Chapter 36: Three Tasks

Chapter 36: Three Tasks

There was no good starting point for directly increasing productivity.

As for increasing the total amount of resources, Wei Changguo, an expert in the aerospace field, had previously provided Qin Yu with a useful idea.

Develop plants suitable for planting in the low-gravity and harsh environments of space, and study plants capable of transforming planetary environments.

But it wasn’t necessarily all about space.

Increasing the utilization rate of some harsh environments on Earth that human civilization could currently reach could also boost the total resources available to humanity.

If they could develop a plant, or even a crop, that could grow cheaply and widely in arid areas while improving the soil conditions,

and maybe even push it further—develop food crops that could grow directly in seawater.

That would mean, even without leaving Earth, the living space for human civilization would be significantly expanded.

Though it’s said that the total food humans produce now, if distributed properly, could already feed everyone on the planet.

But being full and eating well are different.

With the current distribution methods unchanged, producing more food was definitely still meaningful.

Whether matching the previous total output, hitting 1.5 times that amount, or even just 1.1 times, the differences would all be noticeable.

Theoretically, if the total food output reached a certain level, even with imperfect distribution, widespread hunger could be basically eliminated globally.

Simultaneously, achieving these research goals would make human civilization much more resilient and survivable when facing an apocalypse.

For this area of research he was about to embark on,

Qin Yu gave the project a simple name:

“A series of studies on crops and environmental transformation plants for harsh environments.”

…

Of course, the things Qin Yu decided to do next weren’t limited to this research project.

However, the other things weren’t related to boosting productivity or increasing the total resource pool.

Qin Yu also planned to launch another research project within Research Institute 011:

The “Human Enhancement Research Project”.

This was essentially the core expertise of Qin Yu and Research Institute 011—fundamental research into the human body’s mechanisms.

The underlying reason for doing this research was essentially to make humans tougher to kill.

On Earth, humans, as an intelligent species, are decently survivable;

after all, we hold the absolute dominant position in Earth’s ecosystem.

But in the cosmic environment, the human body is actually quite fragile.

Looked at macroscopically, human requirements for survival conditions are extremely ‘fussy’.

Too hot? Die. Too cold? Die.

High pressure? Can’t handle it. Low pressure? Also can’t handle it.

High gravity? Problematic. Low gravity? Also problematic.

Too much oxygen? Harmful. Too little? Unbearable.

The time spent daily eating, excreting, and sleeping takes up about half the day.

Falling from even a few meters high carries a significant risk of death.

All these conditions combined confine humans to a living environment within an ‘extremely small range’.

The ‘Human Enhancement Research Project’ was meant to address this problem.

For instance, if humans could better adapt to changes between low-gravity and high-gravity environments,

it would greatly assist in humanity’s future migration off-planet.

In activities like space exploration, many challenges arise specifically from the need to help humans adapt to the environment.

If humans themselves became ‘stronger’, many problems would vanish or never exist at all.

Similarly, if the average human could get by on just two or three hours of sleep per day,

the operational efficiency of the entire human civilization would leap forward, indirectly boosting productivity.

Furthermore, if humans were tougher, could withstand falls better, and had faster healing, many dangerous jobs would become much less risky.

Likewise,

regardless of the type of apocalypse, unless it instantly destroyed human civilization,

the physical fitness and condition of individuals would greatly impact whether human civilization continued or survived.

They say ‘the flesh is weak’.

Qin Yu wasn’t planning on pursuing any ‘mechanical ascension’ just yet.

First, he’d try making ‘the flesh a little less weak’.

…

Beyond these two research projects,

the third, and final, thing Qin Yu planned to do

was related to the ‘Apocalypse Organization’ matter.

He and his assistant, Wei Muyun, had discussed this before.

It just hadn’t progressed beyond ideas back then,

but now it was time to start putting it into action.

According to the initial concept, it would mainly function as a research institute,

dedicated to all work that would help human civilization persist longer.

Even though Qin Yu’s own identity, due to his personal needs, would change over time through the centuries,

he still wished for a force he could readily utilize, an organization that could assist him throughout the entire span of human history.

Until the day came when, even if he wished otherwise, human civilization could no longer be sustained,

and this ‘Apocalypse Organization’ would then perish alongside it.

He wasn’t worried the Apocalypse Organization would go off track.

Because, even though its members, its researchers, would constantly change over time, he would always be there behind it.

…

Completing these three things would take Qin Yu some time anyway.

After that, he could consider how to ‘exit the stage’ in this lifetime.

Sometimes, he even entertained a slightly mischievous thought.

Like, right before stepping off the stage this time,

leaving behind a message: ‘I’ve already made the life-extending serum that could dramatically prolong lifespans…’

Then, not finishing the sentence, simply playing dead.

Just to see how countless people around the world would react.

Or, more directly, under everyone’s gaze, pretending to develop an immortality serum,

and then pretending to be struck dead by lightning on the spot.

He just felt it was a bit too twisted.

As for the specific details, perhaps only when the moment came would Qin Yu make a final decision.

…

32nd year of the Common Era, autumn.

The Senior Leader whom Qin Yu was familiar with visited Research Institute 011 again.

The main purpose was to discuss the three proposals Qin Yu had put forward.

While these three matters were just short-term plans for Qin Yu,

for everyone else, each one was of critical importance.

It was hard not to compel the Senior Leader to make this trip.

Accompanying him, besides the Senior Leader, was Academician Shen Yaoguo.

At Research Institute 011, besides Qin Yu, many others were also present.

At the start, there was no rush to discuss formal matters.

Qin Yu, the Senior Leader, Shen Yaoguo, and an Academician and Professor from Research Institute 011 gathered for a casual chat.

“…Professor Qin. If I remember correctly, you should be thirty this year?”

The Senior Leader said with a hearty chuckle.

Hearing this, Qin Yu’s gaze grew distant, momentarily unfocused.

With the current average human lifespan, thirty was still very young.

Given Qin Yu’s achievements, thirty was exceptionally young.

But truly hearing that age spoken aloud by someone else still caused a brief flicker of emotion in Qin Yu.

“That’s right.”

Qin Yu nodded, saying nothing more.

The Senior Leader looked at Qin Yu, his expression tinged with a hint of reflection.

“Professor Qin, from a national perspective, your wholehearted devotion to scientific research is certainly a good thing. After all, Professor Qin Yu, your talent in this related field is undeniable. You could produce new breakthroughs beneficial to our civilization and society at any moment. Yet, from a personal standpoint… I still hope Professor Qin might go out more, not hesitate to rest.”

“Even with the average lifespan today, your thirty years are still youthful. But by our traditional perception… this age is already starting to lean towards middle age. Since the birth of the 2611 Longevity Injection, or perhaps even earlier, since you entered Lingchuan University to study Life Science… seven, eight years of youth have been poured into research. And after coming to Research Institute 011, you’ve rarely gone out…”

“We are all beneficiaries of the 2611. I don’t know if I’m qualified to say this. But truly, while it’s good for us… is it fair to you, Professor Qin?”

“Professor Qin, you shouldn’t worry about troubling the security personnel if you travel. Without exaggeration, they, all of us, exist to provide support for exceptional researchers like you.”

“Otherwise, seeing you constantly staying inside the Institute, potentially spending the greater part of your life this way… we would feel we’ve treated you far too harshly.”

The Senior Leader spoke these words from the heart.

Listening, Qin Yu couldn’t help but fall silent for a time.

There was a misunderstanding here, to some degree.

To an outside observer, Qin Yu seemed like an ascetic monk, single-mindedly buried in research,

otherwise devoid of material desires or worldly cares, simply perpetually staying within the Institute.

In reality,

Qin Yu had spent much of these years utilising ‘Intangibility’ and ‘Disguise’ to roam about everywhere.

It was just that others assumed he rarely left the institute.

“I find this current state quite agreeable. ‘Harsh treatment’ doesn’t apply. I am merely doing what I’m willing and eager to do; it doesn’t feel like a sacrifice.”

After a moment’s thought, Qin Yu only said this much.

Hearing this, the Senior Leader nodded and said no more on the matter.

The casual chat concluded.

Naturally, they moved to the main agenda.

And upon reaching the main matters,

the researchers from the institute and Shen Yaoguo, who had been present earlier, all departed.

In the small meeting room, only Qin Yu and the Senior Leader remained for a private discussion.

…

“Professor Qin, concerning the next research plan you proposed for Research Institute 011… we give it our full support.”

“For both the ‘Research on Survival Plants and Food Crops in a Series of Harsh Environments’ and the ‘Human Enhancement Research Project’, we give our wholehearted approval.”

Initially, the Senior Leader and others had wondered whether the plant and crop research represented too big a leap for Professor Qin Yu.

But upon reflection, it still fell within the general Field of Life Sciences.

Moreover, how quickly had Professor Qin gone from entering the field of Life Science to producing the monumental 2611 Longevity Injection?

As for the Human Enhancement Research Project? There weren’t any doubts raised.

If Professor Qin wasn’t suited to study this project, who else in the Field of Life Sciences would be?

“If you need anything, Professor Qin, just state it. We will do our best to coordinate.”

Hearing this, Qin Yu nodded without undue modesty.

“The Human Enhancement Research Project is quite tailored to several Researchers at Research Institute 011. The plant and crops research project might still require some relevant experts and professors to collaborate.”

Qin Yu had no intention of doing all the work alone for either project.

Hearing this, the Senior Leader readily agreed without hesitation.

“Understood, Professor Qin. We’ll help coordinate that. Of course, we’re also confident that simply hearing your name, few scholars or researchers in the relevant fields domestically would refuse to come to Research Institute 011.”

Towards the end, the Senior Leader chuckled.

After the chuckle, his expression sobered, becoming grave once more.

If the sole purpose was to inform Qin Yu that the two research projects were approved, the Senior Leader wouldn’t have needed to make a special trip.

The visit now,

was primarily for the third matter.

“Professor Qin, concerning your proposal to establish a dedicated research institute to address potential future disasters of unknown timing, ensuring the long-term continuation of Human Civilization… we likely still have some questions requiring your input.”

Had this proposal not come from Qin Yu, an application like this would never have reached the Senior Leader’s desk.

An individual preparing for tomorrow – that’s normal.

Considering events a year ahead – also normal.

With humanity’s current average lifespan of 180 years, starting preparations now for a century down the line – still normal.

But embarking now on something for an event whose occurrence is uncertain, an event hundreds or even thousands of years in the future… that was unusual.

This is true for an individual, and equally so for a group or a civilization.

People predominantly live in the present.

You can’t just not live today because of something uncertain in the future.

“Professor Qin, how do you envision the role of this research institute?”

“Unknown most of the time. But always present when needed. Always found when its function is required.”

Upon hearing Qin Yu’s words, the Senior Leader paused in his movements, as if deep in thought.

He did not question whether such an institute had meaning.

Instead, he asked a different question.

“Professor Qin, we are certain that while you helm this institute, during your tenure, it will undoubtedly fulfill a tremendous purpose. But what about afterwards?”

“We all know times change. After a long passage of time, this institute might simply fail to meet your expectations, Professor Qin.”

“I can also tell you honestly, Professor Qin, that while you oversee this institute, we would certainly be willing to allocate significant resources to it. But if someday in the future, you no longer head it, its successors prove unable to uphold its founding purpose… my own successors could not possibly continue pouring resources into forcibly sustaining its existence. That, in itself, would be irresponsible towards the Huaxia Nation.”

“I believe great talents emerge throughout the ages. Within the Huaxia Nation, generation after generation will surely produce outstanding individuals capable of bearing this responsibility.”

Qin Yu said simply.

The Senior Leader looked at Qin Yu for a long time, pausing before finally just asking,

“Professor Qin… what name would you wish to give this newly established research institute?”

What convinced the Senior Leader wasn’t really Qin Yu’s explanation just then.

It was the name ‘Qin Yu’ itself.

Qin Yu looked back at the Senior Leader, considering.

He had thought of several names for this apocalypse-focused organization, this apocalypse research institute.

For instance, directly naming it ‘Apocalypse Research Institute’.

Or ‘Future Research Institute’.

‘Spark Research Institute’.

Or even ‘Haven Research Institute’, serving as a sanctuary for Human Civilization.

But in the end,

Qin Yu chose one that would seem slightly strange at first glance.

“‘Negentropy Research Institute’ is fine.”

“Increasing entropy is a fundamental law of the universe. Everything ordered eventually becomes disordered. For a civilization to endure and develop long-term, it must constantly resist increasing entropy.”

Qin Yu gave his answer.

The Senior Leader nodded.

The institute’s name wasn’t truly important.

What mattered was that

this century’s greatest biologist, the Father of Human Life Extension Technology, deemed such an institute necessary.

In light of that, what more needed saying?