Chapter 338: The Final Comeback
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
The Z’s sudden landing on the moon had abruptly quieted down the bustling election in the M nation. Everyone had their eyes set on the moon.
For the M nation’s scientific community, this was a rare opportunity to speak out and bring their people into the light through the media. Many well-known scientists and aeros.p.a.ce experts used this chance to explain some things to the public.
“Honestly speaking, we would need another five to ten years to build a s.p.a.ce shuttle comparable to the Celestial Maiden,” said one scientist. “We have yet to tackle the high-thrust detonation engine technology. We are far behind in high-energy battery technology. As for the high-thrust Hall engine technology, we are only on par with the Z’s. In short, we are yet unble to create such an advanced s.p.a.cecraft.”
“We have to admit that the Z’s have surpa.s.sed us in science and technology,” admitted another expert. “This is a cruel fact and a shame to the scientific community of the M nation. We should increase our investments in research and development and strive to recapture our moon in three to five years! We should not be rattling, and in the end, realize that we are not moving forward.”
“In the last century, our Apollo mission to the moon successfully landed six astronauts on the moon and brought back hundreds of kilograms of lunar soil,” said a technology expert. “This time, the Z’s Celestial Maiden could return a ton of lunar soil in just a single trip. Their expenses are only equal to a thousandth of the cost of all our past missions combined. Their success has disgraced us. What is even more heart wrenching is that as of now, we still can’t accomplish this same feat.”
“Enough! Do not deceive yourselves any longer! Their technology is not stolen from us,” a Merican scientist said pa.s.sionately. “Even if we were given the information of an alien s.p.a.cecraft, we would still need a few decades to build a similar s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p. Let us just admit that the Z’s are excellent. Now they are stronger than us and we should start learning from them! Our technological development has been stagnant for more than 30 years. We even lost the ability to land on the moon. If we continue to be unrepentant, we will lose everything.
“The Z’s are already far ahead of us. We must not numb ourselves with lies any longer! We must concentrate our strength and strive to catch up to them!”
In the television media, scientists were using a very solemn tone to express the grimness of the current situation. On the internet, Tom Bruce and others seized the opportunity to carry out their operation, throwing out a variety of thought-provoking questions:
Can someone who only knows how to copy obtain a full score on an independent exam?
Look at that Z nation’s s.p.a.ce shuttle, can we make one immediately?
Would you rather believe a scientist or a politician with a mouth full of lies?
Is defaming others just an excuse for us not to work hard?
In the discussions, a wave of rational voices began to rise, bringing truth to many people. What ultimately swept across people’s minds was a speech by Presidential candidate Lanfelord.
“I know that one thing above all is the most painful for people in this nation, and that is admitting that we are inferior to others,” he said with a heavy heart. “I too am in immense pain. Every night, I lay in my bed restlessly, not wanting to recognize the rise of the Z nation. But the truth will not be altered by will. There’s a reason behind the rise of the Z nation. For decades, they have been focusing their energy on the development of their economy. They have invested a lot of resources in their infrastructure and scientific research. They have been persevering and working hard throughout the years and have not wasted their national power anywhere. Eventually, the fruits of their labor blossomed.”
Here Lanfelord paused, shaking his head before straightening his shoulders and pressing on.
“Of course, we’ve also worked very hard. My colleagues and friends around me are all working hard. Our efforts are no less than the Z’s. But look at what we’ve done over these years. War! The M nation is involved in warfare all around the globe. We burnt trillions of dollars and in turn, we harvested hatred. We stormed into a country and silently withdrew, gaining absolutely nothing in the end.”
He frowned, his brows furrowing over dark eyes.
“We should increase our investments in science and technology, but instead the money is transformed into guns and sh.e.l.ls. We should improve our infrastructure, but the money is used to intervene in the affairs of other countries. We have been dealing with international affairs incongruously, using an 18th-century mindset to hold on to our hegemony. Because we have done too many stupid things, we have expended too much national power. It is because of this that the Z’s had surpa.s.sed us.”
Lanfelord looked into the camera and the eyes of his country.
“The weakening of the M nation’s hegemony, our new status as second in the world, all of this is our fault. Even at this time, there are still people who wish to use their fists and hurl our precious resources into tanks and cannons to ‘take back what we have lost.’ The problem is, we can’t even settle a small country, how could we have the confidence to bring down such a big nation? What’s more, the Z nation now has many friends. The whole world is now trying to please them. Our friends are dwindling. Our most intimate allies are leaving us one after another. Now, who is lying to you and saying that we will win for sure? Please stop going down the wrong path! There is no everlasting empire, no sun doesn’t set. It is more important than everything else for us to divert all our resources back to our country, boost our economy, increase our investments in science and technology, improve our infrastructure, and live our own life!”
It was the 28th of May. After the speech ended, the polling began.
…
May 29th, Xing Hai Edifice Recreation Area
“The M nation’s polling results are out!” yelled an executive who’d been scrolling through his phone.
“Oh? Who was elected?” asked Chen Jin as he lifted his head slightly.
“Lanfelord was elected with a 50.6% vote, pulling off a final comeback!”
“How is that possible?” Ling Jundong asked and stood up in shock. “Winning more than 20% of public support in such a short time, doubling his previous amount of supporters, this is impossible!
“The article implies that Lanfelord’s last speech moved the hearts of many. Even I thought that it made a lot of sense,” replied the executive.
Chen Jin shook his head.
“In the history of the M nation, they have experienced many major setbacks. They have an economic crisis on an average of once every decade and have experienced several depressions. They almost tumbled down into the abyss, yet heir national power continued to rise, and their hegemony lasted for a hundred years.”
“Why would that happen?” asked the executive.
“I presume that they are just like us,” Chen Jin replied. “The M nation also possesses a strong ability to correct its own errors. They can correct their mistakes in time and will not go all the way down the wrong path. In this election, I’ve witnessed the ability of the M nation to correct their own mistakes. They are still a nation that must not be underestimated. Their hegemony may have been lost, but they will remain strong. They will always occupy an important place on this planet.”
The others nodded. What Mr. Chen said made sense.
After only ten days, Xing Hai Technologies would be ushering in an important visitor – the President’s chief aide, dispatched by President Lanfelord himself!