Chapter Sixty: The More Powerful JW-002

Zhu Lan did not present the -004 model, but a much earlier -002 version. Normally, the earlier the model, the worse its performance should be. Yet Zhu Lan’s robot, though older, was in fact more powerful. When Zhu Lan had Kong Yan redesign it, the -002 was still a humanoid robot, and only with the -003 model did it shift to a caterpillar-tracked design. Later, dissatisfied with the functions of the -003, Zhu Lan revised it again, resulting in the -004 household robot.

This time, Zhu Lan brought out the -002 model entirely because of the previous conversation with Luo Guoqiang, in which he revealed part of his satellite plan. Though there was no response, neither was there any action, suggesting the authorities were considering the plan’s feasibility. Zhu Lan decided to strike while the iron was hot and unveil something impressive, so the nation would fully commit to his vision.

Zhu Lan himself lacked satellite technology, but Kong Yan possessed some similar expertise. Although such technology is guarded as tightly as nuclear secrets worldwide, it was no obstacle for Zhu Lan. With his Imagination System, Zhu Lan could acquire any technology given enough time—even things like spatial jumps or black hole creation, let alone satellite tech.

Within Zhu Lan’s grand scheme, the future lay in exploring the cosmos, and the New Human Project was born for this very purpose. Zhu Lan once hoped to pursue this great endeavor alongside the nation, but the actions of certain individuals over the years had eroded his trust—he could only rely on himself.

The satellite plan was Zhu Lan’s second step; the first was the gene optimization serum. Once he entered the realm of space technology, he could branch into other space-related industries, perhaps even launch projects like lunar travel, and develop his own space shuttles, just as American civilian aerospace companies had done.

Of course, that goal was still far off, so Zhu Lan had to proceed incrementally. The satellite plan was just a small probe to test the government’s reaction.

The eight journalists soon experienced the power of the -002 model. Its chip was specially made by Kong Yan, unlike the control chips in the -003 model, which were enhanced commercial chips. In terms of intelligence, the -002 was extraordinarily advanced, storing the entire human encyclopedia and capable of understanding countless things. For instance, it could massage your legs or shoulders upon request.

Even more impressive, the -002 could do almost everything a human could—sometimes even what humans could not. After an hour-long demonstration, none of the journalists left; their cameras’ film was spent entirely on the robot. If not for the security guards, the -002 might have been mobbed by the excited journalists.

After inviting the eight unsatisfied journalists offstage, the platform lowered, then rose again with a difference: the -002 remained at Zhu Lan’s side.

“The -002 robot beside me, as you have all seen, is truly remarkable. Frankly, there is no robot in the world that can compare to mine—not even military robots,” Zhu Lan declared.

The journalists were stunned for a moment, then quickly raised their hands, eager to ask questions.

“You, sir!” Zhu Lan pointed.

“Mr. Zhu, are you implying that the Chinese military will soon introduce robot soldiers, and that they will be developed based on your robot?”

“That is classified. I cannot reveal anything about that.”

“Mr. Zhu, does this mean that the robot technology of Fantasy Technology is in fact the Chinese military’s secret robot program?”

“No! Robots are simply the next-generation product of Fantasy Technology, unrelated to the military.”

No one present believed Zhu Lan’s words. Humanoid robot technology, especially intelligence at this level—hundreds of people had just witnessed it—seemed straight out of a futuristic world. In recent years, China’s robotics technology had been rapidly advancing. To claim that Fantasy Technology’s robots were unrelated to the military, no one would accept that.

“Mr. Zhu, since your company has launched this robot, does it mean it will soon be available on the market?”

“Mr. Zhu, is the robot intended as a mass-market product?”

“Mr. Zhu, some say the advent of robots heralds the birth of a new era. Will the Nobel committee award you its greatest contribution prize?”

The journalists clamored, bombarding Zhu Lan with questions.

“I’m sorry, today’s press conference is now concluded. Thank you all for attending,” Lan Tianxin stepped forward with her team and escorted Zhu Lan away.

“Mr. Zhu...”

“Mr. Zhu...”

The journalists did not want to let Zhu Lan go, but underestimated the strength of the security. The twenty new guards formed a human wall; no matter how the journalists pushed, they could not break through. Zhu Lan and the high-level staff of Fantasy Technology exited from the rear.

As soon as Zhu Lan sat down, Li Hongjin and his entourage arrived.

Lan Tianxin, seeing this, said nothing and withdrew with the others.

“Care for some tea?” Zhu Lan picked up the teapot, looking at Li Hongjin, then focusing on the elderly man beside him. From his aura, Zhu Lan sensed a presence of authority—something he had never encountered before. This elder was no ordinary figure.

“Gladly!” Li Hongjin smiled, inviting the old man to sit.

Zhu Lan poured tea for the two guests.

He raised his cup in salute; the two reciprocated, savoring the tea slowly.

“Excellent tea,” Li Hongjin praised, setting his cup down.

“You flatter me.” It was indeed excellent tea—Zhu Lan had materialized this top-grade Da Hong Pao from a film. Only national leaders could usually drink such tea; were it not for Zhu Lan’s lack of skill in brewing, it might have tasted even better.

The room grew quiet.

“Your words earlier were rather bold,” Li Hongjin broke the silence, glancing at Zhu Lan.

Zhu Lan’s expression was unchanged. “Were they? I don’t think so.”

Li Hongjin smiled wryly. “You…”

“May I ask what brings you here today, sir?” Zhu Lan turned from Li Hongjin to address the old man beside him.

“Very interesting. Frankly, you are impressive—better than my own son,” the elder said.

“Your praise is too generous.”

“Zhu Lan, let me introduce you: this is my mentor, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Military Commission, He Hongguang.”

“He Chairman?” Zhu Lan froze. As soon as Li Hongjin mentioned his name, Kong Yan had sent over the dossier. Seeing the information, Zhu Lan was astonished—this was a legendary figure, elusive as a dragon.

“Did I frighten you, young man?” Chairman He smiled at Zhu Lan.

Zhu Lan shook his head helplessly. “You did.”

“Then why shake your head?” Li Hongjin exposed Zhu Lan’s contradiction.

Zhu Lan returned a glare—by now, after so many encounters, he no longer felt any distance with Li Hongjin, nor did he regard his rank as Major General with much awe.

“By the way, you held something back from me,” Li Hongjin realized, frowning at Zhu Lan.

Zhu Lan smiled awkwardly, knowing Li Hongjin referred to the -002 model. Previously, he and Luo Guoqiang had only seen the -004, which was far less capable than the -002.

“I was rushed, after all.”

“Rushed?” Li Hongjin chuckled at Zhu Lan.

Zhu Lan nodded solemnly. “That’s right. The journalists asked about the gene optimization serum and related topics. I don’t know if they were instigated by foreign interests, but to protect the nation’s secrets, I had to divert attention with more advanced technology—it was a necessary move.”

Li Hongjin frowned. He knew well the secrecy surrounding the gene optimization serum and its related gene enhancement products. Today’s press conference, though simple, contained many hidden dangers. Few realized that several fake journalists attempting to infiltrate Fantasy Technology had already been apprehended.

“Well, never mind. When will you show us that thing?”

“You’re welcome to see it any time. It’s expensive to produce, though—I can’t afford to make more. My company’s finances are nearly in the red!”

Li Hongjin shook his head and turned to Chairman He.

“Young man, I came today to meet you, and also about the plan you proposed.”

“My plan?” Zhu Lan was puzzled, then suddenly realized and looked at Chairman He and Li Hongjin in surprise.

The only plan he’d submitted was the satellite proposal to Luo Guoqiang a few days ago—a new satellite manufacturing plan based on quantum communication. Zhu Lan had never expected it to be approved. But now?

Seeing Zhu Lan’s reaction, He Hongguang smiled. “Surprised?”

Zhu Lan recovered, nodding awkwardly. “I am. I never expected it to pass—there’s no precedent for this.”

He Hongguang nodded. “In fact, the authorities were initially opposed, but the Premier spoke up for you.”

“The Premier?” Zhu Lan was confused; he didn’t know the Premier.

He Hongguang nodded. “Exactly. It’s not hard to explain. Your gene enhancement serum has brought significant progress to the country. In certain respects, you’re being compensated for that. Of course, what happened before was purely accidental.”

Zhu Lan composed himself. “Things aren’t so simple, are they?”

“Smart people speak succinctly.”

“Your dossier has always been in the national archives. There are things you didn’t want us to know, but we know—such as some of the equipment in your company.”

Zhu Lan was momentarily stunned, then smiled wryly.

He finally understood.

All the biological equipment at Fantasy Technology was materialized by Zhu Lan alone. Often, Zhu Lan claimed to import equipment under the guise of raw materials. With the Imagination System, there was no such thing as embargoed equipment—if he needed something, he could simply create it.

This resulted in many devices, which in reality were high-precision instruments embargoed by the West against China. But for Zhu Lan, no equipment was ever truly embargoed.

Later, with Kong Yan’s arrival, these devices were no longer materialized, but instead were upgraded and improved by Kong Yan herself, surpassing those used in Western nations.

Of course, Zhu Lan made sure that any traces of his prior actions were gradually erased by Kong Yan, just as she herself appeared to be a perfectly logical part of the company.