Chapter 377: The last thing of the year (Part 1)
375. The last thing of the year (Part 1)
In fact, during the speaker election speech, facing the Austrian En-Free Tower's betrayal caused the Ring faction members to fall apart. At that time, Francis Underwood stood up and had a wonderful debate with Palpatine, and promptly signaled Senator Tim to withdraw from the election as soon as possible. This prevented his corruption scandal from being exposed and causing a bigger scandal.
Coupled with Francis’ wife, the Outer Rim Planet Mutual Aid Fund founded by Claire Underwood has been continuously operating and getting bigger and bigger, helping many backward planets in the Outer Rim solve their most difficult problems. Burning questions.
This layout they had carried out from the beginning has finally begun to reap great rewards. Some MPs from the Outer Rim Sector and the Original Rim Faction have begun to move closer to Francis and have begun to form a political group. .
Among the MPs who fell in favor of Francis, Ainle-Tim was the leader.
Although Tim was at a loss due to Orn Free Tower's defection during the previous Speaker election, and was also found to be involved in corruption and bribery, in general he is still a veteran. He is a politician with a high reputation. His statement has also won the support of many congressmen for Francis.
At a subsequent meeting, Francis Underwood publicly challenged Speaker Palpatine, asking him where the policies he promised before being elected were now? Why are the Outer Rim Sectors not benefiting from the current Republic policies? Since no benefits have been obtained, why do we still insist on the previous Speaker Finis Valoran’s policy of imposing taxes on the Outer Rim Free Trade Zone?
Francis Underwood has determined a given plot direction from the beginning - Palpatine will gradually push the Outer Rim Sector away from the policy, thereby giving the separatist movement more opportunities. Make enough room for survival.
With this premise, Francis used this to continuously attack Palpatine, and because he knew the result, every reason he attacked Palpatine was justified. And it seems to be really heading in the direction he judged.
This makes Palpatine very embarrassed. Although he also wants to split the Galactic Republic, he must not do it by himself. But if he wants to stop Francis, he will indirectly block his own future course of action. .
Therefore, he hated Francis so much that he gritted his teeth. However, Francis seemed to be willing to give up. He appeared in public repeatedly and even publicly declared that he did not bring bodyguards. If you want to assassinate him, please hurry up. !
For a politician, this is basically risking his life.
Francis is indeed fighting for his life, but he knows that only in this way can he get enough benefits, and he also understands that his behavior is only temporary, and the one that attracts fire will come soon.
……
"Stupid guy! You almost ruined everything!! I laid everything for you, but you were defeated by a mere planet Naboo!! Is this the answer you gave me? Useless thing!" Darth - Sidious yelled over the comm.
Newt Gunray huddled up, shivering and cowering, and after a long time he said carefully: "Lord Sidious, this is also the first time we have used the robot army on such a large scale... Facts It proves that the way the robot controls the ship is not good. I will immediately arrange a program upgrade for the subordinate B-1 combat robot."
"Is this a problem with the robot control ship? Such courage! Every time you only need to take one step forward to solve the problem, you always take two steps back! You better tell me, what value will a coward like you have to me in the future?" Dios growled.
Newt Gunray fell to his knees with a pop and begged: "Please give me another chance to prove myself, sir. I, I will definitely prove my worth! And... ...Now the Trade Federation is in dire straits. Please save me, sir. If this continues, I will no longer be able to serve as a governor..."
A twisted expression appeared on Sidious's face under his cloak, "Yes. , save you, of course I will save you, because the only advantage you have is obedience..."
He paused and then said: "The situation now is indeed serious. It would be okay if you could end the Battle of Naboo as a winner, but you failed. The Speaker of the Republic Palpatine will naturally not let go of this opportunity. , he wants to prove that he is better than Finis Valorum, and your Trade Alliance is naturally on the receiving end of the gun, so... there is only one way to survive..."
" What...what method?" Newt Gunray asked quickly. "Hehehehe...hehehehehe..." Darth Sidious cut off the communication with a ferocious smile, but did not answer anything.
Newt Gunray collapsed on the ground. After a long time, he picked up the communicator with trembling hands. He searched for a long time on the list above and finally found a person. freeze frame.
Director of the Fourth Group, Gross-Shelbia.
The communication was connected, and Gross quietly listened to Newt Gunray's worries, and said calmly: "Do you think the Republic has the ability to threaten you?"
"Why not! The Republic Parliament wants to Take away our trade privileges! This will cost us a lot!" Newt Gunray shouted.
Gross smiled coldly, "The Republic can't even take care of themselves. Does it matter whether you cancel your trade privileges or not? Think about the fate of the Republic in the dispute on the planet Malastar. Right."
Newt Gunray shut up, sweat dripping from his face. Because he remembered that in the Battle of Marastal Fjord, the Republic's local defense fleet was hoisted and beaten by the joint fleet organized by the Enterprise Alliance. In the end, it was the direct action of the Jedi that reversed the situation.
But when Gross told him this, the meaning was already obvious.
"You mean..." Newt Gunray remembered that the Fourth Group also participated in that battle.
"Hmph! I won't pay the fine anyway, the defense fleet cannot be disbanded, and I can still sell the battleships. What can the Republic do to me? Anyway, my battleships have never been considered official. Channels, all the orders of the Republic are monopolized by Quart Power Shipyard, Rendili Interstellar Power Company, and Corellia Engineering Company. I am a black marketer, and I still need to see the face of the Republic?" Gross snorted coldly? A sound.
"But..." Newt Gunray wanted to say that our trade alliance is different from your new company, but after thinking about it, it seems that their situation is really no different, so he added He choked back half a sentence.
“If you have any other questions, you can go to Councilor Francis Underwood of Planet Dawn. In addition, tomorrow, the Apocalypse-class light cruiser of Higra Aerospace Group, a subsidiary of our group, will officially begin its first flight. "Do you want to participate in the first flight ceremony?" Gross looked very relaxed, as if she didn't care about the Republic's punishment at all, and she immediately turned the topic elsewhere.
"Apocalypse class? Is it that kind of light cruiser that is more than 300 meters long? Yes, yes...I will definitely go, I will definitely go. Please help us reserve 50 Apocalypse-class production capacity, and I will do it tomorrow. Come and place an order, thank you." Newt Gunray is still a little confused, but he still understands many things. For example, after the Battle of Naboo, he also understood the importance of escorting battleships.
And he also understands better that at this stage, the fourth group, which has complete capabilities from design to construction of warships, even if it is smaller than their trade alliance by an unknown number of levels, it still masters the core technology. Powerful group!
In the face of punishment and suppression from the Republic, the Fourth Group unexpectedly transformed into the one that the Trade Alliance needs to embrace!
"Congressman Francis Underwood..." Newt Gunray repeated the name. He is aware of the recent trend in the Parliament, and also understands the meaning behind the name Francis Underwood.
However, at this point, he has no way out.
(End of this chapter)