Chapter 251: Goodbye Zhang Beihai_1

After haggling over the military ship, both Jiang Yu and Gu Cheng had hoarse voices.

Thanks to Jiang Yu's prestigious influence and the contracts he had previously signed, all three major fleets made various concessions to different extents.

Now, all affairs related to intercepting the Trisolaran probes were entirely dominated by the Solar System State.

This was a tremendous political victory for the Solar System State. If handled properly, perhaps the Solar System State could forever dominate over the other three fleets.

Therefore, at this time, Gu Cheng still needed to utilize Jiang Yu's prestige, which was the reason for the bargaining. Otherwise, in matters of military significance, Gu Cheng would not let any military ship slip from his control.

The two finally came to an agreement. Gu Cheng gulped down several mouthfuls of tea and said to Jiang Yu, "The day after tomorrow, you are going to inspect the Asian Fleet. I hope that you will communicate with me before you act on any ideas you may have.

"Let's not have another scene like the one in the United Nations Hall the other day! The times have changed, and political methods have become much milder. Your actions could severely damage your reputation!"

He had come to see Jiang Yu initially to discuss this very issue, but they ended up talking about the topics brought up by Jiang Yu.

Jiang Yu also drank a few mouthfuls of tea. "I was merely teaching those arrogant ones a lesson!" he said.

Number Three poured another cup of tea for each of them.

Gu Cheng had more to say, but Jiang Yu had already started a new topic: "From these materials, I've noticed that humanity's application of genetic technologies is far too timid!

"I really can't understand why you've divided the application of genetic technology into four levels?

"The first level is to treat familial genetic diseases.

"The second level is genetic adjustments in physique and appearance. The third level only involves enhancements in intelligence and cognitive ability.

"The fourth level is the optimization of human organs and cellular tissues. This level represents the cutting-edge of genetic science, amounting to an evolution of humanity itself!

"And yet, the Solar System State has only made the first and second level genetic modification technologies universally available to its inhabitants, while PDC member nations have only popularized the first level, the second level being an exclusive product for the rich.

"Both PDC and Fleet International actually consider the third and fourth levels criminal!

"The efforts of Bo Xiangdong and others for over a century have thus been wasted by you!"

Gu Cheng replied, "This is because we've discovered that the application of the third and fourth levels can disrupt the natural balance of human genes, potentially leading to unforeseen consequences!

"Our genes have been slowly accumulated through natural evolution. Now we've suddenly made drastic changes to them, who knows what obvious or subtle consequences might occur?"

Jiang Yu, however, shook his head. "This is a sign of a lack of survival pressure. Nevertheless, I am still quite relieved that the Solar System State continues to insist on the universal popularization of genetic modification.

"It reminds me of an incident before the Crisis Era. I was still in high school at the time, when someone genetically modified the embryos of twin girls, making them naturally immune to AIDS.

"But this experiment was denounced by the entire society. Back then, the technology was limited, and the success rate of genetic modification was almost random.

"The chance of 'off-target' effects was higher than successful ones. If 'off-target', it would bring massive defects to the newborn's genes, and worse, these defects were inheritable.

"At the same time, capital forces were involved in the experiment. They were not thinking about making it available to all but were driven by the desire to make big money with genetic technologies, hence the social outcry at all levels.

"Then came the 'Poison Apple Project', which passed the technical stage without 'off-target' issues.

"However, the technology was expensive and could only be pursued through dirty underground dealings, making access to life rights unequal for the first time.

"Later, this technology became a tool for PDC to maintain its rule, all because of the failure to universalize it."

Gu Cheng also felt strongly about this topic. "Now on Earth, the triad of commerce, politics, and military is completely monopolized by the descendants of the gene-modified people from those days.

"Now that the lives of the common people have improved, there seems to be no class disparity, but in reality, the class divide between the two sides is even greater!"

"There is absolutely no social mobility anymore; the existence of the common people is just a foundation for maintaining the assets of the wealthy class.

"After all, assets are worthless if they just sit there. They only gain value when used by the common people, when needed by others.

"The wealth gap, the high welfare system, is brewing a huge social problem. If one day the PDC collapses, the disaster will be even more terrifying than the Great Rift Valley."

On this point, Jiang Yu and Gu Cheng had strikingly similar views. They fell silent over this worry for a while before Gu Cheng spoke up again:

"We've never faced the pressures of mere survival, so there's no need to push ourselves so hard in terms of genetic modification."

Jiang Yu did not continue this topic but smiled and said, "I'll come to see you off on the day you set sail!"

After Gu Cheng departed, Jiang Yu asked Number Three, "How is the preparation for the things I asked you to get ready going?"

Number Three reported, "Everything is ready; they are all products of the Jupiter Colony. They were manufactured when we first came to Jupiter Star, all the latest models of equipment."

Jiang Yu let out a sigh of relief and thought to himself, I hope these items can be of help to Zhang Beihai.

...

Three days later, Jiang Yu visited the military port of the Asian Fleet for an inspection.

This army was the successor of the Space Army built by Chang Weisi. For Jiang Yu, there was a certain sentimental value associated with this military force.

The Asian Fleet had also prepared a grand welcome ceremony, with the Fleet Commander personally receiving him at the dock.

After all, ostensibly, Jiang Yu was now the nominal Commander-in-chief of all the fleets.

Although this Commander-in-chief could not interfere in the internal affairs of the fleets, apart from those eighty ships granted by Gu Cheng, he had no other real authority. Moreover, this role of Commander-in-chief was automatically abolished after the encounter with the Trisolaran probe.

But the due respect still had to be shown.

Unlike Jupiter City, the space fortress of the Asian Fleet was entirely a military port, with docks filled exclusively with military personnel. Their formations were neat and uniform, a spectacular sight.

Jiang Yu gave a brief speech at the dock and, after winning everyone's welcome, began touring the military port under the guidance of the Vice Fleet Commander responsible for foreign affairs.

There wasn't much to see in the military port; all the buildings prioritized utility and sturdiness. Many places weren't even painted, leaving the color of steel exposed to the air.

In conversation, Jiang Yu was very interested in the Asian Fleet's strategy for dealing with the Imprint Clan, and he could even name a few officers from the first "Reinforce the Future Project."

So it was only natural for Jiang Yu to want to meet those officers, foremost among them being Zhang Beihai, acting captain of the "Natural Selection."

Jiang Yu said with a smile, "Thinking back, I've met Zhang Beihai a few times, the last time at the Number Three nuclear testing base, right when the peach blossoms were just blooming.

He remarked, "In the blink of an eye, two centuries have passed."

While talking, the group boarded the "Natural Selection," and Zhang Beihai, who had just been notified, greeted them with Dongfang Yanxu and others.

Jiang Yu and Zhang Beihai exchanged glances from afar, then quickly approached and firmly shook each other's hands.

Zhang Beihai said, "I never thought I would see the Wallfacer again in this lifetime!"

But Jiang Yu simply laughed and replied, "At such a critical time, how could my presence be missing."