160. Farce in Parliament (Part 1)
"If a bill that benefits Outer Rim Territories can be reached in parliament, I think everyone will be very willing to help Chancellor Valorum." Francis's language is still watertight.
"So, do you think Galactic Republic should sanction Corporate Alliance in this matter?" Palpatine asked with a smile.
Francis took a deep breath, held on to his political stance, and said, "If Corporate Alliance is allowed to succeed, other companies will follow suit. If this continues, Outer Rim Territories will become a hunting ground for these trust oligarchs to do whatever they want. I will never tolerate this happening."
"But you just said Valorum is a coward."
"If he can really solve this matter, he will certainly not be a coward."
Palpatine smiled slightly, "Okay, I will take you to this meeting. If there is a chance, maybe you can also speak."
"Speaking on Galactic Senate? This..." Francis looked a little frightened.
"Hahaha, don't be afraid, I'm here, no problem." Palpatine said very warmly.
Galaxy Senate Chamber.
This is a huge spherical space, majestic and solemn. Around the sphere, there are countless disk-shaped anti-gravity platforms arranged densely and neatly. Each platform represents a political entity in the galaxy, with representatives of this political entity and their assistants standing on it.
In the center of the entire spherical space, there is a larger platform floating. This is the platform of Chancellor of the Galactic Senate, and it also represents the highest authority of the entire Galactic Republic.
Palpatine took the Francis-Underwood couple from the passage of the office to his own anti-gravity platform. Many other congressmen greeted him eagerly along the way.
Standing on the platform, Francis looked around. The psychological oppression of this star-like Senate Chamber was very huge. It was countless times more magnificent than the Senate Chamber he had seen in his incomplete memory.
And the battlefield here is countless times more cruel than that time.
Palpatine approached Francis and whispered, "Don't worry too much, Mr. Francis. Today we are mainly discussing whether Galactic Republic needs to directly send troops to intervene in Malastare's affairs. What we need is just to stand with Speaker Valorum. I believe he has the ability to settle things."
Francis smiled and nodded, but he had already known the result of this meeting through Tang Xiao.
At this time, an old and loud voice came through the loudspeaker, "Phineas-Chancellor Valorum, take your seats!"
Everyone stood up on their own platforms and raised their hands to greet the sky above the venue.
An old man with gray hair, but a clean shave, who seemed to be in good spirits, was wearing a gorgeous speaker's costume, walked up to the anti-gravity platform, and stood in front of another somewhat stooped old man.
"Oh, Phineas-Chancellor Valorum, and his old assistant - Mr. Vice Chancellor Batan. They have worked hard and devoted their lives for Galactic Republic." Palpatine said with meaning.
Francis watched expressionlessly as Phineas-Chancellor Valorum and Vice Chancellor Batan controlled the anti-gravity platform to slowly fly towards the center of the venue, and sighed secretly in his heart.
Yes, the audience is already in place, and it's time for Joker to appear.
Phineas-Valorum shouted into the loudspeaker, "The parliament is convened today to discuss the dispute between Malastare!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the council immediately became noisy. Some people were cheering, some were yelling, and more people were whispering to each other. The scene almost immediately became chaotic.
Francis watched with cold eyes. He understood that such a scene showed that Chancellor Valorum's prestige was no longer enough to overwhelm Galactic Senate's many Council Representative.
"Quiet!" Vice Chancellor Batan shouted with all his strength, and the noise in the parliament gradually became smaller.
Chancellor Valorum took a deep breath and said, "Now we would like to invite the representative of Malastare, Ainlee-Tim (Ainlee Teem) to express his views on the dispute on Malastare!"
An anti-gravity platform floated out and flew to the center of the venue, slightly lower than the Valorum platform. There were three Gran standing on it. The one in the middle bowed slightly to the surroundings, and then said loudly, "Corporate Alliance's request to increase the fuel tax on Malastare is completely what bandits do! They are nakedly plundering the resources of our planet, and they are greedy and constantly reducing our share, letting our people starve, and working for them almost for free!"
"That's nonsense!!" An anti-gravity platform flew out from the other side, and on it were several Kuriwa, which were representatives of the Corporate Alliance.
"Representative Parcel Argent, now is not the time for you to speak..." Vice Chancellor Batan tried to stop him, but the man didn't listen to him at all.
The Corporate Alliance representative loudly said, "When you Malastare were poor and backward, we Corporate Alliance helped you establish a basic industrial system! You can produce your own parts and equipment, and become the main equipment supplier of Tatooine's Bonta Night Speeder Race! Isn't this enough? Now why do you accuse us of legitimate business practices! In the end, it is you who are greedy!"
"Your increase in fuel tax is completely contrary to the agreement at the time! Your endless mining has had an irreversible impact on the environment of our planet! Now you actually want to include 30% of our planet's income in taxes! Do you want to starve the people of our planet to death?!" Senator Tim was shaking with anger, pointing at Parcell Argent's nose and yelling.
"You should read the agreement we signed! We have the right to increase fuel taxes."
"That's because you are threatening us that if we don't join that clause, we will suffer! This is a bandit clause! It shouldn't take effect!"
The two sides quarreled fiercely, completely ignoring Speaker Valoro and Vice Chancellor Batan, and other members of Congress around them started making noises again. They shouted loudly, either supporting Senator Tim or supporting Representative Argent, and quarreled endlessly.
As if at a disadvantage during the argument, Senator Tim suddenly turned around and shouted to Chancellor Valorum, "Malastare requests Galactic Senate to arbitrate! Sanction Corporate Alliance's banditry! Give us justice!"
"If you want justice, I will give it to you right away!" Parcell Argent threatened, pointing at Tim's nose.
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[Easter egg chapter attached picture 1: Galaxy Senate Chamber.]
[Easter egg chapter attached picture 2: Phineas-Chancellor Valorum.]