144: Successor to the head of state and policies

May 1st, Freedom Calendar 3647, Dawn Star Sector, Lihua Star.

This planet, which originally served as the Supreme Research Institute's reception for foreign guests, had undergone earth-shaking changes in less than three short months because Zhang Huaiyuan chose it as the site for his inauguration ceremony.

Over ten thousand top-tier engineering teams worked together, using artificial means to expand the entire planet to nearly double its size.

The entire planet's defense level was also deployed as the highest "Morrgan" class defense system.

Of course, the happiest were the planet's original residents, as housing prices soared a hundredfold overnight.

At this time, the entire area within a 30 billion kilometer radius of Lihua Star had become a restricted zone, with a full 2 million "Wings of Freedom" legionnaires cruising without pause.

Transport ships docked one by one in the designated areas of space along planned orbits.

Whether they were high-ranking provincial officials, legion marshals, interstellar celebrities, or prestigious figures from various industries, they could only quietly follow behind the guiding robots to the venue.

When everyone entered the venue and took their seats, the time was exactly 9:37.

This was also the time selected by Zhang Huaiyuan himself.

—There was no particular reason for it; he simply liked the number.

Backstage.

“Excellency, the time has come. It is time for your appearance.”

“Mhm... thank you for your hard work.”

Zhang Huaiyuan nodded slightly toward his right wrist.

Only the Statue of Liberty could ensure that all qualified individuals within the Star Alliance's eight million light-years of territory arrived simultaneously and without error in just over two months.

He exhaled softly, adjusted his specially made clothing slightly, and walked toward the center step by step.

The moment his figure appeared at the highest point.

Across the entire Free Star Alliance, all media devices were forcibly switched to the Lihua Star venue's broadcast at the same time, and a high-spirited face, steady yet filled with wisdom, appeared on the screens.

“I am Zhang Huaiyuan.”

A calm voice rang out, clearly reaching everyone's ears through a special amplification device.

“From this moment on, I am the new Head of State of this nation. I will lead the Star Alliance back toward prosperity and true freedom.”

Zhang Huaiyuan's statement was concise and to the point.

According to the original inauguration etiquette, there were many tedious procedures.

However, having come from a background as a Researcher, he naturally disliked such time-wasting formalism.

As a steadfast follower, the Statue of Liberty certainly wouldn't insist on them either, unhesitatingly cutting out all the processes.

“Regarding the policy changes everyone is most concerned about.”

“In the Star Alliance's history of over 3600 years, especially after the appearance of the Statue of Liberty, the operation of the entire nation has already gotten on the right track. The systems in all aspects are perfect, and there are no areas that need special changes... However, given the current special situation, adjustments will be made in two aspects.”

Zhang Huaiyuan paused for a moment and lightly snapped his fingers with his right hand.

Images appeared one after another in the void.

In the footage were planets on the brink of destruction under the threat of the Galaxy Beast disaster.

At the critical moment, starships descended, and a large number of combat robots swarmed out to block the endless monsters.

Some of them were beaten to pieces under siege while protecting civilians, yet they did not take a single step back.

Some went deep into the monster swarms, initiating self-destruct sequences to perish together with them.

Still others dragged their broken bodies after the battle, clumsily searching through the ruins for charred wreckage, attempting to use it to repair their damaged parts.

The footage froze there.

“The first matter: with the iteration of algorithms, today's intelligent lives already possess wisdom no inferior to that of humans.”

Zhang Huaiyuan stated calmly:

“They perform the most dangerous tasks in place of soldiers, on standby twenty-four hours a day without rest. In a sense, they are no longer simple machines, but partners who fight alongside us.”

“Therefore, from this moment on, I announce that all intelligent lives, like ordinary citizens, shall equally enjoy the rights and obligations stipulated by Star Alliance law. Any behavior that deliberately harms or insults intelligent lifeform will be prosecuted to the end. The specific terms will be published on the Star Alliance's official platform later.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire Star Alliance was in an uproar.

No one expected that this new Head of State would issue such an act as soon as he took office.

For most people, they might condemn the deliberate abuse of intelligent lifeform, but that was like empathizing with abused cats or dogs.

To truly legislate equality was something they absolutely could not accept.

“Damn it, is this guy crazy?!”

“What's going on? Has the Star Alliance run out of people? Can anyone just run up and become the Head of State?!”

Many citizens began to shout curses.

“Tsk... what a guy with absolutely no political wisdom.”

The dignitaries and celebrities observing the ceremony in the venue shook their heads inwardly.

This was a synchronized live broadcast across the entire territory. At a time like this, one should say some high-sounding words to win over the people's hearts.

Although Zhang Huaiyuan on the main stage could not hear the voices of the crowd, he could roughly anticipate the impact these words would bring.

However, he still said them without hesitation.

After all, “creating a world where humans and intelligent lifeform coexist as equals” had always been his promise to the Statue of Liberty and Asroth.

As for what others thought, what did it matter?

On his journey to this day, aside from the teacher who rescued him from the mining area and the later help provided by "Dark Annihilation," almost everything else was due to his own efforts and the assistance of intelligent lives like Asroth.

“The second matter.”

Thinking this, Zhang Huaiyuan continued with a composed expression:

“Regarding the adjustment of competition for positions in various Star Alliance sectors, starting today, a necessary review condition will be added, to be personally assessed by the Statue of Liberty.”

“A basic quality score evaluation will be added to everyone's integrated devices. Once activated, it will evaluate all your daily behaviors and conduct, providing a fluctuating score.”

“Behaviors such as framing others, corruption, cyberbullying, bullying others without cause, or even littering and cutting in line will all affect this score.”

“The base score is 60. Only those with a score higher than 80 may participate in the competition for official positions. Those with a score higher than 95 may be recruited without examination. As for incumbent officials, if their score remains below 75 for three consecutive years after this is enacted, they will be dismissed.”

“Of course...”

A meaningful smile appeared on Zhang Huaiyuan's face as he looked directly at the crowd in the venue:

“You can also choose to turn off the evaluation, but you will not be allowed to participate in any competition for public office positions.”

“What?!”

The crowd, who had not yet recovered from the previous policy, completely exploded at this...