Cataclysmic Era: I can unlock the tech tree

Lu Yongchang's answer plunged the two into silence.

"ten years……"

A hint of emotion flickered in the old man's eyes: "That's enough!"

"I can only help you for ten years."

Hong Qiming's eyes were slightly red, and he nodded vigorously.

Seeing this, the old man's smile grew even wider.

"Look at you two, what are you so upset about!"

"I still have ten years left!"

Lu Yongchang forced a smile, revealing an ugly grin.

"By the way, I'm planning to take a break for a while," the old man said casually.

Hong Qiming was stunned for a moment, then nodded repeatedly, saying, "Yes, yes, you really should get some rest!"

The old man looked directly at Hong Qiming with a calm gaze: "What I mean is, I'm prepared to withdraw from the council."

"this……"

"Why?!"

Hong Qiming exclaimed in shock, "Didn't you just say you were going to help me...?"

The old man smiled faintly and shook his head: "Qiming, what use are you if I'm still here?"

Hong Qiming fell silent.

Rough words are not rough.

Whenever the senior councilor sits in the council chair, including Hung Kai-ming, they will subconsciously seek his opinion.

The old man continued in a calm tone, "If something really happens, it's not too late to call me then."

Lu Yongchang, who was standing to the side, remained silent.

This is not something he should be getting involved in.

"By the way, Yongchang, is there any place suitable for retirement?" The old man changed the subject, smiling as he asked Lü Yongchang, "I'm going to enjoy myself properly from now on."

Lü Yongchang fell into deep thought.

Retirement life...

This is actually quite difficult.

In his opinion, the observatory on the Earth was the best place to see the stars.

But he couldn't just let the old man spend his twilight years there, could he?

Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind.

"Old Speaker, would you like to visit Proxima Centauri b?"

"Perfect timing, the surface infrastructure construction is nearing completion."

……

Two weeks later.

The former legislator departed on the newly opened flight route.

To provide the elderly with a comfortable environment, Lü Yongchang specially arranged for appropriate renovations to be carried out in some areas of Proxima Centauri b.

Although this will affect the construction progress of some projects.

But in Lü Yongchang's view, the old councilor's contributions to humanity fully deserve such treatment.

Lu Yongchang stood by the porthole, watching the Xuan Nu II gradually disappear into the distance, a hint of emotion in his eyes.

"Alright."

"It's time for us to get to work."

"Zero, notify Mo Zeyang and tell them to prepare." Lu Yongchang's eyes gleamed. "Tomorrow, we will depart for Proxima Centauri b."

"Initiate the photonic computer research and development project!"

……

Early the next morning.

Lu Yongchang dressed neatly and arrived at Port No. 1 of the Earth.

The five Xuan Nu II ships remained quietly in place.

Researchers were already waiting in front.

"Academician Mo Zeyang!"

Lü Yongchang called out loudly.

Mo Zeyang, who had been idly waiting in front of the Xuan Nu No. 2, lit up when he heard Lü Yongchang's voice and quickly looked up at him.

"Professor Lü!"

Mo Zeyang quickly came forward to greet him: "You've finally arrived."

Lü Yongchang chuckled lightly, "Having been waiting anxiously, haven't you?"

Mo Zeyang nodded with a wry smile: "It's more than just being impatient."

"You have no idea how I've been these past few months."

"My researchers come to me every now and then to ask when we can start developing photonic computers."

"I really am..." he said, shaking his head and sighing repeatedly.

Lü Yongchang laughed heartily and patted Mo Zeyang on the shoulder.

There's nothing we can do about it.

"The development of photonic computers cannot be done on the Earth."

"Work can only begin once the surface laboratory is completed."

"Alright, enough chit-chat, let's board the ship."

As he spoke, he strode quickly toward the second Xuan Nu in front of him: "Today, we'll go see the scenery of an alien planet."

……

Proxima Centauri b.

On a plain filled with purplish-black disc-shaped plants, stands a building that seems out of place with its surroundings.

The building is rectangular and entirely silver-white.

This is the photonic computer laboratory that was recently completed.

Five Xuan Nu II ships traced a graceful arc in the air and slowly landed on the tarmac.

The hatch opened.

One by one, researchers wearing spacesuits emerged.

From a distance, the way these researchers walked seemed somewhat strange.

The camera zooms in.

The sense of unease grew stronger.

Every researcher seemed to walk with an exceptionally heavy step.

It felt as if a huge rock was pressing down on me.

"Professor," Mo Zeyang's exhausted voice came through the radio channel, "After being in space for so long, I'm really finding it hard to adapt to life on a planetary surface."

Lü Yongchang took a few laborious steps forward: "Yes."

"Not to mention, the gravity of Proxima Centauri b is 10% greater than that of Earth."

"If it weren't for our daily training, we probably wouldn't even be able to walk now."

This is the aftereffect of living in a zero-gravity environment for a long time.

Inevitable.

Even daily exercise can only reduce its impact.

Osteoporosis, muscle atrophy...

These are all considered minor impacts.

If humans grow up in a zero-gravity environment, they may even lose their sense of direction and the ability to perceive gravity!

Although temporary loss can be recovered through postnatal means.

However, if this continues and leads to the degeneration of sensory organs, then the problem will be serious!

That is why, since leaving Earth, humans have ceased all reproductive activities.

On the one hand, it is to save resources, and on the other hand, it is to prevent this kind of "degradation" from occurring.

Thinking of this, Lü Yongchang murmured to himself.

"It seems that the next batch of starships will require the manufacture of gravity simulation devices."

For humans today, the difficulty of manufacturing a device that simulates gravity is not high.

A huge, rotating wheel-shaped structure can provide what is known as "artificial gravity".

Unlike the gravity generated by planets, this artificial gravity is essentially centrifugal force.

By adjusting the angular velocity and the radius of the wheel-shaped structure, it can easily simulate "artificial gravity" equal to that on the Earth's surface.

Living in a fixed amount of "gravity environment" every day can significantly reduce the occurrence of the above-mentioned side effects.

However, there are only two ways to completely solve this problem.

First, find a planet similar to Earth to live on.

Second, to create artificial gravity in a true sense.

Of the two, Lü Yongchang eliminated the second option first.

Of the four fundamental forces, gravity has always been the most mysterious.

At least for now, he sees no hope of resolving it.

"Professor, we've arrived." Mo Zeyang's voice interrupted his thoughts.

Lü Yongchang raised his head.

The laboratory door in front of us was already open.