Is Unlocking the Stellaris Tech Tree in Star Rail Really Okay? [311]

On the way back to Qlipoth Fort, Chen Lin received a confidential message from Jing Yuan.

The level of security in this exchange far exceeded their usual communications. Chen Lin had set up a direct messaging channel to the Xianzhou Shroud for both Jing Yuan and Fu Xuan, bypassing the IPC’s information surveillance entirely. The messages were relayed solely through the The Shroud as an intermediary.

The encryption was, in every sense, maxed out.

The contents of the message were straightforward: Jing Yuan and Fu Xuan were set to return to Luofu on the day of the military parade’s conclusion. The integration efforts between Jarilo and Luofu had been completed, and Jing Yuan intended to launch a series of measures targeting the IPC as soon as possible.

How urgent was he? By the time the message reached Chen Lin, Yukong—who had remained in Luofu—had already received orders from Jing Yuan to begin preparing policies for the operation.

The first step was to target the IPC’s monopoly on everyday goods—slowly, like boiling a frog in warm water, the least conspicuous method.

By the time everything was in place and Jing Yuan and Fu Xuan had returned to Luofu, Fu Xuan would liaise with either Bronya or Chen Lin. Together, they would propose the establishment of a "Pan-Galactic Trade Market" within the Galactic Alliance.

Since joining the Alliance required an official process, only a limited number of nations would pass the initial review. As for which nations would be prioritized, Chen Lin suggested selecting the three civilizations that had suffered large-scale internal rebellions and regime restructuring before the military parade—along with the Sterbe Civilization.

These civilizations were already inclined toward the Belobog government, meaning they would naturally vote in favor. With that, the Pan-Galactic Trade Market would be successfully established within the Galactic Alliance.

The next step was even simpler. Chen Lin had run the numbers—he only needed to inject 1,500 units of consumer goods into Luofu while aligning with the government’s policies. For example, if these goods were purchasable using Strale or Winter City Shields, civilians could enjoy up to a 10% discount. The extra profit generated could be funneled into Luofu’s national treasury, with a portion allocated for public relations campaigns.

When it came to media influence, Jing Yuan had specifically sought Chen Lin’s advice. His answer? Two words: "Patriotism" and "National Identity."

The strategy was to highlight the "Jarilo-Luofu Civilian Infrastructure Cooperation Framework Agreement" signed between Luofu and the Empire. A key clause in this agreement stipulated that at least 50% of Luofu’s annual surplus revenue from the Pan-Galactic Trade Market would be allocated to social welfare and infrastructure projects.

Additionally, Luofu would need to establish a publicly accessible financial website, allowing every Xianzhou citizen to track the inflows and outflows of government funds.

The propaganda approach had to be subtle. Blatantly attacking the Interastral Peace Corporation while overly glorifying the Trade Market would be too obvious. Instead, the strategy was to help the IPC with its own publicity—embedding one rational analyst among every ten sockpuppet accounts spreading corporate rhetoric, only for that analyst to be subjected to widespread online harassment and mobbing by "white accounts".

Over time, even those uninterested in Xianzhou’s economic affairs would start paying attention. A small percentage would take the initiative to learn economic principles, eventually realizing that their declining incomes and rising living costs were directly linked to the IPC’s rampant currency printing.

And in all of this, neither Jing Yuan nor Chen Lin could be blamed.

First, they never incited the public to hate the IPC.
Second, they were even spending money to hire people to defend and whitewash the IPC.
Third, the Pan-Galactic Trade Market was a legitimate initiative, approved through democratic voting by multiple civilizations within the Alliance.

As for currency standards…

Xianzhou had never abandoned the Strale currency—it had simply been overshadowed by Credits. The legal framework still recognized Strale as the official currency, and the IPC had even left behind a major loophole due to past compromises: the exchange rate between Strale and Credits was still calculated daily at a fixed rate.

So if Credits collapsed like a failing currency, how could that be blamed on Jing Yuan or Chen Lin?

Wasn’t it obvious that the IPC’s own financial operations in Xianzhou had failed, leading to the people’s loss of trust in Credits? Their collapse was self-inflicted.

Phantylia curiously glanced at Chen Lin, who was messaging Jing Yuan on his phone. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of their conversation about expelling the IPC from Luofu and couldn't help but speak up.

“I could just go wreck their Luofu branch, you know. Kicking out a bunch of corporate lackeys isn’t that hard—why go through all this trouble?”

“That would be pointless.”

Chen Lin shook his head.

“You might be able to kick them out today, but they can always come back once you leave. Not to mention, it would only draw unnecessary attention to Luofu and invite criticism. The cost outweighs the benefit.”

“Oh…”

Chen Lin continued, “Besides, even if Luofu didn't face backlash from public opinion, and even if no one suspected us of harboring you, a Lord Ravager, the best we’d achieve is merely injuring the IPC’s operations in Xianzhou. But if we operate through the entire Luofu society, using our leverage to manipulate the situation, then the IPC’s withdrawal would be like severing an arm—reattaching it won’t be so easy.”

Phantylia had been standing guard when Chen Lin and Jing Yuan first discussed this plan, so she hadn’t eavesdropped. Even as a favored subordinate, she knew better than to pry into a conversation between two leaders—especially when one of them was her own master.

Despite her privileged position, Phantylia was well aware of her limits. She never let the fact that she knew Chen Lin’s deepest secrets inflate her sense of entitlement. She wasn’t reckless or arrogant.

“But… won’t this be really complicated? And besides, you’re talking about integration…” Phantylia frowned. “If the Xianzhou Alliance finds out, they might turn against you.”

“It won’t be complicated. And you don’t have to worry about that.”

“Why not?”

“Because my elder brother wants this too.”

“Huh?”

“You think the Xianzhou enjoys wandering the galaxy, constantly fearing an ambush from the Abundance Alliance? That they love squeezing every last credit just to scrape together military funds? That they want to send Luofu—a critical homeworld-class ship—out on trade missions just to make ends meet?”

Chen Lin tapped her fluffy head.

“The Xianzhou’s bottom line is the Abundance. As long as we don’t touch the Abundance, everything else is negotiable.”

He sighed.

“This is an irreconcilable, ethnic-level conflict between the Xianzhou people and the Abundance—one that can only end with the complete destruction of one side. This war is as absolute as a purification crusade.”

“I understand now.”

“Luofu and I both know how crucial this is. My elder brother understands what I fear and what I want—which is why he handed Luofu’s entire economic lifeline to me as a deposit. The Xianzhou Alliance simply cannot afford the cost of breaking this agreement.”

Chen Lin had lived among the Xianzhou long enough to feel their hatred toward the Abundance. Hundreds of billions of lives, countless sister ships—all annihilated by the Abundance.

This blood feud was irreconcilable.

And now, he could remove all logistical constraints on the Xianzhou’s war effort.

“There’s no reason not to cooperate,” Chen Lin spread his hands. “Those who oppose me will be crushed.”

Phantylia nodded. “Even so… this won’t be easy, will it?”

“It won’t be difficult.”

Chen Lin remained unfazed as he detailed the first phase of his and Jing Yuan’s plan to Phantylia.

She would find out sooner or later—there was no need to keep it from her.

Besides, once the executives of the IPC’s Luofu branch returned to headquarters, he wouldn’t mind letting Phantylia orchestrate a little accidental encounter for them.

After all, Phantylia had suffered humiliation in Luofu, forced to flee in disgrace. Given her deep-seated hatred for Xianzhou Luofu, it was only natural that she’d also harbor resentment toward the IPC’s branch stationed there.

“What’s next?”

The second phase was the simplest.

Chen Lin would secure the rights to construct industrial factories in Xianzhou from Jing Yuan—just as he had once obtained permission from Cocolia to build mining stations and small-scale districts.

The raw materials for these factories would come directly from Chen Lin’s own warehouses, eliminating the need for transportation logistics. He would produce and sell on-site, completely overtaking the IPC’s market—

No. That wasn’t quite right.

It was about winning the trust of the Luofu people with high-quality, cost-effective products!

The third phase would gradually expand Luofu’s districts and infrastructure, ensuring that while it supplied Chen Lin with alloys, it would also grow increasingly reliant on him for fundamental resources.

After all, supporting Luofu’s population was hardly a challenge. Chen Lin could effortlessly grant them the utopian prosperity enjoyed by Jarilo’s citizens. Nothing else mattered. Just grow. Grow, and keep growing!

Any surplus unemployed population would be sent to Jarilo to work. Based on the data Jing Yuan provided, Chen Lin would time his planetary terraforming and colonization projects, leveraging Luofu’s long-lived population to accelerate his snowball expansion.

Luofu feared overpopulation.

Chen Lin didn’t.

No matter how many people came, he could support them all!

And over time, as both sides grew more familiar with each other, their cultures would merge, their identities would intertwine, their bloodlines would mix…

Then, unification would happen naturally.

As Chen Lin explained all this to Phantylia, the two eventually arrived back at Qlipoth Fort.

Pela was currently discussing a cooperation agreement with the Emperor of Rilusia.
Bronya was busy working in her office.
Phantylia had an appointment with Seele for a simulated battle later.

And as for Chen Lin?

He had his own engagement.

The princess of Sterbe, a direct descendant of the Great Khan, had been waiting for him in Qlipoth Fort since early morning.

Today was the deadline for her decision.

By now, she must have fully considered her options—whether to side with the IPC, side with Chen Lin… or choose her own path entirely.

Inside a side chamber, in the reception room, a steaming cup of tea sat before Fia.

It was her favorite drink since arriving in Belobog—on any other day, she could down a dozen cups without hesitation.

But today, she had no appetite for indulgence.

Because today, she would decide the future of her nation.

Sensing movement outside, the maids exchanged brief glances before silently filing out of the room.

Moments later, Chen Lin entered, seating himself directly across from Fia.

However, instead of pressing her for a decision, he brought up the suppression of the rebellion.

"As of this morning, a 4,000-strong Psionic Legion has arrived in orbit over Sterbe-I and begun deploying troops to the surface."

"In no more than three days, the unrest on your homeworld will be quelled."

"Once my Chief Guard deals with the Lord Ravager, the Psionic Legion will withdraw back to Jarilo-VI.”

Fia hesitated briefly before nodding.

“Thank you.”

Chen Lin waved it off with a smile.

“No need to thank me. Even if Sterbe weren’t joining the Galactic Alliance, we would still ensure regional stability as much as possible."

"And besides, I personally vowed to intervene. If a national leader breaks their word, it’s a diplomatic disaster waiting to happen.”

He could feel the weight of the burden pressing down on the young princess before him. That was only natural—who wouldn’t be anxious when entrusted with the fate of their homeland?

Yet, his focus wasn’t so much on her decision as it was on the person before him—the young heir of the Great Khan’s bloodline.

Genetic inheritance granted unparalleled talents to individuals.

And this princess? She was a born warrior. A born commander.

Chen Lin was curious.

Would genetic ascension allow him to replicate such traits?

Even if the copied attributes were slightly weakened due to various factors, they would still be immensely powerful.

A man-made Great Khan-traited general…

Just imagining it was exhilarating.

Unfortunately, Chen Lin had never heard of such special traits being transferable to others. The chances of success were likely very slim.

Lost in their respective thoughts, neither of them spoke.

The silence stretched on for nearly half a minute.

Then, as if having finally steeled herself, Fia parted her lips to speak—

At that very moment, Chen Lin also spoke.

---

This is a fan translation of 在星穹铁道点群星科技树真的没问题吗? by 杏雨诗韵 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!