Is Unlocking the Stellaris Tech Tree in Star Rail Really Okay? [364]

Reporting is an art—one influenced by politics and constantly changing with the times.

By subtly embedding certain phrases within statistics, intended messages can be legally and plausibly communicated. Even if discovered, the blame can easily be shifted onto algorithms or prior calculations.

Take, for example, two ways of reporting the same event:

"In the Empire's first engagement with the Nanite Calamity, 15 small forward frigates were lost, most casualties occurring among escort ships. A further 45 ships sustained damage, representing a 15% casualty rate among the main fleet, while successfully killing over a hundred L-Drakes."

Versus:

"In the Empire's first engagement with the Nanite Calamity, the fleet barely secured victory with a staggering 62% casualty rate."

Both statements use identical data but produce drastically different impressions. The use of language and numbers indeed constitutes sophisticated political artistry.

Chen Lin had always possessed a natural talent in this area; otherwise, he wouldn't have risen to a project assistant role within just over a year.

He could remember clearly which leaders preferred alcohol, tobacco, or fishing, yet frequently forgot the names of invisible technicians recently assigned to projects. With his exceptional memory, remembering everyone would have been easy.

But what's the point of memorizing everything? If unnecessary details wouldn't earn additional research funding or time, why waste his mental energy?

After arriving here and receiving extensive training, his innate talent had grown significantly, pushing his limits far beyond before.

Both Welt and Fu Xuan urgently wanted updates on the war, primarily because recent corporate reports estimated casualties in Jarilo had reached millions within mere months.

Millions lost in just a few months—what about further down the line?

The company's data was undeniably credible, based on ship losses. Initially, a fully staffed escort ship required over 50,000 personnel including emergency replacements, while destroyers approached nearly 100,000 crew members each, necessary for responding to most combat emergencies.

With additional losses inevitably occurring on damaged vessels, Minister Topaz from the Public Information Department calculated these figures using logical, precise formulas, resulting in the neutral reporting stance of the IPC.

These were terrifying numbers...

Even ordinary citizens understood the enormous cost of training military personnel. Perhaps human lives shouldn't be reduced to numbers, yet the impact of these millions of casualties was comparable to hundreds of millions of civilian deaths!

How could they remain calm faced with such news?

A star map unfolded, clearly displaying Jarilo's current occupation within the L-Cluster, with border posts visibly established and strategic routes under the navy's control.

Observing the star map, Welt's tightly knit brows loosened and tightened intermittently before finally speaking up: "Chen, you... have other plans?"

Chen Lin nodded before quickly clarifying, "The company's reported casualties closely reflect reality, perhaps slightly understated. The enemy we face is indeed formidable."

After successfully concluding the first advancement phase and establishing necessary outposts, the second phase swiftly commenced.

Unlike the relatively smooth first phase, Chen Lin's two fleets collided head-on with star systems densely littered with L-Drake carcasses. The number of active L-Drakes far exceeded initial expectations, exacting a heavy toll on both fleets before narrowly achieving their strategic objectives.

The anomalies uncovered during this process validated Chen Lin's earlier suspicion: The L-Gate contained threats beyond merely L-Drakes.

Discovering thousands of L-Drake corpses in merely six systems wasn't trivial!

"Then Belobog now...?"

Welt clenched his jaw. Upon noticing Himeko's slight nod, he placed a reassuring hand on Chen Lin's shoulder and said earnestly, "The Express doesn't intervene in other civilizations' internal affairs. However, mutual support among members sometimes outweighs such principles."

Chen Lin blinked, momentarily taken aback. He had prepared a lengthy explanation, but it seemed unnecessary now. Nonetheless, he expressed gratitude and clarified briefly.

"Thanks, everyone. There's a minor favor I need, but it doesn't involve breaking any principles—just lending your voices is enough."

Welt regarded Chen Lin’s gentle smile, convinced that Chen Lin was carefully preserving the Express Crew’s dignity, a subtle act of consideration that greatly increased his already immense respect.

Managing a civilization, handling war strategies, guarding against external invasions during vulnerable periods, supporting Luofu's development and diplomacy, and now even thoughtfully safeguarding the Express Crew's neutrality...

This child was just too mature—mature enough to evoke pity!

What Welt didn't realize was that Jing Yuan, Chen Lin—and perhaps Fu Xuan, reluctantly included—combined probably had enough cunning to match hundreds of schemers, capable of orchestrating plots leaving victims bewildered until their last breath.

The prime example was the IPC branch on Luofu. Even now, the company hadn't unraveled exactly how Luofu's financial and currency crises occurred. While Luofu's self-preservation tactics could justify squeezing the IPC, Divine Foresight wasn't at fault. Yet... how exactly had things reached this point?

Perhaps the disgraced branch manager who returned to corporate headquarters might never figure it out in his lifetime.

"Chen, I know you're worried about placing the Express Crew in an awkward position, but it won't unfold as you fear. Emotions are a natural right of sentient beings, a feeling any reasonable person can understand."

“To be fair, Uncle Yang’s perspective is objective, reasonable, understanding, and comprehensive. Right on the mark…"

Stelle, who was enthusiastically chiming in, was gently pushed back by March 7th, grinning brightly as she said, “Linlin, just like Uncle Yang said—no need to be so polite. Whatever needs doing, just say the word, and we'll handle it!”

Though March might seem naive at times, she wasn’t slow-witted. With Himeko's subtle whispering, she quickly grasped Welt's underlying meaning.

Stab a friend in the back? No, no—right now, she was ready to take a knife for her brother, eager to break the boredom. Having been stuck on Xianzhou for too long, she was practically growing moldy.

Nobody was going to stop her—no need to ask why, because the Great Detective March 7th had already decided!

Himeko gently stroked her chin, reflecting carefully on the information at hand. Before arriving, she and Welt had shared similar suspicions, but Chen Lin's calmness and Fu Xuan's composed demeanor suggested things weren't as simple as they appeared...

Had she overlooked something?

Pieces of information rapidly connected in her mind, fitting together seamlessly. Everything seemed logical, yet the more she thought about it, the stronger her unease grew.

But what was it exactly?

She began recalling the IPC's recent news reports. The biggest, most recent event had been the company hastily announcing a long-term technological cooperation agreement with the Empire, as though terrified any delay might cause the Empire to back out...

Wait a moment—!

Himeko suddenly paused, sensing she'd discovered the crucial point.

What did news demand? Truth, speed, accuracy. Yet, after initially reporting the Empire's fleet departure, there was a significant delay before the IPC released subsequent war reports. Even considering wartime disruptions, wasn't that delay suspiciously long?

Connecting this with Chen Lin's unruffled attitude—clearly not one of concealment—and the double-layered isolation around the Divination Commission's main hall, Himeko's previously tense brows relaxed completely.

She gently interrupted the crew’s chatter, smiling warmly at Chen Lin and offering him an opening.

“Perhaps it’s best if Chen explains exactly what kind of 'words' we should say. Once we understand fully, we can make our plans accordingly, right?”

Upon hearing her words, both Fu Xuan and Chen Lin glanced at her simultaneously. Fu Xuan quickly looked away, while Chen Lin returned her smile.

If her reasoning was correct, Himeko believed she’d solved at least 30% of the puzzle.

Chen Lin was genuinely surprised by Himeko’s sharp perception. Without substantial supporting information and merely deducing from his demeanor, she quickly identified the anomaly.

Some people becoming navigators wasn't coincidental. Even setting aside physical strength—since Chen Lin had never witnessed Himeko at her fullest—her mental acuity was undoubtedly impressive.

“Ahem…! It’s simple. All you have to do is use your 'objective' stance to verify the company’s publicly released information. Nothing more is required,” Chen Lin cleared his throat, emphasizing the word “objective” to underline how straightforward he found this request.

The crew stared at him, astonished, except for Himeko and Fu Xuan. Even a certain little Azure Dragon was scrunching up her face in confusion!

Until now, apart from Jing Yuan and Himeko, nobody seemed to have noticed one subtle detail: the IPC’s first neutral war report came out during the third month of the conflict—right after "Sparkle" discreetly relayed intelligence from the Psionic Guards.

Even if the IPC harbored slight grievances against Chen Lin, its leaders always considered the bigger picture. Hyperdrive engines were far too valuable!

If Chen Lin truly faced setbacks requiring military or economic assistance, the IPC would undoubtedly provide help. Losing access to crucial technology was a far worse scenario, especially if it meant facing a disaster-level force comparable to Emperor Rupert alone.

The IPC was profit-driven, yes, but certainly not foolish. Anyone who worked at Pier Point headquarters possessed substantial intelligence.

Chen Lin might genuinely resent the IPC for behaving like a giant yet falling short of one, but that didn’t imply the company was incompetent.

When the IPC noticed Minister Topaz’s report contained subtle biases, Pier Point headquarters urgently contacted Qlipoth Fort to verify. Naturally, Chen Lin confirmed its accuracy.

With the governor himself backing it, the IPC had no choice but to release the report, feigning ignorance of its issues.

The Empire, which had shone brilliantly during the military parade, faced setbacks within the L-Gate...

Such explosive news would captivate any civilization, fueling rampant speculation throughout the galaxy. As gossip spread rapidly, subjective additions from sensationalists and interstellar rumor-mongers inevitably caused a storm of speculation.

Few bothered verifying the IPC’s official broadcasts directly. Except for outrageous fabrications, current speculations about Imperial military actions ranged wildly.

They might as well claim Governor Chen once disguised himself as a rabbit in his troubled youth, or that a certain ancestor did something outrageous one year...

Absurd, wasn’t it?

With censorship rights secured behind closed doors, Chen Lin appeared foolish allowing unfavorable rumors to spread. But that’s precisely what he wanted—convincing certain parties the Empire was arrogant enough to make such obvious blunders.

Welt was the first to grasp this strategy, gazing at Chen Lin with awe and empathy, realizing how much pressure the young governor must endure to devise such a meticulous plan. His maturity was painfully admirable.

Eyes resolute, Welt spoke decisively, “Honestly, this barely counts as helping. But Chen, if you need this, I have no objections.”

Himeko nodded firmly, “I agree with Welt.”

“Huh?” March 7th stared blankly at her senior crewmates before hastily chiming in, “Me too! Count me in!”

Stelle eagerly added, “Linlin, is there a reward? Is it just for me, or everyone? If not exclusive, forget the reward—I’m helping anyway!”

Chen Lin sighed softly, "Who taught you that?"

"You did."

"Don’t implicate me—I never taught you anything like that."

Meanwhile, Dan Heng remained deep in thought, oblivious to his companions’ declarations. A torrent of deductions flooded his mind, attempting to decode Chen Lin's intentions, until March nudged him gently.

“Mm,” Dan Heng responded succinctly.

He didn't need more words. From the beginning, his stance had always been unwavering. Even if Welt or Himeko had hesitated, Dan Heng would have temporarily stepped off the Express if necessary, returning only when appropriate.

Given his complicated past with Xianzhou, the fact that Dan Heng could now freely walk these grounds was largely thanks to Chen Lin discreetly facilitating negotiations on his behalf, embedding terms within diplomatic agreements specifically to end Xianzhou's pursuit.

Dan Heng wasn't one for verbal expressions of gratitude, but he’d quietly offer his wholehearted support when his friend faced trouble, demonstrating sincere appreciation through his actions.

This was who he was.

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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!