Chapter 19: Abolition of Special Aviation Tax

1:00 PM.

In front of his desk, the octogenarian Professor Wang Zhong was reading a document with a red header.

As he delved deeper into the contents, his mood gradually worsened.

"Notice on the Cancellation of the Special Aviation Tax"

"The special aviation construction tax will be officially canceled starting December 31, 2264. This is hereby announced..."

"What was bound to come, still came."

The special aviation tax was a form of support from the United Government for the "Deep Space Project." Every participating country paid this tax annually.

Now, this tax was being canceled.

Professor Wang Zhong let out a long sigh, and as his thoughts deepened, the wrinkles on his forehead furrowed like valleys and ridges.

In this era, with advances in medical technology, especially the advent of 3D bioprinting organs, the average human lifespan had reached 110 years, with healthier individuals living up to 140 years. But at the age of eighty, it was still a bit too old. The decline in his energy made Wang Zhong a bit out of sorts in his research endeavors.

However, as an Academician at the Academy of Sciences, no matter how old he got, his intelligence far exceeded that of ordinary people.

He was someone who couldn't stay idle. Even at his age, he found it good to contribute some remaining energy. Teaching some master's students wasn't a big issue, and he could also handle some administrative tasks along the way.

As a scientific advisor for the Deep Space Foundation, he had endless tasks every day.

Regarding this newly issued document, the more he looked at it, the more dejected he became.

Time spared no one. If he were twenty or thirty years younger, he would have certainly fought hard during meetings, even if the argument wouldn't have a significant effect...

Wang Zhong made a phone call, trying to make his tone a bit gentler, "... Don't they know that without Jupiter Base's support, the Earth Era can't even accelerate to seven-tenths of the speed of light?"

"It costs a lot to build such a far-reaching light path!"

On the other end of the line, a middle-aged man's voice replied, "Professor Wang, reducing taxes is the trend of the times. It isn't something a few of us can stop. This decision has been studied for a long time, and it isn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. Chairman Lin of the Foundation has already..."

Unwilling to accept it, Wang Zhong said, "Do you understand the consequences if the travel speed doesn't reach seven-tenths of the speed of light? A 3000-year journey, with any variable creating a domino-like chain reaction...."

"Professor Wang, we're trying to find a solution. Rest assured, even if we need to sell off large amounts of assets, we will gather this amount of money."

Wang Zhong hung up the phone, sighing once more.

For politicians, the "Earth Era" ship was already built. Of course, this tax collected from the people should be exempted. Truth be told, this additional tax had been collected for over forty years, and the public had already been grumbling about it.

But...

Where would the subsequent funding come from? It remained a significant issue.

Though the Deep Space Foundation was vast and wealthy, possessing numerous industries, without financial backing from the United Government, it couldn't withstand this tremendous demand for funds. Selling off assets wasn't a wise choice. Randomly selling in the capital market would only benefit those financial sharks. The market was a silent killer, the more anxious to sell, the lower prices they would offer.

Furthermore, the Deep Space Foundation's goal wasn't just to launch one colony spacecraft but ten, twenty, even a hundred. These assets were their foundation!

Just then, the office door knocked softly.

"Come in," said Wang Zhong, pulling his thoughts back.

A young girl, his student Xu Yunjing, entered.

The girl said softly, "Teacher, there are a few reporters outside who want to interview you. They are foreigners. Do you know them?"

"Foreigners?"

"It seems like some humanity association... They want us to donate to impoverished areas."

"Don't accept it, just say I'm not in!"

When it came to money matters, Wang Zhong's eyebrow twitched, and he raised his voice, "It's obvious without thinking that they are here for our money! While our Foundation has many industries, the money didn't just blow in with the wind. It was created by all the scientists together!"

"... In the future, don't bother with those kinds of reporters, especially foreign ones. They just like to dig a hole for you to jump into. If you say one wrong word, they'll make a big deal out of it and report all sorts of nonsense!"

Xu Yunjing was left feeling embarrassed. It was apparent that her mentor was in a foul mood.

Xia Country was an energy-exporting nation, with domestic electricity only costing 3 cents per unit, a sort of social welfare.

However, electricity sold abroad was another story; Xia Country people's labor couldn't be cheaply sold, this electricity needed to profit.

According to their initial contribution to the controlled nuclear fusion research funding, some countries had to pay 8 cents per unit, others 30 cents per unit.

It was up to them whether they wanted to use it or not.

The main reason was the high monopoly of the controlled nuclear fusion project. This highly challenging project almost integrated the most cutting-edge science of mankind, not something every country could simply decide to undertake.

Xu Yunjing pondered and awkwardly asked, "Teacher, will refusing the interview have a bad impact?"

"Impact? Impact my ass! Will not using electricity cause hunger? Is 30 cents per unit very expensive? What human rights, it's clearly trying to use electricity cheaply!"

Wang Zhong scolded irritably, "... They didn't contribute much when doing the research, so why do they now want to reap the rewards?"

"This is a matter of national interest!"

"If they want cheaper electricity prices, they should send representatives to negotiate with the government instead of sneaky media campaigns to win the sympathy of our country's people!"

Wang Zhong knew well the truth of talking too much would lead to mistakes, so he couldn't be bothered with these journalists. He just took the opportunity to educate his student about having "political sensitivity."

In tackling any issue, emotional intelligence was necessary.

"Particularly for girls, don't let a savior complex make you use other people's resources gloriously!"

After Xu Yunjing was educated for a while, she no longer considered it. She awkwardly added, "Oh, and... that brother's son wants to visit you. Do you have time?"

"Brother? What brother?"

"You know... Brother Zhang!" Xu Yunjing gestured with both hands.

Wang Zhong was momentarily stunned, then quickly understood. His expression softened, showing a trace of gentleness.

Zhang Qiming, his most brilliant student, was the mastermind behind the Earth Era's main control system. All his students, whether doctoral or master's, called Zhang Qiming "Brother."

As for... his son?

It seemed he hadn't heard much about him.

Oh, not that he hadn't heard, but he had forgotten long ago. Everyone knew Einstein, but few cared to remember Einstein's son.

Recalling the scene of Zhang Qiming's passing, where the elderly bid farewell to the younger, Wang Zhong sighed, "Ah, let his son come over then."