Chapter 320 Why Not Just Cooperate More Thoroughly? (1/2)

real world.

somewhere.

Following the footsteps of the staff, Gao Jianhui came to a spacious room. The decoration here is a bit monotonous, like a temporarily tidied up room. The only furniture is a bookshelf, a coffee table and two sofas.

The young man wearing glasses was sitting on the sofa. After seeing him, he immediately stood up from the sofa and spoke to him politely.

"Hello Academician Gao! Please take a seat."

Gao Jianhui did not refuse and sat down on the sofa opposite the young man. He looked at the man up and down. He had no impression in his memory. He thought he was not in the same system as him.

At about 8 o'clock last night, he received an invitation letter from a well-known domestic academic institution. However, when he arrived at his destination early in the morning, he did not see any admission instructions for academic lectures, but was invited to attend. A special car.

"We have learned through various investigations that you are an expert in rock mechanics and mining engineering related fields. We take the liberty to invite you here -"

"Why is it so mysterious? It's a private car transfer and a confidentiality agreement." A slight cough interrupted the lengthy opening remarks. Academician Gao said concisely, "If you have anything to say, just tell me."

The man said politely.

"It's just a routine procedure, please forgive me."

"Can I have a cigarette?"

"Of course, it's up to you."

Gao Jianhui took out a lighter from his pocket, lit a cigarette for himself, stared at the laptop on the coffee table, and squinted slightly.

Just when he was about to ask what this was about, the young man wearing glasses stood up, held the mouse, opened the photo in the folder, and said politely.

"Please take a look at this."

"This is……"

As soon as the two words came out of his mouth, his brows furrowed slightly and he let out a soft moan. Holding the cigarette in his right hand, he held the mouse and turned it down unconsciously, his eyes becoming more and more surprised.

Shaft + ramp joint development?

This was the first time he had seen the main transportation system designed like this.

Of course, it wasn't just the main transportation system that surprised him.

The longitudinal structural diagram of the entire mine does not look like a mine at all, but like an instrument with a precise structure. Each block has a clear division of labor and can collaborate closely.

but……

The problem with this design plan is also obvious, that is, it is too idealistic!

Many design ideas simply cannot be realized with current technical conditions.

24-hour cycle mining is not difficult, and unmanned mining is not impossible, but like this, the mining surface moves downward simultaneously with the mining system and is completely separated from manual intelligent mining...

He dared to assert that no mine in the world could do this.

After a long time, Academician Gao looked up at the man sitting opposite, with a hint of seriousness in his interested eyes.

"...Where did you get these photos?"

The young man did not answer the question immediately.

"Before I answer that question, I'd like to hear what you think of the photos."

Gao Jianhui thought for a moment and gave his evaluation.

"It's a very special design. If I read it correctly, the entire mine should use a complete set of intelligent mining systems. It is similar in design concept to the Kiruna Iron Mine in Sweden... But you can't tell just by looking at the appearance. What, more photos?”

The man wearing glasses had a helpless expression on his face.

"Sorry, these are the photos we have for the time being... Can you tell me about the similarities and where they are specifically reflected?"

"Intelligent." Gao Jianhui said immediately.

the man asked immediately.

"Intelligent? Can you be more specific?"

Gao Jianhui thought for a while and replied.

“The Kiruna mine is famous not only for its high-grade iron ore, but also for its intelligent mining system, including drilling, charging, loading, transportation, and lifting...all operating processes can be realized through remote control. . The entire mine only requires a very small number of workers to complete all production processes.”

“In addition, it is not just about intelligence, but also their research in the field of deep mining under one thousand meters, as well as in dealing with increased ground pressure, increased rock temperature, mine lifting, drainage, support, ventilation, filling, environmental protection, etc. Our experience in solving problems is also worth learning from. ”

The man listened very carefully and kept taking notes.

After the old academician finished speaking, he then asked about the part he was most concerned about.

"What about the...mine in this photo?"

Gao Jianhui leaned on the sofa and said calmly.

"I can only talk about the fields I know. I can't talk about the things in your photo. It's not the same field as what I'm studying. I assume that this kind of equipment can operate successfully. At least a hundred problems that we still have to solve must be solved. A problem with no solution, do you know what that means?”

The man with glasses swallowed.

"What does it mean?"

"It means that this photo is likely to be synthesized, or CG produced using film technology."

Hearing Academician Gao's answer, the man was stunned for a moment, then laughed.

"Indeed... we cannot rule out this possibility."

Gao Jianhui paused for a moment and continued.

"I don't understand your work, but as far as I'm concerned, many of the assumptions here are unrealistic. Let's put it this way, the whole building is built on unresolved 'hypotheses', as if carved on The pattern on the gold bracelet is not valuable, but the gold, so I asked you if you have any more photos or information.”

"If we can know how to solve those unresolved problems, we can come up with a similar thing even if we don't use this design plan at all. And even if we solve one of the technical difficulties, our existing mining technology will be greatly improved. "

"For example, in the deep filling mining project that my students are working on recently, one of the difficulties is how to reduce the frictional resistance of the filling material transportation pipeline. If it can be solved, the energy consumption and efficiency of our filling mining can be greatly improved."

"As for what you mean by this? I can't answer it, but boldly imagine that if our mining depth can go down one kilometer, the mining cost can be further reduced by 50 to 60%, and we can mine those areas that are not suitable for mining. All the mineral deposits will be utilized..."

"Guess whether we can find iron ore under our feet that is of higher quality than Australia and South America? Guess how much impact this will have on the local economy, national finance, and industrial structure?"

"Don't mention it for yourself. If you can really build this mining system, I think the reverse export is more than enough!"

Resource reserves are a relative concept. With the development of mining and surveying technology, more and more resource reserves may be mined.

The higher the density of materials, the easier it is to accumulate downward during magma activity and diagenesis. Therefore, the closer to the center of the earth, the more abundant resources can be utilized. In comparison, the resources on the planet's surface are just a scratch.

Looking at the increasingly excited young man, Gao Jianhui flicked the ashes in the ashtray and joked with a smile.

"Since when have you been so free? Daydreaming with an old man like me."

He had probably guessed the identity and position of the person in front of him, but he didn't expect that they would actually find a problem in his professional field of consultation.

After all, what I study is still far from national security.

The person next door is engaged in geology and geographical information, so maybe we can get involved.

After suppressing his excited expression, the man wearing glasses coughed lightly, without answering the question, he reached out and closed the laptop gently.

"... Regarding the case we are responsible for, I'm sorry that I can't say too much. It involves top secrets. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to cooperate with our work. Please let me take you back."

"understand."

Gao Jianhui put out the cigarette butt in the ashtray and waved his hand.

"Next time if you have any questions, just call me. It makes people really nervous."

The man wearing glasses nodded and was about to get up to open the door for the old academician.

However, at this moment, he suddenly thought of something, so he tore a piece of paper from the notebook next to him, wrote a string of letters and handed it to the old man.

Gao Jianhui reached out to take it and glanced at it.

"This is?"

"A URL."

The man wearing glasses smiled and said, "Although I can't reveal more details to you about our case, these photos were all found on the discussion section of this website."

The key is that you can't stop it even if you want to.

The entire website is like a black box. Any information leaked from it is what the black box wants them to know. Any attempt to open the black box has proven ineffective, and blocking the website requires blocking the entire Internet.

The most likely speculation now is that the website and the game "Wasteland OL" should be an enlightenment or investigation of human civilization by a higher civilization.

Considering that many of the technologies displayed in the game have far exceeded or even deviated from the current level of civilization on Earth, the entire case has been characterized as "Close Encounters of the Third Kind."

As for the motivation of this civilization "code-named X" to contact humans in the solar system, further research remains.

But for now, it's at least neutral or above contact.

Considering to avoid causing a wider panic, they decided to temporarily block the news about extraterrestrial civilization and keep a cautious attitude.

"website?"

interesting.

Academician Gao raised his eyebrows and stuffed the note into his pocket.

Take a look when you have time.

…

wasteland.

Xizhou City.

Wu Chengyi put down his communicator and sat back in his chair, his expression a little heavy.

Just a few minutes ago, he made contact with the managers of the New Alliance through the communication equipment provided by the Burning Corps.

The other party did not beat around the bush with him, but bluntly stated the position of the new alliance——

The new alliance will include Xizhou City in the recovery area and build a survivor settlement near Xizhou Lake to accommodate slaves liberated from the looters and survivors who are willing to join the new alliance.

This is more like a notice than a discussion.

Thinking of the man's words on the phone, Wu Chengyi looked at the notebook in his hand.

Those few lines of scrawled handwriting were what he had just written down.

[Xizhou City Industrial Zone Development Plan, and Draft for New Recovery Area and Survivor Settlement Reconstruction]

In his opinion.

This is very much like a pie.

I don’t know how long it will take for the war with the Ya clan to end, but the people of the new alliance have already begun to think about the future with them.

But Wu Chengyi admitted.

This cake does smell delicious.

"Call my deputy... and other high-ranking members of the resistance organization." Wu Chengyi threw his notebook on the table and said to his assistant.

The assistant nodded and immediately turned and left the office.

After a while, more than a dozen people came in from outside.

Standing here were administrative officials of Hope Town and officers of the guerrillas.

The people present exchanged glances and whispered to each other, not understanding why the mayor called them here.

Looking around at the people present, Wu Chengyi slowly spoke.

"Ten minutes ago, I contacted the administrator of the New Alliance."

This sentence was like a bomb thrown into the crowd. Everyone who heard this sentence showed surprised expressions on their faces.

Without waiting for his subordinates to ask questions, Wu Chengyi continued.

"In general, the call went smoothly. The New Alliance extended an olive branch to us and promised to provide us with aid materials worth 500,000 silver coins, including food, medicine and even weapons that we urgently need... These materials will be delivered in the form of airdrops."

He didn't know what 500,000 silver coins meant.

But an automatic rifle costs 200 silver coins, and a kilogram of green wheat only costs 1~2 silver coins...This was the reference provided to him by the manager named Chu Guang.

With this aid, they will undoubtedly be able to overcome the current difficulties more smoothly, and the food shortage and disease problems caused by the plague will also be solved.

At least to a certain extent.

This condition can be said to be quite generous, even to the point of being unbelievably generous. However, it is precisely because of this that people feel abnormal.

"I want to know if this is free?" The adjutant standing next to Wu Chengyi asked cautiously.

"Of course not."

Wu Chengyi paused for a moment and continued.

"After the war, the New Alliance will include Xizhou City in the recovery area."

The room was silent for a while.

Everyone looked at each other.

Although they didn't know what the recovery zone was, from what they said... the New Alliance was planning to include this place in their territory?

Or to put it bluntly, it was to annex it.

Wu Chengyi continued.

"The New Alliance plans to build Xizhou City into their heavy industrial base in the future. He promised me that after the war, any survivors willing to join them can obtain the status of New Alliance residents and the same legal rights and interests as the residents of Shuguang City... including receiving education, participating in the selection of municipal personnel, etc. If you don't want to join the New Alliance, they won't interfere as long as we don't hinder their work."

The adjutant standing next to him continued to ask.

"What about us?"

Wu Chengyi replied.

"They recognize the guerrillas' heroic performance in resisting the Ya clan. If we are willing, they will incorporate us into their team. Of course, if we want to change our lifestyle, they will also give us a severance pay at their discretion, and we can decide whether to stay or leave."

Hearing this, many high-level guerrillas breathed a sigh of relief, and their faces relaxed a little.

The New Alliance was willing to accept them into its team instead of confiscating their weapons, which at least showed that the other party regarded them as their own.

If they didn't want to continue fighting, they could get a severance pay, which was an explanation for those team members who fought for them.

However, not everyone was so optimistic.

A senior member of the resistance organization frowned slightly.

"It sounds like charity."

Wu Chengyi smiled.

"Does it need to sound like that?"

In fact, it's not a bad thing for someone to be willing to give.

Wu Chengyi knew very well that his people were no different from beggars now, and it was meaningless to worry too much about those insignificant things.

The adjutant looked at him and asked.

"What are you going to do?"

Wu Chengyi didn't speak and lit a homemade cigarette.

"I haven't thought about it yet..."

"I called you here just to ask what you think."

At this time, the logistics director who had been silent all the time suddenly spoke.

"I don't think joining the New Alliance is a bad thing... It's even better to say that this is our only choice."

Everyone looked at him.

Including Wu Chengyi. The logistics director paused for a moment and continued.

"There are at least tens of thousands of survivors captured by the Ya clan... Among them are not only our compatriots, but also the people captured by the plunderers from the central area of ​​the Valley Province. If the new alliance returns home with the spoils after the war, the situation we face may be worse than it is now."

A huge number of starving people.

In addition to the rampant plague.

If they take over the rescued compatriots, they will be crushed by the food crisis.

And if they leave those people alone, no matter what reasons they use to explain to the survivors who support them, they will lose the legitimacy of their regime...

Staring at the burnt cigarette in his hand, Wu Chengyi fell into deep thought.

After a long time, he spoke.

"You are right."

...

Chu Guang originally thought that the guerrilla leader named Wu Chengyi would have to struggle for a week before accepting his proposal.

However, what he didn't expect was that he received a reply call that night.

"I have a better proposal." This was Wu Chengyi's first sentence after the call was connected.

Hearing the voice on the other end of the phone, Chu Guang, who was reviewing documents, stopped what he was doing and raised his eyebrows with interest.

"oh?"

"I have discussed with other members of the resistance organization, and we all agree that Xizhou City will have a brighter future under the leadership of the new alliance. You need population and space, and we want to live with dignity. Since you are willing to accept us, why should we Why not cooperate more thoroughly?”

After a moment of pause, Wu Chengyi said solemnly in a serious tone.

"This was a unanimous decision."

"Please allow us to join your cause!"

Upon hearing this, Chu Guang was slightly stunned.

To be honest, he was a little surprised.

Previously, he considered the various problems that might be faced by annexing Xizhou City by force, so he came up with a relatively mild plan, intending to copy the development model of Dawn City and let the local survivors be attracted by the aura of civilization. Volunteer to contribute to an unbreakable alliance.

Turns out great guys.

Do you dare to think that the other person is more anxious to come in than you are, and you are the one who pretends to be reserved?

After suppressing his intriguing expression, Chu Guang, who was sitting on the sofa, cleared his throat and answered the resistance leader's proposal in two words.

Or a request.

"welcome!"

…

The next morning.

Xizhou City, an abandoned underground shopping mall connected to a subway tunnel.

Survivors in ragged clothes and numb expressions returned one after another from the secret door of the subway tunnel carrying shriveled handbags.

The daytime in Xizhou City belongs to the predators.

Only when it gets completely dark can they safely go out to scavenge.

Before going back to sleep, the scavengers need to go to the warehouse to exchange supplies, exchange the garbage they picked up last night for nutritional paste, or exchange the prey they killed for a few daily necessities and medicines.

They say they are prey, but they are actually mice.

For these scavengers, this is almost the only source of meat.

As for why it is said to be almost...

In special times, it is better not to inquire too deeply.

As usual, today's harvest is still pitiful. The exchanges between the New Alliance and the Bone-Chewing Tribe patrols are getting less and less, which means that it is difficult for them to recover the shell casings dropped by both sides.

Most of the Marauder tanks have moved to the front line. Trucks with machine guns welded on have set off in a mighty manner, and group after group of Marauders went to the south.

It seems that this war is about to be decided.

Under the continuous strategic bombardment of the New Alliance, the Bone Chewing Tribe has reached its limits both mentally and physically.

Even the scavengers who picked up the garbage could feel that the looters were being tortured crazy...

However, it is still not easy for the new alliance to win this war.

There were just too many of those marauders.

Discussing when the war will end is the most popular topic in Hope Town. People lined up in a long queue at the entrance of the warehouse are talking about when the new alliance will drive away the predators and what they plan to do after the war ends. .

Whenever these things are mentioned, even the most confused person can't help but feel a little more courage to persevere.

Apart from their family, this is probably the only belief that keeps them going.

At this moment, a broadcast sound suddenly came from above everyone's heads.

“After the high-level research and decision of the Xizhou City Survivor Resistance Movement Organization, starting from the date of this announcement, Hope Town will be officially incorporated into the United Front for the Rejuvenation of Human Civilization and become part of the new alliance collective...

The announcement is lengthy.

Including the date of the formal handover of management rights, as well as the resident status of the new alliance, future arrangements for the guerrillas, etc.

The mayor named Wu spoke for half an hour before he stopped.

However, the scavengers standing at the door of the warehouse and the residents huddled in the shacks suffering from hunger did not listen to what he said next.

They didn't even have time to digest the amount of information in the first sentence of the broadcast.

People stopped talking and exchanged looks and expressions with surprise, joy, surprise, doubt...and disbelief on their faces.

Join a new alliance?

This... sounds like a happy event indeed.

But has this guy really woke up? !