Zhang Beihai accepted David's recruitment without any surprise.
Based on the plot of The Three-Body Problem, David knew that Zhang Beihai was a man who would use any means necessary for the victory and survival of humanity. His belief in human victory was as steadfast as his loyalty to his nation.
However, contrary to David's expectations, the United Nations' reaction to his demands—disbanding the army, strengthening the Aerospace Force, and reducing interference in the internal affairs of various nations—was unexpectedly intense. David's plan directly touched upon the interests of the UN itself.
There were no "affectionate" accountability hearings like those seen in the original story's General Assembly. The accusations against David came swiftly and fiercely. This forced him to deal with the UN's questioning before he could retrieve the Lectitio Divinitatus from Shen Yufei.
Sitting in a car heading toward Beijing Third Prison, the agent beside David switched on the vehicle's television. Soon, Say's beautiful face and the angry countenances of high-ranking UN officials in the packed General Assembly Hall filled David's vision.
"Do you believe the decisions you made on your first day as a Wallfacer are responsible for the future of humanity?" Say asked. Compared to many others present, the young Filipino politician's tone was much calmer.
"What is irresponsible about increasing space power and uniting to face an external threat?" David countered. As soon as he spoke, someone shouted loudly.
"You actually want the human fleet to fight a space war against the Trisolarans! You know perfectly well that the Sophons have locked down our basic science! This is murder!"
"An interstellar fleet hastily built two hundred years early is meaningless!" The French Foreign Minister angrily held up the proposal David had just submitted, which called for building an interstellar fleet capable of reaching Mars within three years. "The astronomical amount of resources consumed will drastically lower the living standards of all humanity! Wages will drop! Benefits will decrease! This will trigger a series of social upheavals!"
"I am a Wallfacer," David replied, calmly judging the situation.
Clearly, the UN's inquiry was premature. In the current moment, where humanity had just decided to elect "Swordholders," it was not a good time for a formal interrogation. However, since the Trisolaran Wallbreakers had not yet appeared, humans underestimated the Trisolarans' influence on Earth and were thus impatient to scramble for power and profit. Once the first Wallfacer was exposed by a Wallbreaker, these UN bureaucrats would fall in line under the Trisolaran threat.
"I have no obligation to explain my plan to you. If you object, I demand a vote by the Permanent Five." David sat in the car with a serene expression. "As for the issues you mentioned..."
David looked at the agitated French Foreign Minister. "An experimental fleet must be established sooner or later. This is a war; humanity cannot wait until every technology and experiment is perfected before considering an interstellar fleet. Furthermore, as far as I know, China and the US have already begun deploying fleets in their spaceports."
"And regarding the consumption of resources, I believe I clearly outlined the solutions in my proposal."
"That is exactly the problem!" Even the usually good-tempered Say could barely maintain her composure at this point. She glared at David. "You are demanding that all countries sign a non-expansion treaty and turn over all weapons of mass destruction to UN supervision."
"To deal with an alien invasion, I think this is reasonable. Nations should no longer develop meaningless military forces to guard against each other but should instead invest all resources into the Aerospace Force."
Reasonable, my foot! representatives from many smaller nations thought, their eyes nearly splitting with rage.
David's proposal seemed like the peaceful world without nuclear weapons that small nations fantasized about... but in reality, once nuclear weapons were confiscated, the military power of China and the US, who possessed Aerospace Forces, would be enough to steamroll a world without each other. The weight of the great powers was enhanced to a terrifying degree, rendering the armaments of small nations meaningless. Their only security would be to send workers to the UN's space factories as a "loyalty pledge" in exchange for UN protection.
For Say, she would never allow her homeland to become a puppet state relying solely on the protection of great powers.
"I object! This will cause the balance of global power to spiral further out of control! Hegemonism will deepen!"
"This is dictatorship! Fascism! Modern slavery!"
"Aside from military entities mastering space technology, ninety percent of the world's nations will lose their voice in the international community!"
"Bring in Manuel! Earth has more than one Wallfacer!"
The UN was in an uproar. Beside David, even Zhang Beihai couldn't help but break into a cold sweat over David being the target of a thousand pointing fingers.
However, before long, when people realized that the two nations truly capable of deciding the world's fate remained eerily silent—and had no intention of sending their own Wallfacers to veto David's proposal—the tension in the UN Hall subsided.
"Is this part of the plan, David?" The representative of the East pressed his earpiece. After receiving instructions from Beijing, he stood up.
"Yes, it is part of the plan," David replied calmly, as if he had anticipated everything.
"Beijing has agreed to allow domestic contract manufacturing enterprises to produce components required for the UN fleet's first generation of starships."
"The United States can also dispatch experts in the aerospace field to assist the UN in starship manufacturing," the US representative said in Chinese. "We believe it is necessary to simulate coordinated operations of a human united fleet in advance. As for the rest, we can discuss them slowly."
"I can accept that," David replied.
He never expected to change Earth's political landscape through the UN. For him, time was the most powerful weapon for human unification. An interstellar fleet under the command of the UN—or rather, under his direct command—was more than enough for David.
"Is there anything to add, Wallfacer David?" Say asked, tapping her gavel.
Looking at David's face on the screen, which showed no surprise at all, Say and many others present suddenly realized they had been played. The previous proposal to confiscate nuclear weapons was merely a feint.
"I demand to personally participate in the design of the fleet," David said. "And I hope that once the fleet is built, I can personally lead them on an experimental voyage in outer space."
"Agreed. But we will send commissioners to accompany you to ensure your fleet does not violate the Anti-Escape Law by going too far." After a brief discussion between UN officials and representatives of major nations, they reached a conclusion.
Following the instructions in her earpiece, Say delivered the answer.
"Don't worry." Just as people were speculating about David's plan and wondering if he intended to use this as a chance to flee the solar system, a sudden smile appeared on his face.
"My target is Mars, and nothing more."