Chapter 1068: The Report of Horus (2)

Horus turned off the data panel and looked directly into the lens of the recorder.

"Father, please allow me to explain the strategic thinking behind this operation."

"First, regarding the policy for handling Aliens. You once taught us that the Star Alliance should be all-encompassing, providing living space for non-human civilizations willing to accept order."

"However, the Saikeshan race bears historical blood debts, and their Royal Court even attempted to deceive and ambush the Star Alliance envoys; this has crossed the line."

"Therefore, the Royal Court must be completely eradicated; this is a matter of principle."

"Yet, what of the ordinary Saikeshan populace? Most of them are unaware of the Royal Court's conspiracies and bear no direct responsibility for historical crimes. They have long been oppressed by the nobility, and survival is their primary need."

Horus pulled up a video clip.

It was footage of Basuo, a miner on Ninghuaxing, being interviewed. The old miner said in stiff Common Tongue: "The nobles gave us lies and half-full bellies; the Luna Wolves give us rules and full bellies. We choose full bellies."

"Look, Father. This is the logic of the lower-class Aliens. They do not care about glory, history, or racial dignity; they only care about where their next meal is coming from. We can utilize this."

"My strategy can be summarized as: use iron-blooded force to eliminate threats, use rules to establish order, use promises of survival to exchange for obedience, and use gradual improvement to maintain stability."

"Eliminate threats: All nobles, Psionics, military commanders, and those with close ties to the Royal Court are to be eliminated without exception. This ensures the complete collapse of the ruling structure."

"Establish order: Formulate clear, simple, and inviolable rules. Completing quotas equals receiving rations; resistance equals death. The rules are carved at the entrance of every settlement, so every Alien clearly knows the bottom line and the path to survival."

"Promises of survival: We promise that as long as they follow the rules, they will live. Furthermore, if they exceed their quotas, they can receive extra rewards to improve their lives. This promise must be genuinely fulfilled, so we truly gave food to those who surrendered and truly rewarded those who exceeded their quotas."

"Gradual improvement: We allow high-performing Aliens to obtain better living conditions, more Quannuan Crystal Core, and even limited freedom of movement. This gives them the motivation to strive and lets them see that 'obedience' is not just about survival, but also about 'living better'."

Horus paused for a moment to let these concepts sink in.

"Father, the effect of this strategy is significant. The current situation in the Saikeshan Territory is as follows:"

"Population statistics: What was cleared was mainly the ruling class and some resistors; the main body of the labor force has been preserved."

"Resource output: Crystal Core production has recovered to pre-war levels, with a projected 30% increase next quarter; mineral extraction efficiency has increased by 15%; agricultural output remains stable."

"Control costs: We only need to deploy one regiment of the Astra Militarum on each world as a supervisory force, supplemented by a small number of administrative personnel. The labor force manages its own daily production."

"Long-term stability: The younger generation of Saikeshan will grow up under our rules; they will not remember the 'Saikeshan civilization', only the 'rules of the Luna Wolves'. After a few generations, they will be completely integrated into the Star Alliance's labor system."

"Father, during the operation, I have been thinking about some... larger questions."

"You taught us that Humans are the masters of the star sea, and the mission of the Star Alliance is to bring order to the chaotic stars. In this process, we inevitably encounter Aliens. Some Aliens are pure threats that must be eliminated; others can coexist or even cooperate."

"But the Saikeshan race is in a gray area: they have committed historical crimes, yet they show characteristics of being tamable; their Royal Court must be destroyed, but their populace... perhaps they can be transformed."

Horus pulled up a photo: a young Saikeshan miner is learning to use standard Star Alliance mining equipment, with a Xiuluo Holy Star foreman standing next to him providing guidance.

"Look at this child. He is roughly equivalent to a fifteen-year-old Human. In his memory, the noble masters have already disappeared; what rules him is the rulebook of the Luna Wolves. He learns our technology, speaks our language, and mines resources for the Star Alliance."

"So, the question arises: is he still a 'Saikeshan Alien'? Or is he becoming... a 'Star Alliance Laborer - Saikeshan Subspecies'?"

"Father, I understand the Star Alliance's bottom line: Aliens cannot be trusted, and Alien civilizations cannot be allowed to exist. But if we completely reshape a race, erase their culture, history, and identity, and transform them into pure labor tools... are they still a 'civilization'? Or have they become a part on the Star Alliance machine?"

"Based on the experience of this operation, I submit the following suggestions for the reference of the Star Alliance Central:"

"First, I suggest formulating the 'Star Alliance Alien Labor Management Regulations'. Clearly define the rights, obligations, and management standards for Alien labor. This will provide a legal basis for similar operations."

"Second, I suggest establishing an 'Alien Affairs Supervision Bureau', directly under the Star Alliance Central, responsible for supervising the management of Alien labor by various legions to prevent abuse or excessive exploitation that could lead to large-scale resistance; this is in line with the principle of efficiency."

"Third, I suggest piloting a 'Gradual Assimilation' project in Alien worlds where conditions are ripe: select high-performing Alien laborers, grant them limited citizenship, and allow them to learn more advanced technology or even participate in grassroots management. This can create 'model templates' to incentivize other Aliens to obey."

"Fourth, specific suggestions for the Saikeshan Territory:"

"Designate Ninghuaxing as a Special Administrative Region to pilot the new labor management system."

"Establish a branch of the Star Alliance Mining Academy on Bingsuixing to train Saikeshan technical workers."

"Over three to five years, gradually replace Saikeshan language education with Star Alliance Common Tongue education."

"Allow high-performing Saikeshan families to migrate to other Star Alliance worlds as a labor supplement—this will further disintegrate their racial cohesion."

Horus said in closing:

"Father, I have ordered the Third Company of the Luna Wolves to remain in the Saikeshan Territory to oversee the transition period. The remaining troops can be deployed to new fronts at any time."

"I look forward to your reply and guidance."

"May your wisdom forever guide the path ahead for the Star Alliance."

"Your loyal son, Horus."

"Recording ended."

The indicator light on the Holographic Recorder went out. Horus sat quietly for a moment, then summoned the Communications Officer.

"Encrypt this report and send it to the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance via the fastest communication link."

"Yes, Father."