"Transforming a planet's environment must be a massive undertaking, right?" Wan Anxian asked. "It must be incredibly expensive?"
"Incredibly expensive doesn't quite cover it; it's more like astronomically, even infinitely expensive," Jiang Ye replied. "Even as we speak, seven to eight figures in funds are being burned every second."
"These funds primarily come from the treasuries of Jiang Ye Star, Bi Rong Star, and the Exile Star, correct?" Wan Anxian stated seriously. "Some netizens have questioned the Spiral Star Project, suggesting it's using the money of citizens from other planets to fill up a completely unrelated planet, essentially a disguised confiscation of the wealth of the people from the major planets. What are your thoughts on these 'predatory' arguments?"
"That's a very sharp question. First, I'd say it's correct, and second, I'd say the significance of the matter goes beyond that," Jiang Ye said, remaining calm and collected.
Wan Anxian's smile turned tense.
"The treasuries of Jiang Ye Star, Bi Rong Star, and the Exile Star are derived from the labor of every person on the planet; it is the collective citizenry that has created the vast majority of the planet's wealth. The money for transforming Spiral Star comes from the citizens of each planet, and that is not wrong," Jiang Ye stated. "However, if anyone believes this portion of money is a net loss, a complete waste with no connection to them, then they are gravely mistaken."
"You mean, even though the money used to transform Spiral Star comes from the citizens of other planets, it's actually a good thing for those citizens?"
"Precisely. I will explain this to you now. It's a complex issue that needs to be discussed from multiple angles."
"Please, go ahead."
"Firstly, after the reform of average lifespan, the issue of illegal immigrants immediately erupted. Spiral Star serves as a stepping stone to alleviate the problem of illegal immigrants. Currently, Spiral Star has 4.8 billion registered citizens, most of whom are scattered across Jiang Ye Star, Bi Rong Star, and the Exile Star. If these individuals did not have this status, it would severely endanger the public security and economy of the three planets. The emergence of Spiral Star provides a way out for illegal immigrants while ensuring the stability of the living environment for the native citizens of the three planets."
"Secondly, the development and construction of Spiral Star will provide a large number of job opportunities and various resources for other planets. These new job opportunities and resources will become new engines for the overall economy, and profits will flow like water to other planets. Ultimately, everyone will benefit."
"Jiang Ye Star, Bi Rong Star, and the Exile Star are currently in a very good social condition, with economic growth maintained at an astonishing rate of 28% annually. You must have seen people around you who were destitute a few years ago but have suddenly become well-off in just a few years, and the number of such people is enormous, accounting for 35% of the entire planet's population."
"Many people have the misconception that this situation will continue indefinitely, which is, of course, impossible. As the planet's population grows and eventually reaches saturation, the market stagnates. How can high growth be maintained forever? To avoid being trapped in a small shell and stagnating, we must expand our territory in a timely manner, exchanging space for time; as space increases, so does time."
"Spiral Star and Jiang Ye Star, Bi Rong Star, and the Exile Star are interconnected. The interests and benefits of Spiral Star will definitely be prioritized for the citizens of the other three planets. Although the money of the citizens of Jiang Ye Star, Bi Rong Star, and the Exile Star was used to invest in Spiral Star, it is essentially helping all citizens invest in their collective future. I am like a fund manager; everyone entrusts their money to me, and I manage it to make it grow, and then return it to everyone."
"Thirdly, more planets mean more possibilities for risk aversion and more supporting forces. Some older citizens might know about Har Star. I have a very good relationship with the leader of Har Star. This planet originally had over ten billion people, enjoying a high quality of life with almost zero crime rate. Later, the planet entered a period of geological activity, and the entire Har Star was completely destroyed by earthquakes. Everyone was urgently evacuated to other planets, and a lot of chaos ensued during this process. No one can say for sure that Jiang Ye Star, Bi Rong Star, or the Exile Star will not encounter some kind of catastrophic disaster in the future. When a catastrophic disaster strikes, other planets can serve as refuges for each other. Investing in Spiral Star is actually adding a 'health potion' for everyone."
"Fourthly, cultural prosperity. Jiang Ye Star, Bi Rong Star, and the Exile Star have developed completely different cultural atmospheres, with no hierarchy between them, but rather greater diversity, offering people more choices. I believe Spiral Star will also develop its own indigenous culture."
"The four points above cover the major reasons. There are also minor reasons, but considering the program's length, I won't go into them in detail," Jiang Ye said.
"As a member of Bi Rong Star, the picture you've painted makes me incredibly excited," Wan Anxian said, her face beaming with joy. "So, what are the next development plans for Spiral Star? When will the construction of human settlements on Spiral Star begin?"
"The development plans are still being formulated. We have a preliminary framework, but adjustments will be made based on specific circumstances," Jiang Ye mused. "Within about a week, we will open online registration for the first batch of Spiral Star citizens to land."
"In the next six months, the development focus for Spiral Star will be on two aspects: first, urban construction, and second, environmental transformation."
"Urban construction is easy to understand. Could you elaborate on environmental transformation?" Wan Anxian asked, looking around. "I feel the current environment on Spiral Star is already quite good."
"This is a promotional program, so of course, we choose the most photogenic places for filming," Jiang Ye chuckled. "In reality, in the vast territories not visible to the cameras, Spiral Star still has vast areas of desert, salt flats, barren lands, and swamps. Currently, grasslands cover the largest area, accounting for 48% of Spiral Star's land area. However, grasslands have weak wind and sand control capabilities. Satellites can monitor large-scale sandstorms daily, with yellow and black masses moving at high speeds across the planet's surface. The immediate priority is to cultivate a sufficiently extensive forest system and stabilize the river channels. These tasks require manpower."
"Will you serve as the supreme leader of Spiral Star in the future?" Wan Anxian inquired.
"Perhaps not, but I will be a member of Spiral Star's think tank, serving as an advisor to the planet and offering suggestions," Jiang Ye replied. "The selection of Spiral Star's leader is still underway. Citizens of Spiral Star can rest assured that the final choice will be two experienced planetary governors and marshals."
The interview lasted for over four hours.
Jiang Ye and Wan Anxian discussed nearly a hundred questions.
After the recording concluded, the production team immediately began intensive editing to enhance the program's effect.
A few hours later, the three-hour and fifty-minute program was scheduled to be broadcast on major planets.
Jiang Ye did not watch the program. After the interview, he returned to his office on the warship, busy dealing with accumulated documents.
While he was busy, his phone rang.
It was Li Nannan calling.
Jiang Ye's eyelids twitched. He hadn't received a call from Li Nannan in a long time, and he suspected it wasn't a minor matter.