Chapter 1505: Chapter 1505 - 505: Decision (Part 6)

"Once the Three Forbidden Zones are abandoned, the Federation will lose all resource points!"

...

"I know, but there’s no other option now. Think carefully, once Chilami and the Mechanical Clan make a move, the troops in the Three Forbidden Zones will all become targets! There’s a real risk they might be wiped out in one fell swoop, and then we’re truly done for."

Long Bai calmly analyzed.

"Even if you’re correct, abandoning the Three Forbidden Zones is tantamount to slow suicide. Without sustained resource income, how do we maintain such a vast Federation?"

Farren gravely warned.

"This is only a temporary abandonment; when the time is right, we’ll naturally take them back!"

Long Bai said to Farren.

"Then what about the Danube Star Sea, Bright Star Sea, and Tidal Star Sea?"

Alicia promptly asked Long Bai.

"If there are conditions to relocate stars, they can migrate into the Federation; the rest, there’s nothing we can do. The future battlefield is likely to erupt in these Neutral Star Seas."

Long Bai replied very rationally.

Su Ming and others fell into silence upon hearing this.

They knew Long Bai was right, but their hearts were bleeding; this action was no less than survival by severing a limb.

But if the troops from the Three Forbidden Zones and those outside were really recalled.

The Federation’s defense forces would reach unprecedented strength, turning the Federation into a fortress. Anyone attempting to attack the Federation would have to think twice.

At this point, Farren spoke irritably.

"Alright, let’s do it that way!"

"I have no objections either."

Alicia also refrained from saying more; after all, recalling the outside troops, Long Bai would lose the most, considering that Starlight City was the one extracting from the Abyss of Descent and wormhole space-time.

Long Bai turned to look at Long Chen, Gakels, and others.

"We have no objections either."

Long Chen and others also agreed.

"Alright, then the strategic withdrawal plan is settled, but listen carefully, this retreat must remain confidential. Absolutely no leaks. We’re not just recalling troops, but also transporting all the materials back."

Long Bai instructed everyone.

"Understood!"

Farren and others naturally understood the stakes.

If everyone outside knows the Federation plans to retreat, things get complicated.

"Okay, that’s it for the meeting. Everyone hurry up and attend to your duties, take care of your tasks, our time is limited."

Long Bai said to Farren and others.

"Alright!"

Farren and others got up and left.

Soon only Su Ming and Long Bai were left in the conference room.

Long Bai saw Su Ming hadn’t left, and inquired.

"Su Ming, do you have anything else?"

"No, I’m leaving."

Su Ming hesitated slightly, then shook his head and turned to leave.

Long Bai watched Su Ming’s departing figure, growing more silent.

...

At dusk.

In the Federation Government office.

Long Bai sat at his desk, head down, reviewing documents, surrounded by stacks of papers.

Knock knock~

Then came a knocking sound.

"Come in!"

Long Bai spoke coldly without looking up.

Creak!

The door was pushed open.

Su Ming walked in, silently standing in front of Long Bai.

Seeing no movement, Long Bai paused his pen, looked up at Su Ming, and said.

"Su Ming, you can speak straightforwardly, no need to worry."

"Sigh, actually I’ve had a thought, but don’t know if I should say it."

Su Ming sighed, speaking to Long Bai.

"Speak!"

Long Bai replied seriously.

"We can take advantage of our undiminished strength to negotiate with the Mechanical Clan, and then give them that thing in exchange for breathing time and gain some benefits. Later, leak the news to Chilami, Dark Star, and Tianqi! They definitely won’t allow that thing to fall into the Mechanical Clan’s hands, let them fight each other. When we’re ready, we’ll take the thing back!"

Su Ming suggested to Long Bai.

This method, although extremely dangerous, is the optimal solution. Because it can relieve the Federation’s crisis and buy time, while dismantling the opposing alliances and offensives, critically harming all sides.

"No, I know you’re right, but the thing cannot be given away, no one will agree to it. And if there’s a misstep, then everything is lost. Now I have no choice but to persist to the end!"

Long Bai shook his head, responding to Su Ming.

"Alright, I understand. If so, I’ll join you in this madness till the end."

Su Ming too knew no one would give it up, but he wanted to voice it, hoping it might save lives.

At this, Long Bai also fell silent after hearing Su Ming’s words.

Knock knock!

Then another knocking sound was heard.

Long Bai snapped back and spoke.

"Come in!"

The door was opened again, Long Chen walked in, slightly surprised to see Su Ming.

"Lord Long Chen."

Su Ming greeted politely.

"Hmm."

Long Chen nodded slightly.

This is when Long Bai spoke.

"City Lord Long Chen, do you have something to discuss?"

Long Chen didn’t reply, glancing at Su Ming instead.

"No problem, Su Ming isn’t an outsider, speak directly."

Long Bai said casually.

Long Chen’s expression shifted before speaking.

"Lord Long Bai, I was reviewing the transfer documents just now and suddenly remembered something."

Su Ming looked at Long Chen unexpectedly upon hearing his words.

"City Lord Long Chen, go ahead!"

Long Bai responded politely.

"Since you plan to fight to the end with them, you must fully prepare, especially concerning resources!"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, you must send envoys to Saint Joex to retrieve the rare metal resources pledged at the Saint Joex Morris Interstellar Bank."

Long Chen said very seriously.

"This will be difficult to get, the people at Saint Joex are shrewder than anyone; they know the Federation is besieged, possibly on the brink of destruction, why would they hand it over so easily? And according to the pledge agreement, we’ve violated it, meaning we’re not in the right."

Long Bai said with a heavy expression.

"Exactly! We can’t use military threats, nor can we offend Saint Joex; they must willingly hand it over."

Su Ming also reminded.

Given the Federation’s dire situation, offending Saint Joex now would be disastrous, it would truly be over then.

"I understand, but if we can retrieve them, it’ll fill the gap in Eternal Metals, which is pivotal."

Long Chen said in a deep voice.

Long Bai pondered for a few seconds, then spoke.

"I understand this, let me consider it."

"Alright!"

Long Chen nodded and left.