"No, the accumulated buildup over the past decades suddenly accelerated about ten years ago. Up until earlier this year, it was all the first stage; only now is the second stage truly beginning.
The speed at which various things are surfacing in the sea is even faster than on land, so maritime transportation has been hit hard. Now we have to run escorts all the time.
But we were already aggressively developing land transport here, so the impact on us is comparatively smaller."
"Oh, so the reason they've been biting at our heels lately is all about the money..."
"Obviously. Why would anyone do something with no profit in it? It's all a struggle, everything's a fight, so we absolutely can't let the Church start tearing into us too. Let them tear each other apart internally for now."
"Is Old Meng going to get involved?"
