The Empire begins with the Fourth Scourge

2077. Francis Underwood (Part 2)

"Disaster?" Zemo said coldly, "No, dear Prime Minister. If the Zero Operation Plan cannot be achieved, then it will be a real disaster for the Principality of Dawn. The Grand Duke will never allow anyone to interfere with the established plan. When we were advancing smoothly, someone was holding us back.”

"Enough! I don't want to argue with you about this today. The person to replace Chris Anderson and be responsible for the supply chain of the district is Huachao. I have issued an executive order, that's it. If you want to stop it, then I I advise you to first think carefully about what excuse you, the chief minister of the cabinet, have to interfere with the responsibilities of the Prime Minister's Office!" Francis Underwood quickly signed a document, and then shook his finger to the side! , "See you off, Douglas."

His chief of staff, Douglas Stamp, walked over expressionlessly and stood in front of Zemo.

"You will regret it, Francis." Zemo was now blocked by Douglas and could not see Francis's expression. He could only snort and leave this sentence.

After he got out, Douglas Stamp looked back and said, "I think he meant it."

"If he wants to start a war with me, then let's do it." Francis Underwood said slowly. He paused and then asked: "What is the current situation in the Haven sector?"

"It's not very good." Douglas Stamp shook his head and said: "Because of Operation Plan Zero, a large number of industries in the Principality of Dawn have now turned to military industry, which has dealt a serious blow to the market economy. The ones with the greatest impact are precisely those with the most developed economies. There are now protests and even strikes on many planets in the Haven Sector.”

Francis Underwood's expression turned cold, "Where is Hari Seldon? What on earth is he doing now as the Governor of the Haven Sector!!"

"He rarely performs his duties in office. Most of the time he stays on the planet Yago-Dur, with the great mathematicians of the Given people. The daily work is basically handed over to his deputy governor. Now Because of the complicated situation in the Haven Star District, the retired old Governor Goulaham also came back to help preside over the work," Douglas Stamp said.

"Sign an order to remove Hari Seldon from his position as the Governor of the Harvin Sector." Francis said coldly, "Please ask Goulaham to come back and formally appoint him, and let him temporarily act as the Governor of the Harvin Sector. "

"I'm afraid this is inappropriate, because this appointment was personally issued by Grand Duke Tang Xiao. If Hari Seldon is directly dismissed, I am afraid that the Grand Duke will be held accountable when he returns." Douglas was worried.

"Then let Tang Xiao come to me!" Francis Underwood raised his voice, "If he thinks that he can make the entire Dawn Principality run with just one word, then come to me! If he just If you need a bunch of yes-men, why not leave everything to the robots!”

"Okay. Anyway, the matter is already like this, so let's do it to the end." Douglas said nonchalantly, "Oh, by the way, General Ling, the governor of the Sethwenna Sector, asked you when you have time to meet with her to discuss."

"I won't see her, I just refuse." Francis waved his hand, "From the moment she proposed the ridiculous plan of Operation Zero, I have nothing to say to her! She wants to curry favor with Tang. Xiao, wants to climb into Tang Xiao's bed, and then try her best to satisfy his ambition. For such a person, let her make trouble on her own! "

Douglas Stamp shrugged, "At least I don't think she has the intention to climb into Tang Xiao's bed. Moreover, as the most powerful person in the military now, your tit-for-tat attitude towards her will probably make us Gradually losing support from the military.”

Francis Underwood breathed a long sigh of relief, picked up a wooden cigarette box from his desk, shook it, shook out a cigarette, and stretched it out. Douglas took the cigarette and lit it himself.

Francis also took a cigarette, lit it, blew out a column of smoke towards the ceiling, and said slowly: "Do you regret it? Doug. We have offended a lot of people recently."

"I'm 58 years old, Mr. Underwood," Douglas said. "If this allowed me to retire early, I think I would be happy."

"Tang Xiao will become the emperor, and the Dawn Principality will eventually become the Dawn Empire. I am very sure of this." Francis Underwood said, "And as an empire, do you know what is the most terrifying thing?"

He glanced at Douglas and said directly: "The most terrifying thing is that the emperor puts his own likes and dislikes directly above the country. This will put the entire country in an irrational state, which is very dangerous. And it is even more terrifying. What's more, there will be such a group of people who will follow the emperor's wishes and add fuel to the flames, making it impossible for the emperor to realize his own danger. "

He gritted his teeth, "I don't know what the creed of their Sith Lords is, but based on my current understanding of the Force, the Sith Lords are in a state of indulgence when it comes to desire. Only those who do as they please are the West. The Sith Lords pursue the ultimate. They never suppress their emotions, so what I am really worried about is that the Dawn Principality becomes a tool in the struggle between the Sith Lords."

"But now, there is less and less we can do. If the current situation continues, then the rebels will once again have a large number of supporters in our territory." Douglas said.

"Let's proceed according to the established plan and delay the implementation of Operation Zero as much as possible. After Tang Xiao returns from the unknown star field, I will meet him in person and ask him to consider this matter in the long run." Francis Underwood said, "As for the Haven star zone, I hope you can go there in person to provide support to Acting Governor Guraham."

"No problem." Douglas nodded.

"Then there is Hari Seldon..." Francis Underwood's eyes became sharp, "I don't know what he is doing. I will personally visit the planet Yago-Dur and talk to him face to face."

"You really won't take the opportunity to strangle him to death in person?" Douglas Stamp made a very rare joke.

"I just think that he shouldn't be the kind of person who flatters Tang Xiao." Francis Underwood said, "He is very talented, I don't deny it, but Tang Xiao's trust in him is somewhat unreasonable. I want to know what kind of characteristics he has that make him appreciated by Tang Xiao." (End of this chapter)