Reborn Before the Apocalypse: My Backing is the Nation

Chapter 136 Underground Base Cluster
Upon waking up this time, a World Government official specifically sought out Jiang Yang.

"Comrade Jiang Yang, I have been entrusted by the World Government Council to seek your opinion on the construction plan of a large-scale underground base complex."

The official looked at Jiang Yang with some reverence, speaking and acting cautiously, clearly indicating that he was of a certain rank and aware of Jiang Yang's special status.

"An underground base complex?"

"Yes. It has been 21 years since the last apocalypse, and a new blow from the Reaper civilization could come at any time."

To further enhance the survival capabilities of civilization, we believe that in addition to promoting technological advancements and large-scale expansion of the aerospace industry, it is also necessary to find ways to provide sufficient shelter for the people.

While entering the underground base complex may not necessarily prevent the Reaper civilization from harvesting resources, it doesn't mean it's useless.

Perhaps some of our methods of combating the apocalypse in the future will trigger large-scale disasters? Or will the pattern of the next harvest be different?
Our thinking is that it's better to be prepared. We'd rather never need these underground bases than not have them when we do need them.

As the only cyclical being in our human civilization, you have experienced numerous apocalypses; your unique experiences are unparalleled. We believe you possess sufficient wisdom to make a judgment on this matter.

Jiang Yang remained silent for a moment, then asked, "How large is the underground base complex?"

"It's huge. There are plans for almost every geologically stable point. The total construction period is currently planned for 50 years. The ultimate goal is to build a massive underground base cluster that can accommodate the entire population."

Each base must possess sufficient defensive capabilities, the ability to operate independently, and enough supplies to support at least 10 years of operations.

"This must be the largest engineering project in the history of human civilization..."

"Yes. After more than a decade of planning and accumulation by the world government, as well as the rapid advancement of science and technology and the reduction of internal friction among civilizations in recent years, we believe that we now have the capability to undertake this massive project."

To add a further point, according to the World Government's medium-term plan, in the next ten years, while undertaking this unprecedented mega-project, we will also construct a permanent lunar base, conduct a manned Mars landing mission, build a four-in-one risk monitoring network integrating space, air, surface, and underground, and many other massive missions.

Jiang Yang nodded and said, "Since we have sufficient engineering capabilities, let's build it. I agree."

Whether it works or not, it's better to have something than nothing.

Won't carrying out so many projects simultaneously have an impact on society?

"After our assessment, we believe there will be some impact, but it is within a controllable range."

First, there is the pressure from the Reaper civilization; second, there is the recent rapid advancement in technology, with extremely low electricity prices and a surge in artificial intelligence leading to a massive abundance of industrial goods.

A mid-to-high-performance laptop might have cost ten thousand yuan before the apocalypse, but now? A thousand yuan is enough. Meanwhile, people's incomes haven't decreased; on the contrary, they'll likely increase due to the progress of numerous mega-projects.

"Then there's no problem. I agree."

"Yes. I will convey your opinion to the council."

The visitor respectfully bid farewell to Jiang Yang.

Just as I was about to get back to studying, Zhou Yu walked over with tears in her eyes.

"what happened?"

Zhou Yu wiped away her tears, her voice filled with sorrow: "I just received news that my mother passed away during our last hibernation."

Jiang Yang had met Zhou Yu's mother; she was a very kind and amiable old lady.

For Jiang Yang, who grew up under the social welfare system, she provided many areas where he lacked emotional fulfillment.

The only regret is that, because of his participation in the Future Project, he was unable to spend much time with her. Even with his own daughter, Zhou Yu, he could only see her once every 50 days, and sometimes as often as 200 days.

Now, the old lady has passed away. After a quick tidying up, Jiang Yang and Zhou Yu rushed to the city as fast as they could.

Looking at the old lady's portrait, Zhou Yu wept uncontrollably.

As night fell, Jiang Yang and Zhou Yu stayed there.

“Actually, I had already foreseen this situation the day I joined the Future Project. I just didn’t expect this day to come so soon. I thought my mother would leave after I got old.”

Under the cover of night, Zhou Yu murmured to himself.

Jiang Yang said in a low voice, "A few days ago... when I last woke up from hibernation, Director Sun's son passed away."

Zhou Yu was taken aback: "I didn't know that. Why?"

"As you get older, unexpected things can happen."

"How old is Director Sun's son?"

"She's 61, only a few years younger than the current Director Sun. Actually, if we calculate by normal age, we're already in our fifties..."

The passage of time has not left many marks on the hibernators; this is a gift of time, but this gift is not without its price.

"And Professor Lu's wife, Professor Chen's mother..."

Jiang Yang uttered the names of one hibernating person after another.

The two fell silent.

The next day, after completing the final step of her mother's funeral arrangements, Zhou Yu thought for a moment and then went to her elderly father.

This is a rather interesting old man in his eighties who enjoys fishing, listening to opera, and other hobbies.

"Dad, hibernation technology is so advanced now, and I heard the price has dropped a lot compared to before. Do you want to go into hibernation?"

Hibernation technology has begun to be commercialized on a small scale, but the price is relatively high. However, this is not a problem for Jiang Yang and Zhou Yu.

He also knew that his daughter and son-in-law had been in intermittent hibernation, claiming that they were participating in a classified mission.

Hearing Zhou Yu's question, the old man glanced at his daughter and said, "Unlike you, who has missions to perform? When there's nothing to do, who goes into hibernation?"

Cough cough cough...

Zhou Yu choked for a moment, but after calming down, she said, "Don't you want to see the world a few decades from now?"

The old man shook his head repeatedly: "No, no, what's the difference between this and moving? Moving is just changing places, hibernation, you know. Goodness, it's like entering a whole new era."

Life is only so long, it doesn't matter where you spend it, just stay here and watch over your mother until the end. When you have time, talk to her, go fishing, listen to some opera—that's good."

Zhou Yu stood up, looking at her father with some reluctance: "Well then, Dad, I'm leaving."

"Go on, go on, you're busy, don't worry about me."

Turning around and walking around the street corner, Zhou Yu's face was already covered in tears.

A new hibernation has begun.

(End of this chapter)