"There's no other way; the Empire's diplomacy is all handled by the military."

The Emperor summoned a nearby maid and briefly looked through the Empire's public sentiment, his expression growing worse.

"I remember the discussion on the accession of the new emperor was just like this."

The Old Emperor raised his hand to his forehead:

"Do you know what I'm most worried about?

"It's you, the military, you've completely lost face for us! They came into our Empire's heartland, and under your close watch, they kidnapped two living people!

"The military is the foundation of my Sherman's nation! You are undermining the nation's foundation!"

The two elder generals could only hang their heads low.

They could feel that the Old Emperor's anger probably stemmed from other matters, but he vented it on the always diligent and cautious Military Department.

The local defense forces' ships are aging, the response mechanism is incomplete, and the maintenance costs of the near-space port are high, so we choose the remote Space Port...ultimately, isn't it all because of the lack of military funds?

Of course, nobody dared to contradict the Emperor now.

"Has the Archbishop initiated the entire territory defense system?"

"Your Majesty," a relatively young bishop of the Divine Sect bowed his head, "we have tried to activate it three times already, but the response was that a kidnapping case alone can't awaken the Emperor Guard System. Although the online public opinion is fierce, most of it is waiting for follow-up, and only a very few are anti-Empire sentiments, all within controllable stages."

"Controllable?"

The Old Emperor scoffed.

"Then we'll just wait for Hanton to come back! Not a single capable official in the whole nation!"

The ministers could only bow their heads and hold their breath, fearing that the Emperor might suddenly call on them.

As for Princess Daphne...

No one is concerned with the gossip news about the White Ghost now.

...

When Yang Ming arrived at the Imperial Palace's grand hall, four hours had passed since the kidnapping.

Several departments of the Empire cooperated and had prepared the official emergency broadcast, and Yang Ming had also received the script given by the Antenna Organization in advance.

The official stance of the Empire was for him to quell the domestic public opinion first, then to consider the issue of his own family.

The content of the script wasn't excessive; it only required Yang Ming to express clearly one message—that he believed the Imperial Military and the local security systems could resolve the issue promptly, ensuring the personal safety of every citizen in the Empire.

For the rest, how to curse at the kidnappers, Yang Ming could improvise.

Following the Emperor's request, during the broadcast, Yang Ming needed to be inside the Imperial Palace, and the Emperor himself needed to appear in the background, showing the Emperor's regard for the Empire's hero.

"Your Majesty!"

Yang Ming walked straight into the group of ministers and performed a weak Imperial military salute.

He whispered, "I didn't expect that the kidnapping of my family would alarm both Your Majesty and the ministers."

The Old Emperor grunted, "What? Are you saying we have nothing better to do, that we are too meddlesome?"

Yang Ming quickly bowed his head, "I absolutely did not mean that. Your Majesty shows concern for my family, which touches me deeply, it's just that I feel this matter has already wasted too many of the Empire's resources."

"The public opinion is now boiling over the whole territory!"

The Old Emperor waved his hand, and a deputy chief elder immediately grasped the meaning.

The deputy chief solemnly explained, "Earl Hanton, I know you must be very worried about your parents right now, but you are an Earl of the Empire, what you need to do now is not to chase those kidnappers with a ship but to first quell these public opinions."

"I understand and accept."

Yang Ming immediately said:

"This incident ultimately started because of me, I will make my utmost effort to quell the public opinion...

"But may I ask if the Empire has found out who did this? The New Federation? The great nobles who have grievances against me? Or some other force with unclear motives?"

The deputy chief sighed, "We currently deduce that it was likely the New Federation, but without finding solid evidence, we cannot make a move against them."

An elder general from the Military Department added, "We've organized hundreds of military ships to track those twelve battleships, Earl Hanton, please don't worry. As long as there's a possibility, we will also bring your parents back safely."

The Old Emperor said, "After your parents are rescued, they will live on Emperor Star! I will award them noble titles and a manor!"

"At this moment, I can't even express my thanks to you, Your Majesty. I just hope they are safe."

Yang Ming immediately said, "I can do the broadcast now."

An official immediately turned his head and shouted, "Release the filming orbs! Release the filming orbs!"

Many officials adjusted their appearances.

A maid, holding her skirt, rushed over, almost twisting her ankle in her high heels, walked directly behind the Emperor's seat, and whispered a few words.

The Old Emperor's expression visibly darkened.

"Can the Emperor Guard System still not be activated?"

The maid hurriedly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, the Archbishop has already tried inserting the scepter more than ten times. The Emperor Guard System did not detect any crisis in the Empire and refused to activate."

The Old Emperor closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and raised his hand to signal the maid to step back, then settled in his throne to think for a few seconds, and said:

"There's no need to rush anymore. The kidnappers have already started a live broadcast ahead of you. They are outside the Empire's territory, requesting communication with Hanton."

The ministers in the hall stayed silent.

Yang Ming asked, "Your Majesty, what do you mean?"

"My meaning? My intent is certainly to protect your parents, to protect every citizen of the Empire," the Old Emperor faintly said, "Negotiate with them, right here, Hanton. I want to see what they really intend to do."

"Your Majesty, this might be somewhat inappropriate," an elder spoke solemnly, "You are the highest will of the Empire, directly intervening in a kidnapping case, which does not conform to procedure."

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