Reborn in 2014: A One-Man Tycoon

Meng Chuan's question was direct. Old Huang paused, holding his teacup, before slowly raising his eyes to look at him.

The shadow of the old locust tree fell on Old Huang's face, deepening the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.

He had lost some of his usual easygoing nature and gained a more solemn demeanor.

"You're as shrewd as ever."

Old Huang sighed, placed the teacup on the stone table, and the tea stains spread out in a small circle on the surface.

"It's true that I care about you, and it's also true that I want to talk to you about something. But this matter concerns both the country and yourself."

Meng Chuan didn't reply, but simply refilled his teacup.

He knew that Old Huang never beat around the bush, and now that he had made things clear, what followed must be something important.

Do you think Mars belongs to you alone?

Old Huang suddenly spoke, his voice not loud, but like a stone thrown into calm water:

"Or rather, do you think a rocket company can really control Mars?"

Meng Chuan paused for a moment, his hand holding the teapot still.

These words were harsh, but they did not anger him.

It's not that he hasn't heard worse things.

People online have long been calling him a "space colonist".

He said he wanted to turn Mars into his private territory.

Some foreign media outlets have even labeled him a "planet thief."

But when these words came from Old Huang's mouth, they had a different flavor.

"Mr. Huang, what do you mean by that?"

Meng Chuan put down the teapot, his tone becoming more serious:

"I have never said that Mars is mine. Outposts and transit stations are all for scientific research and immigration. It is clearly stated in the rocket company's financial statements that all Mars-related projects are for all mankind."

Of course, Meng Chuan was just being polite.

In fact, Meng Chuan really wanted to claim Mars for himself.

After all, he had a million followers.

Meng Chuan even fantasized about one day establishing a country on Mars—the Green Gang Republic.

Of course, Meng Chuan only dared to think about such fantasies at night.

It is something that absolutely cannot be said.

"Shouting slogans is useless."

Old Huang waved his hand, took out a stack of documents from his briefcase, and pushed them in front of Meng Chuan:

"Take a look at this—this is the minutes of a private internal meeting last week between leaders of several countries in Europe and America, which was obtained by intelligence personnel at great risk."

Old Huang said in a serious tone:

"The main topic of their discussion at the meeting was the 'Mars resource allocation plan,' which outwardly referred to 'the common property of all mankind,' but inwardly they were already dividing up the territory."

"North America wants Utopia Plain, Europe is eyeing Valles Marineris, and even that country that's doing well wants to claim a piece of land in the Martian Arctic Circle."

Meng Chuan picked up the document, his fingertips tracing over the dense English text and annotations, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper.

The minutes were very explicit:

If Meng Chuan's Mars project achieves a breakthrough, all countries will need to intervene under the guise of "international cooperation".

If necessary, joint pressure can be applied to require rocket companies to share technology patents.

Furthermore, international rules should be established in advance regarding the mining rights for rare minerals on Mars to prevent monopolies by a single company.

"these people……"

Meng Chuan gripped the document, his voice trembling with anger:

"I haven't even found a decent piece of ore on Mars yet, and they've already divided up the map."

"This is only before we've received any benefits."

Old Huang's voice turned cold:

"Do you really think they're watching from the sidelines because they admire your skills?"

"No, it's because their spaceships can't reach Mars yet, so they can only watch you anxiously."

"When their space technology catches up one day, what do you think they will do?"

Meng Chuan fell silent.

He recalled the soil samples Zhan Yi had brought back from Mars.

Although the main component is iron oxide, the chemical analysis mentioned that the sample contains trace amounts of tantalum and niobium.

These two rare metals are key materials for manufacturing spacecraft chips.

Earth's reserves are already running low.

It's only a tiny amount now, but what if a mineral vein is discovered around the outpost?

Do you remember the colonial era before World War II?

Old Huang leaned forward, his gaze sharp as a knife:

"The people of Ouzhou crossed the ocean to the New World, shouting 'civilization' while holding guns in their hands."

"They're seizing land and resources; who cares about humanitarianism?"

"Mars is ten thousand times or even a hundred thousand times farther away than the New World. Once there, away from the constraints of Earth, the greed in human nature will only become more rampant."

"If your Martian city really becomes a success, with habitable cabins, oxygen generators, and energy stations, they can come up there with weapons and kick you out with a simple 'for all mankind'."

"What will you do then? Let the robot dog fight someone's laser gun with a screwdriver?"

Old Huang's words were like an ice pick, chilling Meng Chuan to the bone.

He had considered security issues, but his previous thoughts were mainly on the technical aspects.

Will the sandstorm destroy the outpost?

Will the oxygen concentrator malfunction?

But they never seriously considered the issue of "human beings".

The rocket company's Starship can transport supplies and people, but it can't transport tanks and missiles.

To avoid involvement from other countries, Meng Chuan even built transit stations 500 million kilometers away.

Although Zhan Yi was proficient in ancient martial arts, he was still no match for bullets and cannonballs.

Robots and robot dogs can build houses and conduct reconnaissance, but they can't stop armed forces.

When it really comes to that, he will indeed be a lamb to the slaughter, just as Huang Lao said.

“I know you have money and skills.”

Looking at Meng Chuan's tense face, Old Huang's tone softened:

"But in space, these alone are not enough. During the Age of Exploration, why were Portugal and Portugal able to occupy so many colonies?"

"It's not because their merchant ships are fast, it's because their ships are equipped with cannons."

"Space today is the 'Age of Exploration' of the new era. Without some tough equipment to protect it, even the most fertile territory cannot be defended."

Meng Chuan raised his head, his eyes filled with a complex emotion:

"So you came here today to ask the country to send me troops?"

"It's not about sending troops, it's about cooperation."

Master Huang corrected:

“A nation can’t simply send its military to Mars—that would be too conspicuous and could trigger an international dispute. But we can cooperate with you in every way.”

Old Huang stretched out his fingers and counted them one by one:

"First, there is the sharing of aerospace technology. The China National Space Administration has a lot of data on deep space exploration, such as Martian atmospheric circulation models and crustal structure maps, which can help you avoid detours."

"Second, security support. We can send special forces personnel to join your Mars team as 'astronauts.' They are skilled in combat and tactics, can help train your security personnel, and can protect you when necessary."

"Third, international discourse power. If anyone brings up the issue of 'Mars ownership' again, the country will stand up for you—in a joint vote, China's veto is more effective than a hundred statements from your rocket company."

Meng Chuan looked at Old Huang but didn't say anything.

He knew this collaboration was worthwhile, even a godsend.

But he also knew that there's no such thing as a free lunch.

Meng Chuan took a deep breath and asked bluntly:

"What about the conditions?"