Chapter 222: Weekend Gathering_1

When Jiang Yu arrived at the Moon Forest Park, he immediately caused a sensation.

As Jiang Yu waved to everyone, he also marveled at the sight of a self-service barbecue with tens of thousands of people—it was truly spectacular.

The environment around the barbecue area was quite nice, with tall trees on three sides, and on the other, a gentle slope leading up to Ring Mountain.

To avoid taking up too much space, the park's barbecue area was divided into a grid of squares.

Each square could fit a barbecue stove, a table, and several chairs, making the most of the available space.

Now, not only were each of the squares packed full, but there was also a large crowd gathered around the perimeter of the barbecue area.

Number Three explained, "We have three such barbecue zones, and it's not usually this crowded. The people gathered outside are mainly here to see you."

Hearing this, Jiang Yu stood on an elevated spot and shouted to everyone, "Thank you all for your hard work, go enjoy your weekend!"

The cheers that followed reminded Jiang Yu of the atmosphere at a concert.

It was only in Guanghan City that Jiang Yu could feel the popularity of being a Wallfacer.

After greeting everyone, guided by Number Three, Jiang Yu went to the government sector's barbecue spot.

Burton and the others had been waiting for a while, and when Jiang Yu arrived, many people shouted, "Say a few words!" "Give a speech."

Burton passed the microphone to him, "With such enthusiasm, please say a few words."

Jiang Yu took the microphone, mounting a metal table, "Thank you for your enthusiasm! But what I have to say may dampen your spirits!

"Coming to Guanghan City, I have seen the prosperity of this city and everyone's hard work.

"But I have to tell you, do not be content with the status quo. We must be conquerors and continue to conquer space!

"To humanity, space is still a lifeless place, a cold realm.

"However, speaking of which, the coldness of space is normal!

"Since we can't change it, let's find a way to conquer it! When necessary, we must become as cold as space!

"I announce! The Hermit Federation is officially renamed the Solar System State!

"Let's go conquer space! Let's establish our Solar System State!"

The cheering surged wave upon wave, and many shouted, "Long live the Solar System State!"

The meat wasn't even cooked yet when the gathering reached its climax.

Number Three, Burton, and the others also breathed a sigh of relief. They had been worried when Jiang Yu said he might "dampen your spirits," fearing he might say something awkward.

After hearing Jiang Yu's speech, they remembered that Jiang Yu was someone who had joined the Star Defense Department in his twenties and had always been skilled at public speaking.

The self-service barbecue officially began after the cheering and excitement subsided.

Number Three grilled some chicken wings for Jiang Yu, and upon tasting one, he found it very delicious and boneless.

Jiang Yu only then discovered that the products from the Space Ranch were boneless, a fact that he really appreciated.

After a few bites, Jiang Yu took a beer and started chatting with the people around him.

At first, everyone was a bit reserved, finding it difficult to relax while talking to a Wallfacer, but they eased up once they saw that the Wallfacer wasn't putting on airs.

As Jiang Yu had requested, many young people attended today's gathering, representing the potential future forces of Guanghan City's government.

Among them were descendants of Beck, the grandson of Bo Xiangdong, the granddaughter of Di Fengyi, and so on.

Jiang Yu steered the conversation towards the future of the Solar System State. They were all very optimistic, believing that the PDC no longer had the power to retaliate, and that the future of the Solar System belonged to the Solar System State.

The more Jiang Yu talked with them, the deeper his frown became.

In the crowd, Jiang Yu also spotted Tao Jingxing. He had heard about Tao Jingxing from Number Three, that he had participated in the "Reinforcement for the Future" plan and still looked to be in his thirties.

When Tao Jingxing saw Jiang Yu approaching, he said somewhat embarrassed, "Hello, Wallfacer."

Jiang Yu glanced at him, "Don't you know how to address people anymore?"

Tao Jingxing finally called out, "Uncle."

Many around were surprised; they had never heard Tao Jingxing mention that his uncle was a Wallfacer.

Jiang Yu nodded, "Is being my nephew something to be ashamed of? So much so that you have to hide it? I've been in Guanghan City for quite a while now, and you haven't even come to see me!"

Tao Jingxing said sheepishly, "I heard I was a candidate for Governor, so I needed to avoid any appearance of favoritism."

"Avoid a fart's worth of favoritism!" Jiang Yu said. "Come here, I want to ask you something."

Tao Jingxing obediently followed Jiang Yu to a less crowded corner, and immediately the surrounding people became abuzz with speculation—who would have thought Tao Jingxing had such a background.

Amidst the murmurs, many felt that the position of Governor was almost certainly Tao Jingxing's now.

In the corner, Jiang Yu asked, "I heard your parents have passed away?"

Tao Jingxing nodded, "They never wanted to come to Guanghan City, and life on Earth was so hard at that time, ah..."

Jiang Yu then asked, "Are you married?"

Tao Jingxing shook his head.

Jiang Yu patted Tao Jingxing on the shoulder, "You need to hurry up."

Tao Jingxing replied with a wry smile, "You're my uncle, and you aren't in a hurry... Ah, yes, you were married, you see, I almost forgot.

"Your marriage was so long ago, I can't even remember what my aunt looked like."

"Cut the crap," Jiang Yu said. "These young people attending the party, are they all key figures from various departments?"

"Yes."

Jiang Yu then asked, "What are your thoughts on Guanghan City now?"

"Humanity's center of technology and culture!"

"Tell me your real feelings."

After thinking for a bit, Tao Jingxing said, "After enduring hardships, we have finally reached these heights. Whether it's the system or welfare, it's incomparable to other places.

"I like the rules here, and I am proud of our current achievements."

Jiang Yu took a long breath and asked, "What about the future? What are your thoughts on the future of Guanghan City?"

Tao Jingxing replied excitedly, "Now that the nuclear motors have been invented, we're definitely going to colonize the entire star system. Then the Hermit... the Solar System State will surely thrive even more!"

Jiang Yu seemed somewhat disappointed as he said, "No wonder the Trisolarans are so confident cutting off contact with the ETO; I thought they were just being arrogant. It turns out they hold the winning cards for sure."

Tao Jingxing realized his uncle seemed quite unhappy.

Jiang Yu glanced at Tao Jingxing, "Go back and think over these two questions I've asked you. When you have thought it through, come find me!"

After saying that, Jiang Yu found a table to set down his glass and left with Number Three under some pretext.

Many felt disappointed, as they hadn't even had the chance to speak to the Wallfacer before he left.

Back at the hotel, Jiang Yu paced back and forth in the living room, stopping every so often to cross his arms and think. After more than an hour of this, he said to Number Three, "Call the head of the Strategic Department for me!"

Because of Kong Xiang breaking through the wall, Jiang Yu had not been able to meet with the head of the Strategic Department.

Although it was the weekend, the head of the Strategic Department arrived quickly.

Jiang Yu was familiar with the person, "Professor Gu Liang!"

The visitor was none other than the sociologist Gu Liang who had introduced Jiang Yu to the "Future History School" gathering!

After ushering Gu Liang to a seat, Jiang Yu chatted with him for a while before learning that Gu Liang was friends with Lu Qingfeng.

Not long after Jiang Yu went into hibernation, as life on Earth became progressively more difficult, social science majors like sociology gradually became marginalized, and the Gu Liang family also fell on hard times.

Therefore, under the auspices of Lu Qingfeng, Gu Liang's family came to Guanghan City.