405: Nothing new

Early in Star Year 98, Pierpoint, at the "Cross-Cultural Fusion Training Center" under the External Affairs Department.

Inside the spacious and brightly lit tiered classroom sat fifty members of the Geze Foxian Race, the first batch of carefully selected trainees.

They had a balanced male-to-female ratio and wore the simple uniforms issued by the Corporation, but the large, multi-colored tails that occasionally swayed gently with their emotions, and the pair of sharp, constantly twitching ears atop their heads, clearly indicated their significant difference from the Human Race trainees.

On the podium, Yukun, dressed in a sharp, dark professional suit, with her Foxian ears erect, scanned the familiar yet strange compatriots below, her heart filled with emotion.

Just a few months ago, she thought the Xianzhou Foxians were an isolated case in the Universe. She never expected that in this Universe, at the edge of the Orion Arm, such a similar race existed.

Strictly speaking, Yukun was quite envious of them. Because they did not have the tragic past that the Xianzhou Foxians had in their history.

"Fellow Geze compatriots, welcome to the Interstellar Peace Corporation family," Yukun's voice echoed through the classroom. "Starting today, you will undergo three months of intensive training. The curriculum includes, but is not limited to, common language application, corporate organizational structure and regulations, basic management studies, business etiquette, and necessary security and defense knowledge."

She paused, her tone growing serious: "The Corporation is an inclusive collective, but it is also a place that values Order and efficiency. Your racial talents and unique perspectives are assets to the Corporation, but to truly integrate and realize your value, you must quickly master the 'language' and 'rules' of working with us."

"I know this will be challenging, but I have confidence in you."

Below the podium, the Geze Foxians focused intently, their eyes filled with a thirst for new knowledge and yearning for the future.

Soon, their learning speed left the training instructors slightly stunned.

One must know that the instructors themselves were New Humans who had been buffed. Any one of them, pulled out at random, would meet the pre-Interstellar Era definition of a Genius.

But now, their students were nearly on par with them.

The basic Chinese reading and writing skills that were originally scheduled to take several weeks to master, these Foxian trainees accomplished in just five days, already capable of fluent daily conversation and official document reading.

Their handwriting was also quite neat, and their memory and logical thinking capabilities far surpassed ordinary people.

"Oh my goodness, this learning speed... they're not far behind us!" an instructor privately exclaimed to a colleague.

"Then you think a little too highly of yourself." Another instructor raised an eyebrow. "Their overall learning ability is already comparable to my friend who joined the Technology Research and Development Department."

Just as the Geze Foxian trainees were engrossed in their studies and striving to adapt to the Corporation's pace, Pierpoint's Public Relations Department and the External Affairs Department led by Yukun jointly issued a major announcement.

[Interstellar Peace Corporation Official Announcement]

Welcome the Geze Foxian Race to Officially Join the Interstellar Peace Corporation

Recently, the Corporation reached a historic affiliation agreement with the Geze Foxian Race, located in the Geze Star System. This race will become the Corporation's first affiliated alien race, enjoying high autonomy and comprehensive corporate protection and development support. The Geze Foxian Race, with its unique culture, outstanding adaptability, and spirit of valuing contracts, is certain to bring new vitality to the Corporation. The Corporation has always upheld the philosophy of openness and inclusivity, dedicated to building an Interstellar Civilization Community of diverse coexistence.

As soon as the announcement was released, the already bustling "Interstellar Peace Forum" instantly exploded.

The post titles were varied and colorful.

《Shock! The Corporation Found Aliens Again! And They’re Fox Girls!》

《Rational Analysis of the Geze Foxians' Biological Characteristics and Social Structure》

《The Light of Preservation Shines! Discussing the Great Significance of the Corporation's Existence》

《Help! How do I apply for a transfer to a department with Foxian employees? Waiting online, it's urgent!》

The popularity instantly soared to the top and held the spot continuously.

However, unlike the mostly curious, welcoming, or even playful tone on the forum, within the Solar System, especially in the Eastern Federation, which had undergone decades of explosive development and drastic social stratification, this news was like an ice cube dropped into boiling oil, stirring up complex and even dangerous ripples.

Eastern Federation, Mars, a private clubhouse belonging to a certain emerging Interstellar Trade Giant.

A lavish party was underway.

A massive holographic projection played clips of the Geze Foxian affiliation news, focusing particularly on close-ups of the elegant figures of some female Foxians.

"Tsk, look at those tails, those ears, that temperament... much hotter than virtual idols!" A middle-aged man with a beer belly and fingers covered in gem rings, hugging his female companion, drunkenly pointed at the projection. "I've messed around with Cat-girls at KTV and experienced Mechanical Maids at space stations, but I haven't tried a real Fox Girl yet!"

A lean man with shifty eyes leaned in and whispered, "Manager Wang, action speaks louder than words. I've heard the Corporation isn't too strict with these Foxians; they allow them to seek employment independently."

"There are quite a few 'special positions' being posted on the forum's recruitment section now..."

The man referred to as Manager Wang's eyes lit up. "Oh? Tell me more?"

"Look at this one," the lean man opened his personal terminal and projected several job postings.

《High Salary Seeking Life Assistant, Requirements: Female, excellent appearance and temperament, patient, race unrestricted (Geze Foxian preferred)》, the salary was ridiculously high, and the job description vaguely stated "responsible for the employer's daily life and emotional care."

《Interstellar Trade Group Recruiting Advanced Secretary, required to accompany employer to important occasions, Geze Foxian female preferred, compensation negotiable (absolutely generous)》, the requirements even implicitly mentioned "strong obedience" and "good communication skills."

《Private Ecological Park Seeking Image Ambassador, requirements: strong affinity, artistic talent, Foxian race preferred》, the workplace was remote, but the salary was unusually high.

"This... isn't this just recruiting playthings?" Manager Wang, though crude, wasn't stupid. He smacked his lips. "Can we get away with this? What about the Corporation..."

"Manager Wang, you worry too much," the lean man said with a fawning smile. "What's the relationship between the Corporation and our Eastern Federation? Iron buddies! Didn't their Chairman supposedly come from the Eastern Federation? Are they going to turn against us over a few 'animals' they just took in?"

"Besides, this is legitimate recruitment; it's consensual, and the money we're offering is enough for several lifetimes. What's wrong with that?"

This kind of rhetoric had a considerable market among a segment of the Eastern Federation's nouveau riche who had rapidly accumulated massive fortunes through the era's dividends, sheer audacity, and often gray means.

They were accustomed to paving the way with money, believing that the Laws of the Universe were similar to those domestically: money makes the world go round, or in this case, money makes the "fox" turn the mill.

They viewed the Geze Foxians as a novelty, a rare "resource" or "commodity," a top-tier luxury item to flaunt wealth and satisfy private desires.

However, despite the increasingly astonishing prices they offered, the job postings went virtually ignored for days.

The few who attempted contact were politely but firmly rejected by the Foxians.

While the Geze Foxians value contracts, they are not fools, nor are they objects to be bought and sold at will. These blatant, suggestive "recruitments," which explicitly objectified individuals, were viewed by them as an insult to the dignity of their entire race.

The rebuffed parvenus became furious.

"Damn it, they're ungrateful!"

"A bunch of furry beasts, pretending to be virtuous!"

"Aren't they just relying on the Corporation's backing? Bah!"

Resentment and discriminatory remarks began to spread in certain small circles.

They attributed their failed recruitment efforts to the Foxians' "lack of appreciation" and the Corporation's "favoritism," never reflecting on the baseness of their own actions.

Eastern Federation, Zijin Pavilion, small conference room.

Smoke filled the air.

Several high-ranking officials responsible for social culture, ethnic affairs, and security intelligence wore grim expressions.

"There is a serious deviation in the attitude toward the Geze Foxian Race among the populace, especially within the emerging wealthy class," the Minister of the Culture Department rubbed his brow and pushed a public opinion briefing to the center of the table.

"This kind of thinking, which objectifies an intelligent species and even carries clear tendencies toward enslavement, is extremely dangerous. It not only violates basic morality but could also trigger serious diplomatic incidents."

"Of course, calling it a diplomatic incident might be an exaggeration, but I think you all understand what I mean."

The head of the Security Department snorted coldly: "I've already noticed that a few of the most flamboyant individuals have questionable backgrounds, and their histories of acquiring wealth certainly wouldn't stand up to scrutiny. Do they really think that just because they have some filthy lucre, they can do whatever they want?"

"Damn it, they dare to covet the Corporation's people? Do they seriously think that the regular visits by the Market Development Department personnel are something we can suppress? That's them giving us Face! Damn!"

"The problem is, this ideology is currently only circulating in a relatively small scope. If we crack down overtly, won't it seem like we're making a mountain out of a molehill?" another, more conservative official voiced his concern.

"Although maintaining international appearances is much easier now than at the turn of the century, it's inevitable that some people will sensationalize it as 'interfering with the free market and suppressing private enterprise,' right?"

"The new leadership team hasn't been in charge for long. If we make a big move now, I fear someone might use it as an opportunity to cause trouble."

"Besides, technically, no substantive conflict has occurred yet, so we lack justification. How about we try industry self-regulation and public opinion guidance?"

"Guidance? How do we guide it?" the Culture Minister retorted. "Look at those recruitment notices—they might as well have written 'sugar baby' directly! If it weren't for the meeting minutes, I'd tell you what my young subordinates are saying about this!"

"This is no longer a simple matter of aesthetic preference or cultural difference; this is blatant racial discrimination and personal insult! If we wait until something actually happens, it will be too late!"

"While it won't escalate to armed conflict, decades of good cooperation could be lost in a single day."

The meeting descended into debate.

One side advocated for immediate strong measures to suppress this unhealthy trend and demonstrate the Eastern Federation's stance and sincerity to the Corporation. The other side argued for caution, suggesting they avoid overreacting and escalating the conflict, recommending instead covert monitoring and timely warnings.

Just as the argument raged without a unified consensus, the conference room door was violently pushed open, and a Confidential Secretary rushed in, his Face pale. Without even stopping to greet them, he slammed an emergency bulletin onto the conference table.

"Boss! Leaders, we have an emergency! News just came in... something terrible... something terrible has happened!"

The high-ranking officials attending the meeting felt their hearts sink simultaneously, seized instantly by a premonition of disaster. All their previous arguments seemed meaningless at this moment.

The conference room fell silent, leaving only the shocking lines of text on the paper and the officials' suddenly heavy breathing.

This is trouble!