Chapter 232: Chapter 230: The True Meaning of Affiliated Civilization
“Could you also sell us some of these elixirs?” Xi Qing asked Qiuyue again, her face slightly flushed.
She felt like a newly rich peasant who had just entered the city, ignorant and wanting everything she saw.
But in comparison to Human Civilization, Great Yan truly was no different from a wealthy peasant.
“As with the treasure sword, we will prioritize meeting our own needs in the short term,” Qiuyue responded, not meaning to mock, but there was indeed an undeniable pride between her brows.
The various foundations that Human Civilization now possessed had become extremely powerful.
At least beyond anything the two Affiliated Civilizations could hope to match.
“Alright, we’ll wait,” Xi Qing and the Great Yan Envoy truly envied them to the point of numbness.
However, beyond the envy, their hearts were also very excited.
Because everything they saw was exactly why they were desperate to become an Affiliated Civilization of Human Civilization!
Even if it was just through trade, but Great Yan Civilization could still enjoy the foundation of Human Civilization!
Heavenly Tribulation, training, treasure swords, elixirs… so much more.
Everyone could see that in these five and a half years, the overall strength of Human Civilization was bound to leap qualitatively.
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Great Yan would too!
However, as the delegation’s journey continued, Great Yan soon faced another problem.
—They were running out of money!
Yes, the Great Yan Immortal Dynasty, with its thousands of years of extraordinary resource accumulation, was running out of money!
When Lin Xiang reported this to Xi Qing, she was simply astonished.
She knew exactly how much wealth was in the national treasury, just the extraordinary materials collected from past dynasties alone piled up into a small hill!
But it was indeed true; even though Human Civilization’s pricing was not exaggerated and could even be considered quite favorable, they needed too much!
“Ecological plant seeds are a must; they could help us quickly restore the ecosystem.”
“Phoenix Chickens are also essential; the return on breeding them is very high.”
“Can elixirs be postponed a bit? Wait until Human Civilization meets its own needs first?”
“No, cultivation must seize every minute and second!”
“Then the construction of networks and personal terminals…”
“That’s even less negotiable! Convenient communication can greatly strengthen imperial rule and enhance administrative efficiency.”
“Then spaceships and the like…”
“Transport is also very important!”
“This and that are not negotiable, and even emptying the national treasury isn’t enough!”
“…”
The Great Yan Envoys even started arguing in front of the Empress, causing Xi Qing’s face to redden again, and she even turned her head away, too embarrassed to look any further.
She initially thought herself somewhat of a wealthy peasant, but now she realized she couldn’t even count as that!
“Actually, we have two options,” Qiuyue cheerfully said from the side.
Immediately, she attracted the attention of all the Great Yan Envoys.
They all turned their heads to look over.
Actually, the direct argument they had just had in front of everyone might have been for show to Human Civilization.
Although somewhat shameless, but for the sake of Great Yan, what was a little shame?
“The first, is a loan,” Qiuyue smiled, “Developing strength comes first, not only for Human Civilization but for Great Yan Civilization as well. If Great Yan Civilization currently lacks funds, we can provide a low-interest loan. As for the second option, it involves large-scale labor dispatch. As you have seen, there is a vast expanse of undeveloped land on the Human Mother Planet, and we urgently need a group of elite cultivators to help develop spirit fields, which would also be beneficial for Great Yan Civilization—practicing cultivation on the Human Mother Planet can be more effective than on the Great Yan Mother Planet.”
These two options, once mentioned, clearly invigorated many of the Great Yan Envoys.
Both were clearly mutually beneficial plans.
Choosing a loan would involve interest, while choosing labor dispatch could meet the current urgent needs for a population of Human Civilization.
Even proceeding with both options concurrently was no issue.
Human Civilization’s attitude towards Affiliated Civilizations was indeed supportive and aimed at mutual benefits, after all, an overly weak Affiliated Civilization could be detrimental to future trials.
However, just at that moment, someone suddenly spoke up: “If Great Yan Civilization joined Human Civilization just like Senya Civilization and Wing Sky Civilization, could we enjoy the same treatment?”
With just this one sentence, the room suddenly quieted down.
Xi Qing turned her head to look and saw it was a fairly young envoy from the delegation.
This person had a ruddy complexion, a serious expression, and his eyes revealed a deep longing.
Clearly, everything within Human Civilization had profoundly shocked him.
So much so, that thoughts of joining Human Civilization arose— even the treatment of species such as the Senya people and Wing Sky people who had joined Human Civilization made him immensely envious.
However, asking such a question was far too naive.
Just as Xi Qing was about to speak out and scold, a glance at Lin Xiang and the others caused a shock to her heart.
Because she realized that Lin Xiang and the others had not scolded immediately.
Either they had anticipated this scene, or they had orchestrated it!
But just when Xi Qing began to understand something, Qiuyue suddenly spoke.
“It’s possible.”
Her mere opening remarks took everyone by surprise.
But Qiuyue immediately followed up with a serious expression, “As long as the population of the Great Yan Civilization is reduced to less than one billion, those remaining one billion can truly join our Human Civilization, just like the Senya people, the Wing Sky people, the Mongolian people, and the Siti people.”
“This, this…” the young envoy was somewhat dumbstruck.
One billion people?
The current Great Yan has a total of two hundred and fifty billion people!
If only one billion were left, that would mean ninety-six percent of the population would die.
This is a terrifying number.
Even just hearing this, it felt as if he could see countless Dead Souls, including his family, his friends, his acquaintances, even himself!
Even the other Great Yan envoys were somewhat moved at this point.
But Qiuyue clearly did not speak frivolously.
“This is not just my own words, but a joint decision by the high-levels of Human Civilization, including my older brother,” Qiuyue stated seriously, “The meaning of joining a civilization and being an affiliated civilization is completely different. Joining a civilization means becoming a part of the civilization and will also influence the scoring in the Civilization Trial, so we will do our utmost to protect every individual within the civilization, whereas for affiliated civilizations, although we will also support, help, and share hardships in the Trials, the fate of affiliated civilizations remains in your own hands; simply leaving everything to us and then resting easy is not an option—if you are not diligent or perform poorly in the Trial, the outcome can be extinction, and the only thing we can do is gather the survivors to preserve your culture and species within our own civilization.”
This statement had been made explicitly clear to Qiuyue before she took on the task.
She understood it thoroughly.
Becoming a part of a civilization was not simply about adding strength.
It meant responsibility!
Though internally within the civilization, newly joined species were not equal to humans, within the rules of the Civilization Trial, they were equal.
The elites among them could also obtain the status of Chosen One, and their deaths would also affect the reward calculation after Human Civilization passed the Trial.
Therefore, it was crucial to be cautious with new species joining.
As for affiliated civilizations, if the Great Yan or Sky Spirit Civilization perished in the Trial or could not keep up with Human Civilization, then they were destined to be eliminated.
Being able to wield power without incurring too much involvement—that was the true meaning of defining affiliated civilizations, establishing a Civilization System.
Though it sounded harsh, there was never excess mercy in the Civilization Trial; contracting affiliated civilizations to establish a civilization system was not about charity.
Even adopting the survivors of extinct civilizations was merely because these survivors were truly the elite of a civilization.
Moreover, since their numbers were small, the benefits far outweighed the responsibilities and costs.
“Since we have come to this topic, let’s also mention another issue,” Qiuyue continued, “The Desert Tower Civilization and Louis Civilization did not perish in the judgment of the Civilization Trial, but we do not plan to absorb those two hundred billion people, nor do we intend to designate these two civilizations as affiliated civilizations. Therefore, we have decided to distribute these two hundred billion people between you and the Sky Spirit Civilization.”
“Two hundred billion people given to us?”
This remark indeed surprised all the Great Yan envoys.
Including Xi Qing.
However, some astute individuals also realized the benefits involved.
All two hundred billion of them were talents primarily skilled in the technological path, especially the Desert Tower people, who were exceptionally disciplined tool handlers.
Human Civilization was unwilling to take on the related responsibilities, but for them, the benefits far outweighed the disadvantages.
The importance of the technological path was now clear to them, and more importantly, since they were taking on the responsibility for these people, if Human Civilization wished to employ them, they theoretically also had to pay them compensation, as this was essentially using labor already under their jurisdiction.
It was akin to the previously mentioned labor dispatch program!
“This is also part of the support plan, so let the professionals discuss the specifics,” Qiuyue reverted to her cheerful demeanor, “I am only here to accompany sister Xi Qing.”
“This isn’t you coming to accompany me,” Xi Qing shook her head helplessly.
By now, she could see clearly that the administrators of Human Civilization were using Qiuyue’s status to exert pressure in a comparatively gentle manner.
Because no one dared to openly refute Qiuyue’s words, let alone dispute with her.
However, since they had become an affiliated civilization of others, many things had to be followed as arranged; at least, Human Civilization indeed provided clear support and opportunities for them.