Chapter 490: Humanity's Countermeasure_1

The second proposal was quickly rejected as well; exactly as Jiang Yu had said, it was very easy to turn into a "poverty alleviation project."

If devices symbolizing the crystallization of humanity's technology were accidentally intercepted by other intelligences that hadn't yet developed material stream engines, then their technology level would quickly ascend to a new stage.

Someone suggested purposefully launching dark matter collection devices, but this idea was also dismissed.

Because in the face of a sudden Dark Forest Strike, humanity would only be able to hastily flee, and at that time, reuniting with the energy gathering systems would still be a dilemma.

If too close to them, there would be a high risk of collateral damage; if too far, they would fall out of humanity's control and likely turn into another "poverty alleviation project."

A third proposal soon emerged: technology preservation.

The deputy director of the Strategic Department suggested, "Among the 15 future provinces we will have, we can build one of them entirely as a world where nuclear engines are the main technology."

"Only by persistently employing nuclear engines can we ensure the vitality of their industrial chain, as well as the associated technology and theoretical knowledge."

But someone immediately pointed out that this plan was also not viable: "What if the world with nuclear engines is the first to be struck?"

Hao Ying also said, "This plan is almost impossible to achieve. With more advanced equipment and a better life, who would want to stay in such a backward world?

"The most likely scenario is that in a few decades or a century, such a world would turn into a 'ghost city'!"

The one who proposed this plan, after hearing these critiques, also felt it was not feasible.

Therefore, everyone turned their eyes to Jiang Yu, hoping he could provide further hints.

Jiang Yu unfolded his arms and said, "Could we change our approach? The problem we are facing is the coexistence of new and old technologies.

"Not the preservation of old technology in an environment of more advanced technology."

Everyone fell into deep thought, especially the high-ranking officials like Hao Ying from the Governing Council, who inwardly praised Jiang Yu's perspective.

In the process of governing, they often encountered such issues: a problem that seemed intractable, but if looked at from a different perspective, becomes clear.

Following this train of thought, Jiang Yu said, "I have an idea, let's all consider it together."

Again, all eyes were on Jiang Yu.

Jiang Yu said, "After the dark matter collection technology becomes very mature, we could significantly reduce the price of nuclear fuels, or we could treat the production of nuclear fuels as a government welfare department operation."

After a brief silence of a second or two, everyone spontaneously began to applaud the Wallfacer.

A phrase flashed through Hao Ying's mind: Governing a great nation is like cooking a small fish!

In this regard, Jiang Yu had long reached a level of effortless mastery.

After the applause, the director of the Strategic Department said with a smile, "I think this method is feasible. Without demand, we shall create demand.

"After the price of nuclear fuels is low enough, most civilian equipment and small businesses or units will continue to opt for the more cost-effective nuclear engines.

"The high-tech enterprises and military products, as well as other high-grade industries, will all use dark matter as an energy source due to technological demands, and this will very likely allow for the coexistence of the two."

Hao Ying followed up, "Not only nuclear engines can adopt this model. Solar power, tidal power, bioenergy, and the like, we can all employ a similar pattern to maintain them to a certain degree.

"After all, these energy sources are right beside us and as technology improves, they will only become cheaper.

"To smoothly implement this plan in the future, I suggest that we start by constantly maintaining the current prices of these energies, or maybe even slightly increase them.

"Once there's any new progress with dark matter, we slightly reduce the prices, and if a breakthrough is achieved, we reduce them further.

"Always making people feel that using nuclear engines is slightly more cost-efficient than using dark matter devices."

Jiang Yu frowned and said, "If we do that, a new problem will arise: it's not conducive to the widespread adoption of new technologies!

"It's like we are adding burdens to the new technologies.

"So, I suggest that the prices of nuclear fuels and so forth always follow the market value.

"In the next one to two years, find a time to announce our newly summed up Dark Forest Law to the public and briefly present our plans.

"When the Dark Matter Era clearly arrives, nuclear fuels can then undergo a steep price drop."

Hao Ying nodded, "I did not think this through.

"After the meeting, I will have the Energy Department work out a feasible plan."

Jiang Yu instructed, "The Strategic Department must also be involved to ensure as much as possible the development of the new technologies while preserving the nuclear engine technology system."

He then raised his voice, "Everyone must have a clear understanding: we are creating a backup plan for ourselves, not because we think nuclear engine technology is good or that it represents the future.

"Under the current circumstances, preserving the technology related to nuclear engines can serve as a safety net.

"However, we should not rule out that in the future we might discover new methods to avoid sudden Dark Forest Strikes and, by then, some of the obsolete industries should still be phased out.

"We must not let old concepts or thoughts weigh us down.

"Lastly, let me remind everyone once more, our initial intention is to ensure that humanity has enough space to rise again in the event of a catastrophic strike, not to preserve outdated technology.

"Everyone must not get the direction wrong!"

...

In March of the 10th Galactic Year, the summer on Blue Maiden Star arrived, where the outside temperature could reach around 40 degrees.

On a planet abundant with water, this temperature was quite high, and going out was like taking a steam bath; hardly anyone would leave their homes during this hottest season.

Jiang Yu, who loved to bask in the sun, was no exception. Ever since the new Dark Forest Law was announced, he had some leisure time. As long as he went to the office in the morning, he typically spent his afternoons at home reading.

The plan for addressing the new law had also been approved by the Supreme Council vote. The part concerning energy, as the dark matter industry had just started, would not be implemented for the time being.

Additionally, measures to preserve the culture of hard work were to start material collection from that moment onward.

The Strategic Department believed that the entire process of pioneering new planetary systems should be recorded. If humanity truly encountered any misfortune in the future, they would not be left without any reference materials.

Along with these materials, the spirit of struggle during the construction of new planetary systems should also be preserved.

This spirit often went unnoticed during the construction work, but in later generations, the hardship and preciousness of the founding era would become evident.

Jiang Yu did not pay too much attention to these details; he was more focused on finding the ideological balance—not being too conservative but also not pioneering too hurriedly.

One should actively accept new technologies, but that does not mean old technologies should be discarded.

These abstract notions are often the most challenging to grasp.

However, once back home, Jiang Yu would not ponder these issues anymore.

He had always managed to keep his work and personal life clearly separated.