Starting as a Wallfacer, his defection to the Three-Body Problem shocked the world.

Chapter 186 2 Polarization

After the false alarm incident, the Earth Federation leadership's attitude toward the construction of the warp drive instantly became polarized.

Scientists led by Byron insisted on building warp drive spaceships, after all, the significance of light-speed spaceships would be revolutionary for all of human civilization.

The civilian government, led by both doves and hawks, strongly opposed it.

The two sides argued about this issue dozens of times, almost to the point of turning each other's brains into dog brains.

"The development of human civilization relies on curiosity about new things. Warp drive spaceships will indeed pose certain dangers to humanity, but the level of danger is within our acceptable range."

Minister of Science Byron slammed his fist on the table and shouted, his voice echoing throughout the entire conference hall and resonating with all the scientists present.

"Humanity is never afraid of the future, because it knows that stagnation will lead to the destruction of civilization!"

But no sooner had Byron finished speaking than civil servants stood up to refute him.

"Mr. Byron, this is an act of inhumanity!"

"The Dark Forest Theory is a universally acknowledged truth by both human and Trisolaran civilizations. The development of warp drive spaceships will inevitably expose the coordinates of Earth and the Trisolaran home star system. You are trying to kill everyone. We absolutely disagree!"

“Yes, we absolutely disagree!” the other political and civil servants echoed.

"We must never agree to the proposal of these lunatics who disregard everything else for the sake of science. They are willing to sacrifice all of us for their so-called science!"

As he listened to the growing opposition in the hall, a cold sneer appeared on Byron's face.

"We're crazy? Then what are you? Just a bunch of frogs in a well, clutching your pitiful power. Do you really think I only know how to do scientific research and don't understand politics? I've seen through your little schemes long ago. You just want to win more votes in the next general election!"

The handover ceremony for the sword-bearer was scheduled for one year later, at which time Luo Congmin would step down as president and become the second-generation sword-bearer.

At the same time, the political landscape of the local alliance will also undergo an unprecedented reshuffle.

At that time, some officials of the local federation will also conduct a new vote.

Now, the false alarm incident has made the grassroots people very dissatisfied with the proposal to build warp drive spaceships, and recently large groups of people have even appeared in the streets to protest against the Star Ring Corporation.

To sum it up in one sentence: if you stand up and propose to cancel the development of warp drive spaceships, you will definitely be worshipped as a god by the masses and hailed as a good official who speaks for the people.

Therefore, apart from the scientists in the Science Department who never need the approval of the grassroots, most of the political leaders need to solidify their political position by opposing the development of warp drive spaceships.

Even though they knew that developing warp drive spaceships would be entirely beneficial to all of humanity, they were still forced to consider their own political careers due to the influence of public opinion from the grassroots.

Seeing that the two sides were arguing fiercely and seemed about to come to blows, Luo Congmin, who was sitting in the first seat, finally couldn't stand it anymore.

"Alright, this proposal will be put on hold for now. The development of the warp drive will proceed as planned."

"Your Excellency, President!"

All the committee members were taken aback when they heard Luo Congmin's words!

Although Luo Congmin did not explicitly state her support for Byron's proposal, her attitude was clear: the development of the warp drive would continue, at least until she leaves office next year.

As for how the next president will choose, that depends on how things develop.

After the meeting, Luo Congmin declined all subsequent appointments. She booked a flight back to Beijing to see someone she hadn't seen for almost half a year.

"Mom, I'm going home tonight. Remember to cook me a meal."