Blackstone Code-Chapter 389: Changes
President, Mr. Truman, Minister of Defense, Chairman of the National Security Council, and Director of the Army Intelligence Bureau—
Many important figures entered a private room with Lynch. What Lynch was about to say was not suitable to reveal publicly yet, so the President chose to listen first before deciding how to proceed.
The Federation is indeed an excellent country—very free. Everyone can express their views, and as long as you can persuade others to agree with you, you will gain their support.
From industry associations and unions to local governments, the Senate, and the House of Representatives, whether in court or the President’s office, eloquence and sound arguments backed by valuable content always win approval.
After more than half an hour, the group left the office. The President first thanked everyone for coming to the presidential palace late at night to discuss strategy and invited them to breakfast.
This morning was a tough day for the presidential palace’s kitchen staff, who had never been so busy preparing dozens of breakfast dishes at once.
Meanwhile, the returning fleet changed course toward the offshore waters of the Amellia region, a decision Lynch convinced the President to make.
Shortly after, key departments held press conferences. Today was destined to go down in history.
At eight in the morning, the Gephra ambassador to the Baylor Federation woke two women by patting their backsides. After tossing some bills on the bed, he went to wash up.
The role of ambassador is tough—requiring sharpness, quick thinking, and firm stances.
Often, ambassadors have little time to consult their home countries; they must make decisions immediately, which represent their nations, not themselves.
Before the world war, diplomacy was difficult. Diplomats balanced interests among many countries, using clever tactics to win support and showcase the art and danger of diplomacy.
Now, it’s much simpler.
Disagree? Can’t negotiate?
Flip the table and shout: “The empire’s navy can turn your coastline into hell in a week!”
At this time, Gephra’s diplomats enjoy the easiest job. Threats like this leave no room for negotiation.
This shift from strategic to power-based diplomacy is evident: a strong country’s demands are hard to refuse.
After leaving the bathroom, the ambassador glanced at the clock oddly. The naval battle should be over by now, and he should have been contacted with results and instructions.
But there had been no calls, giving him a bad feeling.
He tried calling home, but the line was dead.
He hurried to the window and saw Federation soldiers surrounding the embassy tightly.
After a brief panic, the ambassador calmed, knowing the invincible Royal Navy had won again, which explained the Federation’s fear and blockade, cutting off communications.
A sneer appeared on his face as he imagined humiliating the Federation diplomats with documents.
On the first floor, two local escorts stood awkwardly in the locked lobby. No one was allowed in or out, including them.
The ambassador, feeling like a gentleman victorious like his fleet, brought the two women outside and made a request: “I’m not going anywhere, but you shouldn’t punish these two for losing a naval battle. They’re innocent.”
With a confident but not arrogant smile and a slight lift of his chin, he asserted his dignity.
But the soldiers ignored him, frustrating him.
“Bring your superior!” he demanded.
About ten minutes later, a car arrived. More reporters and onlookers had gathered. When the newly appointed Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs appeared, the ambassador smiled arrogantly, ready to mock him publicly.
Before he could speak, the deputy minister loudly accused him: “Besides supporting the Preyton Pirate Group’s indirect control of Nagaryll’s economy, have you done anything shameful?”
The deputy did not speak politely; reporters snapped photos eagerly, and the crowd smiled in satisfaction. This was juicy news.
“What nonsense?” the ambassador was momentarily stunned, then responded, “The great imperial emperor always respects the sovereignty of every independent country. We never interfere in others’ internal affairs!”
Whether true or not, he had to take a stance. Then he realized a problem: “If there’s an issue, we can talk somewhere else. No need to stand here.”
He started to walk inside, inviting them to follow, but the deputy minister cut him off.
“No, I’m leaving soon. I’m here only to inform you that during our purge of the Preyton Pirate Group, we found suspected Gephra Royal Navy ships aiding them against us. You must explain this!”
The ambassador tried to stay calm but sounded less confident. “What evidence do you have for that?”
The deputy stood firm, refusing to repeat his predecessor’s mistakes and be sent to the west for industrial development. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
The situation had changed; diplomacy demanded toughness. “We sank all pirate ships, including those suspected Gephra naval vessels.”
“You ask for evidence?”
“Our salvage team is heading to the battle site. When we raise the wrecks, you—or your emperor—might want to explain why Gephra’s navy is mixed with pirates.”
“Or perhaps Gephra has been supporting or using the Preyton Pirates from the start to control the Kingdom of Nagaryll’s economy.”
He glanced sideways at the ambassador and walked to his car. The Foreign Ministry was preparing a press conference to announce this. As the new deputy, he wanted to make a strong impression worldwide.
The ambassador tried to follow but was stopped by soldiers. Grabbing the railing and looking at the deputy minister who was already entering the car, he shouted, “I have no knowledge of this! I need to contact my superiors!”
The deputy glanced at him and finally approved.
Back inside, the ambassador picked up the receiver. His trembling hand dialed the number with an unprecedented sense of suffocation and dread.
Every busy signal felt unbearably long. After two transfers, the call was finally connected.
The Gephra Foreign Minister, who had only recently left the Federation, sounded completely different from when he arrived—no longer strong and confident, but rather exhausted and defeated.
“Your Excellency, I have just heard something unbelievable…”
Perhaps because the Foreign Minister’s call went through, he found some peace. His racing thoughts calmed as he detailed what he knew.
He had expected the Foreign Minister to laugh it off as a joke to save the Federation’s face, but he was wrong.
“We cannot confirm if the entire fleet was destroyed; we are still verifying. Also, your role has now become extremely important…”
“First, firmly deny any connection between the Gephra Navy and the Preyton Pirate Group.”
“Second, find out which Federation fleet executed this operation, including their size and capabilities…”
The ringing in the diplomat’s ears blanked his mind. The First Fleet still included the symbolic battleships Princess Wansheng and Knight Commander, plus eight destroyers; all other ships were wiped out!
Still verifying?
That was just an excuse.
The invincible Gephra Royal Navy had been defeated. This news was staggering. No deep calculations were needed—the diplomat clearly understood the world’s balance was about to shift dramatically.
