Above the Galaxy

Chapter 1051 - 680: The Crown Princess Consort Dongguo Chenxi and the Military Minister—Stories That Must Be Told

The video was short, yet Prince Philip watched it over and over again.

Seeing Zhong Tianque’s plight, he felt a certain melancholy.

As someone from the Royal Family himself, he often dealt with Zhong Tianque...

Whenever he represented the Aus Empire on visits, Zhong Tianque was in charge of the reception.

At that time, Zhong Tianque was being groomed as the Crown Prince.

Even though he was closer to Zhong Tianyi back then, after all, the two of them could hang out better together.

At least on the surface.

His and Zhong Tianyi’s situations were more similar, both with royal blood, both overshadowed by an elder brother, and both showing the outside world an image of indulging in games and revelry...

Although this was just a well-known protective facade.

Life is like a play, and it all depends on acting.

Fortunately, his act succeeded, and he got rid of his elder brother.

Sadly, the Zhong brothers failed, the Royal Family collapsed, and the Empire changed hands.

He could imagine the determination and sacrifice Zhong Tianque must have had when he appeared on the screen with his fiancée, Dongguo Chenxi, to record this "real-name accusation."

Are they alive or dead now?

"Are there any signs of AI synthesis?" Prince Philip asked aloud.

He knew the question was redundant.

If Maxwell dared present the video before him, it meant he had already verified its authenticity.

This was a basic skill required of a subordinate.

"We had AI experts verify it, and the video contains no synthesized elements. Every frame is real and valid," Maxwell promptly responded.

"Hmm," Prince Philip nodded slightly.

"Your Highness, how should we proceed now?" Maxwell asked.

"..."

Prince Philip hesitated for a moment in his heart.

He knew that once this video was released, it would spell Zhong Tianque’s doom.

Shen Wuxiang, no matter how magnanimous, would not let someone who stabbed him in the back continue to live.

Even Prince Philip himself could not accept it.

However, this video was beneficial to their side, capable of completely destroying the image of Shen Wuxiang as a ’Military God serving the nation’ in the hearts of the people, pinning him as a treacherous rebel seeking to usurp the throne...

This would cause him to lose the foundational support of the majority of the Phoenix Empire’s citizens.

The Shen Family’s path to power would then need to be more violent and forceful than previously designed ’smooth and orderly ascent’...

It would be blood-stained and unlabeled.

"Your Highness..." Maxwell noticed Prince Philip’s sympathy for Zhong Tianque and reminded him, "Everything needs to be done for the greater good."

"Yes, everything must be done for the greater good," Prince Philip replied solemnly. "Since Zhong Tianque took the initiative to record this video, and let it end up in our hands, he must have been mentally prepared... We cannot let his efforts go to waste."

Prince Philip lifted his head and said to Maxwell, "Mobilize all the Empire’s propaganda resources to promote and cover this video comprehensively... Also, make sure to communicate with the Kaman Federation. I believe they wouldn’t miss the chance to add insult to injury."

"Yes, Your Highness," Maxwell replied with a smile.

He knew a media war was imminent.

He would use this video as the sharpest dagger, stabbing it straight into the heart of that Prime Minister.

After Maxwell left, Zhong Tianque let out a deep sigh.

It was mourning for the fallen among kindred spirits...

They cared not for the fate of a rabbit, only for the fall of a dragon.

Since ancient times, the Royal Family has been a family of dragons.

"That guy is really lucky, even Zhong Tianque is willing to stand up for him... and by sacrificing himself."

"Once this video is released, Shen Wuxiang and his Shen Family will be scorned by thousands... It seems my judgment was right, choosing him in that perilous moment, and not the more powerful Shen Wuxiang..."

Reflecting on this, any sentimentality or discouragement in Prince Philip’s heart vanished.

He mounted his horse, calling to his knights, "Another few laps, there’s a reward for winning."

And so, he charged ahead.

The others pulled their reins, lined up, and charged in orderly rank based on character and status.

Mercy is temporary; benefit is eternal.

------

Casbin Russell.

A typical netizen of the Aus Empire.

Today, as usual, he opened a frequently visited portal site.

"Hm? What’s this? Zhong Tianque accuses Shen Wuxiang? Who is Zhong Tianque? And who is Shen Wuxiang?"

Puzzled, Casbin clicked on the video, which revealed a man in Phoenix Empire Court Dress appearing in a magnificent study.

"Hello everyone, I am Zhong Tianque, the first in line for the throne of the Phoenix Empire..."

Casbin was full of astonishment; this man was the heir to the Phoenix Empire’s throne?

Meanwhile, countless others, like Casbin, clicked on the video located in the most prominent spot on the portal site.

"Zhong Tianque is the Crown Prince of the Phoenix Empire? Shen Wuxiang is the Military Minister of the Phoenix Empire? The Crown Prince accuses his own Military Minister of a coup?"

"Isn’t this common knowledge? The Shen Family has usurped power for a long time, Shen Wuxiang has long been the ruler of the Phoenix Empire..."

"To what extent have they pushed people? Forcing a prince to step forward and openly accuse them..."

"Prince in danger... The Phoenix Empire is finished, the Aus Empire’s chance has come..."

"Brothers, I have a bold idea... Hit the Phoenix, capture the Princess..."

"I must say, their Phoenix Princess is indeed a stunning beauty... If I could live in a villa and drive a sports car, I’d gladly volunteer to marry the Phoenix Princess..."

------

With enough people interested in the discussion, the video quickly went viral online.

With official promotion, major media platforms began actively targeting users with precise recommendations.

Starting from the Aus Empire, the Kaman Federation swiftly followed suit, broadcasting across all media nationwide, becoming the hot topic in all Federation countries.

Except in the Phoenix Empire.

The Phoenix Empire’s propaganda department, controlled by the Shen Family’s direct lineage, supervised and monitored all media platforms and the Starlink Network.

Information detrimental to the national dignity is deleted or blocked.

Initially, some personal media accounts did relay foreign information. But they were quickly audited by platforms, resulting in ’the source of the information you viewed is no longer visible’.

The officials in the propaganda department received a rigid order from Vice Minister Shen Jianping, under no circumstances can such videos appear on the internal network of the Empire.

As for the clamor outside...

Cover your eyes and pretend not to see.

"Set keyword filters, block all related information for me."

"Call all the platform managers, if any media platform has sensitive information, then prepare to shut down and go to jail."

"Use the Sky Domain System for a full internet sweep, once identified, delete, handle it... not even a spark is allowed."

------

Unfortunately, their resistance and blockade were in vain.

In the Phoenix Empire, at around eight or nine in the evening, it’s the most active time for netizens nationwide.

Precisely at this popular moment, all Empire citizens with mobile phones received push notifications:

"A Blood and Tears Accusation by Crown Prince Zhong Tianque: I am merely a puppet"

"Shocking, Shen Wuxiang’s Usurpation of Power Exposes His Wolfish Ambitions!"

"Those Things About Crown Princess Consort Dongguo Chenxi and the Military Minister That Must Be Told!"

------

The titles sound brutal and violent.

At first, some suspected it was a scam link.

But soon, as the first warrior clicked on the video, then the second, the third...

The viral spread and proliferation began.

-------

Bam!

Shen Jianping smashed the cup in his hand to pieces, pointing at the group of propaganda officials in front of him, cursing: "You fools, can’t even intercept one piece of information, what can you do?"

"I don’t care what methods you use, within one hour... within one hour, I want all videos gone..."

"If necessary, shut it down, disconnect the internet... make sure they can’t spread it again..."

The propaganda officials were too frightened to look up and meet his gaze.

After sending them off to work, Shen Jianping furrowed his brows and dialed Shen Wuxiang’s number again.

This matter is too important; he must communicate directly with Shen Wuxiang.

Unfortunately, again, no one answered.

Left with no choice, he dialed the secretary’s office, but the confidential secretary said that since the Military Minister left, he hasn’t returned yet, and they couldn’t contact him.

"We can’t wait any longer."

Shen Jianping hung up the phone, arranged a military aircraft, and prepared to head directly to Qi Mountain.

He doesn’t know what’s happening on the Military Minister’s end, but he has a very bad feeling.

Shen Wuxiang is the Ocean Stabilizing Divine Needle of the Shen Family, the God of the Military.

Unless absolutely necessary, he would not disappear without reason.

Because this would shake the military’s confidence, and there’s a chance of a revolt over at Mountain Qi Camp.

At this critical moment for the Shen Family’s survival, everyone must exert their utmost efforts.

------

Brocade City. Jinxiu Hospital.

The Phoenix still guards the door to the ward, arranging for the hospital to set up an office next to Tang Fei’s ward so she can work from there without delays in her mountain of tasks.

Tang Fei is down, but she must remain fully vigilant, paying attention to every piece of business and every stakeholder.

Bai Wuxin has dispatched all the Ghost members to various military branches, naval fleets, and core administrative departments, reporting information from all directions to the Palace Master and the group leaders.

At the slightest disturbance, they will respond with thunderous measures.

The Phoenix’s phone also received push messages from that ’mysterious force,’ seeing her elder brother appearing on the screen, accusing Shen Wuxiang of brutality and bloodshed, word by word...

Her heart was filled with complex emotions.

"Brother..."