Chapter 518: Facade Development Mode_1

Shi Mingwei continued, "We have just begun to equip our warships with dark matter-fueled material flow engines, but the maximum conventional cruising speed of the newest model of warships is only 18% of the speed of light.

"In the next fifty years, we must increase this speed by at least 7%, reaching 25% of the speed of light!

"As long as the speed increases, it will bring great changes to the human world.

"Moreover, the most critical thing is that the material flow engines have a high upper limit. According to the scientific academy's studies, this type of engine should be able to reach a maximum speed of 45% of the speed of light.

"This is the prospect of this technology and is worth our continued investment and effort.

"I won't report on other parameters one by one, but within the next half-century, the efficiency gains from various technologies should all be between 12% and 80%.

"And for humanity, there is another huge treasure waiting for us to unearth!

"That is, the various civilization's ships that were once attracted to Paradise.

"I think everyone has overlooked the existence of this treasure in the past ten years. They are floating there rusting away; better to make them a force for empowering humanity!"

...

Deep in space, North America on Earth, the location of the Third Intelligence Group.

Other departments were permitted to watch the debate on Blue Maiden Star this morning, but Belinsky had once issued a strict order not to allow members of the Third Intelligence Group to slack off.

From the group leader to the members, everyone expressed understanding.

The more critical the moment, the more eyes needed to be kept on the surrounding Dark Forest.

On Blue Maiden Star, Shi Mingwei's speech had not been going on for long when a member reported, "Group leader, we have detected a strange intelligence signal."

The group leader came to the member's side, and the latter continued to report, "This signal seems to have been sent out using spatial oscillations caused by dark matter, clearly different from gravitational waves."

The group leader asked, "Where is it coming from?"

"From Planetary System Number Three!"

The entire intelligence group immediately tensed up; last year, they had made a significant discovery in this planetary system.

The group leader asked again, "Is it possible to decipher it?"

Galaxy III replied, "We have only recorded one similar message, and with such scant material, it's impossible to decipher."

The group leader quickly asked, "When was the last similar message recorded?"

Galaxy III: "Venus emitted a similar signal before entering the Two-Dimensional Fragment!"

Very unusual!

Although the group leader did not know what this meant, years of experience in intelligence work told him that it was very unusual!

The group leader took a deep breath and said to Galaxy III, "Contact Commander Belinsky immediately!"

...

In the hall, Shi Mingwei's speech continued, "…some might ask, aren't we afraid of angering Paradise with such actions?

"Compatriots, in the face of the Dark Forest, fear is futile!

"While our deterrence against Paradise is still stable, we should utilize all available resources to make great strides forward for humanity!

"According to the intelligence we have now, Paradise's gravitational source has disappeared, indicating that at least overtly, they have complied with the Wallfacer's deterrence, and Paradise no longer exists within the vicinity of human civilization.

"The ships that were previously in Paradise's location all possess technology similar to modern humanity's, or are slightly more advanced or behind our own.

"With the gyroscope satellites unable to be activated in the short term, these ships will serve as precious references for us. By examining others' technology, we will know whether our own is correct and promising.

"Therefore, I believe we should immediately organize our forces to tow those ships back, or build research bases on site.

"This technology is quite rudimentary to Paradise, and they would not pay any attention to it.

"They are also unlikely to break off relations with us over this action…"

Belinsky, sitting in the audience, received a prompt for an urgent communication. He promptly stepped outside the venue to hear the report from the leader of the Third Intelligence Group.

Belinsky took a deep breath, "Very good, continue monitoring and report any new information promptly."

After ending the communication, Belinsky gave it some thought and immediately contacted Zhuang Yue, "Good day, Commander."

Zhuang Yue had just been watching the live broadcast of the debate: "Good day."

After reporting the Third Group's findings, Belinsky said, "I suggest you prepare for an encounter with a First Epoch Life Form.

"Although it may sound incredible, we cannot discount the possibility that the Trisolarans have mastered some form of communication used by First Epoch Life Forms, creating trouble for Earth."

Zhuang Yue nodded, "Your conjecture makes sense, report immediately if there's any new development!"

Belinsky: "Yes!"

Zhuang Yue then gave orders: "Enter second-level combat readiness!

"Turn on all the combat radars sent out, and report anything detected—any ship, celestial body, anomaly—within six thousand astronomical units immediately!

"The Monster Cannon to launch immediately and patrol beyond sixty astronomical units, ready to complete assembly at any time!

"The three recently equipped Dark Matter Detonators stand by in near-Earth orbit, no strike without my order.

"Begin arraying 'Photon Particle No.2' immediately, I know it's not finished, but now it can accelerate particles to over 80% of the speed of light, enough for now."

...

On Blue Maiden Star, in the hall where the debate was continuing, Shi Mingwei's speech reached its conclusion: "In this perilous universe, only with the development of our technology can we stand invincible.

"Therefore, I believe that in the coming fifty years, we should make full use of all available conditions, focusing on the development in fundamental materials, engines, artificial intelligence, communication, and other areas.

"Elevate humanity's strength to the next level!

"My speech is over, thank you, everyone."

Amid the applause, Shi Mingwei stepped to the side of the stage.

Next was Yun Tony's speech. With a smile, he said, "What I have to discuss is quite simple, concerning the future development model of humanity.

"Twenty years ago, the Wallfacer launched the Great Pioneer Project, aiming to strengthen humanity's strength as soon as possible, to acquire more raw material sources, to stimulate the internal economy, and to enhance humanity's resilience.

"Meanwhile, this development model has rarely been applied by the civilizations we have discovered so far; I refer to it as 'planar development.'

"According to the intelligence we have now, other civilizations mostly employ 'point development,' spreading the seeds of civilization in nonadjacent star systems.

"The benefit of planar development is that we can quickly concentrate the power of several or more than a dozen planetary systems to jointly develop the human race.

"But the downside is also very clear; we can be taken out by the Dark Forest in one fell swoop!

"Currently, humanity urgently needs to absorb a tremendous amount of nutrients, so for about half a century, planar development is suitable for humans, but after half a century, we should adopt a combination of point and planar development methods.

"That is, start with the point and then turn the points into a plane."