The requirements of the prehistoric civilization truly surprised the foreign affairs department.
In fact, it wasn't necessary to make things so complicated. Automatic cooking machines had already appeared and their technology was very mature. Although the taste of these dishes couldn't be compared to those of top chefs, with the continuous efforts of technicians, they were indeed much better than those of ordinary chefs.
As long as a batch of cooking machines was exported, their demands could be completely met. However, speaking of this matter, on a small scale, it was labor export, but on a large scale, it was actively sending an opportunity for infiltration!
With such a good opportunity, how could it be solved simply with machines?
The foreign affairs department immediately reported this situation to the military, and the military immediately convened relevant departments for a long discussion.
After the meeting, the foreign affairs department received a notice that this matter would be handled by the military, and the foreign affairs department would fully cooperate. Anyone with eyes could see that they were planning something!
After patiently delaying for a few days, the foreign affairs department finally agreed to the other party's request. However, traveling from Earth to other planets, which were tens of light-years away, was no trivial matter, and it would take some time to recruit personnel.
In this regard, the foreign affairs personnel from the prehistoric civilization unanimously expressed their understanding but also hoped that the foreign affairs department would proceed as quickly as possible.
A few days later, a labor company with both foreign affairs and military backgrounds was officially established, and its first task was to recruit a batch of dispatched chefs to work on other planets, offering exceptionally good treatment.
Although the treatment was unexpectedly good, the requirement to work on other planets deterred most interested parties.
Those who were not afraid of difficulties also existed, but they were all persuaded to return by the staff.
What nonsense are they talking? The establishment of this company was not for dispatched chefs, but to stall for time!
Within a few days, the military strictly selected cooks from various branches and concentrated them for comprehensive training.
Culinary skills were only one aspect; more importantly, they learned various intelligence-gathering techniques and the contact information of Earth's representatives on various administrative planets.
Intelligence gathering was not as thrilling as depicted in movies or novels. They only needed to pay attention to publicly available information they encountered daily and hand it over to the embassies and consulates abroad at regular intervals.
Casting a wide net and analyzing it with big data would bring in intelligence.
Not only safe but also accurate.
What? Cooks only know how to make large-pot dishes and are not competent for this job?
Thinking this way is a big mistake. The pursuit of "finely prepared dishes" is a preference of a "great culinary empire." The prehistoric civilization brothers have only improved their lives for a few days; how can they have so many discerning tastes?
Moreover, the three prehistoric civilizations had first-generation giants standing four meters tall, second-generation giants standing three meters tall, and only the third-generation flying saucer civilization was slightly smaller in stature, but still much taller than humans.
Being tall and strong, their appetites were naturally not small. Ordinary portions were too meager to even satisfy their hunger. Only large-pot dishes could satisfy them.
Where is the incompetence here? This is a perfect match for their needs!
Also, due to their size, the prehistoric civilization was not very interested in delicate dishes. Whole legs of beef and entire camels were the favorites of giants. Terrestrial animals could hardly satisfy their appetites, so they simply put various seafood on the giants' tables, especially colossal ones.
Whether it was on iron plates, in hot pots, grilled, or pickled, they cooked it however they pleased.
In short, after several months of preparation, the first batch of labor personnel dispatched to other civilizations boarded the prehistoric civilization's spaceship and flew to distant destinations, beginning their expatriate careers.
However, this was just the beginning. Subsequently, there was a significant increase in the export of various culinary ingredients and seasonings, from small items like oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame, and MSG, to entire giant squids and crabs. Anything related to food was exported to the prehistoric civilization.
Every chef from Earth had to use native Earth seasonings, otherwise, the taste wouldn't be authentic, and they wouldn't be blamed if it wasn't delicious!
After several years of development, food and seasoning exports had become one of humanity's pillar industries in foreign trade, even elevated to a strategic level.
With the extensive feedback from intelligence personnel, the military was astonished to discover that the social development of the prehistoric civilization was more abnormal than imagined. Simply put, the development of various practical sciences far surpassed humanity's, but their leisure and entertainment were deplorably scarce.
It wasn't that they didn't have any, but compared to humans, it was almost zero.
Yes, that's how exaggerated it was.
With the opportunity at hand, how could the military let it slip away?
Thus, a cultural output plan was secretly formulated, with the core of the plan being to vigorously export human culture and comprehensively enhance human influence on the prehistoric civilization.
If all members of the prehistoric civilization accepted human culture, then what empire would there be to speak of?
Therefore, various cultural products specifically developed for giants were launched, such as movies, television shows, electronic games, music, and theater. Anything related to entertainment was included in the plan.
Within a few short years, cultural output rapidly became another pillar of human foreign trade!
However, elaborating on this matter was somewhat undignified. While other civilizations focused on developing technology, when it came to humans, it was all about eating, drinking, playing, and neglecting one's duties.
Of course, humans were not limited to exporting entertainment; technologies related to the Starship were also a pillar.
But technological cooperation deepened gradually. Without sufficient benefits, no one would reveal their most valuable assets.
Moreover, technological cooperation was handled by a dedicated department, and Ou Zhanpeng could not and did not want to participate.
Mi Sha, unable to refuse Ou Zhanpeng any longer, finally told the truth: "We hope to cooperate with you in depth on automation technology!"
The prehistoric civilization was originally unaware of automation technology. Later, they learned about this beneficial technology from a repatriated captive who mentioned it unintentionally.
The giants also possessed human electronic equipment and had no intention of importing it from humans from the beginning, planning to achieve self-sufficiency. However, electronic technology was not just the equipment itself, but more importantly, the software.
As a result, despite their long efforts, they achieved nothing and eventually had to return to square one, hoping for human assistance.
Upon hearing his explanation, Ou Zhanpeng suddenly understood but still insisted on refusing: "I'm sorry, but I'm unable to help."
Mi Sha promised a host of benefits, but Ou Zhanpeng remained unmoved, and the exchange ended in a breakdown.
However, as soon as the communication ended, Ou Zhanpeng immediately contacted the command center, and soon, Shan Qiuyu appeared on the screen.
Seeing Ou Zhanpeng, Shan Qiuyu's face lit up with joy: "It's you, kid! What's so urgent?"
Ou Zhanpeng quickly explained the situation: "Commander, I think this matter can be cooperated on!"
Shan Qiuyu couldn't help but laugh: "Oh, you're already speaking for outsiders now? What benefits did that Mi person give you?"
Ou Zhanpeng's face darkened: "This has nothing to do with personal benefits. If there are benefits, they are not for me personally!"
"Alright, alright, I get it!" Shan Qiuyu said, "This matter is already being considered. Whatever that Mi person gives, you can take it. You can also ask for anything you want directly, as it's all free, why not take it!"
Huh?
Ou Zhanpeng's interest was immediately piqued. Was this how they planned to play?
"Can I ask for more details?"
"What are you prying for!" Shan Qiuyu directly retorted, "Just say that it's being considered and there's a high probability of success."
Ou Zhanpeng readily agreed. Later that evening, he proactively contacted Mi Sha, revealing this news while subtly reminding Mi Sha that automation technology was one of humanity's core technologies and could be sold, but the price would definitely be very high.
Mi Sha expressed clearly that the price was not an issue; technology was the most important thing.
Ou Zhanpeng was well aware of why the prehistoric civilization was so keen on automation technology.
The reason was simple: although the prehistoric civilization's warships were advanced, their automation level was incredibly low, requiring manpower everywhere.
If they could achieve the same level of automation as human warships, it would not only significantly reduce the number of crew members but also greatly improve the safety of the warships. Human operation was bound to lead to various errors, while automated systems would not.
In that case, how to price it was a problem to consider!
Just a few days later, the military formally notified Mi Sha, and then Ou Zhanpeng received a large number of gifts from the prehistoric civilization.
Captain Ou did not keep any of them, handing them all over to Gong Yiding to arrange for personnel to study them carefully.
A few days later, Ou Zhanpeng received orders from the command center requiring him to host the prehistoric civilization's delegation and provide a comprehensive introduction to human warship automation technology.
Ou Zhanpeng thought to himself, "What do I know about this?" He contacted the command center but was brushed off by Zhou Guangyi.
Fortunately, the military was not truly putting him on the spot. Soon, the specific plan was sent to his terminal, and Ou Zhanpeng finally settled down and notified the relevant departments to prepare.
The next morning, a wormhole opened near the Starship Base, and a spaceship from the prehistoric civilization appeared. After establishing contact with the Starship Base, it docked within the base.
This was the first time an alien spaceship had entered the Starship Base, a historic event.
The cabin door opened, and Mi Sha was the first to emerge from the spaceship, followed by other members of the delegation. Not only giants, but representatives from all three civilizations were present.
Ou Zhanpeng and Gong Yiding personally welcomed them and led them into the Starship Base's dock.
He pointed to the nearly completed warship and said, "This is a latest Flaming-class warship, the one with the highest degree of automation. The entire ship only requires over five hundred crew members."
Ling Xiao, who was following behind, twitched his face, almost unable to maintain his composure.
Over five hundred people?
What a joke! Human warships were not just automated; they were rapidly advancing towards intelligence. A warship over three hundred meters long, which decades ago would have required three to five thousand crew members, now only needed over a hundred people to operate.
This number even included reserve team members. In extreme situations, just over thirty people could operate a massive warship.
This wasn't a sales pitch for warships; it was deceiving fools!
If there were "electronic conversion humans" like Gong Yiding on board, only one person would be needed to perfectly control the warship.
Note that this was not ordinary operation, but complete control down to any terminal node of every system, which was why it was called perfect control.
However, the giant delegation, including Mi Sha, collectively let out exclamations of surprise, their eyes filled with unconcealed envy, just like a bunch of country bumpkins.
Ling Xiao couldn't help but mutter: "Is it really that necessary?"
Ou Zhanpeng continued his introduction: "Our automation technology is very advanced. The entire system is divided into several subsystems, including ammunition loading, warship damage control, fault diagnosis, reconnaissance and locking, target tracking, firepower launch, environmental maintenance, propulsion, warship operation, escape and disengagement, control of unmanned warships, and so on. In short, it can be involved in everything, big or small, to minimize the dependence of warships on personnel."
The delegation's reaction was not as strong as before, as Ou Zhanpeng was only speaking casually.
However, next, Ou Zhanpeng opened the control console: "This is our temporarily prepared external control system. Below, I will demonstrate it for you!"
As the system was activated, the screens and various indicator lights on the control console immediately lit up.
Ling Xiao secretly scoffed. Humanity's most advanced operating system was a three-dimensional holographic control system modeled after the Starship. This device, with only screens and indicator lights, was at least two generations behind and had already been listed for elimination from the fleet.
They were trying to make good use of outdated equipment by dumping it all onto the prehistoric civilization!
Ou Zhanpeng opened the protective cover and pressed a large red button. A thruster at the rear of the warship immediately ignited, emitting a muffled roar: "This is the ignition switch for the propulsion system."
Pressing it again, the thruster extinguished.
He closed the protective cover, activated the weapon system, and lightly poked the screen. The hatch on the flank immediately opened: "This is the missile bay. The weapon systems are not yet on board, so we won't demonstrate them here."
Next, he demonstrated the lifting and simulated firing of the turrets; the coordinated use of radar and fire control systems to automatically lock onto targets and destroy them; and the warship experiencing damage and depressurization, with the damage control system automatically sealing off the affected area, triggering alarms, and initiating emergency responses.
In short, everything that was prepared for sale was demonstrated.
Mi Sha's heart surged with excitement, and she couldn't help but interrupt: "What is the price of such a system?"
"Not much!" Ou Zhanpeng showed a standard shrewd merchant's smile. "The standards vary for different warships. Based on the length of this warship, it's 248 standard units of pure gold!"
Before the alien delegation could react, Ling Xiao's eyes widened, thinking, "You really dare to say it!"
248 units of gold is 431.5 tons of gold. Is this a joke? What kind of system is it that costs so much?
Calculating it more carefully, this gold is equivalent to 170 billion, which is roughly the same as the cost of this Flaming-class warship.
It didn't seem that exaggerated.
The delegation finally recovered from their shock, and Mi Sha was the first to speak out: "This is too expensive!"
Ou Zhanpeng shrugged: "There's nothing we can do. Automation technology is not as simple as you think. This is already the cost price."
Mi Sha was almost in tears: "We cannot accept such a high price!"
It would be strange if you could accept it; that's precisely what we want!
Ou Zhanpeng was almost laughing his head off, saying in a very sincere tone: "The entire system is indeed expensive. Even our own warships only have a small number of the latest models equipped. If you cannot afford the whole system, you can purchase it in parts!"
"How can it be purchased in parts?" Mi Sha immediately jumped in to play along.
Ou Zhanpeng counted on his fingers: "Control system, fire control system, reconnaissance system, life support system... Whichever you need, we will provide. Quality and quantity guaranteed, honest business!"