Chapter 197: Luo Feng's Rise
It is not easy to meet Edwang despite his busy schedule.
It was a rare occasion for Yang Ming to put on the Luofeng military uniform, with his rank of major and Luofeng's earl medal, and he entered the Luofeng Palace in a formal manner to seek an audience.
He had already decided to leave Luofeng for a long time, so of course he had to find Edwang to give him some precautions.
It’s not that he was afraid that Edwan would try to take back the military power from him.
Today, within the Luofeng Empire, from the four newly-formed frigate regiments to most of the officers of the Imperial Palace Guards, they have been firmly controlled by Yang Ming.
Outside the Luofeng Empire, Yang Ming also used machinery to replace the three fleets formed by three neighboring small countries, and controlled the military power. He also used information advantages to quickly reorganize the fleets and made them into an ironclad force.
But this is not a long-term development.
What Yang Ming wanted to discuss with Edwang today was how to let Luofeng annex the three small countries.
In interstellar politics, it is quite common for the big fish to eat the small fish.
The maids passing by would all cast friendly glances at Yang Ming. A familiar attendant sister felt somewhat uncomfortable after seeing Yang Ming.
Compared to when the old emperor was in power, the atmosphere in the entire palace has become much more relaxed.
Of course, it is also much more spacious here, and most of the palace facilities have been cut, freeing up a little bit of labor for society.
Yang Ming waited in Edwang's study for a few minutes. A maid brought him a sweet non-alcoholic drink, and the attendant's voice came from outside the door.
"Your Highness! It's impolite for you to run so fast!"
Yang Ming looked up and saw the open door and a beautiful and youthful face peeking in.
"Bounty Hunter!"
Emilia cheered, then jumped in with her skirt lifted up, and turned around twice at the door.
"Look at my new dress. Isn't it pretty?"
"Oh," Yang Ming said while holding a drink, "I thought you would be proud of acquiring new knowledge and creating new patents, but I didn't expect you to have the same preferences as ordinary girls."
Emilia shrugged: "Of course, I also need to respect nature."
"Come and chat," Yang Ming smiled and sat on the single sofa, leaving the double sofa next to it for the noble Princess.
Emilia came over with light steps and sat on... the sofa.
She asked with a twinkling look in her eyes, "Where did you go on this adventure again?"
"I have been quite quiet recently, improving myself peacefully and always ready to take on new challenges."
"Stop talking nonsense," Emilia said with a smile, "Have you read the recent news? It seems that the White Ghost is going to confront the Imperial Military. This mysterious being is called a captain. He is probably an Imperial officer, but the Empire once abandoned him."
Yang Ming nodded calmly: "I think so too."
"By the way," Emilia asked, "I also followed the White Ghost fan site and bought a lot of White Ghost peripheral souvenirs! Do you want some? I can give you some out-of-print souvenirs."
"Haha, really? I think it's probably pirated."
Lu sent a text message: [No, boss, that is the genuine product, the trademark is ours. ]
Yang Ming: …
Okay, that's legal.
"You'd better save your pocket money," Yang Ming said with a smile, "or you won't be short of money after you get married."
"No," Emilia said calmly, "Then why would I marry a man who leaves me with a tight financial situation?"
"Well, love is a thing..."
"Unless I lose my mind and do nothing when I see him, even then, I still have to consider the impact on the Luofeng Empire."
Emilia curled her lips slightly:
"I can't marry a mediocre person, nor can I look at someone who is less capable and knowledgeable than me. Rather than letting my family become a constraint for me, it would be better for me to be free and become a minister that my brother can trust, in the field of diplomacy or finance."
Yang Ming gave him a thumbs up: "You are still sober, that's good."
Emilia smiled smugly.
"Bounty Hunter, when was your first love?"
"Eighteen."
"Uh, so early? Are you dating before you're even an adult?"
In the Milky Way, because the average human lifespan is 120 years, the age of adulthood is mostly between 20 and 25 years old. There are also a few economically developed countries that set the adult threshold at 30 years old to delay the retirement age of residents.
Yang Ming smiled and said, "Indeed... this drink is not bad."
"How does it feel to be in love for the first time?" Emilia asked with shining eyes.
Girls of this age always yearn for these things.
Yang Ming groaned for a few seconds, thinking back to the awkward summer vacation after graduating from high school, and said slowly:
"Fortunately, I was too young at the time and didn't understand much, so I often made jokes.
“Before young people find their own social value, they will always subconsciously pin their value on so-called love.
“In fact, once you have enough knowledge and an objective understanding of society, love can only be regarded as a necessity in life, but it is by no means everything in life.”
Emilia immediately frowned and pursed her lips.
She was just gossiping.
This guy took the opportunity to teach me a lesson again.
Finally, Edwang appeared at the door of the study, entering in a similar way to Emilia - he first leaned in to observe, and then laughed at Yang Ming.
"Count Yang Ming!"
Yang Ming: …
True siblings.
…
After some simple chatting, playing around, and talking about the daily status of the Luofeng Empire, Yang Ming brought the topic back on track.
He glanced at Emilia and decided not to chase her away, lest the adolescent girl have unnecessary thoughts.
"I have to go, Adwant, Emilia."
Yang Ming crossed his legs and looked very calm when he said this.
When he and Lu were making the plan, they thought about using bionic robots to hide it from Advan.
But Yang Ming finally decided to tell Edwang the truth.
They are friends and support each other.
Ed Wang was stunned for a moment, frowned and asked: "What does this mean?"
"Remember the dream I told you about?"
"Isn't that what you used to fool me?" Edwan spread his hands, "Becoming the Grand Duke of the Empire, standing at the pinnacle of power in the Milky Way... are you serious?"
Emilia's face was slightly confused.
Yang Ming smiled and said, "Of course we are serious. The current situation of the Luofeng Empire has stabilized. The next step is to steadily annex the three small countries around it, and then gain greater international influence and integrate a more powerful military force."
Emilia asked softly, "Do I need to step aside?"
"You are here," said Edwan, "My sister, before I have any children, you are the only heir to the throne of Luofeng. I need to make you understand what Ming and I are going to do."
Emilia left the sofa next to Yang Ming and sat next to Edwang.
Yang Ming blinked at Emilia and briefly introduced: "Your brother and I made this plan four or five years ago..."
"No, Ming, this is your plan, I just accepted it."
"It's the same," Yang Ming said slowly, "We want to build Luofeng into a regional power, have a certain say outside the borders of the Sherman Empire, and maintain friendly relations with the Sherman Empire. This is the path we will take next."
Edwan said:
“We will do this in three steps.
"The first step is to integrate the military, politics and economy of the Luofeng Empire. We have already completed 70 percent of this. What we need now is time. This time is for our economy, which has suffered a severe blow before.
"With Ming's help, we have obtained a large number of nearly comprehensive technology patents. You must have also discovered that in recent years, more than 100 technology companies have emerged in China, and each technology company has its own patented technology, which has improved and driven the industrial chain of the seven major economic lifelines.
“What we need now is time to wait for the supply and demand relationship of these industries to become more stable.
"I will introduce a series of policies, including opening up investment opportunities in the rhodium-6 ring industry. We will definitely be able to achieve economic recovery and a small-scale take-off in the next three years."
Yang Ming added: “This is the foundation of everything.”
Emilia nodded seriously.
Yang Ming continued:
"The second step is to attract three small countries in the surrounding area, and merge a total of four administrative stars into Luofeng. This process will first transition from a military alliance to continuous economic control, and the public opinion will repeatedly brainwash and promote Edwang's personal charm.
“There are many common problems in small country politics, and we can take advantage of them perfectly.
“After four or five years of rectification in the Luofeng Empire, although we cannot say that systemic corruption has been eradicated, most of the cancer has been eradicated. The public support rate for Adwang is now the highest among all the emperors in the Luofeng Empire in the past thousand years.
"In terms of diplomacy, we must rely on the Sherman Empire. When we want to annex the three small countries around us, Sherman will most likely give us resistance instead of help."
Emilia frowned and said, "This will attract the attention of the international community."
"Yes, but that's not the problem."
Yang Ming said:
"These three small countries will suffer first. Their military has been completely taken over by me, and I am also cultivating Edwang's direct followers in the political situation.
“We will then gradually strangle them at the economic level and speed up the flow of people between the four countries.
“The most crucial thing is to merge into Luofeng, not directly into the Luofeng Empire, but into the Luofeng Star Region Political and Military Alliance established by Edwang, referred to as the Luofeng Alliance.
“This is the basis for our implementation of step three.”
Edwan said: "The third step is to change our relationship with the Sherman Empire from a suzerain state to an ally, or in other words, the relationship between the Fallen Wind Alliance and the Sherman Empire to an ally."
Yang Ming continued, "In the future, Luo Feng can continue to expand westward and southward. There are uncultivated habitable planets ahead, and there are many potential planets that can be developed within the territory."
Emilia pursed her lips tightly and whispered, "Okay, what can I do?"
"You should grow up first. I am letting you know this today not to put pressure on you, but to make you understand what our path is."
Edwan raised his hand and rubbed Emilia's head, smiling:
“Seeking complete national independence is my lifelong pursuit.
"I want to build Luofeng into a truly independent country, and the first thing I can think of is bloodshed and fighting.
"Ming gave me another chance. When our alliance becomes strong enough, we will be qualified to break free from the shackles between the suzerain and the vassal states, even if we have to pay a heavy price for it."
Yang Ming also warned: "During this process, none of us should be impatient. We must advance slowly and steadily. The war between Sherman and the New Federation is a big environment that we can take advantage of."
Emilia nodded repeatedly.
The way she looked at Yang Ming was always filled with a bit more admiration and respect.
She now understood a little why her brother became emperor but never mentioned taking back military power.
This is not to say that Yang Ming has completely grasped his brother's weaknesses, but that Yang Ming has painted a huge pie for his brother that is invincible in the universe.
The outrageous thing is that this big pie is not impossible to achieve.
"So, bounty hunter, what do you get in the process?"
"I will get the most important part - control of the power," Yang Ming said with a smile, "I need a powerful interstellar power that is completely independently controlled by a few of us, and a powerful army that can compete with the Sherman Empire's regular army."
"And then?" Emilia's eyes were sharp. "Are you enjoying the power? But according to my intuition, you are just using it to resist some kind of pressure."
“Who doesn’t love authority?”
Yang Ming clicked his tongue and continued:
"I have already completed the layout for Luo Feng. The next step is to wait for time. Emilia, as you grow up, you will witness the rise of Luo Feng with your own eyes.
"Now, I want to change my position and open up my second battlefield."
"Why?" Edwan asked, "Ming, you need to give me a reason, a reason for you to abandon Luofeng and go to the Sherman Empire to seek a title."
"I'm not going to abandon Luo Feng," Yang Ming said, "I just want to shift my focus there. I'm a person who can't sit still."
Emilia whispered, "Is it because there are more open-minded beauties in the Sherman Empire?"
"Children should not interrupt when adults are talking," Yang Ming glared at her, "Am I such a casual man?"
Emilia: "You met my attendant for the first time, and we said goodbye for a long, long time."
Yang Ming: …
Interstellar culture, very pure interstellar culture.
Adwant frowned and changed the subject: "I need to know why, Ming, you have a secret from us, right? Because you are the White Ghost, right?"
Yang Ming leaned back.
Damn!
How come the whole world knows about it!
Yang Ming frowned and looked at Edwang. He could deny it, as he thought Edwang was just guessing. But Yang Ming was not willing to deceive this partner who was so important to him.
"Yes," Yang Ming said, "If I don't leave Luofeng, I will bring disaster to Luofeng."
Edwan raised his hand to cover his forehead and leaned back on the sofa.
Edwang could naturally find all the information circulating on the market, and he had now figured out all the causes and consequences of everything.
The Sherman Empire is tracking down the identity of White Ghost. It has been confirmed that White Ghost was a low-ranking officer of the Sherman Empire, but for some reason, he was abandoned by the Empire and therefore has some complaints against the Empire.
"The white ghost cannot be Yang Ming," Yang Ming said, "I am making several plans to develop in the Sherman Empire. Don't worry about me. I can open up the situation in Luofeng, so I naturally have the confidence to open up the situation again in the Sherman Empire."
"That's different. That's..."
Edwin's Adam's apple trembled: "Can you tell me what your plan is? I'll give you some advice. Sorry, this is all I can do for you."
"I see."
Yang Ming smiled and said:
"You are the emperor of a country, not just my friend Yang Ming.
"My plan actually consists of several ideas. One is to use my original identity, that of a low-ranking officer, to hide in the territory of the Sherman Empire, establish my own secret base, perfect the identity of the White Ghost, and then use the identity of the White Ghost to contact them.
“One is to enter the Sherman Empire with a new identity and seek titles and official positions as quickly as possible.
"There is another one, which is actually related to you. I have thought about using my status as a Luofeng noble to directly enter the Imperial Star circle, pick up a princess or a noble lady, and quickly improve my reputation. However, I rejected this idea because it would involve the Luofeng Empire.
“This is also my foundation.”
"I suggest you use the second one."
Edwan said:
"The political environment in the Sherman Empire is a hundred times more complicated than our Luofeng, but I think you should know about this. If you have the status of a noble, it will be a talisman.
"The imperial nobles will stick together."
Yang Ming smiled and nodded: "I will continue to research for a while, and I will not set sail immediately. You don't have to worry about this matter."
"So..."
Emilia bit her lip and said, "Those bounty hunter stories are just stories for children, right?"
"Of course not," Yang Ming said, "but there is a certain amount of fabrication."
Emilia immediately clenched her white fists, lowered her head and took a few deep breaths, then looked up at Yang Ming with sparkling eyes:
"Well, can you sign an autograph for me?"
"Of course. Where is it?"
"here!"
Emilia pulled the corner of his clothes and came closer. Yang Ming opened his right hand towards the desk next to him and casually took an imperial signing pen into his hand.
Edwan's eyes almost popped out.
"May the force be with you and me," Yang Ming said coolly.
