Reborn in 1950: Shorting the Federal Reserve at the Start

In near-Earth orbit, against the backdrop of the deep universe, a colossal object floats silently.

It's too big.

It was so large that even the wreckage of the International Space Station next to it looked like a pitiful toy in comparison. Its silver-gray armor, massive ring-shaped gravity simulation chamber, and eight menacing fusion engine nozzles at the rear all showcased its terrifying industrial sophistication.

The nuclear-powered interstellar spaceship, "Zhurong".

This is not an unmanned probe that's just taking a few pictures; this is a real manned interstellar colony ship!

In the Shenzhou Bureau's highest command center, Shen Jinghong leaned back in his chair, watching the live feed transmitted from the large screen. He picked up his decades-old enamel mug and slowly took a sip of goji berry tea.

"Director, the US has lodged another protest at the United Nations."

Chen Weiguo pushed open the door and walked in. Although his hair was gray, his voice was still as loud as thunder.

"They said that our deployment of such a giant nuclear-powered spacecraft in low Earth orbit seriously threatens the safety of the Earth, and demanded that we immediately disclose the technical parameters."

"protest?"

Shen Jinghong scoffed, not even lifting his eyelids.

"Let them protest. These foreign devils' minds are still stuck in the last century."

He pointed to an international news item next to the screen, his tone full of mocking sarcasm.

"Look, Europe and the United States are still fighting tooth and nail over those few nearly depleted oil wells in the Middle East, practically ready to tear each other apart. Meanwhile, we Chinese have long since left this beginner's village."

Shen Jinghong stood up and walked to the huge holographic star map, his eyes filled with fervor.

"There are only so many resources on Earth, what's the point of dogs fighting each other?"

Our journey is to the stars and the sea!

Lin Qinghan sat in front of the control panel, her ten fingers flying across the virtual keyboard.

The undefeated beauty of time.

Although her once black hair has turned silver and wrinkles have crept around her eyes, her cool and intellectual temperament has become even more captivating with the passage of time.

"Jinghong, the final parameter check for the Mars transfer orbit is complete."

Lin Qinghan pushed up her reading glasses, turned her head, and her eyes were still surprisingly bright.

"The fusion reactor of the 'Zhurong' has a stable output power and can perform deep space jump at any time."

Shen Jinghong walked behind her and gently pressed her shoulder.

Looking at his wife's full head of white hair, he felt a sudden pang of sadness, but also a surge of indescribable pride and satisfaction.

"Sparse and cold".

Shen Jinghong lowered his head and whispered in her ear, his voice hoarse yet filled with boundless tenderness:

"Wife, our life together has been worthwhile."

From the impoverished 1950s to today's interstellar colonization, they have worked together through the most difficult years, transforming a backward agricultural nation into a super civilization spanning the stars.

Lin Qinghan leaned against the back of his hand and smiled gently.

"Yes, it's worth it. What more could one ask for in this life than to witness our child fly to Mars?"

"Report to command center! All crew members of the 'Zhurong' are in position!"

On the communication channel came Shen Guoqiang's unruly yet steady and powerful voice.

As the commander of this Mars expedition, he was sitting in the cockpit of the Zhurong spacecraft, looking at the planet emitting a dark red light in front of him.

"Dad, Mom, you can just stay here on Earth and wait patiently."

Shen Guoqiang's voice exuded an air of domineering confidence:

"My son went to get the Martian household registration certificate for our Chinese family today!"

"Stop bragging, kid!"

Shen Jinghong grabbed the microphone and laughed, "Once we get up there, build that greenhouse first! I'm waiting to eat your Martian potatoes!"

"Mission accomplished!"

"ignition!"

With a command from Shen Jinghong.

In near-Earth orbit, the eight fusion engines at the tail of the Zhurong spacecraft instantly erupted with dazzling, dark blue plasma tail flames.

There was no sound, only absolute shock.

The massive interstellar spaceship transformed into a blue meteor, breaking free from Earth's gravitational pull and plunging headlong into the vast, boundless depths of space.

The leap in civilization was completely completed at this moment.

Time, like the plasma flame at the stern of the Zhurong ship, vanishes in an instant.

2008, summer.

Ziguang Pavilion, Zhongnanhai, Beijing.

Outside the window, lush green trees provided ample shade, and cicadas chirped tirelessly in the trees. Inside the conference room, however, the atmosphere was unusually relaxed and lively.

Several of the country's top leaders sat together, their faces beaming with undisguised joy.

Shen Jinghong sat on the sofa, still holding the enamel teacup in her hand.

"Ah, Jinghong, news from the Mars base says the first batch of high-yield rice has been harvested successfully?"

A leader asked with a smile.

"It's a bumper harvest; the yield per acre is higher than on Earth."

Shen Jinghong grinned. "Guoqiang was complaining to me yesterday that the gravity on Mars is too low, and the harvester is a bit floaty when it's running."

A burst of hearty laughter erupted in the conference room.

"Okay! Okay!"

The leader slapped his thigh hard, filled with emotion.

"Right now, we have interstellar fleets flying in the sky, helium-3 being mined on the moon, and rice growing on Mars. We've firmly secured our position as the absolute hegemon of this blue planet; no one can shake our position!"

The leader picked up his teacup, took a sip, and looked around the room before finally fixing his gaze on Shen Jinghong.

His eyes revealed the pride and ambition of a leader of a great nation.

"Comrades, we've suffered and struggled for so many years. Now we have money in our pockets, and our homes are beautifully maintained."

The leader put down his teacup, smiled, and suggested:

"Now that we're the village chiefs of this global village, shouldn't we hold a grand celebration?"

"Let those foreigners come to our home and see what a true Celestial Empire is!"

Chen Weiguo, standing to the side, rubbed his hands together excitedly, and his loud voice immediately rang out:

"Sir, do you mean...we should bid for the Olympics again?"

"Olympic Games?"

Shen Jinghong raised an eyebrow, lightly tapped the teacup on the table, and a wicked smile with extreme arrogance curled at the corner of his mouth.

"Wei Guo, why is your vision still so narrow?"

He stood up, hands in his pockets, his eyes gleaming with an arrogant, domineering air.

"We hosted the Olympics back in 1980, and we're already tired of winning gold medals. Since we're going to host a grand event, let's make it unprecedented and unparalleled!"

Shen Jinghong looked at the assembled leaders and, emphasizing each word, uttered a groundbreaking proposal:

"We will not host the Olympics."

"Let's hold a... World's Fair!"