straight at Strucker!
"Yang Xing wants the resources of this planet, fine."
Upon hearing this, Strucker and the others perked up slightly, and Model even revealed a sinister smile that seemed to say, "As expected, they've given in."
however,
Xiao Ce's next words instantly froze and shattered the glimmer of hope that had just risen within them.
"I can give Yang Xing one-tenth of the prize."
Xiao Ce spoke in a calm tone, as if he were talking about a trivial matter!
"As a return on that small initial investment. And it's the final share, no further discussion needed."
"What?! One-tenth?!"
Model was the first to explode, and the huge holographic projection suddenly tilted forward!
Like an enraged bear, its roar caused the virtual space to ripple slightly!
"Xiao Ce! You ungrateful and shameless traitor! Without the Star Network Hub and initial support from the Federation, you would have died in that desolate land long ago, your bones rotted away!"
Everything you have was given to you by the Federation! And now you dare to offer only one-tenth?
This is blasphemy against our home planet! It's outright betrayal! You..."
"Noisy."
Xiao Ce frowned slightly and softly uttered two words.
In an instant, an invisible, immense pressure of information flow originating from the core of the Star Network was precisely applied to Model's virtual projection through the holographic link.
Model's roar abruptly ceased, and his projection flickered and distorted violently.
As if the signal had been strongly interfered with, the massive body was forced to lean back slightly by this invisible force.
Pain and horror flashed across his face in an instant, and a gurgling sound came from his throat, but he could no longer utter a word!
All the officers observing on the bridge of the "Yuanwang" ship gasped, feeling the suffocating pressure as if they were experiencing it themselves.
Strucker, Sorenson, and Lin Wei's expressions changed drastically!
How could Xiao Ce exert such precise and terrifying information suppression through the holographic link?
His control over the Star Network Hub far exceeded their expectations!
"Given?"
Xiao Ce's voice remained calm, yet it carried a chilling intensity capable of freezing the soul. His gaze swept over Strucker and Sorenson!
"Commander Strucker, Dr. Sorenson, you are wise men."
Why not tell those in the fleet who are kept in the dark what the so-called support Yang Xing gave me was worth?
In a short period of time, I, the King, gathered the power of this realm from scratch and defeated the main force of the interstellar hyena army that roamed the starry sea.
They seized the core of its flagship, the Abyssal Roar, and gained complete control of the Star Network's core.
What is the true value of developing the planet's resource potential to this extent?
With a wave of his hand, an invisible aura pressed in like a mountain:
"Yangxing's investment is nothing more than a seed, a seed that you casually tossed into a barren corner and never really placed any hope in."
And I, the king, allowed this seed to take root and sprout in dire straits, growing into a towering tree!
This tree belongs to me! Every fruit that grows on this tree is soaked with the blood and sweat of me and the warriors of this world!
"Yang Xing, what right do you have to reap eighty percent of the fruit? With that insignificant seed?"
"Strong words!"
Lin Wei retorted sharply
"Without the seeds of the Federation, where would the great tree come from?"
Without the Star Network Hub, how will you fight the hyenas?