129: After the list is released

Inside the Eastern Federation National Television broadcast hall, flashbulbs flickered like a torrential downpour.

The Premier stood before a podium emblazoned with the national emblem, behind him a slowly rotating holographic projection of the Space Garden. The hall was filled with reporters from around the globe, with ambassadors from various countries to the Eastern Federation in the front row, their expressions shifting between light and shadow under the flashing lights.

"Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen," the Premier's voice, relayed across the world by the simultaneous translation system, stated, "The Interstellar Peace Corporation today announced the first list of residents for the Space Garden space station. The Eastern Federation is honored to have been recognized in the civilization adaptability assessment. This entire plan fully embodies the Interstellar Peace Corporation's forward-thinking vision for the development of human civilization."

He paused slightly, his gaze sweeping across the audience: "These 40,000 slots are not only an affirmation of the Eastern Federation's scientific and technological strength, but also a tribute to humanity's collective wisdom. We firmly believe that the Space Garden will become a common home for all humankind."

"The Eastern Federation is willing to cooperate with all Blue Star nations, working hand-in-hand in areas such as the peaceful utilization of space resources and the promotion of interstellar civilization development."

The camera panned across the ambassadors seated in the front row. The New United Federation Ambassador's face was ashen, the Europa Alliance representative forced a smile, and only the North Steel special envoy's eyes lit up upon hearing the word "cooperation."

"Of course, we have also noted that some international public opinions have different interpretations..."

After the Premier concluded his speech, as soon as the Q&A session began, a reporter from the New United Federation's Blue Star Times eagerly raised his hand: "Mr. Premier, some opinions suggest that the Eastern Federation secured more than half of the slots due to secret dealings with the Interstellar Peace Corporation. How do you respond?"

A perfectly timed look of surprise appeared on the Premier's face: "Regarding this point, the Eastern Federation's stance remains unchanged: this is a complete and utter rumor. While the Interstellar Peace Corporation was indeed founded in the Eastern Federation, they are a completely private enterprise and have no official connection to the Eastern Federation government."

"As for this list, the Eastern Federation did submit the most applications, with nearly 60,000 individual profiles. But the fact is, the Interstellar Peace Corporation's assessment standards are completely open and transparent." He gestured for his assistant to bring up a holographic projection, "Language unification degree 30%, proportion of scientific research personnel 30%, industrial system completeness 15%... These hard indicators are all supported by detailed data."

"And these indicators are also the extremely objective basic conditions required for development."

A reporter from Europa's BCC immediately followed up with a question: "Then why did English-speaking countries receive so few slots? Does this mean the Interstellar Peace Corporation has cultural bias? Or is there some kind of cooperation between the Eastern Federation and the Corporation?"

"I believe you have misunderstood the essence of the language unification degree in the assessment standards," the Premier gently retorted, "This is not a judgment of cultural superiority or inferiority, but a consideration of civilizational adaptability."

"The information density and logicality of Chinese make it more suitable as an interstellar lingua franca; this is an objective fact proven by mathematics." He then changed the subject, "However, the Corporation has also clearly stated that any language group can compensate for their language score by improving their scientific research capabilities."

A murmur of whispers immediately rose from the audience. A reporter from the North Steel News Agency excitedly stood up: "May I ask if the Eastern Federation has any education cooperation plans?"

"Thank you for the enthusiasm, North Steel friends," the Premier replied with a smile, "This is exactly what I am about to announce. The Eastern Federation will establish the 'Interstellar Cooperation and Development Fund,' with an initial investment of 50 billion credit points, specifically to support the training of space talent and technological exchange in various countries."

He spread his arms, "The Space Garden is the common home of humanity, and we welcome all nations to come and discuss cooperation matters."

This sudden "goodwill" caused an uproar in the venue. Reporters furiously took notes, and flashbulbs once again lit up like a torrential downpour. Amidst the commotion, the New Union Ambassador and Europa representative left with grim faces, while the North Steel special envoy excitedly dialed a domestic number.

After twenty minutes of standard diplomatic rhetoric, the press conference concluded successfully.

As soon as the Premier stepped off the podium, security personnel swiftly escorted him to the underground passage. The moment the car door closed, the formulaic smile on his face immediately vanished.

"To the Academy of Sciences," the Premier briefly ordered the driver, simultaneously pressing the soundproofing barrier button, "Old Zhao, how was the press conference's reception?"

In the holographic projection, Zhao Mingyuan's figure appeared: "New Union media are all emphasizing 'unfair slots,' Europa is discussing cooperation possibilities, and North Steel has already sent three letters of intent for cooperation." He smirked slightly, "But looking at their public opinion, things might be even more interesting than we expected."

After the press conference, global public opinion quickly split into two extremes. Like a huge stone thrown into a lake, it didn't create ripples, but rather towering waves.

On "Voice of Freedom," the New United Federation's largest social platform, the hashtag #SlotScam quickly topped the trending topics. Far-right leader John Wilson released a video roaring: "This is an insult to Anglo civilization! We will never accept this new form of colonialism!" The video garnered over a million likes.

But at the same time, on the campus forum of a top New Union university, a post titled "Why We Should Learn Chinese" quietly went viral. The author, Professor Catherine Li, calmly analyzed: "If Chinese truly is the best choice for an interstellar lingua franca, then refusing to learn it is equivalent to cutting ourselves off from the future."

Below the article, many students had already begun sharing Chinese learning resources.

The division didn't stop there; a roaring video on MyTube had already surpassed fifty million views. In the footage, a redneck politician stood in front of the New Union flag, veins bulging on his neck: "They want us to abandon English? Over my dead body!"

The camera panned over his gathered supporters, mostly blue-collar workers in work clothes, holding signs that read "Defend Western Civilization."

But under another popular topic #SpaceFuture on the same platform, the atmosphere was completely different.

Senior Engineer Mark Levinson showed off his newly acquired HSK Level 6 certificate: "Brothers, I just signed up for the Eastern Federation's space technology training program. Guess what? Chinese is much simpler than I thought! And I have to say, using Chinese just feels more exciting than English, hey! #FutureBelongsToBilinguals"

In the comment section, it was uniformly filled with envious messages from Silicon Valley elites.

This division was even more starkly evident on the streets. Automobile workers in Detroit took to the streets, shouting, "Keep jobs in New Union!"; while in the upscale apartments of New Village, executives of large corporations were hosting private Chinese salons, with private tutors charging up to 5,000 credit points per hour booked solid.

On the Champs-Élysées, burning Eastern Federation flags cast a red glow on the faces of protesters.

"Rather die on Earth than kneel to go to space!" a young man with a tattooed face roared at the camera. Behind him, unemployed workers were smashing the display window of a shop that had just put up a Chinese language training advertisement.

They perhaps didn't even know what they were protesting, merely venting.

However, just three blocks away, the Louis Vuitton Group headquarters was brightly lit, where CEO Bernard Arnault was chairing an emergency board meeting: "Gentlemen, if our customers are all going to live in the Space Garden in the future, then we must start preparing now."

The projection screen displayed the group's latest plan: to provide Chinese language training to all store employees within six months, with a mandatory standard of HSK Level 4 or above.

Even more ironic was the Europa academic world. Sorbonne University linguistics professor Pierre Dupont published an open letter in the Blue Star Times: "The language of the Champs-Élysées is the most precise language in the world, and must never bow to barbaric hieroglyphs!"

Yet, on the same page, below, a recruitment advertisement for the Marie Curie Research Institute, headed by the university's physics department, clearly stated: "Applicants must possess HSK Level 5 or above Chinese proficiency."

At a private dinner in the White Dove Convention Area, twenty-two financial magnates controlling 40% of global wealth reached an astonishing consensus.

"Gentlemen," Jacob, head of the Rothschild family, raised his glass, "Let us toast to the Eastern Federation." To everyone's surprise, he explained, "Not because they are right, but because they hold the key to the future."

"We are the ones who should most have the future, and of course, we should learn how to use the key."

A recording leaked after the banquet showed Ray Dalio, the king of hedge funds, who was present, saying more directly: "Either learn Chinese now, or let your grandchildren use a translator when they visit your grave."

The most dramatic scene occurred at Starlight Command.

When the military announced that Chinese would be designated a "strategic language" and required all officers to learn it, a Four Star General immediately tore up the document: "I'd rather retire early than bow to yellow people!"

On the very same day, however, the Space Force Command quietly established a special team composed entirely of Chinese-fluent officers.

Tom Stone, a senior reporter for the New Township Times, wrote in his column: "We are witnessing the most thorough division of Western society. The elite class has quietly chosen the future, while the lower classes are still fighting for past glory."

Inside the Eastern Federation's Zijin Pavilion, the Premier looked at the global public opinion report, his brows furrowed.

"It's even more intense than expected." He turned to Zhao Mingyuan, "Will this division lead to the premature collapse of Western society?"

Zhao Mingyuan brought up a set of data and shrugged: "Based on past historical data, when a group faces a paradigm shift, 30%-40% resistance from conservatives is normal." He enlarged the chart, "The key lies in the choice of the middle class. And right now, the Western elite class and some of the middle class are voting with their feet."

Just as he was speaking, the Secretary-General rushed in: "Premier, we just received news that the New Union Senate narrowly passed the 'Chinese Education Act,' agreeing to offer Chinese as an elective in public schools."

"What about the opposition?"

"They are organizing even larger demonstrations," the Secretary-General said with a wry smile, "But, well, many of the protest organizers' children have already signed up for online Chinese courses."

"I think they're treating the protests more like a business."

The Premier looked out at the night sky, where the Space Garden was just passing across the heavens. He suddenly understood Chen Hao's original choice.

If the Interstellar Peace Corporation had directly started 'ramping up' in the Eastern Federation, let alone the Eastern Federation, the entire Blue Star would probably not have fared well. The current pace of change is quite suitable.

Also, there was a certain indescribable pleasure in 'manipulating' the trajectory of a civilization.