Xandar, Nova Corps Headquarters.
Of the three great empires in the universe, the Skrull Empire has been completely destroyed by the Kree. If it weren't for Captain Marvel's appearance, even the remaining few would probably still be living under constant threat.
The Nova Empire, one of the three great empires, couldn't even subdue Ronan's forces, a small branch of the Kree, and didn't dare to retaliate immediately when Ronan's army pressed in.
In his previous life, Qin Xiao had seen many movies and read many books about advanced civilizations. In many of these books and movies, advanced civilizations were described as peaceful, noble, and no longer based on material things.
Therefore, the more advanced a civilization becomes, the weaker its military becomes, and the less willing it is to easily wage war and eliminate its military strength, which is indeed a good thing.
But peace is in the hands of a powerful military threat. As Tony's father said, only those who hold the biggest stick have the right to pursue peace.
A great China once said, "Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun!"
Although this sentence has different meanings, it can generally be understood in that way.
The desire for unification and peace is largely based on military force.
Unfortunately, the people of the Nova Empire don't seem to understand this.
The Kree Empire was militaristic and aggressive, while the Nova Empire went to the other extreme. This vast empire, spanning across star systems, had only one Nova Corps to protect its safety.
Even after Ronan's blatant provocation, instead of increasing their defenses or armed forces, they placed their hopes directly on Qin Xiao and his group.
The mining rights to three mineral-rich planets, a wealth of basic technological data that surpasses Earth's by hundreds of years, and even the possibility of deploying manpower to help terraform the Moon and Solar System within the solar system, making Mars a second home for humankind.
This is the price we pay for asking Qin Xiao and the others to take action and settle things with Ronan and his group.
"Excuse my bluntness, but the price you've paid should be enough to arm yourselves and eliminate Ronan the Accuser, shouldn't it? He's already lost the support of the Kree Empire, hasn't he?"
It was Natasha who spoke; she, too, couldn't understand how a vast cosmic empire could be threatened by a single fleet, and even become so fearful as to be so easily frightened.
"We signed a peace treaty with the Kree Empire, and both sides destroyed a large amount of military equipment. The universe needs peace. Ronan broke the peace treaty, and we cannot unilaterally engage in arms buildup. Even if I felt it was necessary, the elders would not agree."
Nova Prime shrugged, seemingly unconcerned that he had done anything wrong.
Qin Xiao and Tony exchanged a glance, and Tony asked.
"What if we hadn't shown up today? What would you have done? Would you have waited for them to attack first?"
" Ronan is merely a blockade; he can't break through the Nova Corps ' defenses. He poses no threat to our planetary homeland. If it weren't for you, we would have issued a bounty throughout the universe. Although Ronan is infamous in space, if we increase the bounty, there will still be plenty of bounty fleets and Ravagers coming to deal with him."
Qin Xiao rolled his eyes, thinking to himself, "What if Thanos in the movies and wiped you all out in no time?"
If there are still many hostile forces or three parties with high combat power in the universe, and you believe in peace and start reducing your military, then you will perish.
However, seeing the matter-of-fact look on Nova Prime's face, Qin Xiao didn't dwell on it any longer.
Instead, he began spouting nonsense with a straight face. "Your yearning for and love of peace is admirable. I've heard that the Nova Corps has a warship energy linking technology that could serve as an excellent means of external defense. I wonder if this technology is convenient?"
Qin Xiao casually crossed his legs, his meaning clear even without explicitly stating it: the price wasn't enough, so they'd add this skill to the mix.
This was, after all, the core technology of the Nova Corps, Nova Prime looked somewhat troubled.
He apologized, told Qin Xiao to wait a moment, and then turned and went into his room, clearly intending to discuss something with someone.
Qin Xiao wasn't in a hurry. He had the Space Stone, so even if they wouldn't give it to him openly, he had other ways to get it.
Instead, he turned and chatted with Tony and the others.
"I never imagined that our very first stop in the universe would be fighting a fleet, and then we'd have to become mercenaries for an empire. We're just country bumpkins from Earth!"
Tony said with a self-deprecating smile, his eyes barely concealing his amusement. He knew they'd made a killing on this deal.
Leaving aside the value of the three mineral-rich planets, just considering the terraforming of Mars and the Moon, it has brought immense development opportunities to Earth, given our current level of technology.
It's possible to mobilize all resources and unite as one to terraform the moon, but that would only be a very small beginning. Terraforming Mars?
Don't even think about it.
"I never expected that a casual fight would earn me three planets and the opportunity to terraform Mars!"
Natasha also said with a beaming smile.
"By the way, colonizing Mars will require a large number of transport ships. Don't waste time modifying them; add one more. We need to prepare some transport ships for Mars colonization."
Tony approached and spoke.
Qin Xiao rolled his eyes and gave Tony a thumbs up. "You're so thoughtful. Otherwise, why would your family be the richest?"
In less than ten minutes, Nova Prime rushed out of the room.
Judging from the relieved expression on her face, the matter should be mostly resolved, which also shows that Ronan's harassment had become extremely annoying for them.
"The elders have agreed to your request, but on one condition: we must sign an additional agreement. This technology can only be given to Earth and your future satellite planets; it cannot be transferred or given to any third party in any form."
"Don't worry! This is technology designed to protect us; we definitely won't leak it."
With the key issues resolved, the transport ships seem insignificant in comparison, considering that core technologies and several planets have already been sent out.
The transfer of the three planets was quick; it could be registered directly with the Nova Empire. Before Qin Xiao and his group sent people to take over, the Nova Corps would send people to guard them.
They will also immediately send people to explore the environment for the terraforming of Mars and the Moon, and implement the proposed solutions as soon as possible.
As for dealing with Ronan, Qin Xiao and the others are only responsible for taking action; information about Ronan still needs to be provided by the Nova Empire.
While they may be somewhat naive when it comes to military equipment, the names of the three great cosmic empires are not given lightly.
News of Ronan arrived a few days later.