Chapter 115: Financing_1

In the meeting these past two days, Jiang Yu also discussed with group members the construction issues on the Moon.

Bil suggested recruiting a batch of engineers into the group because the lunar environment is so different from Earth's that common structures like concrete definitely won't work for construction on the Moon.

Jiang Yu had Di Fengyi, who was taking minutes at the meeting, look for relevant experts to join the group right after the meeting ended.

As for increasing the size of the spacecraft, that wasn't too difficult a matter, given that once the space elevator is completed, sending things to space will be as common as a long-distance trip.

The previous Apollo and Chang'e spacecraft were designed so small simply because it was too difficult to launch a spacecraft from the ground into space.

That won't be so difficult in the future. Parts can be transported in batches to the Spaceport, assembled there, and then launched towards the Moon.

Jiang Yu, with a burst of inspiration, asked Bil, "Could the spacecraft be designed as temporary settlements? After landing on the Moon, the spacecraft stays on the Moon permanently, with astronauts returning to the Spaceport only in the return cabin?"

After some serious consideration, Bil shook his head and said, "It would be more cost-effective to launch the temporary settlements to the Moon first. This way, the spacecraft can be refilled with materials and reused multiple times, eliminating the need for separation and docking operations."

Jiang Yu nodded, "I was just throwing out an idea; we'll still follow your team's plans primarily."

At the end of the meeting, Jiang Yu gave everyone a timetable: all theoretical and exploratory preparations must be completed before the space elevator is constructed.

Once the space elevator is built, construction of 'Moon City' will start immediately, aiming to develop lunar industries within one year, complete basic infrastructure within two years, and have the capacity to colonize the Moon with thousands of people within three years!

Although Bil and others felt the timeline was tight, no one raised any objections.

Some experts who had been forced to join the group now felt a surge of enthusiasm, as this was to be humanity's first alien colony city, and as designers, they were certain to be recorded in history!

After two days of intense meetings, Jiang Yu was also quite tired. He didn't arrange any exhausting tasks for himself for the next few days.

A few days later, during lunch, Jiang Yu heard Shi Qiang say that Wallfacer Luo Ji had suddenly summoned him for a meeting in the afternoon, and he wasn't sure what it was about.

Jiang Yu joked, "Da Shi, it'd be great if you could clone yourself; that way Teacher Luo Ji and I wouldn't have to compete for you."

Shi Qiang chuckled and said, "You don't have to flatter me, anyone could do my job."

Jiang Yu replied, "Since when did Da Shi become so modest?"

In the afternoon, Jiang Yu saw Da Shi off. Teacher Luo Ji was still up to his old tricks, and Jiang Yu had no intention of intervening, as the next few years might be Teacher Luo Ji's last good time.

After sending off Da Shi, Jiang Yu was not very confident in the current Hibernation System, so he sought out an expert for consultation.

The expert said, "The theory for the Hibernation System was already developed a long time ago, but because of public opinion pressure, the industry has not been vigorously developed.

"However, at the end of the last century, some people exploited legal loopholes, creating the cooling system first, to provide hibernation services for capitalists.

"They hoped that in the future, when the laws are relaxed and the government allows the manufacture of thawing devices, those capitalists could enjoy a wonderful life in the future, possibly even eternal life."

Jiang Yu laughed, "Who would have thought that the Trisolarans would come halfway through their plans and upset all their calculations."

The expert also smiled and continued, "The current Hibernation System, at least on the cooling side, is already quite professional. You can feel confident in trying it.

"There are already definitive strategies for thawing, and I estimate that by next year, or the year after at the latest, there will be significant breakthroughs.

"At that time, we'll have another way to cheat time."'

Relieved, Jiang Yu sent the expert off politely.

Given the situation, he also planned to hibernate for a few years. After all, the two plans he was working on would take a few years to bear fruit.

Then Di Fengyi brought Jiang Yu a second expert in image transformation, and this time the meeting was protected to the utmost, with armed police accompanying the entire process.

The expert, also a professional manager, suggested Jiang Yu grow a goatee and taught him how to appear more authoritative. He also advised Jiang Yu to work on cultivating his presence.

Jiang Yu discussed with this "proper" professional manager for over two hours, benefiting a lot and gaining a direction on how to shape his own image.

After a few days of rest, Jiang Yu resumed the preliminary last part of his "Moon City Project."

He first approached Chief Ji, casually bringing up the "Moon City Project," and then seized the opportunity to say, "This project requires massive funding, and I hope to gather a group of private capital to invest in the plan."

Chief Ji was taken aback, "Thanks to you, the government isn't short of money right now."

Jiang Yu smiled and said, "The Moon City Project is a long-term project. Being flush with funds now doesn't mean we won't be short of money in the future."

Chief Ji pondered for a moment, then nodded in seeming understanding, "You don't need to explain to me. As the documents say, nobody has the right to supervise you.

"Go ahead and do what you have to do. If PDC puts pressure on you, I'll have our diplomats help you out."

Jiang Yu took a deep breath, "I told you the first time we met, a good leader always puts one's mind at ease."

The two shared a knowing smile.

A few days later, Jiang Yu gave an impassioned speech on television, outlining the prospects of his "Moon City Project," and claiming that Moon City represented the future of humanity.

In the speech, he even told a little lie, saying that exploration of lunar resources had been completed, and a space industrial system would soon be established on the Moon.

At the end of his speech, Jiang Yu mentioned that the project would cost a lot of money and that domestic funds were currently limited, so he wanted to raise capital from the public!

The viewers watching the live broadcast of the speech were instantly excited. These days, countries all over the world have frozen a vast amount of assets to build mainstream defense plans, causing widespread anxiety and insecurity about personal wealth.

Especially after the recent crackdown on ETO supporters and the confiscation of vast amounts of private assets by the government, this made everyone, especially the capitalists, even more nervous.

Now that Jiang Yu suddenly wanted to raise capital from the public, many people breathed a sigh of relief and immediately called to send money.

Profits were secondary; the priority was to spend money and pick sides! As long as one could join a Wallfacer's plan, it was like adding an extra layer of protection to their wealth.

Right after Jiang Yu's speech concluded, PDC's rotating chairman Garanin called him, "Wallfacer Jiang Yu, PDC will provide financial and technical support for your plan.

"You raising funds from the public goes against the Wallfacer financial regulations!"

Jiang Yu laughed, "Didn't you say PDC was out of money? I had to fund it myself."

He raised funds publicly to avoid PDC's financial control over him in the future.