"The quantum computer was transported away before the facility was opened."
Chen Jian carefully inspected the marks within the sealed machine room and continued:
"It’s not accurate to say it was transported before being opened; rather, someone transported the computer away and then resealed the room."
"This definitely happened after the cataclysm because according to Fu Xi, the time when Facility 008 lost contact was 152 years ago."
"152 years... again with 150 years."
"It seems a lot happened during this stage..."
"Where exactly were these quantum computers transported to? What is the person who transported them doing with them?"
"They obviously understand quantum computers’ operations, which means they’re highly likely able to use them..."
"Could it be the Ring Chamber of Commerce?"
Lei Jie suddenly spoke up, and Chen Jian frowned and said:
"If it were the Ring Chamber of Commerce, they wouldn’t have just taken away the quantum computer."
"They are businessmen after all..."
"But anyway, we can ask them about it."
"Additionally... Fu Xi!"
Fu Xi’s voice sounded in his ear, Chen Jian pondered for a moment and then asked:
"Can we find any maintenance records for Facility 008? If the disaster backup system can keep running, theoretically speaking, besides the quantum computer, there should also be a second intelligent system here as backup, right?"
"There is, but the backup system doesn’t have the compute power to maintain the operation of the entire facility, and it was clearly damaged after the facility was opened."
"It’s impossible to retrieve the data from when the facility was opened now, I apologize, chief, I’m powerless regarding this."
Chen Jian sighed, revealing some regret in his eyes.
"Therefore, so far, all the clues we’ve gathered have been cut off."
Lei Jie frowned and said.
Chen Jian shook his head and corrected:
"Not completely cut off, all clues are pointing to the Imperial City."
"Mimic Heretics, Terror Demons, Holy Blood, cataclysm records, the vanished quantum computer..."
"Fire Seed Project, Artificial People, and the so-called ’declined creator.’"
"I have a feeling this Fire Seed Project might be as significant as the Fu Xi Project."
"But logically deducing, it’s unlikely this project was executed before the cataclysm."
"Combining earlier clues found at 7025, the north was relatively less affected during the cataclysm, with a longer transition from catastrophe to demise."
"Can I then assume the north has retained a stronger technological accumulation, even developing a complete ’Savior Plan’?"
"At least from the naming ’Fire Seed,’ it indeed follows the style we’re familiar with...."
"In any case, these matters must be answered once we reach Imperial City."
Speaking thus, Chen Jian stood up.
Immediately, he said:
"Let’s go check the situation in Huadu."
"Once things here are wrapped up, we can continue our journey to the Imperial City."
Everyone followed Chen Jian’s lead and stood up, and as they returned from the massive Facility 008, the bishop responsible for receiving from the Mechanical God Sect was already waiting outside the main passage.
"Sir, everything has been handled."
The bishop respectfully bowed to Chen Jian, who nodded slightly and asked:
"How do you plan to settle the residents here?"
"We will station a Church Protection Army to manage them, and similarly, the Holy Blood Temple will dispatch manpower to assist."
"Just like the towns we’ve managed before, the light of the Holy Trinity will transform sinners, guiding them toward the path of redemption."
"Additionally, there’s a large amount of steel resources left from before the cataclysm around Quan City, and we plan to build a steelwork there."
"However, the main purpose is to utilize the labor here..."
"After that, the finished steel will be transported south to various towns, and of course, if the Huaxia Army needs it, we will prioritize supply."
Chen Jian thoughtfully nodded and then said:
"We can establish broader cooperation."
"You need weapons, and we need raw materials."
"Directly trading raw materials to us, and we exchange them with weapons for you, how about it?"
The bishop was stunned.
He seemed not to have anticipated such a proposal from Chen Jian.
In his understanding, wasn’t the strength of the Huaxia Army based on their weapons?
And now, the leader of the Huaxia Army actually says he wants to trade weapons for raw materials...
Isn’t this like tearing down their own foundation?
Or has this leader become so short-sighted and arrogant that he ignores risks altogether?
He looked doubtfully at Chen Jian, who continued:
"I made it very clear."
"You need weapons, we can provide them."
"Don’t use those ridiculous smoothbore guns and single-shot rifles against monsters anymore."
"Some of the cannons found here, we can take a portion, in exchange for equity in your planned steelworks."
"Do you know what equity means?"
"Of course, sir, I do know."
The bishop quickly nodded and then asked in a somewhat incredulous tone:
"You mean, you intend to trade those... refined weapons for these crude raw materials?"
"I mean, this might not be a very profitable business for you."
"You’re quite honest."
Chen Jian smiled and said:
"I will certainly make the transaction more reasonable; we need a detailed discussion on pricing."