Chapter 886 |
Year 8950 of the Blue Star Xia calendar, Huaxia
Since Xia Qingshan mentioned wanting to return home in glory, Lin Jiang started investigating news about Xia Qingshan’s hometown, Lingyun Star.
Xia Qingshan knows quite a bit about the information within Lingyun Star, but in the vastness of space, that information is worthless, of no use at all.
Xia Qingshan only knows that Lingyun Star is at least hundreds of light-years away from Blue Star. He did point out a direction before, but Lin Jiang thinks it is unreliable; he still needs to find it himself.
Lin Jiang launched many probes from Blue Star, all using the latest technology, which is Liang Long’s Droplet Robot technology. Most functions were removed, allowing them to reach about one-tenth of the speed of light.
In addition, Lin Jiang also created many signal devices using the Stargate Secret Technique. He learned techniques from Buddhism to disguise the signal devices as meteors, throwing them into space to drift alongside real meteors. When they encountered celestial bodies, they might be pulled in by their gravity. This method could possibly lead to the discovery of real habitable planets.
However, no matter how much Lin Jiang valued this matter, the entire focus of Blue Star could not revolve around it, because space exploration is a very uncertain thing, and success greatly depends on luck.
On one day in the year 8,950 of the Xia calendar, Blue Star welcomed its first batch of interstellar guests. Alien visits were not new, but previously they brought destruction, while this time, they arrived as friends.
"Taoist Friend Ming’an, Taoist Friend Jian Xing, Taoist Friend Xue."
"Taoist Friend Lin, greetings."
The three also returned the greeting to Lin Jiang in their own way. Although their worlds were different, they had all learned Blue Star Huaxia language.
They did not come alone; each person brought a large delegation, with numbers ranging from hundreds to thousands, including members from Golden Core Stage to Transmigration Stage, probably to gain more experience.
Lin Jiang also prepared a team of hundreds to connect everyone from three worlds and brought them to settle in Haigang City, while Lin Jiang had a small gathering with the three.
"Taoist Friend Lin, I rushed over right after settling Lingfa Star. I hope I’m not bothering you, Taoist Friend Lin."
"Taoist Friend Ming’an, don’t say that! We are friends who have fought together, our bond is strong. I’m very happy that you can come to Blue Star."
"Haha, let’s skip the formalities. Besides friendly exchanges, I also want to discuss interstellar trade."
"It’s my pleasure to welcome you."
Lin Jiang cupped his hands and said, Ming’an had already told Lin Jiang about this. Friendly exchanges are required by the Heavenly Court. The Heavenly Court rules that planets within the same Star Domain cannot refuse friendly exchanges if another planet requests it, probably to guard against Buddhist cultivators.
As for interstellar trade, that’s probably something Ming’an and his team came up with. Lin Jiang doesn’t mind; in fact, he welcomes it, as the benefits of trade are obvious.
Lin Jiang held a grand welcome dinner for them and upgraded the hospitality standards significantly. All the five-star hotels in Haigang City were reserved, and Ming’an and his leaders stayed directly in Lin Jiang’s villa, which is over two thousand years old. After several renovations, it still has a unique style and is a sight to see in Haigang City.
After the welcome dinner, Ming’an’s team split into three groups. One group, led by Ming’an, explored Blue Star’s culture and inspected some industries. Another group connected with some universities for academic exchanges, as each planet has its unique techniques. The last group met with the Ministry of Commerce to discuss trade matters, as exchange rates and tariffs need to be negotiated.
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"The development of Blue Star has not been easy."
After visiting a certain technology history museum, Ming’an sighed. They were not ordinary tourists who just skimmed through everything; they carefully viewed all the exhibits and understood the history of Blue Star’s technological development.
"It truly is not easy; a small alarm clock, a timing device, requires the design of hundreds of industrial chains. Sigh."
Jian Xing shook his head. To him, a small alarm clock seemed insignificant, but it was connected to many industries. Not to mention the larger engineering machinery. If it involved high-tech industries, like chips, it would be even more daunting. Who knows how many industrial chains it would take to support it?
"The society of Blue Star is like a tightly run machine, with hundreds of thousands or even millions of parts. If even one part is missing, it cannot function. Our plan to learn from Blue Star is going to fail; we cannot establish this many industries."
"It seems we need to discuss this with Lin Jiang; otherwise, we won’t gain any benefits."
Ming’an continued, saying that they had secretly hidden some battleships and robots to take home for study, but in the end, they found nothing. Even though Ming’an had attended university at Lingjing Star, he knew his knowledge was vastly different from the top-notch technology of Space Battleships.
Now, after looking at the history of Blue Star’s technological development, Ming’an felt even more aware of how hard it was to advance in technology. If they relied on themselves to develop, it would take them many more years.
In the evening, Lin Jiang held a banquet for the three people, and Ming’an also shared his thoughts.
"Taoist Friend Ming’an, there is a saying I wonder if you have heard."
"Taoist Friend Lin, please go ahead."
"Those who are like me will die; those who learn from me will live."
"This…"
"The development of technology in Blue Star has its reasons; timing, location, and people are all essential. Although I have never been to Canglan Star, I feel that you lack the conditions for technological development. Here’s a simple question: technology development needs profits to drive it. Basic science and technology cannot compete with the means of cultivators; in the beginning, there is no way to earn a profit. How can we move technology forward? Don’t you agree?"
"Yes, it’s just so frustrating. Knowing your things are so good but we can’t use them is really disheartening. Taoist Friend Lin, I know that the technology from Blue Star is patented and valuable. We can pay to learn from you; we will never take advantage of you."
"This matter is easy to discuss."
Lin Jiang smiled and said, since they are willing to pay, that makes things easier. He couldn’t hand over the entire set of technology to them; they would not be able to learn it. Without hundreds of thousands of scientists and engineers, they could not even establish basic industry. However, some technology that combines science and cultivation could be sold to them.
After the banquet ended, Lin Jiang called in the leaders of academics and business to discuss the results of their exchanges.
"Each of the three families has its own unique cultivation methods. A few days ago, I exchanged a top-level technique, Thunder Arts, with the Transmigration Stage of Zilan Star. It is stronger than the Thunder Arts left by the Thunder Emperor and has more varied techniques…"
The person in charge of academic exchanges is Cao Ying. In the past few days, she has been communicating with the senior leaders of the three families and finally exchanged techniques with the Transmigration Stage of Zilan Star.
"Overall, the cultivation levels of the three families are a level higher than ours. However, because they use a traditional method of accepting students and take their techniques too seriously, many techniques do not have enough successors, and many have been lost."
"Little Ying still needs to exchange more things, like secret techniques, pills, talismans, items, and formations. We should trade for everything we can. This is a rare opportunity; right now, we are still in a honeymoon period with the three families, so anything can be discussed."
"I know this. In a few days, I will take them to the library of the cultivation academy to show them how a modern education system cultivates talents."
"What about the Ministry of Commerce?"
"Our progress here is also going smoothly. In the future, we will use spirit stones for our trade and offer the best tax benefits to each other. Our Ministry of Commerce wants to organize a trading team to trade with the three planets."
"This can be supported. We should bring back more items, especially the parts that are scarce for us."
"Yes, the things from all three families are quite good. There are some items we have never even heard of. This time was an eye-opener, but some things do feel a bit outdated. Overall, the raw materials are quite interesting, while the processed items don’t have much advantage."
"In technology and industry, the biggest advantage is manufacturing, so you should focus on that."
Lin Jiang nodded. Each world has its own strengths and weaknesses, which is normal. So, based on Blue Star’s strengths, if trade opens up, he is not worried about them losing in trade. He even fears they might be reluctant to trade once they understand trade surpluses and deficits.
