There's something wrong with me

Chapter 165 Subtle Changes

The next day, in the morning.

Didi—

The office door opened.

Zhang Feng looked at Lao Liu who was approaching and said, "The reason I called you here is to establish a new project."

"Please speak, Mr. Zhang." Old Liu looked for a stool to sit on while curiously examining the 'ceramic miniature house' on the table.

"Neurology".

Zhang Feng said business was quick, “Based on the recent martial arts case, I think we should try to focus on developing some virtual reality technologies in science fiction movies.”

Give them a place to expend their energy and spirit.

Furthermore, there are large-scale military and police exercises, or even combat engagements.

This model can also save a significant amount of resources and mitigate the risk of injury or other unforeseen circumstances.

"Virtual reality?"

Old Liu paused for a moment, realizing that the technology Mr. Zhang was referring to was probably not something like 'more mature' VR.

"Does Mr. Zhang mean 'consciousness accessing the network'?"

As he spoke, he gestured with his hands to better understand what Mr. Zhang meant.
"So, 'players' can move around in a virtual world and achieve a 1:1 sensory experience similar to that in reality?"

If that's the case, then real-world and virtual drills can indeed achieve a 1:1 realistic recreation, and it's also very convenient.

Over the years, Lao Liu has been involved in so many scientific projects that he has come to understand some of the fantastical technological concepts.

But precisely because of this, he found it somewhat difficult to handle.

Because Zhang Feng always comes up with these 'epoch-making' concepts.

This is a headache for many people.

“That’s the concept.” Zhang Feng ignored what Lao Liu was thinking and simply described it roughly: “We have now reproduced both Z1 and quantum superconductivity.”

In terms of energy and materials, the so-called 'underlying architecture' requirements have been achieved.

Furthermore, in the simulation of the virtual world, the computing power of the small building can also be modified, so in terms of the amount of operation, it can also reach the basic computing power of a world.

Therefore, all that's needed now is a major breakthrough in neuroscience, and virtual reality technology is achievable; it's not just a fantastical concept.

"Yes..." Old Liu could understand a little, but not much.

Of course, more importantly, since Mr. Zhang has said it and made this idea, we should just say "yes".

Furthermore, this technology is clearly beneficial for routine training and enables greater convenience and ease of operation in learning.

Even some scientific experiments can be based on this, allowing scientists to simulate materials, practice making, and so on, reducing the skill costs associated with material production.

For example, the crafting of spirit stones; if everyone practices in the virtual world for a period of time...

This would greatly increase the success rate and indirectly reduce the cost of spirit stones in reality.

This alone makes the virtual world a major boon for scientific research.

However, all of this is predicated on achieving a 1:1 sensory replication.

As for the most important thing, 'muscle memory'.

As long as one has their own memory, they can master it quickly.

Zhang Feng is the best example.

"Mr. Zhang, shall I have someone make the plan now?" Old Liu stood up and left immediately.

They were completely lured in by Zhang Feng's empty promises.

Besides, if it is actually developed, it will be a great benefit to the real world.

“Hmm.” Zhang Feng nodded, but then said, “This is just my basic idea. As for whether it will work, we still need to have it taken to a professional to take a look.”

If the investment is too large, or if it's not feasible, then the project should be canceled.

After all, neuroscience is a unique field separate from superconductivity and Z1.

"Yes..." What else could Lao Liu say? President Zhang had said everything he should and shouldn't have said, so all he could do was nod.

"If you have any different opinions, you can speak up." Seeing Old Liu's current state, Zhang Feng picked up the small house next to him and handed it to him.
"We've known each other for almost ten years. Today is your birthday, so I'm giving you a house."

"I..." Old Liu paused for a moment, then said with a touched and flattered expression, "Thank you, Mr. Zhang, for the room! Thank you, Mr. Zhang, for remembering my birthday!"

“Let’s not talk about this.” Zhang Feng brought up the old topic again. “Like I said, you’re the second-in-command in the base, so speak up if you have any questions.”

If you don't speak up, others will be even less likely to say anything when faced with my project proposal.

If this continues, problems are likely to arise.

Because I can't guarantee I'm 100% right.

"No." Old Liu shook his head this time, but he said these words: "But you have always been right!"
You see, whether it's the formula for dispelling internal energy, Z1, the spirit stone from three years ago, or the superconducting technology from more than half a year ago.

You've always been right.

“So that’s the problem.” Zhang Feng sighed inwardly. “Too many people blindly believe in me now, thinking that a certain technology will definitely be able to break through.”

Just like the virtual reality of 'superconductivity' and 'neurology' that I mentioned this time.

To be honest, I had absolutely no idea what to expect; I was completely feeling my way across the river.

But I'm afraid that many people will believe me, and because of my words, some research directions will change, leading to massive investment of resources.

If no results are achieved in the end, too many resources will have been wasted.

It would be better to invest the computing power here into spirit stones and superconductivity.

Strategically speaking, if it weren't for me proposing this virtual technology, but someone else had...

If he were to hand this project over to the planning department, they would absolutely reject it.

"Mr. Zhang, that's not how it works," Old Liu disagreed. "Think about it, which of our previous studies didn't involve a huge investment of resources?"
How many of them actually produce good results in the end?
Scientific research itself involves expending a great deal of resources to explore and experiment.

As he said this, he suddenly seemed to understand, and looked at Zhang Feng with surprise.
"Mr. Zhang, if I'm not mistaken, you mean 'there will be fish as long as the net is cast,' meaning to achieve the greatest results with the least cost?"

Or rather, every step must lead to the most correct path?

If it's not 100% correct, wouldn't it be better to focus on existing technology and optimize it?

“That’s the idea.” Zhang Feng nodded. “Although my idea is outrageous and idealistic, our current expenses are too high.”

If we can increase revenue and reduce expenditure, then we should.

"Yes, I'll go prepare!" Old Liu understood perfectly, and then went to the planning department to come up with a better plan.

After seeing Lao Liu leave, Zhang Feng touched the table, which was a display screen made of acrylic and steel composite structure, showing the global total energy production data curve.

At a glance, Zhang Feng could clearly see that the mass production line and global factory upgrades of superconducting technology were a massive undertaking that fundamentally impacted the entire global industry.

Because they are receiving subsidies from global government agencies.

In addition to the existing Z1 power grid, the free electricity available to the public, the computing power building, the spirit stone manufacturing and calculation, and the extraordinary prescriptions and medicines, etc.

The current economic and energy figures are all very negative, and we are almost at our limit.

Finally, the large-scale replacement of Z1 and some temporary power outages in the grid have made scarce resources even more strained.

It can now be said that this is definitely a 'global hard cap,' stubbornly holding on in hopes of seeing a 'dawn'.

But there are also advantages, namely that the collapse of the economy and energy means that the global economy doesn't need to be examined in detail.

Therefore, the economic aspect of the federal plan can be glossed over and moved on.

Because of the massive global investment and support from various parties, the ultimate burden is on data centers.

Therefore, if the data center acts dishonestly and tries to evade responsibility, then the whole situation will become a mess.

After all, the "computing code" for these trillion-dollar projects was given to all parties unconditionally.

Zhang Feng was now certain that as long as he said, 'Reset the accounts to zero, recalculate, and establish the federal currency,' he could succeed.

So everything starts from zero.

Various parties around the world are also intentionally moving in this direction.

Zhang Feng had read some of the reports and knew that they had cut back on various currency exchange companies and so on in the past few months.

Furthermore, with the technological bombardment of spirit stones and other advancements, the Federation's voice is growing louder and louder.

Therefore, under such an abstract situation, the complexity of the restructuring of the international monetary system can be temporarily ignored.

Zhang Feng was also considering this matter and felt that the time was getting right, so he decided to see when to implement it.

As for military control and nuclear matters, each party should take charge of them separately for the time being.

Even when a man and woman get married, it's not like they're immediately giving their lives to each other.

Then the economy will still be managed through separate accounts by various parties, but the form of currency will be unified.

It's like gradually building a foundation.

After all, this restructuring system is still complex.

But there's also something funny.

Zhang Feng searched for cryptocurrencies at this moment and saw that their market had basically ended.

When Z1 was deployed, the decentralized nature of the top bits disappeared under the pressure of unlimited energy and the full network coverage of data centers. Virtual addresses were no longer secret, and mining them no longer cost anything, so it collapsed.

Ultimately, it's just a concept, a level of acceptance.

When everyone disagrees, coupled with the lack of decentralization, and various institutions begin to release large quantities of 'physical extraordinary' items such as spirit stones that can prolong life.

A distorted virtual market is bound to collapse.

Once Bitcoin's era ends, everything else can be 'reset to zero'.

When Zhang Feng saw this, he realized that it was different from what he had expected.

Because in some science fiction movies, in technologically advanced worlds, these things are popular.

But now, Zhang Feng knows that it's not about following trends, but about increasing acceptance and thus raising prices.

But at this moment, we are witnessing a new civilization driven by technological revolution and energy transformation.

It really happened.

A virtual cancer was easily and effortlessly eliminated by the tide of the times.

This is a great thing, leaving a lot of room for the real and virtual world of currency.

If a federal currency is truly established, then the price ratio will be stable. Then, local currencies will be collected and uniformly exchanged for the federal currency.

In addition to previous issues such as global computing power.

This presents an excellent opportunity to restructure currency.

then.

After much deliberation, Zhang Feng felt that the Federation was going to approve the project.

Because I'm about to hunt down neurology experts from all over the world, the data center is practically becoming a global research base for all kinds of things.

Therefore, each party must be given a 'status'.

The officials of the Great Xia Dynasty summoned people every day, and even if they weren't given the title of principal wife, they had to be given a concubine.

Zhang Feng felt that this was the case. So, the next step was to prepare for the federal affairs, which required the planning department and the foreign affairs department to discuss and optimize.

Thinking of this, Zhang Feng pressed the call button on the table and said to the operator, "Have Lao Liu come back again."

……

half year later.

Jilin Province, Anshi City.

Old Xu is a master craftsman at the local official wire factory.

Now, at the entrance of his workplace's residential compound.

"I'll come home for lunch, then go back to work in the afternoon."

Mr. Xu, who is in his fifties, was greeting familiar neighbors as he walked toward a car at the entrance of the residential area.

It's a modified Z1 sedan, so its appearance is different from other cars.

The unique solar-gathering cloth and four battery panels are prominently displayed around the vehicle, as if afraid others won't notice them.

Furthermore, in the entire neighborhood, and even on their street, only Lao Xu owns a Z1 sedan.

Because of his significant contributions to the factory, one of the 10 'self-use Z1' batteries distributed to them by the factory was his.

at this time.

"Is that a Z1 sedan?" Many people on the roadside looked on with envy when they saw the Z1 sedan.

There was even an outdoor blogger who, when passing by and seeing the Z1 car, chose to do a live stream right there and tried to describe the features of the Z1 using his limited knowledge.

Several people even took photos in front of Lao Xu's car and posted them on their respective social media accounts.

Because the Z1 I use is so rare now, acquiring it isn't just about money; it requires a certain achievement.

Similarly, the sight of his beloved car being surrounded by people also satisfied Lao Xu's vanity.

Everyone has to achieve something in life.

Old Xu is vain, and he also has the ability to be vain.

"Give way."

Despite his vanity, he remained composed in public and asked the onlookers around the car to leave.

'This old Xu…' An old man playing chess by the roadside recognized Old Xu, but seeing Old Xu's appearance, he shook his head inwardly.

'He has a parking space in the neighborhood, but he insists on parking on the roadside to show off. Old Xu is really something...'

The old man was speechless, but undeniably, he was also filled with envy and jealousy.

"Checkmate!" The old man said angrily, slapping his hand loudly when he checked the other party.

This startled not only the old man opposite him.

Old Xu, who was more than ten meters away, also heard it.

This made Lao Xu even more satisfied.

Because this old man used to be their factory leader, his boss.

"Master, I'm leaving now." Old Xu waved to the old man before leaving.

But the next second, he was just about to drive off.

call-

Several martial artists who were training ran past the car like the wind.

To be honest, while the people around him envied Lao Xu, Lao Xu envied these martial artists.

Their physical condition is exceptional, reaching a level that ordinary people would never have dared to imagine before.

Especially yesterday, when a 400-pound machine in the factory was about to tip over due to improper operation by several workers.

He witnessed a young man who came to intern forcefully push the machine back.

The impact of this scene on him was immense.

He also suddenly realized that the whole world was gradually being replaced by 'newborn superhumans'.

Seniors like him are already old.

In addition to the current Z1, there was also the superconducting production training he participated in some time ago.

And all sorts of prescriptions and fantasy spirit stones.

This made him realize that the world had changed imperceptibly.

Maybe in a few years, the factory will be full of superhuman newcomers.

'I'm old...'

Old Xu didn't know what to feel, but at this moment he was no longer excited about driving the Z1, but instead felt endless emotions.

Then look at the retired old man over there.

He felt that in a few years, he would be sitting there enjoying the cool air, replacing the old man now.

Then the "new and old Xu" were shouting at him.

……

drip...

Once outside the residential area, Lao Xu saw even more martial artists on the street.

Some shops, as well as screens in some large shopping malls, have also started advertising some 'extraordinary medicines'.

The analysis of Yaochi Immortal Dew, coupled with the public release of data over the years, has led various industries to develop their own products.

Previously, Lao Xu hadn't really paid attention to these things; it was mostly his apprentices who were driving.

He was thinking about things in the car, including work arrangements and machine production issues.

But now, I truly acknowledge that I'm getting old and start looking at the world with the same perspective I had years ago.

He suddenly noticed many changes.

The most crucial point is that there are more martial artists on the streets.

Especially on congested roads, many young people, unable to bear the traffic jam, get off their vehicles, carry their electric bikes, and go to the sidewalk to avoid it.

In the past, this would definitely have attracted attention.

But now, people on the street see this scene and just go about their business as usual, taking it all for granted.

Old Xu continued walking forward, passing a fairly wide street.

In a small building, the second floor is an internet cafe.

There's also a 'sky door' on the second floor, in a small alleyway inside.

There are a few small steps below.

Many martial artists want to go online but don't want to take the stairs from the first floor, so they walk into this small alley and climb up in a breath or two, just like rock climbing.

Of course, this is not allowed; it is dangerous, and the military will investigate.

But under normal circumstances, they won't interfere.

Because there's a sign on the steps that reads, "Martial Arts Only, Test Your Climbing Skills."

In addition, there are protective mats underneath the alley and on both sides of the walls.

Under the premise of ensuring safety, the military actually advocates for this kind of 'recreation facility'.

Since you've started practicing martial arts, it's bound to bring some convenience and differences to your life.

It's also a way of making others think, 'Wow, that's cool, I want to practice too.'

The Martial Arts Department not only manages martial artists, but also promotes martial arts training, ensuring that everyone is aware of it and that it is integrated into the lives of the people.

Therefore, we'll let this minor, non-compliant staircase go for now.

This must always be in line with people's livelihood.

These are all small details in life.

At least Lao Xu felt integrated and thought it was good, which is quite normal.

He hadn't even realized how much the world had changed without him noticing today's 'sudden realization'.

Then he took out a bottle of 'heart medicine' from the car pocket.

One pill can not only effectively relieve angina, but also stabilize blood pressure and soften blood vessels.

Moreover, once a bottle contains twenty pills, it can perfectly cure some heart-related diseases and high blood pressure.

This is no longer the world he knew.

He felt that this was already what the newspapers called a 'human utopia'.

As a veteran power plant worker, he also knows that superconductors are not yet in mass production for civilian use; they are mainly used for replacing Z1 batteries.

He can't imagine what kind of magical scene it would be if superconductivity were to be rolled out.
'I want to try martial arts! I want to strengthen my body, I want to live to see that time, I want to see…'

Old Xu, who was in his fifties, suddenly felt a strong urge to practice martial arts and dialed the factory manager's number.

But before that, he considered his age and decided to give up.

"Hey, factory manager, I'd like to ask for a day off to register at the martial arts school."

"Yes, I heard that experienced martial arts instructors at our state-owned enterprise receive preferential treatment when enrolling in martial arts schools, and I'd like to learn martial arts."

(End of this chapter)