Forty-nine rules of the end times

Chapter 269 Human Union Theme Conference

On November 24, the People's Federation Conference was held in Beixing.

The conference had two main themes: the space colonization program and the handling of the French and French fire-stealing cults.

After the meeting began, Mary, the representative of the Somali Empire, first inquired about the status of the robots sent to various countries.

After the last meeting, the Somali Empire sent a batch of embodying intelligent robots to each member state of the Human Alliance free of charge. Now, some time has passed, and these robots are being used in various countries.

"What do you all think of our robots?" Mary asked with a smile. "Are they capable of replacing real people?"

“Completely replacing real people is certainly impossible, but… the robots produced by your country can indeed handle the vast majority of jobs,” said the Black Flag Nation representative.

Committee member Yingqiguo said, "First of all, we would like to thank the Soro Empire for the gift. These robots are of excellent quality and can complete the input commands on time and in quantity."

Even the committee member Sissia, who had previously mocked Mary, had to admit, with a forced smile, that Soroma's robots were indeed very powerful.

These robots not only handle ordinary tasks, but can also handle complex coordination tasks that require a high level of mental effort, far exceeding the efficiency of humans.

"Where is Chairman Gao?" Mary asked Gao Liangwei, who had remained silent. "How useful are the one hundred robots sent to your country?"

Gao Liangwei said, "Very good, these robots already possess a high degree of intelligence."

After that batch of robots arrived, the official research department of Beixing disassembled and studied them.

The conclusion is that the other parts are nothing special; the key lies in the computing chip installed inside the robot.

The structure of this chip is extremely unique, completely different from conventional chips, and its internal algorithms cannot be deciphered. It can be said that it is precisely because of this chip that these robots can behave almost indistinguishably from humans.

"If we're not mistaken, the chips inside these robots should be manufactured using the power of mental energy, right?"

This is the conclusion reached by the Beixing Research Institute after multiple studies: that special chip is not a product of human technology, but more like a product of some kind of mental power tool or ability.

However, once it comes to mental power, many scientific laws known to humankind become invalid.

Just like the "House of Ascended" website, after countless hackers failed to crack it, it is now generally accepted that it is not a normal website, but a special creation related to psychic power.

“That’s right,” Mary readily admitted. “It was a special talent in our country who acquired the ability to research chips, which is why this unique and wonderful thing was created.”

Sure enough...

Several committee members looked on with envy.

This ability to drive technological development, or rather, to apply technology on a large scale and promote social progress, is the most important capability for a country.

Perhaps even a hundred or a thousand people with such enhanced abilities combined couldn't defeat one Lucifer. But no matter which country had the choice, they would definitely choose the former, not the latter.

From the perspective of the nation, Lucifer was merely a more powerful henchman, whose contribution was far less than that of someone with scientific research abilities or tools.

“We plan to manufacture robots on a larger scale next,” Mary said. “Next year, we aim to reach a total population of 100 million, including both humans and robots. If any committee members are interested in co-creating an intelligent robot society, we at Solmaro are willing to provide assistance.”

The committee members nodded in agreement, indicating that they would consult with officials after returning home from the meeting.

No one gave a direct answer, partly because they couldn't make the decision themselves, and partly because they weren't entirely at ease with the decision.

These robots were all manufactured by Solmar, and judging from Mary's statements, she doesn't intend to open-source the logic chip manufacturing methods. So who can guarantee that there won't be backdoors in the chip's program?
If a large number of robots are introduced and a problem occurs one day, and Soroma remotely activates a backdoor to do something, the consequences could be very serious.

“Let’s put the robot issue on hold for now,” Gao Liangwei said. “Regarding the space colonization plan, North Star has tentatively decided to attempt to launch a manned rocket to land on Terra by the end of this year to conduct a colonization test.”

Mary said, "Our Soroman also plans to launch a manned rocket next month, at the end of December. As long as it's not affected by the rules, on January 1st next year, the Soromans will appear on Terra."

The other committee members fell silent upon hearing this.

Their country may have previously had the resources and capability to launch manned satellites to Terra. But after a dozen or so rules were implemented, resources were lost, people perished, and the country has lost many of its high-end industry technologies and talent reserves.

For large countries, because of their abundant talent reserves, even if some of their talent disappears due to the rules, there will not be an immediate situation of technological regression.

However, small countries have limited talent, with many highly specialized industries having only a handful of qualified individuals. If any of these individuals were to have an accident, the country's pillar in that industry would instantly collapse, leaving no one to replace them.

The technology required for manned rockets is extremely complex, and forcing it would only endanger the astronauts, so several countries abandoned the plan.

Currently, only three countries—North Star, Somaliland, and Sisyah—have sufficient talent and technology to ensure the safety of astronauts with a high probability.

Before the earthquake, the Sakura Kingdom had a chance, but the earthquake destroyed their islands, along with all their aerospace facilities.

Now that the Sakura Kingdom has moved to the tropical continent, its national strength has declined significantly. Without twenty years of stable development, it is simply impossible to restore its former strength.

This is also why some radicals within the country chose to end their own lives. Such a massive decline meant they would never see Sakura Inori become the world's number one in their lifetime, and in their despair, they simply left this world along with their old homeland.

However, to everyone's surprise, the Kingdom of Sisya also had no rocket launch plans.

The bald-headed committee member from Cisia spoke somewhat hesitantly: "We have more important matters to attend to domestically right now, so we don't plan to launch a rocket to Terra this year."

More importantly...

Mary and Gao Liangwei exchanged a glance. Although they didn't say anything, they both vaguely guessed what was going on.

It may be related to the power struggles within the Sisyan state.

Gao Liangwei, in particular, knew more about it. After the girl named "Yelenka" from Xisia, with a special identity, came to Beixing and joined the academy, the authorities specifically notified the Countermeasures Research Office to provide her with some special care.

"So, in other words, only Soroma and Beixing are planning to launch manned rockets this year?"

“That being said, I have a suggestion,” said Committee Member Yingqi. “I believe we should leverage the spirit of sharing within the ‘human alliance.’ While we cannot launch manned rockets, we can provide well-trained astronauts to travel to Terra with your two countries’ rockets.”

Upon hearing this, the other committee members echoed his sentiments.

They may not be able to develop a safe and qualified manned rocket this year, but sending a few astronauts out should still be no problem.

Mary's expression darkened upon hearing this, but Gao Liangwei said, "Our government has always intended to do this, planning to form a conjoined human migration team to Terra." "That's wonderful!"

"We will definitely cooperate actively and send the best astronauts in the country to participate."

"Beixing has demonstrated the responsibility and spirit of a great power, which is truly admirable!"

After receiving a barrage of praise from the committee members, Mary felt a little embarrassed and tried to smooth things over: "Of course, Soroma's rockets also welcome astronauts from ANZAC member states, but they must go through a personnel selection process."

“Committee Member Mary, I think our two countries’ space agencies should work together on this Terra immigration attempt. There should be no selfish motives involved.”

"Yeah, I know that."

The purpose of this space colonization test is not to seize territory, but to find more space and possibilities for human survival.

Therefore, this meeting will establish the charter. If the immigration test is successful, Terra will be a potential second home for all humanity, and all Tianshui people will have a right of belonging, without becoming a single nation or family.

"The selection of astronauts to ride the rocket will be finalized by the end of this month, and emergency collaborative training will begin in early December."

As the chairman of the People's Federation this year, Gao Liangwei maintained a firm grasp on the meeting's progress. After discussing the space colonization test, he immediately moved on to the second focus of the meeting.

"Regarding the situation in France and the country, based on intelligence from various sources, we have made some progress."

Gao Liangwei projected some images and videos onto the large screen in the conference room.

The images primarily depict various rituals of worship for the fire-stealers, including people gathering to sing hymns, reading aloud the previously released end-times rules around a bonfire, and wearing clothing with black pillars and mechanical arm patterns symbolizing the fire-stealers.

Judging from the perspective of these images, most of them were taken by satellite, while a few were close-up first-person shots, secretly recorded by agents sent there.

"As mentioned at the last meeting, France and the country have now fallen entirely and become the stronghold of the Fire Thief Cult," Gao Liangwei said, referring to the images on the large screen.

"Besides the French and their own people, many people from other countries or regions who believe in the fire-stealers have come to visit and gathered in the capital city of Le Loan."

Mary added, "According to our investigation in Soma, a large number of believers appear to have been brainwashed. It can be preliminarily determined that this is the work of the Ascended One who possesses mind control abilities."

The moment this person was mentioned, the expressions of the committee members present all turned solemn.

Before this, who could have imagined that France, a great world power, would fall to such a state, completely disrupted and collapsed by an unknown ascendant?

Of course, this is related to the law and its own poor management, as well as the fact that it happened to be the time when the most destructive earthquake rules were in effect.

And then there's that Ascended One, whose mind control ability is just too tricky.

As long as one resolutely stays out of the limelight, manipulating others from the shadows to make them do what one wants, one can avoid taking any risks while still successfully carrying out evil deeds and causing chaos.

“The current situation is very dangerous for us in Soromagna,” Mary said seriously. “Their fanaticism will spill over into our country and cause harm. We must resolve this problem as soon as possible.”

Committee member Sisya said with a hint of coldness, "Should we wipe them out? We can use guided weapons to deal with them remotely."

"But how can we distinguish among those fanatical believers who truly worship the Firebringer and who are being controlled by their minds? The latter are innocent, aren't they?"

"If we really can't tell the difference, we don't care about being innocent or guilty."

Gao Liangwei said, “Indiscriminate killing is absolutely unacceptable. I propose that our member states send some elite Ascendants to form a joint action team to enter France, find the culprits and their cronies and eliminate them.”

"I think it's feasible."

"agree."

The other committee members had no objections. No one would stand idly by on this matter, because if it wasn't handled properly, all countries would suffer from the impact and threat of fanatical fire-stealers in the future.

After the meeting, Gao Liangwei received the materials sent by Li Meng on his way home.

He checked the information on his laptop, and the document detailed everything related to Guan Tong in the kidnapping case in Yunhua.

According to the records, Guan Tong himself was not kidnapped, but a friend of his named "Xu Xiaotian" was taken away by a local violent organization.

Guan Tong then promptly reported the incident to the police and went with Li Meng and others to the hideout of the violent organization. In the end, they even knocked out and subdued Shen Zuohu, the organization's leader who was about to escape.

Gao Liangwei was already quite surprised by this. He continued reading, trying to find any records about how Guan Tong subdued Shen Zuohu, but the information did not mention it.

Moreover, since Shen Zuohu had already been executed, it was impossible to interrogate him again.

After reviewing the information, Gao Liangwei pondered.

At that time, the Firebringers had only recently arrived, and each Ascended One was still very weak. Guan Tong, as a student, was able to subdue a vicious and violent organization leader and later kill a wild boar single-handedly, which shows that his combat strength was not low from the beginning.

Given all these unusual circumstances, Guan Tong is undoubtedly worth getting to know.

Gao Liangwei picked up his phone and dialed a number: "Prepare to make contact with the target."

After a moment of silence, the other end replied awkwardly, "I'm sorry, manager. The target... we've lost track of its location."

"what?"

"After leaving the academy, the target entered a closed building and never came out again. We sent people to check, but they found that the person was no longer inside... The target must have left using a teleportation item. We have been searching for him for some time now, but we haven't been able to find him."

"...So, you've been discovered? Otherwise, why would he waste a high-value teleportation item to move?"

“We’ve been very careful. We haven’t used any psychic items; we’ve relied entirely on experienced agents for human surveillance. If the other party hasn’t received counter-surveillance training, they shouldn’t have noticed.”

"Manager, what should we do now? Should we continue searching?"

After a moment's consideration, Gao Liangwei said, "Let's forget it. The other party should have noticed something and won't be able to track you down easily anymore. However, you can keep a close eye on the movements of the person related to the target, 'Xu Xiaotian.' He is a friend of the target and may contact or meet with him."

(End of this chapter)