Abyss Solo
Chapter 377 - 177 Bitter wine goes down the throat sip by sip

Chapter 377: 177 Bitter wine goes down the throat sip by sip

Although the initial examination was passed smoothly, the subsequent impact of the insect disaster continued.

The Sherman Empire took the opportunity to make trouble for the New Federation, with both sides diplomatically sparring and bombarding each other, on the verge of escalating into a full-scale war.

Originally dominated by the New Federation, the interstellar discourse power had been significantly clawed back by the Sherman Empire due to the ongoing impact of the buried insect incident.

At least many medium-sized countries had now maintained neutrality between Sherman and the New Federation, rather than previously rallying behind the latter.

After a brief confrontation with the insects, the people of the Wind fell into inevitable panic, fearing the insects might return.

Panic was the greatest enemy of social order.

To appease the citizens, Yang Ming and Edwan discussed and began to act separately.

One focused on domestic security, while the other focused on economic development.

As a medium-sized country, Wind’s traversed airspace was not considered vast, but was also by no means small.

For the people of Wind to sleep peacefully,

to ensure Wind was not crushed by the panic after the insect disaster,

a grand regional self-inspection activity was initiated.

Initiated by the military, this activity was expected to last a month, involving four major defense fleets meticulously inspecting each barren planet and regularly publishing detailed planetary security reports on the royal website.

Meanwhile, the Wind Empire’s military high-profilely announced,

it would take ten years to construct a comprehensive planetary monitoring and defensive system,

form the Fifth and Sixth Defense Fleets,

and vigorously develop effective killing weapons against the Insect Race.

Incidentally, Yang Ming consulted a few expert advisors to utilize portals, live platforms, and radio channels to educate the public about the Insect Race.

The unknown was the most terrifying.

Letting everyone understand the Insect Race and how the Milky Way human civilization and the Insect Race inevitability engaged in ongoing wars every few hundred years naturally helped dispel panic.

After several decisive moves, the panic within the Wind Empire’s borders dissipated significantly.

Simultaneously, Yang Ming had already begun to plan the "insect disaster tax."

It wasn’t that he sought an opportunity to embezzle money; owning Molly Miss and Dark Star, Boss Yang now had no concept of money.

What he intended was to provide Wind with a stronger, more comprehensive fleet.

A fleet could not be established overnight; the current military strength within the Wind Empire was merely a small upgrade after unifying the previously independent warlords.

To achieve a significant leap, sufficient time and public support were essential.

This insect disaster indeed provided the Wind Empire with a justified excuse for military expansion, a move that also received support from the Sherman Empire.

What should be done after having a powerful fleet?

Naturally, it involved expanding territories, assimilating populations, first annexing the military alliances of the three surrounding small countries, then encircling more administrative stars.

Therefore, from this point of view, Yang Ming hoped that a full-scale war would erupt between Sherman and the New Federation, but the timing of this war was best postponed.

Currently, the Wind Empire was unprepared for expansion.

Yang Ming took charge of domestic security, while Edwan continued to make his presence felt on the international stage.

Edwan closely followed behind the Sherman Empire, gently accusing the New Federation of being responsible for the insect disaster.

—Though he didn’t dare speak too harshly, nor directly pressure the New Federation, he simply expressed an attitude to secure some aid and benefits from the Sherman Sovereign Country.

Then, Edwan played the safety card prodigiously.

The video of Wind and its ally’s fleet annihilating the "powerful Insect Race" became Edwan’s trump card in attracting investments.

The current Wind Empire boasted impressive military capabilities, a stable political environment, strong external support from the Sherman Empire, yet its economy remained in a downturn, teeming with enormous business opportunities.

The two busied themselves for four or five days, striving to minimize the impact of the insect disaster.

Yang Ming attended the memorial service for the fallen soldiers of the Wind Empire.

During the private memorial ceremony, a major unexpectedly stood in front of several generals to join in saluting and removing his hat.

Among the hundreds of high-ranking officers present, only a dozen or so recently promoted showed signs of shock on their faces.

After the memorial, Yang Ming gathered Gudun Mah, Dabic, Fremont, and three military representatives from allied countries for a small meeting.

Yang Ming simply encouraged them and then began to inspect the military accounts.

Among the generals present, except for Gudun Mah and Fremont, all were Yang Ming’s "sons," so naturally, their accounts posed no issues.

Meanwhile, Gudun Mah had also restrained himself significantly over the years, and his accounts appeared quite commendable.

But when it came to Fremont...

The old general’s expression subtly changed.

Yang Ming asked puzzled: "General Fremont, are you short of money?"

"Oh, of course not," Fremont replied nervously, standing up and frowning, "but the military expenses for the Royal Guard Army have always been directly managed by the royal family, and they are typically lacking somewhat."

Yang Ming slightly furrowed his brows, as Dabic, led by "Leon," and several other generals hurriedly stood, remaining silent.

Gudun Mah glanced left and right, feeling it would be presumptuous if he didn’t stand, so he obediently stood at attention.

Yang Ming asked, "Edwan doesn’t even have a wife, so does the Imperial Palace need to spend so much money?"

Fremont pondered for a moment: "The royal family does not only consist of the current Emperor but also includes widows from previous emperors. According to the rules set by the founding Emperor, the resources currently enjoyed by the royal family have already significantly exceeded the standard, yet this has become a customary practice. To be precise, a portion of the royal expenses is allocated in the form of Royal Guard Army military expenses and then distributed."