14: Chapter 14: Chief Engineer Jiang, please give instructions!
[ "Elementary Spirit Plant Cultivation Method": Records the cultivation methods, growth habits, and basic applications of thirty-six types of basic spirit plants. Can be used for improving soil quality, purifying water sources, gathering spiritual energy, refining low-grade medicinal pills, etc. merit points required for exchange: 500 points. ]
Jiang Ning looked at the clearly priced items in the store and instantly saw through the system's scheme.
So it had already planned out the next step. After working herself to the bone to finish a big project and earning 500 merit points, she had to turn around and spend them to start the next project.
Isn't this just using her newly received salary to pay next month's rent? No matter where she goes, she's still a "wage slave."
However, she had nothing to complain about. To her, things like merit points were just superficial; they were far less important than solid, practical technology. As long as she could exchange them for solutions to problems, it was a fair trade.
"Exchange." She gave the command directly in her mind.
[ Ding! merit points - 500. ]
[ "Elementary Spirit Plant Cultivation Method" successfully exchanged; relevant knowledge has been transmitted. ]
As soon as the thought finished, a massive amount of knowledge was stuffed into her brain.
From how to select seeds to how to use spiritual energy to accelerate growth, the habits and uses of the thirty-six types of basic spirit plants were all carved into her memory, impossible to forget.
Among them, there happened to be several specifically for dealing with harsh environments.
"Purification Grass," whose root system can decompose heavy metals in the soil.
"Clear Spring Vine," which can be planted at the source of sewage to filter dirty water into drinkable, sweet spring water.
And "Sand-Fixing Fern," which grows specifically in deserts, can stabilize shifting sands, and gather moisture from the air.
These things were exactly what this world lacked most right now.
After digesting the information, Jiang Ning looked back at Director Zhao Lixin and continued the previous topic: "I already have an idea for the 'Spirit Plant Cultivation Method.' But to grow things, we first need seeds."
"Seeds?" Director Zhao Lixin was stunned. "What kind of seeds do you need? Our country has the world's largest plant seed bank; we should be able to find even the rarest varieties."
Jiang Ning shook her head: "Ordinary seeds won't work; they must be seeds with 'spiritual roots.'"
"Spiritual roots?" Another new term.
"Simply put, they are seeds with the potential to adapt to a spiritual energy environment," Jiang Ning explained. "If ordinary plants are soaked in spiritual energy, most will be 'stuffed to death.' Only a very small number of mutated ones can survive and become spirit plants."
"Then… where can we find such seeds?" Director Zhao Lixin was worried; this sounded like looking for a needle in a haystack.
"No need to look." Jiang Ning's answer always managed to break his train of thought. "We will 'create' them ourselves."
She pointed at the Spirit Gathering Array that was still gathering energy: "Move all the plant seeds we can get our hands on into the array. Use high-concentration spiritual energy to 'irradiate' and screen them. Out of a hundred million seeds, as long as one can sprout, it's a success."
Using spiritual energy for "radiation breeding"?
Director Zhao Lixin listened, dumbfounded, but he had already formed the habit of not questioning Jiang Ning.
He only calculated in his mind where to mobilize hundreds of millions of seeds. The Academy of Agricultural Sciences? The Ministry of Forestry? It looked like he would have to write more reports.
"I understand!" Director Zhao Lixin nodded vigorously. "I'll get right on this! Within three days, the first batch of seeds will definitely be delivered!"
"Good." Jiang Ning was very satisfied with his efficiency. "There is one more thing."
"Please speak!"
"This Spirit Gathering Array is currently under my management. But I cannot stay here forever." Jiang Ning continued, "I need a group of people to learn the most basic maintenance and operation. That way, even if I'm not here, this place can still function normally."
This hit the nail on the head.
Director Zhao Lixin's heart skipped a beat; what he feared most was Jiang Ning's irreplaceability. If the entire "Pangu Project" was tied to her alone, the risk would be too high.
Now that she was taking the initiative to train personnel, it was simply fantastic news!
"You… you are willing to teach us?" Director Zhao Lixin's voice even carried a tremor.
The significance behind this was extraordinary. It meant that the country had a chance to truly master this "immortal art" from another world!
"I'm not teaching you how to cultivate immortality." Jiang Ning saw through his thoughts and poured a bucket of cold water on him directly. "The spiritual energy in this world is too scarce, and the environment isn't right either. Most of you don't have 'spiritual roots,' so you can't practice it."
Director Zhao Lixin's heart sank; his just-warmed heart cooled down by half.
"However," Jiang Ning changed the subject, "just because you can't practice immortal arts doesn't mean you can't use the array. It's the same principle as how ordinary people don't know how to build computers, but can learn how to use them."
"I can simplify the operation and maintenance of the array into a set of standard procedures, just like operating a machine. As long as they remember the steps, ordinary people can handle it. You help me select a group of people; the requirements aren't high—quick-witted, agile, and most importantly, absolutely reliable."
Director Zhao Lixin understood immediately.
Jiang Ning was turning "immortal arts" into a standardized "industrial process"!
His heart pounded with excitement.
Even if they couldn't have everyone cultivate immortality, as long as they mastered this technology, China would effectively hold a trump card that was an era ahead of the rest of the world!
"Yes!" Director Zhao Lixin snapped to attention and gave Jiang Ning a standard military salute. "I will immediately select the most outstanding and loyal soldiers from the core action teams of The Ninth Bureau! They will be your first batch of students!"
"That works." Jiang Ning nodded, quite satisfied with this arrangement.
After finishing her instructions, she was about to find a place to consolidate her cultivation, but was stopped by Director Zhao Lixin again.
"Chief Consultant Jiang, please wait a moment."
Director Zhao Lixin stepped forward quickly, took a brand-new official document from his briefcase, and handed it to her with both hands.
"This is…?" Jiang Ning took it, puzzled.
"It's the appointment letter for the second phase of the 'Pangu Project,' just issued by the General Bureau and the highest level of leadership." Director Zhao Lixin's expression became exceptionally solemn.
Jiang Ning opened the document.
The document was quite long, full of official jargon. But the core was just one line of bold, large text printed in the most prominent place.
"Hereby appointing: Comrade Jiang Ning as Chief Scientist and Chief Consultant of the 'Pangu Project' Special Action Leading Group, with full authority over the planning, design, and execution of all technical projects for the 'Pangu Project.' All participating units and individuals of the 'Pangu Project' must unconditionally obey the commands of Chief Consultant Jiang."
Below were a long string of bright red official seals.
Those of the General Bureau of Special Affairs, the Academy of Sciences, the Academy of Engineering, and several military seals she didn't recognize but could tell carried immense weight.
She wasn't familiar with the bureaucratic system of this world, but she could tell that this document represented the highest trust and authorization this country could give.
From today on, she was no longer a collaborator being "tested."
She was the person in charge of this country's top-secret project.
Director Zhao Lixin looked at her, straightened up, and saluted again, his voice resonant and powerful:
"Chief Consultant Jiang, General Director of the 'Pangu Project' Special Action, Deputy Director of The Ninth Bureau, Zhao Lixin, reporting to you!"
"Please give your orders!"