Chapter 101 Is This Really Going to Work?

Hao Ren went through the entire process in his mind. Although he felt there were no logical problems, he was still a little unsure. "So... will this really work?"

"There's nothing wrong with it," the data terminal buzzed, circling around Hao Ren's ear. "All the procedures are within the limits of the regulations, and to be honest, the current situation of the Erem Elves is already close to meeting the standard of 'civilization preservation.' You are the inspector in charge of handling this matter, and you have some authority to define the nature of this event. Remember, although the Empire's laws are strict, we are not machines. Instead of rigidly sticking to the rules, we are better at finding the core of a matter. All the regulations regarding civilization preservation boil down to three core principles: First, ensure the diversity of civilizations, thereby ensuring the orderly development of the entire Order camp; second, protect civilizations with potential as much as possible, thereby ensuring that there is always fresh blood and reserve strength within the Empire's territory; and third, prevent valueless attrition between civilizations. Let me explain the last point further: The Empire does not interfere in ordinary wars between mortal civilizations, but in order to ensure the first two core principles, we will intervene in extinction-level wars and valueless, blind wars. The above is the core requirement of 80 percent of the work of the Space-Time Administration, and all other laws are formulated under the premise of these three core principles. If, in the actual operation, certain branch regulations conflict with these three core principles, then the three core principles shall prevail. Of course, if possible—reasonably circumventing conflicts by using existing regulations is the smartest approach, which will greatly improve your evaluation as an inspector, and Overseer Raven will also be impressed by you."

Hao Ren thought for a while. "...Suddenly, I don't feel happy even if Raven 12345 gives me a high evaluation..."

The data terminal shamelessly agreed, "Oh, that's true."

Hao Ren: "...Ahem, let's get back to the point. So, it's okay for the Erem Elves to go to my universe?"

"Yes," the data terminal slowly landed back on the table. "Actually, we could also give them a home in this universe. That would be closer for them. But we're trying to save trouble now. Anyway, we have a ready-made planet, so why not use it? For the Empire, settling them eight million light-years away is no different from settling them in another universe. We lost the concept of 'distance' long ago. And settling them on our side has another advantage: these Erem Elves do seem to have a lot of potential. The Empire likes such young races. It would be a waste to put them in this wild universe. It's better to settle them closer to the prosperous area so they can come into contact with other races sooner and not waste their drive and talent."

Hao Ren nodded thoughtfully, then thought about a more crucial question: Moving was definitely necessary, but who would help them move?

He only had a wugui tuo (turtle-like) ship... the Petrified Tortoise. That thing did have space expansion cargo holds, but no matter how much it expanded, it couldn't hold a billion elves and their luggage. If he drove the spaceship back and forth, he'd probably be doing that until the men's football team won the World Cup. And with his current authority, he couldn't apply for the Empire's official colonial fleet—he could submit a report and transfer the whole matter to a higher level, but he didn't want to do that.

So, from the beginning, he had been considering where to find some civilian helpers. After thinking for a long time, he didn't seem to know many people in the macro-world, but finally, he had an idea. "Terminal, do you remember the transport ship captain we met on our first extraterrestrial business trip? Do you have his contact information?"

"You mean Ship No. 883?" the data terminal immediately remembered. "Of course, I kept it. He stuffed a lot of advertising material into this machine when he got on board. These long-distance runners are very aggressive in soliciting business."

Hao Ren quickly asked the data terminal to try to contact the other party. It turned out that the person was really online, and a rough and powerful baritone sounded: "Is that the inspector from last time?! What's up? National mission?"

Hao Ren hadn't seen the captain since they parted ways. He was a little embarrassed to ask for help as soon as he contacted him. "Uh... Haha, it's not really a national mission. I have something to ask you. Is your ship free now?"

"I'm currently running on the route," Captain 883 was on his ship, and it sounded like he was still directing the scene. "Hey, Enzo, go to the cargo hold and see if the dismantling is complete. We have two hours to dock... Oh, Inspector, I'm talking to my men. I'm busy right now, but I'll be done tomorrow and will be free for a while. What do you need help with? Delivering goods?"

"Just call me by my name. 'Inspector' sounds weird," Hao Ren said. Hearing that the other party's schedule was perfect, he felt half relieved. "Here's the thing. I'm on a business trip in another universe, and I've encountered some refugees who need to be transported back... Doesn't your ship have a passenger transport license? I'd like to ask you for a favor. The refugees can use their remaining property to pay for the transport, and I'll apply for a cross-border route for you."

Captain 883 laughed heartily without even thinking, "Ha, don't be polite. We can talk about the transport fee. How many people are you planning to transport?"

"One billion people, plus a lot of luggage, scientific research data, equipment, and supplies..."

The communication channel suddenly went silent. Hao Ren waited for a long time before hearing a strange male voice: "Our captain just had a seizure. You..."

883's voice trembled as he took over: "I'm okay, I'm okay. I just didn't stand still—how many people did you say?"

Hao Ren chuckled dryly: "One billion..."

There was silence on the other side: "What grudge do you have against me..."

"Don't be like that. I'm serious."

"Okay, you're not planning to transport the entire civilization, are you?"

"That's exactly what's going on: the entire race is transferring," Hao Ren nodded. "I know there's a moving company called Jieyun or something in the macro-world that specializes in this kind of relocation, but I haven't been in contact with them, so I don't know if they're reliable. I'll ask an acquaintance first, and I remember that you guys also handle moving business..."

"Tell me first what's going on with those refugees," 883 interrupted him immediately. "How did they end up in this situation?"

Hao Ren then explained the situation of the Erem Elves and why he wanted to find a private company to help. The 883 captain wasn't surprised by the second point, because inspectors were the "intermediaries" used by the Empire to contact mortal civilizations. It was normal for them to seek help from private companies when something happened. Only Hao Ren, this clueless guy, felt like he was in the dark. After listening, Captain 883 said with some emotion: "Born in the wandering star system, that's terrible... What did you say they plan to use to pay the toll?"

"Anything is fine," Hao Ren had specifically confirmed this with Hilder before. "They have nothing they can't let go of now."

"Then do they still want the parts for their floating islands and ecological domes?"

Hao Ren was a little stunned: "...They probably don't need them anymore. Are you asking if you want them?"

"Okay, I'll use those things to pay," Captain 883 sounded quite happy. "Dismantle the things you can't take from home and convert them into travel expenses, travel light and go to a better home, I'm happy for them."

"Wait, is that enough?" Hao Ren felt that this development was a bit beyond his expectations. "Those things are basically scrap metal. I'm not going to trick you. The thrusters of these floating islands have problems and could explode at any time. What are you going to do with them?"

"Hey, just replace the thrusters and rebuild them into space cities. It's still something. According to you, the floating islands and equipment they're going to scrap this time are an astronomical figure. Even if it's worthless junk, can't I still dismantle a few tons of banknotes? How expensive do you think a trip is..."

Hao Ren was overjoyed. He was originally worried about how these poor elves would pay, but now he heard that the junk in their hands could actually be exchanged for money in the macro-world. At the same time, he was a little confused and discussed with the people next to him: "Why do I always feel that this cost is different from what I expected... I originally thought that moving these elves would be an astronomical figure, and it might take them a thousand years to pay on time..."

Vivian had been listening the whole time and had the same confusion as Hao Ren. She didn't know why the cost of this move was so easily solved. But after thinking for a while, she suddenly reacted: "Landlord, you're only counting the toll! You haven't charged them rent yet!"

Hao Ren suddenly understood.

"Then it's settled. Let's discuss a meeting date and tell me the coordinates over there." Captain 883's voice was very pleasant. It seemed to be a very profitable business for him. Hao Ren didn't know what the economic situation of the macro-world was like, but this long-distance runner would definitely not let himself suffer, and the elves would definitely not care about being scammed a bit for the sake of moving, so he didn't worry about both parties. Only at the end did he have to remind him: "You're not really planning to drive the ship back and forth alone, are you?"

"Of course not. I'll find a few acquaintances. They specialize in driving big ships," 883 said happily. "You don't have to worry about the shipping costs. I'll discuss it with them. By the way, let the elves mark the floating islands and equipment they want to save. They should also want to keep a souvenir when they move to a new home. I'll find a force field barge to transport them. I can help them transport two or three islands. This is a gift."

"Then I'll leave it to you. But don't rush to arrange it. I still have to discuss it with these elves. I'll send you a message after they agree."

"Okay!"

Thus, the most important "Great Migration" event in the history of the Erem Elves was decided in a pleasant conversation between a rookie inspector and a long-distance veteran.

(Damn, I read the clock wrong... I thought it was just past 12:10)