From Robinson Crusoe

Dear Mr. Chen Zhou, hello!
The Time and Space Administration staff would like to remind you that your "Cross-Time Large-Scale Live Challenge Show" is coming to an end.

Please arrive at the reward reception area before 4 PM on December 12, 1687, to prepare for your return.

According to the rules, when you return to your world, you can take all the valuables you acquired during the challenge with you. Please organize the valuables you need to take in advance to avoid financial loss.

To facilitate your transport, in addition to the valuables placed in the reward receiving area, the Time and Space Administration has also prepared 200 cubic meters of private storage space for you, where you can store important valuables.

However, it should be noted that this space is for one-time use only; once an item is removed, it cannot be put back in.

Once you return to your own world, you need to empty your private storage space within 30 days, or the items inside will be permanently lost.

In addition, it should be noted that the Time and Space Administration defines the valuables in this large-scale reality challenge show as physical precious metals, currency, luxury goods, and valuable handicrafts.

Real estate, property, private slaves, pets, or cheap animal products are not included and should not be attempted to be taken out.

The Time and Space Administration is not responsible for any accidental injury or property damage caused by your personal actions.

The Time and Space Administration reserves the right to final interpretation of this challenge. Any attempt to exploit loopholes or take advantage of loopholes to gain more rewards will be at your own risk.

……

On December 10, 1687, Chen Zhou found a familiar-looking blue cube on the table in his study, with a line of words floating above it.

The long journey of 10300 days is coming to an end, and the Time and Space Administration, just as it promised on the forum 28 years ago, begins to remind him—

Don't forget that this is a unique train with a round trip; he didn't "buy" a one-way ticket.

Several years ago, Chen Zhou had already made all the preparations to leave.

The large quantities of precious metals he smelted were stored in the manor's basement, while exquisite gold ornaments and gem-encrusted artifacts were kept in a storage room filled with charcoal to keep them dry and protected from moisture.

In addition to these treasures worth hundreds of millions, Chen Zhou also has a collection of many fine wines, 17th-century European calligraphy and paintings, porcelain, silk, woven tapestries, exquisite handmade clocks, music boxes and other valuable items.

These items were brought by Kylian and other merchants closely associated with the island, a significant portion of which originated from the Spanish royal family or European nobles. By the 17th century alone, they were already priceless treasures.

Among these handicrafts, each worth millions or tens of millions, are a few seemingly ordinary objects.

Saturday's first practice drawing, with its immature brushstrokes;
On Sunday, when he was helping Chen Zhou forge iron, the small hammer he made himself looked just like a large iron nail that had been bent.
The short-haired brush, made from collected Totoro fur, has never been used for many years, and the tip remains silver-gray.
The portraits of Laifu and other pets that Chen Zhou drew himself were stacked into a thick pile, more than half a person's height.

These are the most precious treasures in Chen Zhou's heart, and he would not agree to exchange them for gold of equal volume.

……

After receiving the notification from the Time and Space Administration, Chen Zhou first figured out how to use the so-called "private space".

At first, he thought that so-called private space was like the storage rings in fantasy novels, which were controlled by thought, and that putting things into it also relied on thought.

When he actually used it, he found that it wasn't that complicated at all.

The blue cube that the Time and Space Administration delivered to the desk served as both a communication tool and a key to the private space.

Wherever he goes, as long as he carries that cube with him, he can open the "Vault Door" of his private space and store things inside.

As for how much of the 200 cubic meters of storage space has been used, it can be determined by observing the color of the blue square's surface.

The occupied space will change from sky blue to dark blue to indicate that it has been used.

Of course, for Chen Zhou, 200 cubic meters of space is more than enough. Even if he stuffed all the precious metals he had accumulated over the years into it, it would not take up half of the storage space.

And even if he could fill the space, he wouldn't do it—

The total value of the challenge rewards far exceeded his expectations; whether it was one hundred million or one billion, it was an astronomical figure for him.

In the first few years after arriving on the island, Chen Zhou would occasionally fantasize about what he would buy and how he would enjoy this wealth.

As he grew older, his memories of modern times began to fade, and many of the luxuries he had long dreamed of disappeared from his mind.

The births, aging, illnesses, and deaths of those around him made him realize that money is indeed not everything, and that there are things in this world more worthy of pursuit than money.

At least the Time and Space Administration has shown him a magnificent and vast world.

Having lived 28 years longer than expected, possessed coveted wealth, wielded power, and determined the fates of many, he had long since become indifferent to right and wrong, honor and disgrace.

……

In the last two days before leaving, Chen Zhou hid in the manor and did not leave for a moment.

He tried to ruthlessly cut himself off from all of this, to make a final break with Saturdays and Sundays, and to become a "stranger".

However, he saved the lives of Saturday and the others, and every inch of this island is imbued with his heart and soul.

How can a lifetime of effort be ended so easily?

As the story drew to a close, his biggest worry was still the fate of the island.

Can this "Paradise Island," which has become the focus of the world due to his influence, continue its legend?

Will it become heaven or hell in the future?

Can the indigenous people of primitive tribes truly change their fate and embark on a different path?

Chen Zhou couldn't understand it, nor could he see that far ahead.

However, he was not optimistic about the island's future.

He has barely slept these past two days, and the light in his study has been on all night.

Chen Zhou wrote down his views on the development of a country, his understanding of the world pattern, his emphasis on the people, and his predictions on the path of technological development.

When I read *Romance of the Three Kingdoms* before, I came across the following:

"Before one has risen to prominence, one should think of retreating; after one has achieved success, one should remember the words spoken when departing."

He could not help but shed tears when the late emperor gave his earnest instructions and the stars fell in the autumn wind at Wuzhang Plain.

At that time, even though he lamented the tragic end of Shu Han, he could not truly empathize with it.

Now, seeing that the island is likely to slide into the abyss after he leaves, Chen Zhou finally understands how reluctant the prime minister was to leave, and how much resentment and helplessness he felt.

He wished he could leave behind a thousand, ten thousand "brilliant plans".

But no matter how much planning there is, it cannot determine the world's格局 (geju, a concept encompassing overall structure, overall situation, and overall situation), nor can it change the outsiders' covetousness for the island.

Children will eventually grow up, start their own families, and stand tall in the world on their own.

……

The elderly Chen Zhou poured his heart and soul into leaving behind a wealth of advice for dealing with various events.

The papers were neatly arranged on the desk, so that anyone who came to tidy up could see them immediately after he left.

However, Chen Zhou hoped that the island would never need to use these suggestions, because that would mean the island was already in a precarious situation.

……

1687 12 Month 12 Day.

On the harbor beach, a dozen or so people stood in the sandy area enclosed by a high wall.

These people all had graying temples and were quite old; some were even hunched over and used canes.

However, if outsiders were to come here, they would certainly be astonished—

Gathered within the high walls were the most powerful figures on Paradise Island, high-ranking officials whose every move could shake half the ocean. Normally, meeting any one of them required connections and favors; their gathering was an extremely rare occurrence. At this moment, these people stood around a square area marked with long ropes on the sand, each face filled with reluctance.

In the center of them, Chen Zhou had long since changed into the outfit he wore on the day he started the challenge—

White short-sleeved shirt, shorts, and sneakers.

As he aged, his body changed shape, and even in this outfit, he no longer looked like a boy. Instead, he looked out of place, like a clown performing a farce.

But those present, looking at this tall, slightly overweight man, showed no sign of a smile.

……

Chen Zhou adjusted his expression, trying to make himself look like the young man who first landed on the island 28 years ago.

However, no matter how much he tried to fix his wrinkles and loose skin, he could never regain his former youthful innocence and high spirits.

He checked the items around him, making sure he had all the paintings with him, before looking at the person beside him.

"One by one, don't look so sad."

You are not children anymore; you should have expected this day to come.

Even if I don't leave, I'll still die. Does that mean you won't be able to live your lives after I die?

"That's different..."

The naval commander, known for his fortitude and decisiveness, was still thin on Sunday. He stood straight, like a spear nailed to the beach, but his voice was trembling with sobs.

Saturday patted Sunday on the shoulder and casually wiped the corner of his eye.

"Can't you stay a few more days?"

These past few years I've been so busy with work that I haven't had a chance to spend much time with you.

"I don't like how distant you are, as if you've always been a civilized person."

Saturday, is it knowledge that changes you, or power?

Do you really think that by dressing as an outsider and using these polite words, they will genuinely respect you and you will be able to integrate into their circle?

What made them respect you was power, knowledge, and the need to ask for your help. It pains me to see you like this.

I don't want to say anything too harsh, but before you leave, I must remind you not to forget where your roots are!

Chen Zhou glanced at his watch and waved his hand before Saturday could answer.

"Get out of the way, the time has come!"

On Saturday, he clearly wanted to ignore Chen Zhou's signal and forcefully speak his mind, but looking at that old and dignified face, he ultimately couldn't muster the courage.

Everyone dodged and distanced themselves from the center of the sand.

While waiting, every second felt incredibly long; it might have taken a minute, or perhaps only twenty or thirty seconds.

Just as people were staring at Chen Zhou, thinking that nothing would happen, they suddenly found that the scene in their eyes had frozen as if in a mirror.

The sand and gravel on the ground, the invisible air, the wind blowing across the coast, and even the sunlight dimmed by clouds all become traceable—

The intricate details and edges of every grain of sand, the imperceptible molecules in the air, the trajectory of the wind, the myriad colors that make up light…

They transform into a torrent of information that forcibly floods the human brain, overwhelming consciousness like a flood and making it impossible for people to maintain their ability to think.

Their leader, the old man standing in the center of the sand, transformed in that instant into an indescribable object with countless faces and forms, along with the framed paintings that seemed to be from different times and stages, forming a dizzying and strange spectacle of colors.

The scene swayed and twisted like a bubble about to burst. Then, the human-shaped patch in the center of the color spot became increasingly blurred, as if it had completely merged into the scene.

The breathtaking change lasted for a few seconds, then the colorful "bubbles" suddenly burst and disappeared completely.

The sandy ground was empty except for damp gravel.

……

A few minutes later, everyone's brains recovered from the onslaught of information.

Looking at the empty beach, even those who were mentally prepared were still shocked and wide-eyed at the sight.

Some people covered their faces and wept, yet a sense of joy welled up inside them.

Not everyone likes having someone constantly weighing on their head. When Chen Zhou left, he felt a great sense of relief.

Some people's legs went weak, and they collapsed to the ground, staring silently at the center of the sand.

Some people rushed around in a panic, gathering at the spot where the leader had disappeared, digging through the sand with their hands as if they could find clues to where the leader had gone.

Even the usually composed Saturday seemed a little unsteady, staring at the sand as if deep in thought.

Only on Sundays does it remain unmoved, like a rock that withstands the waves and winds without ever budging.

He coldly observed his colleagues, each displaying different behaviors, etching every action into his mind. He pursed his lips, clenched his teeth, and two lines of tears slid down his cheeks.

He didn't speak, nor did he cry out, but the sorrow in his heart far surpassed that of anyone else present.

He silently bid farewell in his heart—

Goodbye, Father, goodbye!

I will certainly not let you down. As long as I live, the island will continue forever, even if it costs me my life!

……

Since Chen Zhou had not appeared on the island in public for several years, his departure did not cause any disturbance.

Just as ordinary people don't care who the emperor is, the islanders each have their own lives. Apart from gossiping about the upper echelons as if they were snacks during their leisure time, they don't usually discuss the appointment and removal of the upper echelons.

Anyway, the island didn't become like the poem describes—

“When prosperity comes, the people suffer; when decline comes, the people suffer.”

Life is quite comfortable now; people have enough to eat and wear, have children and savings, and the islanders are very content.

Especially those islanders who came from the era of cannibalism know even more that the good days they have now are hard-won.

However, beneath their tranquil and peaceful life, a bloody and cruel storm was quietly brewing—

Despite Saturday's advice, Sunday, who had taken control of the military, insisted on starting his great purge.

The mixed-race officials in charge of the port, as well as the middle and high-ranking island officials with close ties to them, were forcibly taken to the army. The irrefutable evidence left them no room for denial.

Problems that could usually be solved with a little money are now being labeled with serious crimes such as "treason" and "espionage." Every gunshot in the military camp means that an officer has lost his life, and countless people have been secretly executed.

Countless people were so worried and fearful about this matter that they joined other officials in impeaching Sunday.

Faced with pressure from the middle and upper management, Saturday, as the top political figure, resolutely withstood the pressure and stood on the same side as Sunday.

This months-long cleanup caused considerable turmoil on the island, leading many merchants who disagreed with Sunday's practices to sever trade ties with the island.

However, Paradise Island did not directly respond to these people's protests, but instead issued a statement that had nothing to do with the matter.

"From January 1, 1688, the island was officially named 'Chengong Island,' and it had no further connection with Paradise Island, the Lost Atlantis, or Eden Island." (End of Chapter)