The Empire begins with the Fourth Scourge

2076. Francis Underwood (middle)

"I remember that you also approved of this war." Claire Underwood said.

"But not now," Francis Underwood said, "and not as Operation Zero depicts."

"I don't deny this." Claire took another sip of wine, paused for a few seconds, and then continued: "Crazy, unbelievable."

"You know what I'm most worried about?" Francis Underwood said. "They have seen war as the only way to solve their problems. They are fighting war for war's sake. Even if there are other options, they will They can only choose war. They are almost inseparable from war. Only war... can show their value. "

He put the cigarette to his mouth and wanted to smoke again, but he felt even more annoyed, so he put out most of the remaining cigarette butts. "I always think that once we have the Dyson ring and the material decompressor, we already have it." The future is inevitable. Things between us and the Galactic Empire will inevitably lead to war, but the way of war should not be as crazy as Operation Zero. "

He paused, took the bottle from his wife, took a sip, and said, "We can defend, and we have no problems at all. We have conducted countless simulations even in the worst situations - Galactic Empire, The probability of capturing the Dawn Planet while maintaining its internal structure is less than 10%. We won this long-distance race Claire, we really won..."

"This is Tang Xiao's credit." Claire said seriously.

"That's right. That's why he can lead all of us to rush towards an even crazier war." Francis Underwood said, "Even if this war is completely unnecessary. The Galactic Empire More than anyone else, they wanted us to die, more than anyone else, they wanted to attack immediately, but why didn’t they themselves foresee this outcome?”

Claire didn't speak. Her legs were a little numb, so she stood up and continued to be an audience.

Francis also stood up and took another sip of wine, "But do you know? This galaxy has become an arena between the two Sith Lords, Tang Xiao and Palpatine. They are just for My own ambition controls the entire galaxy, countless planets, and countless lives to complete this war game."

"That's what the rebels said," Claire said.

"But I think they have a point," Francis said.

"You shouldn't say that. At least, not as a prime minister," Claire said.

"How long can I be the prime minister?" Francis asked, "Hari Seldon, that's right."

"That's why you should do what you should do. Instead of drinking here." Claire said.

"But now I'm not the prime minister. Just a man, a husband." Francis shook the bottle, took a sip, and handed it to Claire.

"If this can help you tomorrow." Claire also took a sip of wine, grabbed Francis' tie, and pulled him in front of her.

The tips of their noses were almost touching.

"So... now my man can tell me that you will cheer up, right?" There was a faint aroma of wine and cigarettes in her mouth, and just the right amount of perfume.

"I will not allow Operation Plan Zero to be executed. It is a wrong plan," Francis said.

"Work hard." Claire kissed him directly.

…

The next day, the office of the Prime Minister's Office of the Principality of Liming.

"I said this was impossible, Mr. Zemo." Francis Underwood said calmly, "The only candidate to succeed Deputy Minister Chris Anderson is Huachao. He used to be Chris - Anderson's deputy has a thorough understanding of how he works and how he works."

"The supply plan proposed by Huachao is too conservative and can no longer meet the needs of the core industrial zone of Vathian supported by material decompressors and Dyson rings." Standing in front of Francis was Helmut, the chief minister of the cabinet - Baron Zemo, "For that matter, Torres Chado is more suitable."

"Do you know what kind of disaster it is to have Torres Chado serve as the deputy minister of supply chain in the sector? Mr. Zemo." Francis' tone gradually became colder. "The supply plan he proposed is completely unrealistic. If If we have to force it through, it will increase the pressure on the supply planet, and the average working time per person will be extended by at least one hour. At the same time, the flow of private logistics will also decrease by at least 10%. We cannot force it forward without considering public opinion at all. Such a radical material supply policy.”

"This is a necessary sacrifice in order to complete our plan," Zemo said.

"This sacrifice is not a matter of course. You are not thinking from my perspective, but I am thinking about the lives of the 830 billion people in the entire Principality of Dawn." Francis Underwood stared with burning eyes The other party said coldly, "Maybe in your eyes, there is only the cold number of the final goal, but you have not even thought about whether this final number is reasonable. We should have a consensus that the Principality of Dawn should not become like the Galactic Empire. Right?"

"It is precisely because we don't want to become like the Galactic Empire that we have to defeat the Galactic Empire. In order to defeat the Galactic Empire, Operation Zero is the premise of everything we do." Zemo's tone also became cold.

"Operation Zero is not the only option to defeat the Empire." Francis Underwood said in a deep voice, "Expanding armaments and strengthening defense according to our production plan will give us a much greater chance of success."

"This is different from the results of our previous summit, Prime Minister." Zemo sneered and said, "Operation Zero is the highest principle for all our actions now, and it cannot be questioned."

"Even if this will provoke civil unrest and opposition?" Francis Underwood growled, "Our first principle is to survive! Instead of putting ourselves on the fire! Didn't the strike on Jiroch last week wake you up?"

"Shouldn't the strike on Jiroch last week be your dereliction of duty, Prime Minister?" Zemo sneered, "Under the premise of Operation Zero, a strike can still break out. Do you need a little person like me to remind you that such a thing should not happen?"

Bang! Francis slammed the table and stood up, staring at Zemo, "You'd better think carefully about what you want to say now, Zemo. You guys have caused too much harm to the Principality of Dawn for this Operation Zero! Enough is enough!" (End of this chapter)