716: Chapter 716 The Council of the Lipgon Supercluster

"This is enough to show that, more likely than not, the Imperial Center intends to use this Independent Military Region as a spearhead to carry out Star Domain expansion operations."

This reasoning hit the nail on the head, and the Council Chamber instantly fell silent.

Everyone understood.

This was not a simple defense adjustment, but an Empire-level strategic layout.

But after hearing Admiral Kyle's inference, voices of doubt immediately rang out in the Council Chamber.

A minister in charge of economic planning immediately frowned, leaned forward, and voiced his doubts, his tone filled with confusion.

"Outward expansion? Hasn't the Empire already deployed the Frontline General Combat Legion in the frontal Star Domains to handle external expansion? Moreover, this Independent Military Region has just been established; its troops are merely a framework cobbled together from three divisions. It hasn't even filled out a complete corps-level organization, and its equipment, logistics, and personnel are not yet in place. What strength could it possibly have to execute an expansion mission? This is simply too unrealistic."

His words immediately garnered agreement from many. People whispered among themselves, all feeling that relying on a hastily formed military region to shoulder the heavy responsibility of Imperial expansion was indeed a bit far-fetched.

Seeing this, Kyle only shook his head helplessly and responded in a candid tone.

"The specific strategic deployment is only known to the Imperial Center; I am merely making a reasonable deduction based on the available information. But aside from external expansion, I truly cannot think of any other reason."

"Our Lipugong Supercluster is already located in the borderlands of the Empire. If it were purely for internal defense and maintaining public order, then my garrison Guard Division and the garrison Guard Divisions of various Galaxies should have all been incorporated into the Independent Military Region. Yet, there has been absolutely no notification regarding that. So, no matter how you look at it, the objective is very clear."

Just as everyone was discussing fervently, each holding their own opinion, and the entire Council Chamber fell into a noisy state of speculation, Speaker Pudel, seated at the head, coughed softly and solemnly raised his hand to signal for silence.

His authority was self-evident; the conversations in the room ceased instantly, and all eyes refocused on this chief executive.

"Alright, everyone."

Pudel's voice was steady and powerful, carrying an air of indisputable decisiveness.

"I have called you all here today not to guess the strategic intentions of the Imperial high-level, nor to debate the purpose of the military region's establishment. The facts are before us: the Independent Military Region has been approved for establishment, and the appointments have been officially issued. This matter is already a foregone conclusion, with no possibility of change."

He paused, his sharp gaze sweeping over every Official present, and continued in a deep voice.

"What we need to discuss now is not 'why,' but 'how.' It is very clear from the personnel arrangement of Comrade Li Yang concurrently serving as the Commander of the military region and Vice Minister of the Ministry of Finance that the Empire's intention is very explicit."

"Our entire administrative system of the Lipugong Supercluster must cooperate with and support the construction and operation of this Independent Military Region, and even provide comprehensive resource, financial, and administrative guarantees for it when necessary."

These words bluntly exposed the core and struck at the most realistic issue.

After his voice fell, the Officials who had been discussing just a moment ago all shut their mouths, and the Council Chamber fell into silence.

Everyone looked solemn, knowing in their hearts that this sudden Independent Military Region would completely change the administrative, financial, and defense landscape of the Lipugong Supercluster, and they, as local Officials, were about to face an unprecedented adjustment and trial.

In fact, every minister present was as clear-headed as a mirror; not a single person truly hoped that this Independent Military Region would take root in the Lipugong Supercluster.

For these local administrative Officials, what did the establishment of the military region mean?

It meant earmarking large sums of money from an already tight fiscal budget, prioritizing the allocation of planetary resources, infrastructure quotas, and logistical supplies, and even ceding part of their administrative authority, sacrificing interests within their own jurisdiction to fulfill the needs of an army with which they had no subordinate relationship.

To put it bluntly, it was using their family assets, their political achievements, and their investment in people's livelihoods to pave the way for others.

As for the future benefits brought by the successful expansion of the military region and the opening of new Star Domains?

No one present even bothered to think about it.

That was an Independent Military Region directly under the Empire, taking orders directly from the Military Department, with personnel, finance, and command authority all held by the central government. Even if they conquered more Galaxies and obtained more resources in the future, those would only be handed over to the Empire or kept within the military region, having absolutely nothing to do with the local administrative system of the Lipugong Supercluster.

They would put in the effort, money, and resources, yet gain no benefits in the end, essentially acting as a one-time power bank for this new military region.

Suppressing their dissatisfaction, they dared not openly oppose it; after all, this was an order jointly issued by the Imperial Supreme Political Council and the Military Department, and resistance was equivalent to defying central directives.

Thus, everyone could only respond with silence, leaving only an oppressive and awkward atmosphere in the meeting room.

Speaker Pudel took in everyone's expressions. Looking at the preoccupied and silent faces, he understood their concerns and resistance, yet he was powerless to change the established facts.

He shook his head gently, let out a low and helpless sigh, and spoke in a weary tone.

"Since you all cannot come up with a feasible plan for the time being and there is no unified opinion, let's end today's meeting here. The meeting is adjourned for now."

"Once Commander Li Yang officially arrives in the Lipugong Supercluster and completes the handover of duties, we will convene another meeting to specifically discuss the subsequent cooperation and coordination matters."

After speaking, Pudel said no more, stood up to straighten his lapels, and walked straight out of the Council Chamber.

As soon as the Speaker left, the Officials in the meeting room immediately relaxed their tense expressions. They looked at one another, their eyes filled with complexity and helplessness, yet no one was willing to say another word.

After a moment of silence, everyone also stood up and, carrying their own concerns, left the heavy-atmosphered Supreme Council Chamber one after another.

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