Chapter 1506: Since You're Already Here

Yushufang of the Imperial City of the Keluoque Imperium, afternoon.

Spread out before Kesi were several pleas for mercy just received from the communication system.

They were all from those nobles who had begun to question his imperial authority and harbored thoughts of rebellion.

The core of the content was consistent: admitting fault, requesting forgiveness, and expressing a willingness to re-pledge loyalty to the Keluoque Imperium and the legitimate throne.

Kesi finished reading the documents one by one and placed them in a stack on the left side of his desk.

The side door of the Yushufang was open, and several ministers stood in the corridor just inside the door, each holding copies of the pleas for mercy received through their respective channels.

The Ministry of Government Affairs stood at the front, with two colleagues behind him—one in charge of internal administration of the Imperial City, and one responsible for document correspondence for the southeastern direction of the Imperium.

The elder Ministry of Government Affairs took half a step forward, bowed slightly, and spoke.

"Your Majesty, we have fully verified the pleas for mercy from the nobles of the Southern Border. Six noble houses, including Kusilei himself, have all expressed their repentance to the Imperial City through official channels. This should be the first time they have publicly admitted their faults and are willing to re-pledge their loyalty to Your Majesty."

Kesi did not look up and spoke.

"You believe they have admitted their faults?"

The Ministry of Government Affairs said.

"Yes, Your Majesty. The wording is very earnest, especially in Kusilei's document; he admits that he was influenced by his father's old subordinates and made a wrong choice in a moment of impulse, requesting that Your Majesty give them a chance to reform."

Kesi took out Kusilei's document and tapped his finger on the end of it.

"A moment of impulse, a wrong choice, a chance to reform—the words he uses are all good words."

He raised his head, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the Ministry of Government Affairs and the two colleagues behind him.

"What do you think?"

The gaze of the Ministry of Government Affairs flickered; he turned his head to look at the two colleagues behind him, then continued.

"Your Majesty, the six noble houses of the Southern Border occupy more than a quarter of the land and resources on the southern frontier of the Imperium. If they are truly willing to submit again, it will play an important role in consolidating the stability of the Imperium.

Furthermore, the fleet of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance has already arrived at the edge of the Southern Border. If we can resolve the conflict in the Southern Border through negotiations, the fleet of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance will not need to penetrate deep into the hinterland of the Southern Border, avoiding unnecessary... consumption and risks."

The minister behind him who was in charge of the internal administration of the Imperial City nodded and added.

"Your Majesty, this minister also believes this is an opportunity. The Southern Border nobles are actively pleading for mercy, which shows they realize the situation is no longer in their favor.

If Your Majesty shows magnanimity at this time and is willing to accept their submission, it can, firstly, quickly quell the turmoil in the Southern Border, and secondly, allow other nobles who are still watching to see Your Majesty's tolerance, reducing the possibility of more rebellions later on."

Kesi folded Kusilei's document back up and spoke slowly.

"You mean that because they said a few words of apology, I should withdraw the fleet of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance and then return the Southern Border to them?"

The Ministry of Government Affairs explained.

"Your Majesty, this minister means that since they have already expressed their willingness to submit, we can consider handling it in a relatively moderate way.

After all, the fleet of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance comes from a foreign state; staying within the territory of the Imperium for a long time might trigger other..."

So that's where the scheme lies; they've already arrived, so how could I let them go back?

Kesi made up his mind internally and interrupted the Ministry of Government Affairs.

"They apologized verbally, and then what? Have their armies withdrawn? Have their warships been disbanded? Have their defensive fortifications been dismantled?"

The study fell silent; the Ministry of Government Affairs dared not respond.

Kesi continued.

"Look at this document; from beginning to end, there is not a single mention of disarmament. They only beg for forgiveness; there is not a single word about anything else.

They are stalling for time. They admit their faults verbally, do nothing, and once the fleet of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance retreats, they can regroup their forces—that is not impossible at all."

Seeing Kesi speak this way, the three ministers dared not speak again.

Kesi raised his right hand and spoke.

"Tell them to dismantle all armaments, have all warships dock and moor, have all gun emplacements powered down and sealed, and then have the six leaders come to the Capital Star in person to see me.

State clearly to my face what faults they are admitting to and how they intend to make amends. Once these are done, then we can talk about forgiveness. If they cannot... then we will continue to talk about the part that has 'no room for maneuver'."

The Ministry of Government Affairs wanted to say something, but Kesi's gaze had already fallen directly onto his face, and he continued.

"Or do you also feel that my position is not secure, and that a few people in the Southern Border apologizing verbally is enough to put me at ease, just so they can have time to regroup?"

Once these words were out, the head of the Ministry of Government Affairs lowered completely.

"This minister did not mean that."

"It is good that you did not."

As he spoke, Kesi picked up another report regarding the allocation of supplies in the eastern star sector and opened it to read.

The Ministry of Government Affairs bowed slightly and said.

"This minister takes his leave."

The other two ministers bowed in salute and also retreated.

Only Kesi remained in the study, sitting behind the desk. He lifted his gaze from the pages of the report, picked up a Data Pad, and brought up the communication channel interface with the delegation of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance.

After the indicator light for the communication request flashed twice, it connected, and the face of Lu Zhenda appeared on the screen.