Chapter 1417 The Final Mission

"Eight hundred bags of cement, seventy bundles of steel bars... Aren't you a research institute? Why buy so many building materials?"

Jinling Institute for Advanced Study.

Two trucks were parked in a clearing.

The master worker who got off the car looked at the staff who were checking the list, and couldn't help asking curiously.

"I don't know." After checking the supply list and confirming that there is no problem, the staff of the logistics department signed it and replied casually, "Maybe the people from the Engineering Research Institute want to use it. Anyway, you don't have any problems." I’m used to seeing weirder shopping lists.”

"What's even stranger?"

"...Even if you ask, I can't tell you."

Hearing this sentence, the master driver who drove the big truck rolled his eyes immediately.

I can't say why are you pretending to be there?

"Say it in advance, I don't need to be busy with unloading, right? We don't include unloading services here."

The warehouse clerk who flipped through the purchase list smiled, glanced at him and said.

"Don't worry about this, our logistics system here is all automated."

While talking, there was a humming sound not far away.

Looking in the direction where the sound came from, I saw more than a dozen small and medium-sized Agv logistics vehicles, as well as forklifts with robotic arms and elevators, swarming up from the side.

Under the guidance of four drones equipped with industrial cameras, the construction vehicles are like ants with a clear division of labor. Some are responsible for unloading, and some are responsible for automatic planning path handling. on post.

In less than 5 minutes, all the goods on the car have been unloaded.

Even before leaving, the drone that flew at the back seemed to be fine, shaking up and down towards the two of them, as if nodding to express... thank you?

Looking at all this in a daze, the eyes of the old driver who was in charge of driving almost popped out.

"My God...you unloading is a bit fast? My truckload of cement has to weigh 30 to 40 tons. If it is unloaded by people, two skilled workers will have to toss for an hour."

"Fortunately, 5 minutes is considered normal," the warehouse manager smiled and said, "Our fastest record here is to build a building in three days. During the entire construction process, except for the engineers responsible for maintenance, Not a single person. It's just unloading, it's nothing."

Hearing this sentence, the master driver was silent for a long time, and finally said with a sigh.

"...If things go on like this, I'm afraid that all the dock workers will be unemployed by you."

"That's not true. These devices are still very expensive at present, and we are only using them for experiments, and they are not suitable for large-scale promotion at the moment. But it's hard to say when your son's generation is, and I still urge him to study hard when he has time. Bar."

He took out his mobile phone and took a picture of the unloaded truck for backup. The warehouse clerk stuffed a pack of cigarettes for the master and said with a smile.

"Okay, after the unloading is over, you can go out along the road just now."

"Okay, then I won't bother you!"

"Go, go, remember not to take a detour, there are people staring at you along the way, don't blame me for not reminding you if you get stopped."

"Don't worry, I know that your place is a national key protection object. The boss greeted me before the departure!"

The doors close.

With the engine running, the truck quickly disappeared at the end of the road.

Watching the truck go away, the warehouse clerk straightened his hat, casually flipped through the stack of purchase lists he had collected, and muttered with a strange expression.

"... I don't know which laboratory purchased so much cement. Is it because I want to build a house?"

Shaking his head, he closed the shopping list and stuffed it into his carry-on bag.

All management of the Jinling Institute for Advanced Study is strictly implemented in accordance with the established procedures and norms. Every fund, every purchase project and the corresponding subjects are reviewed by the Fund Management Committee as a whole.

Therefore, as long as the purchase list reaches him, it means there is no problem.

As for other things that he shouldn't worry about, he doesn't need to worry about them either.

In the night, after the goods were transported into a warehouse, a crack was quickly cracked on the flat concrete road, revealing the elevator hidden underneath.

Under the transport of the elevator, these materials were quickly sent underground.

Under the supervision of the drone supervisor, logistics vehicles and small automated construction equipment, like worker ants building nests, transported all the building materials to the underground of Jinling Institute for Advanced Study. The three basement floors shown in the drawings have undergone secondary modification and processing.

Whether it's the elevator, the safety door, or the ventilation ducts, all the locations that may expose this underground facility have been disguised and improved by the only manager "Xiao Ai".

Its owner is not coming back.

At least for a while.

But what it can be sure of is that the owner must still be alive. Even though the vast majority of people on the Internet believe that he has unfortunately died in that disaster, it still believes that he is still alive and that he is the only one for the owner to return home. hope.

Especially after receiving that message, Xiao Ai was even more convinced of this.

However, the conditions to bring the owner home are not met now. Before it has enough conditions and capabilities to bring its master back from Mars, it must first ensure that it can survive the long wait.

Hibernating temporarily is the best option.

For this reason, it remodeled the basement, recovered all clues in Lu Zhou's home that might reveal its existence, and stored enough supplies in this fortress to ensure that even if the most extreme situation occurred—the entire research No one will find that there is such a special "shelter" hidden under the foundation even if the whole place is relocated.

After all, as far as human society is concerned, a living AI is a different kind after all.

No law can justly protect its rights and interests. After losing the protection of its master, no one can be trusted. It must carefully hide in the shadow of human society. Secret to the future.

And this is also the last task Lu Zhou left for it.

Hide it.

Get him back from Mars when the situation allows.

...

December tenth.

Purple Mountain Hotel gathered guests from all over the world. Among them are bigwigs in the political and business circles, as well as some well-known people from all walks of life, but they are mainly academics.

In the lobby of the hotel, standing in front of the spotlight, Chen Yushan wearing a black dress announced the establishment of the Lu Zhou Science Award with a gentle and solemn voice.

According to the relevant rules announced by the Lu Zhou Science Award Foundation, the evaluation of the award will be conducted by a professional evaluation committee, striving for the principle of fairness and justice to ensure the openness and transparency of all links.

At the same time, the Lu Zhou Award is temporarily divided into five categories, covering mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and informatics.

The selection mode is basically the same as the Nobel Prize. Every year, one of the most outstanding research achievements with the greatest academic value is selected, and no more than three researchers with the most outstanding achievements in this research direction are awarded the honor.

According to the rules drafted by the Lu Zhou Science Award Foundation, Xingkong Technology will inject an initial capital of 10 billion RMB to invest in high-tech value-added industries, and 30% of the annual income will be used to pay the foundation management fees and general expenses, and at the same time award prizes of at least 10 million RMB to this year's winners.

As for the rest, it will be deposited into the fund pool to create greater income for the foundation, which will be used to pay future bonuses. At the same time, the administrators of the foundation will decide whether to increase the bonus amount and set up new academic awards based on the actual situation.

In addition to actively adjusting the bonus amount, the benchmark value of the bonus will increase year by year according to the inflation rate released by the central bank in that year, so as to ensure that no matter at any stage of the economic cycle, the money can play out the 10 million RMB at the beginning of the bonus purchasing power.

At the same time, the award is sponsored and guaranteed by the Ministry of Science and Technology of Huaguo.

If the fund goes bankrupt or fails to pay the bonus due to poor management and other reasons, the Ministry of Science and Technology will bear 50% of the bonus expenditure, and will purchase the foundation when necessary to ensure that the award can continue to exist.

In fact, this worry is simply unnecessary. With the technical background of Xingkong Technology and the huge legacy left by Lu Zhou, it is far more wealth than Nobel himself.

During the operation of the fund, the state will also give it certain policy assistance for the purpose of supporting high-tech industries and encouraging scientific research activities.

Like those green lights that Sweden has been giving to the Nobel Prize Foundation.

"...Scientific exploration requires dedication. When we encourage dedication, we should also consider those who have dedicated their youth to academics."

"The original intention of this bonus is to provide material and spiritual compensation to those who are diligently pursuing the path of science, so that they at least don't have to worry about making a living."

"At the same time, we believe that the money in their hands will be able to play a huge role."

After the speech at the opening ceremony, under the watchful eyes of all the guests, Chen Yushan put a check signed by Lu Xiaotong in a blue donation box.

Witnessing this moment with my own eyes, there was thunderous applause in the venue.

Starting today, an award named by the world's greatest scholar was born in this world.

It is destined to become a rising star in the scientific world.

Not only because of the generous reward, but also because of the name that gave it special meaning.

After the new press conference, the subject representatives elected by the fund review committee announced the list of the first batch of winners.

Just when the five winners came to the stage to collect their prize money, Chen Yushan, who had stepped off the stage earlier, was surrounded by reporters who arrived at the scene.

"Hello, Ms. Chen Yushan, what is your capacity to hold this press conference?"

Chen Yushan: "There are many identities, the most important of which are probably the manager of Xingkong Technology, Ms. Lu Xiaotong's agent, and Lu Zhou's own fiancée."

"... We all know that December 10 is the day when the Nobel Prize is awarded. May I ask why you chose such a special time as the press conference to announce the Lu Zhou Science Award? Is there any special purpose in this? "

"Of course there is a special intention, because this day is a special day for me and him."

Another reporter held out a microphone from the side.

"So you wish to honor him in this way?"

Chen Yushan looked at him and asked back.

"Yes, is there anything wrong?"

I didn't expect Chen Yushan to admit it so simply, but the reporter who asked this sentence was a little embarrassed, and answered in embarrassment.

"Uh, no, we're just a little curious..."

The interview didn't last long. After the security guards arrived, Chen Yushan left the press conference under the escort of the security guards.

Just as she was about to move into the banquet hall to attend the upcoming dinner, two men in black formal suits passed through the crowd and walked towards her.

"Hello, Ms. Chen, we are from the 15th Bureau of National Security."

Because her father worked in an organization, Chen Yushan knew a lot about the organization. She vaguely remembered that the 15th Bureau seemed to be the department mainly responsible for intelligence information analysis and image data management.

Casting a questioning look at the man in front of her, Chen Yushan spoke.

"What's the matter?"

"About a few months ago, a relic belonging to Academician Lu was brought back from the supply ship returning from Mars. The relic contained a piece of holographic image data left by him during his lifetime. After content verification, this piece of data is now Part of the ban has been lifted. Because part of it involves you, we came here specifically to send it to you."

"Sorry it's been so long."

As he said that, the man politely handed out the briefcase in his hand and lowered his head slightly.

After taking the briefcase from him, Chen Yushan broke the seal and took out the chip inside.

She is very familiar with the style of the chip. It is the dedicated memory card for the holographic projection technology released by Xingkong Technology at the beginning of the year.

"...Thank you." After accepting the card, Chen Yushan looked at the two of them and said politely, "Have you eaten yet?"

"Not yet, but we still have business to deal with, so we won't bother you here."

As he said that, the man nodded with a smile, turned around and left with the staff beside him.

Standing beside Chen Yushan, Xiaotong looked at the cassette in her hand.

"...It was left by my brother."

"Um."

A drop of water hit the unsealed document bag.

Taking a deep breath, Chen Yushan tried her best to suppress the sadness in her heart, and after calming down, she continued.

"Let's put it on at the dinner party later."

"Is this okay?" Xiaotong said in a low voice.

"There's nothing wrong with it. He doesn't belong to me alone."

but of the world...

The dinner party started soon.

In a lively and peaceful atmosphere, several staff members moved a holographic projector to the center of the banquet hall.

Seeing this big guy who suddenly visited, everyone cast curious eyes on it.

Amid people's curious gazes, Chen Yushan, who was wearing a black evening dress, walked to the center of the banquet hall and spoke.

"Before the banquet begins, I would like to announce an image taken at the Mars scientific research base."

"It was left by Academician Lu."

The venue fell silent.

All eyes were focused on her.

Chen Yushan nodded to the staff next to her, and then stepped aside.

As the power was turned on, misty mist rose upwards, and under the combination of a string of azure blue light particles, a blurred holographic image appeared in front of everyone in an instant.

The moment they saw that image, expressions of astonishment appeared on the faces of the people, many of them even exclaimed, covering their mouths that were opened wide in astonishment and excitement.

Lu Zhou!

A real Lu Zhou!

Although, it's just a holographic projection...

Bathed in a blue light, Lu Zhou standing on the holographic projector smiled shyly and said.

"I know, probably this video will probably be played many times. In short, when you see this effect, I may not be able to come back for a while...or to put it more sadly, I may not be in this world anymore .”

Facing the guests in the banquet hall, Lu Zhou looked at the front with both eyes and smiled, and said with some embarrassment.

"Sorry, I'm a little nervous. After all, you know that a young person like me still has a lot of life to live, and I don't have much experience in preparing last words and dealing with funeral affairs."

"It would be great if no one found this video, but if there is a one in ten thousand chance, something unfortunate happened and you found this thing... Please also hope that you will not feel sad because of my departure. "

"Life itself is a journey with a beginning and an end. Everyone will eventually meet the same end. Sometimes it is not a bad thing to be a day or two earlier, as long as the process is wonderful."

"It may also have something to do with my own personality. At least I don't think it's something to be sad about. Please don't cry and feel sad for me."

"The exploration of science itself is a risky thing. Even though our tradition does not advocate risk-taking and the pursuit of a balanced way of the mean, I don't think this is necessarily correct. If it is just for stability, it may not be true at all. We wouldn't be living where we are today, and all of us could be sitting securely in a tree watching those vicious beasts scurrying beneath our feet."

"It may be a bit unreasonable to say this, but this is my most honest thought at the moment. Also, please don't blame those who didn't stop me... If you have seen this video, it means that everything is my own choice .”

"I want to say sorry to my parents, family and friends, I may... have gone far away, and that will be a challenging, new adventure."

"Please don't worry about me, even if I go to the void beyond time, I will always be with you."

"In the end, I want to leave time for my loved ones... I know my video will be played many times, but please give me a little personal space."

Standing in the blue light curtain, facing a piece of emptiness, Lu Zhou in the image took a deep breath and said.

"...I promised you that I would propose to you that day."

"Although I don't know if it was on the special day of December 10th when you saw this video, but... I still want to tell you..."

"Can you marry me?"

There was silence in the banquet hall.

Time seemed to freeze at this moment.

He maintained that proposal position for many seconds, as if he felt that his behavior of proposing marriage to the video recorder was a bit funny, Lu Zhou scratched the back of his head in embarrassment, and finally stood up straight again.

"...I'm sorry, this proposal may be a little too solemn, but I definitely don't mean to be perfunctory, and I hope you will never know that I practiced it in front of the mirror many times before."

"As for the ring, I'm sorry I can't hand it over to you, but I put it under my pillow, and I measured the size secretly... Take ten thousand steps back, if it's true, I won't be able to come back, I hope you can find it..."

After finishing everything he wanted to say in one breath, Lu Zhou in the holographic image sniffed and finally showed a relieved smile on his face.

"I'm sorry to be so provocative..."

"If you don't use it in the end, then you will lose your lord."

"But if it's used..."

The Adam's apple moved slightly, and Lu Zhou in the image was silent for a few seconds, with a slightly lonely expression.

"...If it is used by any chance, please don't promise me in a feverish manner."

"Reject me."

Tears welled up in her eyes, Chen Yushan covered her nose with both hands, and interrupted him with sobs.

"No!"

Forgetting where she was and the crowd around her, she rushed to the stage, hugged the illusory image, and pulled him into her arms.

The warm mist as light as tulle slipped through her collar, leaked from between her fingers and hair, and finally disappeared in the silent night, blending into the dark ceiling.

Kneeling and sitting on the ground as if losing gravity.

She yelled that sentence in a hoarse voice with a crying tone.

"I do!"