Reborn in 2014: A One-Man Tycoon

Meng Chuan wasn't particularly interested in the Mars colonization plan.

Meng Chuan's aim was more to deceive Elon Ma and obtain shares in his company.

Meng Chuan wasn't too eager to become a Mars member.

Because the idea of ​​immigrating to Mars sounds like a fantasy.

But Meng Chuan has been incredibly idle these past few years.

With his current power and wealth, everything on Earth is within his grasp.

There is no longer any pursuit or hope in life.

After a few years of being idle, Meng Chuan began to reflect.

What is the meaning of life?

If there's anything that can still pique his interest right now, it's probably Mars colonization.

Moreover, in recent years, encouraged by Meng Chuan, technology companies have sprung up like mushrooms after rain.

Whether it's AI or intelligent robots, the technology is already quite mature.

Mars colonization is no longer a distant dream.

Therefore, Meng Chuan really wanted to be the first human to leave Earth.

In this way, Meng Chuan's name will be permanently recorded in the annals of human history.

This is perhaps a common problem that no one can escape.

After acquiring wealth and status, all they desire is to be remembered in history.

Therefore, if Elon Ma cannot focus on the Mars mission...

Meng Chuan really does intend to replace him.

Although the rocket company currently has only two shareholders on the surface, Monchuan and Elonma.

Elon Ma is, in effect, the person in charge.

But Meng Chuan has invested a lot of money in it over the years.

Meng Chuan even provided a lot of technical support.

After all, 80% of the world's technology companies are now based in China.

China has become an absolute hegemonic power, ranking first in both military and economic strength.

Many cutting-edge technologies are in Meng Chuan's hands.

Because Meng Chuan invested more in the rocket company, he also received more shares in return.

Meng Chuan already controls 70% of the shares.

If Meng Chuan wanted to kick Elon Ma out of the game, it would be a piece of cake.

Hearing Meng Chuan's serious tone, it was the first time I had ever seen Meng Chuan so serious.

Elon Ma didn't dare hesitate any longer and hurriedly said:

"Great progress! The manned rocket has completed ten unmanned test flights, and all indicators are very stable. The first manned test will be conducted next month."

"The preliminary design for the lunar base has also been completed, with plans to build the first permanent lunar base in 2026."

According to the original plan, the lunar base plan needed to be completed before the Mars plan.

Using the moon as a springboard would be safer.

"good."

Meng Chuan nodded in satisfaction:

"This is what you and I should be doing."

Elon Ma breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the sudden change in tone.

However, the next moment, Meng Chuan spoke again:

"However, I have an even bolder idea—to skip the moon altogether and go all out on the Mars mission."

While transporting supplies to the moon and then launching them from the moon to Mars can indeed save a lot of energy.

After all, the load on a rocket would be too great to fly directly from Earth to Mars.

On the moon, due to gravity, rockets can be propelled forward with very little energy.

The space saved in this way can be used to carry more supplies to Mars at once.

However, this also has a downside: the Earth is now a battleground for all nations.

In particular, the Chinese and American countries have a great interest in the moon.

Elon Ma's plan to establish a base on the moon inevitably involves certain risks.

It is very possible that the lunar base will be confiscated once a law or regulation is introduced.

Because many countries' primary interest in the moon stems from military applications.

Establishing a military base on the moon would allow for better global military strikes.

If Elon Mar's painstakingly built lunar base were forcibly requisitioned due to war...

Meng Chuan's Mars project will be severely delayed.

While this possibility is slim, it's not impossible.

Therefore, Meng Chuan is more inclined to abandon the lunar program and directly advance the Mars program.

"Isn't this... a bit too risky?"

Elon was stunned by Meng Chuan's idea.

"We'll see how things go after your manned Mars mission is successful! I've always felt that transporting supplies from Earth to Mars is ultimately unrealistic."

Meng Chuan said:

"I think the best approach is to use local resources on Mars to build a Mars base."

If we only focus on transporting supplies from Earth to the surface...

Not only is it time-consuming, but the cost is also too high.

Transporting goods trip after trip, even launching rockets from the moon, could save a lot of money.

However, it is still limited.

Moreover, the Earth's resources are already very scarce.

Countries might not agree to transport large quantities of goods to Mars.

If the plan is forcibly stopped halfway through, Meng Chuan will be powerless to do anything about it.

However, a large amount of data is needed to support the idea of ​​using materials locally on Mars.

We need to send people to Mars first to determine what resources are available there.

Only then can subsequent plans be formulated based on the actual situation.

"Okay, I'll listen to you."

Elon Ma was also eager to try Meng Chuan's idea.

He was increasingly glad that he had chosen Meng Chuan.

As expected, Meng Chuan, like him, was a visionary dreamer.

They are also pioneers who dare to innovate.

After hanging up the phone, Meng Chuan walked to the windowsill and looked up at the starry sky.

Actually, seeing the projects I invested in succeed one by one is quite something.

Seeing the country grow stronger day by day naturally brings a sense of accomplishment.

But Meng Chuan always felt that something was missing.

He has no shortage of wealth, status, or fame.

But life seems to lack a grander, more challenging goal.

Mars, that distant and mysterious red planet, may hold the answer.

However, what Meng Chuan didn't know was...

He had just hung up the phone with Elon Ma.

Immediately afterwards, Trump personally approached Elon Musk.

"As long as you publicly support my candidacy, and I secure my position as the next US president, I will fully support your Mars colonization plan."

Trump cut to the chase and said to Elon Musk:

"Even if you want lunar resource mining rights, I can give priority to your company."

Elon Ma paused, his hand holding the pen still.

Trump added another sentence:

"No matter how rich Meng Chuan is, can he control the US space policy? The land approvals and heavy equipment you need to build a lunar base can be obtained with a single word from me. Once you become a monopolist in the space field, will you still be afraid of not having a say?"

The office was silent for half a minute.

Elon Ma thought of Meng Chuan's 70% stake.

It would be a lie to say that Elon Mar was not tempted.

If he can gain Trump's favor in his policies, he might be able to gradually break free from his technological dependence on Meng Chuan.

It could even turn around and take control of space.

He licked his lips and finally whispered:

"I need to see a preliminary draft policy."

Trump laughed:

"Have it delivered tomorrow. Remember, only I can make you truly the 'King of Space'."

After Trump left, Elon Ma stared at his chat history with Meng Chuan on his phone.

He knew he was gambling.

But the allure of wealth and power ultimately outweighed any sense of relief he felt for Meng Chuan.