In the eighth year, the renowned Navigator and genius scientist, Earl Steve Hoffman (Zhang Yuan), purchased the largest steamship of the era, the "Royal Knight"!
At the same time, he announced to all the citizens of Giant Stone City an ambitious Antarctic exploration plan, which quickly became the talk of the city.
For the common people, aside from war, discovering new habitable lands was the best way to transcend social classes.
The most recently discovered island, a small island named "Momo Luo," was approximately 2.2 square kilometers—barely significant with no minerals or freshwater resources. Nevertheless, the government awarded the discoverers a substantial bounty, and the captain was even ennobled as a Baron.
Now, the purpose of the "Royal Knight" was direct territorial expansion. Though the journey was long and perilous, Zhang Yuan’s reputation stood firm.
Over the past few years, something called "telegram" had become well-known, and the inventor’s fame had spread throughout the world.
This young Earl had plenty of money, and the "Royal Knight" also afforded a significant sense of security.
"How do you feel about it?"
"Of course, let’s do it!"
"But... Antarctica is too far!"
"What’s there to fear? With such a large fleet, and a massive ship of ten thousand tons, even a great storm wouldn’t mean much." This type of discussion could be heard everywhere in the streets. Some veteran sailors took the opportunity to proudly share their oceanic adventures.
Driven by enticements of profit, countless people signed up, yet the selection process remained stringent, accepting only the best and not just anyone.
However, some industry insiders still advised Zhang Yuan against undertaking such a dangerous endeavor. The planet is curved, electromagnetic waves can’t penetrate the ground, and if you venture too far, even telegrams couldn’t be sent.
The elderly butler sighed deeply, "On the other hand, my lord, the nearest oceans have been explored repeatedly. We must venture to very remote places, and even if no dangers arise, a lack of significant findings would harm your reputation."
"If the exploration fails, the sailors’ wages must still be paid. With no income and only expenses, you could go bankrupt."
The city of Zhengmu’an, the southernmost city, was still quite a distance from the Antarctic, and the area in between was all vast ocean, posing a huge test for the ship’s supply reserves and the sailors’ psychological state.
"Yes, that’s precisely why no one has completed such an expedition yet; it must be me who does it."
Zhang Yuan dismissed all advice and resolutely embarked on a new voyage.
Reputation was of no concern to him; money was of no concern either. The hardest thing to leave behind was his sister, Anna, but recently he had found her a dependable husband, so he had nothing left to worry about.
And so, the ten-thousand-ton "Royal Knight" sounded its horns and disappeared into the distant horizon.
After enduring untold hardships, the fleet wearily returned.
The "Royal Knight" arrived back at Giant Stone City, marking the end of the expedition as a complete failure. In the anticipated Antarctic region, not a single new continent or even a sizeable island was found.
The temperature in the Antarctic region was colder than expected, around zero degrees Celsius, and even the glaciers were sparse. If not for the navigator’s extensive experience, there might have been collisions with icebergs.
All the sailors, the moment they stepped off the ship, seemed paralyzed, lying prostrate on the ground, kissing the land beneath their feet.
A year’s time, truly a nightmarish journey!
The last to disembark was a visibly weary Zhang Yuan. He rubbed his temples, deeply sighing at how challenging it was to be a hero.
Failure was not what was fearful; the most terrifying aspect was the public commentary. This failure provided tangible proof for those who scoffed in the shadows, envious. Some down-and-out nobles sarcastically remarked in their circles that he was out of his mind, forsaking certain profit to seek new continents.
Zhang Yuan clearly understood what kind of creature humans were; if he truly found a new continent, he would be hailed as a true hero. If not, he would be labeled a fool—a complete nitwit!
He looked up at the gray sky, then at the sailors kissing the ground, and then at the impoverished people on the streets, exploited by capitalists, and the slaves who sold their children.
Humanity needed a new continent—desperately!
Without a new path, it was a slow demise!
In the twelfth year...
After three years of silence, Zhang Yuan emerged once more, attempting to explore the even more distant Arctic, mobilizing more people than ever before.
He even sold off the remaining shares of his telecommunications company!
The money flowed out like water, high rewards inviting brave souls. Some admired Zhang Yuan’s conviction, joining him with a sliver of hope, but many more deemed it foolhardy. Still, the era was never short of courageous people.
In the thirteenth year...
The fleet returned, and the second exploration also ended in failure.
The temperature in the Arctic region was more suitable than the Antarctic, but still, no so-called new continent was discovered. This was particularly frustrating; the planet’s seas were vast, and land was scarce, making the discovery of new continents as difficult as finding a needle in the ocean.
Aside from using telescopes, people could only rely on a creature called the "Sea Bat," which could scent freshwater and was typically used to explore surrounding islands. However, even the Sea Bat’s searching capability was limited; it could only explore a radius of about 20 kilometers.
All dejected, the people disembarked the ship, with about a quarter of the sailors lost. A mutiny even erupted mid-journey, with a large group of sailors organizing to return, leading to internal strife. Zhang Yuan had to pay a hefty sum as compensation; lives were lost, and money must be paid, regardless of success or failure.
An overwhelming chorus of criticism and mockery confronted him; the first mocking had a facade of morality, but the second was starkly cynical. Even his sister Anna began to oppose such exploratory efforts.
"It’s too dangerous, brother... too dangerous. Don’t go again."
Zhang Yuan reflected on the past few years’ journeys—arduous and exhausting, ultimately fruitless—and he sighed deeply.
It wasn’t just he who had failed.
It was the entire world, the whole... civilization!
But these people remained blissfully unaware.