He Tiezhou, the head of the Public Security Bureau of the Yinglong Pirate Group, cursed. “We, the Panhua Empire, were really this powerful!”
“Of course,” Shi Mo answered. “All this information was collected by our History Bureau over hundreds of thousands of years. Our ancestors, the Panhua Empire, were once one of the strongest in the universe.”
“But why did the Alerman Empire suddenly betray us? How did the Panhua Empire destroy 220 million warships from nine cosmic powers with only 30 million ships? How did we defeat the joint fleet of the Fusang Empire and the Biote Federation, which had 36 million ships, with only 6 million of ours?” He Tiezhou raised his concerns. “Why didn’t we surrender when the whole universe attacked the Panhua Empire?”
“I don’t know the answers either,” Shi Mo sighed. He shrugged, helpless.
“Captain, your ancestor, Lei Hao, was once a battleship captain in the Panhua Empire. He must know something!” Vice-Captain Qi Mu suggested eagerly.
“Old Qi, my ancestor’s command area was the Yunmeng galaxy, now the Pirate Nebula. He didn’t take part in those two wars. The secret of the Panhua Empire’s rise in power was highly classified. Very few people knew about it. The old captain didn’t even have access to that information,” Lei Hengbang explained.
“I say, we shouldn’t keep thinking about our ancestors. They were great, but they were still destroyed. Let’s focus on the real issue,” Zhang Lian interrupted impatiently. “Should we increase the Chiyou fleet’s main ships to 20,000?”
Lei Hengbang knocked the table, silencing the room. “Old Zhang, history matters. It may not help us directly, but it is the foundation of the Panhua people. It’s what allowed the Yinglong Pirate Group to unite Panhua descendants across the universe. If we forget our history, we risk becoming just another gang of raiders. That’s not what we want.”
Everyone listened quietly.
“The old captain fled the Rose Empire because of the persecution of our people. That’s why the Yinglong Pirate Group was formed. Our goal has always been to free all oppressed Panhua descendants in the universe and rebuild the Panhua Empire…” Lei Hengbang said, his voice serious.
At the same time, Intelligence Director Li Zifeng, who had been quietly listening, couldn’t help but scoff. With all the secrets of the Yinglong Pirate Group’s factions in his hands, he knew when speeches like these were just empty rhetoric.
“Let’s get back to Vice-Captain Qi’s suggestion about expanding the fleet,” Lei Hengbang finally returned to the main topic.
“I agree with expanding the Chiyou fleet’s main ships,” said Lan Yiting, the only woman among the nine leaders. She hesitated but decided to keep her thoughts brief.
Qi Mu noticed Lan Yiting’s expression and said, “Director Lan, if you have something to add, please do. We, the nine leaders, are the decision-makers of the Yinglong Pirate Group. No need to hold back.”
Lan Yiting replied, “Our propaganda bureau has been following the political situation in various nations. The new prime minister of the Alerman Republic, Adolf John, has become a key figure. He’s unhappy with the punishment the Cosmic Intelligence Life Coalition imposed on the Alerman Republic after the First Cosmic War. During his election campaign, he openly declared he would reclaim the star systems the Alerman Empire lost. His National Revival Party also has a paramilitary group, the 'Revival Special Forces.' Recently, many Biote Federation corporations visited the Alerman Republic to congratulate him. If we consider the recent increase in the size of the Teuton Pirate Group’s fleet, which is supported by the Alerman Republic, we must suspect it’s connected to Adolf John’s rise to power. The Pirate Nebula is now at the center of attention, with the Kabas Empire and the Fulro Federation in fierce conflict. Could this mean the Alerman Empire is preparing to stir up trouble?”
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Han Li, who had been listening closely, glanced at Lan Yiting. He hadn’t realized that she was so sharp in her observations. His Dark Dragon Bureau had focused on the Kabas Empire’s Muhua star system, thinking that a war between the Kabas Empire and the Fulro Federation was imminent. He hadn’t thought of the bigger picture.
“I’ll have to stay in touch with Lan Yiting in the future,” Han Li thought.
“Do you think the Alerman Republic will start a new cosmic war?” Lei Hengbang asked eagerly.
“Captain, I don’t think so—at least not yet. Prime Minister Adolf John has only just taken office. His position is still unstable. The Alerman Republic is also limited by the Donli Agreement, which restricts its military size to one million warships. That’s not enough to start a war,” Lan Yiting answered calmly.
Among the nine leaders of the Yinglong Pirate Group, everyone knew that Lei Hengbang’s family had long hoped to build a new Panhua Empire. They had hoped for a cosmic war to break out, so the Yinglong Pirate Group could expand. However, not all of the leaders agreed with this plan. Some feared it would take away their control.
Lei Hengbang’s face darkened. After a brief moment of thought, he said, “How about this? Based on Director Lan’s analysis, we’ve overlooked the rise of the Alerman Republic. To seize future opportunities, the Yinglong Pirate Group must strengthen its forces. I propose increasing the Chiyou fleet’s main ships to 25,000.”
Zhang Lian’s face turned red with anger. He knew that such an increase would drain the finances of his United Panhua Descendant League. “The Yinglong Pirate Group doesn’t have the financial resources for that kind of expansion! I oppose this proposal!” he shouted.
Lei Hengbang’s face grew even darker. He tried to stay calm. “What do you think is a reasonable number?”
The others stayed silent, watching the tension between the two.
“Let’s go with Vice-Captain Qi’s suggestion: expand the main ships to 20,000,” Zhang Lian said firmly.
“No, that’s not enough,” Lei Hengbang rejected quickly.
The room became tense. The silence was thick as both men grew increasingly frustrated.
“Hehe, we’ve been friends for many years. Let’s not ruin our relationships,” Lan Yiting said, trying to ease the tension.
“How about we settle on 23,000?” Han Li suggested. “This would close the gap with the Teuton Pirate Group, which is growing fast. It’s necessary to keep our position and prepare for any unexpected events.”
“I agree,” Lan Yiting quickly confirmed.
“I also agree,” said Tian Heng, the judicial director, who had only spoken for the first time.
The others nodded in agreement, and the compromise was accepted.
Lei Hengbang, though still unhappy, reluctantly agreed.
Zhang Lian was frustrated. He knew it was pointless to continue resisting. With the other eight leaders in agreement, he had no choice but to give in. He was tired of the Yinglong Pirate Group.
The leaders continued discussing the war between the Kabas Empire and the Fulro Federation, as well as plans to recruit new members into the Yinglong Pirate Group and Dark Dragon Society. They eventually agreed to increase the Chiyou fleet’s main ships to 23,000.
After the meeting ended, Zhang Lian stormed off to his private spacecraft. He left the Yinglong Pirate Group and headed back to his base in York, a prosperous commercial planet in the Biote Empire.