Interstellar Number One Farmer: I Only Want To Farm!

Chapter 682 - 208: Questions and Answers (Part 2)

Look, in the end, it’s still up to them to clean up the mess.The diplomats don’t want civilians; they only want to ransom a few nobles, and Mecha Masters are also on the list for ransom. As for soldiers, if they can be exchanged, do it; if not, then they’re abandoned.

The Empire has a large population. They can easily produce some clones, nurture them for over a decade, and send them to the battlefield. They don’t care about morality, only profit.

It’s also because their internal power dynamics are intricate.

The diplomats have very limited resources for hostage exchange, at most just a few.

But the Ten Stars Republic isn’t so easy to deal with; you think you can just come and go as you please?

With that little offer for exchange, that’s not happening.

If you want to ransom, you must ransom them all. Whether you take them away or not is another matter, but the per-head cost must be complete.

Otherwise, after taking care of these people for so long, should we not be paid?

These diplomats couldn’t argue back. They are few in number and weak, unable to decide anything. They can only report back to the Empire and then send someone who can decide resource allocation to negotiate.

Su Xiaocai calculates that the time for coming and going should be enough to develop a few barren planets.

Not only breaking even but profiting like a pig, what a cunning plan!

"Wait and see; they want to ransom people, but there will surely be twists and turns. Our nation is coveted not just for resources. It’s the Empire’s jealousy; they can’t stand our peaceful and stable life."

Admiral Bai said this with deep meaning, and Su Xiaocai somehow understood.

While the Empire’s internal conflicts escalate, the Ten Stars Republic peacefully develops, with even their advanced technology surpassing day by day, and their number of Superpower Users exceeds theirs.

Their envy naturally acts up.

The first long-range raid quickly ended in defeat; it is estimated that unless they break through the technological barriers within ten years, another attempt will be hard.

Su Xiaocai was more concerned about Zhang Jial, "He’s the Deputy Director of the Non-human Research Institute. Is there no action taken?"

"No action has been taken. Zhang Jial has been Deputy Director for quite a few years. He’s rather radical but has more connections than me. Without evidence, it’s all just empty talk. I’m only curious how spies and the All-Knowing Sect are in contact with the Empire’s upper echelon. If it were you, what would you do?" Admiral Bai asked Su Xiaocai.

Su Xiaocai was stunned, caught off guard by the difficult question.

She hasn’t fought intentional invasions.

When she waged war with like-minded entities, she always prioritized diplomacy, disliking occupying others’ territory to stir trouble.

Other people’s territories have numerous historical issues; adjusting them is a headache.

So asking her, she truly lacked experience.

Su Xiaocai couldn’t help but ponder the issue, "I might send a spy to understand the place first."

To know oneself and the enemy is to win a hundred battles.

"What if communication and transportation were issues?"

Su Xiaocai knocked the table in a dull yet rhythmic fashion, helping her think faster.

"Then get someone with high authority stationed, someone who also has influence in the Empire. In the Ten Stars System, being low-key and mysterious actually raises suspicion and invites reports."

The power of the populace is vast; the more covert, the quicker exposure. Su Xiaocai continued to speculate, "This person should have considerable resources. Their profession would allow free movement, not too conspicuous, with a private fleet capable of helping people smuggle, disappearing for some time without drawing attention."

Admiral Bai nodded and smiled, "You’re thinking along the same lines as me."

"So where do you think someone capable of helping with smuggling would live?"

"Needs several conditions: able to navigate borders, have subordinates on remote planets, wield influence on the Capital Star or Commercial Star, and ideally infiltrate military personnel." Su Xiaocai likes to squint while pondering deeply. She felt she caught onto something, "The All-Knowing Sect."

Assets on the Capital Star correspond to the Min Family, also a private hospital.

Having subordinates on remote planets, could it be linked to armed forces from orphanages, supported by Star Thief forces.

Infiltration of the military—Zhang Jial, a former Admiral, radical by nature, indeed easy to control.

So there’s a high chance Zhang Jial has issues?

Without evidence, suspicion shouldn’t be random.

Who else walks the border? Too many targets—bribe a few patrolling soldiers, walking borders is no problem. But how to smuggle without drawing attention?

Smuggling is a grave issue—it’s not fearing people smuggled out, but fearing those smuggled in.

So the All-Knowing Sect, spies, Superpower Users—all linked together, are products of treasonous organizations.

"Do you have any suspects?"

Admiral Bai was equally regretful; the universe is vast, and covering planets with sky eyes can’t achieve a hundred percent crime elimination, let alone broad territories.

"Can’t confirm, but they will eventually slip up."