The Empire begins with the Fourth Scourge

160. Farce in Parliament (Part 1)

"If a proposal that benefits the outer ring star region can be drawn up in the parliament, I think everyone will be very willing to help Speaker Valorum." Francis' language is still watertight.

"So, do you think the Republic should sanction the Enterprise Alliance in this matter?" Palpatine asked with a smile.

Francis took a deep breath, he firmly grasped his political stance, and said: "If the corporate alliance is allowed to succeed, then other companies will follow suit. Hunting grounds. I absolutely cannot tolerate this happening."

"But you just said Valorum was a coward."

"If he can really solve this matter, he is naturally not a coward."

Palpatine smiled slightly, "Well, I will take you to this meeting. If there is a chance, maybe you can also speak."

"Speaking at the Galactic Council? This..." Francis looked a little panicked.

"Hahaha, don't be afraid, I'm here, no problem." Palpatine said very kindly.

...

Galactic Council meeting place.

This is a huge spherical space, majestic and solemn. Around the sphere, countless disc-shaped anti-gravity platforms are densely packed and neatly arranged. Each platform represents a political entity in the Milky Way, and representatives of this political entity and their assistants stand on it.

In the center of the entire spherical space, there is a larger platform floating. This is the platform of the chairman of the Galactic Parliament, which also represents the highest authority of the entire Galactic Republic.

Palpatine took Francis Underwood and his wife from the passage of the office to his own anti-gravity platform, and many other congressmen greeted him very eagerly along the way.

Standing on the platform, Francis looked around. This star-studded parliament venue gave people a huge psychological oppression, which was many times more magnificent than the parliament venues he had seen in his incomplete memory.

And the battlefield here is also many times more cruel than back then.

Palpatine approached Francis and whispered: "Don't worry too much, Mr. Francis, today is mainly discussing whether the Galactic Republic needs to directly send troops to interfere in the affairs of the planet Marathal. What we need is to stand It’s enough to be on the side of Speaker Valorum. I believe he has the ability to settle things.”

Francis nodded with a smile, but he already knew the result of the meeting through Tang Xiao.

At this time, an old and loud voice came through the loudspeaker, "Chairman Phoenix-Valoron is seated!"

Everyone stood up on their platforms and raised their hands to greet the venue.

An old man with gray hair but a clean shaved beard, wearing a gorgeous speaker's costume, walked to the anti-gravity platform and stood in front of another old man who was a bit stooped.

"Oh, Speaker Finnis-Valorum, and his old assistant, Mr. Botan, the deputy speaker. They have devoted their lives to the Galactic Republic." Palpatine said meaningfully.

Francis stared blankly at Speaker Fennis-Valorum and Deputy Speaker Botin, who were slowly flying towards the center of the venue by manipulating the anti-gravity platform, and sighed secretly in his heart.

Yes, the audience is already in place, and it's time for the clown to appear.

Finnis-Valoran said loudly into the loudspeaker: "The parliament is convened today to discuss the dispute over the planet Marathal!"

As soon as he finished speaking, there was an uproar in the council. Some people were cheering, some were cursing, and more people were whispering, and the scene became chaotic almost immediately.

Francis watched coldly. He understood that such a scene showed that the prestige of Speaker Valorum was no longer enough to overwhelm the representatives of the Galactic Parliament.

"Silence!" Deputy Speaker Botan yelled with all his strength, and the noise in the council gradually became quieter.

Speaker Valorum took a deep breath and said, "Next, we invite the representative of the planet Marathal, Ainlee Teem, to express his views on the disputes on the planet Malastal!"

An anti-gravity platform floated out and flew to the center of the venue, slightly lower than Valorum's platform. There were three Granites standing on it, and the one in the middle bowed slightly to the surroundings, and then said loudly: "The way the Enterprise Alliance demands to increase the fuel tax on the planet Marathal is completely the way of bandits! They plundered us naked. The resources of the planet are also insatiably greedy and continue to reduce our share, let our people go hungry, and work for them almost for free!"

"Nonsense!!" An anti-gravity platform flew out from the other side, and there were several Kuliva people on it, which were representatives of the enterprise alliance.

"Representative Passel-Argent, now is not the time for you to speak..." Deputy Speaker Botan stopped him, but the person did not listen to him at all.

The representative of the Enterprise Alliance said loudly: "When your planet Marathal was poor and backward, it was our Enterprise Alliance that helped you establish a basic industrial system! Let you produce parts and equipment by yourself, and become the state of Tatooine. The main equipment supplier for the tower night pod racing competition! Isn’t that enough? Now why do you accuse us of legitimate business practices! After all, you are the ones who are greedy!”

"Your increase in fuel tax is completely contrary to the agreement at that time! Your endless mining has caused irreversible impact on the environment of our planet! Now you still have to tax 30% of our planet's income! Do you want Are you starving the people of our planet to death?!" Senator Tim was shaking with rage, and he pointed at Parcel Argent's nose and yelled.

"You should read the agreement we signed! We have the right to increase the fuel tax."

"That's why you threatened us that if you don't join that clause, you will make us suffer! This is a robber clause! It shouldn't be in effect!"

The two sides quarreled fiercely, completely ignoring Speaker Waroro and Deputy Speaker Botan, and the other councilors around were noisy again. They yelled, either for Congressman Tim, or for Representative Argent, and quarreled.

Seeming to be at a disadvantage in the quarrel, Councilor Tim suddenly turned around and yelled at Speaker Valorum: "Planet Marathal requests the Galactic Council to arbitrate! Sanction the bandit practices of the Enterprise Alliance! Give us justice!"

"If you want justice I'll give it to you right away!" Purcell-Argent threatened, pointing to Tim's nose.

-

[Easter egg chapter attached picture 1: Galactic Council meeting place. 】

[Attachment 2 of the Easter Egg Chapter: Speaker Phoenix-Valoron. 】