Chapter 1818: Chapter 1232: Conspiracy Planning (A Cat Sleeping Under the Covers)
As the capital of the Galactic Republic, Coruscant indeed appears very advanced and sci-fi, with countless flying cars weaving through the towering skyscrapers — but such scenes had long become tiresome to Duanmu Huai and the others, even Mary was quite composed. After all, the Star Union doesn’t seem much inferior to Coruscant, does it?
Upon arriving at Coruscant, Count Dooku brought Duanmu Huai and others to a rather luxurious reception room where they met an elderly man, robed, seemingly not much younger than Count Dooku.
"Welcome, everyone."
Seeing Duanmu Huai and company enter the reception room, the elderly man stood up, smiling.
"I am Palpatine, a senator of the Galactic Senate, also known as Darth Sidious. It is an honor to meet you all."
"I’m quite surprised."
Looking at the smiling elder in front of him, Duanmu Huai raised an eyebrow.
"I thought you’d hide your identity."
"Honesty is important for both parties in negotiation... Please, have a seat."
While speaking, Palpatine gestured towards seats for Duanmu Huai and others, and then he himself sat on the couch on the other side.
"Moreover, from what the Tribunal has been doing previously, I think you won’t go rat me out to the Galactic Senate."
"Hehe."
Duanmu Huai chuckled, then plopped himself onto the couch — fortunately, it was high-tech, or he would’ve just crushed it under his weight.
"I’m not interested in talking with Alien Rascals, nor am I keen on wasting time on lengthy nonsense, you should understand what I mean, Mr. Palpatine."
"Of course."
Hearing Duanmu Huai’s words, Palpatine nodded.
"Firstly, allow me to apologize to all of you. Because, the plan to instigate the Trade Federation’s blockade on Naboo was mine."
"Oh........."
Duanmu Huai picked up a cup, took a sip of tea, and said nothing, just waved his hand, with an expression indicating "continue, I’m listening." So Palpatine did not hesitate and quickly explained the situation to Duanmu Huai and the others.
And according to Palpatine, Duanmu Huai also gained some understanding of what the Galactic Senate really was.
Simply put, although the Galactic Republic is called a republic, according to Palpatine, it actually resembles an organization like the United Nations, not possessing powerful enough military strength. What ties the various races together is merely a centripetal force of sorts, with the Galactic Senate itself lacking sufficient military power,
In addition to the current speaker being constrained at every turn, the Galactic Senate is practically in name only, and along with its decline, many separatist forces within the Galactic Republic began to stir, attempting to break away and establish their own nation.
In such circumstances, Palpatine devised a strategy, having his apprentice, Count Dooku, secretly incite and connect with separatist forces, facilitating the Trade Federation’s blockade of Naboo. Palpatine did not genuinely want the Trade Federation to occupy Naboo, but hoped through such a situation, other races within the Galactic Republic would deeply feel the crisis.
In fact, if everything went smoothly, he would request the Jedi Knights go to Naboo to rescue the Queen and defeat the Trade Federation’s actions. This way, Palpatine could not only plant a seed of unease within other races of the Galactic Republic but also gain an ally within the Galactic Senate.
After all, Queen Amidala, who had just ascended, is still just a young girl, and Palpatine believed with some manipulation, he could have her support his plan. If everything went well, then Queen Amidala would propose a vote of no confidence against the current speaker in the Senate, and remove him, providing Palpatine enough leverage to run for the new speaker...
Unfortunately, the plan was completely thwarted with the unexpected appearance of the Tribunal.
"This is really unfortunate."
Duanmu Huai said, shrugging his shoulders.
"But that’s how schemes usually are, the more complicated, the more likely they are to go wrong due to unexpected events."
"Haha, indeed, as I couldn’t imagine you all would suddenly appear at that time, wiping out the Trade Federation fleet..."
Palpatine seemed unfazed.
"Therefore, I hope to join forces with the Tribunal..."
"Oh? What’s your thought?"
"Regarding your origins... currently, the Senate and Jedi Council believe you may be the descendants of Goddess’s Royal Guard."
"But in fact, we have nothing to do with that Goddess’s Royal Guard, although we do indeed admire their philosophy."
Duanmu Huai was also very candid, explaining the Tribunal’s purpose and principles to Palpatine upon their arrival here. After all... I have told you, but if you pretend not to hear, bear the consequences yourself.
"But they don’t know, so I think we can manipulate this point."
At this point, a gleam flashed in Palpatine’s eyes.
"I have a plan."
While speaking, Palpatine made a gesture, and then Count Dooku took a data disk and placed it on the table.
"This contains some... well, according to the Tribunal, information on alien species. They are all arch-enemies of the current Chancellor Valorum. In fact, the current Chancellor is currently troubled by unfounded corruption accusations, and these alien species are the real masterminds behind it. So, I hope the Tribunal can carry out some... attacks on them, preferably ones that would hurt them deeply."
"............"
Duanmu Huai took the disk and glanced at it, then looked at Ann, who was staring at Palpatine without speaking.
"And then?"
"I think you may have already guessed. Next, it’s my turn to perform. I will have Count Dooku fan the flames even more to fill the void left by the destruction of the Trade Federation. Then..."
While speaking, Palpatine spread his arms.
"We will start a war, a civil war. The Galactic Republic will not allow anyone to secede, and the separatist factions obviously will not accept negotiations. The only thing left is a war."
"Alright, then so be it."
Duanmu Huai stood up, staring at Palpatine.
"The Tribunal has only one requirement: regardless of whether it’s the Galactic Republic, the Galactic Kingdom, or the Galactic Empire, humans must be the sole rulers. Do you understand what I mean? Of course, subhumans can count as well, but those alien rascals... absolutely cannot be given any chance."
"Of course, Your Honor, the Judge."
Palpatine bowed his head.
"I understand your meaning."
"That’s good."
The negotiation ended here, and Palpatine warmly invited Duanmu Huai and others to stay as guests. As for Count Dooku... given his status, naturally, he had other important matters to attend to.
"I’m a bit confused."
In the guest room, Mary stared at the notebook in her hand, looking puzzled.
"Mr. Palpatine hopes to seize power, but why does he want us to eliminate the current Chancellor’s political enemies? Isn’t that a good thing for the current Chancellor?"
"Of course, it’s not a good thing."
Ann shook her head.
"If we make our moves deftly and are not discovered, then the Chancellor, as a beneficiary, will naturally be suspected. By that time, the internal division and sense of crisis will arise within the Senate. As long as Mr. Palpatine stirs the pot a little, implying that it was the Chancellor who secretly sent people to eliminate those political enemies, more races will likely join the separatist camp."
"But can’t that Chancellor seize the opportunity to consolidate power? After all, those capable of opposing him have all been eliminated by us?"
"If the person was the decisive type, they wouldn’t have ended up in this situation."
Ann reached out her hand and opened her personal terminal.
"I entrusted Miss Lumiere to investigate the intelligence on Speaker Valorum. From my current understanding, this Chancellor clearly belongs to relatively weak individuals. It’s conceivable that his ascension to Chancellor was probably the result of compromises rather than his own striving. Such a Chancellor, as Mr. Palpatine said, has no real power and capability, and can only be considered a puppet."
At this point, Ann turned to look at Duanmu Huai.
"However, that Mr. Palpatine... has great ambition."
"Indeed, but having an alien deal with aliens is not a bad idea. Anyway, it’s the aliens who are dying. We just need to wait to clean up the mess afterward."
Duanmu Huai understood Ann’s intention, but he didn’t care about such small issues. So what if Palpatine had great ambition? Could Palpatine possibly defy him? Not to mention that there was no conflict of interests between the two sides, even if there were, someone of Palpatine’s intellect should understand the consequences if he dared to strike against the Tribunal.
By that time, Duanmu Huai would let him taste the power of the small hammer.
The Tribunal does not need power, nor does it care about domination. Duanmu Huai had made it clear to Palpatine: as long as humans rule here, the Tribunal does not care about what system it is. However, if it is not human rule, then, of course, the Tribunal also doesn’t care and is not concerned about whatever system it is.
"Send this list to Aikute."
Duanmu Huai tossed the data disk to Ann.
"Let her handle it herself, and make sure it’s clean without letting anyone find out it’s us."
"Okay."
With Aikute’s timid and sneaky personality, she’s most adept at handling such matters.
As for Duanmu Huai and others, they would be staying in Coruscant for a while, because according to Palpatine, their actions this time would once again lead to a discussion in the Senate on whether a fleet needs to be formed, and Queen Amidala would... For Palpatine, it would be a good opportunity.
And so it would be for Duanmu Huai and his companions.