Huayu 05, our science fiction movie universe

Chapter 636 The Wallfacer 1 (6)

"Do those people think that Diaz's actions were driven by self-interest (DuCai)?"

After listening to Ryoko Taji's introduction of the current situation in Venezuela, Luo Ji couldn't help but be surprised.

He hadn't expected that, as a fellow Wallfacer, Radiaz would be facing such a complicated situation.

"Don't those people know that the research on this weapon would also be of great benefit to their country?"

Faced with Luo Ji's question, Ryoko Taji shook her head helplessly.

"You're just talking without understanding the situation. Venezuela has been under sanctions from the United States for a long time, and its economy has always been poor. Many people can't even afford to fill their stomachs."

It was because Rediaz had been leading them to victory that the local people were so supportive of him.

However, with the arrival of the Trisolaran crisis, Venezuela's external pressure disappeared, and its people enjoyed a rare period of relative ease.

At this time, Diaz's introduction of research into ultra-high-yield nuclear weapons, consuming a large amount of its domestic resources, naturally aroused dissatisfaction among many.

"What do you mean by talking without understanding the pain? Didn't our China go through the same stage back then?"

Qin Yanni, who had been protecting Luo Ji the whole time, couldn't help but say something after hearing Tani Ryoko's words:

"Back then, we faced much greater pressure than Venezuela. We didn't have funding from the coalition government. We developed nuclear weapons entirely through our own hard work and the people tightening their belts."

Upon hearing this, Ryoko Tai was momentarily at a loss for words, and after a long pause, she whispered:
“How can that be the same? The Chinese are different… After all, you have a long and rich civilization…”

"What does this have to do with a long history of civilization?"

After all, she was a woman with whom he had a close relationship, so Luo Ji subconsciously began to protect her.

"The main difference is that times have changed. Back then, China was constantly facing external threats, while Venezuela had the Trisolaran invasion. It was foreseeable that their external environment would only become more and more relaxed..."

"Heh, is it really unrelated to history? I don't think so."

Qin Yanni snorted. She had long been annoyed by Luo Ji's nonchalant attitude and wanted to embarrass him, even though he was a Wallfacer.

"The long history of Chinese civilization is not only something that the Chinese people are proud of, but it also endows the Chinese with a potential that other nations do not possess."

Only a civilization that has lived for over 5000 years would dare to devise a plan that would take several generations to complete.

Only a civilization with a long history can have a people with a broader vision and a spirit of sacrifice born for the continuation of that civilization.

Qin Yanni said with undisguised pride:

"Weren't the Chinese people suffering back then? I think they must have suffered even more than the people of Venezuela today."

Moreover, those pioneers who threw themselves into that project must have known that they might not live to see it come to fruition, but they didn't care.

Because they know that one day, their descendants, and the descendants of others, will be able to see that scene and enjoy the fruits of their labor.

This is the epic romantic narrative unique to the Chinese nation, a spirit that some groups will never understand.

Both Ryoko Tani and Luo Ji remained silent upon hearing this, with the former's eyes filled with admiration and respect for the things Qin Yanni described.

The Japanese are a nation with no future. As a native of Japan, Ryoko Tai is well aware that the spirit of her nation has long been broken and castrated.

Therefore, she particularly admired and even envied the sense of national pride and vibrant vitality that Qin Yanni displayed.

As for Luo Ji, it would be a lie to say he wasn't moved, but he was only moved in that respect.

As an old saying goes.

"You cannot see the true face of this mountain, simply because you are in the mountain itself."

For him, some things are so commonplace that he doesn't feel them as deeply, and he might even take them for granted.

The convoy thus passed through the exotic city and arrived at a military base on the outskirts of Caracas, the capital of Venezuela.

Although public opinion of Diaz has changed, as a strongman, he has always maintained firm control over military power.

This military base is his greatest source of confidence now.

It wasn't just because of the soldiers at the base who idolized him, but also because the scientists at the base were researching another of the world's most powerful weapons.

Nuclear bombs, or microparticle nuclear fusion weapons, and currently the largest yield nuclear weapons in the world, we will make as large as we can.

"My minimum requirement for them is 200 million tons."

Rediaz said this to Luo Ji and the others as he toured the military base and research and development center.

"Ah, that sounds amazing just from the name," Luo Ji echoed in praise.

Compared to Luo Ji, who didn't know much about military weapons, Qin Yanni seemed more surprised.

"Two hundred million tons of equivalent? That's outrageous!"

Seemingly seeing that Luo Ji didn't understand the significance of this order of magnitude, Qin Yanni gave a special explanation.

"The world's largest thermonuclear bomb currently has a yield of only two thousand tons!"

"Well, it should be alright."

"What do you mean by 'it's alright'? The triggering and execution process of the fusion reaction in this kind of super-high yield nuclear bomb is completely different from that of ordinary nuclear bombs!"
Forget it, you won’t understand even if I tell you.

However, Mr. Diaz, it seems that nuclear weapons are not considered highly effective weapons in space warfare.

Nuclear explosions in a vacuum do not produce shock waves, and the light and heat radiation is negligible for spacecraft unless they can directly hit the target.

But a nuclear bomb weighing hundreds of millions of tons is also incredibly large; could it really hit an alien spaceship?

Faced with Qin Yanni's questioning, Radiáz remained extremely calm, as if he had been subjected to the same questioning countless times before.

"Nuclear bombs are, after all, the most powerful and mature weapons that mankind currently possesses. Isn't it natural for me to focus my attention on them?"

I believe my way of thinking is correct. As for the issue of its effectiveness in space, we can come up with ways to improve it, such as adding some kind of medium to form a shock wave, like putting steel balls in a hand grenade.

As for macro-atomic fusion weapons with the same power as nuclear weapons, I think the former US Secretary of State has already visited China.

Qin Yanni remained silent. After all, the other party was a Wallfacer, and in the current situation where the Sophons were omnipresent, digging too deep into the details was not a good thing.

Luo Ji and his group stayed at the base for a few days under the reception of Rediaz. During this time, Tai Ryoko interviewed him, and Luo Ji, who was also present, learned about the life of this political strongman.

It can only be said that Diaz had a difficult childhood, experienced hardships and setbacks in his youth, and bore enormous pressure in middle age. Even now, after becoming a Wallfacer, the situation has not improved much.

Luo Ji noticed that due to the immense pressure brought about by the Wallfacer Project, Rediaz developed a great fear of the sun, or rather, of standing under the light, and he was trying to hide himself.

It can only be said that the position of Wallfacer is not something a human being should do.

But Luo Ji also had no way to get rid of this identity.

After spending more than a week at the military base in Rediaz, visiting the place, meeting Rediaz, and communicating with him, Luo Ji quickly grew tired of the heavily guarded military base.

The soldiers who patrolled frequently, and the sentries at every checkpoint, made him feel oppressed.

Are there any fun places to visit in Venezuela?

Growing impatient, Luo Ji decided to set off again and started looking at a map of Venezuela.

"The most famous attractions here are Angel Falls and Margarita Island."

The former is the world's highest waterfall in terms of drop, with a total drop of 979 meters; the latter is the most famous tourist resort area near the Caribbean Sea.

"Shall we go see the waterfall?" "It's not safe to travel now, Doctor. This is abroad, and you are a Wallfacer," Qin Yanni said helplessly.

"Have you ever had a dream?" Luo Ji suddenly asked, looking at her.

"what?"

For example, have you ever fantasized about living in a beautiful place?

"No, what I want most right now is to go back to China as soon as possible."

"But I have my own dream places, many of them..."

Luo Ji began to describe other dreamlike places.

"There must be towering mountains, the very steep kind, against a blue sky, like a god's sword, like the earth's fangs..."

"There must be a lake, a vast, azure lake, deeper and bluer than the sky, surrounded by large forests and grasslands."

All of this must be in a pure, pristine state. When you see this place, you'll imagine that humans have never existed on Earth.

In such a place, a manor is built on the grassy lakeside. It doesn't need to be very large, but it should have all the modern living facilities. The style of the house can be classical or modern, but it should be in harmony with the surrounding natural environment.

It also needs necessary supporting facilities, such as fountains and swimming pools, to ensure that the owners can live a comfortable aristocratic life.

"A comfortable aristocratic life?"

Qin Yanni chuckled coldly, "In the face of the current Three-Body crisis, as a Wallfacer, are you still fantasizing about a petty-bourgeois lifestyle?"

“No, it’s not just about life,” Luo Ji shook his finger. “I want to spend the rest of my life there. If that day ever comes, wouldn’t that be the best ending?”

"The proletariat can only liberate itself by liberating all mankind; the wallfacers can only be saved by saving the earth."

Qin Yanni said this with a stern face, and Luo Ji could only sigh helplessly and turn to leave the room.

"where are you going?"

"Can't I even go out for a stroll? Can't I just stay in this base?" Luo Ji's annoyed voice came from outside.

Feeling frustrated, Luo Ji wandered around the rather large military base, with Qin Yanni trailing behind him, neither too close nor too far.

But soon, Luo Ji was stopped at a checkpoint.

Why are you stopping me?

As a Wallfacer, Luo Ji wielded considerable power within the military base, and he was permitted access to many highly classified areas.

"Mr. Reidiaz is receiving guests inside."

"Then I need to find him. I am a Wallfacer!"

"The guests that the gentleman received were also wall-facers."

"Also a Wallfacer?"

Luo Ji was taken aback. When he looked up again, he saw that the person standing next to Radiaz in the room not far away was actually another Wallfacer, Taylor.

"We meet again, Dr. Luo Ji. We were just talking about you."

Taylor greeted Luo Ji in a friendly manner, much better than last time. However, Luo Ji also saw more weariness and helplessness in Taylor's eyes, like, like a real old man, even though he was only 60 years old.

“Mr. Taylor, I didn’t expect you to be here. What a coincidence.”

Luo Ji smiled and shook hands with the man.

What are you talking about me about?

"Talking to you is so easy, it's not like you're a Wallfacer."

After Taylor finished speaking, he and Radiáz burst into laughter, and Luo Ji also laughed.

Perhaps at this moment, the three of them are the people on Earth who understand each other the most.

After laughing, Taylor looked at Luo Ji and Reydiaz with a serious expression and said.

"I've come to tell you that my Wallbreaker has appeared!"

The two of them also stopped smiling and looked at him seriously, waiting for his further explanation.

However, at that moment, a huge explosion suddenly came from outside the base, accompanied by towering flames and a commotion afterward.

"What's going on?" Luo Ji was startled and looked blankly in the direction of the explosion.

Compared to him, both Diaz and Taylor seemed to have anticipated this and remained quite calm.

"Now is the best opportunity," Qin Yanni said to Luo Ji in a low voice as she quickly approached him.

"what chance?"

"It's a rare opportunity for the three Wallfacers to get together."

"You all expected this to happen?"

Luo Ji looked at Diaz and Taylor.

"Is this a decoy?"

"Yes and no."

Taylor said very calmly:
"With the existence of the sophon, there are no baits or traps. This is a game of strategy. Only by giving them the hope of an evenly matched contest will they personally enter the game."

"them?"

"Those Wallbreakers, Mr. Radiaz, are you confident?"

Radiaz lit the cigar Taylor had shared with him, took a deep drag, slowly exhaled white vapor, and then said with great certainty:

"Of course, I trust my lads."

That being said, the armed personnel in the base had already begun to be mobilized urgently. Diaz and Taylor even put on bulletproof vests and helmets, and each of them took a new type of rifle sponsored by the United Government.

As for Luo Ji, he had never practiced with guns, and it would be dangerous for him to carry a weapon in this environment, so he only received a bulletproof vest. Fortunately, Qin Yanni would protect him.

What is the situation outside?

Diaz asked his adjutant beside him, "Outside the high walls of the military base, the roar of artillery and the crackling of gunfire are constant, and you can tell just by listening that a conflict is approaching."

"The Vice Prime Minister launched a rebellion. The enemy's military strength is not weak, and there are some genetically modified humans among them."

"That must be an ETO-affiliated force. Hopefully, they'll quiet down after this."

Alright, let's get ready to go!

"Let's go?" Luo Ji was shocked.

"Holding our ground here is not a good idea. We need to rely on our advantageous fortifications and fight them head-on to wear down their manpower."

However, Dr. Luo Ji, you can stay here; after all, you're not a soldier.

Watching Diaz and Taylor stride towards the base gate, Luo Ji opened his mouth, but ultimately sighed with a mixture of reluctance and relief.

(End of this chapter)