Douluo Continent: My Days in the Tang Sect.

Chapter 1628 If you don't steal it, someone else will; if someone else steals it, then you...

"Ah Xiao, if the military's weapons or other spare parts are discarded and fall into the hands of powerful families, what if they reverse engineer them and discover something?"

"Oh dear, this is just a low-probability event. There aren't many geniuses in the world, but every era will have its unique individuals. However, the specific method of elimination is up to us to decide."

Ye Nanxiao snapped his fingers, and some frost began to condense, transforming into a 3D pattern.

The Imperial Laboratory was the absolute core, and Xu Jiujiu had placed his most trusted confidants at all the checkpoints.

Even with such tight surveillance, some samples were still lost from Juxingtang.

Luo Rui couldn't keep an eye on them every day, even his own students, who were from prestigious families.

Human nature cannot withstand the test.

That's why she was so worried for so long, even though she had absolute trust in Ye Nanxiao.

"You can't kill all the parasites. Once one appears, a second will appear. Even if some people are absolutely fair, they can be manipulated and threatened as soon as they have a weakness. Therefore, it's better to guide than to block!"

"So I gave them an excuse, 'policy support and resource allocation,' and most of them will swarm in like sharks smelling blood! And the spots are limited. If you don't grab them, someone else will. And that's where the gap in resource strength begins!"

"Therefore, all the powerful families will definitely get involved, such as those at the top. Even if they sense something is wrong, they will still try to take this bloody piece of cake! Even if they occupy the spot and then leave it aside."

What aristocratic families fear most is not the capricious emperor sitting on the throne, but their peers who are similar to themselves.

When powerful families unite, it's all about profit; once the profit is enough, it's time to slaughter them.

In layman's terms, it's like my neighbor hoards guns while I hoard grain; my neighbor is my granary.

After much thought, she followed Ye Nanxiao's train of thought and quickly understood.

By offering "preferential policies," powerful families are able to willingly invest resources in these dragging-down projects.

This would gradually deplete their strength and distract their attention, causing them to temporarily abandon their covetousness for core projects such as battle armor and soul-guided mechs.

In addition to the "Military Equipment Elimination and Transformation" project, even if the aristocratic families are still determined to acquire the two great weapons, Soul Guidance Mechs and Battle Armors, the only force they can mobilize will be a dud.

This way, there's no need to resort to ruthless methods or escalate internal conflicts within the alliance. In addition, these projects can be used to improve the alliance's border infrastructure and civilian soul-guided equipment, achieving multiple benefits in one fell swoop!

Xu Jiujiu's face lit up with a happy smile. Since she ascended the throne, she had had no shortage of squabbles with the powerful families.

If it weren't for the substantial wealth left by Xu Jiawei, the assistance provided by Ye Nanxiao, and the loyalty of the Dai and Zhu families, the Star Luo Empire wouldn't be so peaceful right now.

"There's no time to lose! I'll call a meeting tonight!"

After a long while, he took the soul-guided recorder filled with strategies from Ye Nanxiao and strode out of the laboratory.

Inside the Gathering Star Hall, only Luo Rui and Ye Nanxiao remained, and the faint ticking of the clock was amplified to an extreme degree.

"Alright, old man Luo, stop looking at me like that. Go and call Shi Wei and the others back. Let's get ready to begin..."

"Floating Cannon Sequence, Global Soul-Guided Defense Matrix!"

For the Alliance ecosystem, Soul Spirit, Battle Armor, and Soul Guiding Mech are the three guardian swords, the absolute core of the combat power system.

However, for the four great empires, given their massive military strength, the time required to acquire these three core assets is destined to be long.

Therefore, Ye Nanxiao took out his first-order weapon.

Otherwise there wouldn't be enough to go around, and there's also the fear that the armed forces wouldn't be thorough enough.

What if we can't win?

What if?

After Ye Nanxiao's second mental connection and synchronized memories, the four empresses quietly began preparations.

Taking the Star Luo Empire as an example, after a long period of deliberate pushing, one or two rumors flew out of the Star Luo Imperial Palace.

This instantly caused an earthquake within the Xingluo Family circle.

Throughout Xingluo City, the mansions of prominent families were brightly lit all night long, with fervor and greed replacing their former composure.

Inside the council hall of the Li family mansion in Xingluo Capital, the atmosphere was so lively it was almost boiling over.

The head of the Li family slammed his hand on the table, causing the cups to rattle slightly. The intelligence report in his hand crumpled as he gripped it tightly. "A trans-empire aerospace supply route! A monopoly on the transport of high-level supplies to the Alliance, plus long-term military subsidies from the Alliance! This means the Empire is about to take action against the Audu Chamber of Commerce!"

"We must get involved! Fifteen years! If we can hold out for fifteen years, our Li family will control the lifeline of the alliance's logistics and become incredibly wealthy!"

"Even if we can't take over the entire alliance's logistics network, taking over the Star Luo Empire's logistics network would be excellent!"

"The patriarch is right!" The elders on the side echoed, their eyes filled with fervor.

"The Empress hosted a banquet yesterday and specifically hinted that loyal families would have priority in undertaking the project! Everyone in Xingluo City knows that our Li family has been loyal and virtuous for generations! This is a rare opportunity; let's devote half of our family fortune to securing this project!"

The elder's words immediately garnered a large response.

Among the prominent families of Xingluo City, only the Dai and Zhu families firmly hold the top positions, and the Li family has been eyeing these positions for a long time!

The younger generation is even more fervent.

Although they may not have the same foresight as the older generation, they are young and have the strongest competitive spirit.

Look at the projects revealed in the intelligence: the aerospace transport and supply line, and the construction of a transport and supply aerospace carrier.

How cool!

Moreover, if we secretly modify it ourselves without the Empire's knowledge, add weapons, and incorporate a soul-guided protective array, wouldn't it become an aerial fortress?!

At that time, wouldn't it be possible to break free from the constraints of the word "empire" and become an alliance family?

Fanaticism and greed have become contagious emotions that ignite once contracted.

Some were busy calculating funds, others were busy contacting other families to share the investment, but no one mentioned the huge expenses behind the "fifteen-year cycle".

No one bothered to think deeply about why Xu Jiujiu would so easily relinquish such substantial monopoly profits.

They all knew very well that Xu Jiujiu and the Xingluo royal family were not stupid; the fact that they dared to push it out meant that the empire must have ways to counter their aristocratic families.

Even if Xu Jiujiu and the Xingluo royal family had a backup plan to counter them, that would be a matter for later!

There's a saying that goes, "Dynasties come and go, but powerful families remain."

On this ship that is eroding imperial power, all aristocratic families are natural allies!

Greed, like a tidal wave, overwhelmed their reason.

The few words that Ye Nanxiao sent out completely shattered their remaining rationality.

"My dear ministers are all important officials of the country. Although the number of projects is not large, they are related to the foundation of the country. Therefore, we need ministers who are capable of undertaking the projects to demonstrate their financial resources and infrastructure capabilities, to bid openly, and to select the best candidates."

"Given the extremely large amount of money involved in the project, we allow a model where one entity takes the lead while multiple entities collaborate to secure the project."

"To create a win-win situation, we all have a bright future. First come, first served. All other bids will be disqualified."

Now, all the powerful families began to frantically stir.

"The war has begun! Everyone, show us what you've got!"

Although powerful families are closely connected, in reality, only self-interest is the core issue.

In Xingluo City, a storm was brewing.

The mastermind behind all of this, Ye Nanxiao, was comfortably reclining on an ice chair, overlooking the entire Star Luo City from above the Star Luo Imperial Palace.

"You old fools, let me add fuel to the fire!"

"Let me teach you what the most sophisticated yet unpretentious business warfare truly is!" (End of Chapter)