Chapter 232: Can't Win Anymore, My Fellow People
Inside New Hope Space Station, a farce was reaching its climax.
Over the past two weeks, Galan had sent more diplomatic personnel from their homeland. In the bustling areas of the port, lower, and middle districts, ostentatious victory propaganda stands had been erected.
The propaganda stand in the middle district, due to excessive disturbance, was eventually dismantled by gang members hired by high-ranking citizens, and the diplomat nearly suffered a mob beating.
For this, the Galan government even issued a formal protest to New Hope, leaving many reporters at a loss for words.
The remaining two propaganda stands, however, remained in public view.
Day by day, more high-ranking Jialan, dressed in colorful, flamboyant attire and with oily faces, appeared on the stage, and the voices of the propagandists grew increasingly high-pitched.
Gradually, even song and dance performances of varying quality began to appear.
Jialan businessmen, soldiers, and tourists who came spontaneously to celebrate all swayed their waists and hips freely in front of the stage, showcasing their bold and flamboyant dance moves, occasionally winking at attractive female passersby and rubbing their thighs.
The slapping sounds of sandals and slippers echoed loudly, and the scent of cheap perfume filled the air, creating a joyful atmosphere.
The area near the propaganda stands became a spiritual home and fortress for these celebrants, a foreign enclave of their great motherland.
They unconditionally believed in their government and in Prime Minister Nadi, a 'political strongman' rarely seen in a century, genuinely convinced that their fleet had truly won.
They believed that large quantities of spoils of war were being shipped back home to improve people's livelihoods; slaves were on their way to the space station, waiting for them to receive and resell as new untouchables in their country.
A large screen also appeared behind the propaganda stand, continuously broadcasting news footage of 'expeditionary heroes' (played by actors) reuniting with their families and then presenting souvenirs made from 'Li Star people's' heads.
In these 'news' clips, soldiers also led domestic reporters on tours inside warships to prove that the news of the 'Third Fleet's total annihilation' was merely a shameless rumor.
Vice Admiral Sige, the commander, even became a national hero.
Huge portraits immediately covered the dusty streets and alleys of the capital, Batra Planet.
However, due to 'personal health conditions,' he was unfortunately unable to appear before the media.
External reporters were quite puzzled by this.
Since the crew had returned home, why couldn't the Third Fleet make a detour to New Hope for a public appearance?
Moreover, when the fleet departed, it took nearly a month to reach New Hope. From New Hope to Li Star was another month. Why could they now return home within two weeks?
Facing questions from multiple media outlets and incredibly obvious logical loopholes, Galan diplomats remained silent, completely ignoring them.
You ask your questions, I'll celebrate my victory.
But even so, if a lie is repeated a thousand times, some fools will still believe it.
More and more Star Alliance media, paid by Galan, changed their tune, stating that Cangyuan defeating the Joint Punishment Fleet was 'highly suspicious' and lacked any direct evidence.
Did anyone actually see the damaged warships after the battle? No!
Various experts also stated that Cangyuan, this colossal cosmic enterprise, had fallen during the apocalypse.
Even if a small portion miraculously survived the apocalypse through some means, its overall strength could hardly rival the Galan Commonwealth, which had developed for three centuries.
However, they might indeed be particularly advanced in certain technologies, such as using AI technology to fake videos.
As for what specific videos were faked, that was left to the public's imagination.
On the other hand, the Galan Navy was not idle during these two weeks.
They successfully plundered three undefended Free Trade Alliance merchant fleets, making a huge profit. The plan to 'compensate from elsewhere' was progressing smoothly.
This series of measures caused the Galan currency exchange rate to eventually rebound to 80% of its value before the cliff-like decline.
In other words, those who dared to buy at the bottom actually made money.
At least for now.
Correspondingly, Cangyuan, due to not making any subsequent statements or promoting itself in the media, saw investor confidence continuously decline.
Finally, many abandoned cangyuan coin and instead turned to the seemingly resurgent Galan currency.
The cangyuan coin to star alliance credit points exchange rate plummeted from a high of 1.26 to 1.03.
While lamenting the sudden and unpredictable changes in the market, the public also began to question the investment acumen of Apocalypse Queen.
What they didn't know was that Yi Mo Qun Qing had been incredibly busy these past few days.
During this time, the branch employees had just finalized product suppliers, and all deposits had not yet been sent out. She used the large amount of temporarily idle foreign exchange funds at her disposal to leverage an even greater amount, secretly shorting the Galan currency.
Qun Qing wished the victory propaganda would be even more intense.
The more people believed Galan had won, the more Cangyuan would profit later.
As the de facto financial officer of one of the warring parties, if she couldn't seize the opportunity to make a huge profit, given her clear knowledge of the war's truth, it would truly be a disservice to her identity as a famous financial broadcaster.
It wasn't until ships 101 and 102 exited warp travel and arrived less than 500,000 kilometers from New Hope Space Station that the Galan propagandist was still shouting on stage, waving his arms.
“Cangyuan Future Technology, bah!
“Many people see them as a symbol of humanity's golden age, but have you forgotten? It was garbage companies like Cangyuan and Infinite Deep Space that dragged all of humanity into the post-apocalyptic era! It was their disgusting so-called spirit of exploration that ultimately drew the attention of humanity's great enemy!
“In contrast, the philosophy of the Galan Commonwealth is far more advanced! Yes, I know many people accuse us of being greedy, treacherous, and liking to take advantage, but can't you see our strengths?
“We never explore outwards! This fundamentally avoids the possibility of repeating the mistakes of the apocalypse!
“We only operate within the known Star Alliance cosmic domain, integrating various forces in our own way, which is not understood by the world! My goodness, how can you call this greed?
“No, we are merely concentrating resources! Our Jialan values are most aligned with this post-apocalyptic era! If all of you could live like us, then the entire universe would be filled with peace, tranquility, and harmony!”
“Go to hell with your whole family!”
A player in the audience couldn't take it anymore.
“You want us to wallow in the same cesspit as you, right? And you're actually proud of this?!”
“Perhaps the Jialan genes are indeed better adapted to the post-apocalyptic era,” a New Hope merchant also said, disgusted. “After all, you were probably already living in this state before the apocalypse.
“Hahahahaha~”
This classic remark sparked a burst of laughter.
“Enough!”
The propagandist angrily pointed at the crowd.
“It seems that the lowly Cangyuan employees have also come before me today, very good—since you dare to show your faces, I will take this opportunity to convey Prime Minister Nadi's attitude towards Cangyuan!
“From now on, no matter where your fleet appears, it will immediately suffer cruel blows from Galan and its allies!
“All your colonies will have no peace! All your trade routes will be plundered!
“Galan will oppose all your calls and proposals issued in the Star Alliance! You will accomplish nothing and forever remain a third-rate force cowering at the end of the navigation channel.”
The rotund propagandist, while spouting nonsense, shook his head, one hand on his hip, the other continuously wagging his finger.
It must be said that in the realm of being annoying, every Jialan seemed to possess endless talent.
If they hadn't known what was coming, the more hot-headed players would have rushed up to beat him.
“Uh, but—”
A reporter raised his hand to ask, “Didn't you say you had razed Li Star to the ground? Logically, Cangyuan should have been eliminated, so why do you still sound so afraid?”
“Nonsense!” the propagandist angrily waved his hand. “Who's afraid!? We are—”
【To all citizens and travelers, this is the space station emergency broadcast system.】
Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by the loud broadcast that simultaneously sounded from all directions.
【Currently, two unidentified warships have appeared near the space station. It is unclear whether they harbor hostile intentions. We are attempting to establish communication with them. Please maintain order, do not panic, do not believe rumors, and rely solely on official announcements.】
Unidentified warships?
Hmm... it should be our ships. They probably didn't follow the radio response protocols as usual and caused another misunderstanding. Even at this point, the Jialan still hadn't realized the seriousness of the problem.
“We—”
Just as the propagandist was about to continue, the emergency broadcast sounded again, interrupting him.
This time, the broadcast system seemed to have been hijacked externally by hackers, resulting in a prolonged period of static interference.
【This is Anya.】
This sentence immediately made all space station residents stop what they were doing, attracting ten times more attention than the previous broadcast content.
Anya was a common name, but everyone recognized that voice.
Apocalypse Queen!
The woman rumored to truly rule New Hope!
【Today, new friends are visiting this ancient port, and I welcome them.】
Anya's tone was very calm, even a little lazy.
【So, how about our new friends introduce themselves first?】
The broadcast was silent for a few seconds.
Afterward, Caoyuan picked up the communicator, took a deep breath, and using the lines bridged by Anya's hackers,
spoke to the entire space station through New Hope's own emergency broadcast system.
【This is Cangyuan Future Technology, patrol ships 'Xianyang' and 'Chang'an.' We are here on Executive Officer's orders for a friendly visit to New Hope Space Station with peaceful intentions, and no malice.】
【However, it is a proven fact that Cangyuan and the Galan Commonwealth are at war. As warships, we will also fulfill our defensive duties and bombard Galan warships in port or departing!】
“How outrageous!! How dare they!”
As soon as these words were spoken, the Jialan who had just been dancing and celebrating immediately reacted with alarm.
“Blast them! Slaughter them!” They turned to the stage. “Aren't our warships docked in the port? Order them to leave port immediately and fight to the death!”
However, these patriots were shocked to see the officials from the diplomatic sector and high-ranking citizens behind them,
all making the same surprisingly coordinated movement, climbing down from the propaganda stand.
“Wait! You—where are you going!? Come back!”
The diplomats' faces were filled with terror, their potbellies jiggling under their brightly colored robes as they scurried away, pulling out their phones along the way, ordering their servants in an almost scolding tone to quickly buy them tickets to leave New Hope.
【Due to the inability to determine which ships contain Galan military personnel, we will scan and attack all suspicious targets. We sincerely advise all shipping to immediately cease, and civilian vessels to suspend departure from port, to avoid unnecessary collateral damage.】
Hearing this statement, the fleeing officials all stopped again, frozen in place, at a loss.
They turned around and saw the patriots all glaring at them, closing in step by step.