65: Chapter 64 The breadth of the Yanhuang civilization can embrace the whole world.
"Sit down." Zheng Yuanshan's voice was not loud.
Director Lin Su was stunned for a moment, then slowly sat back down.
Zheng Yuanshan looked at the information stream, remaining silent for over ten seconds.
Then he spoke: "What are you arguing about?" "Who could have foreseen this step taken by the Fate Master?"
No one answered.
"The Fate Platform was created by the Fate Master alone. The compass was. The Trading Realm was. Today's visitor system is too." Zheng Yuanshan tapped his fingers on the table. "For every version update of these things, did he ask us? Did he ask any organization in our civilization?"
"No."
"Because he doesn't need to." Zheng Yuanshan raised his eyes, his gaze under thick brows sweeping across the table. "He is the creator, owner, and executor of the Fate Platform. The lives of 1.4 billion people are in his hands. He has the right to make any decision he deems correct. We—" His tone dropped lower, "have no right to question. We only have the right to understand, and to keep up."
The meeting room was quiet for five seconds.
The Chief of Staff broke the silence first, speaking hesitantly: "Chief, although that may be true... but as the core component of the Yanhuang Camp, we at least need to understand the intent behind this move. Otherwise, there is no direction for subsequent decisions."
Zheng Yuanshan glanced at him and nodded slightly.
"Speak. Give me your analysis."
The Chief of Staff took a deep breath, stood up, walked to the projection area in the center of the conference table, and stated the argument that was highly consistent with the one reached at the Little Life Society meeting.
"Everyone, I believe there are two core purposes for the opening of the visitor system."
He held up one finger.
"First—energy expansion."
"The essence of karma points is Qi energy; we basically confirmed this in our previous analysis. All functions executed by the Fate Platform require energy support at the base level. The energy pool of the 1.4 billion Yanhuang Civilization survivors is already at its limit supporting the existing functions—the forum, the compass, the Trading Realm."
"He needs more fuel."
"2.8 billion visitors from other civilizations, each giving two karma points per day. Doubling the fees, crippling functions—this means extremely low energy consumption and extremely high energy recovery. Pure profit."
He held up a second finger.
"Second—loss mitigation."
"The camp sequence analysis on the ninth day shows that the mortality rate of other civilizations is shocking. India went from 1.5 billion deaths to less than 100 million. A large number of survivors from other civilizations chose to commit suicide and exit in despair."
"Every time a person dies, the Fate Platform loses a source of energy. To the Fate Master—population is an asset."
"The visitor system allows these dying survivors from other civilizations to see Yanhuang Civilization's survival guides, survival information, and trading ecosystem. They learned how to fish, how to repair boats, and how to identify poisonous seaweed. Survival rates have increased. Mortality rates have dropped. Assets have been preserved."
After the Chief of Staff finished, he looked at Zheng Yuanshan.
Zheng Yuanshan's expression did not change.
But he nodded slowly.
"I agree with this analytical framework."
He stood up.
"But there is another layer—you missed it."
Everyone looked at him.
Zheng Yuanshan pressed the projection button on the table and brought up the camp sequence.
[First place: Yanhuang Camp, Total Merit Value: ...]
That far-leading number could be recited by everyone in the room.
"The third rule of the trial—on the 365th day, the camp with the highest total merit wins. The winner will lead the participation in the Universal Dimension Hegemony. The losers—will either be erased or incorporated."
He tapped that line of text.
"Incorporated."
The meeting room went quiet.
"If Yanhuang Civilization ultimately wins—which is highly likely—then all survivors from other civilization camps will be 'incorporated' into the Yanhuang Civilization system."
"Over two billion people."
"At that time, what will they be? Outsiders? Enemies?"
"No. They will be a part of our civilization."
Zheng Yuanshan's gaze swept over everyone present.
"What the Lord of the Fate Altar is doing now is not simply 'expansion' or 'loss mitigation.' He is laying the foundation in advance—letting these people who may become our compatriots in the future start coming into contact with Yanhuang Civilization's order, Yanhuang Civilization's rules, and Yanhuang Civilization's civilization right now."
"The visitor system is not a commercial tool."
"This is an entrance for Fusion."
On both sides of the long table, the eight council members were silent.
After a long while.
Director Lin Su said softly: "If that is the case... then this step by the Lord of the Fate Altar is ahead of all of us."
Zheng Yuanshan did not respond.
He walked back to his seat and sat down.
"Issue the announcement." His voice regained its rhythmic command. "The Comprehensive Coordination Department will draft it, with the wording referencing the following points—"
"First, the Revival Society expresses full support and high appreciation for the decision of the Lord of the Fate Altar to open the visitor system."
"Second, explain the strategic value of the visitor system to all Yanhuang Civilization survivors, hinting that everyone should realize this is not helping outsiders, but laying the foundation for the future of the Yanhuang Civilization."
"Third, call on Yanhuang Civilization survivors to treat visitor survivors with the attitude of a host; you may keep your distance, but do not be hostile. Please remember, in 365 days, they may become our compatriots."
"Fourth—" He paused. "Specifically note: The Revival Society has always believed that every decision made by the Lord of the Fate Altar is based on careful consideration of the long-term interests of the Yanhuang Civilization. We are willing to provide full support for all strategic deployments of the Lord of the Fate Altar."
"Use the highest specifications for the wording. Do not cut corners."
"Yes!" The head of the Comprehensive Coordination Department stood up immediately.
"Also—" Zheng Yuanshan added.
Everyone looked at him.
The old man's gaze passed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the meeting room, casting toward the boundless blue sea outside. The light of the dual suns made him squint slightly. The white hair at his temples looked like melting silver in the light.
"Add one sentence at the end of the announcement."
His voice was deep and slow, like an ancient bell striking its final toll.
"The magnanimity of the Yanhuang Civilization can accommodate the entire world."