Deep Space Wandering Fleet
Chapter 541 - 538 Determined

Chapter 541: Chapter 538 Determined

After listening to Zhang Yuan’s explanation and waiting for quite some time, the Captain finally heaved a silent sigh and reluctantly came up with an objection, "This plan... alright."

"But there’s a major problem, will the Tos People agree to such a high-risk plan? It comes with time constraints, strict limits on what work needs to be completed within specific periods."

Zhang Yuan smiled and said, "In theory, there shouldn’t be any problems. Aren’t we currently in the honeymoon phase of our two civilizations? Our sides are engaging in extensive Technology Exchange, and I believe that our cooperation will only increase. In the next one to two hundred years, maybe even three to four hundred years, the relations should become very good."

"If Plan 17 is well implemented, the project pace will quicken dramatically. To slash the project timeline by more than half, that’s a significant advantage, the biggest benefit of all."

"I trust that for the lifespan of the Tos Civilization, they too would want to complete the plan within a generation or two to witness the birth of Curvature Technology with their own eyes."

"Their lifespans are much longer than ours, and their understanding of us humans is still superficial; they can’t possibly predict in advance the potential problems that might arise within my civilization due to our short lifespans."

Life expectancy has always been a sore point for humans; the Racial Value of the human species is not high among the many interstellar civilizations. However, they have purchased many Life extension technologies from the market, raising the average lifespan to five hundred years.

But there are some life-extending technologies that can’t be used right away.

It’s not because the technology isn’t up to par, but because... with the existence of virtual technology, people aren’t afraid of death. Suddenly having an excessively high lifespan would lead to social chaos, such as the collapse of institutions like marriage, costs that humans would find hard to bear, especially at this critical juncture where there isn’t much opportunity for humans to slowly adjust.

Lifespan is closely related to the strategic vision of a civilization, creating yet another major contradiction.

After deliberating for a while, Zhang Yuan continued, "In short, both civilizations don’t want the plan to fail, and that’s a common understanding. So, putting in a little effort to negotiate this plan shouldn’t be a problem. Of course, we can’t reveal our true intentions to them..."

"Even to the members of the Scientific Council, we can’t disclose our true intentions. Otherwise, the plan will be difficult to pass internally."

"They’ll incline towards a more cautious plan. Human nature is conservative; they do not want to change and are unwilling to do so. At this point, we need to leverage the zealous atmosphere among the populace to push the plan forward."

Indeed, the current mood among the public is extremely fervent. Some more radical proposals, if touted to halve the project timeline, would absolutely be welcomed with open arms.

If the upper echelons of civilization agree and the grassroots support it, then the Middle-level cadres will have no choice but to submit, even if they may harbor significant doubts in their hearts.

...

That night, Captain Ke, with his hair turned grey, tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep.

A massive psychological pressure loomed over him, forming an invisible mountain that left him gasping for breath.

By the time he got out of bed, he found it was only three in the morning.

He could not sleep anymore...

He rubbed his somewhat reddened eyes, redressed, and exited his room. The lights in the hallway were dim, with only a few coffee shops and the Hospital lights still flickering. Occasionally, hurried passersby would produce a series of "thud, thud, thud" footsteps.

Cole walked into a coffee shop, ordered a cup of "Debelle" coffee, and savored it—bitter with a hint of sweetness.

This wasn’t real coffee but rather a plant from an Alien Civilization, ground into a powder that when consumed tasted somewhat like "coffee." It contained certain antioxidants that could delay aging and promote health.

The era had become affluent, and with scientific progress, people’s lives had improved—there was no doubt. However, with the shift in productive forces, the prices of many things would rise in the future. Essentials like food and clothing would retain their prices, but entertainment items and certain luxury goods would undoubtedly become more expensive.

Manpower in these areas would be diverted elsewhere.

Suddenly, Cole was reminded of a piece of history.

Back in the Earth Era, traversing the long expanse of three thousand years, where could one find coffee to drink?

Even a little seasoning was a luxury.

But back then, the pioneers persevered.

If you tried to cut all living resources by half today, society would undoubtedly erupt into chaos. Even a reduction of 20% would still generate numerous complaints.

It is easier to go from frugality to luxury than from luxury to austerity. In this respect, humans have never changed...but how could they possibly avoid hardship with so much time ahead?

After a while, lost in such thoughts, another familiar face walked in – it was the Foreign Minister, Chen Mu.

He, too, wore a look of grave concern, and his expression faltered when he saw Captain Ke.

"Can’t sleep?"

"Yeah, I was asleep, but then I started feeling a bit hungry."

They both chuckled involuntarily.

Later, a third and fourth person walked in, all high-ranking officials with dark circles under their eyes, mysteriously drawn to this place unbidden...

Captain Ke brewed coffee for them all, a wry smile on his face, "Mr. Zhang’s words shook me deeply. They made me wonder, what is the purpose of our entire civilization... Is it to maintain long-term progress and vigorous vitality, or to live in a daze, forever existing in this universe..."

"Sometimes, humans really need to push themselves. Otherwise, you never know what your true potential is."

"A Level 4 Civilization is certainly not that simple."

They were aware of Zhang Yuan’s true identity, knew that this Transcendent was the first captain of the Kunlun Mountain Fleet, who had forcefully overturned humanity’s oldest family system, single-handedly establishing the "Social Foster System."

Thousands of years on, people had long since adapted to the new social system, and natural childbirth was a thing of the past.

The concept of raising one’s own children had faded from their minds.

And it was upon this system that the robust vitality and immense mobilization capability of the New Human Civilization thrived. But who could remember the overwhelming opposition voiced during the initial meetings?

Now, once again at a critical crossroads, they all felt a chill, as if facing the same overwhelming pressure from the past.

This pressure came not from the present, but from the future!

The verbal condemnation from descendants in the next thousand-plus years.

Endless overtime, an aging population, even work hours had to be extended. They would surely regret this choice.

But in 1,400 years, if they truly had Curvature Technology, the later descendants would be jubilant and grateful for today’s decision, thanking their ancestors for their hard work and effort.

Humans are such creatures; as long as the hardship isn’t their own, everything is fine.

"Have you decided?" one of the elders suddenly asked.

"I have, there’s not much to think about actually..."

The captain sighed, his gaze drifting to the distant horizon, as if he had made a resolute decision.

...