On April 18, 2918, on the planet "Iserlon", the words of Wang Zeren, the consul of the new Roman Empire, to Jiang Ziyue were undoubtedly a big stone that aroused the interstellar public opinion of the Yingxian spiral arm. All of a sudden, all the rumors and topics about "Antnest" swept through the streets of the New Roman Empire and the Perseus Federation, as well as every page of Internet BBS and blogs.

Richard Millhouse, President of the Perseus Federation, convened an emergency cabinet meeting overnight on April 24 to discuss countermeasures to the Empire's actions.

The chairmen of the key departments of the Federal Government Committee are sitting at the oval conference table in the presidential palace.

Milhouse glanced around the crowd with a serious gaze and said, "The Empire's blatant action against 'Antnest' shows its confidence and ability to achieve it. What do you think we should do? ”

"Sir." Federal Defense Minister Erik von Bloomberg spoke first.

Bloomberg has a very close relationship with the president, and was once a powerful subordinate of General Su Yu, and he is also the only active five-star general in the Federation.

"The failure of our abduction operation on the planet 'Taiji' has left us in a rather passive situation. If the Empire were to take the 'Antnest' secret this time, the situation would be extremely dire. Therefore, I think we should immediately dispatch the main force of the fleet to track down the enemy's expeditionary fleet, and launch an attack at the right time to seize 'Antnest'. ”

"Your Excellency, I don't agree with the five-star general's opinion." It was Dai Yunong, chairman of the Federal Security Council, who spoke.

Compared to Bloomberg and the rest of the cabinet, Dai Yunong was a maverick old woman with an eccentric personality and a mysterious background. She is a non-partisan person, and she can be regarded as a "veteran of the three dynasties", which is the third president in a row to serve as chairman of the Federal Security Council.

But she is nicknamed the "Empress Dowager of the West," and it is said that Dai Yunong and her overly powerful Security Council actually wield the power of the Federation, much like the Empress Dowager Cixi of the late Qing Dynasty in China. Correspondingly, this federal president Milhouse is the third president in a row who has been "served" by Dai Yunong, so he is nicknamed "Guangxu" by the good deeds.

"If Dai Gong has any suggestions, please explain them in detail." Milhouse said politely to Dai Yunong.

On formal occasions, in addition to addressing the Supreme Leader as "Your Excellency," government officials address each other as "so-and-so" regardless of gender, age, or youth. This custom is the same for confederations and empires of the same origin.

Dai Yunong skillfully fiddled with the instruments on the table, projecting a three-dimensional holographic image above the oval table.

The initial content of the image is the heads of Wang Zeren, the consul of the new Roman Empire, and Jiang Ziyue, the imperial major.

"At the behest of the Senate, Wang Zeren assigned this Major von Jiang Ziyue to lead the fleet to search for 'Antnest'." Dai Yunong explained to the president and his colleagues based on the content of the image, and the old contralto in the empty venue resembled the mournful music broadcast at the memorial service.

"Everyone should know about this Major von Jiang Ziyue. This man, who is of Chinese and Germanic descent, used a single destroyer to scare off an infiltration team of thirteen Wehrmacht destroyers in the vicinity of the planet 'Taiji' a year ago. More than half a month ago, we successfully sabotaged our kidnapping of Kongyi Jushi. Now he has been given the mission of searching for 'Antnest'. ”

"Our intelligence indicates that Jiang Ziyue's task force is very small, with only fifty ships, including three research ships and ten armed merchant ships. There may be another reason behind such a major task being carried out only by such a weak fleet, and under the command of a newly promoted junior officer. ”

As soon as Dai Yunong's words were finished, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Bundeswehr, Colonel-General Leonid Mikhailovich Lepnin, asked: "Dai Gong means that this is just a scam?" ”

Without waiting for Dai Yunong to answer, Lepning hurriedly added: "However, the Wehrmacht Intelligence Bureau has found out that the Central Fleet of the Empire has canceled the vacation of all officers and men, and is ready to go to a certain assembly position outside the Immortal Spiral Arm at any time. ”

"Duke Lepnin, this does not mean that the Empire has devoted the main forces to the expedition of 'Antnest'." Dai Yunong stared at Lepning and said.

The seasoned female federal agent showed a look of a commander in control of the overall situation, and continued: "If we follow the advice of the five-star admiral and send the main fleet to track down the Empire's task force, then who can guarantee that the situation in 2890 will not be repeated?" ”

Dai Yunong thought of more. She feared that the Empire's actions would only divert the Federation's main fleet, and then take advantage of the weakness to invade the Federation's territory on a large scale. Everyone knows the plan to divert the tiger from the mountain. However, to divert the main force of the Bundeswehr fleet, the tiger, in Dai Yunon's view, the "Antnest" expedition task force composed of 50 ships of the new Roman Empire really seemed a little shabby.

When she said this, everyone else looked intent, including Bloomberg, who was the first to give an opinion, and he also bowed his head in agreement.

Everyone still remembers that year, the Federation fleet that suffered a crushing defeat in the "Himalayas" star field battle in the empire was unable to return to defense, allowing the Imperial Central Fleet to seize the opportunity to attack the capital planet "Andromeda". If it weren't for the genius General Su Yu to turn the tide, everyone here would probably have become "subjects" of the empire.

"For these reasons, I think ......"

Ask questions, then solve them. Dai Yunong, who is confident, did show the domineering and calm attitude of the "Queen Mother of the West" in controlling the government.

"The fleet should be sent in batches, depending on the scale of the enemy's actions."

As soon as he finished speaking, Dai Yunong glanced around the crowd.

The civil officials all showed expressions of agreement, but the generals were a little reluctant.

"If that's the case, we'll be in a passive position instead." Admiral Lepnin worriedly, "If the empire suddenly commits a large number of troops, and our intelligence and communications cannot keep up, the situation will become very bad." ”

Dai Yunong did not immediately retort because President Milhouse had spoken.

"Dai Gong's analysis makes sense, and I decided to send fleets in batches to track down the Empire's task forces." Millhouse hammered the hammer for the controversy.

In terms of military ability, Milhouse, who served as Chief of Staff of General Su Yu, was no worse than anyone else. And since Dai Yunong's idea is realistic, he naturally pushes the boat with the current.

After the president's statement, Dai Yunong continued: "Based on the intelligence from six days ago, the Imperial task force should have set off at this very moment of our meeting. I suggest that the IDF should act quickly. ”

"General Bloombock, General Lepnin, you immediately organize a fleet twice as numerous as the enemy to track down the Imperial Task Force. Leave as early as possible 20 days in advance. In addition, the Defence Force must be prepared for war in order to be prepared. Milhouse instructed his men.

"Yes, sir." Bloomberg and Lepnin replied in unison.

Milhouse finally looked at the crowd again, and then announced the adjournment: "If there is no problem, the meeting will be dismissed, the princes have worked hard." ”

"Your Excellency has worked hard, goodbye." Officials responded to the president's remarks and left the presidential palace conference room.

Only Dr. Fritz Vanck, the chairman of the Finance Committee, who had not been able to insert a word just now, remained.

"Fritz, is there anything else?" Millhouse asked.

"Your Excellency, although it has been decided to send the fleet in batches, I am very worried that it will escalate into a full-scale war." "We have run huge fiscal deficits for the fourth year in a row, and if there is a large-scale military conflict with the Empire this year, the situation will be even more dire. The elections at the end of the year may also be implicated. ”

Listening to the other party's words, Milhouse did not respond immediately, but stood up silently, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, opened the ivory-white silk curtains, and looked out at the night outside the presidential palace.

The western hemisphere of the planet "Andromeda" is now shrouded in night.

The starry night sky, especially the Milky Way, is even more dazzling.

The center of gravity of human civilization has shifted to the Perseus spiral arm interstellar galaxy 6,500 light-years away from its birthplace Earth, and two major political, economic and cultural centers have been developed, "Andromeda" and "New Byzantium".

However, the problems faced by human society are not much different from those of thousands of years ago. Natural calamities, power struggles, cultural differences, social divisions, and the threat of terrible war still surround humanity as we enter the faster-than-light age.

As president of the Perseus Star Federation, Milhouse always felt himself at the center of the vortex caused by these problems. Four years on, little has been done to fulfill the promises he made to the people. The vortex of the problem is still serious, even accelerating and expanding.

Richard Milhouse is one of the few "minority presidents" in the history of the Perseus Federation, representing less than one-third of the seats in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The Congressional Majority Interstellar United Front, which has long monopolized the presidential throne, naturally does not give the minority president a good look. Over the past four years, he has made repeated moves in the Senate and House of Representatives, successfully blocking many of Milhouse's new policies.

The Milhouse cabinet also lacked economic and diplomatic experience and skill, and after taking office, it ran a huge fiscal deficit for four consecutive years. Even in the year 2890, when the abyss of all-out war was plunged, the then ruling President Rong Guanghui managed to break even despite heavy losses in the army.

Although Richard Millhouse, who came by military background, led the Confederacy to a narrow advantage in the confrontation with the Empire, and even took an offensive position, it was not enough to restore voters' confidence in him. At present, the search for "Antnest" has allowed the empire to seize the initiative, and it is even more reasonable to doubt the ability of the president and his party.

Fritz Vank's reference to the election being "implicated" is a cautious term. Milhouse knew that with the current political situation, not only would the presidential election at the end of the year be hopeless, but the Alliance for Freedom and Democracy would further lose its seats in Congress.

"Frieze." The president looked out the window and softly called out to his treasurer.

"Yes, Your Excellency." Dr. Fritz Vank replied respectfully as he walked up behind the president.

"If a full-scale war breaks out now, and we win. Can the situation be reversed, you say? ”

Clearly, by "situation" Millhouse was referring to the political future of himself and his party.

Fritz Vank was a little stunned by the president's idea, and risking the lives of the vast number of officers and soldiers to pave the way for his own political future, gave him a new understanding of the people in front of him who had their backs to him.

Fritz Van Ke then replied in a very serious tone: "Your Excellency, even if we liberate the entire empire tomorrow and unify the human world in the Immortal Spiral Arm Stars, our financial deficit will still not be resolved. The lowly position believes that the value of the loot does not always offset the cost of victory. ”

Fritz Vank euphemistically gave a negative opinion about the president's intentions. The man, who holds the titles of Ph.D. in Economics and Ph.D., doesn't like war, much less the president's motivation for starting it.

From the perspective of party politics, he and the president are not only subordinate relations, but also political partners, and there is no need for hypocritical politeness and tactfulness on the issue of common governance. But humans are strange creatures, and even fathers, sons, and brothers who are related by blood, often have to follow the "unspoken rules" of the world in the vortex of power.

Richard Milhouse heard his subordinates and asked bluntly, "Frieze, do you have a clear idea of the current financial crisis?" ”

"Your Excellency, there is only one way left for disarmament." Fritz Vank no longer goes in circles with the president, and in a single sentence directly points out the root cause of the fiscal problem and the solution.

It is human nature that military personnel always prefer the military. Leaving the army as a retired Wehrmacht general, Richard Millhouse, who entered politics, was no exception. His rise to power was a boon to the Bundeswehr, which had been hit hard in the war of 2890.

Over the past four years, the Bundeswehr has spent more than 10 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP) every year. The Wehrmacht fleet has recovered to eighty percent of its pre-2890 pre-2890 numbers, surpassing the Imperial Army in all its aspects.

The huge amount of investment in the armed forces has naturally squeezed out other areas of fiscal expenditure, and the financial investment in medical care, education, and old-age care that benefit ordinary citizens has also stagnated for four consecutive years, and even experienced negative growth in some areas. So much so that many people believe that the Federation has moved towards "militarism".

The huge investment in defense is not entirely driven by President Richard Millhouse's preference, but by the empire's growing military power. Especially in recent years, the newly commissioned "Commander" class super-large battleships of the Imperial Army have completely overwhelmed the Bundeswehr warships in terms of firepower and function per ship.

This has caused great concern among many senior generals of the armed forces, who firmly believe that only by investing more money and developing more advanced and more warships can they compete with each other.

Thinking of this, Richard Millhouse felt a dilemma. Disarmament was a quick fix, but the threat of the new Roman Empire was real.

After much deliberation, Millhouse finally said: "Frieze, if we pin our hopes on 'Antnest'......"

Before he could finish speaking, Fritz Vank interrupted him: "Your Excellency, the rumored things can only be used to draw bread to satisfy hunger, and real problems need to be solved by realistic means. ”

He did not know anything about Antnest in the possession of the federal government. He prefers to believe that it is a story made up by mystics, and even if it is true, it cannot replace the calculation formulas and mathematical models to guide the operation of the country's economy.

Milhouse could sense the displeasure, even anger, of his cabinet. He turned around and calmly said to Fritz Vank: "Fritz, the situation cannot be changed by a conversation between you and me. You have to be prepared that the Federation is likely to be plunged into all-out war in the next six months, and our economic and financial systems must be able to smoothly transition to wartime. ”

"......" Fritz Vank was speechless. What was supposed to persuade the President to disarm and alleviate financial difficulties now leads to even more serious problems.

"I know it's difficult, but it has to be faced, both for our political future and for the national destiny of the Union." Milhouse said heavily.

Fritz Vank was silent for a moment, then said, "Your Excellency, please allow me to submit my solution to you in the future. In addition, I could not be more rude to remind you that the war bond only aggravates the responsibility on our shoulders. ”

Millhouse nodded.

After Fritz Vank left, Richard Milhouse still couldn't rest at ease, but paced irritably in the conference room.

Suddenly, Milhouse stopped, called the head of security, and instructed the backup car to go out.

A few minutes later, an ordinary-looking maglev sedan drove out of the side door of the presidential palace for staff to commute to and from work. The maglev car without wheels flew south at high speed and entered the center of Pangu city at a height of about one centimeter from the road pavement paved with superconducting electromagnetic materials.

Late at night, Pangu City is still brightly lit and lively. This is the oldest city in the Perseus Spiral Arm Interstellar Circle, and it is also the most prosperous city.

More than 400 years ago, a team of Chinese astronauts from Earth landed in the center of present-day Pangu, set up three tents, and erected a sign. On the sign is written an ancient word in Chinese characters - "Pangu", which means that mankind will open up the world in the new interstellar world and create a new society of peace and prosperity.

Now, more than 400 years later, the center of gravity of the human world has shifted to the Immortal Spiral Arm Stars, but the new society of peace and prosperity that those brave pioneers had hoped for has never been realized.

Driven by the greedy instinct of man, the plague of war still haunts humanity itself.

As the car passed downtown, Richard Milhouse subconsciously looked out the window and glanced at the three tents and signs that had been preserved as historical relics.

Old-fashioned tents and rusty signs, still reflecting a dim titanium glow, silently watched the traffic and crowds passing in front of them, as if waiting for a new upheaval.

The car passed through Pangu City, came to a high-end residential area on the southern suburbs, and drove into a large garden-style courtyard.

In the courtyard is an antique Chinese building with a courtyard layout. At this time, the hostess, supported by the maid, was standing at the main entrance to greet the arrival of the guests. But she wore an earthy yellow filial piety robe, and a hood made of coarse linen on her head.

This person is Luo Zhaobing, the second wife of Robben, who passed away not long ago, and her other identity is the wife of the late famous general Su Yu and the mother of Luo Bo.

Seeing the president in civilian clothes get out of the car, Luo Zhaobing greeted him and said politely: "Your Excellency is here late at night, and Luo Zhao is very honored." Just because her husband has passed away for less than 100 days, she wears linen and filial piety, and she is far away. ”

"Madame is so gracious. If it's not an emergency, I won't bother late at night, and I ask for your forgiveness. Milhouse showed special humility to the lady before him who was younger than himself.

After entering the living room, the housekeeper brought tea to the guests and led the servants away.

There was no one else, so Luo Zhaobing eagerly called the president by name and asked, "Richard, is there any news of my son?" ”

The president looked guilty and replied: "Major Robb was not found at the crash site, but his parachute and some other equipment were found under a cliff not far away." ”

"So life or death is still uncertain?" Luo Zhaobing's voice was full of sadness and frustration. has lost two husbands, and it is difficult to lose his only biological son.

"Don't worry, ma'am." Tai Chi's Planetary Security Bureau has our people, and the Mayors' Union has consciously moved closer to us. I have already ordered to find Robb at all costs. The president swore by it.

Luo Zhaobing nodded, and the conversation about his son ended here, and then asked, "Richard, if there is anything you want to discuss with me, just say it directly." ”

"Yes, ma'am. As you've heard, the Empire has sent a task force to explore 'Antnest' beyond the Perseus Spiral Arm. ”

"Yes, I heard. Moreover, it is said that the person in command of this fleet, von Jiang Ziyue, is the one who caused my son's whereabouts to be unknown. Luo Zhaobing commented on his son's opponent in a resentful tone describing the enemy, "Feng Jiang Ziyue, what a nondescript name!" ”

"Yes, ma'am." Richard Millhouse replied and then explained: "He was of mixed race, his mother was Chinese and his father was German. I have instructed to send a fleet to follow up. But I fear that a military conflict will break out and a full-scale war will ensue. ”

"Triggering an all-out war?" Luo Zhaobing immediately asked rhetorically, and then said in a smug tone: "Richard, I think you want to start a full-scale war." You hope that you can use the issuance of war bonds to restore the decay of the economy, as President Rong Guang did. ”

"Madame......" The president who was debunked his thoughts looked a little embarrassed.

Luo Zhaobing waved his hand to signal that he didn't need to defend himself, and continued: "Any military conflict can evolve into a full-scale war, and this time is even more special. When it comes to 'Antnest', the legendary thing that can master the universe is even more incredible. The idea of an all-out war for 'Antnest' to bring back the political decline of you and your party, Richard, is a bold idea. ”

The president did not immediately respond to the wife of his former boss, listening to her tone, there was a lot of heartfelt things to say.

"But don't you think that's very unrealistic? First of all, even if we succeed in obtaining 'Antnest', can you guarantee that our country will be able to quickly uncover its secrets and use them for my use? Perhaps this process takes not only time, but also money. What's worse is that your current government is very short of money. I must remind you that the issuance of war bonds is tantamount to quenching thirst. ”

Luo Zhaobing's tone was as calm as water, like a noble master, who was teaching a junior who came to study.

"Secondly, the amendment to the Federal Constitution already limits your power to wage all-out war. In the absence of a large-scale invasion by a foreign enemy, the president has no right to wage an all-out war, and Congress has no right to approve your proposal. You are also well aware that the people I love have paid with their lives for the sake of this bill that guarantees peace for mankind. ”

"I'm sorry, ma'am." Richard Millhouse hastened to apologize. He bears great responsibility for the death of General Su Yu.

"No, Richard, it's not your fault after all." Luo Zhaobing shook his head and said, "If the empire wants to take the opportunity to launch an all-out war against our country, that is the best opportunity. You can justifiably put the country on a wartime track, and you are in charge. However, if the Empire does not have such intentions, and instead wants to use the opportunity to start an all-out war to deflect the financial crisis and the missteps of your governance, I think that in the end you may not get anything. ”

She added in a deliberately accentuated tone: "Moreover, I am afraid that this will be taken advantage of by some people." ”

"Some people take advantage of?" The president asked.

"Yes. It is human greed that leads to war, just as you want to gain greater and more stable power through war. ”

In the face of Luo Zhaobing's criticism, the president did not say a word.

If Dai Yunong, chairman of the Federal Security Council, is the "Queen Mother of the West" who wields power, then Luo Zhaobing is the "godmother" of many political dignitaries. The current situation also illustrates this unmistakably.

"War is the extreme manifestation of human nature, the result of the unrestrained expansion of the dark side of human nature. There is nothing wrong with pursuing advantages and avoiding disadvantages, but Richard, have you ever thought that people who are more ambitious than you are also staring at you. So, I suggest you think twice about it. ”

Richard Milhouse nodded respectfully.

"Of course, if the Empire provokes an all-out war first, it will be the best chance for you and your party. And for the forces in the government and Congress that are holding you back at every turn, it's the worst-case scenario. ”

Luo Zhaobing ended the conversation in an optimistic tone, and then asked the housekeeper to send off the president on his behalf.

With a look of surprise, Richard Milhouse left Luo Zhaobing's apartment with brisk steps.