I live in the Martian wilderness!

"First, the Shen Gong module will prioritize printing three [Zhu Rong No. 1 Modified] immersion heating rods and lightweight carbon fiber cloth for sealing."

"Secondly, there's the system installation. During the printing process, you'll need to go into the backyard to complete the laying of the main power line and aeration pipes."

"Once all components are manufactured, the light array and heating rods will be installed together, and the pool will be covered with carbon cloth."

"The final step is to open the tank and disinfect it."

"Pour water into the pool, turn on the heating rod, and use a high-temperature circulation of 80 degrees Celsius to create an absolutely clean environment for tomorrow's algae transplantation."

Looking at the well-paced schedule, Gu Yu lightly swiped his finger across the 15-square-meter model of the running track pool on the screen.

He looked at Xuanjian and proposed his optimization plan: "We can't put all our eggs in one basket."

"Starting up a 15-square-meter pool at once requires nearly 4.5 tons of water, which is a considerable burden on our initial energy reserves. If any part of the process goes wrong, the losses will be too great."

"We can use the remaining carbon-sulfur composite panels to build two temporary partitions in that 15-square-meter pool, dividing it into three independent 5-square-meter areas."

"Today, we will only perform 'tank disinfection' and subsequent algae transplantation on the first 5-square-meter area. This only requires 1.5 tons of water, so that all risks are kept under control."

"The other two areas will remain vacant for the time being, as backup and land for the second phase of the project."

"The plan is feasible, Lieutenant Colonel. You've considered it more comprehensively and cautiously than before. This plan will bring three major advantages!"

1. Resource consumption reduced by 67%: Initial startup requires only 1.5 tons of water and corresponding heating energy.

2. Risks are controllable: Any failures in the initial trial operation will be kept to a minimum and will not affect our valuable algae seed reserves.

3. Data collection: We can use this 5-square-meter "experimental field" to collect the most authentic growth data, providing accurate reference for subsequent large-scale production expansion.

"Alright, let's do it!" Gu Yu clapped his hands excitedly. "Let's test this 5-square-meter plot of land first. Once it's producing a stable yield, we can gradually expand the area!"

Gu Yu was just about to get up and put on his combat uniform when suddenly—

"Beep! Beep! Beep!"

"Lieutenant Colonel! It's Tianwen-1!" Xuanjian's voice rang out. "The communication window has opened!"

Gu Yu immediately rushed back to the control panel: "Establish a connection immediately! Package the phased production plan I just finalized, along with all the progress from the past few days, into the latest 'Shennong Project 2.0 Briefing' and send it back!"

"Let them know that our agricultural production line can start operation today!"

"Understood! [Shennong Project 2.0 Phase Results Briefing]...Sent!"

Almost simultaneously, a compressed data packet from Earth also flooded into the Zhurong's cache.

"Decoding..."

The data packet was decrypted, and in addition to the routine orders from the headquarters, several separate encrypted video files were found.

Gu Yu first opened the order from the headquarters.

To: Lieutenant Colonel Gu Yu

[Sender: Mars Alliance Special Mission Team]

Comrade Gu Yu:

Your progress report on Project Shennong has been received. You have once again demonstrated your capabilities through your actions. Command highly commends your achievements.

Here is an update on the latest task progress:

On Day 12, the Fire Seed team completed its fuel and supplies resupply at the Moon Palace Research Station and set off again on the same day to fly to Mars.

According to the latest orbital calculations, Colonel Qin Manying and her team, aboard the Long March 9 heavy spacecraft, are expected to arrive in Mars orbit after 158 Martian days.

Your core mission remains unchanged: before that, complete the construction of the landing site and ensure the safety of yourself and the base.

I look forward to speaking with you again.

—Zhang Jianguo

"158 days..." When he saw the words "arrival in 158 days," he suddenly clenched his fist and clenched it.

This means that in about five and a half months, he will no longer be fighting alone.

Just as he was filled with excitement, Xuanjian deciphered the first video file, sent by the entire Fire Seed Squad.

On the screen appeared Qin Manying's heroic face, with the bridge of the Long March 9 rocket in the background and four other spirited team members behind her.

"Congratulations, Lieutenant Colonel Gu Yu. You've been promoted two ranks." Qin Manying's voice was as concise as ever.

On the screen appeared Qin Manying's heroic face, with the bridge of the Long March 9 rocket in the background and four other spirited team members behind her.

"We've already left the moon. Be careful on Mars and proceed with the preparations for the launch as planned. Don't cause any trouble."

She paused, seemingly choosing her words carefully, and her tone became somewhat unnatural.

"And... watch your breathing."

The team members behind him, upon hearing this, all wore expressions of suppressed frustration, wanting to laugh but not daring to.

Gu Yu's mind flashed back to that suffocating afternoon in the centrifuge room.

"Finally," her tone returned to an absolute command, "don't die. When we get there, we want to see you alive."

At the end of the video, the four teammates behind her squeezed in front of the camera, shouting all at once:

"Gu Yu! We brought you some local specialties from Earth from the moon! Compressed roast duck!"

The loudest shout came from Wang Qing, a mechanical engineer with a buzz cut and a rugged, straightforward personality: "We brought you local specialties from the moon! Authentic Quanjude roast duck!"

Guo Peng, the power expert next to him, adjusted his glasses, making him appear more refined.

"Gu Yu, I've looked through the maintenance manual for your Tissot's nuclear battery. There are a few newly flashed firmware packages; I'll bring them over for you. Just don't break your Tissot!"

Chief geologist, Lieutenant Colonel Wang Yang, was the oldest and most composed: "Xiao Gu, well done! I can't wait to go to your well and get a complete deep core sample..."

Finally, there was the only other woman in the team, the medical officer Lin Yishui. She wore her hair in a ponytail, had two shallow dimples when she smiled, and a clear, melodious voice:

"Lieutenant Colonel Gu Yu, this is Lin Yishui. Spirulina can be a staple food, but a long-term deficiency in fatty acids is definitely not good. We brought you a whole case of deep-sea fish oil and multivitamins!"

"And chocolate!" she added playfully.

The video ended with everyone laughing and chatting, their voices filled with goodwill and concern.

Gu Yu smiled; his comrades were still the same group of comrades.

Immediately afterwards, a second video file played automatically; the sender was 【Earth-Qin Nuannuan】.

The scene has changed from the cold bridge to a room full of life. Qin Nuannuan is wearing a loose white lab coat, her hair casually tied up.

She seemed a little embarrassed; there appeared to be quite a few people around, and she avoided the camera, speaking softly.

"Um... Gu Yu... they insisted that I record a video... I don't know what to say."

"I saw the photos you sent back, you look very handsome... I mean, your salute is perfect..."

"Oh, right!" She seemed to suddenly remember something, her eyes lighting up. "Did you receive the gift I gave you?"

"I had to beg my aunt for ages before she helped me submit the application, which gave me the opportunity to move the plan forward!"

In the picture, her eyes are full of expectation, like a little girl waiting to be praised.

"Take good care of yourself over there all by yourself... If you really manage to grow flowers, remember to take a picture and show it to me."

At the end of the video, she waved vigorously at the camera, a bright smile spreading across her face.

"Keep going! We're all waiting for you to come back!"

Gu Yu stared at the black screen for a long time without speaking. He could sense it, but...

He finally let out a long sigh of relief. "Xuan, did you hear that? Reinforcements will arrive in 158 days. Let's get to work! Let's try to turn this land into an oasis before they arrive!"