71: The New King's Coronation Speech

On the star map, the last red light representing Xing Zhan's fleet finally flickered a few times and completely vanished at the edge of the deep space sensors.

In the deathly silent command room, someone was the first to gasp, a sound that acted like a lit fuse.

In the next second, ecstasy that had been suppressed to the extreme erupted like a volcano!

"We won! We won!"

"They're gone! That pack of butchers is finally gone!"

People embraced and roared, throwing wrenches and data pads into the air, venting the excitement of surviving a disaster in the most primal way.

"Silence."

Chen Feng's voice wasn't loud, yet it seemed to possess a strange penetrating power, instantly drowning out all the noise.

He turned around, calmly scanning the flushed faces, and said, "What are you celebrating? Are you celebrating that we drove away one pack of wolves just to let another, hungrier pack in?"

The flames of celebration were doused by a bucket of cold water. Everyone looked at each other, the fanaticism on their faces quickly cooling.

Chen Feng's gaze fell on Reno: "The battle isn't over. On the contrary, the real construction is only just beginning. Reno, gather everyone who can still move and go to the Central Square. I have something to say."

Half an hour later, the Central Square was crowded with people.

Thousands of miners, Guard Team members, and their families gathered on this land that had once witnessed countless bloody suppressions, carrying the relief of survival, confusion about the future, and a hint of deep-seated unease.

"Did we really win?"

"That young man... who exactly is he? What will he do to us?"

"I hope we haven't just escaped the wolf's den only to enter the tiger's mouth."

The sounds of discussion surged through the crowd like a tide.

Chen Feng stood on the terrace where Bachm used to flaunt his power, looking down at the dense crowd below.

He didn't speak immediately.

He let the clamor, the expectations, and the doubts ferment freely in the air. As his gaze swept over the faces that were both familiar and strange, he seemed to see his former self—that number 734, a mine slave struggling in the mud, willing to bet his life for a piece of black bread.

A complex emotion welled up in his heart. It wasn't the joy of victory, but a heavy sense of responsibility, as if he carried the souls of all the wronged on this planet.

"I know what you're thinking."

Finally, he spoke. His voice was transmitted clearly to everyone's ears through the amplification equipment.

"You're wondering who I am. You're wondering what right I have to stand here. And even more, you're wondering if I will be the next Bachm."

The commotion in the crowd settled instantly. Everyone looked up at him with burning eyes.

Chen Feng did not flinch. Meeting everyone's gaze, he made his first declaration.

"From this moment on, Ashen Earth Star will no longer use numbers. Each of you has your own name. Anyone who dares to call another by a number again is an enemy to us all!"

After a brief silence, the crowd erupted into unbelievable sobs and suppressed cheers. For them, this was more shocking than any material reward.

"I know that names can't be eaten as food," Chen Feng's voice rang out again, calm and powerful. "Therefore, I am here to promise you all three things."

"First: fairness. From today on, food, water, and medicine will be distributed according to each person's labor contribution and actual needs. No one will ever starve to death again, and no one will ever be bloated with wealth while others suffer!"

"Second: safety. All mining equipment will be given top priority for maintenance and upgrades. No one will ever lose their life for nothing because of equipment in disrepair!"

"Third: dignity!"

His voice suddenly rose, striking everyone's heart like a heavy hammer.

"You will no longer be consumables, no longer numbers on a report! You are builders, you are guardians! Your sweat will be used to build our own home, and your future will be created by your own hands!"

"Roar—!"

The crowd's emotions were completely ignited. Decades of accumulated humiliation and despair turned into a sky-shaking shout at this moment.

Chen Feng raised his hand, signaling for silence.

As the atmosphere reached its peak, he made his final announcement in his loudest voice.

"Therefore, I declare! From today on, Giant Star Mining's bloody rule over Mining Area No. 7 has completely ended!"

"Our own era begins now!"

"I declare the establishment of Hanhai Trade!"

The moment his words fell, the flag behind him—the one with the ferocious beast representing Giant Star Mining—was consumed by fire. In its place, a new emblem of countless stars converging into an ocean and lifting a spaceship rose slowly in a massive holographic projection.

"Reno!" Chen Feng turned and looked at the man standing solemnly behind him.

"Present!" Reno took a step forward, his eyes burning.

"I appoint you as the Director of the 'Security Department' of Hanhai Trade! You will be responsible for all military and defense matters of our home! Do you dare to accept?!"

"I am willing to die for you!" Reno knelt on one knee, his voice hoarse and firm.

Chen Feng nodded and turned his gaze toward an inconspicuous corner of the crowd where a gray-haired, reticent old man stood.

"Lao Mo!"

Everyone was stunned, following Chen Feng's gaze. Lao Mo himself was so startled that he was at a loss.

"Come up to the stage."

Under the uncertain gazes of the crowd, Lao Mo walked tremblingly onto the terrace.

"I appoint you as the Director of the 'Technical Department' of Hanhai Trade! You will be responsible for the maintenance, modification, and research of all equipment! Are you willing to accept?!"

Lao Mo's cloudy eyes instantly filled with tears. He opened his mouth but was too excited to speak, so he could only bow deeply with all his strength.

This exceptional promotion showed everyone hope—here, it wasn't about one's background, but one's ability.

However, just as the crowd's confidence was about to be fully ignited, an old but loud voice came from the back of the crowd.

"We believe you! Mr. Chen!" an old miner shouted boldly. "But we're all trapped on this broken planet! We can't even fly out, so how... how can we trade?"

This question was like a needle popping a beautiful fantasy. The scene fell silent instantly as everyone looked at Chen Feng expectantly, waiting for his answer.

There wasn't a hint of surprise on Chen Feng's face. He smiled and looked at the old man who had asked the question, his voice gentle yet unquestionable.

"You're right, we don't have a path yet. But paths are made by people walking them. I will lead you to find that path. There will be food. There will be everything."

His tone shifted, becoming resolute and efficient once more.

"Now, everyone, listen to my orders! By department, immediately begin taking inventory of our assets! I want to know exactly how much of a legacy that bastard Bachm left us!"

"The celebration ends here. From the next second on, everyone, get to work!"

The order was given, and the crowd's anxiety was skillfully diverted into actual work. Reno and Lao Mo immediately began organizing people, and the crowd in the square moved into action quickly.

A comprehensive liquidation of the old order and the first inventory for a new future officially began.