Chapter 148 The first step
146. The first step
20 floors underground on Coruscant.
In this residence, which was already much more spacious and luxurious than before, Francis Underwood stood by the window, looking out at the almost never-extinguished feasting and feasting in the basement of the planet Coruscant. Smoking cigarette after cigarette.
He had been smoking for half the night, and the ashtray in front of him was filled with cigarette butts. The rising smoke even attracted the Republic’s security inspections. The people from the patrol team came over on hoverbikes, looked at Francis who was puffing away in a strange way, and left without saying a word.
Claire Underwood became a hero just as he hoped, and now the media and newspapers outside are reporting on it. And under his secret control and guidance, the media directly portrayed Claire as a hero who resisted the power of the Trade Federation and spoke out for the backward planets in the outer ring.
But Francis Underwood couldn't be happy anyway, because the process of achieving this goal was too tortuous and dangerous, so that Claire had to take risks with her own life and resort to bitter tactics. Finally achieved the goal.
However, he also knew that the only way he could repay Claire was to continue walking, go further, and become stronger.
This was the promise he made when he and Claire got married.
What Claire needs is not gentle words of comfort. This woman’s desire for power is even stronger than his own. If she couldn't stand in the spotlight, it would be worse for her than death.
A figure came over, took the half-smoked cigarette from Francis's hand naturally, put it into his mouth and took a deep breath, then put out the remaining cigarette butts, "This is the last one tonight. "
"You should rest in the hospital," Francis said lightly without looking back.
"Although the position of the mini-bomb has moved slightly, the damage I suffered is still controllable. The doctor said I need to rest for a few days, but it won't work. I have to show up to make a statement tomorrow so that I can Leaving room for the Trade Alliance will prevent Rune Harkor from exiting the stage so early." Claire and Francis stood side by side, looking at the scenery outside the window.
She paused and then asked: "What about you? How is the progress?"
Francis closed the cigarette case and said: "This incident is enough for our fourth civilization to obtain For greater attention, what I need next is further cooperation with the Blades that have just established friendly relations with planets such as Rodia, Jabim, and Semels. Fighters, I am going to sell some to the planet Rodia. Their food channels need more escorts.”
"Where's Palpatine?" Claire asked.
"If nothing else happens, he will come to me soon. I have also heard a lot about the recent trends in the Galactic Parliament. Speaker Fenice Valorum was being investigated and impeached for accepting bribes. , His life is very difficult, so he plans to implement a bill...to tax the outer ring star area." Francis said.
"Haha... you know, Frank, what surprises me is that the Galactic Republic has been established for more than 20,000 years, but it still has no way to collect taxes in the outer ring star area. How ironic."
“That’s because of the trade alliance and other business giants, the outer ring star area is basically a business district controlled by them. More than 90% of the outer ring planet’s external communication and exchange must go through the trade alliance These giant enterprises. Therefore, if Speaker Valoran can successfully implement this bill, it will be a feat for the Republic, and all controls on him will become weak." A sneer appeared on Francis's lips. , "But... this bill is poaching the Trade Federation."
"No wonder the Trade Federation would rather settle down on the issue of my mutual aid fund. It seems that they also feel the pressure from the Galactic Council. "What would Palpatine ask you to do if he came to you?" "The manager still can't get in touch, but he already has a series of predictions about Palpatine's political strategy. So if his judgment doesn't work." If it's wrong, Palpatine wants to be a peacemaker in this matter. He will not offend both sides on the surface, but secretly helps the Trade Federation and makes Finis Valorum lose face. "Francis. said.
"What about you?"
"After this incident, Palpatine may invite us to participate in this proposal, because of the existence of mutual aid funds, let us outside The ring planet also has some say, so this bill will be the beginning of our entry into the political center of the galaxy." Francis smiled lightly.
"In this case, the physical pain I suffered is not in vain." Claire said with a smile.
"Oh dear, if there is a second option, I will never do this." Francis shook his head, but the two of them were still looking at the scenery outside the window side by side, There was no intention of giving a hug or anything.
"When you become the Prime Minister of the Empire, come and apologize to me."
......
On the planet Sochoron, two months later.
The luxurious and warm party has ended long ago, but there are still some guests staying on the planet. They are all the lucky ones who have reached some agreements with the owner of this place - Hego Damask II. They still need Continue the discussion in depth.
Heige was holding a wine glass and chatting with the ugly big bug Mrs. Vixi. They were discussing how to carve up the industry on the planet Malastar. The young leader of the Bloody Dawn, Dryden Voss, also participated.
Both Vixi and Voss are emerging leaders of organizations in the galaxy. What they have in common is that they are ruthless, do whatever they can, and are powerful.
Hei Ge likes to deal with people like this very much. His way of life is to constantly support such emerging forces to challenge the old order, always keeping the water of the Milky Way turbid, and then constantly making progress from it. Take in nutrients.
During the conversation, Hege's eyes swept over the ancient castle on the mountain from time to time, with an inexplicable smile on his lips.
In his perception of the dark side of the Force, the chaotic dark will in the direction of the ancient castle had long since disappeared, replaced by a deathlike silence.
Even in the perception of the Force, there is deathly silence over there, as if there is nothing. It's like there is a being that has absorbed everything inside! The dark will that remained in the ruins of the castle has now all disappeared!
In that direction, it's like there is a cocoon wrapped in the power of the dark side, which is constantly converging, converging, converging, and then...
Breaking out of the cocoon!
(End of this chapter)