Chapter 54

"..."

The formulation of container standards is a technical measure promoted by Western countries led by America in pursuit of higher profits. This standardization significantly reduces shipping costs by improving loading and unloading efficiency, transportation efficiency, and cargo safety, making it far lower than train transportation.

This is undoubtedly a tool for America to consolidate its economic status. This change will directly promote the rapid expansion of global trade, making shipping the core pillar of the globalization process.

This so-called globalization is naturally not for the purpose of equality and mutual benefit, but is led by sea power countries and is a form of implicit exploitation of the vast number of developing countries and working people.

From the perspective of historical progress, the arrival of the container era has further strengthened the economic and geopolitical advantages of sea power countries. These countries use the cost and efficiency advantages of shipping to firmly control the lifeline of global trade.

The root of this advantage lies in the instrumental rationality of capitalist society—that is, alienating technological progress into a means of pursuing absolute profit. As revealed by Horkheimer's critical theory, technology is distorted into a tool of oppression under the capitalist framework, exacerbating the economic inequality of different classes and consolidating the status of sea power countries.

Finally, if we set aside consciousness and look only at matter, the container revolution will strengthen the economic and geopolitical advantages of sea power countries, while the influence of land power countries will decline significantly, because the cost and efficiency advantages of shipping will make them occupy an irreplaceable position in global trade and the economy.

Before this, it was difficult for countries to substantially bond together economically; after this, the global economic transformation will begin.

The industrial transformation surrounding containers in Xiangjiang has already started; I hope your side can send people to track and observe this process.

In this report, the predicted data listed, the actual situation will only be more exaggerated than what I predicted. If your side sends people, you can verify the data yourself; I hope you focus on observing the changes in the data."

In this report, Lin Ran used a large amount of current and predicted data to argue for the future container revolution.

He even specially ran to 2020, and after typing it on a computer, he looked for a long time in New York before finding an old-fashioned printer and yellowed machine paper to make this "aged" version of the report.

This was also the last big gift of his trip to Xiangjiang.

He didn't know if it would work, "Do your best, listen to fate."

"The weather is not as expected, but if you have to go, you have to fly; saying goodbye cannot wait for you, regardless of whether there is a plane or not."

The weather on the day he left Xiangjiang was muggy; the heavy rain had just passed, and the sky was still covered with dark clouds.

Lin Ran stood at the airport and said goodbye one by one to the Governor, the President of the University of Xiangjiang, the shipping magnates, student representatives, etc., who came to see him off. Looking at the weather, for some reason, the lyrics of *Years Like a Song* flashed through his mind.

"Professor Lin, soon I will have to call you Sir Lin.

Because of your outstanding contributions in the field of mathematics, Her Majesty the Queen appreciates you very much.

She has decided to confer a knighthood upon you. Later, our staff in New York will discuss the time of Her Majesty the Queen's conferment with you, and the entire English academic community is also looking forward to your arrival," said Governor Robert Black.

Lin Ran's latest achievements caused a huge reaction after spreading to the global academic community through *Inventiones Mathematicae*.

Many mathematicians have already begun to believe that he will be the next Gauss; in his hands, mathematics will be completely unified before physics.

At this time, Grothendieck had not yet completed his most important algebraic tools and had not yet become the later Pope of Algebraic Geometry, but the media had already shouted the title of Emperor of Number Theory.

This media was not Chinese media, but local media in New York.

After it was passed back to Xiangjiang, the Xiangjiang newspapers said: What Emperor of Number Theory? Wouldn't Mathematical Emperor be more appropriate?

Because of this, what was originally just a medal of honor was increased by the English side to include a knighthood conferment segment.

Standing next to him, besides the staff, was Thomas, a senior inspector from the Special Branch. When Thomas heard this, he felt lucky that he hadn't made things difficult for the other party, otherwise he would have had to stay in Xiangjiang for the rest of his life.

"Professor Lin, it's a pity that the University of Xiangjiang does not yet have the environment for you to stay here for a long time. If you want to leave Columbia University one day in the future, please be sure to consider the University of Xiangjiang first.

We will offer the most sincere conditions, and we also look forward to your visit next year," said Sir Lindsay Ride, President of the University of Xiangjiang, equally politely.

Lin Ran thought to himself: Next year, next year I probably won't be able to leave America without using the "door."

Xu Aizhou just shook hands and hugged without saying much. The Chinese and the English are not of one mind, especially those in the shipping business; everyone is fighting for this bowl of rice.

At this time in Xiangjiang, besides local shipping merchants, there were also a large number of English shipping lines.

In order to keep it secret, he and Dong Haoyun had tried every possible way.

On the surface, the establishment of Xiangjiang Shipping was to fight against the English; in reality, it was to compete for international standards.

Except for him and Dong Haoyun, the other shareholders were unaware of the latter.

When it was Chen Jingrun's turn, Lin Ran would not say much more, "Dehui, if you want to come to New York, remember to call me in advance."

Then he patted his back hard a few times, reminding him not to forget that he had left treasures for him in his office.

Actually, there was no need for Lin Ran to remind him; the person responsible for picking up the goods had already set off.

As early as a week ago, Old Feng, who was responsible for the cleaning work of the teaching building at the University of Xiangjiang, had long been replaced. No one even noticed. He wore a mask, and whenever someone asked, he would cough, and after coughing, he would wave his hand to indicate that he was sick and unwell.

Relying on this routine, he had been cleaning there for a week without anyone noticing; Old Feng had been swapped.

The report was transported all the way back to Yanjing from Xiangjiang to Yangcheng to Yanjing.

"Our strategic focus in the past has long been focused on land power, and land border security is the primary concern.

If it is really as he said, shipping will be the lifeline of future global trade, then should we adjust our strategy?"

"Developing shipping capabilities can help us better obtain overseas resources.

Should we increase investment in coastal ports such as Shanghai and Guangzhou to improve shipping infrastructure?

If we can import raw materials needed for industry more efficiently through shipping, then this is crucial for us to accelerate the industrialization process."

"I suggest that we should start observing now; as the other party said, it is very necessary to send people to join the Xiangjiang shipping merchants to observe."

The result of the decision being passed back to Xiangjiang was that Section Chief Zhang resigned from the electronic components factory and prepared to find an opportunity to join the shipping line mentioned by Lin Ran.

After landing at Idlewild Airport in New York—this airport was renamed Kennedy Airport only after Kennedy died; it wasn't called Kennedy Airport now, and Lin Ran really felt it was a bit strange.

However, after landing, Lin Ran didn't expect John Morgan to come to pick him up in person:

"Brother, thank God you are finally back!"