101: Chapter 101: The US is still building rockets, while the boss is wholesaling interstellar trucks!
"Oh? The blueprints have been realized?"
In the Hardware Store, Lin Mo listened to the voice of Academician Chen Jingsong on the other end of the phone, which was so excited it was cracking, and appeared somewhat surprised.
What he had given Old Chen back then was certainly not some simple "fishing boat blueprints."
That was a heavily neutered version of the design blueprints for the [ 'Kuafu'-class Planetary Exploration Destroyer ] produced by the System.
Even so, the level of technology contained within was at least one hundred years ahead of current Earth.
Unexpectedly, the team led by Old Chen had actually managed to overcome the theoretical model in such a short amount of time.
As expected of the Father of Aerospace of the Dragon Kingdom; this level of dedication is top-notch.
"Alright, Old Chen, don't get so excited; catch your breath first," Lin Mo soothed.
"It's just building a ship; what's the big deal?"
"Whatever parts you're missing, make a list for me."
"I'll see if I have anything in my shop that can be used."
"Really?! Mr. Lin! Thank you so much!" Old Chen was so excited he almost knelt down for Lin Mo on the spot.
"We... what we lack the most is the core unit of the anti-gravity engine, and also... the 'neutron star degenerate alloy' needed for the hull!"
"These two things, with our current technology, we simply cannot build them!"
"Anti-gravity engine? Neutron star alloy?" Lin Mo scrolled through the System Mall. Soon, he found the corresponding items.
[ Miniature Anti-Gravity Generator (Civilian Version) ]
[ Price: 10 million dragon coins each ]
[ Product Description: The Hardware Store owner's thoughtful little comfort, can turn your elderly mobility scooter into a hovering flying car instantly. Traffic jams? They don't exist! ]
[ Ultra-Density Memory Alloy Plates (Monkey Version) ]
[ Price: 1 million dragon coins per ton ]
[ Product Description: Although it's still a long, long way from real neutron star alloy, it's more than enough for building an 'Interstellar Truck.' Friendly reminder: Don't drive too fast, it's easy for it to fall apart. ]
Looking at the System's typically sarcastic product descriptions, Lin Mo curled his lip.
It's either the civilian version or the monkey version. System, can't you give me some decent high-end goods?
However, to deal with the current "Space Race," it should be enough.
"Mm, I have both," Lin Mo replied indifferently. "How many do you need?"
"We... we plan to build three experimental ships first!" Old Chen said, trembling. "We probably need... twelve anti-gravity engines, and... five thousand tons of alloy material!"
Lin Mo did a mental calculation. The engines are 10 million each, so twelve is 120 million. The alloy is 1 million per ton, so five thousand tons is 5 billion. Added together, it's a total of 5.12 billion.
"Alright, no problem," Lin Mo said casually. "Get the money ready, and come to my backyard warehouse to pick up the goods this afternoon."
"5.12... billion?" Old Chen and Zhao Zhenhua on the other end of the phone were stunned.
They had originally thought that raw materials for this level of interstellar spacecraft would cost at least hundreds of billions, or even trillions.
They had even finished writing the application report to request special national treasury funding. As it turned out... just this little bit of money?!
"What? Think it's expensive?" Lin Mo raised an eyebrow.
"No, no, no! It's not expensive! It's not expensive at all! It's practically a gift!" Zhao Zhenhua grabbed the phone, incoherent with excitement.
"Mr. Lin! Rest assured! We will transfer the money to you immediately! This afternoon! We will come to pick up the goods this afternoon!"
After hanging up the phone, Zhao Zhenhua and Old Chen looked at each other, both seeing a kind of emotion called "happiness" in the other's eyes. It's so good to have Mr. Lin around.
Over in the Eagle Nation, to restart the lunar landing program, Congress was arguing incessantly, the President was almost impeached, and in the end, they gritted their teeth to approve an initial budget of 500 billion USD.
This sum of money was only enough for them to build one Heavy Falcon rocket. And here in the Dragon Kingdom?
With one phone call from Mr. Lin, all the core materials for building three interstellar warships were resolved. Moreover, the money spent was less than a fraction of the Eagle Nation's!
What... what kind of gap is this?! "Quick! Old Chen!" Zhao Zhenhua rubbed his hands in excitement. "Let's hurry and organize the personnel! We'll transport the materials back this afternoon!"
"I want to let those guys in the Eagle Nation see what is really called... Dragon Kingdom Speed!"
In the afternoon. When Academician Chen Jingsong brought the Dragon Kingdom's top aerospace engineering team to Lin Mo's backyard warehouse, everyone was stunned by the mountain of "miracles" before them.
Twelve anti-gravity engines, flickering with a dim blue light and full of a sci-fi feel, were neatly stacked on one side like works of art. On the other side was a hill-sized pile of "Ultra-Density Memory Alloy" emitting a metallic luster.
"This... this is..." An old engineer's hand trembled as he wanted to touch the alloy plates, but he pulled back as if afraid of desecrating a holy relic. "This is... the cornerstone that will build our flight into the universe..."
Tears welled up in the eyes of all the engineers. Without another word, they immediately got to work right there! Measuring, cutting, welding, assembling...
The entire backyard of the Hardware Store turned directly into a temporary, bustling "spacecraft construction factory."
As for Lin Mo, he lay on his rocking chair, drinking an iced cola while watching this group of scientists who acted as if they'd been injected with adrenaline, leisurely acting as a "supervisor."
The Dragon Kingdom's scientists are world-renowned for their ability to work themselves to the bone. Driven by the ultimate goal of "catching up to the Eagle Nation," they unleashed 200% of their potential!
It only took three days! Three days! The first aerospace carrier independently developed by the Dragon Kingdom, equipped with an anti-gravity engine—[ Nantianmen No. 1 ]—was miraculously... completed!
When this silver-white giant ship, which looked just like an interstellar warship from a sci-fi movie, silently and anti-gravitationally levitated under everyone's gaze, all the scientists present hugged each other and wept with joy!
We succeeded! We really succeeded!
Zhao Zhenhua was so excited that he immediately called the highest authorities to report this joyous news that was worthy of being recorded in history!
And the instructions from the highest authorities were very simple, consisting of only one sentence. "Let the Eagle Nation run thirty-nine meters first."
Thus, a "cat and mouse game" full of dark humor began.
Over in the Eagle Nation. After a month of preparation, the first launch of their "New Apollo Program" was finally about to begin.
Kennedy Space Center. Media from all over the world were focused here. The President of the Eagle Nation arrived on-site in person and delivered a passionate speech.
"Today! Will be another great day in human history!" "Our 'Freedom' rocket will carry the dreams of all mankind and challenge that distant starry sky once again!" "We will..."
Before he could finish his speech, it was interrupted by a huge roar. "Launch countdown begins!" "Ten, nine, eight..."
Accompanied by the cold countdown, the huge Heavy Falcon rocket spewed raging flames and slowly ascended amidst earth-shaking vibrations.
"Launch successful!" The command center was filled with cheers. The President of the Eagle Nation also revealed a relieved smile. Although the process was tortuous, they had finally taken the first step!
However, just as all the Eagle Nation people were cheering for the successful rocket launch, over in the Dragon Kingdom, they also "unhurriedly" began their "performance."
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. Oh no, it should be called... [ Nantianmen Spaceport ] now. The huge [ Nantianmen No. 1 ] was quietly hovering on the tarmac. There was no deafening roar. There were no earth-shattering flames.
In the cockpit, the astronaut spoke to the command center in an extremely calm tone: "Command Center, 'Courier' is ready, requesting departure."
The command center's response was also very simple. "Departure authorized." "Wish you... a pleasant delivery."
The next second. Under the gaze of the whole world, the space around the hull of [ Nantianmen No. 1 ] twisted slightly. Then, just like that... with a "whoosh." It disappeared into thin air. Leaving behind only a faint ripple in space in its place.