Chapter 225: Think Again_1

Gu Liang asked Jiang Yu, "How exactly should we implement this plan?"

Jiang Yu looked at Gu Liang and smiled, "We don't have the conditions to implement it right now. We can only try to keep the situation from deteriorating further."

"After some time, I'll give the residents a heads-up, but that's just a temporary solution, not a cure."

"I suggest you set up a dedicated team to study how to treat this kind of social illness without external forces."

Gu Liang nodded, "All right."

Jiang Yu reminded him, "Such a situation arises because people tend to think: no matter how bad things get, someone will always take care of me!"

"I've noted that down," Gu Liang analyzed, "The difficulty with this social disease lies right there. At the founding of the Solar System State, our purpose was to provide a high-quality life for humanity in space."

"It's a reflection of civilization and culture. We can't deprive the general public of a quality life just because of this social disease."

Jiang Yu said, "You've hit the nail on the head. We need to set a goal that everyone is willing to work towards."

"This will be difficult. We must ensure everyone's quality of life while making them yearn for a new life!"

"You need to try different approaches to gather valuable experience for the future."

"After you return, share our conversation today with Burton and a few other key leaders. I will talk to Burton again tomorrow."

"Mmm, let's not publicize the matter with the New Aristocracy for the time being."

After their conversation ended and Gu Liang had left, Jiang Yu sat on the sofa, deep in thought for a long time, before he turned to Number Three and said, "Got a cigarette?"

Number Three handed over a cigarette, but as Jiang Yu was about to smoke, he realized it was an electronic one. He tossed the e-cigarette onto the coffee table, "What's the pleasure in smoking these things?"

"Isn't there tobacco planted in the farms of Guanghan City?"

Number Three smiled helplessly, "When the space farms were established, the main aim was to fill the gap in food supply. Tobacco wasn't included in the list of crops to cultivate."

Jiang Yu sighed, "Didn't we just talk about restarting the 'Green Pastures Plan'? Plant some tobacco for me and roll some cigarettes. I'll need them to give away when I awake again."

"Fortunately, Guanghan City hasn't lost the art of brewing."

He smiled and continued, "Next time I go into hibernation, I will stay asleep until the year before the Trisolarans' probe arrives in the Solar System."

"I've calculated roughly a hundred and ten years. You'll have a heavy burden to bear during this time!"

Number Three was taken aback, "Has the Science Academy already calculated the exact time of the Trisolaran fleet's probe arriving in the Solar System?"

Jiang Yu, equally surprised, said, "These are my calculations."

Only then did Number Three remember Jiang Yu's identity as a Black Cuboid Person.

Over the years, Number Three had several times doubted that Jiang Yu was a Black Cuboid Person, but couldn't figure out how to prove it.

So all these years, he had followed Thirty-Six's instruction before hibernation: not to ask too much about it, nor to discuss it with others.

It was only now that he considered that if Jiang Yu were a Black Cuboid Person, he might be able to estimate when the craft would arrive in the Solar System, right?

But Jiang Yu was somewhat helpless. He had forgotten this detail in the vastness of space; only by observing The Waterdrop fly through cosmic dust could he approximate a rough speed and location.

Jiang Yu moved past the topic, "What I'm about to say next is just between you and me. Don't spread it around."

Seeing that Number Three nodded, Jiang Yu continued, "I'm not optimistic about the future of the Solar System State."

"The elite class in society might become extravagant, and the common people might develop a hedonistic lifestyle."

"And, half a century later, especially after people like Kong Fangcheng and Gu Liang, who are familiar with me, have left the center of power."

"The passion for the Wallfacer Plan will completely fade, and I might even become a character in textbooks."

"More importantly, who would be willing to stay under a textbook character forever?"

"Moreover, in the future, the Wallfacer Plan will likely conflict with some interests and powers of the Solar System State Government, and it's very likely that the Governor at the time will try to erase the influence of the Wallfacers on the Solar System State."

"What will you do if they try to take away your military, financial, and personnel powers from you?"

Number Three thought for a moment and said, "These three powers are the lifeblood, and I will safeguard them, waiting for the opportunity to sabotage their plots."

Jiang Yu shook his head, "You haven't quite understood. By that time, the residents of the Solar System State, under the 'bombardment' of the government's propaganda machine, will also think that the Wallfacer Plan is harming their interests.

"So you'll be isolated with no support, and even your most loyal subordinates may not support you with the same devotion because the Wallfacer Plan will no longer represent the interests of the Solar System State!"

Number Three pondered for a while, "Wake you up?"

"The reason I'm hibernating for such a long time is to try to avoid this period," Jiang Yu guided.

"Now everyone cheers when they see me, and they shout their support because, for the past half-century, I've brought them hope, and I represent the interests of the Solar System State.

"But as the Solar System State progresses, I, inevitably, will come into conflict with everyone's interests.

"Hedonism will ultimately triumph over all enterprise, something history keeps proving over and over again. Just me shouting alone won't wake everyone up."

Number Three nodded, "I understand, your hibernation now is to leave yourself room to maneuver, to avoid direct conflict with everyone at home?"

Jiang Yu smiled contentedly.

Number Three continued, "I will give up all power at the appropriate time to avoid direct conflict but will ensure that I still maintain a certain level of influence.

"I will use this influence to protect some who still support the Wallfacer Plan and also make some preparations for you to return to the center of power."

Jiang Yu stood up and patted Number Three's shoulder, "This part of the journey is the toughest for the Wallfacer Plan. Before you came to work with me, I thought of many plans, but none could solve this problem.

"I have to thank Sixteen for sending you to me, avoiding the problem of power slipping out of my control after the handover."

After speaking, Jiang Yu stretched and said, "You have to eat one bite at a time, and take care of things one step at a time.

"I'm going to rest this afternoon, and you should also go back and rest.

"Oh, and before you rest, inform Burton to come to see me tomorrow at noon. I'll have a few drinks with him."

Number Three agreed and then left.

Jiang Yu lay on the sofa, picked out a movie that the Solar System State had produced in recent years, and leisurely watched the film while sipping tea.

The next day at noon, Burton came as scheduled. Jiang Yu entertained him in the hotel room's dining area, "I was thinking that we haven't really had a meal together, have we?"

Burton smiled and said, "That's right, even if we did eat together, it was usually a working meal."

"Today is Sunday, you've made some time, let's have a few drinks," Jiang Yu paused and then said,

"I heard from Number Three that you plan to resign in the next couple of years."

Burton sighed, "I'm getting older and don't have the same energy.

Jiang Yu nodded, "It's good to step down, to really enjoy life."

Then he changed the subject, "Since you are still the Governor of the Solar System State, let's cooperate one last time to properly resolve the autonomy issues of Moon City and Mars City.

"I already have some ideas about this, but it involves a plan I have for more than a century from now, so..."

Burton nodded, "I know, I'll just execute the orders, no questions asked!"