Chapter 288 The source of the Galactic Empire's power! Alliance! Waiting for change

Chapter 288 The source of power of the Galactic Empire! Alliance! Wait for changes!

"You can get all the rights and interests of Arrakis, but I have only one small request."

After thinking for a moment, Duke Leto looked up at Song Zhaomei and said seriously: "The spices on Arrakis are vital to us."

"Without spices, we can't train special people such as Mentat and navigators. In that case, we won't have enough capable helpers."

There was a bit of helplessness in Leto's voice, "So I can agree to let the Universal Corporation get Arrakis, and I can also control the mining rights of spices."

"But you must provide us with some spices regularly, so that we can maintain our existing interstellar system and talent system."

Although Duke Leto needed the help of the Universal Corporation, he did not want the talent system of the major families to collapse and the interstellar navigation routes to disintegrate.

That's why he made this request, which was not excessive. After all, spices have become a key link in maintaining the system of the Galactic Empire, and they have long been unable to get rid of spices.

However, facing this not excessive request, Song Zhaomei also shook her head, indicating that it was not her turn to decide on the use of spices.

Moreover, spices can be used for Mentat training, but should not be used for navigator training, because this is completely unnecessary.

"My Lord Duke, your Galactic Empire has chosen a wrong path to technological advancement. Although spices have found a way to bypass the development of AI artificial intelligence for you."

"But at the same time, it also limits your technological ceiling and locks your future."

"The entire empire's interstellar navigation system actually relies on navigators, a creature that is neither human nor ghost, to maintain it. This is a destruction of people."

Although Song Zhaomei's slightly arrogant and condescending words made Leto feel a little uncomfortable, he still suppressed his anger and asked the other party:

"If so, what technology do you rely on for interstellar navigation!"

Song Zhaomei smiled and told Leto all the AI ​​technologies such as AI artificial intelligence, intelligent AI, matrix-cultivated AI, and even the transcendental AI Europa.

When he learned that the Universal Corporation had so many technology points added to AI, his facial features were almost twisted.

Fear, anger, astonishment and other emotions intertwined together, making him feel cold from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.

"Director Song... you shouldn't do this!"

Leto's voice was mixed with fear.

In the Galactic Empire, no one does not know what terrible disasters AI artificial intelligence has brought to human civilization, and how much painful price their ancestors paid for it.

That holy war concerning the human race has extraordinary "creation" significance for every citizen in the empire.

Developing AI artificial intelligence is equivalent to denying the significance of the holy war. As the saying goes, the ancestral law cannot be changed. It's okay to use one AI, but there are so many different AIs.

This is simply raising poison!

Facing the terrified Duke Leto, Song Zhaomei still explained to him calmly: "Artificial intelligence is an essential tool for the progress of every civilization."

"We have learned about the history of your empire. You gave up the development of computer technology just because of an intelligent machine crisis. This is throwing the baby out with the bathwater."

Yes, when artificial intelligence develops to a certain level, it is very likely to give birth to self-awareness, leading to a large-scale intelligent rebellion.

But as long as the mind does not slip, there are always more solutions than difficulties. Since humans can create AI artificial intelligence, they can definitely control AI.

It all depends on whether you want to.

After listening to Song Zhaomei's rebuttal, Duke Leto was stunned at first, and then he was furious.

They are throwing the baby out with the bathwater? In the past, hundreds of millions of humans died because of the intelligent machine crisis, and almost wiped out the entire race!

If it weren't for the concerted efforts of the warriors of the major families, there would be no humans in the Milky Way of this universe, but a lot of mechanical life forms.

However, despite his anger, after seeing the advanced technology level and powerful fleet strength of the Universal Corporation, Leto also realized another possibility of developing AI artificial intelligence.

The Universal Corporation is stronger than the families of the entire Galactic Empire, and their technology level is higher. This is an indisputable fact, and Leto has to admit it.

Maybe the route chosen by the Universal Corporation is correct, but for the families of the Dune universe, this is definitely wrong!

First, the Galactic Empire did not completely prohibit the development of computer technology. They just gave up the technology with more complex algorithms.

That is, only some low-level computer technology was retained.

After all, too complex algorithms can easily be used by people with evil intentions to create AI artificial intelligence.

Therefore, the Corino royal family had issued a decree as early as ten thousand years ago, clearly stating that anyone who studies AI artificial intelligence will be immediately executed.

This is the most superficial legal reason.

The deeper reason lies in the second point, political significance!

You know, the holy war between humans and AI ten thousand years ago not only concerns the survival of the human species, but also the source of power of the royal family and major families.

From ancient times to the present, the legitimate source of power has always been very important. Some dynasties overthrew tyranny and established a new order, so the dynasty would be destroyed by internal tyranny.

Some dynasties rely on the strongest soldiers and horses to become kings, so they will be overthrown by stronger warlords.

The power of the nobles of the Galactic Empire depends on the holy war with AI artificial intelligence. The significance of the existence of this holy war is equivalent to telling everyone:

The reason why the Corino royal family and major families can rule you untouchables is because our ancestors have made contributions, won the battle with AI, and saved human civilization.

Without the royal family and family nobles, you untouchables still don’t know where they are, so being obedient is the way to follow the will of heaven.

You have to hold it in even if you are not convinced!

If you now publicly declare that you want to develop AI artificial intelligence, it is equivalent to completely denying the significance of the holy war.

What is the difference between this and dancing on the graves of your ancestors and mocking them in the face!

More importantly, doing so is also denying the source of power of the royal family and major families, which is a pure source of chaos for these nobles.

If Leto really dares to develop AI, not to mention the Corino royal family, even other small families will want to skin the Atreides family.

Their dear ancestors sacrificed their lives and shed their blood to finally win this heirloom power. Just lying on the credit book can let their descendants continue to eat.

As a result, they were destroyed by a sentence of developing AI. It would be strange if this didn't break the defense!

This is the fundamental reason why every imperial family will spontaneously maintain the "ban on AI" law, because they are essentially protecting their own interests.

In fact, Song Zhaomei is not completely unaware of the probability in Duke Leto's mind.

Long before she officially took over the task of integrating the "Dune" universe, Li Ang gave her a special lesson and analyzed the political structure of the Galactic Empire for her. What is the situation?

So Song Zhaomei also knows the reason why the major families dare not use AI.

"We can give you a set of equipment for calculating interstellar routes. This equipment has our encrypted program code. You can only use the function, but you can't get the specific content of the program."

"So don't worry about someone using this device to intercept data and create artificial intelligence."

To solve the interstellar navigation problem in the Dune universe, it is actually not that difficult. Isn't it enough to use AI devices "on the edge"?

The navigation equipment is rented from the Universal Corporation. They don't need to develop the technology themselves. If there is a problem, the giant company will be responsible. The major families are still nobles.

You should know that the most advanced technology point of the Universal Corporation is AI technology. With the computer level of the Galactic Empire, it will not be able to crack the program in it even after tens of thousands of years.

This compromise can not only solve the dilemma of each imperial family needing spices to train navigators, but also maintain the interstellar navigation system without affecting the power base.

After listening to Song Zhaomei's idea, Duke Leto's slightly restless heart finally calmed down.

Although this still has a sense of "covering one's ears and stealing the bell", no matter what, the Universal Corporation at least has the attitude of actually solving the problem.

The giant corporation respected their political ecological environment and also maintained the fundamental interests of each family, which shows that the other party is not a "destroyer" of order.

But a participant!

This is very important. Only when we can play together can we call it cooperation, otherwise there is no need to talk about cooperation.

"Director Song, the content of our negotiation today is mixed with many pros and cons. I need some time to think about it."

After thinking for a long time, Duke Leto made an ambiguous statement. He neither agreed to cooperate with the giant corporation nor refused the other party.

After all, whether it is the spices on Arrakis or the new interstellar navigation system device, these are unspeakable points, and the forces involved are not just the Atreides family.

Unless the Atreides family is strong enough to ignore the royal family and other families, Leto still has to act cautiously.

'To be enemies with the Corino royal family and other families... How is this possible? Who knows if the Universal Corporation will turn around and sell my Atreides family. '

Leto laughed at himself in his heart.

If the Atreides family could also have a powerful fleet like the Universal Corporation, then he certainly wouldn't have to look at the faces of the royal family and other families.

But the reality is that he doesn't have such a powerful force, and he is not sure whether the Universal Corporation will backstab his allies.

What if the real purpose of the Universal Corporation is to deceive the Atreides family and ask for some benefits from the Corino royal family? This is not certain.

As the patriarch of the Atreides family, Leto is right to be safe.

"My Lord, the envoy of Emperor Shaddam will arrive on Caladan soon. When the time comes, what will you choose when facing the emperor's will?"

Song Zhaomei did not force the other party to answer now, but asked the other party a question calmly.

She knew that Leto would make a choice sooner or later, and the time left for the Atreides family to think was running out. The emperor's envoy could come at any time, and Leto must think it through as soon as possible.

As expected, Duke Leto fell into silence.

He had just received the message from Emperor Shaddam and had not had time to discuss the result when he arrived at the flagship of the Universal Corporation.

Until now, Leto had not figured out what words to use to reply to the Emperor's envoy. He couldn't really pretend to be sick or crazy.

In short, Arrakis is a conspiracy specifically targeting the Atreides family, and Leto is unwilling to go there no matter what.

"I will not accept the transfer order from the Corino royal family."

After thinking for a moment, Leto replied: "I will lead the guards of the Atreides family and station them in Caladan. Even if the emperor asks for punishment, I don't care."

The Atreides family is the leader of the Lansgard Federation after all. Among the many family clans, Leto is a well-known big shot.

If Emperor Shaddam really tears his face against the Atreides family, Leto is also confident that he can lead other families to launch a counterattack against the Corino royal family.

At worst, it will be a fight to the death, who is afraid of who!

"So, you plan to bear the crime of treason and openly sing against the royal family."

Song Zhaomei nodded thoughtfully. This approach is not bad, at least it is enough to protect yourself.

"My Lord Duke, you can consider formally establishing a cooperative relationship with us. In this case, I can lend you this advance fleet on my own initiative."

"You can take this fleet to Arrakis. At that time, whether it is the royal family or the Harkonnen family, you can take the initiative and take down their troops."

Song Zhaomei still hopes that Leto can reach a cooperation with the Universal Corporation as soon as possible. After all, it will not be good for both parties to procrastinate.

Only by completing the alliance in advance can the next work be carried out.

Seeing that Song Zhaomei has said so much, Duke Leto also nodded slowly, stood up and responded:

"I will seriously consider your opinions. Thank you for the trust and support of the Universal Corporation for the Atreides Family."

If he can get the fleet of the Corporation, let alone the Corino Royal Family, even if all the families are added together, they may not be enough for him to fight.

With the escort of this fleet, the conspiracy set up by the royal family on Arrakis will be a self-defeating move!

Hearing Leto say this, Song Zhaomei already knew that the matter was more than half successful. Although the negotiations between the two sides did not reach an agreement, they had actually discussed the exchange of interests.

Anyway, the requirements of the giant company have been delivered in place. Even if Leto wants to fight for some more benefits, he can't get much practical benefits.

After letting the Spartan warriors escort Leto out of the flagship, Song Zhaomei showed a relaxed smile. This cooperation has been negotiated. The next thing to do is to wait for the situation to change.

As long as the envoy of Emperor Shaddam arrives and the situation of the Atreides family deteriorates, Leto will immediately seek help from the giant company.

Immediately, Song Zhaomei summarized all the content of the negotiations that had just taken place and reported it in detail to Leon, who was far away in the main universe.

[I will transfer the Spartan team under David to you. If you need them, use them to help you. ]

The Spartan team that Leon mentioned is a small branch of the Advance Team of the Heavens under David's jurisdiction. This Spartan team is controlled by Rita, and its members are elite warriors of Sparta.

Including William Cage, John 117 and others.

Since the Zhutian Vanguard has undergone a reorganization and reform, this elite force has introduced many specialized talents from various departments, such as the Spartan team, which is a typical example.

"Yes, I will."

Song Zhaomei responded. She knew that Li Ang had specially assigned a Spartan team to her, and its purpose was not only to facilitate her to deploy combat missions.

More importantly, it was to help these newcomers gain merits and facilitate the subsequent promotion procedures.

After all, the difficulty of this Zhutian operation was not high, and there was no need to risk life to do things. Just using the Spartan team was enough.

There was no need to mobilize the Astartes warriors in the Iron Hands Regiment.

…