35: Chapter 35 Campaign Against the Allied Forces

"As long as you are willing. Listen in on the administration from the side."

In the Cheng Yu Empire, the harem was allowed to interfere in politics without exception, and concubines had to work. The empire needed multi-functional, versatile talents.

"Your Majesty, your servant has a petition to present."

Drake was now an Imperial Duke, Minister of the Ministry of "Military Affairs + Military Orders," bestowed with the Nine Bestowals, and granted the right to open his own office with the same status as the Three Ducal Ministers. He was below only one person, but above tens of millions of others.

Even his eldest son, Little Drake, was the Commander of the Nine Gates of the Imperial Capital, specifically in charge of the internal defense of the capital and the imperial city.

However, Cheng Yu did not grant him any fiefdom, nor did he plan to in the future. He needed to hold the financial lifeblood of the Drake family in his hands.

"What advice does Beloved Minister Drake have for Us?"

"Numerous forces from multiple surrounding star systems have formed a punitive coalition. This is their diplomatic note."

The Middle Chamberlain clone projected the opponent's call to arms onto the screen wall of the main hall.

The content was nothing more than denouncing Cheng Yu's war crimes of invading other planets without reason, demanding that he return the planets and pay reparations, which made Main Body laugh.

Actually, Main Body had already known about this yesterday, but the Grand Imperial Court itself served the purpose of notifying everyone.

A grand imperial court could not rely on small slips of paper to pass messages, after all.

"These scoundrels. Before I even noticed, they actually formed an Eighteen-Route Coalition to rebel against me. How utterly foolish. I should have slaughtered them all long ago, carved up their flesh, and boiled it into soup."

Cheng Yu sat with his hands clasped. "Beloved Concubine, do you have any thoughts on this?"

Vera was merely greedy, not a complete fool. She could tell just by looking at the star map.

More than half of these surrounding forces wanting to crusade against Cheng Yu were rebel forces already blacklisted by the Imperial Inquisition, and some were even stray dogs colluding with Chaos.

This wave was rebels fighting rebels—dog eat dog.

"Your servant believes that the coalition is nothing but a rabble. As long as we defeat the leader, the remaining scoundrels will naturally scatter."

The court officials chimed in with praise; these fellows had already begun to flatter Vera.

"Well said, Beloved Concubine, but We have a different idea."

How could Cheng Yu let others guess his thoughts? Since they said that, he would do the exact opposite.

"You want me to divide the coalition, stir up conflicts, and defeat them one by one."

"I, however, will help the enemy integrate and help them unite."

"I want them to twist into a single rope, pull in one direction, and then be wiped out together by Us."

"Those noble captives, how many of them have not been executed yet?" Cheng Yu asked.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, there are still twenty people. Because we still need their assistance with some trivial administrative matters in the occupied territories, they have not been killed yet."

Aria also attended the meeting today. She was actually a bit upset. First, she was angry that Main Body had sent an Army-Supervising Commandant to restrict her power—though that was a minor matter, as Ivankov wouldn't stay on her side forever anyway.

Second, she was angry that Main Body wanted to take concubines but hadn't even considered her. Although she didn't like Main Body, his disregard for her charm made her very annoyed.

"Release them." Cheng Yu stood up. "But before releasing them, leave some souvenirs on their bodies, and then send them to those forces to tell them that this is the fate of those who oppose Us."

"As you command."

"Your servant has a petition to present."

Another minister stepped forward, and this time he spoke of some pleasant matters:

For instance, some small surrounding forces were willing to submit to the Cheng Yu Empire and had actively handed over some tributes as a sign of sincerity.

Cheng Yu was always lenient toward those who were willing to cooperate.

As long as they were willing to pay jerky as a tithe, Cheng Yu could temporarily leave them alone.

...

The "Odyssey" Space Station Camp, the main tent of the coalition.

The Tempestus Sector had never been peaceful.

Corpse Emperor Governors, Ork Warlords, Aeldari Pirates, and Chaos Warbands.

Whoever had guns was king!

However, except for the Tyranids, who had absolutely no sanity to speak of, most forces maintained a delicate balance.

Everyone made their own gains, engaging in small skirmishes without baring their teeth, and made sure not to cross the line too much so as to save face.

Cheng Yu's dynasty had clearly violated this unwritten rule, and was thus viewed by all forces as a tyrant that must be eliminated.

The eighteen forces had twisted into a single rope, and their leaders were currently discussing how to deal with Cheng Yu.

They were:

The first force, Corpse Emperor Sector Governor Hermann Stock, with over ten million troops and more than a hundred large warships, was the strongest among them and was thus elected as the Alliance Leader.

The second force, Corpse Emperor Planet Governor Marek Vitos, with 5.3 million troops and fifteen starships, was the Deputy Alliance Leader.

The third force, Rogue Trader Kaelus Sarr, with five hundred thousand troops and three warships, was responsible for supplying the provisions and military logistics for this campaign.

The fourth force, Craftworld Aeldari Phelan Lyandir, with thirty thousand troops and one Craftworld, was responsible for providing technical support for xenos technology.

...

The eighteenth force, former Space Marine and current leader of the Free Rangers, Cassian Reus, with one hundred thousand troops and one warship.

The leader of the Free Rangers actually meant "someone who joined a Chaos Warband but couldn't make it, resulting in being accepted by neither side."

"Gentlemen, I am extremely grateful to all the generals for coming to this alliance to join our righteous cause. Today's gathering is truly a rare and fortunate event in our Tempestus Sector's history!"

Alliance Leader Hermann was clad in power armor, his bright red cloak fluttering under the ventilation system. Combined with his handsome looks and tall stature, he indeed possessed the commanding presence of an alliance leader.

"Even Holy Terra itself has never gathered such a diverse group of heroes and champions."

Deputy Alliance Leader Marek's words were somewhat sarcastic, clearly displeased to see xenos and Chaos Marines having a seat at the table.

"Gentlemen, please hear me out."

Rogue Trader Kaelus saw that the Alliance Leader looked displeased and quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

"In this crusade against the Gene Tyrant, our allied forces certainly have enough manpower. However, we still lack one thing. Do you gentlemen know what it is?"

No one paid attention to him. If there was something to say, just say it; why act like he was coaxing kindergarten children?

"We lack a decree of crusade from Holy Terra!"

"Tsk, so much nonsense. If you want to fight, just fight. Do you have to tell the adults at home first?" Phelan the Aeldari said disdainfully.

"Brother Kaelus is right." Alliance Leader Hermann nodded in approval. "A tyrant can act willfully, but we must strictly abide by the laws of Terra. This is the distinction between good and evil."

"Good! Well said, Alliance Leader!"

"The Alliance Leader is absolutely right!"

"Listening to the Alliance Leader speak is truly like drinking fine wine; it leaves us utterly enchanted!"

The leaders of the minor forces present chimed in one after another, their flattery reaching new heights.

"Then... where is this decree now?" Marek asked, still sounding sarcastic.

"Ha, that brings us to the key point. This decree from the High Lords of Terra—I have already drafted it on behalf of the coalition!" Rogue Trader Kaelus said, utterly out of his mind.