Deep Space Wandering Fleet
Chapter 256 - Chapter 256 Chapter 256 Affiliated Civilization

Chapter 256: Chapter 256: Affiliated Civilization? Chapter 256: Chapter 256: Affiliated Civilization? Zhang Yuan hurried to the Captain’s office and found that many experts were already there, fervently discussing the issue. The exchange materials this time were much more detailed than before, with many aspects to be explored, including various cultural, artistic, and scientific content, as well as the latter part of the history of the Gliese Civilization.

Only a few people had access to this part of history.

When Captain Zhao saw Zhang Yuan enter the office, his eyes instantly lit up.

Since it was not a formal meeting, he gestured for Zhang Yuan to quickly find a seat and immediately spoke, “So, according to the materials brought back this time, we can be pretty sure that the likelihood of war is slim…”

“That means we can shift more production from weapons manufacturing to development, maintaining only the weapons necessary for self-defense.”

“Ah, the plan for artificially hatching a large number of babies can finally proceed officially.”

Zhang Yuan nodded in agreement, “Exactly, this plan should not be delayed any longer. It’s already been postponed for two years, and our population growth has nearly halted. We can’t drag our feet on this any further.”

The population issue is a longstanding one. Even though the structure of our new civilization is still young and vibrant, after one or two hundred years when everyone is older and there aren’t enough new generations to take over, our entire civilization would be in a dire situation.

Old Zhao glanced at the documents in front of him, “There’s a second point regarding this segment of the Glizerians’ history. What do you all think? Feel free to share your thoughts.”

The more experts chimed in, the richer the discussion became. People could analyze a lot of information from the history of the Glizerians, including various institutional differences and areas where human institutions needed improvement.

Zhang Yuan pondered for a moment, “Let me start the discussion… The Glizerians’ collective upbringing system is clan-based; children are raised communally within each clan–a sort of collective economy. In a large clan, there are several thousand people, but the children can’t distinguish their biological parents. It evolved from the original tribal system.”

“In fact, the Glizerians are quite indifferent to the concept of parents; they virtually have none, but they do identify somewhat with their clan. Within a clan, there are specific people responsible for raising children, a profession known as ‘Ama-ba’…”

“This system differs from ours to a certain extent, but it also has aspects we can learn from. For example, could we divide the children to be born in the future into different communities to increase their sense of belonging?”

Several education experts furrowed their brows, lost in thought.

Zhang Yuan continued, “Of course, the technological stagnation of the Gliese Civilization is not due to this childcare system but has deeper underlying reasons. These reasons are worth our caution, particularly the second wave of Aliens bringing the Universal Factory.”

The experts discussed softly among themselves.

At that moment, a professor of New Civilization History asked, “Mr. Zhang, we’ve read through the materials you brought back overnight, and they are indeed quite substantial.”

“Firstly, I have a question. The crucial turning point for the entire civilization began with the second interstellar civilization… Their civilization has already lost the drive to advance, but the thirteen Universal Factories still have significant production power. Under these circumstances, is there a possibility they could become an Affiliated Civilization to us and work for humanity?”

“Because our current productive capacity is indeed insufficient, having the help of a native civilization would undoubtedly accelerate our development.”

Zhang Yuan mulled over it for a moment, then tapped gently on the table, “An Affiliated Civilization? Are you talking about the kind with trade and mutual exchange?”

“Or the kind through conquest and enslavement?”

“Let’s put aside whether they have the intent to be subjugated considering their industrial strength far surpasses ours. How should we make them submit? They are not just any cats or dogs; waging war rashly is clearly unwise…”

Biologist Yamamoto Ichiro interjected, “I’ve thought of a good strategy. We can develop stronger and more effective drugs! Something even more potent than Happiness Element to directly control their wills… The properties of the Happiness Element are relatively mild; there must be more potent drugs available.”

Zhang Yuan shook his head, “The Glizerians’ brain and neuronal structures differ from ours. Our drugs don’t work on them.”

Yamamoto replied, “Yes, indeed. But I believe developing new drugs shouldn’t be too difficult… Anyway, if it involves cells, similarities exist.”

“Just one year, give us a year, and we could develop new drugs.”

The meeting room fell silent at once. In theory, such a thing wasn’t difficult.

But…

Everyone looked toward Professor Yamamoto, who turned red-faced and a bit embarrassed.

Captain Zhao thought for a moment, “I don’t quite agree. Engaging in such activities might be profitable, but the uncertainties are too great. And to continually research these things over the years, don’t you think that’s a bit off?”

“Besides, becoming our Affiliated Civilization would mean we’d have to get involved in their internal affairs. To be honest, I really don’t want to meddle too much. We can have exchanges with this civilization, but not in-depth ones, or there’s a certain risk of assimilation.”

Zhang Yuan sighed. Rationality suggested that Yamamoto’s idea had a significant chance of success; developing a stronger drug could likely subjugate them.

Only Gor City remained sober; that could easily be ignored. But what about the dozen cities immersed in a stupor?

He said, “Technology itself is not evil; it’s people who are evil… Researching these things is not a problem, but widespread use would indeed risk harming ourselves.”

“When The Sun Never Sets Empire waged war against the Great Qing Dynasty, they opened the nation’s gates, but the number of drug addicts in their own country also skyrocketed; Europeans captured Africans as slaves, and now the roles have reversed…”

“When we implement these plans, our entire civilization will inevitably feel the backlash. Bottomless conquest will undoubtedly affect civilization itself.”

“Our current civilization, fortunately, doesn’t have such drug addicts. Not now, nor should we allow it in the future!”

Many present let out a silent sigh of relief.

In fact, many were opposed on an emotional or moral level, even though they knew that talking about reason and virtue between civilizations is quite naive.

But often, emotions are a unique form of intelligence.

Especially when it comes to morality, sometimes it’s to show oneself, not others…