CHAPTER 1526: CHAPTER 34: ENVOYS FROM THE CENTRAL STAR DOMAIN

’People worship the strong. If you present them with an overwhelmingly powerful image, your words will become the guiding principle for their actions.’

After this military parade, the support rate for the ’Fire Lotus - Radiant Star’ alliance in the Central Star Region has been continuously rising. Some past voices of doubt have been suppressed by the massive momentum and dare not voice their opinions.

Thanks to this, in the following years, the ’Fire Lotus - Radiant Star’ alliance faction defeated their opponents in the Central Star Domain one by one and became the rulers of the Federal Central Council. The ambition and confidence that were once suppressed gradually revived.

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"Hello everyone, this should be my last time standing on the performance stage..." In front of many cameras and audiences, Fuyi of ’Shui Xingling’ was holding a farewell ceremony.

"...I’m very happy to have spent these years with you all. The faces in those memories are something I won’t forget."

"But it ends here. Thank you all for your companionship over the years. From now on, I wish to lead a relatively quiet life, not as a songstress, but as a relatively ordinary person, to walk through the coming days."

After this grand farewell performance, Fuyi of ’Shui Xingling’ retired from the public eye. Although many audiences still felt reluctant, they could only respect her choice at this time.

Each generation of audiences has their preferences and likings. For many young people, the name Fuyi is not very familiar because her genuine fame was over eighty years ago, and many of her former fans and followers have passed away.

Despite the rise of discussions on Fuyi’s retirement on the Federation’s networks, they were soon eclipsed by new trending topics, as her fans were indeed quite few.

Afterward, Shui Yanqing of ’Feng Erguo’ replaced Fuyi’s position, appearing more frequently in the public’s view. This blue-haired songstress gradually gained wider acceptance and became one of the top five most famous songstresses in the Eastern Star Region.

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In December of the same year, during the winter festival in the Eastern Star Region, the official Federal Government in the Lusheng Star Domain announced the results of economic development and a clean political environment over the years, shocking the Eastern Star Region with their excellent achievements.

In contrast to many star domains with stagnant or even declining economic development, the Lusheng Star Domain, which started with no high entry point, typical development environment, or advantageous conditions, was able to reverse its situation in just a few years, surprising many of those who were originally just passive onlookers.

In the past, even though the ’Black Grain Sect’ seized power from the local ruling factions, many still were not optimistic about this newly formed and unstable factional organization because they lacked mature governance experience and significant advantageous development projects.

’A clever housewife cannot cook without rice, and even if they had good ideas at the start, they would soon disperse like duckweed on water.’ This was the thought and assessment of many people at the time.

However, the reality was a slap in the face for many, causing some celebrities who made random judgments to be ridiculed and criticized.

In the current era, three major groups within the Federation have risen, each advancing vigorously in different directions. Whether it be their social environment or economic situation, everything is on an upward trend or recovering. This is certainly a joy for most people, but for those residents not on these three bandwagons, they can only feel envy and anxiety.

The Eastern Star Region was once the best-developed area within the Federation, outside of the Central Star Domain. It boasted favorable starfield environments and thriving societies. However, after the drastic changes in the past decade, it gradually lagged behind the Federation Main Body. This huge disparity left many residents of the Eastern Star Region feeling lost and anxious.

"Everyone wishes to catch up quickly, otherwise, the anxiety and discomfort are as unbearable as ants biting."

"In my view, the Eastern Star Region must undergo significant reforms to regroup."

Amidst this urgent emotional need, many large enterprises in the Eastern Star Region launched new concepts or projects to gain the support of local starfield governments. Under volatile sentiments, many hidden organizations also began to expand and aggressively develop their members.

At this time, an envoy from the Central Star Domain also knocked on the gates of the Eastern Star Region.

This envoy not only included a large number of official personnel but also representatives and personnel dispatched by many enterprises within the ’Radiant Stars’ organization. They aimed to introduce and promote their products and projects to people from various sectors of the Eastern Star Region, assisting the envoy in lobbying local forces eager to stimulate the economy and seek development.

Facing this ’massive invasion’ of an envoy, the three main factions vaguely holding sway over the Eastern Star Region felt a deep crisis, forcing them to temporarily join forces to cope.

"Today, I invite everyone to discuss how to respond to the envoys sent by the Central Star Domain."

Luo Fenghua, dressed in elegant attire, sat at the head of the table, hosting songstresses and representatives from starfields. To her left sat the ’Purple Jinhua’ Otibelo, and to her right was ’Feng Erguo’ Shui Yanqing. Further down were ’Melody of the Circles’ Xuelanke, ’White Swan’ Audrey, and ’Pulp Ship’ Gwen, among others.

"If we allow these envoys to contact factions of each starfield, it could lead many starfield entities to embrace them, becoming their extensions," a representative explained the current situation.

"However, we cannot overtly prevent or suppress such activities because their actions are legal, and currently, the Eastern Star Region is unable to outright confront the Central Star Domain."

"So, we must use other means to obstruct their actions, correct?" Xuelanke, with ice-white hair like interwoven rings of star tracks at her back, inquired.

"Yes, even if they see through us, it doesn’t matter. They won’t publicly protest. Maintaining a facade of harmony is a rule both parties must abide by."

"If that’s the case..." People below began whispering discussions. Some remained silent, contemplating with heads bowed.

"Sitting in a meeting room alone won’t solve the problem. Here’s a suggestion: every time their envoy arrives at a starfield or splits into small teams, we send people to intercept and interfere. Even if we can’t completely stop them, we must fully understand their methods and action paths, which will enable us to formulate counter-strategies."

"This proposal is good and feasible." Many found this suggestion very useful. In conflicts with others, intelligence is crucial. If they could understand how the opposition persuaded local factions and forces, it would be much easier to handle.

"Moreover, the Central Star Domain indeed has significant advantages, whether in military strength, political influence, or economic development. We are currently a step behind in all these aspects. If we want to continue opposing them, we must have our own solid capital."

"Which means?" someone cautiously asked.

"In politics, it’s difficult. Their position is special, and it’s tough for us to change it unless we fracture like the Western Star Region. On the economic front, we must strive to find new breakthroughs. However—"

"In the military aspect, we can immediately take action."

"In my observation and speculation, Prin Coco and her faction are not people of gentle nature but a group with immense ambition and desire. They have been fully restoring the Fifth Fleet’s combat readiness in recent years. This is certainly not for suppressing the Central Star Region or preventing rebellion, but to fulfill the hopes of recovering losses."

"Over a decade ago, the Western Star Region’s victory in the civil war deprived the Central Council and many factions in the Central Star Domain of control and benefits from other star regions. They are certainly unwilling. Now that they’ve regained strength, I believe this unwillingness will soon turn into tangible actions, and this envoy dispatch is but a probe."

"To test whether the Eastern Star Region is united, test if we can be defeated individually, test our strength and response attitude. If we show any signs of weakness, they will soon attack and demand once again, gradually forcing us into a desperate situation until we hand over our current sovereignty and fall under their control and rule."

This representative’s remarks caused an uproar at the meeting. Although many were vaguely worried and anxious before the meeting, they didn’t understand where those feelings originated. Now, with it pointed out plainly, there was a sudden realization.

"So that’s it, it seems we must succeed in blocking them this time, or the problems we face in the future will only increase."

"Exactly, but even if we develop the military and expand the fleet, it takes time. We can’t immediately turn against them."

...

"If it absolutely doesn’t work, we can only involve another force to interfere and balance, but such actions are akin to unleashing a tiger to swallow a wolf, and must be approached with utmost caution."