Stellaris from the Automata Era

However, the Earth soon discovered that there were other civilizations within a straight-line distance of itself and Mao Meng.

Well...it's not a big deal that three thousand light years can give birth to a young civilization.

The only problem is...

"Sir, our scientific research, no, now the exploration ship has been shot down."

"???"

P.S.: A slight disturbance on Earth was the beginning of everything. We've received scattered intelligence reports. Their fleet has begun moving toward distant star systems. The young shipyard is fully operational. Now everyone is focused on one thing: who... is he going to attack? — An observer from a fallen civilization outside the solar system transmitted a strong sense of déjà vu to their home planet.

Chapter 259: As long as the benefits are enough... selling the country is not a problem

Very good, it seems that the road to becoming the king and dominating the world is not smooth for every civilization.

Although the strategic buffer zone between Earth and the Milky Way is 3000 light-years long, there are actually not many galaxies that can be effectively utilized.

After all, the origin of intelligent races is itself a miracle of the planet, especially organisms, which have a basic need for stars that can emit light and heat.

As for whether there are creatures that can be born in an environment that does not require the sun...that is another topic.

In short, between the earth and the cute cat, there must be an appropriate number of galaxies that are consistent with having the sun.

Perhaps because the universe is so vast, it may not be possible to have an average of one galaxy per light-year, but with a unit of 3000 light-years on both sides, there should be at least dozens of them, right?

So with such a vast space, it is not impossible for a young civilization to be born there.

The current state of this civilization is the topic that needs attention.

Bolang United Group, species software.

"Excuse me, Senator, but I don't quite understand your plan to increase military spending." The Bolang people are not alien monsters with tentacles on their faces like the original pictures of the stars.

In fact, their body shape is more like a puddle of mud, but since ancient times, they have shown an extraordinary talent for stretching their muscles and changing their appearance.

This gives them a huge advantage in the fight in nature. At least on their home planet, no creature can shake their dominant position.

Similarly, their development path is also a very tortuous process. Due to the characteristics of their own race, their bodies are often more useful than any tools.

Gathering, mining, transporting, etc., Ditto's characteristics make them more inclined to use their bodies to solve problems.

This caused their technology to stagnate for a long time, until the beginning of the first tool revolution, which made them realize that their bodies combined with tools would greatly expand production capacity.

After that, their society finally moved forward with difficulty around extreme production.

But the consequence is that it is difficult for them to feel compassion for their own kind.

And then, no one knows what kind of changes they went through. In the age of space, they stand on the stage of the universe as giant corporations.

Now, a discussion concerning the country's destiny has begun around their co-chairs.

"Chairman, I think the plan is quite easy to understand. In order to protect the ever-expanding trade routes with the neighboring United States of Blog, we urgently need a more powerful navy."

"I understand the logic, but why do we need to expand our military? If it's just to deal with pirates, isn't our current military sufficient?"

"Because... because the Blog United States might disrupt our trade!"

"???" A confused expression for a moment... Well, it may be impossible to describe the state of a puddle of mud with words, but it does not interfere with expressing the meaning.

Anyway, the chairman of the Bolang United Group was so shocked that he was unable to speak for a while. From the exclamation mark at the end of the MP's voice, it can be seen that he was even justified.

"Excuse me, once again, I don't understand why we need a larger navy just to prevent the Blog United States from disrupting our trade with the Blog United States?" (Note)

"Yes!"

What a genius excuse!

Was this something that the Bolang guy with substandard brain tissue came up with?

Of course, the Chairman knew clearly that the person who could come up with such an excuse was probably not a fool, but was forced by the current situation.

If we can trace back the development path of the Bolang United Group, it is not difficult to see that Bolang is a very young civilization, and the time they have been on the stage may not exceed two years of Earth time.

However, it has been 50,000 years since they began to use tools.

In fact, before they entered the universe, the Brauns were still using traditional chemical fuels as their main source of energy.

The main reason is that the energy companies on their home planet are trying their best to exploit every inch of natural resources, and after they have greedily taken everything, they immediately realize that the value of the home planet is almost gone.

It's time to look at the wider universe.

After that, their original companies quickly announced bankruptcy and reorganization, and the companies that followed immediately announced new aerospace and new energy technologies.

The process was seamless. All the problems were solved as soon as he stepped down.

No one with normal intelligence would believe that there is no trick here. Do they want to exploit all the traditional resources?

But no matter what, the era of the universe has arrived.

And in this universe, the only thing they have come into contact with at present, and which is relatively close, is the fungal life form, the Brog United States.

In order to deal with this sudden neighbor, the cautious Bolan Group initially chose to maintain a large fleet to confront it.

This also allowed a series of related interest groups within them, such as arms manufacturers, to make a lot of money.

However, as the two sides deciphered each other's languages ​​and trade began, the standoff was resolved and the previous armaments naturally no longer needed to be maintained.

The rest is easy to understand. With the end of the arms business, those mainland companies that made their fortune from it will definitely not feel good.

They need an excuse to revitalize their production.

Therefore, the statement that one will destroy one's own trade is not a shocking thing under the current circumstances.

Because the legislators who put forward the proposals definitely represent the interests of the business groups behind them.

Since they had only come into contact with the Blog United States, this shameless excuse had already consumed a lot of brain cells.

After all, they can't imagine an opponent that doesn't exist, right?

"I'm afraid we can only reject this proposal." After thinking it over again and again, the chairman felt that if it could be passed, it would definitely be an insult to his IQ.

As for the reason for the rejection, there's no need to explain it, right? It would be embarrassing for everyone.

"You will regret your negligence in armaments." The congressman who proposed the plan said a polite remark and then tactfully returned to his original position.

To be honest, the chairman and the group behind the arms do not have much conflict of interest, but just looking at the name, you can tell that the Bolan United Group is a huge business conglomerate.

Rather than a business-led dictatorship, a single arms group is not enough to undermine the rules and systems they have already established.

"Then the next proposal is the Agricultural Chamber's proposal to improve basic employee welfare. Um...could the council representative come up and share your thoughts?"

As the chairman finished speaking, a slime-like Bolang man quickly transformed several tentacles under himself and walked onto the stage.

"I believe everyone should be clear that we have been doing so without any basic living security. Under such circumstances, most of our people are not able to get enough food."

The Chairman was instantly shocked. When did Bolang finally wake up? Now that people's livelihood issues can be put on the table for discussion?

"And the meager wages of corporate employees make it a major issue for them to even have enough to eat."

"So...agriculture representatives, you sympathize with them?"

"Well, not really. Mainly based on my recent research, I found that providing food subsidies to employees will effectively improve their work efficiency. Please look at the tablet in your tentacles (hands).

Everyone knows that in order to meet our growing production capacity needs, we have stipulated that each person must transform eight tentacles (hands) to maintain the production line when working. However, to effectively improve welfare benefits, it does not need to be too much, about 20%.

Employees can instantly transform into sixteen tentacles to carry out high-intensity work, which increases efficiency by 100%! "

Not only that, the plan also includes more advanced plans, such as class-based benefits, manager standardization system, and minimum production target system. From the chairman of the company, all he can see is the strong words "work yourself to death".

However, this has effectively increased the consumption of agricultural and sideline products and consumer goods, and more importantly, it has improved people's living environment to a certain extent.

Although the other party's starting point may just be to sell more of their products domestically.

However, it made the Chairman, who knew that the country was ill but didn't know what to do, feel deeply relieved.

Its conscience tells it... Hmm? Why is there a different message on its tablet than on others?

"The officials distributing the subsidies are all our people, and we'll split the profits 70% to 30%."

Why am I only three? Bah, that's not right!

It was clear that the other party was trying to defraud subsidies. Because of the national system, the associations of various chambers of commerce would pay a certain amount of "membership fees" to form a treasury-like existence.

As for how to cheat, it is actually very simple. As long as you do some tricks when counting, it is easy to create a strange difference of "I clearly sent the goods, but some people did not receive them".

What's even better is that this going in and out actually doesn't cause any loss to anyone. Even if it is discovered, no one will question it as long as a scapegoat is found.

Corruption is a big deal and it happens in every normal country.

As for the low-level employees who don’t receive full subsidies... they are just gray animals, and there are a lot of them every year.

All in all, it is a sure win, but there is still an important question. The chairman guessed what the agricultural representative's next sentence would be.

"More importantly, I can let the government make this expenditure, and no one will lose anything!"

So what about the common people down there?

"Wait for me..."

The chairman simply wanted to speak out to stop it, and perhaps it would not be able to bring about any reversal of the current situation in the overall situation, but his conscience ultimately told him that he should at least try once.

"Chairman, we will pay special attention to this share and deposit it into your personal account."

"How could I possibly refuse something so beneficial to the country and its people? I vote in favor. Representatives, please express your opinions! Pass!"

Chaotic discussions suddenly became a hot topic. Since it could sit in the chairman's position, it naturally represented its own interests.

Its support naturally also represents the support of the forces behind it.

It is such a good thing to be able to directly receive income without being behind any group!

I'm afraid no one will be able to interfere with the approval of the plan from now on. After all, combined with what was mentioned earlier, this is basically a zero-cost transaction.

Even if the final result is not as expected, it will just remain the same.

The policy was passed very quickly. In fact, few people would refuse such a proposal that everyone can benefit from.

Therefore, the atmosphere on the scene was peaceful.

Until... the arms representatives spoke again.

"Everyone, we are deeply saddened to tell you a piece of bad news. Not long ago, one of our galaxies was invaded by an unknown civilization.

Thanks to the efforts of the local garrison fleet, we successfully defeated the invading enemy, but this may also serve as a reminder to us that we may need to be more fully prepared."

The arms representative narrated the incident in a vivid and moving manner, and seemed to have collected sufficient evidence.

A series of pictures and videos soon appeared on the tablets of everyone present.

The wreckage of a spaceship completely different from that of the Braun United Group and the Blog United States suddenly appeared, with dead crew members inside.

Mammalian life? No! Mechanical life!

Still wrong! The form of life is no longer important!

The wreckage of the spacecraft was obviously a 50-meter-class cargo ship. Judging from its surface, it should not have any weapons for the time being.

Then the so-called invasion is a questionable proposition.

Could it be that those guys selling arms shot down the people themselves and framed them?

Probably!

The Chairman knew clearly that his compatriots should be able to do such a thing.

Identify enemy targets, declare rivals, build ships, and trade arms and weapons.

This moment can help the chamber of commerce behind it escape from its predicament and bring it back to life.

Do these guys want to drag the country into the vortex of war with an unknown civilization to maintain their business empire?

You are crazy about money, right?

However, the people of Bolang who can see the current situation clearly are probably unable to stop the situation from escalating.

What they fear now is not war, but the fact that war cannot be fought!

Because once it starts, the subsequent expenses will cover every aspect of Bolang.

The food costs for the soldiers, the steel consumption required for large-scale construction, the increasing job pressure, and the raw materials chamber of commerce behind the chairman.

All of this will integrate everyone's interests and perhaps even deal with the excess population.

The current prospect is that almost all Bolang people touch the cable, and everyone wins.