"General Staff Let's talk about your preliminary assessment first."
Zhou Donglai said with a serious look, "Commander, dear comrades, General Staff has made repeated studies and judgments regarding the request for troop garrison. First of all, our country has long adhered to the principle of peaceful coexistence and publicly declared that it does not seek hegemony or station troops abroad."
"Although times have changed dramatically, this change in basic policy orientation requires extreme caution, as it may trigger unnecessary international suspicion and long-term geopolitical impacts."
He paused and pointed out a more practical difficulty. "Secondly, from a military logistics perspective, maintaining organically stationed troops stationed abroad over long distances is a huge challenge."
"Conventional troops rely heavily on local long-distance transportation for ammunition and equipment supplies. Under the current circumstances of poor transportation and widespread Abyssal Beast threats, the costs are high and the risks are extremely high."
"So. If deployed, the only feasible option is Source Martial Army, which has relatively low logistical requirements but strong combat effectiveness."
At this point, Zhou Donglai changed the topic and pointed out the core contradiction. "However, Source Martial Army is a new strategic force that has just started. It is still in the construction and accumulation stage, and key talents are particularly scarce."
"Sending a large number of valuable Source Energy Warrior overseas for a long time will directly affect our local power building and defense intensity, which is tantamount to putting the cart before the horse."
He finally concluded. "Therefore, General Staff believes that there are many difficulties and potential risks in directly agreeing to garrison troops. However, flat refusal may dampen the enthusiasm of allies and show our lack of responsibility. This is a dilemma choice."
"I think, since Comrade Lin Yi is the direct person in charge of the Source Martial Army and has the deepest understanding of the use of source energy, we would like to hear his opinion first."
Everyone's eyes instantly focused on Lin Yi.
Li Zhenguo looked at Lin Yi and said in a calm tone, "Comrade Lin Yi, General Staff's analysis. What do you think of the garrison request?"
Lin Yi did not answer immediately. He pondered for a moment, seeming to organize his words and ideas.
The conference room fell silent, waiting for his speech.
"Commander, dear comrades," Lin Yi thought for a moment and then raised his head, his eyes sweeping across the crowd calmly, "I believe that directly dispatching organic troops to permanently station in other countries does have the problems mentioned by Minister Zhou, and is not a good idea."
He first affirmed General Staff's concerns, and then slowly put forward his own thoughts. "I am thinking that the reason why these countries urgently request us to station troops is that they are extremely anxious about the current security environment and desire to obtain reliable security guarantees."
"But this kind of fear-based dependence is time-sensitive. Once the external pressure is relieved or their internal strength is restored, the garrison is likely to change from a "protector god" to a "sensitive presence". How to deal with the issue of troop withdrawal at that time will be very passive."
"Our country has always acted openly and aboveboard. When others bring it up, we really have no choice but to leave. However, the early investment and risks may be in vain."
Many people present nodded slightly, Lin Yi's words pointed out their deeper concerns.
It is easy to garrison troops but difficult to withdraw them. If not, it may become a loss-making business and it is easy to get dirty.
"Since their core need is "security"." Lin Yi changed the subject and proposed a brand new idea.
"Then why don't we find another way to provide them with a "security" that is more sustainable and more in line with our interests and image?"
Lin Yi paused and gave his suggestion.
"I propose that instead of stationing troops, we set up branches of the East Peak Military Academy, or "East Peak Source Energy Training Center", in these countries that need it."
This proposal made many people present brighten up and look thoughtful.
Lin Yi continued to elaborate on its advantages, "There are several benefits to setting up a branch campus: First, it is an education and training institution. Its nature is different from that of a military base. It has low political sensitivity and is more easily accepted. It is also in line with the concepts of peaceful development and common progress we advocate."
"Second, we only need to dispatch a small group of instructors to teach source energy knowledge and defense technology to help these countries develop local source energy defense forces. This is equivalent to "teaching people to fish" rather than simply "teaching people to fish". It can fundamentally improve their self-protection capabilities, which is a long-term solution."
"Third, the branch itself can become a regional security fulcrum. Our instructors and outstanding students have considerable combat effectiveness and can assist in responding to emergencies, but their existence is in the form of cooperation and teaching, not military occupation, and their attitude is more friendly."
"Fourth, this will help us promote the source energy cultivation system and standards to the world, promote technical exchanges, and select outstanding talents from a wider range in the future, which is in line with the overall interests of "Blue Star Community"."
"Of course. In addition, there is the most crucial point."
Lin Yi smiled and expressed his most important consideration.
"By setting up branch campuses and conducting systematic and long-term training, we can significantly enhance the cultural recognition of our culture in these countries."
He explained specifically, "I am thinking that in order to facilitate instructors' lectures and help them learn and understand the essence of the energy system more deeply, we can list Xia Language as a required course in the branch's curriculum. At the same time, we can set up Xia Country traditional culture, history, philosophy, and strategic thinking as important elective courses."
Lin Yi's eyes swept across the audience, and finally landed on the thoughtful face of Li Zhenguo, with a solemn tone.
"I believe that force can win temporary awe, but only culture can win long-term recognition and following."
"Within the East Peak Military Academy's education system, let the future energy seeds of these countries, their elites, learn our language from an early age, understand our culture, and identify with our spiritual core of "university under heaven", "self-improvement", and "Watcher Space Station help each other"
"When they truly identify themselves as a "East Peak Person" from the heart and identify with the values of human civilization that we jointly defend, these countries will not only no longer need us to send troops to protect them, but they themselves will be able to grow into staunch members of the "Blue Star Community" and become a powerful aid for us to maintain order and fight against the abyss."
Lin Yi finally concluded. "By setting up branch campuses, we not only respond to the security concerns of our allies, but also elevate the interaction model from simple military protection to a higher level of common development and talent cultivation."
"I think this may be a plan that better balances the interests of all parties and takes a long-term perspective."
After Lin Yi finished speaking, the conference room fell into a brief silence as everyone digested this innovative proposal.
Compared with directly garrisoning troops, setting up branch campuses is obviously larger, has less resistance, and is more forward-looking.
Li Zhenguo had a look of approval in his eyes, and he realized that what Lin Yi brought was indeed a different perspective and solution.
Minister Wang Lu of the Propaganda Department looked at Lin Yi with very complicated eyes.
He couldn't help adjusting his glasses and leaning forward slightly.
"Principal Lin The "cultural identity" you proposed. With all due respect, it sounds like it is more than just simple cultural dissemination and exchange."
"I feel that what you are talking about is not like "cultural identity", but more like "humanistic assimilation", right?"