Chapter 288: The source of the power of the Galactic Empire! Alliance! Wait for changes!
"You can have all the rights to Arrakis, but I have only one small request."

Duke Leto thought for a moment, then looked up at Song Zhaomei and said seriously, "The spices on Arrakis are of vital importance to us."

"Without spices, we won't be able to train special people like Mentat and Navigators. If that happens, we won't have enough capable helpers available."

Leto's voice was resigned. "So I can allow Universal Corporation to acquire Arrakis, and I can also control the mining rights of the spice."

"But you must provide us with some spices regularly, so that we can maintain our existing interstellar system and talent system."

Although Duke Leto needed the help of the giant corporations, he did not want the talent system of the major families to collapse or the interstellar navigation routes to disintegrate.

That's why he made this not-too-excessive request. After all, spices have become a key link in maintaining the Galactic Empire system, and they have long been unable to get rid of spices.

However, faced with this not-too-excessive request, Song Zhaomei shook her head, saying that it was not her turn to decide on the use of spices.

Moreover, spices can be used in the training of Mentat, but should not be used in the training of navigators, because this is completely unnecessary.

"Your Excellency the Duke, your Galactic Empire has chosen a wrong path to technological advancement. Although spices have helped you find a way to bypass the development of AI artificial intelligence."

"But at the same time, it also limits your technological ceiling and locks your future."

"The entire empire's interstellar navigation system actually relies on creatures like navigators to maintain it. This is a destruction of humanity."

Although Leto was somewhat annoyed by Song Zhaomei's somewhat arrogant and condescending words, he still suppressed his anger and asked her back:
"If that's the case, then what technology do you use to carry out interstellar travel?!"

Song Zhaomei smiled and told Leto all about AI technologies, including artificial intelligence, intelligent AI, matrix-cultivated AI, and even the transcendental AI Europa.

When he learned that the world's giant company had so many technology points added to AI, his facial features almost twisted into a piece.

Fear, anger, astonishment and other emotions intertwined together, making him feel cold from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.

"Manager Song...you shouldn't do this!"

There was fear in Leto's voice.

In the Galactic Empire, everyone knows what terrible disasters the AI ​​artificial intelligence once brought to human civilization, and how much painful price their ancestors paid for it.

That holy war concerning the human race had extraordinary "creative" significance for every citizen in the empire.

Developing AI artificial intelligence is equivalent to denying the significance of holy war. As the saying goes, the ancestral laws cannot be changed. It would be fine to use only one AI, but why use so many different kinds of AI?

This is simply raising a poisonous insect!
Facing the terrified Duke Leto, Song Zhaomei calmly explained to him: "Artificial intelligence is an essential tool for the progress of every civilization."

"We know your imperial history. You gave up the development of computer technology just because of an Omnic Crisis. This is throwing the baby out with the bathwater."

Yes, when artificial intelligence develops to a certain level, it is very likely to develop self-awareness, leading to a large-scale intelligent rebellion.

But as long as our thinking does not slip, there are always more solutions than problems. Since humans can create AI, they can definitely control AI.

It all depends on whether you want to or not.

After listening to Song Zhaomei's rebuttal, Duke Leto was stunned at first, and then became extremely angry.

Are they throwing the baby out with the bathwater? In the past, over 10 billion humans died because of the Omnic Crisis, and the entire race was almost wiped out!
If the warriors of the major families had not worked together, there would be no humans in this galaxy of the universe, but instead a large number of mechanical life forms.

However, despite his anger, after seeing the advanced technology level and powerful fleet strength of the Universal Corporation, Leto also realized another possibility of developing AI artificial intelligence.

The Universal Corporation is stronger than the entire Galactic Empire family, and their technological level is higher. This is an indisputable fact, Leto had to admit.

Maybe the route chosen by the Universal Corporation is correct, but for the families of the Dune Universe, it is definitely wrong!

First of all, the Galactic Empire did not completely ban the development of computer technology. They just gave up technology with more complex algorithms.

That is, only some low-level computer technology was retained.

After all, algorithms that are too complex can easily be used by people with ulterior motives to create AI artificial intelligence.

Therefore, the Colino royal family had issued a decree ten thousand years ago, clearly stating that anyone who studies AI will be executed immediately.

This is the most superficial legal reason.

The deeper reason lies in the second point, political significance!
You know, the holy war between humans and AI ten thousand years ago not only concerned the survival of the human species, but also the source of power of the royal family and major families.

From ancient times to the present, the legitimate source of power has always been very important. Some dynasties overthrew tyranny and established a new order, so the dynasty would be destroyed by internal tyranny.

Some dynasties relied on the strongest soldiers and horses to rule the country, so they would be overthrown by stronger warlord forces.

The power of the nobles of the Galactic Empire depends on the holy war with AI artificial intelligence. The significance of this holy war is equivalent to telling everyone:

The reason why the Colino royal family and major families can rule over you, a bunch of untouchables, is because our ancestors made great contributions, won the battle against AI, and saved human civilization.

Without the royal family and powerful families, you bunch of untouchables wouldn’t even know where you are, so just being obedient is the will of heaven.

Even if you are not convinced, you have to keep it to yourself!

If we now publicly declare that we want to develop AI artificial intelligence, it would be tantamount to completely denying the significance of jihad.

What’s the difference between this and dancing on your ancestor’s grave and mocking him/her?
More importantly, doing so would also deny the source of power of the royal family and major families, which would be a pure source of chaos for these nobles.

If Leto really dared to come up with some kind of AI, not only would the Corino royal family, but even the other smaller families would be eager to skin the Atreides.

Their dear ancestors sacrificed their lives and shed their blood to finally win this little heirloom of power, and now their descendants can enjoy the benefits of it just by resting on their laurels.

As a result, it was destroyed by just one sentence of developing AI artificial intelligence. It would be strange if this didn’t break the defense!
This is the fundamental reason why every imperial family will spontaneously maintain the "ban on AI" law, because they are essentially protecting their own interests.

In fact, Song Zhaomei was not completely unaware of the probability in Duke Leto's mind.

Long before she officially took over the task of integrating the Dune universe, Leon gave her special training and analyzed for her the political structure of the Galactic Empire and what the situation was like.

Therefore, Song Zhaomei also knew the reason why the major families did not dare to use AI artificial intelligence.

"We can give you a set of equipment for calculating interstellar routes. This equipment has our encrypted program code. You can only use the function but cannot get the specific content of the program."

"So there is no need to worry about someone using this device to intercept data and create artificial intelligence."

Solving the problem of interstellar navigation in the Dune universe is actually not that difficult. Isn't it enough to just use AI devices "around the edges"?

The navigation equipment is rented from the Universal Corporation. They do not need to develop the technology themselves. If there is a problem, the Corporation will be responsible. The major families are still nobles. You should know that the most advanced technology of the Universal Corporation is AI technology. With the computer level of the Galactic Empire, it will not be possible to crack the program even after tens of thousands of years.

This compromise solution can not only solve the dilemma of various imperial families needing spices to train navigators, but also maintain the interstellar navigation system without affecting the foundation of power.

After listening to Song Zhaomei's idea, Duke Leto's slightly restless heart finally calmed down.

Although doing so still feels a bit like "covering one's ears and stealing the bell", no matter what, the global giant company at least has the attitude to actually solve the problem.

Giant companies respect their political ecological environment and safeguard the fundamental interests of each family, which shows that they are not "destroyers" of order.

But participants!
This is very important. Only when you can play together can it be called cooperation. Otherwise, there is no point in talking about cooperation.

"Manager Song, the content of our negotiation today involves a lot of pros and cons. I need some time to think about it."

After thinking for a long time, Duke Leto uttered an ambiguous statement, neither agreeing to cooperate with the giant enterprise nor rejecting it.

After all, whether it is the spices on Arrakis or the new interstellar navigation system equipment, these are difficult to explain points, and the forces involved are not just the Atreides family.

Unless the Atreides were powerful enough to ignore the Royal Family and the other Houses, Leto would have to proceed with caution.

"To be enemies with the Corino royal family and other families... How is this possible? Who knows if the Universal Corporation will turn around and sell out my Atreides family?"

Leto smiled to himself.

If the Atreides family could also possess a fleet as powerful as the Universal Corporation, then he certainly wouldn't need to consider the faces of the royal family and other families.

But the reality is that he does not have such a powerful military force, and he is not sure whether the global giant company will stab its allies in the back.

What if the real purpose of the giant company is to deceive the Atreides family and ask for some benefits from the Colino royal family? It is hard to say.

As the patriarch of House Atreides, Leto was right to err on the side of caution.

"My Lord Duke, the envoy of Emperor Shaddam will arrive at Caladan soon. When the time comes, what will you do when faced with the Emperor's will?"

Song Zhaomei did not force the other party to give an answer right away, but calmly asked the other party a question.

She knew that Leto would have to make a choice sooner or later, and that the Atreides had little time to think. The Emperor's messenger could arrive at any time, and Leto must think it through quickly.

As expected, Lord Leto fell silent.

He had just received the news of Emperor Saddam's decree, and before he had time to discuss the result, he arrived at the flagship of the global giant enterprise.

Until now, Leto had not figured out what to say in response to the Emperor's envoy. He couldn't really pretend to be sick or crazy.

In short, Arrakis was a conspiracy specifically targeting the Atreides, and Leto was unwilling to go there no matter what.

"I will not accept the transfer order from the Royal Family of Colino."

Leto thought for a moment, then replied, "I will lead the Atreides guards at Caladan. Even if the Emperor calls me to task, I do not care."

The Atreides family is the leader of the Lansgard Federation after all. Among the many powerful families, Leto is a well-known figure.

If Emperor Saddam really turned against the Atreides, Leto was confident that he could lead other families to launch a counterattack against the Corino royal family.

At worst, both sides will be destroyed. Who’s afraid of who?
"So you intend to be charged with treason and openly oppose the royal family."

Song Zhaomei nodded thoughtfully. This was not a bad approach. At least it was enough to protect herself.

"Your Excellency the Duke, you can consider entering into a formal partnership with us. In this case, I can make my own decision and lend you this advance fleet."

"You can take this fleet to Arrakis. By then, you will be able to take the initiative and capture the troops of both the royal family and the Harkonnen family."

Song Zhaomei still hopes that Leto can reach a cooperation with Universal Corporation as soon as possible. After all, any further procrastination will not benefit either party.

Completing the alliance in advance will make it easier to carry out the next work.

Seeing that Song Zhaomei had said so much, Duke Leto nodded slowly, stood up and responded:
"I will consider your opinions carefully. Thank you for the trust and support of the Universal Corporation for the Atreides Family."

If he could get the fleet of the giant enterprise, not to mention the Colino royal family, even if all the families combined, might not be enough for him to defeat.

With the escort of this fleet, the conspiracy set up by the royal family on Arrakis would be like shooting itself in the foot!

After hearing what Leto said, Song Zhaomei already knew that this matter was halfway successful. Although the negotiations between the two parties did not reach an agreement, they had actually discussed the exchange of interests.

Anyway, the demands of the giant companies have been delivered. Even if Leto wants to fight for some more benefits, he won't be able to get much practical benefit.

After having the Spartan warriors escort Leto out of the flagship, Song Zhaomei smiled with relief. This cooperation had been concluded, and the next thing to do was to wait for the situation to change.

As soon as the Emperor Shaddam's messenger arrived and the situation for the Atreides deteriorated, Leto would immediately seek the help of the Megacorp.

Immediately, Song Zhaomei summarized all the contents of the negotiations that had just taken place and gave a detailed report to Li Ang who was far away in the main universe.

[I will transfer David's Spartan team to you. Use them to help you if you need anything.]

The Spartan team that Leon mentioned is a small branch of the Heavens Vanguard under David's jurisdiction. This Spartan team is controlled by Rita, and its members are elite Spartan warriors.

Including William Cage, John 117 and others.

Since the Vanguard Team of the Universe underwent a reorganization and reform, this elite force has introduced a number of specialized talents from various departments. The Spartan Squad is a typical example.

"Yes, I will."

Song Zhaomei responded. She knew that Li Ang had specially assigned a Spartan team to her, and the purpose was not only to make it easier for her to deploy combat missions.

It is more about helping these newcomers to gain merit and facilitate the subsequent promotion process.

After all, the difficulty of this Zhutian Operation is not high, and there is no need to risk one's life to do things. Just using the Spartan team is enough.

There is absolutely no need to mobilize the Astartes warriors from the Iron Hands Chapter.

……

(End of this chapter)