Chapter 136: Underground Base Clusters
This time upon awakening, a World Government official specifically came to find Jiang Yang.
“Comrade Jiang Yang, I am entrusted by the World Government Council to solicit your opinion on the construction plan for the large-scale underground base cluster.”
That official looked at Jiang Yang with some reverence, speaking and acting very cautiously, clearly possessing a certain level and knowing Jiang Yang’s uniqueness.
“Underground base cluster?”
“Yes. It has now been 21 years since the last apocalypse, and the Reaper Civilization’s next strike could arrive at any time.
To further enhance civilization’s survival ability, we believe that, in addition to means such as promoting technological advancement and massively expanding the aerospace industry, it is also somewhat necessary to find ways to provide sufficient shelter for the populace.
Although even entering the underground base cluster may not avoid the Reaper Civilization’s harvest, it does not mean it is entirely useless.
Perhaps in the future, some of our means to confront the apocalypse will trigger large-scale disasters? Or the pattern of the next harvest will be different?
Our idea is to be prepared. It is better to have these underground bases ultimately unused than to need them and not have them.
As the only cycler of our human civilization, you have experienced many apocalypses, and your unique experiences are unparalleled. We believe you have sufficient wisdom to make a judgment on this issue.”
Jiang Yang was silent for a moment, then asked: “How large is the underground base cluster?”
“Very large. Almost every geologically stable point has related planning, with a total construction period of 50 years according to current plans, and the ultimate goal is to build a massive underground base cluster capable of accommodating the entire population.
Each base must have sufficient defensive power, the ability to operate independently, and sufficient supplies to sustain at least 10 years.”
“This could be called the largest-scale project in human civilization’s history…”
“Yes. After more than a decade of planning and accumulation by the World Government, as well as the rapid progress in technology in recent years and the reduction in internal civilization consumption, we believe that at this stage we already possess the capability to carry out this massive project.
Additionally, according to the World Government’s medium-term planning, in the next ten years, while carrying out this unprecedented massive project, we will also construct a permanent base on the Moon, carry out a manned landing mission on Mars, construct the Four-in-One Risk Monitoring Network for space-sky-surface-underground, and so on and so forth giant tasks.”
Jiang Yang nodded and said: “Since there is sufficient engineering power, then build it. I agree.
Regardless of whether it can play a role, having it is better than not.
It’s just that carrying out so many projects at the same time, won’t it affect the social level?”
“We have assessed it, and there will be some impact, but within controllable limits.
First is the pressure from the Reaper Civilization, and second is the significant technological progress in recent times, the extreme reduction in electricity prices, and the massive development of artificial intelligence, leading to a great abundance of industrial goods.
A mid-to-high-performance laptop might have cost ten thousand yuan before the apocalypse, but now? One thousand is enough. In comparison, people’s incomes have not decreased; on the contrary, they will rise due to the advancement of numerous giant projects.”
“Then there is no problem. I agree.”
“Yes. I will convey your opinion to the Council.”
The visitor respectfully bid farewell to Jiang Yang.
Just as he was about to immerse himself in study, nearby, Zhou Yu walked over with tears in her eyes.
“What’s wrong?”
Zhou Yu wiped her tears, her voice full of sorrow: “I just received the news that during our last hibernation process, my mother passed away.”
Jiang Yang had met Zhou Yu’s mother; she was a very kind and amiable old woman.
For Jiang Yang, who grew up under the social welfare system, she provided him with many emotionally missing areas.
The only pity is that due to participating in the future plan, he could not spend long-term time with her. Even Zhou Yu, her own daughter, could only see her at intervals of at least 50 days, up to 200 days.
Now, this old woman has left this world.
After simply packing up, Jiang Yang and Zhou Yu rushed to that city at the fastest speed.
Looking at the old woman’s portrait, Zhou Yu cried uncontrollably.
Night fell, and Jiang Yang and Zhou Yu stayed here.
“Actually, from the day I participated in the future plan, I had foreseen today’s situation. I just didn’t expect this day to come so soon; I thought Mom would leave only after I grew old too.”
Under the night, Zhou Yu murmured.
Jiang Yang said in a low voice: “A few days ago… during the last hibernation awakening, Director Sun’s son passed away.”
Zhou Yu was stunned: “I didn’t know that. Why?”
“He was old; there will always be many accidents.”
“How old was Director Sun’s son?”
“61, only a few years younger than Director Sun now. Actually, by normal age calculation, we are now over fifty too…”
The passage of time has not left too many traces on the hibernators; this is time’s gift, but this gift is not without cost.
“And Professor Lu’s wife, Professor Chen’s mother…”
Jiang Yang named one hibernator after another.
The two fell silent together.
The next day, after completing the last part of the mother’s funeral arrangements, Zhou Yu thought for a moment and came before her old father.
This was an eighty-something little old man who liked fishing, listening to opera, and such; a very interesting person.
“Dad, hibernation technology is now advanced, and I hear the price has dropped a lot compared to before. Do you want to go into hibernation?”
Nowadays, hibernation technology has begun small-scale commercialization, just with a high price. But for Jiang Yang and Zhou Yu, it is naturally no problem.
He also knew that his daughter and son-in-law had been hibernating intermittently, with the excuse being participation in some confidential mission.
Hearing Zhou Yu’s question, the old man glanced at his daughter: “Unlike you all who have missions, who goes into hibernation when they have nothing to do properly?”
Cough cough cough…
Zhou Yu was choked and only said after calming down: “Don’t you want to see the world decades from now?”
The old man shook his head repeatedly: “No no, what’s the difference from moving house? Moving house is just changing places, but hibernation? Good grief, it directly changes to a whole new era.
Life is only so long; living it anywhere is living it. Just stay here and live it out with your mom. When free, chat with your mom, fish a bit, listen to some opera—pretty good.”
Zhou Yu stood up, looking at her father somewhat reluctantly: “Then, Dad, I’m leaving.”
“Go go, be busy with your things, don’t worry about me.”
Turning around and walking past the street corner, tears were already streaming down Zhou Yu’s face.
The new hibernation began again.
