Chapter 1120: We Are Counterattacking in Self-Defense

"So we must change the rules of the game."

Kalaier stood up and began to pace.

"We cannot debate him within his own framework. We must steer the topic toward other dimensions: civilizational values, historical responsibility, interstellar stability, third-party perceptions..."

"We must make this negotiation not just a confrontation between Fengqi Territory and the Star Alliance, but a collision of two civilizational philosophies."

Kalaier stopped pacing and looked at Liana.

"Liana, I need all the analysis on Guilliman's personal style. What are his weaknesses? What are his preferences?"

Liana pulled up the data.

"According to limited intelligence, Guilliman values procedures, rules, and efficiency."

"He excels at systematic thinking and likes to break complex problems down into manageable parts."

"His weakness may be... a lack of flexibility and insufficient regard for 'irrational' factors, such as emotion, tradition, and honor."

"Very good."

A glint flashed in Kalaier's eyes.

"Then tomorrow, we will not directly refute his terms, but rather question the procedural legitimacy, execution feasibility, and potential 'unintended consequences' of these terms."

"We will drown him in questions, entangle him in details, and force him to enter the rhythm we have set."

"Specific strategy?"

Weilan asked.

"Step one: for every single clause, raise at least five specific questions: What is the legal basis? What is the execution mechanism? What is the timeline? Who is responsible for oversight? What are the consequences of breach?"

"Step two: single out the potential contradictions between the clauses and demand clarification."

"Step three: introduce a third-party perspective—if Canaan, Ashes, Daikong, and other Star Alliance members saw such terms, what would they think? Would the expansion of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance trigger turmoil in the interstellar order?"

Tal nodded.

"This will indeed buy time. But Guilliman might see through it."

"Let him see through it."

Kalaier said.

"A clever opponent will see through the surface strategy, but a true master has another layer beneath the surface. He knows we are stalling, but he does not know the purpose of our stalling; he does not know about the mirror rift, the new weapon development, or our true trump cards."

"So he might cooperate with our 'stalling game',"

Liana added.

"Because he is also stalling for time to prepare for military action."

"Both sides are stalling; it just depends on who can stall more effectively while gaining more benefits."

The plan was set.

The delegation members began to prepare separately, designing questions for every Star Alliance clause, looking for loopholes, and rehearsing their answers.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the space station, the Star Alliance delegation was also holding a meeting.

At the Star Alliance temporary command post, Guilliman stood before the Holographic Star Map, looking at the purple region of Fengqi Territory.

"Their reaction is within expectations."

Donatus said.

"Kalaier is a seasoned politician; he will neither directly refuse nor directly accept."

"He will stall, he will question, and he will attempt to change the negotiation framework."

Guilliman nodded: "Father's analysis is correct. The only reason Fengqi agreed to negotiate is to buy time."

"They are preparing some kind of countermeasure—it could be a new weapon, a diplomatic alliance, or internal mobilization."

"So we must also buy time."

Kenlai said.

"The Primarchs committed to the cause of liberation need time. The longer the negotiations drag on, the more it benefits them."

"But there cannot be zero progress."

Guilliman said.

"If the negotiations are completely deadlocked, Fengqi might think we are toying with them and terminate the negotiations early. We need to let them see 'hope', see the 'possibility of progress', even if that hope is illusory."

Guilliman pulled up the negotiation records.

"What will Kalaier do tomorrow? He won't directly refuse our terms; that would appear uncooperative. He will raise questions, many questions, and entangle us in details."

"Then we shall answer."

Donatus said.

"Answer in detail, patiently, and tirelessly. Every question can lead to more questions, and every detail can be opened up for discussion."

"We can turn a negotiation about sovereignty into a seminar on administrative procedures, legal terminology, and oversight mechanisms."

The corners of Guilliman's mouth lifted slightly.

"Exactly. We must appear more patient than them, more willing to discuss the details."

"When they try to stall with questions, we will stall with answers."

"But with every answer, we must reinforce one core message: the Star Alliance's demands are reasonable, unavoidable, and a historical necessity."

"Psychological pressure."

Kenlai understood.

"Let them subtly accept the grand premise amidst the discussion of countless details."

Guilliman added.

"At the same time, we must pay attention to the emotional changes in Kalaier's team. Tal already showed anger today; that is a weakness."

"Liana is calm but young. Doctor Lundengke is a scientist and may be impatient with political games."

"Find the weakest link and apply pressure."

"How long do you think the negotiations can last?"

Donatus asked.

"Kalaier's goal is over a month."

Guilliman analyzed.

"Our goal is the longer, the better. As the scale of the liberation campaign grows, the situation will change regardless of how the negotiations progress."

Guilliman closed the star map.

"Then, we begin the second round tomorrow. Remember: patience is a weapon, details are the battlefield, and time... time is on our side."

At nine o'clock the next morning, the negotiations resumed.

Kalaier noticed that the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance delegation had prepared more Data Pads and documents today, clearly having made thorough preparations as well.

Guilliman's expression was as calm as it had been yesterday.

"Councilor Kalaier, after consideration, what is the Feng Qi delegation's response to our terms?"

Kalaier cleared his throat and replied.

"Archon Guilliman, we have conducted a preliminary study of your draft terms."

"Due to the extensive content and the significance involved, we have some questions that need clarification so that we may more accurately understand the position of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance."

"Please, go ahead."

Kalaier opened a Data Pad.

"Starting with the first article. Your side demands that Feng Qi 'formally recognize the Star Alliance's sovereignty over the border Triangle Star System'."

"May I ask, what is the interstellar legal basis for this demand? Is it based on the principle of 'right of conquest', or is it based on other legal theories?"

"It is based on the principle of de facto control and the theory of defensive war. The actions of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance were a response to Feng Qi's acts of aggression; the occupation is a justified extension of self-defense."

"Self-defense?"

Tal could not help but say.

"It was the Star Alliance that entered our border star sector first!"

Guilliman replied calmly.

"General Tal, if you are referring to Xiuluo Holy Star, the Fengqi Star Alliance converted it into a Gladiator Arena planet, enslaving Humans and various other species for bloody entertainment."

"Then the establishment of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance is a war of liberation for the oppressed; this point has already been settled by history."

Kalaier immediately interjected.

"Historical perceptions may differ. What we are discussing today are legal issues."

"Even if we accept the theory of defensive war, the interstellar convention is to determine territorial disposition through negotiations after a ceasefire, rather than through unilateral demands for recognition."