Chapter 399: Keys To The Second Great Age Of Sail
“What infrastructure maniac!”
“Our journey is the sea of stars, not just talk! Seeing in the live broadcast that the payload cabin flew out without a trace of flame, my tears were about to fall.”
“Will going to the Moon in the future be like taking high-speed rail? High-speed rail ticket 200, Moon ticket 1 million? I’m starting to save money now, surely I can go in my lifetime?”
“Those who say we only know plagiarism, come out and walk two steps? This time see what else you can criticize! Can you plagiarize the Lunar Steel Dragon?”
Chinese netizens really couldn’t stand the name Lunar electromagnetic rail, too dry, so after the Steel Dragon appeared, everyone started using it plus lunar surface to refer to the electromagnetic rail on the Moon.
“This is not ordinary launch, this turns the Moon into a space mother port! All future deep space probes can be launched from the Moon.”
On Zhihu, netizens’ discussions were a bit more profound.
“Thanks for the invite, General Manager Lin has mentioned it for a long time, foreign media kept doubting before, even though Apollo Technology’s colleagues live-streamed almost every step, except some key technical details that were cut off, most of the rest were live-streamed for everyone to see.
Foreigners from initial disbelief, to half-believing halfway, to now completely dumbfounded, the r/space section on Reddit, those foreigners are all completely convinced.
One by one, they now gave General Manager Lin the title of Space Emperor, in English Great is Great, Emperor is Emperor, there is a difference between the two, the former is a honorific, I see many Americans are already calling for big T to appoint General Manager Lin as NASA director.
They took the Washington Post’s previous report about General Manager Lin claiming in live stream he wants to be NASA director, urging big T to appoint quickly, saying the gap between Musk and General Manager Lin is already light years.
I instead think many on Chinese Internet are funny, when General Manager Lin proposed the goal, you said General Manager Lin is shouting slogans, thief who only knows stealing NASA technology, shouting slogans to fool national investment, saying it will be an epic unfinished project, always comparing to Evergrande.
When the Moon Base was built, General Manager Lin took Lei Zong up, personally laying the foundation for the Lunar Orbit with lunar soil bricks, external network in uproar, this group still singing counter-tune, saying what is it just lunar soil material 3D printing? What’s so great about that, still ten thousand miles from electromagnetic rail, General Manager Lin too good at show.
Damn, stable electricity supply already completed, Moon 3D printing factory operational, solar and nuclear energy large-scale application, orbit design already done, still there doing show.
At that time American “Foreign Affairs” magazine, old American core geopolitics think tank, came out saying we must pay attention, this matter too terrifying, China’s progress far exceeds imagination.
Instead this part of Chinese people think what’s the big deal, really should send you to Washington to do decision making.
Now, electromagnetic rail grid-connected powered on, launch successful, finally not singing counter-tune, not mentioning can’t return to Earth.
Now starting to say, what does this have to do with your monthly salary of three thousand, in every praising comment section, I can see someone jump out saying what does this have to do with your monthly salary of three thousand, what gets me most is one person, on one hand asking what does this have to do with your monthly salary of three thousand, on the other hand under Starship’s tenth success question answering with lavish praise, even human light came out.
Really, are you human? Starship success again what does it have to do with you? Apollo Technology created how much employment, drove the entire aerospace sector market cap soaring, Shanghai Baoshan District housing prices compared to before Apollo Technology came, already doubled.
Don’t say monthly salary three thousand, even if monthly salary three hundred, this matter is related to you, this can make the money in your hand more valuable, it relates to every Chinese person.
Otherwise why, global inflation, but we no inflation? Our money can still relatively valuable.
Finally talk about the significance of this matter, definitely far exceeds many people’s imagination.
This test success proves China’s nuclear energy application on the Moon, compared to before, this time multiple nuclear fission power stations grid-connected power generation success.
Then superconducting material under extreme low temperature at least for electromagnetic launch such relatively rough application, no problem, ultra-low temperature superconducting chip everyone can start expecting.
And large-scale robot collaborative operation and other multiple fields achieved major breakthroughs.
These technologies are cornerstones of future space exploration, and have broad application prospects on Earth too.
Second cost revolution: electromagnetic rail launch success means future cost of transporting materials from Moon nearly zero.
This will completely change the economic model of Moon exploration. We can mine resources on the Moon, then transport back to Earth this way, this will greatly promote commercialization of Moon resources.
And this mode, can be replicated on Mars, completely can be replicated on Mars, even if not for cost and energy, we could start now.”
Taipei’s August is typhoon season, typhoons come anytime.
Rain even more common, much more than April.
China’s Lunar Steel Dragon, for them, is even a level 13 hurricane, making everyone feel deep powerlessness.
Some blue-leaning TV program studio
Camera red light on, host Fang Yuan facing the lens, expression grave like overcast clouds.
Guest beside him, a senior commentator, equally somber, eye bags heavy almost falling off.
“Audience friends, welcome back to ‘Big Talk News’.” Fang Yuan all bad: “Just a few hours ago, a shocking global news came.
According to Chinese official and multiple international media reports, they completed humanity’s first electromagnetic rail launch test at Lunar South Pole.
An unmanned payload cabin, no flame, no loud noise, just quietly sent into Lunar Orbit.
This Lunar Orbit also praised by foreign media as Lunar Steel Dragon.”
He shook his head, looked at guest. “Teacher Guo, what does this represent?”
Old Guo took off glasses, rubbed bridge of nose, sighed: “Host, frankly speaking, no deep meaning here, just Mainland’s technology reached a level we hard to understand, their progress these years too fast.
In the past we would discuss on program, whether Mainland can complete manned Moon landing before 2035, let me tell you, not long ago, five years ago, 2020, when Mainland first brought back moon soil from Moon.
Then I sat here with Han Bing, handsome General discussing, our optimistic estimate then, most optimistic estimate Mainland could send astronauts to Moon in 2030.
Result what did we see, we saw, five years later today, China’s astronauts going to Moon won’t be harder than us going to New York.
This not most terrifying, most terrifying is this Lunar Steel Dragon.
This name taken really good, sounds very dominant, very fits Mainland’s temperament, steel and dragon.
When we discussing whether to sell chips to America or Mainland, they already set gaze on Moon.
When we still quarreling over those 28nm technology, they already paved way for Moon industrialization through electromagnetic rail.”
“Did you see Chinese official’s promotion? They say this system can greatly reduce transportation cost between Earth and Moon.
What does this mean? Means future Moon resources can be continuously transported back to Earth.
Means, they already started treating Moon as their resource base.
This not just technical breakthrough, this is redefining future game rules.
Frankly speaking, Mainland’s ambition completely different from past.
They now can truly say goal is sea of stars.”
Fang Yuan frowned tight, voice trembling: “So the turmoil we experienced this year, blood we shed, markets we lost, just a prelude?”
Old Guo didn’t answer directly, but looked at lens, eyes full of helplessness and sorrow: “I just want to say, when Mainland discussing how to mine resources from Moon, and you still discussing how to hold onto your mature process, when your most relied ally trying every way to hollow you out, you should know, you already on the menu.”
Old Guo shook head, heart full of sorrow, because he felt now negotiations have no chips, no matter with which side.
Past when had chips didn’t talk, now Mainland reacted, not only increase own chips, can also reduce yours.
Your chips gone, things you can talk about fewer and fewer.
Elephant hard to turn, but elephant’s momentum after turning too huge, let them unable to resist.
Hsinchu, science park some coffee shop
Coffee shop unusually desolate, semiconductor industry hollowing out also transmitted to local consumer industry, local consumer industry all desolate.
“Old Chen, you really not reconsider?” Hsinchu Economic Bureau Section Chief Lin’s voice with plea, “Government side, we working hard, we believe, as long as survive this wave, we still can…”
“Survive this wave?” Chen Minghui bitter smile, put down coffee cup in hand, “Section Chief Lin, did you see today’s news? Mainland laid tracks on Moon! They used moon soil 3D print foundation, electromagnetic force launch spaceship! They already set gaze on sea of stars, and us?
What do we use to block? How did your talks in Yanjing go? Will current Yanjing even glance at us?”
Section Chief Lin speechless, he knew Chen Minghui all facts. Government’s soothing, in face of such huge technology and strategy gap, seems so pale powerless.
More fatal is now blue lost voice in Yanjing side too.
Go to Yanjing once, other side for concessions, hope give 4v semiconductor industry orders, past Yanjing would arrange enterprises to connect, arrange state-owned enterprises give 4v orders.
Even just need them say number, Yanjing could arrange to digest that capacity.
Now, then always, this is market behavior, we no way to require enterprises, you need strive yourself, I see your *** technology very good, want consider come China build factory?
Such change, made them at loss.
Chen Minghui deep breath, made final decision: “Section Chief Lin, I’m leaving.
I leave R&D center in Hsinchu, but my new factory, will be in Xiamen.
Because there, at least I can do business with peace of mind, no worry my partners tomorrow will be short sold by Wall Street, also no worry my clients abandon me for political reasons.
When they already built tracks on Moon, I just want, survive.”
Even after Lunar Steel Dragon test success, Chen Minghui thinking, still let son follow to Mainland.
Because though intense competition, but indeed can produce achievements.
One hundred years ago, China struggling in poverty and war, even eating full luxury, not to mention gaze at stars, watching Europe and America rise in industrial revolution wave, watching their fleets sail to our coast, China locked out door, forgotten by world.
Fifty years ago, China finally could launch own satellite to space, but then China, difficult steps. China watching Soviet Union and America fierce competition in space, they landed on Moon, China could only silently chase on Earth.
Twenty years ago, China finally had own manned spaceship, own space station, China used action prove to world, they have ability enter space, ability leave our footprints in universe.
And now China simply replicated others’ technology, China opened a brand new path, not competing who rocket bigger, who fuel fuller, but utilized Moon’s own resources, utilized cutting-edge electromagnetic technology, turned Moon into space mother port.
Chen Minghui could think with feet, behind this, countless people’s blood and sweat.
Not intense competition, not intense competition then like Europe and America, sixty years ago Moon landing, now can’t go up again.
Chen Minghui hesitating between taking son to Xiamen and sending him to America.
He just a microcosm of 4v businessman.
Large number 4v semiconductor enterprises choose northbound, Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, full of their figures.
Some move production over, some move R&D over, some establish joint ventures with Mainland enterprises, jointly R&D high-end industrial chain.
Japan’s technology transfer, formed broken window effect.
Simply put, before 4v enterprises would think own technology very precious, absolutely can’t give Mainland, Mainland takes away, we not only no business, more lose survival advantage.
Now, they actively choose embrace Mainland.
They already no choice.
September 1, Taipei a black government official car driving on Jianguo elevated bridge, inside car atmosphere more oppressive than rain outside window.
Wu Jianzhong directly put phone in front of Chen Xiaoxian, screen is internal briefing page needing three layers password to access.
Title black, bold, looks shocking.
“Preliminary strategic evaluation on China’s Moon Base electromagnetic rail test success”
“Xiaoxian,” Wu Jianzhong voice dry, “Taipei this morning synchronously received summary of this briefing from Washington, Tokyo sides, sky changed.”
“Pentagon’s preliminary evaluation is,” Wu Jianzhong interrupted Chen Xiaoxian’s reading, summarized for him, “This not simple space mission, this beginning of cost revolution.
They can mine helium-3, rare earth on Moon, then throw back to Earth like slingshot, more terrifying is, report clearly points out, this mode, completely can replicate on Mars.”
Car window outside lightning flashed, lit up Wu Jianzhong’s bloodless face.
“Not god mountain collapsed,” he murmured, “China already has alien technology.”
“Jianzhong,” Chen Xiaoxian spoke: “What does this mean for America?”
“Means they more dare not lose, and more can’t afford to lose.
A country already mastered key to second great navigation era, a country about to commercialize Moon even Mars resources, its war potential and long-term resilience, beyond our imagination.
America impossible dare with such opponent, for us, gamble possibly losing all carrier battle groups.”
Wu Jianzhong face especially pale.
Now most optimistic VV dare not such fantasy.
“They dare not.” Chen Xiaoxian coldly said, “So, our shield, in their eyes, value rapidly depreciating.
Because America behind shield, already no certain victory determination.”
No certain victory determination, said still too optimistic bit.
“They will abandon us?” Wu Jianzhong continued.
“Worse than abandon.” Chen Xiaoxian said word by word, “They will before abandoning ship, dismantle all valuable parts on ship, every time China launches once on Moon, Pentagon’s failure probability increases one point, White House’s anxiety deepens ten points.
This anxiety, will 100% convert to pressure on us.”
“Before, they hollowing out progress a unhurried rhythm, but now seems time window rapidly decreasing, I can feel, shorts becoming anxious.
I feel they want before China fully digest Moon, and convert to absolute advantage on Earth, swallow our industry and forex reserves skin and bones!”
Chen Xiaoxian took out phone, pulled up Aethelred Capital’s information:
“You see, next script more crazy.
White House will use security emergency state as reason, bypass business rules, directly require TSMC, MediaTek, hand over their core technology and talent, as free world common counter crisis reserve.
And Wall Street, will cooperate create bigger financial panic, tell world: our tech assets, if not immediately transfer to America, tomorrow may worthless.”
Wu Jianzhong gloomily said: “Before, we were pawns, now, we are pawns they can eat before losing whole game, to pad back.”
Oval Office atmosphere grave.
big T sitting behind resolute desk, no his usual signature exaggerated expression, replaced by rare, gloomy, like Lyndon Johnson’s seriousness.
When Musk brought in, big T using finger one by one tapping a picture, picture is China’s Lunar South Pole base blurry outline and a long strip-shaped, sci-fi colored structure.
“Elon,” big T without lifting head, voice low. “You saw? Your people should gave you briefing too.
This biggest news these days, Chinese people, on Moon, used electromagnetic cannon, threw things into orbit.
Like playing slingshot.
A bunch small nuclear power stations, solar panels, pile robots, a slingshot.
They succeeded.”
Musk walked to desk front, glanced at picture.
“Yes, Mr. President. An impressive engineering achievement.
Their superconducting material application and energy system indeed very efficient.” Musk said.
“Efficient?” big T finally lifted head, eyes sharp. “Elon, this not efficient, this a disaster! A thorough disaster! When our astronauts still wrangling over Moon base budget and Congress, they already opening factories on Moon! They mocking us, Elon, whole world watching our joke!”
Musk seemed unmoved by such emotional language, started expounding his grand vision: “Mr. President, from first principles, Moon actually a strategic trap.
Its gravity well though smaller than Earth, still significant.
To establish sustainable, self-developing civilization, goal must be Mars.
Starship’s entire design concept, from Raptor engine to reusability, all for one goal, colonize Mars, make humanity multi-planetary species. We should bypass Moon, put all resources and energy on real reward.”
big T suddenly slapped table, water cups on table shook.
“Mars?” his voice suddenly raised. “We now no time talk those damn, distant human civilization! We talking future five to ten years, United States life and death!”
He stood up, walked to Musk front, pointing at him with finger, tone full of undeniable oppression.
“You still not understand? This not scientific exploration, this geopolitics!
They took Moon, means what? Means they control ultimate strategic high ground! Who controls Earth-Moon space, controls Earth!
Their satellites, their space station, their missiles, all can get support from Moon base.
This 21st century Cuba missile crisis, only this time, missile base not in Cuba, but above all our heads!”
He paused, let weight of these words sink.
“Why they dare let us economically harvest 4v? Why our deterrence failing? Just because they hold this future trump card! They feel they already won future, so don’t care gamble now! We must knock this card from their hand!”
Musk tried defend: “But Mr. President, from resource allocation angle…”
“No but!” big T roughly interrupted him. “I need SpaceX, I need you, Elon.
I need you stop that damn go-Mars plan, turn direction, target: Moon!
I don’t care what method you use, I don’t care how much money you spend, I need an American Moon base, bigger, better than theirs!
I need our own electromagnetic launch rail! Not in 2035, before my term ends!”
He leaned face close to Musk, voice lowered, full of threat and temptation.
“All your government contracts, from NASA to Department of Defense, all your launch permits, from FAA to FCC, every paper, needs my signature.
We can make SpaceX greatest company in human history, we can give you unlimited budget.
Or, we can let every your launch drown in endless environmental assessments and safety reviews.”
“Think clearly, Elon. You want be a bankrupt dreamer hugging Mars dream, or American hero who conquered Moon?”
Musk silent. He looked at big T, again at satellite photo on desk. His distant dream of multi-planetary species, in face of national machine’s naked will, seems so fragile.
After long time, he long sighed.
“Mr. President,” his voice with engineer’s fatigue and excitement facing new challenge, “A Moon base one electromagnetic launch system, this needs us redesign entire Artemis program payload, Starship lunar lander version needs major modification, but physically, feasible.”
big T’s face finally showed victory smile, heavily patted Musk’s shoulder.
“That’s right! This the Elon I know!” he loudly announced, as if already won this war: “We not only go Moon, we build a big T space base there! We let entire universe, see again what true American power!”
“Mr. President, I think we can communicate with China, they willing sell Lunar North Pole landing technology to us, I think we can talk with them, that way can save time fastest.” Musk reminded.
big T seemed remembered something: “Right, I remembered, just seems their asking price then too high, they want Nikon’s most advanced, 7nm lithography machine related all technology, this price bit too expensive.
Let us call Old Morgan, see what scrap metal can sell to Chinese people!”
“What? All sold!!!”
On phone side, Old John Morgan’s answer, made Oval Office atmosphere fall into silence.
About 28nm technology, even including compounds, special gases, Japan all sold.
“No, I didn’t say select some edge technologies sell to Chinese people? When I allow all sold!” big T somewhat exasperated, Old John Morgan’s behavior seriously affected his negotiation principles, take advantage where can.
Now seems, can’t take advantage.
“Mr. President, you agreed.” Old John Morgan’s voice came from phone.
Besent meanwhile gloomily said: “Mr. President, it was you personally came to my and Akazawa Ryosei’s meeting office, personally told him, anything can sell.
I originally wanted confirm with him one by one, confirm a priority order, negotiate from bottom up.
Then, you appeared in office, big wave hand, said these all can sell, are chicken ribs.
Said they will spend big money, happily take these technologies back, think they won, but we know, we gave them an illusion they can never catch up.”
