Xia Lian stood in the conference hall, there was no one here at the moment, and those Grand Dukes went to the technical department under the guidance of the transformation people.

York City has enough technical response at the moment, but Xia Lian feels that even if he can get in touch, there are not many people who can make his henchmen believe.

Even if he convinces his henchmen, how to return to the duchy is a problem, but as long as these Grand Dukes are still in his hands, these problems will be solved sooner or later.

The current empire is held back by the new federation and the sea of stars, so it is not difficult for him to recapture these principalities.

Of course, the Duchy is only a part of the Empire, and there is still a large land and the most powerful fleet of the Empire that belongs to the Emperor.

If these principalities were united, they might have the power of a "fourth nation", but of course, it would be just maybe.

However, just finding a fulcrum is enough to pry the entire battlefield.

Mercury and Mithril walked in through the door and stood on either side of Xia Lian.

"The finishing touches are done." Mithril Road.

Xia Lian still has some things left in the palace, and these things are naturally cleaned up by Mithril.

Xia Lian nodded, and then turned around.

"Let's go, we don't have much time."

"Where to go?" Mercury asked.

"Back to Helios, we haven't been back for a while, is there any news from Sulfur lately?"

"He would come to York City at regular times to report on the situation in the Duchy of Helios, and the main thing that the false archduke did was to take charge of the movement of the army.

And all government affairs are handed over to the original political team to solve. "Mercury Road.

"It's not unexpected." Xia Lian muttered softly.

He has just succeeded to the throne, and there is no team that can be called a confidant, most of the people who can be used are left by his father, but once a son of heaven and a courtier, how much these people can inherit from his father's loyal servants is also a question.

Moreover, the more you do, the more flaws there will be, and obeying the emperor's orders to mobilize the army is the best choice, legal and compliant.

He turned around and used the quantum teleportation device to return to the portal with mercury and Mithril, and then returned to the New Summer Palace through the portal.

The modder apparently didn't have any other hobbies, the overall layout of the room hadn't changed, or rather, he probably hadn't lived in this room before, and even the quilt was the same as the last time he left.

"It's a pity that millions of beds don't even try." Xia Lian teased.

Mercury nodded, "It's indeed more comfortable than the bed in the afterlife, I heard that it is customized by the Academy of Sciences, in addition to the most basic functions of correcting the spine and sleeping position, it can also regulate the body's hormones and enter the best sleep state."

There should also be a part of the aphrodisiac function and the body's regulation function when reproducing, so that both parties can enter the best state. ”

Xia Lian raised his eyebrows a little unexpectedly, "There is still this kind of function?" ”

"There should be, I noticed that your body hormones were abnormal at that time." Mercury said, "It should be to increase the probability of continuing the Helios bloodline." ”

Xia Lian nodded, "No wonder, I just think my self-control shouldn't be so bad." ”

"It will only start after it enters reproduction." Mercury said on one side.

Xia Lian's face froze slightly.

"Okay, let's not talk about this, where is that reformer now?" Xia Lian asked.

Mercury raised her hand and pointed out of the balcony.

Xia Lian looked out of the balcony, where on a huge virtual screen, the fake great justice was wearing the military uniform he had worn for the enthronement ceremony, and was giving a passionate speech.

"Sons of Helios, I know that your hearts are confused and uneasy at this moment.

But believe the military men of Helios, the army of Helios!

This war was provoked by the enemy on his own initiative in order to satisfy his own despicable ambitions!

”

"According to Sulphur, after the war began, the people were very nervous, and they had little confidence in the Empire's defeat of the Star Sea and the New Federation.

At the same time, people are dissatisfied with the rising prices and the cost of living. Mercury said, "Your approval rating is declining. ”

"Not surprisingly." Xia Lian whispered in a low voice, "Has the battle situation on the front line been reported?" ”

"It seems to be for secrecy, not yet."

"But it should be soon.

Believe it or not, when the front line comes, the entire Duchy of Helios will be reversed in an instant.

People will be immersed in the joy of victory and will embrace "me".

At that time, "I" may even surpass my father's approval rating.

Man is such an animal, no matter what ethnic group, the desire for the land is engraved in the bones.

Many people are not afraid of war, they are afraid of war coming to them, they are afraid of defeat, and if they can win, it will be a different outcome. ”

Xia Lian raised his head and looked at the guy.

"So, at the moment, it's our best chance to get him back."

After a pause, he continued, "Where is he now?" ”

"It's in the palace."

"Inform the Circan troops guarding him and keep him in check."

"Yes."

Helios had never escaped from the control of Xia Lian, and when the reformer was in the principality, he had been watched by his people twenty-four hours a day.

The streets of Sun City on the Star Helios.

People stood in the streets, looking up at the Grand Duke's speech, their brows furrowed slightly, and their hearts were clearly not very peaceful.

People lowered their heads and talked a lot.

"There was a real fight."

"What do you call that there is really a fight, the front line has been fighting for more than a month, and more than 10 million people have died."

"More than 10 million? How many must there be, and there are only a few million people in Sun City. ”

"It's terrible, why do you have to fight, isn't peace good?"

"People knock on the door, you can't help but fight back, right?"

"Let's hope we win."

"Hopefully, I heard that the new federation doesn't even have universal health care, and I don't want to be under their rule."

"Look!"

While they were chatting, with the stunned cry of one person, on the virtual projection screen, a group of transformed people approached their Grand Duke, and suddenly stretched out a chain of golden light from his body, binding him tightly and unable to move.

The entire Sun City was a little panicked.

"What's going on?"

"Is it a coup d'état?"

"How could this happen all of a sudden?"

"A spy for the New Federation?"

"Damn, what about the Circe troops? How could there be no guards around the Grand Duke? ”

As the leader and spiritual guide of the whole country, the Grand Duke was tied up in front of the public, and the impact on these people was very great.

Some of the women even burst into tears, but soon, another "Grand Duke" appeared in front of them, wearing a black regular robe, with a little more depth and wisdom in his eyes than the tied up Grand Duke.

People looked at each other, even with some doubts.

"What's going on, two archdukes?"

But soon, Xia Lian tidied up the hem of his clothes a little and said to the camera.

"Sons of Helios, at this moment, you should be very confused about what is happening before your eyes.

But don't worry, I've got you covered. ”

As he spoke, he looked at the reformer on one side, and under the control of the reformer, the disguise on the other "self" was lifted, revealing his true appearance.

Very formulaic appearance, short white hair, and then above the average line, these genetic templates of modified people should all use the same set, so the appearance is somewhat similar.

Seeing this "Grand Duke" reveal his true face, the entire principality showed an uproar.

"Now, you should understand, right?"

Xia Lian said quietly.

"Until the start of the war, until the start of this war, all the decrees were issued by this reformer disguised as me.

At that time, a few days after my accession to the throne, I was invited to the banquet of kings.

The Emperor tells us about his desire to reunify humanity.

But considering the killing caused by the war and the impact on people's livelihoods, we jointly opposed the Emperor's decision.

But in the end, we were imprisoned, and he, he sent a group of reformers, disguised as us, to take our place in order to support him in this war. ”

Xia Lian said it very succinctly, but as long as you are not stupid, you can probably understand what is going on.

People reacted, with some righteous indignation.

"How could the Emperor do that?"

"The Great Emperor wants great unification, so it was really the empire that initiated it, I said, how could it be that it would start a war with the Xinghai New Federation at the same time, it was too coincidental."

"So what are we going to do now?"

"It doesn't seem appropriate to break with the Empire."

Xia Lian's words continued.

"We escaped from the palace after some effort.

That is, all that you see.

I know that you are confused about the future, but since I have chosen to tell you the truth without concealment, it means that I have the confidence to solve all this.

This time, I fled from the palace with the rest of the Grand Dukes.

They will return to their principality and stand with us.

We, Helios, will always stand on this land!

And so far, I, Charian Helios, hereby declare.

We will withdraw from this unjust war, and I do not want my soldiers to die or wound for this needless war.

I don't want it to affect the lives of my people.

I will garrison the recalled troops at the border, at the same time.

The Principality of Helios will cut off trade with the outside world and close itself off! ”

Xia Lian's father probably knew in the past that there would be a big war in the galaxy sooner or later, so the overall economy of the principality was mainly based on internal circulation, and the proportion of foreign trade was not large, so it was harmless.

Moreover, with the size of the principality, there is basically no shortage of various resources, and it is good for the development of the country to temporarily escape from this war.

The entire Sun City was silent for a while, but then, there was an unprecedented burst of cheers.

This is normal, the interior of Sun City is inhabited by either clans or henchmen of the Helios family, and the fate of these people is closely linked to the Helios family.

Therefore, no matter what Xia Lian decides, they will support it.

The live video broadcast was quickly cut off, and Mercury moved a chair from the side, and Xia Lian sat on the chair, staring at the transformed person in front of him.

He was cut off from his body and brain by micro and nano molecules, so he didn't pose any threat to Xia Lian.

"What's your name?" Xia Lian asked.

"Tin platinum." He said.

"You're very cooperative." Xia Lian said with a smile.

"You Helios, there is a way to get me to speak, and even retrieve my memories after I die." "So, even if I resist, it's useless. ”

Xia Lian smiled and continued to speak.

"You didn't do anything to Helios that disgusted me, and everything you did was doing the Emperor's orders.

I don't have any reason to kill you.

Instead, I will send you back to the Emperor.

However, I want you to bring me a message to the Emperor. ”

Xia Lian watched him quietly.

"Tell the Emperor that the Duchy of Helios has no intention of participating in this war, nor does it want to oppose the Empire, so from this day on.

The Duchy of Helios will close itself off and withdraw all its fleets.

We won't cause any trouble to the Empire for the time being, and please don't ask for trouble. ”

Xibo raised his head, "This war, from the moment it began, your Duchy of Helios has been firmly tied to this ship.

Only with the victory of the Empire will you be able to keep the Duchy of Helios.

If you want to be alone, it's not that simple.

You're naïve, Duke Helios. ”

"That's my choice." Xia Lian said with a smile.

Then, he motioned for the transformer on one side to press him down.

And Sulfur also walked in from the outside after this Imperial Transformer called Xibo was pressed down, and stood by Xia Lian's side.

"You should have heard what I just said, right?"

"Yes."

"Withdraw the fleet sent out and focus on the direction of Bahram."

After a pause, Sulfur couldn't help but ask.

"Your Highness, there seems to be some truth in what the reformer said.

If the new federal front collapses and the Duchy of Bahram falls, the next moment, it will be our turn. ”

"The probability of the new federation winning is not very high." Xia Lian muttered softly.

After a pause, he continued, "And, do you really feel that the Empire is not capable of facing the new Federation alone? ”

Sulfur fell silent.

"What is fighting them now is the fleet of the principality, but the main fleet of the empire has never made a move.

The most important thing is that the Duchy of Bahram has not yet elected an archduke, and it is not even able to mobilize all its fleets as flexibly as Helios.

Therefore, on the front of the NPP, our fleet of Helios is the majority.

This is a blatant attempt to use us as cannon fodder. ”

After a pause, Xia Lian continued, "I have been to the front line before, and if I hadn't gone in time, the Duchy would have lost an Ark fleet by now. ”

Sulfur's eyes widened slightly, "I don't know about this at all. ”

"They probably won't tell you either." Xia Lian said, "The current financial situation of the principality should not be very good, right?" ”

"The manufacturing industry of the whole country is in the service of the war, and economic growth has fallen into a certain stagnation." ”

"Then get out of it as soon as possible." Xia Lian said.

Sulphur nodded, and then bowed to Xia Lian.

"Yes, I'll do it."

With that, he retreated.

Xia Lian exhaled a breath of turbidity, closed his eyes, and slowly leaned back on the chair.

As if she knew what Xia Lian was thinking, Mercury silently walked over and massaged his head.

"It's been a bit much lately." Xia Liandao.

"Still."

He slowly opened his eyes.

"We're officially on the chessboard, too."

Yesterday I went to the hospital to see a doctor, I thought it was a minor illness, but I didn't expect to have surgery, and I emo it all day, and the operation didn't seem to be small, headache.

(End of chapter)