"Since we're old classmates, things will be more convenient," Feng Zhi Shuang said. "I can see you don't quite understand the affairs of this era, having only woken up a few years ago. I was also clueless when I was first unfrozen. It's only been over ten years, and I've only managed to grasp a little. So, would you like me to introduce you to the role of a macroeconomist?"
"Yes, please, please!" Jiang Ye nodded vigorously. "I really don't understand your profession. What exactly do you do, and how can you help me?"
"The profession of macroeconomist has a history of several hundred years, though it didn't exist when we were in elementary school. It emerged after the Third World War. An economist, as the name suggests, studies economic issues. Our primary responsibility is to control the economic development of a region," Feng Zhi Shuang took a sip of tea. "The traditional understanding seems to be that economics is about managing money. In reality, as it has developed, everything can be subject to economic principles."
Jiang Ye, not fully grasping it, stared at her with a bewildered expression.
"For example, if you have a population of only a little over a hundred thousand, and you settle them haphazardly, their production efficiency will be very low. However, after research and analysis by my team, by adjusting the population distribution, concentrating some people while dispersing others, we can achieve the optimal development structure. This is an application of population management."
"Another example: the location, size, and distance of various buildings in a city can lead to different levels of efficiency and comfort for people. Our team can also design how to strike a balance between work efficiency and comfort in a city."
"Furthermore, the input and output returns of scientific research funding, the utilization rates of different infrastructure facilities, whether regional development is positive or negative, what the optimal average duration of resident education is, at what price levels land and housing prices are most conducive to currency flow, whether average wages need to be increased, and so on."
Jiang Ye understood the meaning of "everything can be subject to economic principles." "So, you can manage almost anything?"
"Yes and no."
Jiang Ye's expression turned grim. What kind of nonsensical answer was "yes and no"?
"Our team possesses extensive theoretical knowledge and practical experience, and we also have specialized AI and supercomputers assisting us. This is equivalent to having the capabilities of over a hundred thousand traditional economists. For almost everything, we can perform calculations and estimations to derive the optimal management methods. However, our calculation results can only be presented to you as a suggestion. How much you choose to adopt is your prerogative," Feng Zhi Shuang said. "Therefore, ultimately, you are the one in charge. We are like strategists, and you are the commander. The tiger tally is in your hands."
Jiang Ye looked enlightened. This was, of course, essential. Power could not be handed over to outsiders; it must be held firmly.
"So, what do you need from me for your work?" Jiang Ye asked.
"Data, all the data," Feng Zhi Shuang raised a finger. "Personal information of all residents, including age, education level, health status, marital status, place of employment, income, and consumption. Detailed maps of all cities. Production information of all enterprises. Public security information from all police stations. Electricity consumption and generation, scientific research funding, military expenditure – in short, we need everything."
Jiang Ye hesitated slightly.
"You don't need to worry about data leaks. Most of this data is backed up in the Galactic Empire's databases. You don't need to provide it directly; you just need to agree to us retrieving it from the database," Feng Zhi Shuang took out her phone and tapped it, bringing up a fingerprint recognition interface. "Pressing it once will grant authorization for one month. After a month, you'll need to press it again."
Jiang Ye readily placed his finger on it. Recognition was successful. In the face of the Galactic Empire, colonies had no secrets, and there was nothing to hide. They say privacy is traded for convenience, but in this era, there is no privacy, so why not sell it?
Feng Zhi Shuang took out a small black box from her pocket and handed it to Jiang Ye.
Jiang Ye opened the small box. Inside was a strangely shaped copper-colored metal sphere, about the size of a soybean, with four soft little wings at the tail.
"What is this?"
"Put it in one of your ears. I'll call you whenever I need to. This earphone can only connect with me. All call content is absolutely confidential. As long as you are on this planet and there is network coverage, our communication will not be interrupted."
Jiang Ye tried putting it in his ear. It was surprisingly comfortable, as if custom-made.
After chatting with Feng Zhi Shuang for a while longer, Jiang Ye got up to leave.
He took a car back to the hot spring villa.
Upon entering his home, Jiang Ye felt something was missing.
After a moment's thought, he remembered: the two cleaning robots weren't arguing or fighting!
Just as he was about to feel relieved, he suddenly noticed that neither cleaning robot came to welcome him. Whenever he opened the door, the two little fellows would rush to greet their master. Why was there no movement this time?
Could it be... they had fought and killed each other?
Jiang Ye became a little flustered and quickly searched his home.
Finally, he found them in the dining room on the second floor. The two cleaning robots were lying on their backs on the floor, like overturned turtles.
"Master!"
"Master, you're back!"
Jiang Ye scratched his head, feeling a bit guilty. He had flipped them over as punishment last time and forgotten to flip them back when he left.
"Have you both reflected on your actions?" Jiang Ye asked sternly.
"We have reflected," the two robots replied in unison.
"Will you fight again in the future?" Jiang Ye asked.
"No more fighting."
"If we fight again, we'll be pigs."
"We have become good friends."
"That's right, we've established a deep friendship."
"We have realized our past mistakes."
"We have realized our own narrow-mindedness."
Jiang Ye chuckled. These two were putting on a show, like a comedy act!
He bent down and flipped them over one by one. The two cleaning robots left one after another, starting to clean the hallway. The floor had accumulated a lot of dust that had settled from the air over the past few days.
After waiting for a long time and hearing no sounds of fighting, Jiang Ye was very pleased. It seemed that harsh methods were indeed effective!
He turned on the food printer and skillfully prepared dinner. In a short while, there were over a dozen dishes on the table. As Jiang Ye sat down to eat, he suddenly heard a soft ding in his ear.
"Hello, hello, can you hear me?" Feng Zhi Shuang's voice.
"Yes, what's up?" Jiang Ye asked.
"Take out all your savings and buy a larger satellite," Feng Zhi Shuang said. "Your current satellite is too small and not very useful. Larger apps can't operate on it, and companies requiring high information exchange can't come either."
"Alright then, how much do I need? I'll transfer it to you," Jiang Ye took out his phone.
"You don't need to transfer it to me. I've already picked out a satellite for you. It will pop up when you access the basic panel. Just click to purchase," Feng Zhi Shuang said. "Also, grant me the authority for investment attraction. I'll help you bring in suitable enterprises."
Jiang Ye tapped the basic panel on his phone, and indeed, the satellite purchase interface popped up, much like an advertisement pop-up.
The price was quite steep, 8.6 billion, which was exactly all his remaining savings.
Jiang Ye felt as if he had encountered a scammer, but he gritted his teeth and placed the order.
Immediately, another pop-up appeared, requesting to grant Feng Zhi Shuang the authority for investment attraction.
He clicked to agree. With Feng Zhi Shuang assisting, he wouldn't have to approve company information every day anymore.