Deep Space Wandering Fleet
Chapter 448 - 446: Exploring the South and North Pole

Chapter 448: Chapter 446: Exploring the South and North Pole

Facing Anna’s confusion, Zhang Yuan sighed. Using technological means to advance the world was indeed effective, but his own efficiency was simply too slow.

It was too difficult to change the essence. Don’t think that the arrival of the telegram could lead humans to smoothly transition into the electrical age.

The land of this world was equivalent to only the Southeast Asia Islands on Earth. Without searching for a New Continent, such a tiny living space was impossible to break through the real upper limits of development.

He picked up a globe and explained to Anna, "This is our planet, the part that has been explored, more than 95% of it, is ocean."

The globe was divided into two halves, one bright, the other dark.

Giant Stone City was located in the dark area of the southern hemisphere, at approximately 22.5 degrees south latitude.

"Human beings urgently need more living space to develop better. An area with sunlight and a suitable temperature would allow us to grow a large amount of food to feed a larger population!"

"The average temperature of this planet is too high, areas with sunlight are too hot, and areas without sunlight don’t support plant growth. So... where are the suitable places to live?"

Zhang Yuan pointed to the two ends of the globe, first, Antarctica, and second, the Arctic.

The temperatures at the South and North Pole were inherently lower than other regions, and they also had the midnight sun phenomenon. After a series of calculations, the temperature could reach around 0-5 degrees Celsius. This temperature was habitable.

If one could find a New Continent in the light zone of the South and North Pole, the living conditions for mankind would undoubtedly undergo a tremendous change.

"Do we really have to go?" Anna asked, not understanding why they would seek a New Continent when life was already so prosperous. Even though she knew her brother was an ambitious man, she still found it hard to comprehend.

Moreover, Antarctica was too far away!

This world was not like Earth, with vast continents where one could make temporary stops. Due to the entire planet being tidally locked, one end was hot, the other cold, and the convection of cold and heat often produced great storms and tsunamis.

The longer the voyage, the higher the chance of encountering disasters.

Zhang Yuan smiled but did not answer.

...

The stars in the sky gradually faded, marking the advent of a pitch-black night...

Glasses clinked and distinguished guests filled the seats, the glowing gas lamps illuminating the entire mansion. Zhang Yuan was hosting more than eighty guests at his home, including a small fraction of scientists from the information industry, some society celebrities, a few business tycoons with whom he had a good personal relationship, and some high-level government officials.

They ate and drank, laughed and conversed, while at the same time probing each other’s business bottom lines. An invisible gunpowder smoke had already permeated the air.

There was only one topic at the banquet—the telegram! Even the scandalous tales of playboys were no longer the subject of discussion. Some old timers, hearing of such a miraculous thing, showed expressions of skepticism.

The food on the tables was exquisite, with high-end ingredients from all over the world, prepared by palace chefs. Even some guests with small appetites ate their fill.

Zhang Yuan stood in the front and introduced the specific working principle of the telegram, including the potential economic growth it could drive and the profits that could be expected.

"In conclusion, it is a more reliable tool for signal transmission, and it isn’t affected by the weather or the route."

In fact, these nobles and dignitaries were not interested in the principles of the telegram. The so-called transmission antennas and Morse code, they simply could not understand. They were only interested in profit. Any person with a sound mind knew what kind of change this thing would bring!

This was a true upheaval!

The unparalleled benefits, a massive, visible cake, were all laid out before their eyes.

The aging Queen was reading the latest telegram, her brow smoothing out from its furrowed state. She had already confirmed the veracity of this news through the back-and-forth of messenger pigeons.

In the past, it would take six hours to send a message to another small island using pigeons, but now, it took less than half a second.

A new era had arrived, and old trades would be ousted as new industries rose to prominence.

Yet, all the patents were in Zhang Yuan’s hands, while the scientists might glean a small share of stocks. This was not important; it was only right that these clever individuals were rewarded.

The majority stake in Zhang Yuan’s hands was what mattered, indicating the size of the cake he could divide.

Thinking thus, some nobles held their breath, as if seeing an unmined mountain of gold. A few of the old timers began to entertain some crooked thoughts, pondering whether this young man was married yet or not, maybe they could arrange something, marrying off their daughters to him...

Zhang Yuan finally spoke calmly, "Of course, a new industry inevitably requires comprehensive collaboration. Whether it’s equipment or human resources, we need steel, copper, and engineers. Universities as well as steel smelters should all get involved. Constructing signal towers on different islands will be a huge expense, so our company is eager to seek more partners."

"Here, I’m making an announcement."

For a moment, the room was terrifyingly silent, everyone waited for Zhang Yuan’s declaration.

"I am willing to cede a portion of the shares in exchange for an opportunity for a long ocean voyage!"

This announcement was unexpected!

After hearing Zhang Yuan describe his grand visions, the same thought simultaneously rose up among many—had he lost his mind!

A long ocean voyage? Exploring Antarctica? This was no longer about ambition, it was... madness!

Looking back at the globe, where the dark areas indicated regions that were either uncharted or extremely dangerous, a concerned Duke, who was somewhat acquainted with Zhang Yuan, tried to reason with him, "Earl, you are still so young, with a promising future ahead. Why engage in something where the risks so heavily outweigh the benefits?"

His voice had taken on a severe tone, "Only those nobles who are down and out and suffer from delusions would do such a thing!"

Another scientist stood up to persuade him, "Indeed, my lord Earl, this idea has been around for a long time. A hundred years ago, someone explored parts of the Arctic. But in the end, they found nothing, and the Captain went bankrupt and committed suicide on the return journey... Lord Earl, why must you do this?"

He spoke out of a genuine admiration for Zhang Yuan’s abilities.

"Oh! There was also a fleet that went to Antarctica, but they never returned. Perhaps they encountered a great storm, or maybe a tsunami."

"Even if you find some small islands in Antarctica, it’s meaningless! It’s too remote, no one is willing to settle there unless you discover an entire continent! But the chance of that is minuscule!"

The rest of the room did not know what to say and started to become restless. Many were eager to get more shares of the telegram company, practically overjoyed that Zhang Yuan had gone mad, but they could not show it openly and so each stood up to feign concern and offer comfort.

But how sincere they really were remained an unanswered question.

There were those who advised, those who were jealous, those secretly thrilled, and those who wished Zhang Yuan would die madly at sea—the few who truly worried about his well-being were in the minority.

Zhang Yuan just shook his head lightly; this was, indeed... humanity.

...