146. The first step
Coruscant 20 floors underground.
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 on the basement floor of Coruscant, smoking cigarettes one after another.
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 Galactic Republic security inspections. The people from the inspection team came over on hoverbikes, looked at Francis who was puffing out a strange look, and left without saying a word.
Claire-Underwood became a hero as he wished, and now the media and newspapers outside are reporting on it. Moreover, under his secret control and guidance, the media directly portrayed Claire as a hero who resisted Trade Federation's power and raised his voice for Outer Rim Territories.
But Francis-Underwood couldn't be happy no matter what, because the process of achieving this goal was too tortuous and dangerous, so that Claire had to take risks and resort to painful tactics to finally achieve the goal.
However, he also knows that the only way for him to repay Claire is to continue walking, go further, and become stronger.
This was the promise he made when he married Claire.
Claire didn't need gentle words of comfort. This woman's desire for power was 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 and naturally took the half-smoked cigarette from Francis's hand, 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 still need to rest for a few days, but that's not possible. I have to show up tomorrow to make a statement, so as to leave room for Trade Federation and prevent Rune Harkor from exiting the stage so early." Claire and Francis stood side by side, looking at the scenery outside the window together.
She paused and then asked, "What about you? How is it going?"
Francis closed the cigarette case and said, "This incident is enough to bring greater attention to our Fourth Civilization. What I need next is further cooperation with Rodian planet, Jabiim planet and Semirs planet, planets that have just established friendly relations. I am going to sell some of the Blade-class fighter that have been eliminated from the military to Rodian planet. Their food channels need more escorts."
"Where is Palpatine?" Claire asked.
"If nothing else happens, he will come to me soon. I have also heard some news about Galactic Senate recently. Phineas-Chancellor Valorum was under investigation and impeachment for accepting bribes. He was having a very difficult time. Therefore, he plans to promote a bill... to tax Outer Rim Territories." Francis said.
"Haha... you know Frank, what surprises me is that Galactic Republic has been established for more than 20,000 years, but it is still unable to tax Outer Rim Territories. What an irony."
"That's because Trade Federation and other business giants, Outer Rim Territories is basically the business district they control. More than 90% of Outer Rim planets's external communication and exchanges must go through giant enterprises like Trade Federation. Therefore, If Chancellor Valorum can successfully implement this bill, it will be a feat for Galactic Republic, and all quality control against him will become weak." Francis said with a sneer, "But... this bill is poaching Trade Federation."
"No wonder Trade Federation would rather settle down on my mutual fund issue. It seems that they also feel the pressure from Galactic Senate. If Palpatine comes to you, what will you do?"
"The manager still can't be contacted, but he has already made a series of predictions about Palpatine's political strategy. So if his judgment is correct, Palpatine wants to be a scapegoat in this matter. Peacemaker, on the surface, neither party is offended, but secretly helping Trade Federation makes Phineas-Valorum lose face," Francis said.
"What about you?"
"After this incident, Palpatine may invite us to participate in this motion. Because of the existence of the mutual aid fund, we also have some say in Outer Rim planets. So this motion will be the beginning of our entry into the political center of the galaxy." Francis smiled lightly.
"In this case, the pain I suffered is not in vain." Claire said with a smile.
"Oh dear, if there is a second option, I will never do it." Francis shook his head, but the two of them were still looking at the scenery outside the window side by side, with no intention of giving a hug or anything.
"When you become Imperial Chancellor, come and apologize to me again."
Sojourn Planet, two months later.
The luxurious and lively party has long ended, but there are still some guests staying on the planet. They are all the lucky ones who have reached some agreements with the owner here - Hego-Damask II, and they still need to continue in-depth discussions.
Hego is holding a wine glass and chatting with the ugly big bug Madam Proxima. They are discussing how to divide the industry on Malastare. Crimson Dawn The young leader, Dryden-Vos, also participated.
Both Pixi and Vos 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.
Hego likes to deal with people like this very much. His way of doing things is to constantly support such emerging forces to challenge the old order, always keeping the water of the Milky Way turbid, and then constantly absorbing nutrients from it.
During the conversation, Hego'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 Force's perception, there was deathly silence over there, as if there was nothing. It's like there is a being that has absorbed everything inside! The darkness the Will that remained among the ruins of the castle has now all disappeared!
In that direction, it's like there is a cocoon wrapped around Dark Side Force, which is constantly converging, converging, converging, and then...
Break out of the cocoon!