Chapter 125: Space Fortress

"Anyway, it doesn't matter if Long Zongheng doesn't come. If he dares to come, he won't leave alive." After discussing the details of dealing with Long Zongheng, Li Nianlong took out a rolled-up blueprint. "Now let's discuss the defense project for the Liu family residence."

"Defense project?" Old Master Liu and Shao Meiyun were puzzled, looking at the blueprint in Li Nianlong's hand. "What's that?"

"This is a fortress I designed," Li Nianlong handed it to Shao Meiyun. "The Liu residence's defense is too weak. It can't even stop a few assassins. I couldn't stand it, so I personally designed this defense project. Take a look!"

Shao Meiyun unrolled the blueprint and, together with Old Master Liu, examined the highly detailed and advanced design of the 'big turtle shell.'

"This is a fortress?" Although neither Old Master Liu nor Shao Meiyun understood architecture, they could tell that this was an extremely detailed fortress design. However, its appearance was so futuristic that it left them baffled.

"Yes," Li Nianlong nodded. "The fortress covers an area of ten hectares, made entirely of steel, and incorporates the most advanced security and defense systems available. If you mobilize a hundred thousand workers, it can be completed in about a year. With this fortress, the safety of the Liu family will be greatly enhanced. At least you won't be helpless against a few assassins."

After listening to Li Nianlong, Old Master Liu and Shao Meiyun looked troubled. Shao Meiyun asked, "Menglong, if such a large fortress is built, how much will it cost?"

"I don't know," Li Nianlong shook his head.

"Don't... don't know?" Old Master Liu and Shao Meiyun were stunned.

"How would I know?" Li Nianlong glanced at them. "I don't know about material costs or labor costs. How would I know how much it costs? I'm just providing the blueprint. Whether to use it or not is up to you. How much it costs is also your concern. If you think it's too troublesome and your safety is fine, you can discard it. I don't care."

Old Master Liu chuckled awkwardly, "It's indeed troublesome, but there are some safety issues. The main problem is finding a suitable location for such a large structure."

"Isn't there a barren mountain to the east of the Liu residence?" Li Nianlong said calmly. "You don't even need to blow up the mountain. Just dig a hole and make an underground base. Once the fortress is built, you can raise it up to form the shape of a Black Tortoise backing the mountain. In Tianfu, where mountains are numerous and earthquakes frequent, this all-steel fortress is not only earthquake-resistant but can also operate in the water if a major geological event like a doomsday tsunami occurs in the future. It's a pity that there aren't enough suitable materials, or it could even fly into space."

After Li Nianlong finished speaking, Old Master Liu and Shao Meiyun looked at each other: Is this really an ordinary fortress? Why does it sound more like a space fortress? Land, water, and air—do you really think you're a high-tech alien scientist?

"Menglong, do you have a fever?" Shao Meiyun touched Li Nianlong's forehead. "No fever!"

Li Nianlong's face darkened, and he slapped Shao Meiyun's hand away. "Believe it or not, it's up to you. Anyway, I've given you the blueprint. Whether you use it or not is your business."

After speaking, Li Nianlong picked up his bowl and chopsticks and wolfed down his food before standing up. "I'm leaving."

"Hey! Menglong, slow down. I'll see you out," Shao Meiyun hurriedly caught up and escorted Li Nianlong out of the Liu residence.

When Shao Meiyun returned, Old Master Liu was still studying the blueprint. The design really looked like a big turtle shell, similar to the shell of an Indian star tortoise. The design was aesthetically pleasing and angular, with the raised parts of the shell designed as control rooms, rest areas, and various halls. The external corridors had infrared and thermal sensors for defense. Access to each room required corresponding levels and permissions. The most secure was the family head's room, which required not only identity verification but also multiple checks including fingerprint, retina, and even weight, which had to be controlled within a kilogram range. Of course, the weight issue could be manually adjusted, which was up to the family head to decide.

Inside the fortress, there were also artificial pools, ski resorts, parks, restaurants, bars, game rooms, and other entertainment facilities, providing relaxation and recreation for the residents. 

Most importantly, there was a large cultivation area inside, capable of growing grains, vegetables, and fruits to meet the dietary needs of ten thousand people.

"Grandfather, still looking at it?" Shao Meiyun walked over and saw Old Master Liu engrossed in the blueprint. She smiled, "Do you really want to build this strange fortress?"

"Is it strange?" Old Master Liu put down the blueprint and sighed. "Menglong is truly a genius! Although I don't understand many of the technical aspects, just a general look tells me this is an amazing thing."

After a pause, he shook his head. "But the cost of all-steel materials is too high. Ten hectares of area, over thirty floors high, I think just the material costs alone would be several hundred billion. Adding labor costs, it would exceed a trillion."

Shao Meiyun smiled, "Grandfather, it's useless to talk so much. We don't understand architecture. Tomorrow, we'll call in experts to study it. If they think it's feasible, we'll build it. After all, the barren mountain to the east has no development value. We might as well turn it into the new Liu family fortress. Then our family's safety will be ensured, and we'll have a world-leading fortress. If we open the lower floors as a tourist attraction, I think it will be a continuous source of tourism income."

"Hehe, your economic instincts are still sharp," Old Master Liu put down the blueprint. "That's what I was thinking too. Such a peculiar building would be unique in the world. Mobilizing a hundred thousand workers would also provide many families with income opportunities. It would only take a year. Our Liu family can afford to wait."

"If Grandfather thinks it's feasible, then it's feasible." Shao Meiyun smiled and pointed at the table full of food. "Grandfather, let's eat. It's all cold."

"Hehe, alright, let's eat."

The next day, Li Nianlong returned to the Liu residence to continue honing his acupoint skills. Shao Meiyun also firmly rejected Zhao Qingqing's marriage proposal. Disappointed, Zhao Qingqing left Tianfu that same day.

Meanwhile, the Liu residence gathered a large number of architects and engineers to study Li Nianlong's blueprint. After reviewing it, all the experts were shocked.

"This is simply... this is the most exquisite building I've ever seen in my life. It's absolutely brilliant," a fifty-something old engineer said excitedly. "This is definitely a groundbreaking structure. Once completed, it will usher in a new era in architectural history."

"Although it looks exquisite and flawless, it's still just theoretical. We should be cautious before it's actually built," another architect, though recognizing the blueprint's immense value, maintained a cautious attitude as it was his first time seeing such a design.

"This blueprint fully utilizes principles of physics and engineering. I find it very impressive," a slightly younger architect's eyes shone with excitement. "If I can participate in this project, I'm willing to waive half of my labor fees."

"Such a grand project, how can it lack me!" Another engineer stood up. "I'm also willing to waive half of my labor fees."

"And me!"

"Count me in!"

Seeing all the architects and engineers express their willingness to waive half of their labor fees, Shao Meiyun was very satisfied and also surprised by Li Nianlong's ability to produce such a blueprint: Menglong, the surprises you give your cousin are truly endless.

"So, there's no problem?" Old Master Liu asked after hearing Shao Meiyun's report.

"Not only is there no problem, but they also said it's a groundbreaking structure in architectural history," Shao Meiyun smiled, a trace of excitement in her eyes. "They even offered to waive half of their labor fees, Grandfather. That speaks volumes."

"Those bloodsuckers are willing to waive half of their labor fees?" Old Master Liu was quite surprised.

"Who would have thought!" Shao Meiyun laughed. "This is good. We can save a part of the expenses."

"That expense is negligible. What's the budget?" Old Master Liu asked.

"The construction materials will cost around eight hundred billion. Even with the labor fee reduction, it will still be over a hundred billion. The main expenses are the extensive machinery costs and the various advanced defense systems in the later stages. All in all, it should be under a trillion."

"Alright." Old Master Liu nodded. "It's within expectations. You will be in charge of this, treat it as the top priority of the Liu family. Whatever you need, money or manpower, you'll get it."

Shao Meiyun looked troubled, "Grandfather, this is a big project. I have no experience. I don't know if I can handle it."

"Just keep to the main direction and let the experts handle the work," Old Master Liu chuckled. "At most, it will cost more. Don't let the uninformed lead the experts. If there's a problem, it's on the experts. Relax

."

Old Master Liu's words revealed the essence of good management: focus on the big picture and let the experts handle the work. The real problem arises when uninformed people meddle, causing chaos (not referring to any association, really...).

"I understand," Shao Meiyun nodded. "I'll do my best."

"It's not about doing your best, it's about getting it done well," Old Master Liu looked at her. "If you're not confident, put the project on hold."

"I can do it," Shao Meiyun's eyes grew firm.

Old Master Liu showed a satisfied smile.

Meanwhile, in Long City, the Crown Prince's Palace.

"Shao Meiyun refused?" Upon hearing this news from his aunt, Long Zongheng, still recuperating in bed, asked with interest, "Although expected, what was her reason?"

"Too high a climb, too much pressure," Zhao Qingqing sat beside the bed, somewhat helplessly putting a grape into her mouth. "Shao Meiyun's exact words were: The Crown Princess's status is too noble, the pressure too great. I'm older than the Crown Prince and my looks aren't exceptionally beautiful. I really don't match the Crown Prince."