Chapter 1463: Bone-Crushing Cannery

Xiuluo Holy Star, Yingzhou's study.

Yingzhou sat before his desk, the holographic screen in front of him displaying the latest report on the Bone-Crushing Cannery.

The factory building was complete, the production line installed, and the first batch of trial production finished, totaling twenty thousand cans of "Broken Bone Luncheon Meat," currently awaiting inspection results.

The laboratory's preliminary test report showed that the Orc meat products met food safety standards, were non-toxic and harmless, and met nutritional requirements.

Yingzhou flipped to the next page, looking at those figures.

Production efficiency, cost accounting, market expectations, logistics arrangements...

"Hiss, why do these numbers give me such a headache? I really am not suited for this kind of work; better to leave it to Guilliman to handle."

At this moment, Selina's holographic projection appeared in the corner of the room.

"Your Majesty, the latest news from the Keluoque Empire."

Yingzhou raised his head and spoke.

"What's the situation?"

Selina said.

"The political turmoil in the Keluoque Empire has ended. Prince Kesi has ascended the throne as the new Keluoque leader, namely Keluoque the Twenty-Fifth. Immediately after his coronation, he sent a private communication via an encrypted channel, asking what you would like him to do next."

The corners of Yingzhou's mouth lifted slightly.

"Kesi... Keluoque the Twenty-Fifth, he certainly moves fast."

Selina said.

"Your Majesty, do you need to reply?"

Yingzhou thought for a moment.

"No rush. First, call Luojia here. Have him arrange to prepare a public statement."

Selina said.

"Understood."

A moment later, the door was knocked on gently.

Luojia walked in, wearing the ceremonial robes of the Word Bearers Legion, holding that string of Psionic Crystal Rosary beads in his hand.

"Father, you summoned me?"

Yingzhou gestured for Luojia to sit, and spoke.

"Do you know about the matter of the Keluoque Empire?"

Luojia sat down and nodded, saying.

"I have heard. Prince Kesi has ascended the throne, becoming Keluoque the Twenty-Fifth. The turmoil in the Keluoque Empire has ended; the rebellion within the Imperial City has been suppressed, and the court officials have submitted."

Yingzhou leaned back in his chair.

"The Keluoque Empire has a significant number of fleets; although their technology is backward, they are still acceptable as cannon fodder, and using them carries no burden. Kesi is our man, but other factions in the Keluoque Empire may not all submit to him. We should make a public statement so he can shut the mouths of some of those fence-sitters."

Luojia nodded.

"Father, what do you need me to do?"

"Issue a public statement, and make sure the content strikes the right balance.

First, express the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance's concern regarding the recent turmoil in the Keluoque Empire.

Second, affirm Prince Kesi's ability, praising him for turning the tide and stabilizing the political situation.

Third, express the hope that the Keluoque Empire will be able to contribute to the peace and stability of the Bode Star System in the future.

Fourth, indicate that the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance maintains a friendly attitude toward the Keluoque Empire and is willing to establish normal diplomatic relations with the Keluoque Empire."

Luojia's fingers tapped lightly on the Rosary.

"Father, is there anything I should pay attention to regarding the wording?"

Yingzhou said.

"Express concern, but do not intervene excessively. Praise Kesi, but do not paint him as a Puppet of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance. Maintain a friendly attitude, but do not promise anything concrete."

Luojia nodded.

"Understood. I will emphasize in the statement that the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance respects the internal affairs of the Keluoque Empire, while also hoping that the Keluoque Empire will contribute to maintaining the peace and stability of the Bode Star System."

Yingzhou looked at him.

"Luojia, you are becoming more and more understanding."

Luojia lowered his head slightly.

"It is because Father taught me well."

Yingzhou waved his hand.

"Go. Once the statement is drafted, send it to me to look over; if there are no issues, send it out."

Luojia stood up and bowed slightly.

"Yes, Father."

After Luojia left, Selina's holographic projection appeared in the corner of the room.

"Your Majesty, regarding the private communication from the Keluoque Empire, do you need to reply?"

Yingzhou thought for a moment.

"Just say... 'Received. A public statement is about to be released. Maintain contact and await further instructions.'"

Selina's data stream flickered rapidly.

"Understood, Your Majesty. Are there any other instructions?"

Yingzhou said.

"One more thing: notify the Primarchs who are still on the Xiuluo Holy Star that I am going to inspect the Bone-Crushing Cannery. Check the compliance standards of those cans, and see who among them has time to go."

Selina said.

"Your Majesty, the Primarchs currently on Xiuluo Holy Star are Guilliman, Magnus, Angron, Perturabo, Luojia, Curze, as well as Fulgrim, Leman Russ, Alpharius, and Omegon."

Yingzhou thought for a moment.

"Perturabo... he is likely busy with engineering again. Ask him if he has time, but don't force him."

Yingzhou leaned back in his chair, looking out the window.

The sky of Xiuluo Holy Star was as clear as if washed, and the outlines of the distant city shimmered with golden light under the sun.

Bone-Crushing Cannery, the first batch of products.

Orc meat was processed into canned goods to supply the civilian market of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance.

Before long, Selina's holographic projection appeared in the corner of the room, data streams pulsing slowly around her as she organized the replies collected so far.

"Your Majesty, regarding your previous inquiry about the Primarchs' willingness to visit the Bone Crushing Factory, the responses have been coming in."

Yingzhou leaned back in his chair, picked up the teacup on the table, and took a sip.

"Speak, who is going and who is not?"

Selina's data streams pulsed.

"Lord Luojia stated that he needs to handle intelligence from the Spirit Alliance, and also needs to follow up on the public statement of the Kroke Empire, so he regrets that he cannot go during this period."

Yingzhou set down his teacup.

"The Spirit Alliance... he certainly remembers that clearly, and the Kroke Empire's statement does indeed require his attention. Fine, let him be busy with his work."

Selina continued.

"Lord Perturabo said he still has finishing work to do, and the heating renovation has just begun, so he has no time to go and is not interested. His exact words were, 'What is there to see in a place like that? I know the projects I build; I don't need to inspect them personally.'"

Yingzhou said with a smile.

"Perturabo is still the same as ever. Let him be; I know the projects he builds as well."

Selina's data streams continued to pulse.

"Lord Guilliman indicated that he still has handover documents for the Canaan Star Alliance to process. The identity registration for the first batch of Secondary Citizens has not been fully completed, and many documents require his review and signature. He said he cannot go this time, but suggests you send him the report after the inspection, and he will follow up on the rest."

Yingzhou nodded.

"That is how Guilliman does things; every link must be connected. Fine, let him be busy with the Canaan Star Alliance's affairs first; those documents are indeed numerous, enough to keep him occupied."

Selina's data streams pulsed.

"Lord Vulkan indicated that he is coordinating the resettlement work for the liberated brethren on Wala Star, Heluo Star, and Sargon Star."

Yingzhou nodded and said.

"Vulkan has always been like this; his heart is always filled with those who are suffering. Let him keep watching over them; those brethren truly need him. However, pass on a word to him: don't be too tired, he should rest when he needs to."

Selina said.

"Understood."

Her data streams flickered slightly.

"Your Majesty, the other Primarchs have not yet replied. Do you need to continue waiting for their answers?"

Yingzhou thought for a moment.

"No rush, let them consider it. Have the affairs of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance become busier recently?"

Selina said.

"Your Majesty, since the end of the Broken Bone Empire war, the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance has had no wars. All legions are resting and rotating, and affairs in various places have increased accordingly. Coupled with the handover of the Canaan Star Alliance, the changes in the Kroke Empire, the launch of the Broken Bone Empire's farms and factories, and the movements of the Spirit Alliance, all require people to handle them."

Yingzhou nodded.

"Indeed, the troublesome matters ahead have only just begun. However, I still need to go to the Bone-Crushing Cannery personally. Someone needs to see new things first before they can be rolled out later."

Selina asked, "Your Majesty, you could also take a small number of Adeptus Custodes or Lucifer Black Guard with you; you can still complete the inspection."

Yingzhou thought for a moment, then nodded and said.

"There are benefits to having fewer people. Taking too many people would make it seem too grand; I am going to look at the production line, not hold a military parade."

Selina's holographic projection flickered slightly.

"Your Majesty, there is one more thing. Regarding the Kroke Empire, the date for Prince Kesi's coronation ceremony has been set. He sent a communication asking if the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance will send a representative to attend?"

Yingzhou thought for a moment.

"The coronation ceremony... sending a representative is fine. Let Lao Lu go."

Selina said.

"Understood, I will coordinate the itinerary for Lord Lu Zhenda. Additionally, Lord Luojia has sent the first draft of the wording for the public statement, which requires your review."

"Send it over; I will give him feedback after I read it."

A moment later, a holographic document appeared before Yingzhou; it was the public statement drafted by Luojia.

Yingzhou quickly browsed through it, made subtle adjustments to several phrasings, and added one sentence.

"The Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance always upholds the principle of peaceful coexistence between civilizations."

Yingzhou nodded with satisfaction and sent the revised version back to Luojia.