375. The last thing of this year (Part 1)
In fact, during the speaker's election speech, Rim Faction Senator fell apart in the face of Orn Free Tower's betrayal. 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, avoiding the exposure of his corruption scandals and causing a bigger scandal.
Coupled with Francis's wife, Outer Rim Planets Mutual Aid Fund founded by Claire-Underwood has been continuously operating and getting bigger and bigger, helping many Outer Rim backward planets solve the most urgent problems.
This layout they had carried out from the beginning has finally begun to reap great rewards. Some members of Outer Rim Territories and the original Rim Faction have begun to move closer to Francis, and a political group has begun to form.
Among the members who support Francis, they are led by Ainlee-Tim.
Although Tim was at a loss due to the defection of Orn Free Tower in the previous speaker election, and was also found guilty of corruption and bribery, in general he is still a veteran politician with a high reputation. His statement also won the support of many members of Congress for Francis.
At a subsequent meeting, Francis-Underwood publicly challenged Chancellor Palpatine, asking him where the policies he promised before being elected were now? Why doesn't Outer Rim Territories benefit from Galactic Republic's current policy? Since no benefits have been obtained, why do we still insist on the policy of the previous Speaker Phineas-Valorum to impose taxes on Outer Rim Free Trade Zone?
Francis-Underwood has determined a given plot trend from the beginning - Palpatine will gradually push Outer Rim Territories away in terms of policy, thereby leaving enough space for Separatist Movement's survival.
With this premise, Francis used this to continuously attack Palpatine, and because he knew the results, every reason he attacked Palpatine was well-founded, and it seemed that he was really moving in the direction he judged.
This makes Palpatine very embarrassed. Although he also wants to split Galactic Republic, this matter must not be done by himself. However, if he wants to stop Francis, he will indirectly block his future course of action.
Therefore, he gnashed his teeth in hatred towards Francis, but Francis seemed to be willing to go all out. He repeatedly appeared in public places 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 firepower will come soon.
"Stupid guy! You almost ruined everything!! I laid everything for you, but you were defeated by a mere Naboo!! Is this the answer you gave me? Useless thing!" Das-Sidious yelled in the communication.
Newt Gunray huddled up, shivering and cowering, and after a long time he said cautiously, "Lord Sidious, this is also the first time we have used the robot army on such a large scale... It turns out that the way robots control ships is not good. I will immediately arrange to upgrade the program of the subordinate B-1 combat robot."
"Is this a problem with the robot control ship? The real problem is that you don't have the guts at all! Every time you only need to take one step forward to solve the problem, you always take two steps back! You'd better tell me, what value will a coward like you have to me in the future?" Sidious growled.
Newt Gunlay 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 Trade Federation is in trouble, please save me. If this continues, I will not be able to be a governor..."
Sidious's face under the cloak showed a distorted expression, "Yes, save you, of course I will save you. Because the only advantage you have left is obedience..."
He paused, and then said, "The situation now is indeed serious. It would be okay if you could end as a winner. Battle of Naboo, but you failed. Chancellor of the Republic Palpatine naturally won't let it go. With this opportunity, he wants to prove that he is better than Phineas-Valorum, and you, Trade Federation, are naturally on the receiving end of the gun. So... there is only one way to survive..."
"What... what can I do?" Newt Gunray asked quickly.
"Hehehehe... hehehehehe..." Das-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 and searched for a long time on the list above before settling on a person.
Fourth Group Director, Glosse-Shelbia.
The communication was connected. Glosse quietly listened to Newt Gunray's worries and said calmly, "Do you think Galactic Republic has the ability to threaten you?"
"Why not! Republic Senate is going to cancel our trade privileges! This will cause us heavy losses!" Newt Gunray said loudly.
Glosse smiled coldly, "Galactic Republic can't even take care of themselves. Does it make any difference whether your trade privileges are revoked or not? Think about the outcome of Galactic Republic's dispute with Malastare."
Newt Gunray shut up, sweat dripping down his face. Because he remembered that in Battle of Malastare Canyon, the local defense fleet of Galactic Republic was hoisted and beaten by the joint fleet organized by the Corporate Alliance. In the end, it was Jedi Knight who took direct action to reverse the situation.
But when Glosse told him this, the meaning was already obvious.
"You mean..." Newt Gunray remembered that Fourth Group also participated in that battle.
"Hmph! I won't pay the fine anyway, the defense fleet can't be disbanded, and I can still sell the warships. What can Galactic Republic do to me? Anyway, I never thought of going through official channels for my warships, and all orders for Galactic Republic were taken by Kuat Drive Yards, Rendili StarDrive, and Corellia Engineering Company have a monopoly. I am a black market person, so I still need to see his face Galactic Republic?" Glosse snorted coldly.
"But..." Newt Gunlay wanted to say that our Trade Federation is different from a new company like yours, but when he thought about it, it seemed that their situation was really not that different, so he choked back the second half of the sentence.
"If you have any other questions, you can go to Francis-Underwood, the congressman of Dawn Star Planet. In addition, tomorrow, Revelation-class light cruiser of Hiigaran Aerospace Group, a subordinate of our group, " has officially started its first flight. Do you want to participate in the first flight ceremony?" Glosse seemed very relaxed and did not seem to pay attention to Galactic Republic's punishment at all. She immediately turned the topic elsewhere.
"Apocalypse-class? Is it the 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-classs production capacity, I will place an order tomorrow, thank you." Newt Gunlay is still a little confused, but he still understands many things. For example, after this Battle of Naboo, he also understood the importance of escort battleships.
And he also understands better that at this stage, Fourth Group, which has complete capabilities from design to construction of warships, even if it is several grades smaller than their Trade Federation, is still a powerful group that has mastered the core technology!
In the face of Galactic Republic's punishment and suppression, Fourth Group unexpectedly transformed into the thigh that Trade Federation needs to hug!
"Congressman Francis-Underwood..." Newt Gunray repeated the name. He knows the trend in the parliament recently, and also understands the meaning behind the name Francis-Underwood.
However, now that the matter has come to this, he has no way out.