Agriculture Maniac

Chapter 525 Virtual and Reality (Bonus Chapter)

Lanzhu is an overseas Chinese living in the United States.

He is 36 years old this year, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a major in logic, information and computing, and has worked at Microsoft and Amazon.

Later, work-related stress triggered anxiety, which severely impacted the projects he was responsible for. He was forced to resign and stay in North America, where he received psychological treatment and traveled for recuperation.

Four years ago, Sanxi Technology started and needed to rely on Western scientific and technological talents to complete the transition, and to research and create Sanxi analog electronics, Sanxi digital electronics, Sanxi machine voice, and Sanxi Chinese system.

Lan Zhu had considered applying, but her age, major, technological differences, non-compete agreement, and trust in Sanxi Electronics made her hesitate, causing her to miss the window of opportunity.

After all, no country or region can achieve a complete breakthrough under the blockade of the Western technology alliance.

However, Sanyuan Agriculture developed Sanxi Electronics in just two years and then perfected the Sanxi Electronics industrial chain in another two years.

Now that the three departments' scientific research and education are progressing in tandem, she, a top student who has mastered advanced Western technologies, is like a beginner when it comes to the three departments' electronics, and needs to start all over again.

There are only a few '36-year-olds' in a lifetime, so Lanzhu ultimately chose to stay in North America.

Later, when he went to a convenience store to buy something, he saw a new ADM instant coffee on the shelf.

As a monopolistic player in the North American food market, ADM's influence in North America is comparable to that of COFCO in the East. Especially in recent years, ADM's edible oils, corn syrup, wheat flour, pet food, food ingredients, and food additives are ubiquitous.
Driven by curiosity and a desire to try something new, Lan Zhu bought a packet of ADM instant coffee. After tasting it, she was surprised to find that it was very different from other instant coffees she had ever had—it was more mellow, richer, and more fragrant.

Compared to other products in the same price range, or even coffee shops, it's an incredible product.

Lanzhu carefully examined the ingredient list.

In my memory, most coffee beans come from Hawaii, or South America and South Africa, but ADM uses coffee beans from the 'Cambodia-San Yuan Second Generation Coffee Tree'.

Doesn't Cambodia grow pineapples?

When did you switch to growing coffee?

Lan Zhu searched online and learned that Sanyuan Agriculture had wiped out the drug lords in Southeast Asia, eradicated all opium poppies and pineapples, and redefined the crop planting areas.

Later, perhaps due to psychological factors, the words "three elements" and "three systems" would inadvertently pop into my life.

Sanyuan Foods, Sanyuan Beverages, Sanyuan Daily Chemicals, Sanyuan Building Materials, Sanyuan Pharmaceuticals, SY Handheld Game Console, MT Electronics...
Even when buying toilet paper, you can find information about Sanxi Sun Paper Industry.
When buying underwear, towels, and bedding, you can find Sanxi Ruyi Textile.

When buying power banks, lubricating oil, and hardware tools, you'll see brands like Mobil 3 and 3M 3.

Although the supply of the above products is not large, their quality is all top-notch.

It was from that point on that Lan Zhu became a fan of the three systems.

She could argue online with trolls all night over the flavor of a bag of snacks.

She could argue with netizens who mocked the backwardness of 3D electronics, about the musical decorations on a cake, and explain that North America really couldn't mass-produce such small and inexpensive electronic toys.

She would go to great lengths, asking around and pulling strings, just to buy genuine Sanyuan cosmetics.

When the simulation cultivation game was launched, Lan Zhu offered ten times the price to purchase the game box because North America did not grant it access.

Unfortunately, they were never able to get their hands on the device until the end of the closed beta.

By chance, Lanzhu ran into an old acquaintance.

The other person's name was Sang Biao. He was tall, with slightly dark skin and a head of curly hair. He looked like an Asian, but claimed to be of African descent and from Nigeria.

The two met through personal shopping services.

At the time, North America imposed sanctions on Sanyuan Agriculture, and North America Shili Mall was forced to be transferred to Walmart Group, resulting in a comprehensive price increase for Sanyuan products on Walmart shelves.

Lanzhu didn't want to waste money, so she inquired everywhere and sought to buy Sanyuan cosmetics.

Sang Biao took the initiative to contact them and offered a Sanyuan toiletries set from Walmart at half the usual price.

Lan Zhu initially thought it was a counterfeit product, but after using it, she found that it was no different from the ones she had used before.

Subsequently, whenever Lanzhu was short of the three series of products, she would contact Sang Biao, and the two became acquainted as a result.

During that chance encounter, Sang Biao provided a Korean version game box that KS Group had licensed from Second Life and put on the market.

Overjoyed, Lanzhu planned to buy several sets of cosmetics for future use.

Unexpectedly, Sang Biao looked troubled and said, "I'm sorry, the original supplier was purchased for zero yuan."

"???"

"However, Shili Mall has resumed supply, so you can go there to buy it."

"The prices in the display case are very expensive."

"There's nothing we can do. The Shili Mall has been bought back by the Sanxi Enterprises, and the suppliers are all too afraid to compete for it now, as they can't get any goods."

"···"

"However, the Japanese island is about to launch a simulated cultivation game. You can check out the Japanese version of the three-system products through the game store. If you see anything you like, make a list and I will contact the suppliers to have them grab it."

Lanzhu finally understood that Sang Biao's business was even wilder than traveling by water.

Fortunately, the other party did not have any ill intentions towards me.

After receiving the game box, Lan Zhu began her simulated cultivation journey.

Due to their landing sites, they were assigned to the North American continent, which was inhabited by Native Americans.

However, considering her anxiety disorder, Lan Zhu chose "Leisure" instead of "Conquest" when creating her character.

According to the introduction, choosing the Journey mode allows you to get involved in game conflicts and engage in PvP anytime, anywhere, as there are no safe zones in the entire game.

Choosing the "leisure" option allows you to become a neutral NPC-like entity. Unless there are natural disasters or wars, you generally won't get involved in conflicts. Furthermore, depending on geographical information, you will be accepted by local forces and provided with long-term protection.

Just like her.

In the leisure option, you can farm, invent, trade, and post quests. The Native American NPCs, AI dummies, and advanced artificial intelligence within a hundred miles are like friends, occasionally passing by for a chat. After getting to know each other, they will even come to visit, introduce friends, help with work, and assist in eliminating threats.

After playing for two weeks, Lan Zhu's mindset gradually changed from 'being curious about this game' to 'wanting to play the game' and 'taking a break to see what the NPCs are doing'.

It gradually escalated to 'The tribes are at war, and they (NPCs) need me'.

As a result, my daily gaming time increased from 8 hours to 12 hours, and now I'm playing so much that I forget to eat and sleep.

Lan Zhu, using her professional expertise to analyze the situation, suddenly felt a chill run down her spine upon closer examination.

First, AI is growing at a rapid pace.

Second, the virtual society system is becoming increasingly sophisticated.

Third, although the game has no missions, it contains subtle "hidden events" that make you actively participate, immerse yourself in the game, and enjoy it so much that you can't leave it.

If brain-computer interfaces mature and virtual reality helmets from novels become available, perhaps this could truly become a second world.

Most importantly, Lan Zhu, who had never been in a relationship before, was horrified to discover that she seemed to have fallen in love with the NPC she met at the very beginning.

An Easterner who drifted to the Americas after his ship wrecked.

It has a real identity, a personal story, and an independent personality, but according to forum discussions, the other party should be an advanced artificial intelligence.

This is even more terrifying: a senior engineer in the computer industry would actually fall in love with a string of data?
Lanzhu wanted to quit the game, but she couldn't help logging in.

···
8:00 AM. The first major upgrade to the simulated cultivation game.

Lan Zhu (see official instructions):

With daily online players exceeding 3000 million, the simulated world is on track, and everyone has the opportunity to change their lives and redefine their future.

In this version, any player can use real-world currency to materialize in-game items.

For example, in a CG animation, a down-on-his-luck college student designs several earrings in a game, then brings them to life, promotes them on a forum, receives a large number of orders, and becomes rich overnight.

For example, in a CG animation, a eccentric researcher who can't get project funding first creates a pulse detonation engine in the game, and then invents a pulse detonation fighter jet, attracting the attention of Sanyuan High-Tech and Sanyuan Heavy Industry. The eccentric researcher becomes famous overnight, joins the group, and is awarded a first-class merit.

For example, in a CG animation, a noblewoman wearing a collector's edition outfit materialized from the game store attends an upper-class banquet, dazzling the entire audience and attracting countless envious glances.

Should I conjure something into reality?

After reading the official announcement, Lan Zhu logged into the game. The new version was already available. She immediately took control of her character and looked around the entire farm.

Just then, a familiar voice came from behind.

Good morning, beautiful lady.

"Good morning, Gong San San. I must say, the character name you chose is really strange."

"A name is just a label. I noticed you were spacing out just now."

While observing the bow that attracted her, Lan Zhu tentatively asked, "The game has been updated, and I'm planning to materialize something."

Gong Sansan said without any hesitation, "It's a very good decision. Our farm raises a lot of American cockroaches. According to the latest research by Sanyuan Pharmaceutical, it has a very good effect on relieving cirrhosis. Perhaps we can realize it in reality, make it into a medicine, and then sell it."

"The problem is, games are virtual, they represent things in a virtual world, what if they don't exist in reality?"

"This is a problem for the game company, not something we players should worry about."

"Ok."

Lan Zhu looked at the eloquent Gong San San. Although according to the forum, it could be determined that the other party was an advanced artificial intelligence, after the conversation, it didn't seem like it.

They then selected American cockroaches from the farm, paid $1.6 for their realization and processing.

Gong San San suddenly spoke up: "After the materialization, you need to sell this batch of medicines. Coincidentally, I know a merchant with some ability. Do you need any help?"

Lan Zhu only knew people in the software engineering field in North America. Even Sang Biao, whom she knew well, had never been in the pharmaceutical business. She nodded quickly.

At the same time, it refuted the suspicion that Gong San San was an advanced artificial intelligence.

After all, no AI can truly understand reality...
No, AI can recognize people in the real world.

Like Gong San San, if someone asks her to help another person in real life, she will most likely not refuse.

'My God, have three-system AI systems become this powerful?'

Half an hour later.

Lanzhu suddenly received a call from DuPont Pharmaceuticals.

The gist is that they heard they had a batch of semi-finished American cockroaches and planned to purchase them at a high price.

Based on the quantity, the total price is US$2.3.

"So, after deducting realization fees and warehousing and transportation costs, I can earn at least $5000?!"

'But how does the virtual world connect with reality?'

...

Second Life Company.

Feng Lei, the chief planner of the simulated cultivation game, demonstrates the progress of the 'ecosystem' through pictures and text:
"Korean and Japanese versions of equipment are being shipped to the Americas."

"Non-Chinese and West Asian equipment flowed to Europe."

"The equipment from grain-importing countries is basically absorbed locally."

"Currently, the average daily number of players online has surged to 3000 million."

"When we first created the cultivation simulation game, we incorporated everything that the three industries in reality possessed into the game, subtly guiding players to freely combine and develop their skills."

"After a month of closed beta testing and a month of open beta testing, and following the version update, approximately 30% of players discovered the virtual-to-real-world trading mechanism."

"This is also our goal: to break down bulk commodities into smaller, more manageable transactions between players (private enterprises) and players (global consumers), much like the early days of tourism-driven e-commerce."

"If players don't have access to supplies and sales channels, we will use game monitoring and advanced artificial intelligence to connect players with reality."

"It can be said that personal customization and the realization of game items have connected many unrelated industries, promoted the development of the private economy, and the micro-scale export trade has expanded the coverage of the three industries, increased customer demand, and increased the playability of the game."

"If this continues, simulated cultivation will become the third-largest direct sales platform after 'online sales economy'."

"But correspondingly, scattered shipments and deliveries have increased the pressure on logistics distribution and express delivery."

"Furthermore, Western labor costs are high. The logistics and express delivery companies that have signed contracts with us, such as Old Smith's North American Ocean Shipping Group, the Morgan Group's FedEx and FedEx, the Old Brooks family's North American Postal System, Germany's DHL Group, and European companies like DPD, GLS, Doral Logistics, and Royal Mail, have not reduced their related costs due to increased business volume. On the contrary, the increased workload has led to a near doubling of their costs."

"It's fair to say that in the future, most of the profits from this 'simulated cultivation' e-commerce platform will be taken by logistics and delivery services."

While listening, Yu Yang flipped through the documents. "The logistics and express delivery industry in Europe and America is basically a monopoly, which makes it difficult for us to get involved. However, the way to break the monopoly is to throw a catfish into the industry. At present, the only suitable catfish are the postal systems of various countries. We can cancel our cooperation with the capital group and cooperate with the local post office instead, since the cost is the same anyway."

Meanwhile, the exaggerated claims of the successful privatization of the Japanese postal service and the promising prospects of postal privatization reforms in South Korea appealed to capitalists, who saw potential for exploitation and thus pushed forward the privatization of postal services in various countries.

Even in Western countries, the postal service is a basic communication and social security system, belonging to the state sector, and it is difficult to privatize it.

However, infrastructure and security systems mean investing heavily and are difficult to profit from. In capitalist countries, no one wants an entity that only spends money and doesn't make money.

Therefore, as early as 03, under Fujima's leadership, Japan implemented a postal privatization commune, which became self-sufficient.

South Korea, under the leadership of its current governor, also initiated postal privatization reforms.

If the capitalists are fooled and push for the privatization of the postal service, the postal service, which previously didn't care about business, will now be vying for business after privatization.

Going forward, a long-term price war is inevitable in the logistics and express delivery sector, which will benefit their own businesses.

At the same time, there are no winners in a price war. Whether the private postal service wins or the established logistics and express delivery company wins, each company can take the opportunity to acquire another party, strengthen its own logistics network, and gain access to a global logistics and express delivery network.

Yu Yang was fairly satisfied with the competence of the chief planner, Feng Lei.

After the presentation, the person was promoted to CEO of Second Life.

And then we arrived at the company building.

With the National Day Golden Week approaching, the offline player meet-up has ended.

However, domestic and foreign tourists flocked to Shiliying to participate in the annual collective tribute to the motherland.

此次献礼，包括三艘两栖攻击舰、三艘无人机航母、两艘万吨倭版两栖登陆舰、一艘818电侦船、30架飞鸟-Ⅲ侦察机、10架Y8 pro max预警机、一套05版三系指挥作战系统、一套近地轨道三系空间站、2000套机械外骨骼、200套机械动力装甲…

In return, the superiors presented gifts including laser cannon technology, a detailed explanation of nuclear fusion, the theory of quantum entanglement, gallium ionization semiconductor materials, lunar soil, and lunar surface geographic information data.
Since the handover took place on the mainland, large ships were replaced with 1:1 models, and the delivery at sea was broadcast live on a large outdoor screen on the main road of Shiliying.

(End of this chapter)