112: Chen Zushengming

The festive atmosphere of the first birthday banquet had dissipated.

The Pillar of Leaders had returned to its usual tranquility and solemnity.

Inside the Supreme Deliberation Hall, however, the atmosphere was somewhat subtle.

The holographic star map on the dome quietly operated, depicting the Federation's new territory.

Originally, the Federation's territory was a slender blue streamer at the edge of the spiral arm, suggesting barrenness and marginality.

Now, the Tristan Empire's massive, many times larger crimson territory, like a giant beast gorged on blood, lay sprawled over it, extending towards the inner side of the spiral arm.

While bringing resources, it also brought a heavy burden.

The attendees were Stellar Level bigwigs and the heads of various departments.

The main seat remained empty.

Leader Yun Xi, Yun Qinglan, Yue Xi, Goddess who drives the moon, Chen Changxi... and other Your Highnesses were all absent.

They were in a crucial period of closeness to the Universe Origin; for them, every moment of insight was priceless, and they would not attend unless absolutely necessary.

Only matters concerning their father, Chen Jun, were worth them sacrificing this precious time.

Therefore, the one presiding over the meeting was the Master of the Sky-Patrol Pavilion, Chu Yueyao, who was temporarily acting as Leader.

She stood beneath the star map, her posture as straight as a green pine, her cool gaze sweeping over everyone, carrying a hint of imperceptible fatigue.

Most of the administrative pressure from integrating the Empire's territory fell on her and the attendees.

"Everyone, the meeting begins."

Her voice was like ice springs striking stone, clear and calm, instantly suppressing all extraneous noise.

"The integration of the Empire's territory is not a task for a single day. However, the external environment also needs to be clear, to determine the Federation's path for the next ten thousand years."

The star map shifted, its focus converging on the long border of the Federation's new territory.

"According to the Empire's remaining database and our Xuntian Pavilion's latest probes, our Federation currently borders three main forces."

Chu Yueyao waved her jade hand lightly, and three light spots of different colors lit up on the star map, like three labels affixed to the Federation's territory.

"To the northwest, the Holy Radiance Empire, a civilization of approximately Level 2.2. It is a theocracy, with well-ordered territory and a stable social structure, calling itself the 'Guardian of Humanity.' It is wary of dissenting forces. It was a major competitor during the Empire era, with constant border skirmishes."

"To the northeast, the Myriad Merchant Conglomerate, a civilization of approximately Level 2.2. It is jointly ruled by commercial guilds and trading families, with loose territory but extremely wide economic reach, controlling a large number of trade routes and financial networks. They prioritize profit over righteousness and are adept at using economic means to exert influence."

Her finger finally pointed to the due north... an area that was gray-black, with blurry boundaries, infiltrating the Empire's northern border like a stain, her tone betraying clear disgust.

"To the north, where we border the most star systems, and currently the most unstable factor—the Blood Blade Pirate Group and its controlled area."

The star map rapidly zoomed in, focusing on this gray-black region.

The Blood Blade Pirate Group's controlled area was not a civilization's territory in the traditional sense; it had no clear boundaries, more like a contaminated Star Domain.

Countless pirate strongholds of varying sizes, smuggling ports, and hidden asteroid belt nests, like parasites, clung to the edges of the relatively prosperous northern Star Domain of the former Empire.

Its sphere of influence was interlocking, highly overlapping with the Federation's newly acquired territory, with many star systems even in a state of contention or tug-of-war.

"The Blood Blade Pirate Group is not a civilization in the strict sense. Its core combat power is estimated at approximately Level 2.1, but it is loosely organized, with various large and small leaders controlling different territories." A military representative with a general's star on his shoulder stood up, his expression solemn.

"They originated from a group of roving Star Pirates millions of years ago, gradually forming their current scale through continuous annexation and plunder. They have no fixed capital, their main force consists of highly mobile raiding fleets, acting without any bottom line, living by plunder, kidnapping, and smuggling contraband. They are ferocious and cunning, like jackals in the Universe."

The holographic image switched, showing scenes of post-raid ruins:

Looted colonial outposts, wreckage of merchant ships floating in space, and Star Pirates wearing patched-up power armor and tattooed with ferocious designs.

"In the late Imperial period, northern border defenses were lax, and the Blood Blade Pirate Group's activities became increasingly rampant, even daring to attack Imperial patrol fleets. They covet our newly acquired, weakly defended territory, and the number of small-scale attacks and infiltration incidents has surged recently, severely threatening local reconstruction and the restoration of livelihoods."

Li Qingshan held his long sword, his brows furrowed, but this time he did not immediately call for war.

He said in a deep voice, "These Star Pirates are like a persistent disease, difficult to eradicate. They are familiar with the terrain, breaking into scattered units. If a large army is sent to clear them out, the cost will be enormous, the results limited, and we might even be dragged into a quagmire of guerrilla warfare, pointlessly consuming our military strength and resources."

His concerns were very realistic. The Federation's responsibilities were now too vast. Previously, the Empire was to the north of the Federation, and the Federation was at the southernmost edge of the Sky Arm. The Federation only needed to consider the Empire's threat, but now it was different.

Shi Yue nodded slowly and added, "Moreover, the Holy Radiance Empire and the Myriad Merchant Conglomerate are both watching. If we get into a prolonged attrition war with the Blood Blade Star Pirates, they will certainly not miss this Opportunity. Holy Radiance might send troops into disputed Star Domains under the guise of 'maintaining border stability,' while the Myriad Merchants will seize the chance to drive down our resource prices, or even sell weapons to the Star Pirates, profiting from both sides."

Chu Yueyao looked at Mo Heng: "Can the Academy of Sciences provide some technical solutions? Such as enhancing the border monitoring network, or developing targeted regional blockade devices?"

Mo Heng pushed up his glasses, shaking his head helplessly: "Technical means can assist, but cannot eradicate. Most pirate strongholds are hidden in complex Star Domains, asteroid belts, or even near abandoned wormholes. The environment is harsh, and conventional monitoring has limited effect. Regional blockade devices consume enormous energy, and their coverage is insufficient to deal with such a long border. Most critically, we lack sufficient technology and maintenance power to deploy such a massive defense network."

...After listening to reports from all sides, Chu Yueyao began her analysis.

"The Blood Blade Pirate Group, as well as the Holy Radiance Empire and the Myriad Merchant Conglomerate, these three civilizations, are essentially... not a survival threat to a Federation that possesses Star Arm Level existences."

Her words were calm, yet carried absolute confidence.

"Any Your Highness, if they had the leisure, could make their Star Domain dim and their civilization cease to exist with a flick of a finger!"

This was an undeniable fact; individual power transcended civilization, and the Empire's distant military expeditions proved this point.

"However," Chu Yueyao's tone shifted, a sharp glint flashing in her starlike eyes, "the Leader and all Your Highnesses are in a crucial period of profound closeness to the Universe Origin. This Opportunity concerns the Federation's Luck for the next million... or even ten million years. To distract them with such 'border trivialities' would be an unbearable loss for the Federation, a tremendous waste for civilization!"

"Moreover," her finger traced the vast crimson territory, her tone growing heavy, "we have not even absorbed one or two tenths of the Empire's legacy. The administrative system is almost collapsed, grassroots management is practically nonexistent, and our Federation's original citizen base, scattered across these suddenly expanded hundreds of Star Systems, is like a drop in the bucket."

"Population! Administrators! Interstellar travel speed! These are the true chains binding our Federation's hands and feet!"

She surveyed the crowd, her voice clear and calm.

"Military forces are overly dispersed protecting the new territory, a management vacuum leads to resource loss and hidden instability, internal integration is slow... This is our most fatal weakness right now. Without Your Highnesses in charge, relying solely on us to deal with all three parties simultaneously, especially the endless harassment from the Blood Blade Pirate Group and the Holy Radiance Empire's potential diplomatic blackmail, while not a risk of overthrow, will severely impede the advancement of civilization!"

The meeting fell into a brief silence.

Absolute military might was the stabilizing force, but the real difficulties were like a quagmire, making progress arduous.

The meeting was in a predicament. The Federation, having just swallowed an elephant, still lacked sufficient Foundation after only 10 years of development.

To fight would incur too great a cost, possibly leading to a quagmire.

To defend would mean a long, porous defense line, potentially allowing others to profit.

Technology was not mature enough, costly, and could not provide immediate relief.

As for absolute military power, the Star Arm Level powerhouses were in a crucial period of closeness to the Universe Origin; wasting their time would be the greatest irresponsibility to the survival of civilization.

What if they were just a tiny bit away from breaking through a critical major Realm Bottleneck?

Existing conventional forces were insufficient to cope with this kind of sticky harassment.

The pressure of internal integration was mountainous, and externally there were two other formal civilizations eyeing them covetously.

Just as Chu Yueyao's delicate brows were furrowed, deep in thought about a solution to the impasse.

"Creak—"

The heavy alloy door of the deliberation hall was silently pushed open.

Chen Jun, holding his grandson Chen Zhaojing, slowly strolled in.

He looked relaxed, as if merely taking an afternoon stroll and happened to pass by.

Chen Zhaojing in his arms opened his dark, curious eyes, looking around, his small hands waving.

"Ancestor Chen!"

Everyone immediately rose and saluted respectfully.

Chu Yueyao also immediately stood up from beside the presiding seat, bowing slightly.

"You've arrived."

Chen Jun casually waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over the star map, pausing for less than half a second on the gray-black area of the Blood Blade Pirate Group before moving away.

"Hmm, this kid couldn't sit still, so I brought him out for a walk."

He familiarly walked towards the identical lounge chair by the wall, comfortably slumping into it, placing his grandson on his lap.

Then, as if by magic, he pulled out a small, exquisite stellar vortex emitting a faint fragrance and composed of pure energy. With a gentle blow, the stellar vortex slowly began to spin and float, radiating a soft glow.

The little one was immediately captivated, babbling and reaching out with his small hands to grasp it.

Chen Jun watched happily, completely immersed in playing with his grandson, isolating himself from the discussion about the fate of the star map.

The bigwigs quieted down again, the atmosphere becoming subtle and respectful.

This was Ancestor Chen's prestige; wherever Chen Jun might go, there would always be a dedicated spot for him.

Chu Yueyao understood immediately and very concisely reported the current predicament, the situation with the three major forces, especially the thorny issue of the Blood Blade Pirate Group, and the dilemma discussed earlier, to Chen Jun.

Finally, she respectfully lowered her head and asked, "...Ancestor Chen, the situation is largely as follows. The Blood Blade Star Pirates are omnipresent and difficult to eliminate; the Holy Radiance Empire and the Myriad Merchant Conglomerate harbor ill intentions. Internal integration pressure is immense, and our military strength is stretched thin. May we ask for your guidance on this matter?"

Everyone's gaze was fixed firmly on Chen Jun, as if drawn by a magnet.

Should we painfully divert troops for an encirclement and annihilation campaign? Should we let them be and strengthen key defenses? Or should we seek temporary cooperation with one of the external powers? Or perhaps invite a Star Arm Level Your Highness to intervene?

Chen Jun seemed not to hear. He was focused on watching his grandson use his small hands to pat the Exquisite Star Swirl, watching the swirl change shape, which made the little one giggle.

He was actually perfectly clear-headed inside.

Fight?

Fight my ass!

Although my status is high right now, I have no strength myself!

Laying low is the most important thing!

The larger the territory, the bigger the target, and the more unsafe it is!

This mess is big enough already. If we attract some unknown ruthless character, wouldn't we be completely screwed?

Although... the Federation's territory is tiny on the scale of the entire Universe, much smaller than sand on Earth... expanding the territory increases the probability of attracting the attention of unknown existences from one in a trillion... billion, to two in a trillion... billion!

For me, who has always followed the Dao of Laying Low, how is this different from seeking death?!!!

The risk is too great!

My [Multiple Benefits] function has only just shown hope of activation... Stay steady! Develop... Don't take risks!

...Until Chen Zhaojing grew a little tired of playing, started rubbing his eyes, and let out a little yawn.

Only then did Chen Jun raise his head, his gaze sweeping over the massive star map once more, passing over the three heavily marked powers.

His eyes were calm, and he gently patted his grandson, who was starting to burrow into his arms, his tone carrying an indescribable sense of "trouble avoidance."

"We have a pile of things unsettled in our own home. If we send people to fight and lose, it's humiliating, and we sacrifice soldiers' lives for nothing. If we win? We've only driven away one nest of flies, and maybe another nest of mosquitoes will come, endlessly."

His words were extremely "pragmatic," even somewhat "conflict-avoidant," yet when combined with the reality of the Federation's current insufficient population, they were impossible to refute.

"As for territory," Chen Jun paused, his gaze sweeping over the vast crimson domain, his lips seeming to curl slightly, "it's big enough now, maybe even a little too big. A big tree attracts the wind, understand?"

He didn't elaborate, but the four words "A big tree attracts the wind" made a glint flash in Venerable Suyuan's eyes, as if he had realized something.

Chen Jun concluded, his tone carrying an undeniable finality:

"First, close the door tightly, take good care of the people inside our home, and cultivate the land well. When the granaries are full and the manpower is sufficient, then we can open the door and look around."

"For now, whoever wants to clamor at the door, let them clamor. When they get tired of shouting, they will naturally quiet down."

These words sounded completely lacking in dominance and even full of "conflict avoidance"... but upon careful consideration, this was the choice that best aligned with the Federation's core interests in the current complex situation!

Do not compete based on temporary impulse, do not waste precious military strength, avoid sinking into the mire of external conflict, and concentrate all efforts on resolving the main internal contradictions—digesting the territory, increasing the population, developing technology, and stabilizing the Foundation!

Li Qingshan was stunned. He realized that he had been fixated on a military solution, ignoring the greater political and strategic risks and costs.

Shi Yue nodded slightly. The most stable defense is sometimes to "not engage," giving the opponent nowhere to exert their strength.

Mo Heng was deep in thought. Stable internal development was the best soil for technological Breakthroughs.

Chu Yueyao took a deep breath. She understood Ancestor Chen's profound meaning.

This was not fear, but extreme rationality based on the clearest understanding of the Federation's current situation!

It was a great wisdom of retreating to advance and solidifying the Foundation!

Venerable Suyuan stepped forward at the right moment, his voice steady and persuasive, elevating Chen Jun's "Dao of Laying Low" strategy to a strategic height:

"Ancestor Chen is sagacious! These words are excellent!"

He first set the tone, then launched into his argument, his gaze sweeping over all the major figures present, finally resting on the massive star map.

"The Blood Blade Star Pirates are merely a skin disease! Holy Radiance and Myriad Merchant harbor ulterior motives! Our Federation, possessing a Star Arm Level Your Highness, is already invincible! The current priority is to utilize this precious strategic window to thoroughly digest and absorb the legacy of the Empire!"

"We need time! We need stability!"

"And what restricts our Federation from truly integrating this massive territory, besides population and governance, is an ancient chasm—Interstellar Travel Speed!"

Venerable Suyuan's voice suddenly rose, carrying the gravitas of citing ancient texts.

"According to the relic documents of ancient lost civilizations, the limit of expansion for countless glorious interstellar civilizations was not resources or military might, but precisely 'distance' on the scale of the starry sky!"

"The lifespan limit of a Mortal is only one hundred and fifty years. If interstellar travel routinely takes decades or centuries, then colonization is no different from exile, and the transmission of political decrees is like separating worlds! No matter how large the territory, it is merely a pile of loose sand, and each Star Domain will inevitably form a de facto separatist regime, with the centripetal force of the civilization's core rapidly diminishing with distance!"

He pointed to the long stretch of territory on the star map, his tone heavy.

"Imagine, if we were to dispatch an administrative official from the Federation's former Capital Star to the northernmost galaxy of the former Empire, it would take sixty years aboard an old-style starship! He would spend most of his life on the road. How could he manage effectively? How could unified decrees be implemented? Civilian commerce and cultural exchange would be out of the question!"

"This is the chronic illness of civilization, the root of the shackles! Without breaking the barrier of speed, the new territory acquired by our Federation will forever remain just colors on a map, unable to become a blood-linked whole! At that time, internal centrifugal forces will breed, and with a little provocation from external powers, this vast territory will face the danger of collapse!"

His words struck everyone's hearts like a heavy hammer.

Military leaders like Shi Yue had solemn expressions; they deeply understood what the speed of troop deployment meant for defense.

People from the Academy of Sciences, like Mo Heng, felt this even more keenly; the technical barrier was precisely the difficult problem they had been trying to overcome.

Venerable Suyuan changed tack, his tone becoming impassioned and full of hope:

"However, Ancestor Chen is farsighted! The profound meaning of 'closing the door and cultivating the land' lies precisely here!"

"Only by temporarily avoiding external disturbances and concentrating all the wisdom and resources of our Federation can we fully Break through the Bottleneck of interstellar travel technology! We must enhance Warp Speed, study Wormhole Stabilization Technology, and even explore the Profound Truths of Space Folding Jump!"

"Once the citizens of our Federation can traverse the territory within one or two years, decrees can arrive instantly, commerce is convenient, and cultural Fusion accelerates... only then can this vast territory truly be twisted into a single rope, exploding with unparalleled cohesion and creativity!"

"At that time, the population will naturally flow and grow due to convenient transportation, governance will be efficient and unified because information arrives instantly, and resources will be optimally allocated due to smooth logistics!"

He turned toward Chen Jun again, bowed deeply, his tone filled with admiration:

"Ancestor Chen's seemingly conservative strategy is, in reality, laying an eternal Foundation for our Federation! It avoids unnecessary external expenditure and targets the core of civilizational development! This level of wisdom pierces the ages; Suyuan is completely convinced!"

"Only by increasing the population base can more Geniuses emerge! Only by solidifying the civilizational Foundation and breaking the shackles of speed can we fearlessly face any future storms!"

"We must contract the defense lines, stabilize key points, focus on repelling and defending against Star Pirate harassment, and avoid large-scale military conflict. Regarding Holy Radiance and Myriad Merchant, maintain necessary contact, play along, and stall for time!"

"Once our Federation's internal integration is complete, the population is prosperous, resources flow smoothly, Interstellar Travel Speed achieves a qualitative leap, and the Your Highnesses emerge from their closed-door cultivation... at that time, mere Star Pirates can be extinguished with a flick of the finger! Holy Radiance and Myriad Merchant will also be nothing to worry about!"

Venerable Suyuan's discussion, which cited ancient texts and was both profound and easy to understand, completely packaged Chen Jun's seemingly "trouble-avoiding" instruction into a far-sighted "steady and deep cultivation" strategy that addressed the core contradictions of civilizational development!

"Ancestor Chen is sagacious! Truly farsighted!" As Venerable Suyuan delivered this flattery, everyone immediately followed suit... "Ancestor Chen is sagacious! Truly farsighted!"

"Ancestor Chen is sagacious! Truly farsighted!"

...Everyone's gaze converged on Chen Jun once more.

Chen Jun continued to gently pat his already sleeping Great-Grandson, noncommittal about Venerable Suyuan's grand theory that "travel speed is the shackles of civilization," but internally, he was speechless.

What is all this?

I just wanted to lay low and develop, I was just scared of dying!

How did he manage to make it sound like I saw through everything long ago and was playing a grand game of chess that would shock the Universe?

This feeling is like... when a rich person farts, it smells like perfume?

Like ancient emperors, no matter what they did, there would always be a Grand Confucian Scholar to justify their actions...?

But... this feeling... seems... not bad?

...Chu Yueyao nodded seriously, faced Chen Jun, and bowed deeply.

"We shall respectfully follow Ancestor Chen's will!"

She turned to the crowd, her voice regaining its cool clarity and decisiveness.

"Issue the order!"

"The border strategy is to be shifted to 'Active Defense,' prioritizing the protection of core Star Domains and the restoration of civilian life, avoiding decisive main force battles with the Blood Blade Pirate Group!"

"The foreign policy is to be shifted to 'Silent Observation' and 'Limited Contact,' stalling for time and avoiding provoking the Holy Radiance Empire and the Myriad Merchant Conglomerate!"

"Concentrate all efforts on internal construction, population growth, and technological research and development!"

"This order has the highest priority!"

"Yes!"

The major figures answered in unison.

Although it differed from the aggressive stance they had initially anticipated, they all now understood that this was the smartest choice and the one most aligned with the current reality.

The meeting concluded quickly.

Everyone departed, carrying the clear "Lay Low" development strategy, and began adjusting their various deployments.

Silence returned to the deliberation hall.

Only Chen Jun remained, along with Chen Zhaojing sleeping sweetly in his arms.

The starlight was soft, and the years were peaceful.

Chen Jun adjusted his posture, allowing his grandson to sleep more soundly...