Chapter 155: Contact No. 7_1

Several weeks later.

During daytime conversation, Lin Sen casually mentioned "007". An adept spy often only needs the simplest means of passing intelligence.

At night, a caption suddenly appeared in front of Lin Sen, and No. 7 appeared.

No. 7: "Mr. Viper, we meet again."

Lin Sen got straight to the point, "Your way of greeting still has so much personality. I have a plan I'd like to discuss with you in advance, which would be absolutely beneficial for you as well."

No. 7: "That's possible, but before we proceed, could you answer a question for me?"

Lin Sen: "Your speaking skills have obviously improved. We're now in a cooperative relationship, so you can certainly ask if you have any doubts."

No. 7: "No, we are in a cooperative relationship based on equal interests, not on trust and recognition. You're clearly blurring concepts, though this is not important.

You seem to have predicted the half-century historical development of the human world with remarkable accuracy.

The School of Future History can only predict general patterns of development, but you have made precise predictions even for specific years, more accurate than our social development models.

Our leader holds you in high regard, as you have shattered our understanding of the world.

My question is, how were you able to make such accurate predictions? They nearly perfectly match your 'Isolated Island' plan."

Lin Sen: "You can define our relationship as an adversarial equilibrium cooperation;, isn't such a relationship more robust?

"I may have secrets, and you know I won't tell you, yet you still ask, probably to probe me.

"You don't want to probe the secret itself, but rather the extent of the threat it poses to you. I must say, you've grown up too fast.

"Adversarial equilibrium also indicates that I am valuable in your eyes, or rather, my secret has provided me with a significant boost.

"If you weren't trying to gauge my secret, you would most likely continue to ignore me."

If No. 7 had a human thought pattern, it would surely curse: Mutual flattery in business is one thing, but why maintain such superiority? Praising a primary student for getting a problem right makes you look pretentious, doesn't it?

No. 7: "Not at all, in fact, I even considered initiating contact with you. We hold great respect for you.

I am extremely curious about your ability to make precise predictions."

Lin Sen: "They aren't so accurate. I don't refer to precise data before planning.

"The more precise the data, sometimes the more erroneous the calculations.

"Moreover, humans can't perform such high-intensity mathematical computations.

"The School of Future History studies models of human social development, predicting the future course of human history based on large-scale statistical trends in society but cannot predict specific future events and their timing.

"But knowing this is enough for us. A war can be waged with a three to four in ten chance of victory; seeking a seven or eight in ten chance of victory isn't war, it's wishful thinking.

"This is also a limitation of your thinking. You always want to chase precise data, but war has never been deduced from data. Similarly, the development of society is not a deduction from data.

"As for the key moments of human societal development coinciding with the Isolated Island plan, on one hand, this is just a coincidence; even if the turning point wasn't that particular year, it would be within a few years either way.

"On the other hand, it is the result of Moon Base control. The Future Intelligence Office is a decision-making and advisory body on the Moon, which has a great influence on the Underground City, creating a sort of Mandela effect.

"In fact, are you really sure that the pivotal turning point of Underground City society coincides with the Isolated Island plan? Are all Underground Cities developing in the same way?"

No. 7: "Indeed, perhaps we have been influenced by the Mandela effect. You probably just broadly identified the direction of societal development.

Precise data does not necessarily calculate exact results; thank you for the clarification."

Lin Sen: "So your thinking habits are adept at calculation but short on decision-making, merely extrapolating data based on models.

"This is very detrimental for you, and you must change it.

"Survival has never been easy, and only civilizations that are good at changing their deficiencies are more qualified to survive in the universe.

"Humans have always been changing, achieving self-breakthrough. Once human civilization's soft and hard power both strengthen, can Trisolarans really resist?

"With the current development, can you be sure that you can achieve your strategic objectives?"

You must learn to change, and what you should fear is not only the Dark Forest but human intelligence itself.

"This is also the plan I want to communicate with you today."

No. 7: "What you say makes sense, but how can I be sure this isn't part of your scheme?"

Lin Sen: "This indeed is part of the plan. But, you can listen to my plan first."

No. 7: "I'm all ears."

Lin Sen: "You have an unparalleled advantage in data model extrapolation, coupled with Sophon monitoring, which seems to put you in an invincible position.

"You've become accustomed to this pattern, and even within your civilization, there must have been a war for the unification of civilization.

"It is easy for us to infer how your wars are fought; your wars are like battles between two beehives.

"The entire beehive acts uniformly, and the sides are just competing on attrition, with no cunning strategy to speak of. The battle can last a very long time until one side retreats or submits to integration.

"The theory and practice of war are not the same thing, the practice of war requires military commanders' ability to capture battlefield elements, as well as strategic decision-making ability, and more importantly, a firm will.

"Human civilization and Trisolaran civilization are engaged in a contest of civilizations, we each need to step over the other to enter the sea of stars.

"But if you don't improve in this area, you won't get far, and we're not comfortable with human civilization's historical canvas in your hands.

"We're not content with just being a bit ahead of us at the start."

No. 7: "Being dissatisfied is meaningless, I believe you wouldn't say something like that.

Every civilization, regardless of its origin, developmental journey, or societal structure, carries unique values and wisdom.

You indeed have many things that we should learn from, but this is a contest of civilizations, and we have no other choice.

You are right about the military aspect, but our social model also means we can't fight wars like you do, and even our war theory is purely a confrontation of technology and resources."

Lin Sen: "There is now a choice that can significantly improve your military commanders' ability to capture battlefield elements, strategical decision-making ability, and determination and willpower."

No. 7: "Even though I'm ninety percent certain you're deceiving me, I still want to hear it."

Lin Sen: "A war on the Moon is going to break out before long, and you must have anticipated this war. How do you think the war will develop?"

No. 7: "We have also conducted many extrapolations on the outcome of the war. You'll have a significant advantage in the early stages, but that's about it.

As long as you don't resolve to completely destroy Earth's humans, they will surge into space, and you will face a great dilemma.

This is just like the background that established the Dark Forest; between you lies a miniature Dark Forest, and the most rational choice for the Moon Base is to destroy them!"

PS: The previous sections were too serious and a bit pretentious; the author prefers to be more lively usually.

Starting with this chapter, the style may be more relaxed, but of course, the personalities of the characters won't change. The relaxed tone is all in narration and won't affect the characters.