Chapter 226 Global Bidding

Two months after the sky ladder project was approved, a piece of news shocked the world.

"China announces: The sky ladder project is opening global bidding for partners, and enterprises from all countries are welcome to participate in the construction."

The news was released at nine in the morning, and by noon, the global media had exploded.

CNN: "China Opens the Door to the Sky Ladder to the World"

BBC: "Unprecedented International Cooperation: Twenty-one Countries Express Interest"

Reuters: "sky ladder project Opens Global Bidding, European Enterprises Eager to Try"

The headline of The Wall Street Journal was the most intriguing: "From the tower of babel to the Sky Ladder: China Invites the World to Build Together"

Lin Mo saw this news in the base's conference room.

Li Xiao rushed in with a tablet, her face full of excitement: "Senior Brother! Look! Global bidding!"

Lin Mo took the tablet, scanned it quickly, and his face showed no expression.

Li Xiao was somewhat disappointed: "Senior Brother, why aren't you excited again?"

Lin Mo looked at her: "What are you excited about?"

Li Xiao said: "Global bidding! The whole world wants to come and participate in our project!"

Lin Mo nodded: "It is good news. But the bidding has just begun; what is truly difficult is the subsequent negotiations, signing, and execution."

Li Xiao blinked: "Do you mean there will be trouble?"

Lin Mo said: "It's not trouble, it's a challenge. Enterprises from different countries have their own interests; how do we balance them? How do we protect core technologies? How do we keep sensitive information confidential? These problems are even harder than the technology itself."

Li Xiao looked thoughtful.

Lin Mo patted her shoulder: "Keep working. It won't be too late to get excited once a company actually signs a contract."

In the first week after the news was released, seventeen countries officially expressed interest.

Europe had the most: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Finland...

Asia came next: Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Israel...

Even Australia and New Zealand in Oceania extended an olive branch.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs specially established a "sky ladder project International Cooperation Office" to be responsible for connecting with enterprises from various countries.

Fang Lin was seconded there to serve concurrently as a consultant, calling Lin Mo every few days to report on progress.

"Lin Mo, the French have the most interest. People from their space agency are coming to Beijing next week."

"The Germans are more cautious, saying they want to see the technical proposal first."

"Japan is the most active, but there are internal disagreements—the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry wants to participate, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is worried about technology leakage."

Lin Mo listened to them one by one, occasionally asking a few questions, but never expressing an opinion.

Fang Lin once couldn't help but ask: "Why aren't you excited at all?"

Lin Mo said: "Excited about what?"

Fang Lin said: "So many countries want to cooperate! Four years ago, when we were working on Nuclear Fusion, nobody paid us any attention."

Lin Mo smiled: "Director Fang, you are right. But cooperation is a double-edged sword. If cooperation goes well, it can accelerate progress and share costs; if it goes poorly, it could bring risks."

Fang Lin was silent for a few seconds, then said: "You are right. We will control it well."

Two months later, the first partner was born.

It wasn't France, Germany, or Japan—but a small country that many people had never heard of: Luxembourg.

When the news spread, public opinion was in an uproar.

Luxembourg? That tiny European country? With an area of over two thousand square kilometers and a population of six hundred thousand, why were they the first to sign?

Lin Mo was also shocked by this news. He immediately called Fang Lin: "Director Fang, what's going on with Luxembourg?"

Fang Lin's voice carried a smile: "What? Looking down on small countries?"

Lin Mo said: "It's not looking down on them. It's a surprise."

Fang Lin said: "Surprise is exactly right. Do you know what Luxembourg has?"

Lin Mo thought for a moment: "Banks? Steel? EU institutions?"

Fang Lin said: "They have all of those. But do you know what they want most?"

Lin Mo didn't speak.

Fang Lin said: "Space resources."

She explained: "Although Luxembourg is small, it is very ambitious in the aerospace field. In 2016, they passed the 'Space Resources Act,' encouraging enterprises to explore and mine asteroid minerals. They have also invested in several space mining startups and are the most active country in Europe in the field of space resources."

Lin Mo looked thoughtful.

Fang Lin continued: "For this sky ladder project bidding, they were the first to submit an expression of interest. The negotiations only took three weeks to finalize a preliminary framework. They are willing to invest two billion euros to participate in the space station construction and lunar resource development projects. The condition is: to obtain priority cooperation rights for future lunar mineral development."

Lin Mo was silent.

Two billion euros.

For a small country with a population of only six hundred thousand, this is definitely a huge bet.

Fang Lin said: "Lin Mo, don't underestimate them. Small countries have their own way of surviving. Big countries have big countries' resources, and small countries have small countries' vision. This investment by Luxembourg is a bet on their future."

Lin Mo nodded: "I understand."

A week later, the signing ceremony was held in Beijing.

Lin Mo attended as the Chinese representative, and opposite him was the Luxembourgish Minister of Economy—a middle-aged man in his forties, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, in a crisp suit, with a very gentle smile.

Before the signing, the two chatted alone for a few moments.

The Minister said: "Academician Lin, I've heard so much about you."

Lin Mo said: "Mr. Minister, thank you for your country's trust."

The Minister smiled: "Trust is mutual. We have studied your proposals, studied your team, and studied your achievements over the past four years. The conclusion is—this is an investment worth making."

Lin Mo looked at him: "Are you not afraid of the risk?"

The Minister said: "I am. But I am even more afraid of missing out."

He paused, looking at the sky outside the window: "We in Luxembourg are a small country. We have no resources, no population, and no military power. But we have one thing—vision. Sixty years ago, we bet on finance and became Europe's banking center. Thirty years ago, we bet on satellite communications and became Europe's satellite operations center. Now, we are betting on space resources."

He turned his head and looked at Lin Mo: "Academician Lin, I believe that one day, humanity will step beyond Earth. When that day comes, we in Luxembourg do not want to be left behind."

Lin Mo was silent for a few seconds, then reached out his hand: "You are welcome to walk with us."

The Minister shook his hand and smiled.

The signing ceremony was very short, but the global media all came.

Under the flashes, the two signed the contract, exchanged documents, shook hands, and posed for photos.

Lin Mo stood on the stage, looking at the dense crowd of reporters below, and suddenly remembered what he was like standing in front of a press conference for the first time four years ago. At that time, he was so nervous his palms were sweating.

Now, he was very calm.

In the Q&A session, someone asked: "Academician Lin, the first partner is a small country, not a traditional aerospace power. What is your take on this?"

Lin Mo said: "Aerospace careers do not distinguish by size. Every country has its own advantages. Luxembourg's vision and determination are worthy of our respect."

Another reporter asked: "Which countries will join next?"

Lin Mo said: "We welcome all like-minded countries. The sky ladder project belongs to all of humanity."

After the press conference, Lin Mo walked out of the hall.

The sun outside was shining brightly, and the sky was very blue.

He remembered the words of the Luxembourgish Minister: "I am afraid, but I am even more afraid of missing out."

Yes.

Only those who are afraid of missing out will bet on the future.

And he, too, was betting.

Betting on that sky ladder twenty years from now, betting on the lunar base thirty years from now, betting on the Mars city fifty years from now.

Betting on the day humanity journeys to the stars and the sea.

In the evening, Li Xiao made a video call: "Senior Brother! I saw you on the news! You looked so cool!"

Lin Mo smiled: "What's cool about it?"

Li Xiao said: "It was just cool! Standing on stage, with so many reporters, and you weren't flustered at all!"

Lin Mo said: "I'm used to it."

Li Xiao blinked: "Senior Brother, which countries do you think will join next?"

Lin Mo thought for a moment: "There will be many. But there will also be more skepticism, more games, and more trouble."

Li Xiao said: "Then what should we do?"

Lin Mo said: "Take it one step at a time. Cooperate when we should, and persist when we should. Just like the four years we have been through."

Li Xiao nodded, then suddenly asked: "Senior Brother, do you think that Luxembourgish Minister really believes the space elevator can be built?"

Lin Mo was silent for two seconds, then said: "Whether he believes it or not is not important. What is important is that he is willing to bet."

He paused, looking at Li Xiao on the screen: "When enough people are betting, it will definitely succeed."