On April 1st, Celestial City got livelier. Especially for the people living at this space station as there were many new faces here. The Space Colonization Summit was not only a high-level diplomatic summit between countries, but it was also a grand event open to the whole society.
On top of this giant ring, in the corner opposite of the headquarters of the Space Department, a space station the size of more than ten acres was filled with equipment designed by Future Heavy Industries for the Mars colony. The equipment included large colonial cabins to ecological farm modules and even the “Digging Warrior” that broke through the dome of Cheyenne Mountain. Celestial Trade fully demonstrated to all walks of life how the colonists of Xin survived on the desolate Mars, fought the Devil Worms, and used their knowledge to expand the boundary of civilization in the boundless space.
It was the first time the equipment used in the Mars colony was made available to the public. Prior to this event, the details of the colony had been kept confidential. Only astronauts that registered with the intent for immigration, as well as signed a confidentiality agreement, obtained this information.
And now, the public could not only take photos at close range, but they could also go into the actual equipment with a guide and experience the power of technology in the equipment already eliminated by the colony.
The significance of this event was to eliminate most people’s negative attitude towards space immigration as well as the fear of being far away from home. It was simply not enough to rely on space enthusiasts and people who could not survive on Earth because of various reasons. In order to export the population to further places, Celestial Trade had to ignite the enthusiasm for space immigration to the general public.
From Future Technology’s Galaxy Edge to the current Space Colonization Summit, all the efforts were dedicated to this one goal.
Two foreigners in suits and bow ties walked down in the aisle of the summit. They examined the spacecrafts around them as they discussed. From this summit, they sensed opportunities, and this exhibition opened to the public undoubtedly was a good opportunity to learn about the investment opportunity.
“I heard that Celestial Trade intends to rename the Mars colony Heavenly Palace City?”
“Well, I’ve heard about it a long time ago. Celestial Trade submitted a written application to Xin National Assembly last month, and it is now in the final approval stage. Once the approval is passed, Heavenly Palace City will become the fourth municipality of Xin.”
The first three municipalities were Penglai City, Celestial City, and Lunar City. Once Heavenly Palace City was incorporated into Xin, Xin would become the first country with its territory expanded to Mars.
Penglai had grown from a small city with a population of less than 100,000 to its size today.
Many people had felt regretful and frustrated by the fact that they missed the opportunity.
“It’s enviable… I don’t know when we will see the day our national flag flies high on the land hundreds of millions of kilometers away.” After a tourist with a backpack put down the phone he used to take photos with, he said emotionally while he stared at the wall of photos inside the colonial cabin.
The colonial cabin on display was the first colonization unit Celestial Trade deployed on Mars, and its primary purpose was to collect data for Mars colonization. The unit was now replaced by new units, and after it was transported onto the synchronous orbit by the space elevator, it was brought by the Seagull-class to Celestial City.
The photos on the wall recorded the development of the Mars colony. From the earliest solitary colonial unit to the now Heavenly Palace City filled with steel factories, the Xin flag that floated above the colony made countless foreign tourists envious.
Unlike investors, tourists like them paid more attention to the colony’s technology and the culture behind it.
…
“Welcome to Celestial City, Mr. Wu, we meet again.”
Jiang Chen looked at Wu Changfeng, who walked towards him, and smiled. Then, he extended his right hand.
“Long time no see, have you been busy recently?” Wu Changfeng shook Jiang Chen’s hands and smiled before he let go.
“Have you had a chance to look at the exhibition?”
“I just got off the plane and I haven’t had the time yet.”
“Really? I recommend you take a look when you have some free time.” Jiang Chen smiled, then suddenly he lowered his voice, “Are you still taking that telomere extension agent?”
Wu Changfeng was slightly surprised, then he nodded.
“Yes…”
Without saying anything more, Jiang Chen patted him on the shoulder and then walked in the direction of the Saudi Arabia delegation
Wu Changfeng looked at Jiang Chen’s back with a complicated expression, then he suddenly remembered the mission that important person had given him.
In fact, just now, for a brief second, he planned to probe for some information, but for some strange reason, just when Jiang Chen mentioned the DNA telomere extension agent, his position was shaken for two seconds.
“What’s wrong with me.”
As Wu Changfeng muttered to himself, he shook his head and left the strange feeling behind him, and then he walked to the Hua ambassador of Xin.
The fact Yerif would appear here certainly surprised Jiang Chen.
Because very few Muslims were willing to travel to Celestial City due to the lack of boundary between day and night, and occasionally the Sun would appear underneath them. This made worshipping extremely difficult, and Celestial City obviously would not stop the ring rotating as a counterweight for the sake of a small number of people.
The fact that the new king stood here, from a certain perspective, already stated his position. This king was going to be more enlightened compared to the previous kings, and future Saudi Arabia was going to gradually move from conservative to open under the leadership of this king.
The Arab world was about to welcome a secular reform.
It was difficult to say whether this was a blessing or a curse for Saudi Arabia.
But Jiang Chen was certain that it would benefit the entire world.
“Welcome.”
“Haha, my old friend, it’s strange for you to say that,” Yerif laughed, opened his arms, and hugged Jiang Chen, “Although my minister suggested that I appoint someone who can represent my opinion to come, I decided to pay a visit in person to express my gratitude to you!”
“You’re the one acting strange.” Jiang Chen laughed, “An open and peaceful Middle East is a blessing for the world. May Saudi Arabia, under your leadership, become more prosperous.”
“Using an old Chinese saying, borrow your auspicious words.” Yerif laughed, but then suddenly lowered his voice, and squinted his eyes at Jiang Chen, “By the way, do you still sell the S1 kinetic skeleton? I plan to purchase a batch.”
“Ahem, can we talk about this after the summit is over?” Jiang Chen facepalmed.
“You’re right,” Yerif nodded, then smiled and introduced the Middle Eastern man who stood behind him to Jiang Chen, “Allow me to introduce, this is Nasser, the chairman of Aramco!”
“My pleasure.” Nasser nodded humbly to Jiang Chen, extended his right hand, and smiled with friendliness, “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Jiang Chen. I’ve heard about you a long time ago.”
As the purse of the royal family of Saudi Arabia, Aramco was also the world’s largest oil and gas production company and the sixth-largest oil refiner. The company owned the world’s largest onshore and offshore oil fields, and its business covered Saudi Arabia and the entire world.
Judging from Yerif’s attitude towards him, Nasser certainly was an important individual in the country.
And the reason for an energy giant to appear here was self-evident.
Jiang Chen could even assert that Nasser’s mood was definitely not as calm as he showed on the surface. It was not only Saudi Arabia’s Aramco who received an invitation, but also Exxon Mobil, Gazprom, PetroHua, as well as Dutch Shell, who was invited despite not being part of the Earth Defense Alliance.
Himalia’s vast natural gas resources would reshuffle the previous stable energy landscape.
