121: Yes, his name is Chu Xiluo.

Soon, the night lamp provided the results of its analysis:

Tianjin Seat is certainly not a good place—

As a frontier star sector of the Empire, it is only a few light-years away from the "Tiankan Seat - Tianjin Seat" defense line of the Military Alliance, making it a uniquely high-risk area within the Empire.

Furthermore, according to the night lamp's search of internal imperial documents, the Empire is not even sure if the territory granted to him is still under its control.

The only basis for this is that the taxes allocated to this region each tax season can barely be paid in full.

Looking further at the treaty's clauses on "voluntarily consolidating border defense" and "complete autonomy in defense and construction,"

translated into plain language, it essentially means: "I have nominally granted this land to you; check if it's still there. If it isn't, go build your own guns and cannons to take it back and hold it."

But while the downsides are clear, there are upsides as well.

The upside is this: aside from the Taxation Department, no other organization in the Empire can manage this place, so they simply waved their hand on paper and packaged the whole thing over to him—

giving him full fiscal and military authority, and even granting him the title of Imperial Navy Supreme Director for the region. This means that in the future, the fleet he builds will not only have organizational freedom, but he can also act in the name of the Empire.

With this backing, wouldn't the most important time and resources for the initial accumulation phase be secured?

Moreover, because he possesses the ability to continuously update core technologies,

it is unlikely he will encounter an inspirational startup story like "Grandpa, I want this."

What's more valuable is that the place is near the border. Looking at the downside, it's easy to be attacked by aliens.

But looking at the upside, isn't it convenient for him to go out and fight the aliens?

As for providing technology?

That is inconsequential. The setting universe's tech tree has a complete curvature development line; wouldn't it be fine to just find a few backward nodes and castrate them?

Besides, the Empire doesn't even know about the curvature truncation and curvature interference technologies on the tech tree!

Since that's the case...

"I agree."

Xi Hai raised his head and said.

Vladimir nodded.

"A wise choice."

With a gentle wave of his hand, a waiting Follower of the Imperial Religion brought out another notebook and a vintage-styled fountain pen, saying:

"In that case, Grand Duke, please choose a family name for yourself."

Xi Hai looked at the thick-covered notebook, took the pen, and filled it in directly—

Xi Hai Chusiro.

That's right, Chusiro, the surname of the imperial family of the Holy Multitude Stars Empire.

The family that holds the motto "Under the vast heaven, is there any land that is not the king's? Within the boundaries of the land, is there any subject who is not the king's?" and controls a massive stargate network, ruling over thousands of galaxies.

Although he is currently still in humble beginnings,

Xi Hai believes with absolute certainty—that one day, this surname will once again resound throughout the sea of stars.

Half an hour later, at the Starport's docking area,

Xi Hai had already arrived.

Although, after completing the series of investiture ceremonies, the Emperor had recommended he stay at the Peak of a Thousand Faces for a while longer to learn more about the Imperial Religion,

but given that those blue-skinned fellows had a prior record of attempting to hypnotize him, Xi Hai politely declined the Emperor's suggestion.

At this moment, Kelaifu was standing before Xi Hai, looking at the Empire's newly appointed Governor and regional Supreme Director.

He was the one who would be handling the handover of duties with Xi Hai.

At this moment, watching Xi Hai, who was about to board the battle barge, he said:

"Grand Duke Chusiro, a very good name."

"From now on, you are a member of the Empire."

"If you encounter any problems you cannot solve, call the Imperial Navy directly; they will crush anyone foolish enough to challenge the Empire."

Of course, the prerequisite is that the benefits brought in are sufficient—however, Kelaifu only thought about it and did not say those words aloud.

Facing this minister who would be handling his future work, Xi Hai bowed slightly to show respect and replied:

"Thank you."

Kelaifu nodded and continued:

"The first batch of orders from the Empire will be tallied in ten days and sent to you."

"Most of them are refit orders,"

"There are nine heavy industrial galaxies in your fiefdom, which are Tianjin Seat V89.01 - 09. Prioritize the... taking over of those."

"Safe travels, may the lord of ten thousand changes bless you."

After confirming the matter of the orders, Xi Hai hurriedly bid farewell and boarded the battle barge.

The blessing of the lord of ten thousand changes?

Absolutely not; he still wanted to live a few more years.

The Consortium, in the Hall of Perpetual Victory,

everyone had reached a preliminary consensus on the matter of "how to retaliate against the Empire"—

which is to use their own methods against them,

by using a proxy to blast one of the Empire's frontier star sectors with a high-yield void energy torpedo, and then supporting a puppet regime of the same kind.

Although, aside from the Minister of Defense who relied on sucking up to the Marshal, almost everyone present felt that this plan was incredibly stupid—

the Empire itself has already used this trick; would they be unprepared for such a situation?

But unfortunately, the Marshal himself thought this plan was good!

For everyone present, offending the Empire would at most mean ceding some land or paying some reparations; with the Military Alliance suppressing things, it was impossible for them to truly go to war.

These guys could keep their seats and continue to rake in money.

But offending the Marshal? The first to show up would be the Political Commissar, followed by the secret inspectors,

and in the end, they would either be sentenced to death for treason,

or, due to fear of punishment, commit suicide in their own homes by shooting themselves thirty-odd times.

Assessing the situation,

everyone prayed that the Empire wouldn't expect The Consortium to use such a stupid plan to retaliate and would be caught off guard, while simultaneously casting their vote in favor.

Thus, looking at the plan that had passed unanimously, Marshal Dietrich nodded with satisfaction,

and cast his gaze toward the star map projected in the center, beginning his grand speech:

"Most of the Aquila Sector is the Empire's core star territory; the difficulty of infiltration goes without saying;"

"But here—"

"Balaena Sector V66,"

"This star cluster, as the buffer zone at the intersection of the three major powers—the Empire, The Consortium, and the Democratic Alliance—"

"In the 'Great Restoration' war alone, over fifty large-scale battles broke out; at the time, it was almost inextricably linked to the rise and fall of humanity."

"And the largest Void Channel traffic hub in the Balaena Sector, which is our target, is right here—"

"Cetus V66.66!"

The moment his voice fell, thunderous applause erupted in the conference room.