"Turn to page 16," Dai Zhixing said with a smile.
Jiang Ye quickly flipped through, his gaze settling on an entry.
[Cellular Phase Three Delay Technology: Significantly extends the time before youth, middle age, and old age, thereby increasing human lifespan. After successful surgery, the physical state of 17 to 25 years old can be maintained for approximately 60 to 100 years, the physical state of 41 to 46 years old for approximately 50 to 80 years, and the physical state of 68 to 72 years old for approximately 50 to 80 years. Supplemented by artificial organs, anti-aging drugs, etc., human lifespan can be extended to 300 to 500 years.]
[Cellular Phase Three Delay Technology can compress costs to 6 million yuan, with further compression possible as technology advances.]
Jiang Ye immediately began calculating.
Six million, whether for two hundred years of life or four hundred years, was an unbelievably good deal!
Moreover, for those who lived long lives, six million was not an insurmountable sum.
Assuming an annual income of only sixty thousand, it would take a mere one hundred years to repay the debt, leaving the majority of one's life to be enjoyed.
For urban wage earners, current city residents on Birong Star could earn over one hundred thousand annually, repaying the cost in a few decades!
It could indeed be rolled out on a large scale!
"The figures on here are quite conservative," Dai Zhixing said. "Under normal circumstances, lifespans will be even longer than projected after the surgery."
"The technology is affordable, but what about the difficulty of human-land relations?" Jiang Ye asked.
"The Galactic Empire is accelerating its expansion to the frontiers," Dai Zhixing replied.
Jiang Ye instantly understood.
"The current problem is a severe shortage of manpower," Dai Zhixing stated. "It is estimated that within the next century, humanity will acquire more than five times the number of habitable planets than we currently possess! And plans can change rapidly; we might eventually secure ten or twenty times the territory! Without sufficient population, so much territory cannot be defended. Our existing planets are already underpopulated, and expansion will only exacerbate the sparse distribution of people across vast lands."
"Expansion is that rapid?" Jiang Ye's expression turned to shock. "Why the sudden large-scale expansion?"
"From a military strength perspective, we could have accelerated expansion much earlier. However, our economy was lacking. It's somewhat like ancient times; we could defeat barbarian tribes, but without enough population to build cities and defend them, we would eventually abandon them. With the advent of Cellular Phase Three Delay Technology, the economic outlook has directly improved, prompting the Galactic Empire to decide on accelerating our expansion."
"So, we see how scientific technology changes the course of history. Such a small, inexpensive life-extension technology will completely revolutionize our existing human societal state," Dai Zhixing said. "What are your thoughts?"
"If expansion accelerates, it will likely require military action, won't it?" Jiang Ye asked.
"Of course, but not necessarily through bloodshed," Dai Zhixing said. "And there are ways to develop without using force, such as making your planet a base for exporting talented individuals to the entire universe."
Jiang Ye frowned.
"Naturally, by establishing educational institutions and then collecting immigration taxes," Dai Zhixing explained. "Allow your planet's citizens to receive higher education, making them sought-after in the talent market. Other planets will be willing to poach your people with high salaries. As your citizens emigrate for better pay, you collect substantial immigration taxes. Once your reputation is established, people from other planets will also want to immigrate to your planet, perhaps by receiving education themselves or by sending their children for a prestigious degree. This creates a cycle."
"So, you want to turn my planet into a large university?" Jiang Ye understood.
"Precisely," Dai Zhixing said. "A holy land whose value soars, increasing everyone's worth. Can you imagine how prosperous your planet will become?"
Jiang Ye nodded repeatedly. "In that case, it seems our entire development strategy needs to be adjusted."
"The military still needs to be developed significantly. One day, when you've recovered and are free from psychological issues, the military will be of great use," Dai Zhixing said. "In fact, the fastest way to develop is to keep resources within the family. Turn your old planet into a university, the Galactic Empire expands outwards, and then you send troops to take over new planets, dispatching people from your old planet to build on the new ones. This is the quickest method. Your fear of blood is not an issue; there will certainly be many uninhabited planets. Once troops arrive, at most they will fight alien creatures, much like exterminating cockroaches, followed by engineers for construction, which is very peaceful."
"I understand, the military must continue to develop," Jiang Ye nodded. "What I mean is, with lifespans extended severalfold, the pace of society will also change. Previously, we primarily sought wealth from space, with the military rapidly occupying alien worlds and extracting their resources. Now, we can seek wealth from time. Everyone lives longer and can create more miracles."
"Your insight is correct. Previously, we primarily gained from spatial profits, but now we can also gain from temporal profits," Dai Zhixing agreed. "Piloting this on your planet is a significant responsibility. I hope you plan carefully, balancing the personal interests of your citizens with the overall interests of the planet and the Galactic Empire."
Jiang Ye nodded repeatedly, his expression grave. In an instant, he thought of hundreds, even thousands, of issues.
"Remember, your competitors are not only other human planets but also alien races. Many alien races are already prepared for large-scale expansion. Before the end of this historical cycle of expansion, we humans must seize as many resources as possible; we cannot let them all be taken by alien species," Dai Zhixing said earnestly.
"I understand. If Heaven offers, and we do not take it, we shall suffer misfortune. If we fail to occupy the territory we can, our descendants will curse our ancestors for their lack of ambition," Jiang Ye chuckled.
The official discussion concluded, and the two began to eat.
Dai Zhixing began his travels that evening.
He was genuinely touring Jiang Ye's planet, spending a full week, tirelessly moving between cities and natural landscapes, taking photos for social media, buying local specialties and souvenirs, and occasionally chatting with locals.
While Dai Zhixing was on his tour, Jiang Ye was not idle.
Jiang Ye summoned the think tanks from several planets to discuss the future after the reform of average lifespan.
The think tanks proposed numerous plans and suggestions, ultimately making a decision: to pool wisdom and seek answers from the public, initiating a public solicitation.
This would allow skilled individuals in society to offer their insights and advice.
It also served as a way to leak information in advance.
The specific date for the average lifespan reform had not yet been set, but Dai Zhixing indicated it would be soon. The think tanks were concerned that such astonishing news, if released without any prior indication, could lead to unpredictable consequences upon its official announcement.
The method of solicitation was tricky; it couldn't be too explicit, yet it couldn't be too vague. The ideal approach was to spark widespread speculation without definitive confirmation, allowing people to gradually form expectations over time.