Chapter 464 Four bombs!
A beautiful morning begins with enjoying the personal service of Her Royal Highness the Princess.
When Yang Ming opened his eyes, he saw Daphne's delicate, flawless beautiful face.
She looked at Yang Ming as if she was appreciating a treasured work of art, not hiding her attachment to him at all, nor the sense of satisfaction that ran through her soul at that moment.
After a brief lingering, Yang Ming was urged by Daphne to get up and prepare for today's speech.
This was the task that Yang Ming had promised Director Ino before - to give a speech to the entire army of the empire. The speech manuscript had already been delivered to Yang Ming. It was all about promoting the glorious history of the empire for tens of thousands of years, praising the empire's efficient handling of the riots, and defining the riots as a farce of "foreign forces with ulterior motives trying to subvert the great empire."
How could Yang Ming really read the manuscript?
Even when Daphne was doing facial cleansing and skin care for him, he had already smelled something unusual.
In the bathroom in the corner of the palace, Yang Ming lay on a microgravity chair, looking up at the murals above.
The mural depicts the meeting between the founding emperor Levi Sherman and one of his dozen concubines.
Daphne sat on top of Yang Ming's head and gently spread some gel-like substance on Yang Ming's face, applying it evenly and pressing lightly. She also brought some heating devices that didn't look very high-tech, making Yang Ming feel warm.
"Your skin condition doesn't seem to have changed much."
Daphne muttered to herself, and then discussed the reason for this phenomenon with the maid beside her.
The maids said that they were not experts on ancient gods and really couldn't understand this.
Yang Ming laughed: "It's just a token of my appreciation. I don't want to wear a military uniform with my delicate skin and flesh. That would be an insult to the imperial soldiers."
"You are prejudiced," Daphne said softly, continuing to rub Yang Ming's cheeks gently. "Father has just sent a message that your speech will be broadcast live on all official channels. Now all portals and social platforms have announced that you will be giving a speech to members of the imperial army."
Yang Ming said calmly: "Is your father so confident? Isn't he afraid that I will shout "Long live freedom"?"
"This is not an appropriate joke," Daphne frowned and said, "Hanton, what the empire needs now is to restore stability. This is the best option for the people."
Yang Ming nodded, closed his eyes and enjoyed her service.
A guard hurried over and stood ten meters away, performing noble etiquette, and said quickly:
"Dear Grand Duke Ghost, the speech will be held in three galactic hours. You need to go to the Imperial Meritorious Warship, the Prince of Brilliance. It will take about one galactic hour to get to the Prince of Brilliance from here."
Before Yang Ming could speak, Daphne frowned and looked over: "Why did you change the location? Shouldn't it be in the square in front of the palace?"
"Well," the guard whispered, "I'm sorry, Your Highness. I'm just delivering the message."
"Go down."
Daphne's eyes were somewhat stern. The guard didn't even dare to raise his head. He turned around and left in a hurry.
Yang Ming smiled and said, "Don't be angry. I had expected the temporary change of location."
"I'm afraid they'll take a risk," Daphne said. "Great Uncle Ino sent me a message this morning saying that at the round table meeting yesterday, they decided to be tolerant and kind to you, hoping that you can help the empire maintain long-term stability. But Great Uncle also mentioned that some family elders are very dissatisfied with this decision, and they may take military risks."
Yang Ming's eyes lit up.
Is this round table also beginning to have disagreements?
That's a good feeling.
The civil strife in the empire must be between nobles and commoners.
Yang Ming smiled and said, "After all, I scolded them and made them lose face. It is understandable that those old men who are used to being high and mighty would not let me go easily. Military adventure... I think it is unlikely. They can't even have this big picture. Attacking me at this time, isn't that forcing the people to rebel?"
“They can do anything.
“They don’t care about the people.”
Daphne bit her lip lightly, with a thoughtful look in her eyes, then looked down at Yang Ming.
The two of them were looking at each other 180 degrees apart.
"Hanton, you make some preparations first. I will ask my father and great uncle. If this matter is settled, I will go to the ship in advance and personally lead people to check all the details."
"Daphne!"
Daphne stood up and was about to leave.
Yang Ming called out from behind, but Daphne showed no intention of stopping and quickly rushed to her cloakroom.
Boss Yang hesitated to speak, then shook his head and lay back in his chair.
A maid came forward and continued to give Yang Ming a facial massage.
Buzz, buzz!
Yang Ming's watch vibrated slightly.
He made a gesture, and the maids around him understood, lowered their heads and retreated.
Yang Ming glanced at his watch and saw two messages on it. Interestingly, the two messages came from two goddesses in the online world, two mechanical thinking bodies with the same origin. The difference was that one was his own and the other was a potential enemy.
[Lv: Boss, there are bombs on that ship, and they are four high-explosive shaped charge bombs of different types and in different locations. One is from the Tentacle Organization, one is from the trusted organization of the four military elders, one is from a senior agent of the New Federation CIA, and the last one is in the power cabin of that ship. I don't know who put it there.]
Yang Ming blinked.
Four?
This thing... Wow... I'm in the Empire, how can I be so unpopular?!
Boss Yang was in no hurry to reply to his assistant and opened the second text message.
The news is simple.
【Everything is up to me.】
Needless to say, only Li could crack the encrypted channel between him and Lu, so the message naturally came from Lifa.
The only hope, Labdo, is nowhere to be seen now.
Yang Ming sent a message back to Lu.
【Don't worry, it's all arranged. 】
In her mind space, Lu thought for a moment and realized that her secret communication with her boss was no longer secret, so she let out a sigh of relief.
The next speech will probably be the stage for all parties to compete.
Her influence on Emperor Star is really limited, and all she can do now is to do more preparations to "save her master".
The in vitro cell cluster regeneration method should not be used if possible. Even if the boss can maintain his own personality, he will inevitably lose some strength.
There aren't many bugs to kill now, so it's better to keep the boss's strength intact.
In Daphne's bedroom, Yang Ming put the watch back on his wrist, waved to the side, and the maids lowered their heads and continued to serve.
He closed his eyes, enjoying the peaceful moment, his fingers dancing gently.
Fifteen minutes later, Daphne sent a communication invitation.
The venue of the speech was changed to the command ship Prince of Brilliance. It was an order from the four elders of the military. The old emperor was afraid that they would really take action, so he sent three powerful elders of the Council of Elders and two princes who were in the top ten in line to the throne to go to Prince of Brilliance together.
When Yang Ming heard the news, his expression was naturally very calm, but he was slightly shocked in his heart.
Sure enough, "even a tiger won't eat its own cubs" is just an ethical viewpoint during the agricultural civilization period.
Yang Ming asked: "Daphne, where are you now?"
"On the way to the Brilliant Prince," Daphne turned the camera and showed the ship she was on. "Wait for my news later. I'll notify you to come over after everything is OK. If they rush you, ignore them."
"This is too dangerous," Yang Ming murmured.
"Are you worried about me?"
Daphne smiled gently, with a hint of pride in her eyes.
The trusted maids and guards around her were all a little stunned.
Their Highness, when facing the white ghost, seemed like a different person. He no longer had the decisiveness he had before, but had more of the coquettishness of a little girl.
"Okay," Yang Ming shook his head, "I'll wait for your news here... I'll send Da Wa and the other twelve armed robots to you later to protect your safety. If you encounter any problems, just discuss it with me."
"Yes, my lord," Daphne smiled, "I will be careful."
Yang Ming hung up the call and tapped his watch a few times.
Lu naturally heard what he just said. A medium-sized transport ship that had been waiting at the Imperial Star Spaceport was approaching the military port. The armed maid who had been prepared for a long time would soon appear beside Daphne.
The Dongfeng, which was anchored outside the Imperial Star's defense circle, took immediate action and moved closer to the Prince of Glory.
A guard came running over and said, "Grand Duke, His Majesty invites you to have breakfast."
"Well, I'll go right away."
Yang Ming responded.
These guys, each with their own ulterior motives, don’t know what other tricks they have up their sleeves.
…
The breakfast in the palace was naturally very sumptuous. Yang Ming and the old emperor continued to chat and laugh, and made some advance predictions for the content of the upcoming speech.
A 600-meter-long special protection ship has been hovering above the palace module, waiting for transfer.
The two princes in the palace and the three elders of the Council of Elders had already entered the ship in advance. Having heard some rumors, they were waiting for the arrival of the white ghost with a little nervousness.
Yang Ming had just finished his meal when Daphne arrived at the command ship Prince of Glory and began a full ship scan.
Even though he hadn't seen the situation over there with his own eyes, Yang Ming could imagine how many people on that command ship were sweating in their palms.
"Hanton, it's almost time."
The old emperor looked at the time and said with a smile: "You can go and give your speech now."
"Your Majesty," Yang Ming said with a smile, "Daphne asked me to wait for her news. She was afraid that someone would harm me."
The old emperor couldn't help laughing: "Hanton, what are you worried about? When you give a speech, there will be a group of princes, elders, and ministers standing behind you. Who dares to touch you here?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Yang Ming nodded seriously, and then said, "Moreover, ordinary means cannot really threaten my life, but I am worried that the attack on me is not to make me shut up or disappear, but out of some political considerations."
The old emperor raised his eyebrows slightly and asked seriously: "Political considerations? Why?"
“It’s actually quite complicated.”
Yang Ming said seriously:
“Your Majesty, the empire has not yet emerged from the shadow of the national turmoil.
"The military has suppressed riots by force, and curfews and travel restrictions have been implemented in various places. The public's anxiety is rising, which has been reflected in the economy, with people hoarding supplies in large areas.
“At this critical juncture, because I was promoted by you and hailed as a hero of the empire by the people, my words and deeds have attracted much attention.
"If I were attacked during my speech, the impact on the public would be enormous, and the national riots that had just been forcibly suppressed would break out again at an exponential scale."
The old emperor frowned tightly and nodded continuously.
Yang Ming observed the emperor's micro-expressions and continued, "So, from this perspective, the forces that want to disrupt the empire are most likely to attack me at this time and then put the blame on the great nobles of the empire. The New Federation CIA has been operating in the empire for many years, so we have to be on guard against this."
"Yes," the old emperor nodded slowly, "Hanton, what you think makes sense, but that ship is the top priority for the military to protect..."
"Who chose the ship, your majesty?"
"He is an elder of the family. That ship accompanied him in battles for many years."
"Your Majesty," Yang Ming laughed, "I just mentioned the first possibility. There are other possibilities. For example, someone wants to take this opportunity to express his tough attitude towards the political situation and people of the empire. Your elders formally respect public opinion, but in fact they have been separated from the people for one or two hundred years. I am really worried about their mental state."
The old emperor leaned aside and whispered, "You are worried..."
"Yes, your majesty."
"Well," the old emperor shook his head slightly, "Hanton, I think your sense of crisis is too strong..."
"His Majesty!"
A guard hurried over from outside the door, bowed and saluted from a distance, and reported loudly: "Her Highness Daphne found two high-explosive shaped charge bombs while scanning the Brilliant Prince!"
"What!"
The old emperor's eyes widened and he cursed angrily, "Rebellion! They are rebelling! The pillars of my empire, my two sons, are they going to blow them to death together? Or two, two... two?"
The guards immediately knelt down.
"Your Majesty! There are two! One is under the podium, and the other is in the energy tank of the spacecraft. Both are... high-performance explosion bombs that can completely destroy heavy battleships!"
"Asshole!"
The old emperor was furious.
Yang Ming was a little confused as to whether the old emperor was acting or was angry because his plan was ruined.
After appreciating the old emperor's acting skills, Yang Ming didn't want to stay any longer.
He stood up and said to the guard, "Is the scan complete?"
"It has been scanned three times."
"Your Majesty," Yang Ming turned around and smiled, "It should be the two bombs planted by the New Federation CIA and your elders. It's just a small matter. Don't take it too seriously. I'm going to the Brilliant Prince now."
"Okay, Hanton," the old emperor said with a little ringing in his ears due to anger, "thank you for your hard work... you will give the speech according to the speech in your hand, right?"
"Yes your majesty, what's the problem?"
"You can actually give it some play," the emperor said with a smile. "I've opened a live broadcast for you across the entire territory this time, and invested a lot of resources. Don't be too rigid, and don't always sing praises, because that won't resonate with the people. You can talk about the problems of the empire. It's enough to give everyone some hope and some determination to solve these problems."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Yang Ming saluted as a knight.
The Knight Commander badge on his chest was quite dazzling.
The old emperor smiled with satisfaction.
However, when Yang Ming left the hall, the old emperor's expression became gloomy at a speed visible to the naked eye.
He was the one who sent people to place the bomb under the podium, with the original intention of putting the blame on the four elders in the military.
When he was sure that Yang Ming had boarded the ferry to the aerial protective ship, the old emperor kicked over the table in front of him like an angry and aging lion.
In the ferry.
Before Yang Ming sat down properly, his watch vibrated slightly.
【Go to the bathroom. 】
Sister Li sent the latest instructions.
Yang Ming glanced at the two guards behind the ferry, stood up with a smile, and walked straight towards the bathroom without saying anything else.
He only has one minute.
Opening the small door of the bathroom, Yang Ming immediately saw... another self standing in the corner.
Intelligent machine?
Yang Ming thought of the old emperor of the Luofeng Empire, and the old intelligent machine that had deceived the Luofeng Empire for many years. The intelligent machine in front of him was also very lifelike, except that it had no biological energy and could deceive most of the scanning equipment.
The omnic held a helmet in his hand.
Yang Ming smiled and said, "Is it necessary? Sister, why don't you just come directly?"
A few lines of small words appeared on the outer shell of the helmet.
I can't imitate your demeanor.
[This is a special intelligent machine unknown to the Empire. It is more sophisticated than the one you have seen in Luofeng, and also has some combat capabilities.
[I placed a shaped charge in the power reactor of that ship, and also placed twelve milligrams of antimatter around it.
[You don't need to move later, just hide in this bathroom, I will send you out of the Imperial Star. ]
Yang Ming gave a thumbs up, quickly sat on the artistically shaped toilet, put on a helmet, and turned on the intelligent machine.
The borrowing of reason officially begins.
