Chapter 1314: The Situation of Bandit Suppression Within the Territory

Xiuluo Holy Star, Primarch Residential Area, Yingzhou's study.

The morning sunlight spilled in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the entire room.

The city in the distance awakened in the morning light, the spires of countless buildings shimmering with golden radiance under the sun.

Yingzhou sat before the desk, wearing a simple white robe, his black hair glowing faintly in the sunlight.

He was looking at the current territory map of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance; blue light points marked every human settlement, and red light points marked known pirate nests and bandit-infested areas.

Luojia sat in the chair to the left of the desk, wearing the ceremonial robes of the Word Bearers Legion, holding that string of psionic crystal rosary beads in his hand.

During this time, he had been handling the coordination work for bandit suppression within the territory.

Guilliman sat in the chair to the right of the desk, wearing a white robe.

He had taken over Luojia's diplomatic work, still had to participate in the coordination of bandit suppression, and was also responsible for the livelihood issues within the Star Alliance, similarly busy to the point of being overwhelmed.

"Luojia, speak first."

Yingzhou spoke.

Luojia nodded and brought up a holographic data pad.

"Father, the bandit suppression operation in the Shattered Star Belt has been completed. The Second Company of the Weepers Chapter, under the leadership of Company Commander Sailusi, raided the pirate lair, the Nest of the Faithless. Major ringleaders such as Waluoke were all killed, and the Alien pirates and slaves within the stronghold were all cleared out; no human slaves were found."

Yingzhou listened, his expression unchanged.

"What about the other companies?"

Luojia flipped to the next page.

"The First Company was responsible for clearing the outposts and supply points on the east side of the Shattered Star Belt.

The Third Company was responsible for patrol of the west side shipping lanes, destroying seventeen pirate ships that attempted to flee.

The Fourth Company was responsible for clearing the strongholds on the south side.

The Fifth Company and the Sixth Company were responsible for perimeter interception, destroying pirate ships that attempted to escape the Shattered Star Belt."

He paused.

"In total, the pirate forces in the Shattered Star Belt have been completely eradicated. The Weepers Chapter suffered zero casualties."

The corners of Yingzhou's mouth lifted slightly.

"Zero casualties. The Weepers have done well."

Guilliman said from the side.

"Father, although the Weepers Chapter is small in number, their fighting will and tactical execution are top-tier. That Company Commander Sailusi is a rare, fierce general."

Yingzhou nodded.

"Record it. Go back and tell Ake that I am very satisfied with the performance of the Weepers Chapter."

Luojia recorded it.

"Yes, Father."

Yingzhou leaned back in his chair, his gaze falling upon that holographic star map.

"The Shattered Star Belt is only one of them. Within the territory of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, how much banditry remains?"

Guilliman brought up another set of data.

"Father, according to statistics from the Intelligence Department, there are currently thirty-seven known pirate nests and bandit-infested areas. Among them are seven large nests, fifteen medium-sized strongholds, and fifteen small outposts. They are distributed across the old territory of the Feng Qi Xing Alliance, the border star regions, and the intersections of several major shipping lanes."

He pointed to several red dots on the star map.

"The largest ones: the Shattered Star Belt, has already been cleared.

The Blackstone Shenyuan, located on the northern border of the former Feng Qi Xing Alliance, is an area jointly controlled by multiple pirate forces, with a scale even larger than the Shattered Star Belt.

The Shadow Nebula, located on the eastern border of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, has complex terrain, dense asteroids, and frequent pirate activity.

The Rift Route is an important shipping lane connecting the old territory of the Feng Qi Xing Alliance and the core region of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, with multiple pirate supply points along the way."

Yingzhou listened, his brows furrowing slightly.

"Why didn't the Feng Qi Xing Alliance wipe them out back then?"

Guilliman said.

"Father, the Feng Qi Xing Alliance's fleet strength was insufficient, and there were many internal problems. Among those pirates, a portion were secretly supported by the military officers and officials of the Feng Qi Xing Alliance themselves. They used pirates to strike at political rivals, smuggle supplies, launder money, and even conducted transactions with smugglers from the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance through pirate channels."

He paused.

"Moreover, the terrain of the Shattered Star Belt is complex, and the Feng Qi Xing Alliance's fleet could not enter. They attempted it a few times, but were repelled by the pirates using the terrain advantage. Later, they gave up and only performed periodic patrols to prevent the pirates from growing too large."

Yingzhou sneered.

"Incompetent, short-sighted. There is a reason for the fall of the Feng Qi Xing Alliance."

He looked at Luojia.

"How is the progress in the bandit suppression areas for which the Word Bearers Legion is responsible?"

Luojia brought up the data.

"Father, the areas for which the Word Bearers Legion is responsible are mainly the Blackstone Shenyuan and the Rift Route. In the Blackstone Shenyuan, we have dispatched three companies and are gradually compressing the pirates' space for activity. We have currently cleared seven outer outposts and destroyed over thirty pirate ships."

He paused.

"On the Rift Route side, the situation is more complex. The pirate supply points along the way are scattered across multiple asteroids, and some of the supply points were secretly operated by former officers of the old Feng Qi Xing Alliance. They are in collusion with local merchants and are well-informed; as soon as our fleet set out, they evacuated in advance."

Yingzhou asked.

"So, there is no progress on the Rift Route side yet?"

Luojia shook his head.

"It is not that there is no progress, but that it is relatively slow. We are currently using our intelligence network to ascertain the specific locations of those supply points and the identities of the operators. Once we have ascertained them, we will round them all up."

Yingzhou nodded.

"Speed it up. We cannot give those Aliens a chance to catch their breath."

Luojia nodded.

"Yes, Father."

Guilliman spoke.

"Father, besides the areas handled by the Weepers Chapter and the Word Bearers Legion, there are several other areas that also require attention."

Yingzhou looked at him.

"Speak."

Guilliman pulled up a new set of data.

"There are a few more small-scale bandit threats, distributed in various corners of the old territory of the Fengqi Star Alliance. These bandit threats are not large in scale, but they are scattered, making them quite troublesome to deal with. Currently, they are being handled by local fleets in various regions, with varying progress."

Yingzhou asked.

"Which is the fastest?"

Guilliman looked at the data.

"The fastest is the station of Lion's Dark Angels Legion; they have already cleared out the bandit threats in the surrounding area. Lion does things cleanly and efficiently."

The corners of Yingzhou's mouth lifted slightly.

"That is just how Lion is. He does not like to drag things out."

Guilliman also smiled.

"Yes, Father. He has already reported that the pirates in his area have been completely cleared, and the surrounding shipping lanes have returned to safety."

Yingzhou nodded.

"Good."

Just then, the door to the study was lightly knocked upon.

"Come in."

The door pushed open, and Lu Zhenda walked in.

He was wearing a simple, dark-colored robe, holding a thick report in his hand.

His hair had turned completely white, but his back remained straight and his gait remained steady.

"Your Majesty."

Lu Zhenda bowed slightly.

"The livelihood report has been compiled."

Yingzhou gestured for him to sit down.

"Lao Lu, sit down and speak."

Lu Zhenda sat down on the smallest chair and opened the report.

"Your Majesty, the livelihood situation on the Xiuluo Holy Star is improving overall. According to the latest statistical data, the average life expectancy of residents has increased by ten percent, the infant mortality rate has decreased by sixty percent, and the unemployment rate has dropped to a historical low."

He turned to the next page.

"In terms of education, the enrollment rate for school-age children has reached ninety-five percent, and the higher education enrollment rate has reached forty percent. The Dawn Building newly built by Lord Perturabo in the East District has a school built alongside it, and the residents' feedback is very good."

Yingzhou nodded.

"Although Perturabo does not say it with his mouth, the things he does are all on point."

Lu Zhenda continued.

"In terms of medical care, fifty new hospitals and two hundred community clinics have been built. The basic medical insurance coverage rate has reached ninety percent. Common and frequently occurring diseases among residents have been effectively controlled. In particular, the neonatal mortality rate has dropped by eighty percent compared to the Fengqi Star Alliance period."

Guilliman asked.

"How was the medical standard during the Fengqi Star Alliance period?"

Lu Zhenda said.

"Very poor. The focus of the Fengqi Star Alliance was on the military and industry, with very little investment in people's livelihoods. It was difficult and expensive for ordinary residents to see a doctor; many illnesses were dragged out, and they only went to the hospital when they could no longer hold on. Our medical system is far stronger than theirs."