Scholar's Advanced Technological System

Beijing.

Press conference held by a news outlet.

A spokesman wearing a suit stood in front of the cameras as he spoke in a clear and solemn voice.

"… After taking into account the eagerness of the international community, our higher management has decided that cooperation applications will be opened for the Garden project. We welcome the international community to participate in this global, futuristic cause."

The second the spokesman finished speaking, there was a commotion in the press conference center.

Letting the international community participate in the Garden project?

This was different from their expectations.

Prior to this, international media had framed the Garden project as a scheme from China for colonizing space. The related research projects were expected to be kept private. However, they didn't expect China to open the door to the Garden project for the international community.

As long as someone was a professional, they could apply to the relevant department, and after they got approved, they could participate in the research plan.

1.5 billion yuan of investment was more than US$200 million. For most poorly-funded natural science researchers, China's plan was extremely lucrative.

Just like Lu Zhou had expected, after the Ministry of Science and Technology opened the gates for the Garden project, many participation applications were received. Due to the sheer number of applications, the Ministry of Science and Technology had set up a special department to assist the Garden project.

The international academic community approved and welcomed China's Garden project.

However, not everyone thought that way.

For many patriotic Americans, China taking the lead in the space race was an act of war.

On an American talk show set.

They happened to start talking about this project.

The host in a black suit was sitting on the sofa. He handed the microphone to his guest and asked, "Jim, you work at a bank, correct?"

"Yeah, why?"

"I think you're a person that has been around the block. Can I interview you?"

"Of course you can, as long as it's something that I can answer."

"We all know that China is building a biosphere, and they're also inviting many scholars to participate in this project. What do you think about this?"

The guy named Jim had a playful smile on his face.

"What do I think about this? It's as if your dodgy neighbor suddenly asked you to grab a beer. He either wants to steal your car or bang your wife."

The audience members laughed.

Political humor was the norm on this show.

However, this time, the joke was more explicit.

But this was just how American media was.

For example, in the latest issue of The New York Times, it stated that China opening the gates for the Garden project was an act of trying to gain domination over the space industry. It told Americans research institutes and scholars to participate at their own risk.

After reading the article, Lu Zhou chuckled.

There was a reason why the Americans thought this way.

After all, space domination established from the Cold War era had become part of the United States patriotism. Now that this pride was being challenged by China, it was normal for American media to act in such a hostile manner.

However, these conservative articles barely had any impact at all.

Unlike those conservative people, most scholars in natural science research were liberals, and their research was mainly beneficial to the entire world, not just America. They were happy to work for whoever that gave them research funding.

After the news of the Garden cooperation application was made public, scholars actually began to apply before the media even began to report on it.

If the Americans planned on creating a Biosphere 3, then the scholars might be persuaded. However, because of the lack of funding, most American scholars were happy to research in other countries.

Unfortunately, the United States Congress wasn't going to pay for a natural science research project like this.

Both the California experimental reactor and NASA's "Ares" projects were money-hungry projects. Even the United States would have difficulty in funding another biosphere project, especially with the two pre-existing large-scale scientific research projects.

Even though the biosphere project would cost a lot less than the other two…

On the other hand, there was no chance Wall Street was going to fund this project.

The Rockefeller Financial Group lost money funding the Biosphere 2. Unless there was a special reason, no investment company would be willing to take this risk.

The days quickly passed by, and it was soon Chinese New Year.

All of the launch preparations were completed. The equipment that needed to be delivered had already been loaded on the Skyglow spacecraft. Skyglow was ready to give everyone a unique gift on Chinese New Year.

48 hours before launch.

Director Li from the State Administration for National Defense took the train to Jinling. The first thing he did was to head to the launch site, where he found Lu Zhou, who was delegating work at and managing the launch site.

When Lu Zhou saw Director Li walking toward him, he smiled and spoke.

"… Director Li? Why are you here?"

Director Li angrily stared at him.

"Do you really have to ask!"

Lu Zhou: "…?"

How would I know?

What's wrong with asking?

Director Li stared at the oblivious Lu Zhou. He sighed and said, "Stop pretending, do you really not know why I'm here? Tell me the truth, you're ready, aren't you?"

Lu Zhou was muddled. He said, "… Ready for what?"

Director Li thought Lu Zhou was still pretending to be oblivious, so he tried to persuade him.

"Landing on the Moon is very different from a low-Earth orbit space flight! We have experience in sending people up and bringing them back safely, but we have no experience bringing people back from the Moon. Zero. Do you understand? No one knows what will happen up there, maybe you'll never come back again! Go ask Nie Yun or anyone else in the astronaut team. They all have written their wills!

"I know you are confident in your research, but I hope you care about your safety more! Think about your parents! You're their only son! If something happens to you, what do you want me to tell them?"

Oh, so this is why…

I thought it was some huge problem!

Lu Zhou coughed and replied, "Don't worry, I went up with Skyglow last time, I've had my fun. I won't go up this time."

Director Li nearly passed out.

You said you went up there for science!

You only did it to have fun?!

Director Li stared at Lu Zhou in the eye for a while.

"I don't want to hear your promises, I will follow you on launch day. If you're flying, then I'm flying with you!"

Lu Zhou: "…"

Jesus, I only flew once, do you really have to follow me?

So unnecessary…