Chapter 26: A Gathering of Elites
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“An electromagnetic levitation vehicle is a modern vehicle powered by electromagnetic fields and propelled while suspended above the ground.” Electromagnetic levitation vehicles replace conventional wheel-and-tire suspension systems with electromagnetic levitation devices. While in motion, the vehicle remains approximately two centimeters above the ground, eliminating all frictional losses and allowing it to travel at extremely high speeds.
These vehicles require specially constructed road surfaces made from magnetic materials. They may use fuel or electricity as their energy source and are equipped with autonomous driving systems and exceptionally long-lasting battery units.
Electromagnetic levitation vehicles are not so-called anti-gravity vehicles. Gravity is one of the fundamental forces of the universe and cannot simply vanish into thin air. To disregard gravity, one would have to possess advanced mechanical technology capable of supporting a reaction-force system.
Technology of that level would be sufficient to produce colossal mechs, super battleships capable of flying through planetary atmospheres, or even floating cities!
At present, He Xingzhou was still unable to unlock such technology. An electromagnetic levitation vehicle was a technological creation far more suitable for the current stage.
“Developing an electromagnetic levitation vehicle offers several advantages.” He Xingzhou pondered the matter. To create one, he would need to unlock electromagnetic levitation technology, electric motor technology, electrical energy storage technology, wireless charging technology, solar cell technology, autonomous driving technology, and more.
From a strategic perspective, if a nationwide network of magnetic roads could be built and large numbers of electromagnetic levitation vehicles put into service, logistics efficiency could be greatly increased, while consumption of petroleum as a strategic resource would be reduced. This would help prevent oil shortages during a disaster, stimulate economic development, and provide technical reserves for subsequent plans.
These technologies could be applied not only to electromagnetic levitation vehicles, but also to other fields of science and technology, including the military. The so-called electromagnetic levitation vehicle was merely an integrated product of the technologies He Xingzhou intended to develop.
“Most importantly, I can meet the energy requirements for unlocking these technologies.” He Xingzhou had already made his preliminary decision.
Over the next few days, He Xingzhou continued studying the matter. At the same time, using the energy absorbed by his quantum photonic computer from the small power station, he unlocked several additional technologies.
“Ten units of energy expended. Unlocking Basic Gene Sequencing Technology.”
“Twenty units of energy expended. Unlocking Basic Gene Modification Knowledge.”
“Twenty-five units of energy expended. Unlocking Basic Biological Weapons Knowledge.”
These three areas of biological knowledge were all preparations for researching the insectoids. After unlocking and acquiring them, He Xingzhou began unlocking energy technologies.
“Energy encompasses acquisition, storage, and release. Energy acquisition determines the speed at which my quantum photonic computer can unlock technologies, so preparations are essential.”
Humanity currently relied primarily on electrical energy, so He Xingzhou focused on energy technologies related to electricity.
“Thermal power generation, wind power generation, hydroelectric power generation, tidal power generation, solar power generation, geothermal power generation, nuclear fission power generation, nuclear fusion power generation…”
The technology tree contained a vast array of power-generation technologies alone, and each method had several branches of its own.
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“Nuclear power generation requires too many units of energy. Thermal power generation consumes too many raw materials. Wind power generation is unstable. As for tidal power generation, it requires the installation of tidal power stations in the ocean—and the oceans will eventually be occupied by the insectoids. That option is unreliable as well.”
“Taking everything into consideration, solar power generation is the most suitable choice. In other words, we should build photovoltaic power stations. As long as there is sufficient sunlight, they can provide ample energy. They are clean and environmentally friendly, and sunlight as a raw material is free!”
Solar cell technology also branched into numerous subfields, encompassing many different types of solar cells.
There were silicon solar cells, thin-film solar cells, organic polymer solar cells, plastic solar cells, and more. Each type offered a different conversion efficiency.
After consulting the available information, He Xingzhou discovered that the technology most widely used internationally at present was polycrystalline silicon solar cells. Their conversion efficiency and cost, however, were inferior to those of thermal power generation.
“Nanocrystalline solar cell technology uses inexpensive nanocrystalline titanium dioxide. The manufacturing process is simple, performance is stable, and the cost is only one-tenth that of silicon solar cells. Its service life exceeds twenty years, and its conversion efficiency is even higher. Without a doubt, it is the best choice!”
“Moreover, once nanocrystalline solar cell technology is upgraded, it can unlock solar sail technology—the latter being one of the essential components required to build a Dyson sphere!”
He Xingzhou checked the unlocking requirements. Nanocrystalline solar cell technology required only thirty units of energy to unlock, followed by a one-day waiting period.
…
While He Xingzhou was studying the technology tree, the officers and operatives responsible for carrying out the Black Tortoise Project were also beginning to take action across the country.
Magic City, the Institute of Biochemical Cell Research. It was one of Huaxia’s most advanced molecular biology laboratories.
Early one morning, several experts in cell biology and biological molecular science were summoned.
“What’s going on? Why have we suddenly been called in?” the experts asked, bewildered.
“They even conducted several security checks before letting us come in. Something major must have happened!”
“Exactly. I was abroad attending an academic exchange and was urgently recalled!”
“I’ve heard a few rumors. Several friends of mine in the capital have been out of contact for the past few days. Apparently, they’re participating in a classified mission!”
The experts discussed the matter among themselves, all sensing that something serious was about to happen.
Before long, they were brought before an important official from the national security authorities.
“Everyone here is a pillar of the biological sciences. We have indeed summoned you on an emergency basis because something extremely important has occurred!”
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“This matter concerns national security. Every one of you must sign a confidentiality agreement first!”
“National security?” The group was startled. They quickly signed the confidentiality agreements, and only then were they permitted to learn the details.
When they finished reading the information concerning the insectoid disaster, every one of them was left pale with shock.
“There could actually be something like this?”
“It’s terrifying. I can hardly believe that such dreadful creatures will occupy the oceans decades from now!”
“We have to eradicate them before they can grow!”
“Everyone,” said an official from the Security Bureau, “the nation has now established a task force to deal with the insectoid crisis and launched the Black Tortoise Project.”
“You have all been selected as members of the Black Tortoise Project. From this point forward, you will work under the direction of the Black Tortoise officers and the Whistleblower to research and investigate all information related to the insectoids.”
“Please make the necessary preparations!”
…
In Huaxia, several power-system experts from the State Grid Corporation were being urgently reassigned to the capital.
“The place you are going to is a special research institute. As for the details of your work, you are to follow the Whistleblower’s instructions. Take note: the importance of this assignment surpasses that of any task you have undertaken before. Your organizations require you to show no negligence whatsoever and to devote yourselves to the mission completely!”
“Yes!”
As the experts responded, doubts lingered in their minds. What exactly was the Whistleblower’s identity? How could this person mobilize the nation’s top power-grid specialists?
In a northeastern city, the headquarters of Huaxia’s First Automobile Group had just assembled a team of automotive engineering experts. Carrying the same questions, they boarded a plane bound for the capital.
They were not the only ones headed there. Researchers from institutes across the country, technical experts from Huaxia’s state-owned enterprises, university professors and researchers, and military specialists transferred from various military regions were all making their way to the same destination.
These top Chinese elites joined the mysterious Black Tortoise Project with trepidation in some hearts, fervor in others, and unwavering resolve in still others. Many of them had yet to realize what kind of grand, perilous, and vitally important super-project they were about to take part in.
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