Chapter 356

In any civilization, once there is any new invention, it will be popularized throughout the entire civilization in the shortest possible time, because competition is fierce; to obtain benefits, one can only continue to innovate and innovate again.

However, the Earth where Ye Nan is located is different; its monopoly forces are extremely powerful. Any invention of new technology, once it touches the interests of the old forces, will encounter great backlash, and may even lead to death because of it.

For example, a certain scientist named Tesla, because his research was too advanced and infringed upon the interests of many people, lived a life of poverty and, in the end, simply died inexplicably.

Of course, more new technologies are in the hands of monopoly forces. In order to squeeze profits from old technologies, they shelve newly emerged technologies. Only when the old technologies are completely eliminated will they release the new ones. In this way, the gap between the technologies they shelve and the technologies used by the public grows larger and larger. This is also why when the end of the world arrived, they all drove spaceships to escape Earth, while before that, they had to be extremely cautious even when launching a single rocket.

"Those guys, for the sake of their own interests, keep the technology in their hands a secret, not only dragging down the development of the entire civilization but also leading the civilization toward a distorted path; they are simply damned," Ye Nan thought viciously in his heart. At this moment, he had completely transformed into an emissary of justice, accusing in his heart those monopoly organizations that dragged down the development of civilization for their own selfish interests, while he himself forgot that he was also a member of a monopoly organization.

"When you were still using solid fuel, we were already using plasma as a thruster."

Walking into the office, Sodo said first, "Your technology is too backward, so cooperating with me is the right path."

Seeing Sodo still belittling the technology of the Space-Time Empire, Ye Nan couldn't help but sneer in his heart. What solid fuel? His "Heart of Eternity" spaceship clearly used an Ark Reactor as its power source.

In fact, so-called solid fuel cannot sustain flight for too long at all. Spaceships using this kind of thing as fuel are fine for flying within a planet, but if they were to fly outside the planet, they would likely stall in space.

Ye Nan did not understand whether this Sodo really couldn't see clearly or was pretending not to. However, he knew that silence was the best method.

Seeing that Ye Nan had no reaction, Sodo couldn't help but feel awkward, and the atmosphere suddenly turned cold. But soon, Sodo interrupted this awkward atmosphere.

"Come, please sit." Sodo pushed a chair in front of Ye Nan, then pointed at Ripley and asked, "Who is this person to you?"

"My daughter," Ye Nan replied.

"Your daughter is very beautiful," Sodo complimented, then began to get to the point. "You have probably seen it too; our Federal Earth has led to the decline of the entire planet due to over-exploitation. I won't lie to you. Our planet's mining has already reached near the core. It can be said that Federal Earth has already lost its potential as a planet; its final result will be to become space junk."

"Here it comes," Ye Nan thought calmly. Sodo belittled the planet's potential from the start, and his purpose was to tell Ye Nan: we are determined to have other planets; if you refuse to cooperate, don't blame us for using other means.

"So the people of this planet are in urgent need of a new home, a planet that can be inhabited, but unfortunately, for fifty years, a full fifty years, we haven't found a home that can be inhabited at all. This universe is full of cold, dead planets," Sodo sighed, feeling a blockage in his heart.

Not cherishing what one possesses, and only knowing how to cherish it after losing it—this saying is most appropriate to describe the current Federal Earth...

Collecting his emotions, Sodo continued: "But now, your appearance has given us a hope. No matter what kind of civilization your civilization is, since you have arrived here, and your technology is also inferior to ours, your planet will inevitably be occupied by us."

"Is it just because of my spaceship that you see our technology is inferior to yours, and then you have ideas about our planet?" Ye Nan asked, "Don't you think your judgment is a bit arbitrary? If I am someone playing the pig to eat the tiger, if our civilization's technology far exceeds your civilization, your civilization will be eaten by me instead."

"What does it matter if we are eaten by you?" Sodo spread his hands and said indifferently: "Now our planet has fallen to this point; even if the civilization is taken by you, what can happen?"

Ye Nan was stunned upon hearing this. Thinking about it carefully, it was indeed true. Federal Earth was already heading toward decline. The consequence of technological development was the depletion of resources, but clearly, technology could not save them, to the point where the people on this planet lived in a garbage dump—no, worse than a garbage dump; at least garbage dumps don't have acid rain or toxic winds.

And such a planet, even if it were annexed, the people would not have any hatred; instead, they would be very happy, waiting for a higher civilization to save them. Anyway, living is living wherever one is; if one can live a little better, why resist?

"But it is clear that your level of civilization is not high; otherwise, you wouldn't have swallowed your pride and let me manipulate you," Sodo said.

"This reason seems very normal. Indeed, our technology is indeed weaker than yours; we have just stepped into the universe, but we are not characters that anyone can manipulate. You want to attack us—that is simply impossible. You seem not to have considered this point," Ye Nan kindly reminded him.

His purpose in coming here was to obtain the technology of this civilization called Federal Earth, which is why he swallowed his pride. However, this man named Sodo in front of him seemed very stupid, stupid enough to have his reason blinded by greed.

Even if the Space-Time Empire's technology were inferior to Federal Earth's, relying on him alone to conquer a civilization was truly wishful thinking.

Reminded by Ye Nan, Sodo was stunned. Federal Earth had never fought any interstellar wars. This planet had experienced a few wars, but those were civilizations conquering barbaric tribes; one only needed to raise an army to win. As for fighting other civilizations, they had no such war precedent. Therefore, they were completely ignorant of interstellar war, which is why he came up with the idea that he could conquer a civilization by raising a mercenary force himself. He completely forgot that the other side was also a civilization capable of interstellar travel, and their war potential would not be much weaker than Federal Earth's.

"Then what should I do?" Sodo asked, murmuring.

Ye Nan was speechless upon hearing this. This Sodo actually asked him what he should do right to his face. This was as ridiculous as a person about to slaughter a sheep asking the sheep how he should kill it. He felt this Sodo was stupidly cute.

However, he had gone to great lengths to build such a spaceship precisely to steal the technology of this civilization. Naturally, he would not let go of such a good opportunity. Although the other party looked silly, his identity was the CEO of the RDA company. Through him, Ye Nan could come into contact with the high-end technology of this planet and then absorb and digest it.

"Forget it, let me give him a hand," Ye Nan thought to himself.

"Actually, there are many ways to seize a planet," Ye Nan said hesitantly, his eyes flickering as if he were somewhat conflicted...

"What ways? Tell me. If I can, I will definitely do it," Sodo jumped up as if he had grabbed a savior, saying impatiently.

"Before talking about this method, we should divide the benefits," Ye Nan looked at Sodo greedily and put forward his conditions, "First, you need to help me get an identity so that I can integrate into your civilization."

"Second, I need to learn the knowledge of your civilization, and I need to view the technology of your civilization, look at the relevant data, and see your war potential, so as to avoid you failing in the war and causing me to lose all my benefits."

After Ye Nan put forward the two requirements, he looked at Sodo with burning eyes, waiting for his response.

The first requirement was to get a reasonable identity on this planet so he could lay out his plans; the second requirement was to let him come into contact with the planet's technology.

Actually, Ye Nan wanted both the technology and the planet. Don't look at how Sodo said the planet's resources were exhausted; a planet that could nurture civilization was the best home, as long as they could clean up the pollution on this planet.

Sodo pondered for a moment and said: "The first point is easy to handle. With my status, getting you an identity is very easy. Anyway, the government's control over this planet is not that strong. But the second point is very difficult."

"These two requirements are ones you must agree to, especially the second one," Ye Nan said firmly: "To tell you the truth, our civilization is not as weak as you imagine. Its war potential is very strong. If your technology is not much stronger than ours, who will win is not yet certain."

"So I need to make a judgment on this to see how the war potential of your planet is, so that I can betray my planet and obtain the greatest benefits with you." Ye Nan described himself as a traitor who would dare to betray his own planet for the sake of profit, while also being hesitant due to the risks.

He believed his disguise could deceive this stupid guy.

"I see. I'll try. Actually, I can't guarantee it either. After all, letting you view the cutting-edge technology of our civilization requires too many connections to be cleared," Sodo said with difficulty. But when he saw Ye Nan's bad expression, he immediately changed his tone and said: "However, connections can be cleared. I have been doing business for so many years and have many partners. I will definitely try my best to handle your requirements, so please rest assured and wait here. Someone, take my dear friend down and treat him well."

"Since that's the case, I'll await the good news. Ripley, let's go." Ye Nan took Ripley and left Sodo's office. Outside, someone was already waiting for him to lead the way.

"Heh, interesting guy," Sodo looked at Ye Nan's back and revealed a strange smile.