Chapter 196: The Result of the Nationwide Referendum

Only a decision supported by the vast majority of the people is the most stable, and best represents the will of our entire civilization!

I set a standard: if the support rate for this proposal exceeds eighty percent, then it will be formally established as our Human Federal's basic state policy toward alien civilizations!

Everyone, any opinions?

None!

Agree!

The resolution was passed unanimously.

Thus, a nationwide referendum concerning the future of civilization is about to begin.

Thus, this decision was swiftly transmitted via the Federal network to every corner.

The proposal on how to deal with the thirty-seven slave civilizations under the Mo Yun Empire has now opened the nationwide referendum channel.

Please, every Federal citizen aged eighteen or older, read the proposal carefully and cast your vote.

Your choice will determine the future of our civilization.

This news instantly sparked a huge reaction throughout the Federal interior.

From the skyscraper cities of Blue Star, to the megacities of Mars, to the distant New Yanhuang Star, and to countless space cities and star ports drifting in the Star Sea.

Everyone began to study the proposal seriously.

On the Federal network, it instantly exploded into heated discussion.

All kinds of discussions and debates unfolded fiercely on every social platform and virtual community.

I support Qin Hao's plan; it's a stroke of genius! It doesn't dirty our hands, yet it squeezes the value out of those aliens, gives them something to hope for, makes them obedient—simply perfect!

What you said upstairs is too easy; how is this different from slavery? It's just a different method.

We humans have barely escaped the shadow of invasion; are we to become new oppressors? I vote against!

Against? Have you forgotten how many died in the last war? The blood of over 280,000 soldiers hasn't even cooled!

Being merciful to the enemy is cruelty to our own! I say it's still too soft; we should listen to General Zhou and kill them all, finish it once and for all!

Kill them all? You say it simply, but that's billions of lives—not billions of ants!

If you can vote today to exterminate them, tomorrow couldn't you vote to exterminate us who hold differing views? Once such a loophole is opened, it can't be closed!

……

Online, various viewpoints clashed intensely.

A retired veteran who lost his son in the previous war posted a video on his social media account.

In the video, he stroked his son's portrait, his voice hoarse as he said:

I hate the Mo Yun Empire, and I hate those lackeys who aid evil. But my son sacrificed himself to protect our homeland and humanity's conscience.

He did not die so that we would become butchers like the enemy.

I have looked at Qin Hao's plan; I think it is a plan with both a bottom line and sharpness.

I support it; I hope my son's spirit in heaven can see us humans becoming a powerful yet compassionate civilization.

This video moved countless people, gaining over a hundred million likes.

On the other hand, a young idealist who grew up in peaceful times delivered an impassioned speech in the square of the virtual community.

We cannot abandon our morality out of fear; we should extend a helping hand to those enslaved civilizations, help them rebuild their homes,

Only then can we truly demonstrate the greatness of our Human Federal! This is the true bearing of an advanced civilization!

His speech also earned applause from some young people.

Of course, more voices are pragmatic, speaking from self-interest.

Never mind morality; I just ask: can this plan let us live better lives?

If it lets those aliens mine and do those dirty, tough jobs, letting Federal citizens enjoy more benefits, then I'm fully supportive!

Exactly! Our population is too small; many resource stars lack manpower for development.

With this free labor force, our Federal economy will definitely rise to a new level! Then everyone will live in mansions and drive star sports cars—how great is that?

All kinds of voices rang out in every corner of the Federal.

There were rational analyses, emotional venting, deep reflection, and also the most basic self-interest.

This is exactly what Old Luo wanted to see.

A healthy civilization should be able to accommodate all voices.

And the final decision will be formed by the collective gathering of all these voices.

The voting channel remained open for twenty-four hours.

When the countdown reached zero.

The final voting results appeared on everyone's personal terminals.

Support rate: 87.3%

Opposition rate: 10.2%

Abstentions: 2.5%

The result was clear at a glance.

Over eighty-seven percent, an overwhelming support rate!

This result means Qin Hao's plan has obtained the highest authorization from the entire civilization.

From this moment on, it is no longer merely a proposal.

But has formally become the Human Federal's basic state policy.

It is the first waypoint chosen by humanity as it steps into the dark forest.

It defines the Human Federal's code of conduct:

We do not actively bully the weak, but we will not unconditionally pity.

We uphold humanity's bottom line, but we are also never afraid to reveal our sharp claws and fangs.

We employ both grace and authority; kingly way and hegemony work together.

……

The bridge of the Divine Dragon.

Seeing this result, Zhang Xianzhong let out a long sigh of relief.

"Eighty‑seven percent…… It looks like our vast majority of compatriots still have clear minds."

A faint smile also appeared on Qin Hao's face.

This result was within his expectations.

Having undergone the baptism of blood and fire, human civilization has shed its former naivety, becoming more mature and pragmatic.

"Since the decision has already been made."

Qin Hao looked at Zhang Xianzhong and said: "Then it's time to proceed to the next step."

Zhang Xianzhong nodded and immediately issued the order.

"Order: all civilizations taken over shall, within twenty‑four hours, select one representative from their own race."

"In twenty‑four hours, we will convene the first Civilization Order Symposium."

"Tell them, their fate will be finally decided at this meeting."

The order, once again transmitted through the network, spread across the old territories of the Mo Yun Empire.

Those slave civilizations that had just barely recovered from the shock of their masters' demise immediately fell into a new round of panic and confusion.

Select representatives?

Hold a meeting?

Determine fate?

What exactly do their new masters intend to do?

With uneasy hearts, the thirty‑seven civilizations, amidst chaos and dispute, painstakingly selected their respective representatives.

These representatives included former leaders, scholars who had fortuitously retained some wisdom, and purely unlucky individuals hastily pushed forward.

They were about to represent their own races to face an unknown, powerful enough to destroy the Mo Yun Empire…… new god.