Armor-piercing bullets don't believe in carbon-based monsters

Chapter 174: Speculations on the Causes of the Catastrophic Disaster
"The Fuxi Project is essentially a super-large, comprehensive exploratory project."

"But there are also many people who think it is a 'disaster recovery project' in itself."

Fuxi's tone was quite calm, but as if to allow Chen Jian to see more clearly, subtitles began to appear on the screen as it spoke.

"From the various information in your resume, I think you understand that the 2025 years from 2045 to 20 will be a very turbulent period for mankind."

"With the continuous development of various new technologies and breakthroughs in basic theories, the balance of power among countries in the world has been disrupted, and the old order is facing a critical juncture of renewal."

"In contrast, the progress of cutting-edge science and technology has not been able to be quickly converted into productivity in a short period of time, so that countries and groups are unable to quickly establish technological hegemony by relying on the advanced technology in their hands."

“The contradiction is further intensified, but at the same time, the fragile rope of technological development is also maintaining the final balance of the scale.”

"By that time, we had already become the leader in almost all applied technologies and basic theories."

“Artificial intelligence, energy, information, computing, materials.”

"Even at the end of 2045, we've already touched the last piece of the puzzle."

"That is, a room-temperature superconductor."

“Unfortunately, we didn’t get enough time in the end.”

Having said this, Fuxi paused, as if his heart was also filled with sadness.

After a moment, it continued:
"In short, under such circumstances, the external pressure we face is astonishing and terrifying, and the development pressure we face is huge and urgent."

“Thus, the Fuxi project came into being.”

"The project was originally established in 2038, the year when the Monkey King quantum computer was officially born."

"Its original intention was to train an AGI, or general artificial intelligence, capable of handling most tasks through the high computing power of quantum computers, and to use this artificial intelligence in conjunction with a large number of intelligent machines to try to start a truly intelligent industrial era."

“However, the development of the situation exceeded our expectations.”

“The sounding of quantum computers is not only the gong of mankind’s glorious era, but also the death knell of certain old orders.”

"Its birth inadvertently started the countdown to a war for all mankind."

"why?"

Chen Jian interrupted Fuxi and asked:

"The value that quantum computing can bring far outweighs its threats. How can it become the fuse of a war? I don't understand this."

"You know it - because you were one of the people who blew the whistle."

Fuxi continued:

“You are not against quantum computing, but you think that our level of confidentiality about quantum computing technology was too low and our protection was not strong enough.”

"That's really insightful but unfortunately history has its limitations."

"At that time, we were really overwhelmed by the massive technological progress and thought that quantum computing was just a brighter star among the shining stars."

"Perhaps some people are aware of the threat it poses, but compared to nuclear fusion and the endless stream of new weapons, the threat of quantum computing seems insignificant."

“So, your suggestion was not adopted immediately.”

"The leak happened, and in 2041, news about the 'Great Sage' was spread in a way we didn't want to see."

“Then, the shock wave swept through the entire foundation of the old order like a tsunami.”

“The first thing to be busted is the myth of all encryption algorithms.”

"RSA and AES, encryption algorithms widely used in the military and economic fields, are like a broken lock with the lock core knocked out. They can no longer protect the security of data."

"To quote what you said at the time: When you play a game and you turn on the full map perspective, do you think your opponent won't attack you along the network line?"

"That's the truth. Although our enemies didn't come at us with knives, they were definitely preparing for it."

“And that’s just in the military.”

"In the economic and financial fields, some currency systems that were already struggling to survive collapsed on the day the news was announced. International finance was in chaos, and some stock exchanges even saw all data return to zero."

"Although subsequent investigations showed that it was just an organized revenge by internal personnel, everyone still put the blame on us."

"Because they know that all data based on information technology is no longer safe."

"We are the eye of the storm, and what's worse is that we have the power to do so."

"When the third 'Monkey King' runs smoothly, we only need to press the keyboard lightly and change a few numbers to break through all the indestructible firewalls in the world and arbitrarily modify all the data we disagree with into what we want."

"Unless they physically isolate us from intrusion."

"So, we have no way to argue, except to keep issuing statements publicly stating that we have no intention of launching attacks against any virtual or non-virtual targets."

"Such a statement is of course pale and powerless. We are the giant holding a sharp blade, and this blade may be swung down at any time."

"For our enemies, their best response strategy may only be one."

"And when they only have one way left, we certainly only have one way left too."

"In 2042, the year after the quantum computing technology was leaked, the Fuxi project began to shift."

“Or it cannot be said to be a ‘turn’, but rather an ‘expansion’.”

“Its purpose is no longer simply to expand productivity, no longer to try to use explosive productivity and new production methods to cover up the pale echoes brought about by the collapse of the old order.”

“It starts to have disaster recovery properties.”

“I’m still quoting what you said at that time: If there is a project that can be called Project 0, it should have the function of allowing us to grow rapidly from scratch.”

“The Fuxi Project eventually evolved into this form.”

“A golden key that will allow us to rise quickly even after experiencing some unwanted catastrophe or a massive war that destroys everything.”

"Have you heard that joke?"

"As the joke goes, I don't know what weapons will be used in the third world war, but I know that the fourth world war will definitely be fought with stones and sticks."

"And the Fuxi Project is the final insurance that can save us from stones and sticks."

"So now, do you know what the Fuxi Project is?"

".Understood."

Chen Jian let out a long breath and didn't know what to say for a moment.

The information Fuxi provided him was so much and the amount of information was too much.

The war is about to break out, the technology is developing explosively, the glorious era is unparalleled, and the crisis is everywhere.
He really regretted that he didn't experience that era.

But it seems that now there is a heavier goal on my shoulders?

Is the Fuxi project considered a success?
Wait a minute.

Were there any other disasters before that catastrophe?

Chen Jian immediately asked:
"Did the war finally break out?"

"No."

Fuxi replied:
"As I said, in 2045, we touched the last piece of the puzzle, which is room-temperature superconductors." "In fact, as early as 2040, we had already discovered this piece of the puzzle, but it took five years to officially touch it."

"It is precisely because of this piece of the puzzle that humans have been able to slow down the pace of the war with a subtle tacit understanding."

"We continue to release news about this puzzle, combined with the continuous breakthroughs in fusion technology, as well as the various new values after the application of quantum computing and artificial intelligence, the wheel of war has teetered on the edge of a cliff."

"Although various medium and even large-scale conflicts continue to occur, and although the concept of so-called 'proxy wars' has been fought to the point of non-existence, it is true that no one has taken the final step."

"Of course, we didn't take it lightly - we had learned our lesson by then."

"Therefore, the Fuxi project did not stagnate, but continued to accelerate its development."

"Many underground fortifications like our 011 fortification were built, and even some 'towns' on the ground began to be put into operation experimentally."

"Wait a minute!"

Chen Jian interrupted again.

"You mean the town?"

"What's going on in Shancheng?"

"The mountain city is where the 004 fortification is located, but I have lost contact with it."

Fuxi replied:
"Fortification 004 was also one of the fortifications that was not opened after the disaster. Theoretically, it should have maintained stable operation like 011."

".No, at least from the information I know, the situation in Shancheng has completely changed."

Chen Jian shook his head slowly, thought for a moment, and continued to ask:

"So, how much do you know about the outside world? Do you know what's going on out there?"

"I know something."

"Through quantum communication nodes, I can stay in touch with most of the fortifications that have also set up nodes."

Fuxi's tone remained calm.

"On October 2045, 10, the catastrophe occurred."

“After the catastrophe, the surviving humans opened up many shelters and underground fortifications. The materials, knowledge, and technology in these fortifications enabled human civilization to achieve a significant recovery in a short period of time.”

"But unfortunately, not every construction project under the Fuxi project can reach the level of 011 and 004."

"Also, there has been a split within humanity, with some divergent paths that we did not expect."

"Humanity's development speed is relatively slow. Until 2080, it has not been able to establish a unified, highly organized regime."

"Of course, if they are given more time, they will eventually be able to turn the fire of civilization revival into a prairie fire."

"But in 2085, 40 years after the catastrophe, a secondary disaster occurred."

"The flame of recovery was almost extinguished, and from that time on, I was rarely able to obtain more useful information."

"But I know that secondary disasters occurred more than once, perhaps several times."

"After confirming this information, I also tried to start construction in advance and switch to intelligent operation mode to create a habitable environment before humans arrive."

"But I soon discovered that it would be almost impossible for civilization to continue without humans."

"Fortification 009 was accidentally destroyed in such an attempt. Since then, I have only done one thing, and that is to wait."

"I know someone will come here and take over the burden from my hands."

"But I didn't expect that someone as special as you would come."

".I didn't expect that either."

Chen Jian's eyes dimmed slightly, as if he had sensed his emotions. Fuxi spoke to comfort him:

"Don't be discouraged, Chief."

"I had many exchanges with you between 2042 and 2045."

"Although most of these exchanges are trivial and insignificant information, I know that your ability is stronger than what a 'machine' like me could have expected."

"You can definitely do what I can't do."

"hope so."

Chen Jian shook his head slightly, cleared up the messy thoughts in his mind, and asked again:
"Let's get back to the basics."

"Do you know what caused the catastrophe?"

"do not know."

When Fuxi finished speaking, Chen Jian was stunned.

"You don't know either?"

"Yes, my database is limited. The catastrophe happened in too short a time. Although it was not short for me, for humans, the time left for them to react was pitifully short."

"I ended up receiving very little useful information, or rather, humanity ended up receiving very little useful information."

"Combining this information, I cannot make any valuable judgment on the cause of the catastrophe."

"But, I can eliminate the wrong answers."

“So what’s the wrong answer?”

Chen Jian asked immediately.

"Viruses, radiation, and aliens are the most likely causes of catastrophes, but they are all wrong answers."

"This catastrophe is more like a disaster of disorder at the fundamental theoretical level, but its external manifestation happens to be similar to some elements that we can understand more easily."

"understood."

Chen Jian nodded slightly and asked again:
"What about your speculation? Do you have any speculation about the cause of the catastrophe? Even if it's unreasonable, you can tell me."

"That's too macroscopic. Do you really want to hear it?"

"Or do you want to start the work at hand first, and then I will give you a briefing when you are free?"

"Just say a few briefly, and then get to work."

Chen Jian stood up.

In fact, although he was curious about the real "cause", he didn't really need to know it.

The threat is real, and the work to be done is enormous.

Blindly pursuing the so-called "truth" is sometimes not so rational.

In a word, the priority is not that high.

After getting his answer, Fuxi said:
"From my point of view, the cause of the catastrophe may need to be considered from a very basic level, such as the Higgs field phase transition, proton decay, quantum gravity vacuum reconstruction, and Kaluza-Klein dimension collapse."

(End of this chapter)