Chapter 110: New Ideas_1

Aboard the armed helicopter, Jiang Shiliu said into the headset to a distracted Jiang Yu, "I used to think that the Wallfacer was the most enviable profession in the world.

"I've only realized these past few days that power isn't omnipotent, at least it can't influence the laws of nature."

Jiang Yu laughed and said, "Not only is it not omnipotent, but the greater the power, the greater the responsibility it represents, and the greater the moral resistance.

"Take the emperors of the past for example, every word and deed had to be regulated; it seemed like they held supreme power, but what they could or couldn't do was closely monitored by their ministers."

Jiang Shiliu said, "Yes, the responsibility of the Wallfacer is to save humanity! This responsibility is just too great.

"If it were me suddenly bearing the fate of human existence, I would definitely become extremely anxious, wanting to do something, but would realize before even starting that I'm not capable enough.

"Guarding so many resources, and particularly carrying such an important mission, doing nothing doesn't seem right either."

Jiang Yu laughed and patted Jiang Shiliu's head, "This isn't the kind of torment you're supposed to endure at your age."

Jiang Shiliu asked, "When the inspection ended, you had a gloomy face, but just now I saw you smile knowingly, have you already thought of a breakthrough?"

"I do have some thoughts, but we'll talk after we get back to Beijing," Jiang Yu said. "I was reminded of something else just now."

He asked Jiang Shiliu, "Do you remember our discussion about human origins back in Qi Family Village?"

"Of course I remember!"

Jiang Yu said, "I suddenly connected your hypothesis with the 'Black Square'."

"Black Square?"

"You see for yourself! It's right there!"

Seeing Jiang Shiliu's shock, Jiang Yu suddenly smiled, guessing that he must have been just as shocked when he first saw the "Black Square."

To the Trisolarans, the "Black Square" seems to have special significance, which made Jiang Yu take the research into the "Black Square" even more seriously.

Bringing the imaginatively minded Jiang Shiliu was to make use of the kid's brainpower and perspectives, to see if any clues could be discovered.

In the future, Jiang Yu also planned to bring Thirty-Six to see the "Black Square," perhaps they could discern something.

Jiang Yu led a shocked Jiang Shiliu to first take a close look at the "Black Square" by car, and then the two came to the conference room in the tent.

The meeting attendees were still the same elder, along with Group Leader Xu and others.

The elder was named Wu Zheng, and Group Leader Xu's full name was Xu Qing; they were the deputy leaders of the research group.

During the period when the research group didn't have a clear leader, the two of them arranged the group's research work.

Now Jiang Yu, being the head of the research group, naturally took the head seat and had Jiang Shiliu sit beside him.

Jiang Yu first asked everyone if there were any new developments?

As usual, Wu Zheng reported, "Previously we measured the Black Square to the millimeter, and its width is 1,333,333 millimeters.

"During this period, we've measured the 'Black Square' to the micrometer, and surprisingly found its width to be 133,333,333 micrometers!

"We speculate that if we continue to measure precisely, the series of '3's will never end!"

Jiang Shiliu's tone was as if asking, yet also stating, "The unit of measurement for the 'Black Square' is completely different from ours!"

Wu Zheng was startled; initially, he was puzzled why Jiang Yu would bring a child to the meeting, but now the child had directly stated their conclusion, causing everyone to regard Jiang Shiliu with new respect.

Jiang Yu continued, "This could indeed prove that the 'Black Square' is not a creation of humanity."

He then asked, "Has there been progress in other areas?"

Everyone shook their heads; previous speculations had been either overturned or lacked compelling evidence.

Jiang Yu waved his hand, "We can't keep spinning our wheels! We need to find a new breakthrough soon!"

Xu Qing and the others were somewhat troubled. 'Black Square' indeed surpassed everyone's understanding, and where were they to find such a breakthrough?

Jiang Yu continued, "I got an inspiration from a hypothesis of my son's; if we consider 'Black Square' as a spaceship, then where did its passengers go?"

Jiang Shiliu suddenly understood the smile that Jiang Yu had on the helicopter.

Xu Qing reminded, "If they could create 'Black Square,' they must possess extremely advanced technology.

"Either they would have established a brilliant civilization on Earth, replacing us and becoming Earth's masters,

"Or they might coexist peacefully with us, but then why is there not a single historical record or description about them?"

Jiang Shiliu smiled, "Perhaps they were refugees..."

Then, he repeated the hypothesis he had previously proposed at Qi Family Village, and everyone finally realized that this child was indeed Jiang Yu's son.

But could such a young child really think of so much?

Jiang Yu asserted, "This hypothesis might just be the breakthrough we need! Do you all remember the peculiar-looking group of people mentioned in the documents?

"Without the aid of advanced technology, their lives might not be better than those of indigenous humans!

"Starting today, our main forces should not just huddle up! Apart from the two groups building the base, all fighters should search for this mysterious group of people!

"Besides, 'Black Square' is just lying there; we might as well try using some corrosive chemicals on it, or perhaps the hardest drill bit, in any case, attempt a forceful attack on 'Black Square'!

"We can even form a small team specifically for this; if the existing tools can't open it, this team should research what new methods to use to breach 'Black Square'!

"Even if we don't know what's inside 'Black Square,' we can use its shell as a whetstone to maximize its use!"

Wu Zheng cautioned, "Could such actions provoke some violent reaction from 'Black Square'?"

Jiang Yu laughed, "It has been lying here for so long, the chances of provoking a violent reaction are very slim!

"Besides, we can't treat it like an ancestral deity, can we? If we provoke a reaction from 'Black Square,' we might gain further clues!"

After setting the tone for the future, Jiang Yu concluded the meeting.

Watching everyone leave the conference room one by one, Jiang Yu said to Jiang Shiliu, "Let's hear your thoughts."

Jiang Shiliu thought for a while before responding, "Could the material that 'Black Square' is made of be an element not yet discovered on Earth, or some special combination of alloys?"

He paused, then added, "If it was manufactured, it must have an internal structure! If it has no internal structure, it's more likely to be a naturally formed object."

After a few seconds of pause, Jiang Shiliu shared his third notion, "I remember a long time ago I had a question: Can a planet be considered a living being?

"Now I ask the reverse, if 'Black Square' is naturally formed, could it be part of Earth as a living being?"

Jiang Yu nodded, glad to have brought Jiang Shiliu along; the boy's wildly imaginative thoughts had indeed broadened the scope for their research.

He tried to prompt Jiang Shiliu, "As the saying goes, 'great truths are simple.' Could the materials used to build 'Black Square' be less complex than we imagine, but crafted in a special way to give 'Black Square' sufficient hardness?"

Jiang Shiliu pondered for a moment, "Strong interaction force?"