Chapter 134: Scheming
132. Scheming
“Before coming, I was actually thinking about whether you would support us. But now, I am completely relieved.” Francis replied with a smile.
But at this moment, his heart was gloomy.
As soon as Palpatine opened his mouth, he blocked almost all his right to speak, allowing him to completely control the negotiation.
As for that promise, Francis didn't take it seriously, it was just a sentence anyway.
"Very good, is there anything else?" Palpatine asked again.
"No more." Francis smiled, but did not say what he wanted to say, because he already understood what Palpatine meant. He took out a box of tea and sent it over and said: "This is a strange drink from our Dawn Planet - tea. I hope you like it."
"Logically speaking, I shouldn't accept this. A gift. But I am full of yearning for the self-improving and beautiful planet Dawn, so I have no choice but to accept this small gift.
Coming out of the Galactic Parliament, Francis got on his hover car, and his staff Douglas Stamp was waiting in the car.
"Palpatine will not support us entering the Galactic Senate." Francis tugged on his tie, and then unbuttoned the collar of his shirt.
"He explicitly refused?" Douglas asked.
"No, he didn't say anything. But he didn't give me a chance to speak. In that case, if I spoke, the situation would become embarrassing." Francis supported Chin pondered.
"Although he can't be said to be at the top of his game now, he is still a popular figure in the Galactic Parliament. Maybe he doesn't like our current request for support?" Douglas frowned.
"For a politician, there must be no disdain for such an idea. In my expectation, he should not refuse...unless..." Francis stopped mid-sentence. , and after a while he continued: "Let Claire prepare, we may have to take the next step."
However, the very next day, when Francis Underwood turned on the TV, he saw a piece of news!
[Here is Republic News Channel reporting for you. Just yesterday, Mr. Sheev Palpatine, a congressman from the planet Naboo, suddenly proposed a bill, hoping to allow the Dawn Planet to enter the Galactic Republic. in Parliament and has a formal seat. Our frontline reporters have contacted Mr. Palpatine. 】
"Mr. Palpatine, what are your considerations in proposing to allow Dawn Planet, a small colony with a population of less than 100,000, to join the Galactic Parliament?"
Palpatine on the TV was dressed in Chinese clothes, with a calm demeanor and a warm smile. He replied: "Dawn Planet is a vibrant colony. They are refugees from the war, but they have not been knocked down by fate. , they chose to resist fate! They chose to rebuild their home with their own hands. Not only that..."
Palpatine waved his hand, and Claire Underwood appeared next to him. , "Ms. Claire from the Dawn Planet is also actively involved in politics, running around to advocate for those backward planets in the outer ring. They do not just hide at home and feel sorry for themselves, but set their sights on a longer-term place. This is what I A place to admire them.”
"Is that why you proposed this motion?"
"Yes. I hope this motion can express my attitude, which is to pay attention to the planets in the outer ring star region. This is also a good one. This is an opportunity to let the planets in the outer ring make their voices heard." Palpatine clenched his fist and waved it in the air with great enthusiasm.
“Fuck!!” Francis Underwood yelled and wanted to turn off the TV but held back. But as the interview progressed, his face became increasingly gloomy.
Claire Underwood came over with two glasses of wine, put one in front of him and asked: "What's wrong? Palpatine has strong political influence now, let him help Isn’t it good for us to enter the parliament?”
“It’s not just bad! He should be very clear about what I meant when I went to see him yesterday, but he proposed this motion today with no intention of showing favor to us. You're telling me - there's no way to do this!" Francis said through gritted teeth as he took a sip of wine. "I don't quite understand."
Francis put the glass down and asked: "What do you think are the chances of passing this bill?"
Claire frowned, "Although we are currently concerned about the Galactic Parliament's The congressmen can’t say that they are all familiar with it, but judging from the current situation, the chance of passing it is no more than 20%.”
“It’s not 20%, but zero. Palpatine will secretly use his connections. to stop this bill from passing," Francis said.
“What does this mean to him?”
"For a real fool, you will only be grateful for his actions and become his tool in a very low profile. But for smart people like us, this means a warning and a test. Moreover, you Don’t you realize that this action of his has successfully shifted some of the topics you created before to himself and made his political image more glorious?” Francis said.
Claire's face was a little pale, "You mean, he killed three birds with one stone?"
"The manager told me before that this is the most powerful enemy in my life. , Now I believe it." Francis drank the wine in one gulp, "In a head-on confrontation, we have almost no chance, we will only be bitten by him."
Claire. Gritting his teeth, "Then, why don't we memorize..."
"No..." Francis interrupted Claire, "Remember, never say this word out. This will never exist. . Yes, it’s just about standing in line, do you understand?”
He stood up and walked to the bar, poured himself another glass of wine, and took a sip, "But after today's contact, I am certain."
"What?"
"It is absolutely impossible for me to side with Palpatine." Francis turned to look at Claire and said seriously, "And now we have two advantages. First, we and Palpatine There is no need to distinguish between winners and losers, what I want is mutual use. Second, I think what the manager said is probably true. "
"What should we do?"
“Play another card.”
"You mean..."
A smile appeared on the corner of Francis's mouth, "Yes, the Trade Federation. It's time for them to take action...but this may make it harder for you."
"I'll be fine, Frank." Claire smiled confidently.
Thanks to saber's knight for the 1,500 starting coins! ! Thanks to Zhufeng Lao Zhang for the 100 starting coins! !
(End of this chapter)