A short while later, Zhao Chen received a communication request.

It's true what they say, speak of the devil and he appears.

Governor of Chuhe.

Zhao Chen came in.

As soon as Governor Chuhe opened the video window, he looked Zhao Chen up and down: "In just one year, you have been promoted directly from Viscount to Marquis."

This is extremely rare in the history of the Starry Empire.

"You're pretty good, kid."

"You flatter me, Governor Chuhe," Zhao Chen said politely.

"Stop with the nonsense. You earned this through your own hard work, so stop being so modest." Governor Chuhe acted like a wealthy old man in front of Zhao Chen, showing no airs of a governor.

"How did you end up here?" Zhao Chen asked, voicing his doubts.

Governor Chuhe curled his lip: "It's just that someone couldn't resist trying to take advantage of the Chu family's prestigious reputation."

We must take action against the Chu family! 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Zhao Chen was shocked.

The Chu family is the largest family in the Starshine Empire, and they also possess the strongest Chu family legion fleet besides the royal legion fleet!

Throughout history, the invasions of the Machine Race have been prevented by the Chu family's defense of the Chu River Star Region, which has allowed the other star regions of the Star Glory Empire to prosper.

Governor Chu looked at Zhao Chen and said, "Let me test you. What do you think about this matter concerning the Chu family?"

Zhao Chen hesitated.

"Stop being so wishy-washy. This is our encrypted communication now. No one else knows about it except the two of us. Speak freely," Governor Chuhe urged impatiently.

"All of this started because the Machine Race withdrew their troops."

Originally, the Mechanical Race was the balance that kept the Chu family in check. Now that {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} the Mechanical Race is no longer a threat, the balance has naturally been disrupted.

Meanwhile, those unclaimed star systems outside the Chuhe Starfield are tempting bait.

However, those unclaimed star systems are relatively close to the Chuhe Star Region. Even if you are willing to hand over those unclaimed star systems to the high-ranking nobles of the Empire, your Chuhe Star Region will be like a guillotine choking them.

If you're unhappy, then they'll suffer.

Therefore, the Chu family in the Chuhe Star Region has now become a thorn in the side of the empire's higher-ups!

Coincidentally, the eldest prince died while on an expedition outside the Chuhe Starfield.

"This is tantamount to giving those high-ranking officials of the empire an opportunity to take action against the Chu family!" Zhao Chen analyzed.

"A bunch of fools." Governor Chuhe sneered, "They want to discard their tools after they've served their purpose, but don't they even use their brains?"

If we attack my Chu family now, wouldn't that just let the Warhammer United States and the Holy Empire reap the benefits?

Although they are still officially the Galactic Alliance, with such a huge pie in front of the three great empires, the alliance could collapse at any moment.

And I've been worried about one thing: could all of this be a conspiracy by the machine race?

"A conspiracy? You mean the Machine Race deliberately withdrew its troops, leaving the Galactic Alliance with such a huge piece of the pie, letting the Galactic Alliance fight amongst themselves, and then the Machine Race would come back with a vengeance?"

Zhao Chen thought for a moment: "This is indeed a good plan, but it also carries certain risks."

In case the Galactic Alliance can peacefully transition on this issue and absorb those unclaimed star systems.

This undoubtedly increased the Galactic Alliance's fighting strength.

The machine race has shot themselves in the foot!

"Not bad, you even considered the duality." Governor Chuhe laughed. "Then what do you think is the reason the Empire summoned me back this time?"

"Put you under house arrest? A cup of wine to release military power?" Zhao Chen asked.

"Hahaha. It's possible that I'll be placed under house arrest."

A cup of wine to release military power? Dream on. The Chu family's army fleet was built by my own hand; they only recognize my name.

Even several imperial legions within the border imperial army were people I cultivated and supported.

"Even if I don't have military power granted by the Empire, as long as I, Chu Changhe, raise my arm and call, I can directly mobilize at least twenty interstellar legion fleets, or even more!" Governor Chuhe said proudly.

"But for those people in the Empire, a short pain is worse than a long one."

To them, you are a cancer on their map of interests.

The most important thing now is to determine whether this summons is the intention of the Star Emperor or the intention of the ministers below.

The former... that's the worst-case scenario.

The latter... still has room for maneuver.

This summons is also a test. If you disobey, it will be because Governor Chuhe betrayed the Starry Empire first, which will affect your prestige. The Empire will then take the opportunity to eliminate you.

If you accept the summons, I estimate that you will be kept on the Imperial Capital Star for some reason.

"In that case, the Empire will have the upper hand. They can use you to coerce the interstellar fleet of the Chuhe Star Region, and if necessary, force them to rebel!" Zhao Chen said thoughtfully.

Governor Chu looked at Zhao Chen with admiration: "You are much smarter than my granddaughter. Although my granddaughter is clever, beautiful, and intelligent..."

Zhao Chen felt helpless. He knew that you doted on your granddaughter, but there was no need to keep praising her at this time.

Governor Chuhe continued, "But my granddaughter is too naive; some things are not as simple as she thinks."

When he mentioned his granddaughter, Governor Chuhe's eyes were full of kindness.

Then, Governor Chuhe looked intently at Zhao Chen: "Zhao Chen, can I trust you?"

"I don't know how to answer your question so suddenly..." Zhao Chen scratched his head awkwardly.

“My granddaughter trusts you a lot, so I trust you too.”

I have a favor to ask of you. If... if one day the Chu family is in trouble...

"I only ask that you can live with Chu Xuan!" Governor Chuhe said in a heavy tone.

At this point, he was no longer a star field governor or a five-star marshal.

He's just a grandfather who worries about his granddaughter.

Moreover, this seems to be the second time Governor Chuhe has brought up this matter with him.

"Is it that serious?" Zhao Chen asked.

Governor Chuhe raised his head, as if looking at the starry sky outside the bridge: "We are all in the middle of a grand game, and even I can't see what the next move will be."

Before I arrived, some of my subordinates even advised me to rebel.

Zhao Chen was shocked. The Governor of Chuhe dared to say such things to his face.

Governor Chu shook his head: "But I know that if the Chu family's army fleet really rebels, there will only be one outcome."

defeat!

Although the Chu family's fleet is strong, and although I have prestige in the border imperial army.

But you have to understand that war isn't just about the number of your starships on paper.

Logistics, supplies, and strategic materials are all major problems.

For a long time, half of what the border imperial army needed came from the imperial supply.

The Chuhe Starfield alone cannot support such a massive interstellar legion fleet.

Although my Chu family has accumulated some resources over the years, they can only sustain my interstellar legion fleet for less than half a year of regular battles.

For the next six months, the Empire only needs to wear us down.

Once our'strategic resources' are exhausted, even our most powerful interstellar warships will be nothing more than scrap metal.