Chapter 1677: Countdown 5 days
"Speaking of which, the three policies recently implemented by your Ministry of Commerce are really excellent."
"I heard that it directly secured over three million trillion star coins for us, and indirectly generated five million trillion star coins in profits." Zhao Chen recalled the three policies and the information he had received from the higher-ups, and looked at Minister Li Yaqi.
Minister Li Yaqi was pleased with the praise for the Xiaolong Emperor, but no emotion was visible on her face.
She said seriously, "Your Majesty, there is one thing I must remind you of."
Although this part seems to be very profitable for us right now.
However, all of this is actually mortgaging the future wealth of our Dragon Star Empire. For example, these imperial war bonds will all have to be repaid in the future.
And then there are the interstellar warships that need to be produced for them.
Everything will have to be repaid in the future.
We have to admit that we've done the calculations.
So far, the implementation of these three policies has essentially overdrawn the economic development of our Dragon Star Empire for the next thirty years, and things may even get worse.
Of course, if we can break through to T7 technology during this period, or obtain more interstellar civilization territories.
That would shorten the time considerably.
Upon hearing Minister Li Yaqi's explanation, Zhao Chen naturally understood what it meant.
There is no such thing as a 100% guaranteed profit in this world; everything comes with a price.
And this comes at the cost of the future development of the Dragon Star Empire!
However, this is also the only choice the Xiaolong Interstellar Empire has had. In order to win the oath duel, the Xiaolong Interstellar Empire has no choice but to take this path.
"In any case, this is good news for our Xiaolong Star Legion fleet."
At least for this sworn duel, we can completely disregard the war's cost.
"All the legions and fleets can fight freely!" Zhao Chen said, trying to find humor in his words.
That's absolutely right.
Because of this substantial accumulation, the Xiaolong Star Legion fleet no longer needs to conserve resources in the war of oath-taking duel.
All interstellar missile ships can maintain the highest frequency of firepower strikes.
As long as the enemy's interstellar warships are within range, these JF-17 interstellar missile ships can continuously launch missiles. These interstellar missile ships will be in an environment where they are either reloading and replenishing their ammunition or carrying out fire strikes against the enemy!
A true saturation firepower attack.
"Finally, the entire fleet of the wolf girl Snow White's elite legion can unleash a salvo." Zhao Chen was starting to look forward to that scene.
The thought of a salvo from an entire interstellar missile ship is exhilarating.
It's unimaginable how spectacular that would be.
"Anyway, those things are for later. Right now, our most important thing is to win this war."
We will win at all costs.
"Only by winning can our Dragon Star Empire have a future!" Secretary Lilith said firmly.
"There are less than three months left," Zhao Chen muttered to himself.
Less than three months is neither a long nor a short time.
In the blink of an eye, there is less than a week left until the vowed duel.
At this moment, the entire territory of the Xiaolong Interstellar Empire was filled with the smell of gunpowder.
Even before the war began, everyone seemed to already see the flames of war spreading.
"Hello everyone, I'm Zhanlong, your friendly neighborhood streamer!"
According to our latest information, almost all of our Dragon Star Empire's fleets have now assembled at various military bases, all at full strength and with full ammunition.
Furthermore, all combat personnel are on 24-hour standby.
All the warehouses within the military bases are fully stocked with war supplies, which will be transported to the battlefield immediately once war breaks out!
On the Dragon Star Empire's network, almost all the trending topics are now related to the Oath Duel.
Numerous livestreamers, individual media outlets, and others are all paying close attention to this matter.
The higher-ups of the Dragon Star Empire had no intention of controlling this, allowing them to discuss and release related statements.
With this tacit approval, everyone naturally became more open and discussed the relevant content more frankly.
However, most of them were still somewhat self-aware and wouldn't speak ill of the Xiaolong Interstellar Empire. At most, they would just say something like, "The Xiaolong Interstellar Empire is currently in a bad situation and its chances of winning are not high."
"I'm Xiaoqi, a war commentator. You can vote here to see which side you think has a higher chance of winning."
"Look everyone, that's a military base of the Dragonflight Interstellar Empire. I'm risking my life to investigate."
Please give my live stream a thumbs up!
At this point, the entire military base system is under control. All defensive weapons are activated, and anything that gets too close without identification information will be considered an intruder and destroyed!
Regarding the information about the sworn duel, in this situation, the Dragon Empire didn't even need to spread it itself; these people helped the Dragon Empire spread it.
Therefore, everyone could feel the smell of gunpowder and flames spreading in the air.
Even the usually luxurious and decadent Yuhang Galaxy was less noisy and more solemn at this moment.
Aside from discussing business collaborations, the interstellar traders are currently talking mostly about the oath-taking duel between the Dragonflight Interstellar Empire and the other interstellar traders.
Compared to ordinary people, they were arguably the most interested in this vowed duel.
Because of this sworn duel, the outcome of the Dragon Empire's battle directly impacts the future of many of their interstellar traders.
After all, they are now all relying on the Dragon Star Empire, their cash cow.
"We're almost there." Inside a starship, Hua Ya Lanlan looked at Yu Hang City, then glanced at the direction of the deep universe.
It's as if I can already see the fully equipped interstellar legion fleets of the Xiaolong Interstellar Empire.
"Sister, I'm a little scared." Hua Ya Nini tugged at her sister's clothes and expressed her feelings.
Hua Ya Lan Lan held her younger sister's hand tightly; she knew what her sister was worried about.
They are on the same side as the Dragon Empire. If the Dragon Empire is defeated, then they are finished.
——————
Xiaolong Interstellar Empire, Military System No. 3 (Xiaolong Third Legion Fleet Base)
Marshal Medusa glanced at the time; there were no more than five days left before the start of the sworn duel.
She looked up and glanced at all the legion commanders present.
"This should be the last time we sit here for a meeting before this war ends."
I've already said what I should and shouldn't have said several times before, so I won't repeat it here.
As Marshal Medusa spoke, cups were served to the legion commanders one by one.
"Among those present, some are familiar with me, while others only know that I am a marshal of our Xiaolong Interstellar Empire."
Here, I'd like to talk to you about things from the past.
I am fifty-seven years old this year, and I belong to the snake people.
I was born in a chaotic place called the Black Reef Sector, which, to put it simply, is a no-man's-land.
There, various interstellar races and forces mingled, and everyone was constantly fighting to the death for territory.
At that time, I was fortunate enough to inherit my father's position and become the leader of the snake people.
He commands the Serpent People's territory, seemingly powerful and influential, a local overlord.
But in that godforsaken place, there's no such thing as a hegemon. Every year, self-proclaimed hegemons are wiped out, and new forces rise up.
I was born in that place, but I hate that place.
I hate the environment there, and I hate living in constant fear.
To be honest, I've always wanted to escape from there, but my father entrusted the snake people to me, so I have to lead my people to survive!
Later, Emperor Xiaolong arrived, and we joined his ranks. At that time, the Xiaolong Interstellar Empire had not yet been established.
At first, I thought I was just following a promising path.
At the time, all I wanted was to do well.
To be honest, I didn't have a choice at the time.
"Only our Emperor is somewhat fair-skinned; if he asked for something like warming the bed, we could accept it, right?"
Hearing this teasing remark, everyone looked at each other and laughed.
Marshal Medusa continued, "As for what happened later, I never imagined that I would be able to follow Emperor Xiaolong to this point."
He established a vast interstellar empire of the Falcon and was able to command such a massive Falcon Legion fleet.
A total of three million interstellar warships.
Moreover, they are all T4 level or higher interstellar warships, and even my own flagship is now almost T7 level!
If I were the leader of the snake people back then, still living in that snake den, I wouldn't even dare to imagine what's happening now.
I'm telling you all this just to let you know.
Everything I have now is a gift from His Majesty the Emperor of the Dragon Kings, and a gift from the Dragon Kings Interstellar Empire.
Without His Majesty Emperor Xiaolong, without the Xiaolong Interstellar Empire, I would not have everything I have today.
Therefore, I am willing to fight for the Dragon Emperor and the Dragon Interstellar Empire, even at the cost of my life!
And all of you here, since you are sitting here in these positions, I think you must have already been aware of this.
We snake people have a custom: before a war begins, all the generals must drink a cup of wine together.
This wine is quite special; it's called snake wine.
To be honest, the taste is not very good, and it's not worth mentioning compared to the fine wines you can enjoy in your leisure time.
But this barrel was brewed by me personally.
Not for any other reason than for the sake of all of you here who will soon fight alongside me!
Marshal Medusa picked up her wine glass, stood up, looked around at all the legion commanders present, and then said loudly, "We will surely win this battle."
Our Third Fleet Group of the JF-17 Thunder will spare no effort to annihilate all enemies!
The Third Fleet Group of the JF-17 will surely prevail!
The Dragon Star Empire will prevail!
"The Dragon Emperor will surely prevail!"
After saying this, Marshal Medusa drank the cup of wine in one gulp.
Seeing Marshal Medusa set such an example, the other legion commanders naturally raised their glasses and shouted.
"The Third Fleet Group of the JF-17 Thunder will surely prevail!"
"The Dragon Star Empire will prevail!"
"The Dragon Emperor will surely prevail!"
After a series of declarations, the meeting came to an end.
The legion commanders all prepared to leave.
However, Marshal Medusa secretly left the two behind.
They were Ye Qingyun, commander of the 18th Army, and Cheng Pan, commander of the 152nd Army.
"Marshal," the two said, bowing to Marshal Medusa before them.
Marshal Medusa looked at the two people in front of her.
She began, "Do you know why I kept the two of you here?"
The two looked at each other but said nothing.
Even if I have some suspicions in my mind, now is not the time to speak.
Marshal Medusa continued, "In our Third Army Fleet Group, there are currently six deputy commanders, two of whom are you."
And you two happen to embody the obvious characteristics of these six people.
Ye Qingyun, you're one of the veterans, the one who's been by my side the longest.
If this military reform had increased the number of fleet groups instead of their size, you would most likely be on the list of marshals for the new legion's fleet group.
Don't you feel sorry for them?
Ye Qingyun immediately said, "I have never had any thoughts about this matter. I am a general of the Xiaolong Interstellar Empire."
I'm willing to go anywhere as long as I can fight on the front lines.
Moreover, I am willing to serve under Marshal Medusa.
I have been following Marshal Medusa for over three years, and I have been here since the establishment of the Third Fleet Group of the JF-17 Thunder.
I am very honored to serve as the vice commander of your fleet group!
Marshal Medusa looked at Cheng Pan: "Cheng Pan, you are the commander of the 152nd Army."
It's a newly established legion, and you yourself have extensive combat experience.
However, you are a newcomer to the position of deputy commander of the fleet group.
However, your name is already on His Majesty's list.
You're considered a rising star among the younger generation.
Cheng Pan straightened up and said, "Marshal, you flatter me. I still have a lot to learn from you."
"I know that there has always been conflict between you old-school generals and new-school generals, and you have been competing with each other."
I don't mind this situation.
As a soldier, one should naturally have this kind of fighting spirit. If one doesn't even fight for this, then one can hardly be considered a Russian soldier.
I can tell you this very directly.
After this vow-based duel concludes, our Xiaolong Interstellar Empire will inevitably establish a new legion fleet.
At that time, one person will be nominated from each legion fleet group.
I have one spot available.
I'm not afraid to tell you, right now, I think the two of you are the most suitable match.
But... as for who it is...
I think you understand why I'm asking you to stay.
Marshal Medusa glanced at the two men and said coldly, "In our Third Army Fleet's operational plan, we need two points of attack. These two points of attack will be assigned to your respective units."
Whoever performs well will be recommended in the future.
Don't say I'm biased towards the older generation, and don't say I'm giving more opportunities to newcomers.
In short, equal opportunities are now laid out before you; whether you seize them is up to you.
"Yes," the two vice commanders of the legion fleet replied in unison, their eyes gleaming with fighting spirit.