Him and their stars.

Chapter 2073 What?! The Prince Wei hit me?! Really?

In short, perhaps because of the inviolability of private property, the situation in Chancheon suddenly became delicate.

...Well, it's true that the Imperial patrol fleet had entered Canchuan on its own initiative before, so this is the most unnatural one yet.

Eleanor said, "According to the communications records we intercepted, as well as some communications records that the Alliance 'actively' shared, it was the Imperial cruiser 'Great Rock Serpent' that first entered the alert range of Canchuan City."

Yu Lian frowned slightly, feeling that the situation was not so simple.

“I remember that after Operation Snake Slayer, Canchuan expanded by nearly half, most of which was for defense,” Feifei said.

“Yes, that commercial space city has fortress cannons installed,” Eleanor said.

In short, the conflict escalated rapidly within thirty seconds. First, Canchuan City used its fortress cannons to "drive away" the Imperial fleet. The cruiser Great Iron Serpent was instantly vaporized, losing half of its bow, and fled in disarray, its hooks of flames hanging from its prow.

Subsequently, the Alliance fleet, which had been waiting in the C47 system for a long time, launched a surprise attack. They had been hidden in the nebula dust for a long time, and when they suddenly accelerated and jumped into Canchuan, the opposing Imperial fleet did not even have time to react.

They only began to fight back after the Allied fleet had pressed them close and they were under heavy artillery fire. At the same time, they started to send out distress signals to their allies behind them.

However, this was also one of the landmark events that escalated the situation.

The fact that a small patrol fleet was bombarded but not immediately wiped out speaks volumes; the Alliance had already shown considerable leniency.

As a result, the Imperial Army that arrived later was caught in a pincer movement by the Allied fleet and the fortress cannons.

Eleanor Bonaparte paused for a moment, then rattled off a series of cold, hard damage figures: "The battle lasted one hour and thirty-seven minutes. It has been confirmed that the Empire lost one light cruiser, three destroyers and assault ships, and one heavy cruiser and one light carrier were seriously damaged. As for the Alliance, they lost only two assault ships and four aircraft, and one destroyer was slightly damaged."

"Such a detailed battle report, and the statistics were compiled way too quickly," Yu Lian said.

"Because during the combat phase, the Nephelion Star Network's reporting ships were always nearby. They broadcast the battle live to the entire universe and were making real-time statistics on the losses of both sides," Deng Zhengqing said.

"They're even discussing it on political talk shows now," Gongsun Qing muttered.

...Excellent, that's the efficiency of the alliance media industry! You have to admire it!

During the brief silence caused by Yu Lian's awe, Eleanor immediately spoke, her tone tinged with obvious pleasure: "The remaining Imperial ships have begun to retreat towards section B of the Spiral Nebula route. Meanwhile, the Alliance's Titan 'Heart of Glory' has arrived at Canchuan with a mobile fleet of 300 ships after the battle, determined to pursue them. Judging by the timing, they should have already begun their operation."

Oh my? You actually want to expand your gains? Such bravery and ferocity really doesn't fit Neferpitou's image as a cunning businessman!
"Is this an attempt to drive away all the Imperial fleets on the Spiral Channel?" Feifei asked on Yu Lian's behalf.

“No, they said they were preparing to directly attack the Estai base,” Deng Zhengqing said.

This time, even Yu Lian was taken aback, and then clicked his tongue in amazement.

The so-called Este Base is named after Marshal Este, the Privy Councilor and the Flag Bearer of the Grand Marshal's Office, who is also the head of the Imperial military (excluding members of the royal family).

Although it sounds very commemorative, it was just a supply base built by the Empire in April 834 on the border of the Spiral Nebula and the Femo Starfield.

It was small in scale, with incomplete facilities and rudimentary weaponry, and the number of personnel stationed there did not even exceed one battalion, but it was still very symbolic.

This, of course, means that the alliance may have already strategically scaled back. They have completely relinquished all of Femo's interests, which may also be equivalent to relinquishing complete control of the Spiral Star System.

So, given that he is already so brave, we don't know whose subordinate he is.
Seeing Yu Lian's puzzled expression, Deng Zhengqing quickly replied, "It was in a news interview 30 minutes ago. It was General Harango Domech who said it himself during his interview with NOB."

As he spoke, he turned on a screen, which was clearly a news clip he had just recorded.

Then I saw a handsome young man, around thirty years old, with a dignified bearing and an appearance and temperament that were enough to make him a leading man in a legendary movie. He was waving his fist forcefully on the screen and shouting passionately: "We will fight in Canchuan! We will fight in the Spiral Nebula! We will fight in Femo! We will make all those clowns who violate the sovereignty of the Alliance suffer in purgatory! Warriors of the Alliance, citizens of the Alliance, do not ask what the country has done for you, ask yourselves what you can do for the country, for the well-being of civilization, for the future of the universe! Forward! Forward without hesitation!"

This is Admiral Harango Domeshi, a core member of the Domeshi family, one of the thirteen families, former admiral of the Fifth Fleet of the Alliance, a member of the Alliance Joint Military Council, and also a sixth-ring "Saint".

In another timeline, he was the Alliance military commander who unified the Alliance fleet, ultimately annihilating the Scourge swarm and severely damaging the Marauder fleet, driving them back to the Silver Heart. He could be considered a renowned general of his time.

Of course, although they are all members of the thirteen families mentioned in rumors, their kinship with Annie goes back six or seven generations. Moreover, there have always been some minor disagreements between the Dormahi and Berencaster families.

Even so, the conflict between the two companies remained at the stage of fighting but not breaking apart, and they cooperated sincerely most of the time.

It's probably about vying for the title of the true number one family in the league.

Furthermore, when Yu Lian embarked on that final adventure, he was already an eighth-ranked officer and had retired with the rank of Marshal to participate in that year's election, preparing to compete with Miss Bei, who had "ruled" the Alliance for twenty years while sitting in a wheelchair, for the next chairperson of the Azure Palace.

In short, he is an exceptionally talented heir to a powerful alliance clan, and will undoubtedly become a model of outstanding leadership in the future. He is far, far superior to that dog belonging to Yani.

That said, General Harango Domech isn't much older than Mr. Krell, so why is the age difference so obvious?

However, in Yu Lian's impression, although General Dormaxi became famous at a young age and his own martial arts skills were also top-notch, he was quite steady and cunning, and was actually a strategist who left no room for error.

However, he put on such a passionate and impassioned act that anyone who didn't know better would think the two countries had actually declared war.

Yu Lian turned to look at Fei Fei, but the girl who shared his thoughts simply shook her head.

"There was no declaration of war. The Blue Palace simply stated that they would hold a press conference in three hours."

“Very good. This is the first military conflict between the Empire and the Alliance since the Seventh Galactic War. Although it is not large in scale, it has extremely significant political and military implications. However, I have no idea what kind of chain reaction it will bring.”

The bridge fell silent without anyone noticing, everyone awaiting Yu Lian's command. Yu Lian gazed at the arrow of light on the star map, representing the Alliance's victorious advance, a smug smile slowly playing on his lips: "Please remember, everyone, the entire universe is waiting for our reaction, not the other way around. It is precisely because of our advance into the Celestial Realm, and the turmoil within the Galactic Empire, that positive changes are constantly occurring throughout the universe."

His emotions naturally infected the entire army. Everyone realized that they themselves were the heroes standing in the light.

"Notify the entire army to maintain combat readiness and continue advancing according to the original plan. Remember, from this moment on, no rumors from the outside world are allowed to shake our plans!" Yu Lian finally gave the order, his voice steady yet carrying an undeniable force.

And so, the unscathed Yulian fleet swaggered past the completely disintegrated Xiaguan base and entered Yixia Star Gorge amidst the despairing gazes of the Imperial soldiers who had lost their focus.

Before April arrived, the Yulian Fleet had already crossed the Star Gorge. Their marching speed was indeed beyond the Imperial Army's expectations, and the Sunset Angel, which had been closely following behind, had even fallen behind by nearly a week's journey.

During this period, Yu Lian naturally received battle reports from all sides.

In short, just as everyone guessed, the Imperial Army launched a simultaneous offensive against both the High Seas and the New Divine Land. This was perhaps another large-scale offensive executed by the Imperial Army after the fall of its coastal defenses.

As for the South Heavenly Gate, it is confirmed that the Dawn Angel has left, but its whereabouts are unknown.

Feifei thought that, given the orange cat's showy nature, it might even take over command of the Grand Duke Haihan King's campaign, but the possibility was probably slim.

"She will soon be the Privy Council Chief, and should return to the Empire as soon as possible."

As for the allied army on Canchuan's side, they were indeed advancing in a grand procession towards Ester Fortress, appearing ready for war. Perhaps because their movements were so overwhelming, all the imperial troops along the way were taken aback and had no choice but to retreat towards Femo.

For many years, the empire's retreat had rarely been so decisive, giving it the immediate impression of a hasty and desperate escape.

As for the Estai base, it's obvious it can't be defended. Unless the Marshal in charge of Femor actually deploys his main fleet into the Spiral Nebula for a large-scale strategic battle with the Alliance.

It's just a small outpost anyway, so let's just give up on it. Yu Lian's attitude is still quite upright.

However, another problem arises: now that there is armed conflict, how long is it before we go on to start killing indiscriminately?
Of course, the point remains the same. Nothing happening in the outside world can shake Yu Lian's resolve. He has no other desires than to march into the Heavenly Realm as a conqueror.

On April 5th, the Yu Lian fleet passed through the Xia Yi Star Gorge route and easily defeated a fleet composed of several feudal lords, passing through the area commonly known as the "Middle Ring" by the Empire.

At the current marching speed, it will only take a week at most for the Shengyuan Sector, the most densely populated and economically prosperous area of ​​the Galactic Empire, which houses the Breeze Shipyard, the Skyfire Foundry, the Iron Sword Arsenal, the Royal Photon Laboratory, and the Copying Library, to enter its hunting range.

In the second century of the Galactic Empire's expansion into space, they discovered this stable and fertile young star cluster, naturally considered the chosen land of the Tirelo people. It is said that long ago, this sector was home to a civilization, at least reaching the early Bronze Age of city-states, which the Tirelo ruthlessly exterminated. However, this is merely hearsay, and while it aligns with the Tirelo's typical behavior, there is no concrete evidence.

The important thing is that the Shengyuan before us is the core territory that the empire has been cultivating for nearly three thousand years.

At the same moment, Yu Lian learned of Shirley's whereabouts again from the Imperial Army's internal network. An Imperial Army brigade that had landed in the Silver Map system was ambushed by a swarm of Zerg and almost completely wiped out; tanks torn apart by the Zerglings became steel tombstones on the city streets. But Shirley herself had once again disappeared into the vast sea of ​​stars in the Wanfan system.

Yu Lian knew that the girl was heading towards the Heavenly Realm as agreed.

At this moment, the intelligence department also brought the news he was most concerned about—the news about the Imperial fleet that was coming to intercept them.

"In short, another batch of imperial fleets has arrived in Shengyuan's capital, numbering between 250 and 300. Pfft..." Yu Lianming knew that this was very impolite and even too frivolous for a ruler, but he still couldn't help but laugh out loud. Although he only had about 30 ships under his command, he still found it extremely amusing.

The mighty Galactic Empire, the most powerful military empire in the entire universe, actually has a time when it is so strapped for cash. What a magical realism scene this is!

Of course, there are probably close to two thousand scattered imperial warships that Yu Lian has left behind. Everyone understands this, but it doesn't matter.

In fact, the only obstacle between our side and the Heavenly Realm is this small number of troops.

Actually, there's another fortress, Chenxiao Fortress, which is the largest fortress on the Galactic Empire's home turf, no smaller than Wanwang Pass. But this thing can't move, and with the current mobility of the Yu fleet, it can easily bypass it.

Deng Zhengqing, representing the intelligence department and the staff department, then began a more detailed report: "Although the total force does not exceed 300 ships, it is confirmed that there are 12 battlecruisers and 6 large aircraft carriers."

When a large fleet is traveling through space, the total number of its warships is always difficult to estimate, but the mass constant and outline of its capital ships are too obvious to ignore.

Not every giant ship can reduce its presence to the level of a destroyer like the Silent Ship.

"Who is the commander?" Feifei asked again on behalf of the commander.

"It is King Werrent."

What? The King of Wei hit me? Really?
Is the mighty Galactic Empire, facing a shortage of troops, also lacking capable generals?

Yu Lian immediately wanted to spit it out again, but considering that it would not be frivolous but rather underestimating his opponent, which would not fit his image as the number one general of his time, he managed to hold back.

He forced himself to maintain an unwavering poker face and entered a state of deep thought.

Yu Lian did not believe that the former "Red King" or the former "Snake Head" truly had the determination and courage to keep him outside the capital and fight to the death, so his true intentions were highly questionable.

According to the snake, those who become leaders of political factions are unsuitable to continue as its head and should naturally leave the organization. This raises the question: what is this so-called "faction"? What interests does it represent? What are its demands and ideologies?

Furthermore, King Wei maintained his close cooperative relationship with the snakes. It was he who spread the news of Emperor Elithel's severe injury.

Why did he personally lead his troops to stop me this time?

If it's just about paddling, that would be a bit superficial.