"When will the general offensive begin? How long will it be until he can return after it ends?" Jiang Ye also felt a bit of sympathy for his son.
"I don't know, we have to wait for the commander's order," Li Nannan said. "The closer we get to the final moment, the more we need to stay calm and avoid any setbacks. They're still reinforcing troops these past two days, already up to ten million. All sorts of weapons and equipment are being sent here continuously, it's frighteningly vast. Every soldier in our division has been issued 4,500 light flow rounds, one weapon depot per person. It feels like this is the last battle in the entire universe, and all the military factories will shut down after it's over."
...
Two days later.
Daughter Star orbit.
The spaceship was slowly decelerating. Jiang Ye and Cen Yemeng stood side-by-side in the corridor, looking out through the window.
What they could see at the moment was the night hemisphere of Daughter Star.
The lights were brilliant, and the outlines of the dark landmasses were traced by bands of orange light. The night hemisphere of the entire planet seemed to be burning. Even the sea had many bright spots, which were island cities and shallow-water cities. There were also some firefly-like lights flying around – satellite clusters, countless in number, reminding one of mosquitoes by the water on a summer night.
Jiang Ye had checked the data before arriving. Daughter Star's average hourly electricity consumption was 8.2 billion kilowatt-hours, an astronomical figure. If traditional coal-fired power generation were used, it would require 2.7 million tons of standard coal. Every hour, the energy equivalent of a coal mountain was burned.
However, Daughter Star's power generation did not rely on burning coal. It was mainly from geothermal power plants and chemical power stations.
Twenty-four thousand chemical power stations and three thousand large geothermal power plants produced electricity, of which only one-tenth was supplied to the planet itself, while nine-tenths were exported for sale.
There were mainly two modes of export sales: containerized batteries and star station charging.
Containerized batteries, as the name suggests, were giant batteries roughly the size of containers. These batteries were generally used as backup power for warp-drive spaceships. Some impoverished planets' villages and towns also purchased these batteries. One battery could provide electricity for tens of thousands of families for half a month. They were conveniently replaced every half month when the power ran out.
As for star station charging, it was even simpler. Daughter Star had 12 star nebula-class star station maintenance points. Spaceships traveling in all directions could temporarily dock there for repairs and recharging.
At this moment, Jiang Ye could see the lights of a large number of spaceships descending in the distance through the window, like a patch of glowing dust. There were several interstellar trade routes in this area, and the number of cargo ships was staggering.
According to data from the year before last, each star nebula-class star station maintenance point on Daughter Star had 120,000 related industry workers and 280,000 various robots, with an average daily profit of 12 billion, truly a treasure trove.
Jiang Ye was envious, but he knew that Jiang Ye Star could not achieve this in a short period. They lacked money, skilled workers, and there were no busy trade routes nearby.
The spaceship's warning lights illuminated, and it began to decelerate for landing.
For safety reasons, Cen Yemeng pulled Jiang Ye back to their room and they sat on the soft, large bed to wait.
"I'm a little nervous," she said.
"I should be more nervous than you," Jiang Ye took a deep breath.
The landing process lasted for an hour, unexpectedly smooth, with no turbulence.
Jiang Ye and Cen Yemeng left their room and waited at the exit. The delegation lined up according to the pre-arranged order. Everyone's expression showed tension, but all tried their best to force a more natural smile.
A guard walked past Jiang Ye, opened the spaceship door, and lowered the ramp.
A cool night breeze blew in, carrying a floral scent.
Jiang Ye initially thought Daughter Star had deliberately sprayed perfume in the air, but in reality, the scent came from the residual engine oil on the ground of the star station. This expensive, special engine oil was a characteristic of Daughter Star's star stations, with aromatic hydrocarbons and ketones/ethers added to mask the pungent smell.
The sound of an orchestra immediately began, a melodious and grand welcome song.
Jiang Ye walked up the ramp with Cen Yemeng's arm linked, smiling and waving to those below.
These were details agreed upon by both sides. Cen Yemeng walked ahead, with Jiang Ye following, his arm linked with hers. The entire welcoming ceremony was centered around Cen Yemeng, in accordance with local customs.
The vast star station had been cleared, with only the honor guard, a five-zhang wide red carpet, and the military band.
The scale of the honor guard truly shocked Jiang Ye. At least five thousand people were present, standing in a vast, imposing formation.
All female soldiers, arranged in long rows according to gradually changing skin tones, carried ceremonial rifles with bayonets fixed. The reflection of the bayonets was extremely uniform, indicating they had undergone rigorous training.
A booming sound echoed as distant saluting cannons fired fireworks into the sky, filling the night sky with brilliant pyrotechnics that crackled.
Jiang Ye escorted Cen Yemeng down the ramp.
At the end of the ramp stood the planet's leader, Fu Qiuyan.
She wore a dark green formal suit, and her permed hair was also dyed green. She was very tall, at least 1.83 meters, with an ordinary face but extremely supple skin.
Jiang Ye recalled afterward that her smile left the deepest impression. At first glance, it seemed pure and joyful, but upon closer inspection, it held a hint of shrewd, calculating authority. However, this feeling flashed by quickly as she continuously adjusted her expression.
"Welcome, you've traveled far, it must have been tiring." Fu Qiuyan first shook hands with Cen Yemeng.
"It's worth traveling any distance to attend your banquet," Cen Yemeng replied with a polite smile, knowing she was just a formality.
As expected, Fu Qiuyan soon released Cen Yemeng's hand and shook Jiang Ye's hand firmly. They chatted for a full three minutes before continuing forward.
Cen Yemeng reviewed the honor guard, with Jiang Ye following behind.
The female soldiers of the honor guard possessed remarkable spirit and vigor, with a hint of ferocity in their brows, almost like veteran soldiers returning from the battlefield.
"Your soldiers have more spirit than mine," Jiang Ye said softly to Fu Qiuyan.
"They are all descendants of martyrs who sacrificed on the battlefield, raised in the military from childhood, so naturally they have great spirit," Fu Qiuyan explained.
Jiang Ye frowned slightly, and some questions instantly arose in his mind. However, the explosions of the fireworks and the drums of the military band were too loud, making it inconvenient to ask.
Although the welcoming ceremony was grand, it only lasted for ten minutes.
Jiang Ye and Cen Yemeng boarded Fu Qiuyan's spaceship, leaving the star station and soaring into the night sky.
The interior of Fu Qiuyan's spaceship was not luxurious, even a bit rudimentary, with only tables, chairs, and dining surfaces, like a converted bus.
"I'm very curious about something," Jiang Ye finally asked. "You just said that the soldiers in the honor guard are all descendants of martyrs?"
Fu Qiuyan smiled and poured three glasses of juice, saying unhurriedly, "I guess you want to ask two questions. First, Daughter Star is peaceful and prosperous, so why are there martyrs who died in battle? Second, this planet only has women, so how can there be descendants?"
Jiang Ye smiled; this Fu Qiuyan was indeed very intelligent.
"Daughter Star not only has martyrs, but also a great many of them. Thirty years ago, we just ended a civil war, in which 700,000 people died. In recent years, as the Galactic Empire expanded, the Earth Federation's army urgently needed troops, and our planet also sent many officers to support the front lines. At times, we lost 50,000 soldiers in a single year," Fu Qiuyan's tone remained unhurried, yet carried a sense of solemnity.
"Your numerous achievements are truly awe-inspiring," Jiang Ye immediately said.
"Although Daughter Star only has women, it can still produce descendants. This is mainly through artificial embryo and artificial infant cultivation. There are 100,000 hospitals on the planet that can perform this," Fu Qiuyan continued to explain. "Half of the embryo's genes are provided by the mother, and the other half is chosen by the mother. All gene sequences can be modified, even improved to be as perfect as possible. For example, genes that are prone to illness can be knocked out, and genes that bring special talents can be added. Children produced this way are both the mother's flesh and blood, and not her clones, just like children on other planets, but even more excellent than children on other planets."
"So that's how it is," Jiang Ye suddenly understood.
"Won't there be convergence?" Cen Yemeng asked.
"Convergence?" Fu Qiuyan was slightly taken aback.
"If everyone chooses good genes, then many children will look very similar," Cen Yemeng explained. "Could this cause some kind of chaos? For example, if one-third of the students in a class look alike?"
"To be honest, we are also troubled by your question," Fu Qiuyan smiled. "But within a hundred years, the effect is not yet obvious, and the situation you described will not occur."
Jiang Ye found it somewhat difficult to accept. After all, he came from ancient times and was unaccustomed to the technology and current situation of the universe's inhabitants.
But this was their planet, and he couldn't say much.
According to military statistics, Daughter Star's average lifespan was 128 years, the average annual income was 460,000, the total population was 3.9 billion, and it possessed the largest financial center, the largest robot production base, the largest power system, and the largest cluster of life science laboratories in the nearby star systems. It also maintained a formidable army of up to four million people.
The planet's soft and hard power in all aspects could easily surpass Jiang Ye Star. Therefore, Jiang Ye did not intend to make any suggestions on this trip, but rather came with the mindset of a student seeking a master, or a monk seeking scriptures, intending to learn what he could and discuss what he couldn't.
"I heard that Jiang Ye Star's intelligent bacteria industry is booming," Fu Qiuyan suddenly said.
"It's just a small undertaking," Jiang Ye replied. "To be frank, there have been quite a few accidents, and we're walking on a knife's edge now. It might be shut down any day."
"You don't need to be humble. Not long ago, at a summit held by several nearby planets, the planet leaders were all discussing Jiang Ye Star's intelligent bacteria industry," Fu Qiuyan's tone was unreservedly envious. "Compared to various traditional industries that are difficult and unrewarding, the input-output ratio of intelligent bacteria is almost mythical."
"Perhaps it's because other industries on Jiang Ye Star are too poor, and everyone is so poor they wear open-crotch pants. The military, with the intention of poverty alleviation, let us try using intelligent bacteria," Jiang Ye used the military as a shield and preemptively refused. "It's still a very unstable experimental product. Soon, the official intelligent bacteria models will be released, and I estimate all planets will be able to use them."
"My face looks young, but my body is already eighty years old," Fu Qiuyan said. "I've realized one thing over the years: physiological fatigue leads to psychological fatigue. Sometimes, when the body is tired, one is unwilling to think too much about many things."
"I feel the same way," Jiang Ye nodded. "Fortunately, when I was young, I worked in mining and did manual labor, so my muscles were developed, and my stamina is good."
"Therefore, I don't have the energy to beat around the bush with you. We are all our own people, family. We speak frankly," Fu Qiuyan changed the subject. "I want to introduce an intelligent bacteria laboratory and build it on Daughter Star. What is your expected price?"
Jiang Ye was about to refuse when he was immediately interrupted.
"The price isn't necessarily money; it can be something else," Fu Qiuyan said. "As long as it exists on my planet and can be given, you can name your conditions."
Jiang Ye had just opened his mouth, but before he could utter the first word, he was interrupted again.
"Although intelligent bacteria are profitable now, as you said, they will eventually become widespread on all planets, and profits will be flattened. This cash cow can only be milked for one autumn; its leaves will fall off in winter," Fu Qiuyan said. "Rather than watching the intelligent bacteria city decline in the end, it's better to exchange a portion of it early and obtain other more evergreen industries. This is beneficial for the common prosperity of both planets; it's a win-win."
This time, Jiang Ye just smiled and remained silent.
Fu Qiuyan was also very patient, refilling the tea in each cup.
Jiang Ye was secretly shaken. This woman was truly formidable, attacking head-on from the start with such fierce momentum. Perhaps Daughter Star was wealthy and powerful, giving her confidence.
If his guess was correct, she likely had more to say.
As expected, after refilling the tea, Fu Qiuyan spoke again.
"Daughter Star is at least three hundred years more advanced than Jiang Ye Star, but this is only from a normal and traditional perspective. With adequate technological exchange, the gap could be rapidly shortened. As the old saying goes, one day in heaven is a year on earth. The universe is dark, so dark that even the brightest star is just a small dot. In such darkness, sometimes slowness means no survival. The animals that survive in evolution are not the strongest, nor the biggest, but the fastest to change. Those that change slowly are eliminated."
"Jiang Ye Star and Daughter Star are not in the same economic region and are far apart, so there is no competition or threat. We prefer to engage with distant parties and attack nearby ones. Our planet does not mind helping your planet rapidly increase its strength. We are like distant relatives; when a relative is wealthy, others can benefit."
"The conflict with the Mil people is about to end. The decades after the war are often the period of fastest economic development. Grasping one year during this time is equivalent to grasping ten years. Jiang Ye Star only needs to climb to the top within a certain range to exert a strong siphon effect on other planets. Grass does not grow under a big tree; you must know the Matthew effect. Does Jiang Ye Star wish to be the big tree or the small grass?"
Fu Qiuyan finally finished speaking.
Jiang Ye nodded. "What you said makes a lot of sense, but this matter is too big for me to decide alone."
"Mr. Jiang, you jest. I have seen the data from Jiang Ye Star; you are a true emperor," Fu Qiuyan smiled. "A king's command cannot be disobeyed. As long as you are determined, this matter is as easy as turning your hand."
"Even if I am an emperor, I am a puppet emperor," Jiang Ye shook his head. "Without the support of the Galactic Empire's military, I am nothing. The intelligent bacteria were provided to me by the military, and first and foremost, I need to obtain their consent. This is the fact."
"I can attest to that," Cen Yemeng suddenly spoke. "When the original intelligent bacteria solution arrived at Jiang Ye Star, it also came with several large boxes of contracts and confidentiality agreements. Several high-ranking military officers watched him sign, and it took him a whole day. He used up two pen refills, and I massaged his wrists and shoulders all night."
"It seems like a great gift from the military, but it also tied me up with many ropes," Jiang Ye said with a smile. "The ropes aren't just for breaking; they're connected to a bomb."
"He's more like a feudal lord, having some minor power in his own fiefdom, but needing to listen to the emperor on major matters," Cen Yemeng picked up her cup and drank her juice.
Fu Qiuyan frowned slightly, smiling helplessly. "So that's how it is."
Jiang Ye and Cen Yemeng both silently cheered for each other in their hearts. Both husband and wife were liars; they didn't need to rehearse to put on a show. So many lies flowed out like water.