Zhao Chen wholeheartedly agreed, as he had 'deeply experienced' this firsthand.

Although his current Dragon Legion is quite powerful, its reserves of strategic resources are simply insufficient to sustain a large-scale campaign.

Especially a total war.

Zhao Chen seemed to have already foreseen the fate of the Chu family army.

If he were the supreme commander of the Starry Empire, his first action upon the Chu family army's rebellion would be to sever all connections between stargates and the Chu River Star Region.

And they adopted a scorched earth strategy.

Once a galaxy falls, the stargate of that galaxy must be destroyed first, before the galaxy itself falls.

This would stretch the Chu family army's battle lines very long. Since they already had limited strategic resources, this would greatly reduce their offensive efficiency.

If the star system has resource mining areas, then move the industrial equipment in those areas that can be moved, and destroy the equipment that cannot be moved in place. At the same time, destroy the resource mining areas as much as possible to increase the difficulty of resuming mining.

In this way, even if these resource mining areas are occupied by Governor Chuhe, production will not be able to resume in a short period of time.

Ultimately, at most, the cost of one star system would be enough to exhaust the Chu family's army's strategic resources.

At that time, the Empire will launch a full-scale counterattack.

The Chu family army will then face a situation where they have ships but no ammunition.

"But since I've come to the capital planet, even if they really want to imprison me, they wouldn't dare do anything to me."

Unjustly murdered an imperial duke, a five-star marshal, a star field governor, and a descendant of a family of loyal martyrs who had guarded the frontier against foreign enemies for hundreds of years.

"Then the Starry Empire will not be far from being torn apart." Governor Chuhe laughed loudly, feeling utterly confident.

That's true.

If the Starry Empire had no external threats, it would have been willing to go to any lengths to deal with Governor Chuhe, but given the current situation...

The royal family must take into account the hearts and minds of the people within the Starry Empire.

After all, you even made a move against the Chu family.

What about the other star field governors, dukes, and marshals? 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Is it true that as long as the royal family is willing, they can find any excuse to eliminate dissidents?

“But you’re on the capital planet...aren’t you still entrusting your life to the royal family?” Zhao Chen asked worriedly.

Governor Chu waved his hand and chuckled, "The Chu family has rebelled, so naturally they will take action against me."

If the Chu family doesn't rebel, my presence here will only be a hot potato for them.

Don't worry, it's much safer here than in the Chuhe Starfield.

Moreover, aren't they afraid that the Chu family will defect to the other two empires?

Governor Chu gave a wicked smile at the end.

Zhao Chen could tell that the old man had his own ideas; he was using him as a pawn to set the course for the Chu family.

"Alright, let's stop here for now."

Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Even if the sky falls, there's always someone taller to hold it up.

Zhao Chen's conversation with Governor Chu He came to an end.

"I have a feeling that something big is going to happen at this investiture ceremony," Zhao Chen muttered.

...

The next day, the receptionist Xiangxiang contacted Zhao Chen and took him to the banquet venue.

The banquet was held in a'sky city' in near-Earth orbit, where Zhao Chen arrived by shuttle.

I saw quite a few lords and nobles.

The noble medals worn on their chests were all at least viscount level, and Zhao Chen even saw several marquis medals.

Those who receive a personal title from the Star Emperor are all granted at least the rank of Earl or higher.

The vast majority of them were older, around forty or fifty years old.

Zhao Chen, who is so young, seems somewhat out of place here.

Zhao Chen found a relatively secluded spot to sit down and scanned the banquet area. To his surprise, he spotted a few familiar faces.

Five-Star Marshal Huang Zhixiong, Governor of the Azure Star Region.

These two are old acquaintances of Zhao Chen.

Governor Azure also noticed Zhao Chen sitting in the corner, and walked over with an innocent expression.

"Marquis Zhao Chen, why are you sitting in the corner?"

"Those people are all eager to meet the renowned Marquis Zhao Chen," Governor Azure said enthusiastically.

Zhao Chen shook his head and said, feigning nervousness, "I'm a bit timid and not used to big scenes like this."

"Governor Azure, just have fun. Don't worry about me."

"That won't do. Speaking of which, the insectoid disaster that happened in my Azure Starfield was actually saved thanks to Marquis Zhao Chen."

"I haven't even properly thanked Marquis Zhao Chen yet, I'm so ashamed," said Governor Azure.

You gave yourself a good 'thank you' back then. If it weren't for Governor Chuhe and the little princess's royal fleet arriving, who knows what kind of trouble you would have caused.

I have to say, these people are really shameless.

Given the circumstances back then, it's amazing that I can still calmly chat with myself here.

However, if he knew that his Hurricane Consortium had fallen from grace because he had supported Li Yaqi's Beiyan Starship Technology Group behind the scenes...

I reckon even that good expression won't last.

"You're too kind," Zhao Chen said.

Actually, we had some misunderstandings before.

I believe there is still a possibility of cooperation between us.

After all, I have connections and resources, while you have the technology.

Although you are the future grandson-in-law of Governor Chuhe, as the saying goes, a good bird chooses a good tree to perch on!

"We don't necessarily have to hang ourselves on the Chu family, especially since the Chu family is not the same as it used to be." Governor Azure's words seemed to imply something deeper.

Zhao Chen knew perfectly well that the Azure Governor was trying to undermine the Chu family, while also making him realize that the Chu family was on the verge of decline.

Rather than sinking with the Chu family's crumbling ship, you might as well bring your starship technology to me.

"I'm not thinking that much right now. I'm just focused on developing my own territory," Zhao Chen said, feigning ignorance.

Governor Azure patted Zhao Chen on the shoulder, as if he were an old friend: "Young brother Zhao Chen, I believe you will ultimately make a wise choice."

The smile on Governor Azure's face gave off the feeling of a smiling tiger.

Just then, a group of attendants appeared at the main entrance of the banquet hall and escorted the two into the banquet venue.

"The Second Prince and Prince Yan have arrived!"

Zhao Chen looked over and saw a middle-aged man and a young man surrounded by a crowd.

Although he had never met these two people before, Zhao Chen had heard his classmates discuss their information at North Star Academy.

Second Prince Qin Ming.

He and his younger brother, the Third Prince Qin Hu, established the Princes' Party.

Prince Yan is the younger brother of the current Emperor Xingyao.

He was granted the title of Prince Yan and his fiefdom was the Snow Swallow Star Region. He was the only prince in the Star Glory Empire.

But I've heard that he's always been a leisurely prince, with no great ambitions, who enjoys collecting novelties from various star systems and universes.

Every year, the Star Emperor would bestow upon his younger brother some rare treasures.

Unexpectedly, Prince Yan himself appeared at the investiture ceremony this time.

At this moment, the capital city seemed to be filled with a mysterious and shrouded atmosphere.