Lei Hengbang’s question caused silence in the large conference room of the Yinglong Pirate Group’s headquarters. The nine giants didn’t know how to respond.
Lei Hengbang asked the question because he had decided not to use the Chiyou Fleet to attack the Cabas Empire’s life planet to get revenge on Zhang Lian. Now, anyone who had a new plan to attack the Cabas Empire could be chosen by Lei Hengbang and the other giants to carry out the revenge.
If any of the nine giants' departments were to attack the Cabas Empire, their department could face huge losses.
Lei Hengbang looked at the other eight giants. He thought, "You all wanted to attack the Cabas Empire earlier. Why is everyone quiet now?"
Lan Yiting cleared her throat and said, "The plan Zhang Gao suggested earlier, to use the Chiyou Pirate Group to attack the life planet of the Cabas Empire, seems good. If we launch a major attack, we can show our strength and calm the emotions of the people. It will also show other groups in the universe that the Yinglong Pirate Group is powerful."
She said this reluctantly.
Lan Yiting had to say this to bring big losses to the Yinglong Pirate Group and create conflict among the giants.
This plan had been discussed with Tong Hao. If the Cabas Empire knew that the Yinglong Pirate Group was behind the attack, they would send fleets to retaliate. This would cause huge losses.
Qi Mu, the leader of the Chiyou Fleet, cared more about the big picture. He wouldn’t oppose a plan most agreed on. He had already agreed to use the Chiyou Fleet to attack the Cabas Empire’s life planet.
Lan Yiting thought Qi Mu would support her idea.
"I’ll say it again. The Chiyou Fleet can attack at any time," Qi Mu confirmed, agreeing with Lan Yiting's guess.
"I agree," said Director of the History Bureau, Shi Mo.
"I agree too," said Zhang Gao, attending remotely via hologram from the Biot Empire. He had been convinced by Tong Hao.
Justice Director Tian Heng had been silent until now. He had heard He Tiezhou oppose the direct attack on the Cabas Empire’s life planet, but the four giants had supported it. He had no choice but to speak up.
Tian Heng had a similar situation to He Tiezhou. Both had forces in the Yinglong Pirate Group, so Tian Heng didn’t want to attack the Cabas Empire either. He preferred to wait before taking a stance, to avoid offending anyone.
He thought about it. The two departments in the Yinglong Pirate Group that could harm the Cabas Empire the most were the Chiyou Pirate Group and the Dark Dragon Society.
Although Tian Heng didn’t know the exact number of Dark Dragon Society members in the Cabas Empire, he estimated, from his subordinates' investigations, that there were around 5 to 10 million. The Cabas Empire had the largest population of Pan-Hua ethnic descendants in the universe.
Since the Yinglong Pirate Group had already decided to retaliate against the Cabas Empire, using these two departments would be most effective.
Lei Hengbang, as the leader, wasn’t a fool. He knew this.
However, Lei Hengbang didn’t want the Dark Dragon Society to suffer losses. He also didn’t want the Chiyou Fleet to attack the Cabas Empire. He preferred to use other departments to carry out the revenge.
"Looking at the situation now, using other departments won’t satisfy Lan Yiting and the others," Tian Heng thought. "Hmph, Lei Hengbang, don’t blame me. I’ll take back all the power."
Lei Hengbang quickly considered which department could carry out the revenge. He would never agree to using the Chiyou Fleet to attack the Cabas Empire’s life planet.
Suddenly, Tian Heng spoke loudly, "In my opinion, the Dark Dragon Society should carry out the revenge against the Cabas Empire in secret. I’ve heard that the Dark Dragon Society has over 10 million members in the Cabas Empire. That’s enough to carry out any form of revenge."
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When Tian Heng finished speaking, Han Li stood up angrily and glared at Tian Heng.
Tian Heng ignored him and continued, "Everyone, using the Chiyou Fleet to attack the Cabas Empire might work at first. But once the Cabas Empire reacts, they will defend and retaliate against the Yinglong Pirate Group.
"This is a foolish decision, and the result may not be good.
"On the other hand, using the Dark Dragon Society is different. It is one of the largest criminal organizations in the Cabas Empire, spread across every star system. It can attack the people, government departments, or companies of the Cabas Empire easily and effectively. The Dark Dragon Society can achieve the goal of avenging Director Zhang Lian.
"Also, by using the Dark Dragon Society to attack the Cabas Empire secretly, we will not provoke the Cabas Empire into attacking the Yinglong Pirate Group.
"Once the Dark Dragon Society succeeds, Lan Yiting’s propaganda department can spread the results to calm the anger of the common people.
"Using the Dark Dragon Society for revenge is the best choice. Why not do it?
"Why does the Yinglong Pirate Group need to use the Chiyou Fleet to attack the life planet of the Cabas Empire and risk unnecessary retaliation?"
Tian Heng spoke proudly. Even though he had upset Han Li and Lei Hengbang, he wasn’t afraid. He had many criminal cases involving members of Lei Hengbang and Han Li’s families in his judicial system. He could use them anytime.
Lan Yiting was shocked. She had also thought that using the Dark Dragon Society to attack the Cabas Empire was the best choice, but it didn’t fit her goal of taking control of the Yinglong Pirate Group through chaos.
Before Lan Yiting could speak, History Bureau Director Shi Mo spoke first, "Hmm, I agree with Tian Heng’s plan. Compared to using the Chiyou Fleet to attack the Cabas Empire, this makes more sense."
"I agree too. This is a good approach," said Intelligence Director Li Zifeng.
"Yes, let’s go with this method. Zhang Gao’s suggestion is childish and laughable," He Tiezhou added quickly, dismissing Zhang Gao’s plan.
"Yes, Director Tian Heng’s idea is smart, and I agree. I promise the Chiyou Fleet will fully cooperate when the Dark Dragon Society carries out the revenge," said Qi Mu, agreeing without hesitation.
Lan Yiting felt anxious. She had already thought the Dark Dragon Society should carry out the revenge, but it would stop her plan to take control of the Yinglong Pirate Group.
Now, the vote was 5:4 in favor of Tian Heng’s plan.
Normally, Tian Heng’s plan would be approved.
Now, the key was Lei Hengbang and Han Li, the true leaders of the Dark Dragon Society. If they strongly opposed, the plan wouldn’t go forward.
Lei Hengbang was furious when he heard Tian Heng’s idea.
With Tian Heng’s reasoning and the support of the other giants, Lei Hengbang realized his plan to have others carry out the revenge wouldn’t work.
Five giants had already agreed, so he would have to give up some of his own interests to clear suspicions about him killing Zhang Lian. He thought, "You bastards, wait until I find outside help. I will get all the power back."
"Alright, we’ll go with Tian Heng’s plan. The Dark Dragon Society will carry out the revenge against the Cabas Empire," Lei Hengbang said firmly.
Lan Yiting sighed inwardly. Her and Tong Hao’s plan had failed. She decided to take more extreme actions to achieve their goal. The differing demands of the nine giants made peaceful talks impossible.
In the Chinese Han Tang style room, Lei Hengbang sat facing Han Li.
"Leader, why agree to their plan? If we oppose together, we can let the United Front Department carry out the revenge against the Cabas Empire," Han Li said with some displeasure, though not openly.
"Han Li, do you think I killed Zhang Lian?" Lei Hengbang asked, staring at Han Li. He slowly rotated the teacup in his hand, making the sun pattern face the red and white wall.
"Leader, I never thought that. I trust you," Han Li said sincerely.
Lei Hengbang looked at Han Li for a moment to make sure he wasn’t lying, then said, "Han Li, I have no choice. I didn’t kill Zhang Lian. Damn it, Zhang Lian was unlucky and got killed by the Cabas Empire. Now everyone is blaming me. I have to clear my name. Do you think I can still let the United Front Department carry out the revenge?"
"I understand, Leader," Han Li said helplessly.
Lei Hengbang suddenly said, "By the way, Han Li, when we carry out the revenge, don’t be cheap. Make it as big as possible so everyone believes we are really avenging the Cabas Empire. Also, I didn’t expect Lan Yiting to be so tricky. If the revenge is just a small matter, she definitely won’t support the propaganda. Then it will be impossible to clear my name."
"Understood, Leader!" Han Li said as he left to carry out the decision from the meeting of the nine giants.
With a light sound, a secret door appeared in the red and white wall. Lei Tiandu walked out from inside, holding a strange weapon.
"Father, why don’t we take this chance to get rid of Han Li? The 'Sky Swapping Plan' is ready and can be done at any time," Lei Tiandu complained.
"Brat, how dare you speak to me like that?" Lei Hengbang scolded angrily, then sighed and explained, "Han Li hasn’t suspected me. He’s loyal to me, so there’s no need to use the 'Sky Swapping Plan' on him for now. Remember, we need capable people to work for us. The 'Sky Swapping Plan' is for those who disobey, not loyal people like Han Li."
After the meeting with the nine giants, Lei Hengbang went home and wondered if Han Li suspected him of killing Zhang Lian. Han Li had not openly agreed to Tian Heng’s plan in the meeting room. He had only signed it under pressure.
So, Lei Hengbang ordered Lei Tiandu to hide in the study’s secret room with a weapon. He sent someone to tell Han Li to come see him. If Han Li suspected him, he would prepare to use the "Sky Swapping Plan."
Lei Hengbang would never allow Han Li to control the Dark Dragon Bureau outside of his influence.
After realizing that Han Li still trusted him, Lei Hengbang signaled Lei Tiandu to stand down, keeping the "Sky Swapping Plan" ready.