Chapter 972 - 24: Sky-Splitting Project (Part 2) (Double-Length)
In order to fully utilize social resources for intercontinental missile production, mere force isn’t enough; Lille is not a deity who can achieve universal peace just by wishing for it.
The material foundation must keep up, and this is what he has pondered for a long time:
The world’s agriculture is declining, agricultural giants aim to monopolize this industry, and deliberately release gene viruses globally to directly target and kill crops not produced by their companies.
Through this process, biotechnology rapidly develops; eventually, only those capable of genetically modifying crops and eradicating other seeds remain...
In the modern era, the source of this technology usually comes from biotechnology companies, while other firms protect their patents with force, charging anyone who wishes to farm.
Normal seeds no longer exist in this world, so wanting to farm is nothing but a fantasy.
However, Lille possesses normal seeds, and he can obtain seeds for all old world crops.
These facts flash across everyone’s minds as Lille extends his hand—
Synthetic skin material appears not much different from human skin, yet Lille redesigns the structure of synthetic humans, segmenting the skin into noticeable parts, making it evident that this is not a human body.
These hands are peculiar, yet Jack and V instantly recall the familiar operation...
Someone is about to pull something unbelievable out of their pocket.
[Cross-dimensional Material Transmission]
[Technology Points -1000]
[Current Technology Points: 39000]
Lille holds a small box in his hand; while the box belongs to this world, its contents do not.
"We need to farm here. Inside are crops I believe suitable for growing in harsh environments, including mustard for heavy metal pollution, sunflowers for radiation resistance, cacti for drought tolerance, saltwort for salinity...
These plants can be used to improve soil conditions.
Apart from this, we will attempt to grow fungi, such as oyster mushrooms. If soil conditions improve, we will then plant potatoes, wheat, or corn...
We will establish our own agricultural technology research institute to assist in genetically modifying these products to adapt to the current environment."
"Seeds?"
Perares and Ryan’s expressions appear as though they’ve seen a ghost:
Where in this world are there normal seeds?
Due to the immense profits from agricultural monopoly, the agricultural giants are exactly as imagined; even if nuclear bombs were to destroy farms, they wouldn’t consider occupying farms to acquire resources!
These seeds must be safely stored in laboratories in orbit, replicated and processed through various technologies, and finally introduced to the market. Due to the special nature of seeds, the entire process is as tightly controlled as military secrets; any normal seed circulating in the market would prompt an Interpol investigation...
Yet now...Interpol is busy suppressing Europeans.
Ryan, Perares, Hansen, and Lark, four people highly sensitive to these matters, exchange glances, instantly associating seeds with the chaos in Europe:
Could it be that the big brother causes chaos, partly to get the seeds?!
This thought is quite far-reaching, surpassing the crooked people obsessed with money...
They can guarantee that if any of them had Lille’s power, they wouldn’t think of these things.
Lille observes their expressions and adds: "Because money is so easily used in this world, anyone would simply think making some is good.
But I remind you, the Euro is a credit currency relying on printing; if you earn this money, use this money, it means you’ve accepted that system and logic.
The European Bank will likely abandon deposits from Night City; social upheaval is inevitable, but as long as there are guns and food, the situation won’t be too terrible."
Due to widespread chaos in the European Union, the Euro is rapidly depreciating. In places slightly decent, the Su Federation also uses Euros, Africa is controlled by orbital aviation, the government is weakening, and official currency has nearly lost credibility.
No one mentions digital currency; its significance in this world is null: the world’s hacker technology is highly advanced, and while hackers may not crack encrypted currency without computational power, it’s too easy to tamper with digital currency circulation.
Moreover, the world has rogue AIs that can instantly wipe out stored data on electronic devices used for digital currency, inadvertently turning them into timed bombs.
[Illuminati: I agree with this approach; I didn’t expect you to have uncontaminated seeds...]
[Illuminati: Considering the completeness of your crops, I suggest we simultaneously try open-air planting, greenhouse planting, vertical planting, and any other production methods that may increase yield, and establish a laboratory within this underground space.]
[Illuminati: However, Night City’s desertified soil might take a long time to become arable.]
Outside Night City is only desert; normally, desert transformation into farmable soil is challenging, requiring ample water and crop improvement.
Although Night City is near the ocean, the water is excessively saline and radioactive. Groundwater is polluted by extensive exploration and resource extraction, virtually in a semi-waste state.
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End of Chapter
