Sky-cracking Rider

"I'm currently preparing a paper on the 'Thucydides Trap' and its relation to Cangqiong Star and Blue Star. I am from Cangqiong Star People, a member of the Royal Family, and you are from Blue Star, a commoner. It would be good to discuss this from different perspectives!" Princess Doctor or Doctor Princess, Lin Ziyu Slan, once she started talking about other topics, would invariably and uncontrollably circle back to her own academic specialty within three sentences. With high emotional intelligence, she switched topics as smoothly as flowing clouds and running water. "Actually... war can also be a good thing!" Since becoming a working man, Chen Fei had not been in touch with academic matters for a long time, and mentioning it naturally aroused some interest. Even today, the things he learned during his undergraduate years were still clear in his mind, and had not been given back to the teachers. Although sometimes he would inexplicably become murderously angry, this statement actually came from the bottom of his heart. Capital is man-eating, even more ruthless than war; at least war leaves a corpse, while man-eating leaves not even a bone behind. "Eh?" Her Royal Highness the Princess had not at all expected Chen Fei's thoughts, which were completely different from her original ideas, even diametrically opposite. The core argument of the paper Lin Ziyu was preparing was to avoid the war catastrophes brought about by the "Thucydides Trap" at all costs and to seek long-lasting solutions for cooperation and peaceful coexistence between two completely different planetary civilizations. This paper suited her identity as the Royal Princess. "Although war can destroy economies, nothing can be reestablished without destruction first. By seizing this opportunity to break the old mechanism and establish a new balance, we can stimulate economic growth more effectively and form a more stable and mature socio-economic system. In a way, war is the catalyst for the progress and integration of civilizations." Chen Fei spread his hands, shrugged his shoulders, and continued, "I, a humble one, just so happen to have studied economics!" From the sound of it, one might mistakenly think that he studied not economics but the art of war. War serves politics, and politics serve the economy; fighting is all about the economy, and without money or provisions, not a single soldier can be mustered. The two are indeed closely related. The length of human civilization's history is negligible compared to many other epochal civilizations, yet, it is precisely because of never having a day's peace that it has been able to grow so rapidly in such a short time. Each epoch has a shorter growth cycle than the one before it, and accordingly, there is even less peacetime. Only in the Golden Epoch of the First Epoch was there so much peace and quiet; hence, its disappearance was the cleanest, leaving not even a hair behind. "That's a terrible deduction!" The Princess of the Silan Dynasty looked disheartened. Is the "Thucydides Trap" really an unavoidable problem? Chen Fei didn't care. He was just a commoner caught in the currents of society, perhaps able to make some whispers in the dark, but ignored by all. As a Royal Family member who rules a civilized planet and the second in line to the throne, Lin Ziyu Slan's every move is in the public eye, and every word and deed is subject to countless interpretations, none of which she desires. The bloodline of the Royal Family is like shackles on her body, so she dares not make any rash moves. In this respect, she envies the commoners, who are either praised for doing good deeds or thrown in jail for doing bad ones. Seeing Lin Ziyu Slan distressed by the shadow of the "Thucydides Trap," Chen Fei said, "Economies go through cycles, and so do civilizations. If both civilizations enter a period of decline, decadence and laziness will breed. It might be better to sharpen each other, removing the rotten flesh, breaking down and then rebuilding to rejuvenate. These are issues that those in power need to consider, and neither you nor I should worry ourselves over it." "In fact, I've always been worried that the relationship between Cangqiong Star and Blue Star is no longer as close as it was thirty years ago." The Princess's worry was not unfounded; she specialized in history on Blue Star and had obtained a doctoral degree in history. Just as copper can be polished to serve as a mirror for one's attire, and history can serve as a mirror to understand the rise and fall of things. "With each new emperor, new courtiers come to power. Don't you see the same thing happening here on Cangqiong Star? I think a controlled scuffle between the two might not be so bad. Those stuffed with food and itching to cause trouble should be given something to do. If there are no enemies, create them. Let those who like to stir trouble stir to their death. The rest love peace and will never be able to fight. I just came from the 'Abyssal Gladiatorial,' and I actually think it's a pretty good way to resolve conflicts." Chen Fei was inspired by the great wars in the "Abyssal Gladiatorial." Even though they were life-and-death fights, with grudges settled directly and belligerents dying off, what remained were all good and peaceful citizens. "'Abyssal Gladiatorial'?" Lin Ziyu Slan had not expected Chen Fei to bring that up. Due to the variety of static displays of aircraft, flight performances, and actual combat, the once-every-five-year "Abyssal Gladiatorial" event is not only extremely popular on Blue Star but also has numerous fans on Cangqiong Star. Many Cangqiong Star People go to great lengths to come to Blue Star to watch or even to participate in the combat. Although there are many cross-plane channels between Blue Star and Cangqiong Star, it is not easy for peoples of the two civilizations to visit each other. Not only is a legitimate reason required, but criminal records and mental states are also thoroughly checked. Anyone with a tendency to commit crimes is unable to reach the other's planet, which eliminates any breeding ground for cross-planetary criminals. Chen Fei didn't speak but quietly waited for Her Royal Highness the Princess to think on her own. Those who occupy high positions in the ruling class can naturally see many things that the common folk cannot. Since the other party had thought of centering their thesis on the "Thucydides Trap," analyzing the relationship between the two civilized planets, it meant that the danger already existed. If left unattended, the former allies could very likely come to a situation where swords are drawn and bows are bent, ready to explode at the slightest provocation. After all, as the saying goes, there are no permanent friends, nor are there permanent enemies, only eternal interests. Cangqiong Star and Blue Star come together because of interests, and they can equally fall into enmity over the same. The theory of the "Thucydides Trap" is based on this and has been proven time and time again that a mountain cannot accommodate two tigers. Lin Ziyu Slan finally emerged from her state of contemplation, saying to the butler by her side, "It seems I do indeed need to expand my horizons. No wonder there's a saying that other mountains' stones can be used to polish jade. Chen Fei, I will seriously consider your proposal." Lin Ziyu Slan looked toward Butler Mars and continued, "Mars, later on, tell Lize Jina to gather information about the 'Abyssal Gladiatorial' for me, the more detailed, the better. Also, help me make appointments with some sociologists and international relations experts. With 'Thucydides Trap' and 'Abyssal Gladiatorial' as the common theme, prepare for a symposium. Once the list is confirmed, I'll set the time." Some people command endless resources and channels, which they can use at will. Surrounded by followers, they easily complete one project after another. Others are doomed to face hardship, to stand watch until their heads go bald, enduring loneliness and isolation, toiling away on their own. Both are engaged in academia, yet people are different. The saying "the poor study while the rich practice martial arts" isn't always completely true. "Alright, I will inform Lize Jina!" Housekeeper Mars gave a bow. He was the Princess's household butler, and the Princess's closest confidante and Shadow Guard, Lize Jina, wasn't just a bodyguard but also a study partner and academic assistant. Although their social statuses were drastically different, in a sense, they were of one heart and one mind. It was no wonder Lize Jina had recklessly tried to gauge Chen Fei's strength. "It's getting late. Today's conversation with Mr. Chen Fei has been very enlightening. I won't disturb your rest any further. If there's anything you need, you can directly speak with Butler Mars," Lin Ziyu Slan stood up and nodded to Chen Fei, bringing an end to their first formal meeting. Having had the rare opportunity to discuss academic topics with a serious individual, Chen Fei also felt pleased as he said, "Talking with you has been a pleasure, Your Highness!" If it had been before, everyone he encountered would have been all about fighting. They couldn't go three sentences without talking about killing, not to mention the likes of Chekhov Big Bear who couldn't stay away from drinking, gambling, and brawling—it was as if they had fallen into a den of bandits. Considering the geographical location of Aircrew Base 911, wasn't that just a mountain stronghold for bandits? - The next day, Little Birds were flying around the garden, chirping nonstop. Every time they came to a new and unfamiliar environment, especially a meticulously trimmed garden, they would be exceptionally active, treating it as a thrilling playground, flying high and low, darting here and there, playing to their heart's content. Facing the early sun, Chen Fei squatted down in a horse stance, practicing a special breathing technique—with nine quick, shallow breaths followed by one slow, deep breath, repeating this cycle over and over. The Internal Strengthening Technique taught to him by the old Neanderthal man Barut enabled him to successfully perform the War Pattern Secret Technique "Fight to the Death." It was a critical life-saving skill, and Chen Fei never slacked off whenever he had the time. "I'm, I'm sorry!" While he was standing steadily, a stuttering voice came from the side, sounding somewhat familiar. Chen Fei gathered his Nine Shallows and One Deep breath and looked toward the voice. It was none other than the Princess's Shadow Guard Lize Jina, who had drawn her sword against him the day before and had almost been sent flying back to Cangqiong Star with one punch. Her face was flushed red as she bowed her head, not daring to make eye contact with him. "Yesterday, I am, I am, truly very sorry. I, I want to formally apologize to you, sorry!" Then she bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle, stammering her apology out with almost all her strength. The sudden outburst startled Little Bird, who quickly flew back and landed on Chen Fei's shoulder, eyeing the young woman warily, debating whether to shoot her with a laser.