Chapter 175: The Prelude to the Space Age_1

The third communication between the Mars intelligence signal and Earth is translated as follows:

People of the third planet, "You have failed the test I set for you, which is regrettable. One of the astronauts on Mars came close to discovering the truth.

However, your thought patterns remained rigid, lacking deeper contemplation.

My previous summary of Earth's civilization seems somewhat one-sided. Although your species is inferior in many respects, it does not affect the fact that you also possess some commendable spirits.

Cherish these precious spirits, for they will be the ladder to your progress.

Stop wasting so much energy on conflicts within your own species. Come to the Milky Way! I will be waiting for you in the Milky Way!

But before you find me, do not attempt to contact me, or you will lose the opportunity for the new tests I will provide in the future.

Strive to develop yourselves! If I find you attempting to contact other advanced civilizations, such trickery will cause me to appear immediately as an enemy."

This message from the intelligence signal once again stirred up the human world.

Many people guessed that although they hadn't completed the task, the other party seemed willing to look after humanity in the future.

Moreover, some speculated that there might be conflicts among advanced civilizations, so they emphasized that Earthlings should not proactively contact other civilizations.

A previous attempt at interstellar communication by humanity had attracted the Trisolarans. Even without a reminder from the intelligence signal, most were reluctant to reach out to other civilizations under unknown circumstances.

Many scholars sensed concepts on a cosmic scale through these words.

But what exactly they realized was not so clear.

Of course, some believed that without the help of advanced civilizations, people would have to face the invasion of the Trisolarans on their own.

But such negative thoughts had hardly formed before they were overshadowed by the hope brought by the advanced civilization.

Although still facing the invasion of the Trisolarans, there was now a glimmer of hope deep in the universe, unlike the previous situations of certain doom.

This was like switching from black-and-white television to color TV; though both are televisions, the experience is just different.

Subsequently, Wallfacer Jiang Yu used his privilege to give a live broadcast speech worldwide:

"Fellow citizens! A new era is quietly arriving. Regardless of our past conflicts and issues, these are insignificant when viewed against the backdrop of vast space!

"Allow me, please, to borrow and adapt a quote from President Kennedy, who led America in the last century:

"So far, no disputes, no biases, or national conflicts exist in outer space.

"Space is hostile and dangerous to all of us, and conquering it merits humanity's full commitment.

"We have this purpose, not because it's easy, but because it's hard.

"This goal will compel us to organize and measure our capacity and skills to their fullest extent.

"We accept this challenge eagerly, we don't wish to postpone it, and we must prevail!"

Jiang Yu paused, then continued, "More than half a century ago, humanity once had the resolve to explore the universe.

"But we squandered this precious exploratory spirit in repeated internal conflicts.

"The heroes who went to great lengths to land on the Moon probably didn't anticipate that half a century after their multiple moon landings, we would achieve nothing more substantial.

"Why do we love to explore? Because exploration always uncovers unseen beauty and yields unexpected benefits.

"Other planets and asteroid belts have resources a hundred, a thousand times those of Earth.

"Such immense benefits await, yet we turn a blind eye, preferring to squabble over the meager resources on our home planet.

"For this, we fight ugly battles with our kin.

"The successful landing of astronauts on Mars signals that we have the ability to travel to other planets.

"Go into space! There, vast unclaimed resources and development opportunities await. Stop fighting with your kin for sustenance!"

Jiang Yu's speech was seen as the prelude to the space age.

Despite the absence of help from an advanced civilization, people around the world were filled with enthusiasm for space.

The PDC was even forced to agree that private enterprises could enter space for profit.

Suddenly, the ambitious and adventurous started looking for opportunities on the Moon, the nearest celestial body to Earth.

The PDC once again engaged in land dealing on the Moon, and Jiang Yu secretly directed Belle to buy a batch of plots rich in minerals.

When the funds ran short, he covertly diverted money from Moon City to Belle's company.

Of course, Jiang Yu didn't go to extremes, revealing only part of the resources to Belle.

Most of those hell-bent on venturing into space managed to profit.

The Moon may be Earth's satellite, but for humanity, it's also vast!

Meanwhile, You Haoming and others didn't immediately return to Earth but started working on some scientific research projects on Mars.

These included searching for water resources and signs of life on Mars.

And they started selecting a site for the upcoming Mars City.

The PDC had already reached a preliminary cooperation agreement with Moon City to jointly develop Mars City, and member countries were also planning to build cities on the Moon.

However, those who had seen You Haoming's report were puzzled by the reception of the signal from Mars on Earth, yet You Haoming and the others on the Martian surface received nothing.

Based on the tracking of the signal's origin, the transmission site was roughly where You Haoming and his team were located.

This could only mean the signal came from the Martian sky or its near orbit.

But You Haoming and his team were certain nothing was there in the skies of Mars at that time!

Ultimately, the only conclusion was that this was the method of an advanced civilization.

…

Sitting on the villa's terrace and watching the evening sky while smoking, Jiang Yu had been in a good mood lately, his lips constantly curved into a smile.

Di Fengyi came up quickly and said softly beside Jiang Yu, "All documents related to 'Project Zero' have been archived, and as per your instructions, the details of the project will be disclosed a hundred years from now."

Jiang Yu nodded and smiled, "You must be very curious why I declared 'Project Zero' top secret, yet decided to reveal it in the future, right?"

Di Fengyi took a seat next to Jiang Yu and smiled, "I have many questions, and that's one of them."

Jiang Yu explained, "Because this is a civilization we've created. We don't know what other civilizations in the universe are like, but we mustn't let our creation interfere with humanity's future perception of those civilizations."

Di Fengyi nodded, then sighed, "I never thought our overall progress would have to be pushed forward in this way."

Jiang Yu laughed, "Who cares about the form it takes, as long as it turns this stagnant pool into a flowing river."