Space Odyssey from Abandoned Mining Space Station

Chapter 667: Chapter 203 Early Stages of the War_2

Chen Ming understood what benefits the first expansion era would bring to the Empire, but the initiation of the expansion era...

”It’s not that easy, is it?”

Bai Quan naturally said, ”Of course it’s not that easy. The Empire’s expansion didn’t stop because of the enemy; it stopped because of the Empire itself.”

”Because the Empire’s scale at the technological level of that era was too large, making effective control impossible.”

”The vastness of continued expansion yielded more challenges than direct benefits.”

”Furthermore, after a period of rampant growth, the Empire needed a time of careful cultivation and recuperation.”

”Besides, with the Mechanical Race and Dusk blocking the way, the benefits of victory were minimal.”

”Thus, the expansion era came to a halt.”

Bai Quan suddenly offered an example, ”If someone runs a long-distance race and stops halfway, it’s very hard to start again.”

”The difficulty for the Empire to return to the expansion era is self-evident.”

”However, the recently developed Antimatter Technology and the Energy Crystal Technology you previously worked on have ensured that all ships equipped with these technologies have nearly doubled their endurance and flight capabilities.”

”Coupled with the Empire’s technological advances during its years of dormancy, the maximum management scale has substantially increased.”

”The prerequisites for the expansion era have been satisfied.”

”As long as the Empire, which has been stationary, starts to move again, it will naturally embark on the path of expansion.”

”This is the best opportunity in many years.”

”If another expansion era occurs, all internal conflicts will be submerged under the massive interests of the universe.”

”This Gallo Star Realm is the place where it all begins.”

Bai Quan felt a slight surge of excitement in his words as he spoke.

However, Chen Ming did not feel anything special, as he was not particularly knowledgeable about the Empire’s history.

It was only upon seeing the actual map that he displayed a slight emotional fluctuation.

Bai Quan, noticing Chen Ming’s reaction, refrained from further discussing the larger context and shifted the topic to matters closer to Chen Ming’s circumstances.

”Actually, if you normally pay attention to prices, you’ll notice that the prices of some wartime goods are slowly rising, and the prices of various raw materials are also changing.”

”Although it currently appears to be just normal fluctuations, they should rise soon.”

”Even if I didn’t tell you now, you would certainly notice within half a year.”

Chen Ming thought for a moment and said, ”Prices are indeed rising a bit.”

”But you mentioned I would notice only after half a year. Is it because the war with the Mechanical Race starts six months later?”

Bai Quan immediately denied, ”No.”

”Waging war on a Star Realm isn’t that simple; it requires the entire Empire to mobilize.”

”While the Empire is a colossal entity, difficult to move, it’s not as if it can’t manage to pivot.”

”The Empire will strive to maintain normal prices for all war-related materials domestically; generally, it can stabilize for about six months, no problem.”

”So I said you’d definitely notice various material shortages and price hikes after six months.”

”But in fact, the war has already started, and we’re currently in its earliest phase.”

Chen Ming instinctively asked, ”Which phase?”

”Investigation. This war against the Mechanical Race can be divided into five phases: investigation, infiltration, sabotage, frontal assault, and conclusion.”

”The ability to carry out these phases from start to finish shouldn’t be in question, but the success relies on our Fourteenth Legion’s performance midway.”

”Is it only the Fourteenth Legion involved in the war?”

”Of course not. The Mechanical Race’s strength in one Star Realm is not something a single Legion like the Fourteenth can handle.”

”We are only responsible for the initial work and overall coordination; when the formal war begins, the Empire’s official military forces and other Legions will enter under our guidance and command.”

This time, Chen Ming thought for a while longer and then said, ”I understand.”

”So the Empire plans to use war to shift contradictions, and in choosing the target, I changed it.”

”That’s the first half of the matter that concerns me, so the second half... I guess you’re going to invite me to join the war against the Mechanical Race.”

Bai Quan did not deny it and said, ”Yes.”

”As I just mentioned, the Empire’s war against the Mechanical Race has already begun, and investigations have been ongoing since a while ago.”

”But all the investigations have been superficial. The only deeper investigation was carried out after receiving the footage you previously sent back of the Phase Giant Beast, during which our ships quietly approached to investigate.”

”And the initial superficial investigations into the Mechanical Race’s outer areas are nearly done so far. Next, we must delve deeper.”

”Your psychic power has the ability to control the Mechanical Race, which will certainly provide great assistance.”

Bai Quan suddenly stood up from behind the desk, looked at Chen Ming, and solemnly said, ”I am now officially inviting you, Mr. Chen Ming, to join the Empire’s operation against the Mechanical Race Star Realm as a temporary tactical advisor in your capacity as a Psychic.”

”Enjoy the treatment of an Empire-level Colonel, only obligated to fulfill the duties required of an Empire citizen.”

What seemed like a simple offer actually held more value than just those two sentences.

However, Chen Ming did not immediately respond. Instead, he asked, ”Do you really believe I can contribute to the Mechanical Race situation? This is a major matter concerning a whole Star Realm.”