Rebirth 08: Equipment God

Chapter 309 Research Institute Preparations!

Continuing up, Zhai Da arrived at the currently empty second floor. The vast area was completely open to the public, so spacious that it had a cinematic feel.

The only object among them was the root of the upside-down tree, which was confined in a huge bowl-shaped water tank, which Zhai Da called the "Root Pool".

Oh, and there are also supporting water and fertilizer facilities.

Zhai Da walked to the edge of the "Root Pool" and looked down. He saw that in the clear water, countless roots had created a complex underwater world. Thick woody roots and thin, tender white roots swayed slightly under the vibration of the aerator.

After a period of hydroponic inversion, the nutrient solution was being added at a lethal amount, but the old elm seemed to be a bottomless pit, absorbing as much as it could.

That amount, if placed in nature, would be enough to irrigate an entire grove of trees.

What's amazing is that the Root Pool is always cool and clear, without a trace of moss or algae growing in it.

With a large influx of nutrients, the old elm completely recovered from the minor damage caused by the transplant. Most importantly, its stats in Zhai Da's equipment list showed a slight increase.

The various bonuses remain unchanged, but the effective range has increased to 60 meters.

In addition to material nutrients, the set [Eight Sufferings] also provides special component enhancements: not only can it absorb regular nutrients, but the 'thoughts' of surrounding life that have been affected and mutated will also nourish itself to a certain extent.

The factory below is also one of the reasons for the rapid growth of the old elm, and its effect may even exceed that of the nutrient solution itself.

Back in northern Beijing, Zhai Da felt that the most likely solution to the teacher's health problems at this stage was to execute Lao Yu.

But this is a huge piece of equipment, and it must be hung upside down to reverse those terrible negative effects. It is also a "living piece of equipment" that is not fully understood and is abstract in many ways.

And that courtyard was probably full of people from special departments.

Under multiple restrictions, it is impossible to send Lao Yu to northern Beijing, and it is also unrealistic for the 98-year-old teacher to come to Harbin to live permanently.

So if we exclude the option of "getting more suitable and better equipment" which is based on luck, one possibility he can think of is to feed Old Elm a "new effect".

For example, its current "small animal home" ability was developed by the crows bringing a large number of small animals to feed it. In terms of time and quantity, it doesn't seem to be too difficult.

He wanted to try to see if he could produce a useful effect by feeding things like old elm branches or sap, which could retain some of their abilities even after being removed from the body.

Even if it's weakened or temporary, he can accept it.

After researching some information, I came up with a list of potentially effective "nutrients." I managed to get two of them today, so I'll try feeding them to you first.

Zhai Da opened the burlap sack beside him, revealing a dense array of long, black strips inside, dry and brittle.

Dried earthworms, also known as "earth dragons" in traditional Chinese medicine, have a wholesale price of 45 yuan per jin (500 grams), but since they are dried goods, a whole sack doesn't weigh more than a few jin.

The other bag looked like pickled vegetables; it was "dried aloe vera" and was cheaper.

The old elm trees absorb nutrients and produce new effects. The specific mechanism is unclear due to the small sample size, so we can only conduct experiments in this metaphysical way.

Earthworms are best known for their ability to regenerate after being cut, which is analogous to the expectation that cutting off a section of an old elm tree will still be effective.

Dried aloe vera is nothing special; it's just there to make up the numbers, and it might be used to create the illusion that the "juice has some effect."

In theory, live earthworms and fresh aloe vera would be more reliable, but I couldn't get any today. He had already left the wholesaler's phone number and asked him to help him collect them.

One of the great advantages of hydroponics is that feeding is much more convenient and clearly controllable.

If that doesn't work, he has some alternatives, such as starfish, planarians, or melons.

If none of these work, we can only hope that new equipment will appear to solve the problem.

Without further hesitation, Zhai Da poured two bags of "earthworms" and one bag of "dried aloe vera" into Genzhitan, only to find that they were all less dense than water and floated on top.
I slapped my forehead and realized I'd forgotten about it.

Then he went downstairs, found a wooden stick, and kept stirring it to wet the "nutrients" and make them sink little by little.

From a distance, it looks like they're simmering hot pot broth.

While I was busy, someone came up behind me.

Lu Tao, the designer of the inverted device, whose pseudonym is "π".

Lu Tao was naturally familiar with this place, but he found it a bit strange to see Zhai Da stirring the large vat with a small stick.

"President, you wanted to see me?"

Zhai Da nodded, his hands still moving: "Yes, are you busy this semester?"

Lu Tao scratched his cheek: "Busy or not? It's alright."

The inverted device had taken him some time, but as a genius, it was more than enough to handle his studies. And it wasn't all for nothing. Zhai Da paid Lu Tao 4 yuan as a design fee, which is the industry standard cap of 10% of the total project cost.

Actually, we saved money. If it had been a seasoned, experienced contractor, who knows how much they would have ripped off, possibly doubling the total price.

Just then, a familiar yet unpleasant bird call came from outside.

"quack!"

Looking up, Xiao Hei was circling outside the factory, clearly having noticed Zhai Da's return.

With a burst of speed, it folded its wings and flew through the narrow, high window, even spiraling for a short distance before slowing down and landing steadily on Zhai Da's shoulder.

"Gah!"

Lu Tao was so frightened that he retreated several meters. Ever since that incident, he had been terrified of crows, especially those that were near this old tree. This crow was definitely not normal; what crow could perform a "whirlwind charge" or a "tornado"?

Zhai Da smiled and patted Xiao Hei's head with his fingertip.

"You have a sharp eye."

Little Black squinted, looking quite content, but when it looked at Lu Tao, it slightly spread its wings and let out a "caw".

He was just saying hello, but Lu Tao was so frightened that he retreated again.

Zhai Da said speechlessly, "Get closer. Any further and we won't be able to talk."

Lu Tao chuckled dryly, "It's alright, Chairman, I have good hearing."

Seeing that everything in the Root Pool had sunk to the bottom, Zhai Da stopped stirring it.

Setting the stick aside, thinking he'd need it again soon, Zhai Da clapped his hands and said:
"If it won't interfere with your studies, I have another task I'd like to ask you to do. It might not be very technical, but it should be good practice."

"President, please speak."

"I want to renovate the entire second floor and turn it into offices, or more accurately, a research institute."

The area-of-effect bonus from "Execute Old Elm" is a waste to use it only to increase the production of craft brewing equipment; it should have a broader and more extensive role.

------

Go back to two days ago.

In a spacious bedroom in a large courtyard in northern Beijing that appears relaxed on the outside but is actually quite strict.

Zhai Da sat behind his small table, discussing some nonsensical things with his teacher.

"Teacher, judging from industry data, most Western countries have already embarked on the path of deindustrialization and started to use financialization to drive economic development. Will we face this situation in the future?"

Professor Qian was also reviewing the materials. These statistics sent by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology contained important information, some of which Zhai Da was not allowed to see. He did not want to break the rules, as seeing them would also be a constraint for Zhai Da.

"If we follow idealistic predictions, we can never go down this path; if we do, we'll be making a mistake."

"why?"

"Because there are too many of us."

Qian took a sip of water from his glass and said, “Many people think that we have trained too many engineers and industrial workers, making our internal labor cheap and competitive, and our work hard and low-paying. But the truth is probably the opposite.”

"Because only by taking the path of industrialization and modernization can we benefit as many workers as possible. If we don't take this path, becoming a worker will be a luxury, just like many populous Southeast Asian countries such as Bangladesh and India."

"But people's drive to pursue a happy life will never stop. Being a worker will not satisfy people. They also want to live the life of Westerners. If they achieve that goal one day, they will want to live the life of Scandinavians."

Zhai Da nodded in deep agreement.

This is what he mentioned before: the difference between vertical comparison and horizontal comparison.

"But the West's core competitiveness lies in the accumulation of colonial plunder and centuries of technological barriers, while Northern Europe has vast resources and a lean population. Neither of these applies to us; we can only take the productivity route."

Of course, there is another route, but that is beyond the scope of today's discussion.

That is a primitive method that humanity has never lost over thousands of years.

"Based on industrialization, we must continuously transform and upgrade productivity until we can enable everyone to live better lives with fewer resources, or even acquire entirely new and limitless resources. Therefore, in the next decade, technological advancements driving industrial upgrading will be the most important thing."

Professor Qian took off his reading glasses and said, "Even the most advanced technological breakthroughs have to be ranked lower in importance, such as supercomputers and aerospace. I'm not saying we shouldn't research them, but it's a matter of priority. Which technologies can bring about industrial upgrading will be the top priority. Chinese people can't just make shirts and socks, and Chinese people can't be satisfied with just shirts and socks."

"But all of this is dynamic and must be viewed through the lens of dialectical materialism. The world is a constantly changing unified whole. As we move forward, we will encounter obstacles and unexpected events one after another, which will require us to 'analyze specific problems in specific ways.' How about your philosophy?"

Zhai Da scratched his head: "If you're asking about my GPA, I have a 4.0. If you're talking about insights, I still have a lot to learn."

Mr. Qian smiled:

"Think about it more. Marxist philosophy is both a science and a philosophy, both an epistemology and a methodology. In foreign countries, these are secret subjects that are not taught to ordinary people. Once you learn them, you will have a much clearer understanding of life."

Zhai Da nodded: "I understand, teacher."

Mr. Qian sighed, “Actually, the times are changing too fast. So fast that while I am still in this world, I have experienced many different eras, and some of my views may not be accurate.”

"But I always feel that each generation has its own responsibilities."

"For my generation, the most important thing was to stop being bullied."

"The most important thing for your generation is to strive for more technological breakthroughs in the ever-changing international situation, so as to drive the industry to break through."

"The so-called research that we've been doing behind closed doors is actually just to see more clearly which path to take. If we can let the country know in advance which paths are correct, then it could be the industrial planning for future generations, allowing them to get on the right track in advance. And for you personally, Xiao Zhai, it will also be extremely useful."

“The fate of an individual is linked to the fate of the nation. Whoever can do this is a hero, will achieve great success, and will become extremely wealthy. Xiao Zhai, you have so many wonderful ideas and a bright future. I’m just doing some random research, but you really can ride the wave of the times.”

"I suggest you choose a path that interests you and boldly move forward. I have high hopes for you!"

Behind the table, Zhai Da seemed to be deep in thought.

Actually, he's been planning this for a long time; perhaps it's time to take action.

(End of this chapter)