59: The first step towards the stars

space elevator?

Starport!

Bai Qianqian was a little slow to react at first; she had only seen these terms in science fiction movies.

If anyone else had said these words, Bai Qianqian would have unhesitatingly dismissed him as a complete lunatic.

But it was Ghost who said them.

That was the immortal who controlled the digital realm, who led her to rake in five hundred billion USD in the foreign exchange market.

And it was very likely he was the Big Boss behind Star Sea.

And what kind of behemoth was Star Sea?

It had launched A product ahead of its time like longevity water and Memory Tracing Clear, which were practically money-printing machines.

Recently, it had even sparked an online gaming craze, creating the phenomenal fully virtual game, star sea knight: enlightenment.

If Ghost said he was going to build a space elevator, that meant it could definitely be done.

Bai Qianqian had absolute trust in Ghost.

She didn't hesitate much and responded decisively.

"Okay, I'm with you!"

"How much do you plan to invest?"

Bai Qianqian held her phone in one hand and quickly checked the data in the encrypted document with the other.

"Three hundred billion USD; this is all the overseas liquid capital I can currently mobilize."

"The money that can be mobilized domestically needs the approval of the board of directors, but it shouldn't be a big problem; at least two hundred billion can be raised."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.

"Okay, you get twenty percent."

Bai Qianqian didn't haggle at all and agreed immediately.

"Good."

"Remember, until the space elevator project is officially announced, the Starport will appear to the outside world as a bottomless pit with no return. You need to withstand the external pressure."

"I understand."

"I will give you five overseas accounts with one trillion USD in funds."

"Further investments will follow. You can start preparing now; the detailed design blueprints will be sent to your email."

After saying this, the call was disconnected.

Bai Qianqian clutched her phone, sitting stunned in her seat for five full minutes.

This powerful woman, who dominated the business world, was trying to slowly digest the content of the recent phone call; the amount of information was simply too vast.

It must be said that Bai Qianqian was an extremely shrewd businesswoman, and she quickly calculated the potential economic benefits behind this project.

Once Ghost announced the news of the space elevator, the value of the land and related industries around the Starport, as its core hub, would skyrocket.

Tenfold?

Bai Qianqian shook her head. Too little. She could barely suppress the smile on her lips.

This was no longer an investment; it was the creation of a new era's digital gold mine!

He Ming left the study and went to the balcony alone, his gaze fixed on the sky.

"To venture into deep space, the space elevator is just the first step."

"If it succeeds, it can reduce transportation costs and allow for the direct construction of defensive forces in space against the Hai Star fleet."

As for the Starport, it was ostensibly just a commercial port.

Underground was a large assembly factory concerning the future destiny of humanity on Blue Star... Bai Qianqian had already taken action, immediately securing a meeting with the Mayor of Modu via phone.

For Bais Technology, which was among the top enterprises in Modu, the municipal government naturally granted corresponding privileges.

An hour later, Bai Qianqian's car drove into the Modu Municipal Government.

Mayor's Office.

Bai Qianqian didn't bother with pleasantries and got straight to the point.

"Bais Technology is preparing to invest in Xijiang, with an initial investment of no less than one trillion three hundred billion USD."

These words startled the Big Boss, who immediately stood up from his chair, his expression becoming extremely serious. However, he did not think Bai Qianqian was joking.

Because among the top leaders in Modu, Bai Qianqian, Star Sea, and Ghost were tied together; this was no secret.

And Bai Qianqian was more like the spokesperson for Star Sea's Big Boss behind the scenes.

After regaining his composure, the Big Boss chuckled and sat back down, already realizing the immense benefits this matter would bring to Modu, and even to the future strategic layout of Long Country.

As one of Modu's leaders, he was well aware that Long Country's high-level officials had long intended to develop Xijiang, but due to the enormous capital requirements and the need to deal with international pressure, they hadn't found the right time.

One trillion three hundred billion USD was not just an astronomical investment.

As long as this hot money flowed into the country, Long Country would be more confident in dealing with the increasingly fierce financial and trade wars across the ocean, and even have spare capacity to support some staunch allies.

The large-scale infrastructure development in the west was a huge boon for Xijiang, and it also had great benefits for other regions.

Materials, talent, and job opportunities could, to a certain extent, revitalize the increasingly sluggish business environment in the country.

"President Bai, when do you plan to initiate the project?"

"Today."

"I hope you can help me coordinate the project's progress in Xijiang."

"Of course, that's no problem at all."

The development of Xijiang was also a great thing for Modu. As long as they could coordinate and facilitate this matter, their names would naturally not be missing from the credit list.

Bai Qianqian's efficiency was swift and decisive; she had been flying back and forth between Xijiang, Jingcheng, and Modu these days.

Ten days later.

Bais Technology officially held an unprecedented press conference.

Most of Modu's leadership team attended, and even Jingcheng sent an entire special delegation.

Bai Qianqian maintained a calm expression in front of countless domestic and international media, holding the microphone and steadily announcing:

"Bais Technology will officially launch the Xijiang Grand Development Plan today."

"The initial investment will be no less than five trillion Long Country currency, to be used for infrastructure, energy, transportation, ecological environment, and high-tech industrial parks in the Xijiang region..."

After the press conference, media from all over the world quickly drafted and published the news.

In less than half a day, even Grandma Wang, who was sunbathing in her rural yard, learned the news from her grandson.

The international reaction was even more intense. The Pentagon recalled officials on leave overnight, and the surrounding streets were completely gridlocked.

Some foreign giant corporations, sensing business opportunities, sent teams to Modu, attempting to get a piece of the pie in this grand feast.

The online buzz even overshadowed the recently popular fully virtual game, star sea knight: enlightenment.

Everyone was enthusiastically discussing this matter, except for the internal staff of Bais Technology, who were in a state of panic.

In their view, investing in Xijiang was like throwing money into the water, and it was a bottomless pit that could never be filled.

Bais Technology.

Top floor, the door to the Chairman's office was forcefully pushed open.

"Qianqian, I think you've truly gone mad!"

Bai Qianqian's father, Bai Yanjun, practically roared as he stormed into the office, followed by a group of relatives of the same generation.

"Five trillion, invested in Xijiang?"

"The hard work of generations of the Bai family is not for you to squander like this!"

"Yes, Qianqian, if you don't think about us, you should at least consider our Bai family. Investing so much money will definitely result in a complete loss."

...Listening to the relatives' clamorous criticisms, Bai Qianqian slammed her phone onto the mahogany table, and the screen shattered with a crack.

On the other end of the phone, the Big Boss of Bai's Real Estate, a subsidiary of Bais Technology, was so startled he almost dropped his phone...

The office instantly fell silent.

Bai Qianqian looked around, her expression darkening.

"This isn't a marketplace."

Bai Yanjun's chest heaved violently, gasping for breath, and he pointed at his daughter, shouting:

"Do you know how the outside world views our Bai family now?"

"They all say we're crazy, throwing five trillion away just to hear a splash."

As he said this, Bai Yanjun pulled out his phone, pointing to the 99+ missed call records, and roared, "Look, these are all from the board of directors. How am I supposed to respond to them?"

Seeing that his father was about to continue, Bai Qianqian immediately raised her hand to interrupt him.

"Dad, I am the helmswoman of the Bai family now, and you all must listen to me."

"I have already decided on this matter, and I don't need your opinions. Bais Technology is now my, Bai Qianqian's, sole domain."

"If those people on the board are not satisfied, I will let them take their money and leave right now."

Bai Yanjun took two steps forward, turning his back to the relatives. His hand, pointing at Bai Qianqian, was still trembling, but the expression on his face was very calm, even with a hint of a smile.