"Understand a bit," Earl Mensa lit his "cigar" and continued, "They are one of the more powerful vassal states."
"The amount of annual silver they contribute is equivalent to the tax revenue from five average-level Administrative Stars for the Empire."
The director said seriously,
"I understand what happened there... Your grandson tried to insult the former princess of the Luofeng Empire. This is simply unimaginable to me.
"I saw a piece of surveillance footage. It is said that this video was personally forwarded by the Emperor of the Luofeng Empire to a prince.
"I must remind you, in this matter, you have no grounds. Yes, they injured your grandson; that is a fact. But I think, perhaps you could consider the bigger picture, show some largesse, abandon holding them accountable, and apologize to the Empire’s royal family.
"Think about it, if someone harmed your mother, wouldn’t you be enraged?"
What kind of darn comparison is this!
"Is this the Ministry of Finance’s stance?"
"No, no, no, this is just my personal, personal reminder," the director sighed, "If your grandson is unharmed, please consider this matter carefully."
Earl Mensa gestured to terminate the communication.
He leaned back, relaxing into the soft chair back.
This earl, who had spent half his life in military service, and half of it within the Emperor Star Circle, had realized the severity of the situation.
Yes, this was the Emperor of the Luofeng Empire exerting pressure on him.
The force the other side could muster far exceeded his imagination.
And the director’s analogy—that the Luofeng Empire’s annual silver compared to the tax revenue from five Administrative Stars—gave Earl Mensa a tangible understanding of Luofeng Empire’s importance.
Recalling the previous direct conflict between Luofeng and the New Federation, and the Empire’s tax relief measures,
This vassal state was not simple.
Should everything be settled peacefully?
Earl Mensa pondered this as his communicator rang again.
Will it never end! Who is it this time, another official bribed by the Luofeng Empire?
Earl Mensa looked down, and the half-body portrait brought a spark to his eyes.
Oh, it was the esteemed Director of Foreign Affairs, the true power minister of the Empire, a shrewd and capable honorary marquis deeply trusted by His Majesty.
Earl Mensa quickly pressed the accept button.
Outside, the old butler of the earl’s estate hurriedly ran over.
A small transport ship, capable of carrying a hundred people, had left the near-Earth spaceport and was heading toward Earl Mensa’s estate, with a request for landing permission.
Their application was quite abrupt, consisting of only one sentence:
"I am the Earl of the Luofeng Empire, here to duel with your Earl Mensa!"
Wrapped in an energy shield, the transport ship rushed steadily and swiftly toward Earl Mensa’s estate.
They already had entry permission for this Administrative Star. The transport ship was also an Empire vessel rented straight from the spaceport at a high price; the star’s air defense system would not target them.
In the midst of the transport ship, sixty members of the Royal Guard Army stood neatly in line, their eyes fixed on the legend from the fourth battalion of the Guard Corps.
Behind Yang Ming, the piece of surveillance footage played repeatedly.
This group of male and female guards was beyond furious.
Were the colleagues tasked with protecting Princess Dana and Her Highness the Princess just idle eaters?
Such an incident was an insult to the entire Guard Army!
Yang Ming cleared his throat, "I admit, earlier I was a bit impulsive. Get your weapons ready, but we are in the Sherman Empire; we cannot use weaponry. Put your equipment to the sides, wear only standard military uniforms!"
A group hollered, quickly setting down their laser rifles.
The few Luofeng diplomats’ postures subconsciously straightened up.
"Next, we will head to Earl Mensa’s estate. There are a few hundred resident guards in their estate, with the Earl’s private army on the outskirts.
"This is a duel, a duel about national honor! I will initiate this duel in a private capacity, and your first task will be to shout for me!
"Shout that Mensa’s men come out and duel... just shout this!"
"Listen to me," Yang Ming said, "If they start to mob me, you charge forward, got it?"
"If anyone chickens out, I’ll deal with them personally back home! Rest in place!"
The group of officers and soldiers sat cross-legged in synchrony, their breathing becoming more forceful.
That colonel, along with a few senior officers, ran over. They were all older, but now that they put down the laser pistols, removed their military overcoats, and wore vests, military trousers, and leather boots like everyone else, they sat in the front.
Yang Ming nodded at them and then turned to look out the porthole where Earl Mensa’s estate was already visible in the distance, and their estate guards were rapidly assembling.
A diplomat hurried over.
"Sir, is it necessary to escalate to this stiff a confrontation? To directly fight with the Sherman Empire’s Earl’s family, this is... it’s really..."
"This is the most efficient way to resolve it."
Yang Ming smiled, giving the diplomat a meaningful glance, speaking slowly,
"Not only must we fight this battle, but we must fight it beautifully, fight it appropriately, demonstrate the might of the Luofeng Empire, while not offending the noble class of the Sherman Empire.
"In a bit, don’t idle around, first register a live broadcast account, register under the name of the Luofeng Empire’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on several platforms."