The Empire begins with the Fourth Scourge

145. Political victim

The reason why the trade union has become the best monopoly enterprise in the entire galaxy system is that everyone knows what they rely on.

And at this juncture, if the planets in the outer ring unite, then the trade union will naturally be most affected.

Naturally, when Claire Underwood, founder of the Outer Rim Planet Mutual Aid Fund, was attacked, all reporters immediately thought of the Trade Federation.

It must have been done by the trade alliance, from motivation to benefit orientation, there is only one answer!

At this time, Lune Harkow's statement confirmed this point even more. In an almost open manner, he put pressure on planets that support the mutual aid fund, including Jabim and Rodia, asking them to withdraw from the mutual aid fund immediately.

And the time to make the statement was almost exactly at the same time that Claire Underwood was attacked!

While Claire Underwood was being sent to the hospital, Jabim, Rodia and other planets had withdrawn from the mutual aid fund. And, as if in retaliation, their exit statements were all released publicly. Although he didn't say it explicitly, he still pointed the finger at the trade alliance in the unique tone of a political veteran with all kinds of hints between the lines!

In the next few days, for its own benefit, the Trade Union did not hesitate to violently attack the founder of the mutual aid fund, and directly threatened the weak outer ring planet to withdraw from the mutual aid fund.

In a hospital on the basement 10th floor of Coruscant.

Francis Underwood walked into the ward with a bouquet of flowers in his arms. He looked at his wife and assistant, smiled slightly, walked over to pull out the flowers in the bedside vase, and then put his own flowers in the bed. went in.

"Those are the flowers that the representative of the Trade Federation sent just an hour ago." Claire said with a faint smile.

"Well, I guess we should be glad they sent flowers instead of bullets, right?" Francis said, stroking Claire's hair and smiling.

Claire smiled very decently. Although her expression was impeccable, it looked like a formulaic smile in public, "We all know Frank, if they sent bullets, then it means you All plans have failed..."

"If that day comes, maybe I should kill myself, which is more direct." Francis said.

"There is a slight difference in the detonation direction of the miniature bomb on the podium. I think it may be because I accidentally touched it when I was giving a speech." Claire said.

Francis' expression sank, he sighed, sat on the edge of the bed, held Claire's hand and rubbed it gently, "Claire...I..."

"Needless to say, I know it. After all, this is the plan I proposed at first." Claire said lightly, "I don't want to hear those comforting words from you. You know what can really comfort me."

Francis nodded, "People from the Trade Federation are here to visit you. This is their crisis public relations, and it's the only thing they can do at this stage. We can't push Rune-Harkle to a corner, so take Next you need to make a public statement that this has nothing to do with the Trade Federation."

"What about Lune Harkle?" Claire asked.

"He was summoned by the high-level trade union, but as long as he insisted that he made the most favorable choice for the trade union." Francis said.

"But someone needs to take the blame, right?"

"That's right, his secretary. A poor Twi'lek woman. She'll be framed as a spy sent by the Trade Federation's commercial enemies, and it's she who conspired with the Trade Federation's opponents to lure Rune-Hah into the assassination." Cole publicly issued a manifesto to divide and disintegrate the mutual aid fund, and put the blame on him. In this way, the opponent will take the opportunity to discredit the trade union-a perfect and closed evidence and motive," Francis said.

"So everything is going in the direction we expected?"

"That's right. The Trade Federation will declare that the assassination was not done by them, and welcome all supervision in the society. But they will also admit that it is in the interests of the Trade Federation that Rune Harkle forced those planets to withdraw from the mutual aid fund." Francis took a deep breath, "Everything is as expected by the managers. The trade union's diplomacy and behavior in the Galactic Republic are radical. They will not admit defeat in this matter."

"What will happen to the Twi'lek secretary?" Claire asked.

"Why do you keep asking about a victim?" Francis smiled lightly, "She was arrested by the trade union immediately, and after torture and torture, she was sent to the planet Corellia. It is said that It was bought by a slave owner named Mrs. Bixi, and whether it will be sold to the lowest brothel or disposed of directly is not what we need to know."

"She didn't do anything wrong, did she?"

"She spent the rest of her life lighting a torch for our cause. She should be grateful." Francis said coldly, "I know your concerns, Claire. But you must be clear, What we do, and what brought us together as a couple in the first place."

"I'm not worried about that woman, but about Lune Harkle." Claire said pretendingly indifferently.

"His future in the Trade Federation has been ruined without our help," Francis said.

"We can't start with this. Lune Harkow should get what he deserves, and we can find more tools next." Claire said.

"The manager said that Lune Harkle will eventually become the deputy of the future governor of the Trade Federation, Newt Gunley, and he will make a fortune. But I have lost contact with the manager in the past few days, and I don't know how he will arrange this matter That's it," Francis said.

"Speaking of political victims, I'm one of them, right?" Claire asked softly.

"What are you talking about? You're already a hero, Claire. Just keep going as we set out, and through the persona we've created, your political influence will grow day by day. Schiff Palpatine will one day We have to face up to our influence," Francis said.

Claire Underwood nodded silently, leaned back on the bed and said wearily: "I'm tired and want to sleep."

Francis Underwood hugged her neck very tenderly, put her on the pillow gently, and carefully adjusted the light quilt, and finally kissed Claire lightly on the lips, "Good night, Honey."