42: Chapter 42 The Second Elder visits, intending to...

Su Fan made a phone call directly to the central government of the Xia Nation.

Because of the gene optimization fluid, he was now able to contact the elders of the central Council of Elders.

When these bigwigs learned that Su Fan had created another "super machine" that only existed in science fiction works, they were so excited that they wished they could fly to the Super God Group immediately.

Due to the Eagle Nation banning the export of soybeans and corn to the Xia Nation, the price of livestock feed in the country was rising rapidly, and correspondingly, the price of meat on the market had also been skyrocketing, recently reaching 23 yuan per jin.

Upon hearing this news, the Second Elder of the Xia Nation's Council of Elders, who was in charge of state affairs, cleared his schedule of many important matters and took an urgent flight to the Super God Group the next morning.

After a brief investigation, Su Fan led the group to the Nanshan Base.

The professors and graduate students responsible for manufacturing the Ternary Food Synthesizer had already prepared in advance.

"Is this the machine?" the Second Elder asked happily.

"That's right, this is the Ternary Food Synthesizer," Su Fan replied with a smile. "It can use inexpensive materials to produce carbohydrate, protein, and fat-based food."

"Little Wang, operate the machine and make some rock sugar. I want it to be Vitamin C flavored."

A newly graduated master's student, never having expected such a good opportunity to fall to him, immediately sprang into action with excitement.

Being able to show his skills in front of the second-in-command of the Xia Nation could be considered an honor to his ancestors.

Amidst the envious gazes of other graduate students and even the professors, Wang Dazhi skillfully operated the machine, taking a dozen pieces of wood from the material warehouse, throwing them into the feed inlet, and then pouring in a large amount of water.

Next, he returned to the control panel, tapped his fingers a few times, and the machine immediately began to roar.

A dozen seconds later, a cubic-meter-sized block of rock sugar rolled out from the outlet marked for carbohydrates, crystalline and clear under the glow of the lights!

The Second Elder had been watching the entire process, and it was only when Su Fan used a pointed hammer to break the sugar cube and placed a few thumb-sized pieces of rock sugar into his palm that he suddenly realized it.

"Amazing, simply amazing!"

"Can this be eaten directly?" the Second Elder asked softly.

Su Fan nodded, picked up a piece of rock sugar, tossed it into the air, and opened his mouth wide. The rock sugar traced a graceful parabolic arc and landed right in Su Fan's mouth.

He had practiced this trick for a long time out of boredom during his university years.

"Don't let the fact that the input materials are rotten wood and water fool you. After the catalysis and purification of the Ternary Food Synthesizer, it is absolutely purer than any rock sugar on the market."

"Plus, with the selective addition of trace element Vitamin C, this rock sugar is now sweet and sour, and absolutely delicious!" Su Fan explained to the Second Elder.

The Second Elder nodded and, without hesitation, picked a large piece of rock sugar and put it into his mouth.

"Mm!"

"Sweet and sour!" A smile appeared on the Second Elder's face.

"May I try it myself?" Seeing such a magical machine, the Second Elder felt an itch to try it out personally.

"Of course you can." Su Fan personally stepped in to teach him and soon showed the Second Elder how to use it.

Like everyone who first encountered this machine, the Second Elder began to continuously try other types of food. The result was that its functions were far more powerful than he had imagined.

After visiting and testing the Ternary Food Synthesizer, the Second Elder and Su Fan met privately in a small room.

"How much food can this Ternary Food Synthesizer produce per year?" the Second Elder asked thoughtfully.

"Five million tons per year." Su Fan held up one hand.

"Hiss—" The Second Elder gasped. "Doesn't that mean that with just 80 units, the staple food needs of the entire Xia Nation could be basically met?"

Su Fan nodded with a smile. "I am preparing to produce 100 units."

"Since the Xia Nation will have 100 Controlled Nuclear Fusion power plants in the future, and the Ternary Food Synthesizer consumes a lot of electricity, it would be perfect to build them right next to the power plants."

"That's a good idea." The Second Elder looked at Su Fan with approval. No one dislikes an outstanding young person, let alone a young genius who is unprecedented.

"What other ideas do you have? Tell me them all at once."

"Young people should dare to think and dare to act."

Su Fan thought for a moment and looked at the Second Elder seriously. "Second Elder, I want to provide the food from the Ternary Food Synthesizer to the entire Xia Nation for free after all 100 Controlled Nuclear Fusion plants and 100 Ternary Food Synthesizers are built!"

His words were truly shocking, and the Second Elder was genuinely stunned.

This was 1.4 billion mouths!

Furthermore, while the word "free" sounded nice, how could the Super God Group be expected to do this alone? He knew that Su Fan was forcing the government's hand.

If the state lacked the courage to do it, Su Fan would dare to do it himself, and the government would be the one to lose face.

However, if the government were to do it, could the treasury support it? Even if it could, once this precedent was set, would the people of the Xia Nation still have the drive to progress?

The Second Elder fell silent, sitting there with a furrowed brow in thought, occasionally and subconsciously picking up his cup to take a sip of water.

Su Fan did not interrupt. This was a major matter concerning the entire nation; no one could make such a decision lightly.

After a dozen minutes, the Second Elder sighed. "Su Fan, do you have any follow-up plans?"

"If there are no follow-up plans, this proposal will be difficult to pass the review of the Number One."

Looking at the Second Elder's serious expression, Su Fan suddenly smiled confidently, his voice ringing with conviction: "Within one year, the Xia Nation will enter the interstellar era!"

"The resources on the moon will be open for the Xia Nation to exploit."

"Blue Star will become the sole hegemon."

"The United States? The Bear? Nuclear bombs?"

"These will all become history!"

"In the future, if the Xia Nation wishes, it can wipe out any country at will and become the only nation on Blue Star!"

"This generation of leaders will leave a brilliant mark in history, to be sung and remembered by future generations!"

Su Fan didn't say much, but every word struck the Second Elder's heart directly.

"Within one year, the interstellar era."

"Are you sure?" The Second Elder's expression was serious, his eyes fixed on Su Fan.

"I am sure!" Su Fan's expression was equally solemn.

"In addition, there are other technologies that completely surpass Blue Star."

Speaking of this, Su Fan's expression suddenly changed, and he said with a smile, "You can rest assured."

"The future of the Xia Nation is not on Blue Star, but in the endless galaxy."

The Second Elder nodded after hearing this.

Su Fan continued, "The free food will be limited. For example, one jin of synthetic wheat flour, one jin of synthetic lean meat, one jin of synthetic fat meat, or other combinations per person per day."

"The reason for providing free food to the citizens is that it can reduce their sense of crisis and increase the birth rate."

"In the interstellar era, population is the key."

"In recent years, due to high housing prices and low employment, many young people are unwilling to have children. It is already May, and we can already estimate the number of births this year."

"I guess it will be at most 8 million this year."

The Second Elder nodded. The pressure on young people today is indeed too great. Not only do they have mortgages and car loans, but employment rates are low, and they also face the three great mountains of medical care, education, and elder care.

The entire society is in an atmosphere of severe anxiety, compounded by the sanctions from the Eagle Nation.

"Sigh—" The Second Elder sighed.

"Tell me the specific plan."