Chapter 114: Ore Deposit_1

For Jiang Yu, the "Moon City Project" was crucial. In his planning, it was even the fundamental means by which the power of the Wallfacers could endure.

To Jiang Yu's surprise, the PDC provided more support than expected, which included details of the Apollo project and some key technical parameters and drawings.

However, when it came to funding, the PDC said there wasn't a penny left and that the financing of the project would have to be arranged by China-Russia.

Fortunately, Da Shi had just hit a jackpot, so to speak, and had a rather plentiful supply of funds.

But now they faced a dire shortage of available personnel.

After much consideration, Jiang Yu made another trip to the Northern Suburb Prison, taking all the imprisoned aerospace engineering experts to the Great Northwest to give them a glimpse of the Dark Forest.

In front of the Dark Forest, Jiang Yu delivered a passionate and stirring speech: "You're only thinking about serving a six-year sentence in jail before heading home.

"But do you know what changes will occur in the universe in these six years? Who would care about you on a cosmic scale?

"See this black marvel? Its very presence is a testament to humanity's insignificance!

"Join my team, let's make the most of your abilities together, let's go to the Moon, to Mars, and unravel the mysteries of the universe!"

The shock of the Dark Forest mixed with Jiang Yu's persuasion suddenly swayed many to join the "Moon City Project" team.

Some were still resistant. Jiang Yu put it bluntly: "I admire your resolve! To be unmoved even by this magnificent Dark Forest!

"However, I must remind you, the secrecy level of the Dark Forest is very high. From the moment you saw the Dark Forest, you lost your chance to return to Earth!

"Sorry, but I can only sentence you to life imprisonment here!"

The remaining dozen or so people immediately grew restless, some clamoring that Jiang Yu had no such authority.

Jiang Yu retorted: "I am a Wallfacer; I am walking authority! Not sentencing you to death is already the greatest leniency shown to you lot!

"At this moment, every volunteer is dedicating themselves to the ultimate battle of doomsday, yet you'd rather while away your time in prison than contribute your expertise!

"Such behavior is utterly disgraceful!"

The dozen or so people were shaken. In prison, they too watched the News Simulcast and naturally understood the extent of a Wallfacer's power.

Seizing the moment, Jiang Yu asked, "One last time! Do you want a place to showcase your talents or are you prepared to spend your life in jail?"

In the end, without exception, the remaining dozen or so people decided to join Jiang Yu's team.

Thus, Jiang Yu's "Moon City Project" team was successfully assembled. However, the team meetings had to be conducted under the guard of armed police, as Jiang Yu feared that some of the coerced members might act irrationally.

The meeting lasted two days and, using the Apollo project and the upcoming Chinese lunar mission as a blueprint, laid out the basic plans for building Moon City.

The first issue was the lunar landing. Since the Apollo project had come before, landing on the Moon was theoretically not a problem.

In practice, the challenge lay in setting up a production line for spacecraft.

Fortunately, though the Apollo spacecraft production line had long since been dismantled, the production line for China's Chang'e lunar spacecraft was nearing completion, thus resolving the pressing issue.

However, the spacecraft for lunar construction had to be much larger than the planned ones.

The spacecraft in question could only carry three astronauts, who had to rest in their seats if tired, because the mission was to spend only three to five days on the Moon, and space was limited.

But when building "Moon City," the teams would have to spend two or three months on the Moon, and each journey would need to transport at least a dozen people at once!

Both the American Apollo spacecraft and China's Chang'e had to be redesigned.

Then there was the question of whether the lunar base should be built on the surface or underground.

If built on the surface, large amounts of metal would be required, and these would have to be shipped from Earth.

If built underground, there would be a need to design large excavation equipment that could operate on the Moon.

Jiang Yu asked, "Why can't we find metal ore deposits on the Moon and start developing our basic industries, then move on to building Moon City?"

The most prestigious aerospace engineering expert in the team, Bilkins, explained, "We have tried using methods for detecting terrestrial ore deposits on the Moon.

"But the Moon's thin atmosphere and strong radiation severely interfere with the operation of our satellites.

"Thus far, we only know that the Moon has an abundance of Helium-3 because the lunar soil samples brought back are rich in it.

"However, no one knows what lies beneath the lunar soil. If we were to first determine the location of the metal ore deposits, it would significantly delay the entire plan!"

Jiang Yu nodded, "Don't worry about it. When the time comes, I will designate the locations of lunar metal ore deposits for you. You just need to tell me what types of ores are needed for construction on the Moon?"

Bilkins frowned, "Mr. Jiang, are you joking?

"This issue cannot be solved with Chinese metaphysics—it requires…"

Jiang Yu cut him off, "Give me an example! When have I ever relied on metaphysics to get things done?"

Talking to such single-minded foreigners was truly taxing. If the leader said he had a way, then he surely had a way; why worry about the method if it solved the problem?

Still unconvinced, Bilkins, who had been watching the News Simulcast in prison for three years and could speak Mandarin fairly fluently, said, "Mr. Jiang, if we take a wrong direction at the outset of the plan, it would lead the entire project astray."

Jiang Yu smiled helplessly, "First of all, Mr. Bil's work ethic is commendable and worth learning from. I hope everyone will approach their work with the same level of seriousness and responsibility!"

Bilkins was startled. He thought, I'm discussing work with you, and you're lecturing us about spirit?

Jiang Yu then said solemnly, "Why do we have the Wallfacer Project? It's precisely because some things cannot be explained! Once explained, our opponents would be on guard."

The room was filled with puzzled faces.

Jiang Yu had no choice but to say, "This is part of the plan! Just focus on designing the lunar factories, leave the resource discovery to me."

At that moment, he appreciated the advantage of the Wallfacer Project; when something couldn't be explained clearly, it was better left unexplained.

Especially when dealing with these inquisitive minds, it was best to let them focus on their tasks without needing to provide explanations.

The subsequent discussion went more smoothly. Since resources could be found, they could start by building the mines and factories, with the construction of Moon City scheduled for a later phase.

In the beginning, they could consider establishing some temporary habitation that could, in the future, be interconnected to eventually form the bona fide "Moon City".