Chapter 138: Island Plan II_1

After several rounds of negotiations, the Underground City plan was approved; it was an unavoidable choice.

The PDC also officially announced the launch of the Underground City construction plan, and, of course, each country had to complete its own construction.

What the PDC needed to coordinate were the joint Underground Cities for some small countries whose industrial systems were backward, but at this time, that seemed less important.

In addition, the reason countries agreed to the Underground City plan was a critical one: Lin Sen had the backing of the Moon Base, which had ample food. The food reserves of all countries were running low, and at this point, no one dared to offend Lin Sen.

Now, all countries were in a relatively peaceful state also because there was still a massive amount of food in the Moon Base, and it wasn't the final step yet.

The essence of the strategy was the trend of the times; the trend was most crucial to any scheme. But the most clever plans are often right there in front of you, yet you can't discern their truth and intent. You see one step ahead, while others have foreseen a hundred.

Then, Mr. Rediaz took the stage to speak.

Mr. Rediaz did the same work as Lin Sen, representing the Moon Base. The next topic of discussion was the most critical issue at present: food distribution.

The decision-maker for food distribution needed to be a genuinely powerful political figure, and Mr. Rediaz was more suitable than Lin Sen.

All the country representatives were aware of Mr. Rediaz's reputation as an absolute iron-willed man; when playing the game against him, no amount of caution was excessive.

Mr. Rediaz had control over the food produced by the Moon Base, which was the hope for survival for all people on Earth.

Mr. Rediaz said, "This Underground City plan isn't anything special. After the disaster, with resources scarce and survival tough, the age-old way is to hide underground for self-preservation, isn't it?

"According to the basic principles of the Wallfacer plan, Wallfacers need not interfere with the domestic affairs of countries. Let's return to the matter at hand, the issue of food distribution."

No one expected Mr. Rediaz to start by firing at everyone right off the bat. With one sentence, he offended everyone; of course, this was also part of the plan.

In reality, all the countries were caught in a "prisoner's dilemma," each fearing attacks over resource strife and also potentially being the first to attack others; indeed, the Underground Cities could offer better protection for themselves.

The relationship between Lin Sen and the countries was akin to the "Stag Hunt," a higher level of the prisoner's dilemma, where to reach a Nash equilibrium, a cooperative strategy was chosen. Both sides agreed to cooperate on a certain basis, seeking to maximize benefits.

The relationship between Mr. Rediaz and the countries was like a "Hawk-Dove game," a higher level than the Stag Hunt, where one side would have to advance as the other retreated. In this game, only one side could win, and the most effective tactic was "deterrence."

Of course, deterrence was equal, both sides could use it. If the other side practiced "deterrence," it was a matter of whether you chose to be the wise who heeded the times or if it was worth being a brash youth and "fighting desperately."

Mr. Rediaz's strategy was to become the brash youth first, to pose a deterrent to the PDC, and also to relieve Lin Sen, drawing the "fire" towards himself.

If possible, Mr. Rediaz really wanted to go crazy, carrying out a talent exchange program such as:

For a Nobel Prize-level talent, the Moon Base would provide 1 million tons of food;

For an academy member-level talent, the Moon Base would provide 600,000 tons of food;

For a senior researcher/outstanding professor, the Moon Base would provide 400,000 tons of food;

For a PhD holder, the Moon Base would offer 100,000 tons of food for free;

...

This would allow the technology of the Moon Base to soar, moreover suppressing the development of Earth's technology, but this was not feasible and could only appear in mindless fantasy.

The PDC had countless means to disrupt, and even confronting the Moon Base directly was possible. The Hawk-Dove game needed deterrence, but not blind or inappropriate "false" deterrence.

PDC Chairman said, "Mr. Rediaz, the Underground City plan has been approved, so let's discuss your food distribution scheme."

Mr. Rediaz said, "Although our greatest crisis now is the crisis of survival, for which we have even temporarily suspended the main defense plan,

"it's undeniable that our biggest crisis remains the Trisolaris crisis, and the Moon Base plays a key role in the defense plan.

"To carry out an unprincipled equal distribution of food isn't a good choice. The drawbacks are indubitable. Ancient people employed 'work-for-aid' during disaster relief, and what we need is to actively guide the positive development of the Underground City.

"Our current situation is that a large number of people are unable to undertake high-tech work; under the constraints of the Underground City, they lack even more channels to realize their own value.

"The construction of the Moon Base requires a large amount of low-tech equipment and infrastructure, and this is the channel through which they can realize their value, by trading production for food, while vigorously supporting the construction of the Moon Base."

PDC Chairman said, "We agree with this plan in principle.

"But the details involved are too complicated, and it will take a long time to develop the specifics.

"Do you have a specific list of needs for the Moon? Also, most of the current Underground Cities do not have the capacity to resume production, and they will need quite some time."

Mr. Rediaz produced a thick stack of documents, "Indeed, we have compiled a list of supply needs for future construction plans on the Moon, as well as detailed food exchange rules.

"Production in the Underground Cities is currently impossible, so our focus must be on restoring industrial capacity. The Moon Base will provide food to everyone as a loan, and we will implement fixed loan amounts to prevent hoarding activities in certain areas.

"The estimated number of global Underground Cities is between three thousand and four thousand, and the Moon Base does not have the capacity to transport food to all the Underground Cities.

"I suggest that Country C assists us in the distribution and transportation to ensure that food reaches everyone smoothly, and in the Underground Cities, people from Country C will also need to be involved in the allocation."

Everyone present could naturally see that controlling food distribution could potentially build a "food" forest system in the future.

This kind of power, the PDC naturally did not want to cede, and Mr. Rediaz was not going to back down either, so the cockfighting game began.

The representative from Country A was the first to raise an objection, "We recognize the method of exchanging industrial products for Moon's food distribution, and we also agree to acquire food temporarily through fixed loans.

"But I hope that the PDC can assist with the distribution and transportation of food, as only the PDC can guarantee real fairness."

Mr. Rediaz, "No, the PDC's duty is planetary defense, and it is unnecessary to get involved in the internal affairs of nations.

"Country C has faced the most powerful storm in this natural disaster, yet their losses have been the smallest, which speaks volumes about their coordination abilities.

"On the other hand, the PDC clearly lacks coordination abilities. In the future, not a single issue can arise with food distribution, as even a slight problem could lead to extremely serious incidents."

PDC Chairman, "Mr. Rediaz, I understand your concerns. Country C has indeed demonstrated remarkable response capabilities and a spirit of selfless dedication in the face of this natural disaster.

"But now, in the midst of the Trisolaris crisis, our unity is of the utmost importance. Food distribution is essential; it is the common weal of human civilization. If it is diverted for personal use, it could lead to very unfavorable consequences.

"Mr. Rediaz, whatever your motives may be, I hope you will consider this matter carefully."

Mr. Rediaz, "There's no need for further consideration; this is my decision. Let Country C handle food distribution because I believe they can do a better job, and that's all there is to it."

The representative from Country RB, "Please mind that this is international territory, and international opinions need to be respected."

When Mr. Rediaz heard the word "respect," he was visibly agitated, "Respect, have you ever respected me?

"I'm used to this disrespect, accustomed to it even before becoming a Wallfacer.

"Up to now, the Planetary Defense Council has lost the basic respect owed to the Wallfacers, and has also lost respect for the Wallfacer principles.

"Or perhaps everything a Wallfacer does should adhere to your wishes."

The representative from Country A thought that mere debate would produce no results.

It was time for special measures, so he directly attacked, "Mr. Rediaz, please refrain from making inappropriate remarks while you are emotional.

"Although your words and actions cannot legally serve as grounds for a guilty verdict, they will disappoint the people who support you.

"A Wallfacer's duty is the Wallfacer strategic plan, and you have clearly overstepped your authority as a Wallfacer now.

"Everything about the Wallfacer plan is within the Wallfacer's authority. In fact, it is we who have provided you with sufficient resources, from the early research into the Starbuster to the later construction of the Moon Base."

PS: This chapter aims to portray Mr. Rediaz's character, with many of his lines taken directly from his statements in the original work.

To clarify, Mr. Rediaz's dialogue might seem impulsive and inappropriate, but it is part of his stratagem and doesn't reflect a lack of intelligence or being influenced by Lin Sen.

In the next chapter, a few words from Mr. Rediaz swiftly take down the American representative, also laying the groundwork for the passage of the food distribution resolution.

The author is quite fond of Mr. Rediaz and naturally does not portray him in a poor light.

Mr. Rediaz is not easily angered; the choking of Mozi in the original work was a struggle to cope with the failure of his plans.

Threatening to destroy the Cradle along with New York even further demonstrates that he isn't a madman because he actually had the capability to do so with the Cradle, but he did not use it, and in the end, the Cradle was given to Logic.

Understanding that he was going to die, he wanted to die at the hands of his own people, hence he told everyone:

I am capable of dragging everyone to hell with me, but I did not.

I just want… to go home!

Before he died, he also requested that Garanin not give up on the Wallfacer project; he is a tragic character, an unforgettable tragic hero.

Country A (United States), Country C (China)…