Reborn in 2014: A One-Man Tycoon

Florida summer nights are always humid and hot, but the searchlights at the rocket company's launch center pierce the night sky.

Meng Chuan sat in his study, where he could clearly see the densely packed staff on the control tower through the video.

On the distant "starship," the silver-gray arrow-shaped structure gleamed coldly under the lights, like a sword poised to pierce into space.

The first batch of supplies from the fire transfer station is about to be launched.

"Still thinking about time?"

Liu Qian's voice came from behind him, and she handed Meng Chuan a cup of hot tea.

Meng Chuan smiled, took a sip, and then sighed softly:

"There are many difficulties, and we really don't have much time left."

The conjunction of Earth and Mars is just around the corner.

If you miss it, you'll have to wait another 26 months.

Actually, Meng Chuan wasn't unable to wait.

The main reason is that once people have a goal, they hope to achieve it quickly.

Even Meng Chuan was no exception.

Meng Chuan opened the real-time planning map of the "Ground Fire Transfer Station" on his computer screen.

A 3D model of fifty starship modules slowly rotates against a blue background.

Like a string of suspended metal rings.

Due to a shortage of starships, the original plan of a transit station consisting of one hundred starships could only be reduced to fifty.

We also need to reserve some for transportation.

Looking at the planning map, Meng Chuan spoke quietly:

"The UN's draft proposal on the allocation of space resources will be voted on next week. If we wait until the transit station is built before submitting the application, it will be too late."

Liu Qian followed his gaze to the screen, her fingertips lightly tracing the surface of his arm:

"But when you first announced the launch of the plan, people online said you were crazy. 500 million kilometers, ten times farther than the distance between the Earth and the Moon, they said you were just showing off."

Meng Chuan has been focusing all his attention on the rocket company lately.

This led Liu Qian to pay close attention to information related to rockets.

"You don't need to throw money into space to show off your wealth."

Meng Chuan chuckled softly, his fingertip pointing to the 3D model of Earth on the screen:

"Look, the distance between the Earth and the Moon is less than 50 kilometers. If missiles are deployed on the Moon, this distance would allow for precise strikes against the Earth."

"If my transit station is at this distance, it will inevitably be requisitioned in the event of war."

Meng Chuan had his own reasons for choosing to build the transit station at 500 million kilometers.

After all, once the transit station is built, with slight modifications, it can become a natural military base for transporting missiles.

This is much easier than building a military base from scratch on the moon.

Mengchuan's transit station was designed for landing on Mars, not for use as a military base.

“Even if it is too close to Earth, other countries may unite to oppose it for fear of it being used for military purposes.”

Meng Chuan continued:

"I've built a transit station 500 million kilometers away. Anyone who wants to requisition it should first ask if their missiles can fly that far."

The rocket company's unique twin-peak core propulsion system is what allows it to fly so far.

Ordinary missiles could never travel more than 500 million kilometers and still achieve precision strikes.

Just then, Yingdie made a phone call.

"Mr. Meng, the Rocket Company's market value has just surpassed ten trillion US dollars! The exchange called to ask if we should issue an announcement to stabilize market sentiment."

Shadow Butterfly has recently been based at the rocket company.

She always spoke to Meng Chuan in a businesslike tone when she called him.

Even in front of Liu Qian, I'm not worried at all.

"Why issue an announcement? Let it rise."

Meng Chuan glanced at the screen, speaking casually as if he were discussing today's weather:

"How is the starship production speed? Can fifty ships be launched in batches as planned?"

"can!"

Yingdie immediately nodded and said:

"The second batch of ten starships completed vacuum environment testing yesterday and will be shipped from the California factory next week. However..."

Yingdie hesitated for a moment:

"You previously said you would spread out one hundred starships to form a transit station, but now you're only sending fifty. Is that enough?"

"Build the framework first."

Meng Chuan said.

What can be done if starship production capacity can't keep up and there aren't enough?

Fifty ships will first complete docking in orbit 500 million kilometers long.

The core cabin and energy center were built to serve as a transit station.

The remaining fifty ships were put into service while still in production, to replenish living quarters and supply depots.

Once the transit station is habitable, the equipment for the Mars outpost will be transported there in batches.

As long as the convergence period of the fire and the earth is the same, a portion of the supplies will be transported up first.

Meng Chuan wants to build outposts and factories on Mars as soon as possible.

Especially factories that refine and produce steel bars and cement.

Even if it's just a single production line, it's still a small factory.

If we can produce steel bars and cement, we've already succeeded halfway.

The next celestial-magnetic convergence cycle will be the time for Meng Chuan to truly unleash his potential.

Yingdie agreed and hung up the phone, but Liu Qian gently tugged at Meng Chuan's sleeve:

"Aren't you afraid someone will sabotage things? Like... Trump's side."

When "King of Knowledge" was mentioned, Meng Chuan's smile faded slightly.

He recalled the news he had seen that morning—the former president, who was busy campaigning, had spent half an hour yesterday at a rally pointing to the sky and cursing.

He claimed that rocket companies "monopolize space resources" and that if elected, he would "thoroughly investigate the safety hazards of Starship."

The King was truly at his wit's end.

Because of the absence of Meng Chuan and the rocket company, his approval rating plummeted.

In order to win over more voters.

He had no choice but to risk bringing up the rocket company again to generate buzz for himself.

Of course, all he dares to do is talk.

Even if he were selected, Meng Chuan wouldn't dare to go to the rocket company even if he had ten lives.

However, his opponent, Old Man Biden, actually sent people to investigate for three days last week in order to generate more buzz for himself.

From the starship's engines to the heat-insulating tiles, not even the screws were overlooked.

In the end, apart from writing in the report that "the technology was too advanced and no violations were found," nothing substantial was actually discovered.

Moreover, many people, including in Congress, oppose investigating the Rocket Company.

After all, many people in Congress are connected to Meng Chuan.

Or rather, the dead servants left behind by the Rothschild family.

The rest of the members of Congress, more or less, directly or indirectly hold shares in Rocket Company.

Rocket companies are now worth trillions; they've made a fortune.

As they were talking, Meng Chuan's computer suddenly started showing footage from Mars.

On the screen, Zhan Yi smiled at Meng Chuan and said:

"President Meng, the foundation is complete! We're flying back tomorrow."

Zhan Yi's voice came through the communicator, crackling with static, but unable to hide his laughter:

"When are you coming to cut the ribbon? I'll have the robot dog set up a platform for you."

Meng Chuan raised an eyebrow and smiled into the microphone:

"Wait. Once you've finished building the roof of the outpost, I'll personally bring some celebratory drinks over—but they have to be low-alcohol, you can't get drunk on Mars."

Zhan Yi's loud laughter came from the other end of the communicator.

Meng Chuan looked at the sparks and dust kicked up behind Zhan Yi on the screen.

Suddenly, I felt that the anxiety I felt due to the time pressure had subsided considerably.