132. Sophisticated
"Before coming, I was actually thinking about whether you would support us. But now, I am completely relieved." Francis replied with a smile.
But at this moment, his heart was filled with gloom.
Palpatine blocked almost all of his right to speak as soon as he opened his mouth, allowing him to completely control the negotiation.
As for that promise, Francis didn't take it seriously, it was just a sentence anyway.
"Very good, is there anything else?" Palpatine asked again.
"No more." Francis smiled, but did not say what he wanted to say, because he already understood what Palpatine meant. He took out a box of tea and sent it over and said: "This is a unique drink from our Dawn Planet - tea. I hope you like it."
"Logically speaking, I shouldn't accept such a gift. But I am full of yearning for Dawn Planet, a beautiful planet that is constantly striving for self-improvement, so I have no choice but to be disrespectful." Palpatine accepted the small gift.
After coming out of the Galactic Parliament, Francis got on his hover car, and his staff Douglas Stamp was waiting in the car.
"Palpatine will not support us entering the Galactic Senate." Francis tugged on his tie, and then unbuttoned the collar of his shirt.
"He explicitly refused?" Douglas asked.
"No, he didn't say anything. But he didn't give me a chance to speak. In that case, if I spoke, the situation would become embarrassing." Francis supported his chin and pondered.
"Although he can't be said to be in the spotlight now, he is still a popular figure in the Galactic Council. Maybe he doesn't like our current request for support?" Douglas frowned.
"For a politician, there must be no disdain for such an idea. In my expectation, he should not refuse...unless..." Francis stopped mid-sentence. After a while, he Then he continued: "Let Claire prepare, we may have to take the next step."
However, the very next day, when Francis Underwood turned on the TV, he saw a piece of news!
[Here is Republic News Channel reporting for you. Just yesterday, Mr. Sheev Palpatine, a congressman from the planet Naboo, suddenly proposed a bill, hoping to allow the Dawn Planet to enter the parliament of the Galactic Republic and have a Formal seats. Our frontline reporters have contacted Mr. Palpatine. 】
"Mr. Palpatine, what are your reasons for proposing to allow Dawn Planet, a small colony with a population of less than 100,000, to join the Galactic Parliament?"
On the TV, Palpatine was dressed in Chinese clothes, with a calm demeanor and a warm smile. He replied: "The Planet Dawn is a vibrant colony. They are refugees from the war, but they have not been knocked down by fate. They chose to resist fate! They chose to rebuild their homes with their own hands. Not only that..."
Palpatine waved his hand, and Claire Underwood's speech appeared next to her. "Ms. Claire from the Dawn Planet is also actively involved in politics, running around to advocate for the backward planets in the outer ring. They don't just hide in The family is self-pitying and sets its sights on the longer term. This is what I appreciate about them."
"Is that why you proposed this motion?"
"That's right. I hope this motion can express my attitude, which is to pay attention to the planets in the Outer Rim Star Region. This is also a good opportunity to let the outer Rim planets make their voices heard." Palpatine shook his hand. He waved his fists in the air with great enthusiasm.
"Fuck!!" Francis Underwood yelled and wanted to turn off the TV but held back. But as the interview progressed, his face became increasingly gloomy.
Claire Underwood came over with two glasses of wine, put one in front of him and asked: "What's wrong? Palpatine has strong political influence now, wouldn't it be good to let him help us enter the Parliament?" ?"
"It's not just bad! He should be very clear about what I meant by going to him yesterday, but today he proposed this motion. His intention was not to show favor to us, but to tell me that there is no way to do this!" Francie Si took a big sip of wine and said through gritted teeth.
"I do not quite understand."
Francis put down his glass and asked: "What do you think the chances of this bill passing?"
Claire frowned, "Although we can't say that we are familiar with all the members of the Galaxy Parliament at present, judging from the current situation, the chance of passing is no more than 20%."
"Not 20%, but zero. Palpatine will secretly use his connections to prevent the passage of this bill." Francis said.
"What does this mean to him?"
"For a real fool, you will only be grateful for his actions and become his tool in a very low profile. But for smart people like us, this means a warning and a test. Moreover, you Don’t you realize that this action of his has successfully shifted part of the topic you created before to himself, and made his political image more glorious?” Francis said.
Claire's face turned a little pale, "You mean, he killed three birds with one stone?"
"The manager told me before that this is the most powerful enemy in my life. Now I believe it." Francis drank the wine in one gulp. "In a head-on confrontation, we have almost no chance. , only if he eats it up and wipes it clean."
Claire gritted her teeth, "Then, why don't we carry it..."
"No..." Francis interrupted Claire, "Remember, never say this word out. It never exists. Yes, it's just about standing in line and position, understand?"
He stood up and walked to the bar, poured himself another glass of wine, and took a sip, "But after today's contact, I am certain."
"What?"
"It is absolutely impossible for me to side with Palpatine." Francis turned to look at Claire and said seriously, "And now we have two advantages. First, we and Palpatine There is no need to distinguish between winners and losers, what I want is to use each other. Secondly, I think what the manager said about the future is probably true."
"Then what should we do?"
"Play another card."
"You mean..."
A smile appeared on the corner of Francis's mouth, "Yes, the Trade Federation. It's time for them to take action...but this may make it harder for you."
"I'll be fine, Frank." Claire smiled confidently.
(Search [Star Wars: The Fourth Natural Disaster + New Book] on Baidu on your mobile phone and click to turn pages while reading on your mobile phone. Eye protection. Power saving. Data saving function)
