Steel torrents pioneering a different world.

Chapter 355: A Safety Net! The Old Knight, Terrified by the Warriors, Questions His Existence! (Bonus Chapter)

Another world, the command center of the time portal.

Su Mingjin lightly tapped the latest data report with her fingertip, and the curve representing resource replacement expenditures shot straight into the sky like a rocket.

Without looking up, she picked up her teacup, took a sip, and behind the rising steam, her voice carried a hint of amusement: "Kaixuan, lately it's not just clearing land, it's practically burning money!"

Wang Kaixuan, who came from Ningjing Port to report on his work, immediately picked up the thermos and refilled Su Mingjin's water bottle with hot water, his face beaming like a blooming sunflower.

"President Su, this shows that we've expanded our operations significantly and have many projects, which is a good thing! With more work, everything flourishes and thrives! In a while, when we gather a large number of support staff, their workload will be significantly reduced!"

"You're so verbose." Su Mingjin was amused by him, put down her tablet, and asked, "Where did President Li recruit the 10 logistics personnel he approved?"

"General Su, they are all from good families, hardworking and resilient. Many of them are recruits who were retired from the Central Plains and Liaodong regions!"

They are undergoing intensive training! However, due to the significant amount of material to be taught, it is estimated that it will take another six months before they arrive here!

As is well known, these soldiers from respectable families had been in the army for about two or three years, were not front-line troops, and had only handled a few dozen bullets during their service.

In the modern world, it takes several years to train a qualified, multi-skilled soldier.

Many military skills, especially special survival skills and high-tech equipment, require specialized training.

The University of Tokyo isn't the kind of institution that can be sent to the battlefield with a few pills and a few words of encouragement.

They absolutely must ensure that soldiers who are eligible for retraining have extremely strong combat capabilities.

In the early stages of exploring another world, the main focus is on combat, while in the later stages, farming and combat must be combined. Only in this way can long-term stability be achieved!

As for the entry of industrial workers, it is a normal phenomenon of corresponding supporting upgrades and industrial chain expansion.

Earth has developed a five-year plan, such as relocating 300 million professionals within five years to complete the solidification of the region.

Within ten years, establish a well-developed provincial-level ruling core!

"Yes, with ample supplies in the rear, it's better to be more stable."

As the development of the other world progressed and the base in that other world was gradually improved, Industrial Cthulhu was no longer satisfied with just keeping tens of thousands of people here.

They have begun to vet some respectable people, state-owned enterprise workers, and other trustworthy members, and then train them for at least six months before sending them to secret bases for closed missions for at least a thousand years.

Meanwhile, the Industrial Cthulhu team needs to resolve various issues related to their families back home, as well as marriage problems.

Now, those respectable young men, upon hearing that a secret operation lasting more than ten years was about to be carried out and that they had received relevant training, were all as excited as if they had been injected with chicken blood.

Given that such a massive project, which has been kept secret for a very long time, is probably at least at the level of Miss Qiu.

Even with Industrial Cthulhu being so powerful, it still needs to be kept secret from the outside world, and at the highest level at that.

This is definitely not a small matter.

Previously, these second- and third-tier officials, as well as retired personnel, would basically no longer have access to classified information.

Now that I've heard this news, I'm incredibly excited and eager for more.

"Let's get down to business. Regarding the logistics department, will President Li agree to the full deployment of the enhanced power armor developed by Professor Zhong and his team to the pioneering teams?"

Wang Kaixuan's expression turned serious when this was mentioned.

"When I went to the modern world, General Li considered it for a long time before sending a message. He agreed in principle with Brigade Commander Man's suggestion to prioritize the allocation of the enhanced version to the special operations squadron of the three races' allied forces. After they completed the testing and the data feedback was satisfactory, the second batch will still be deployed in batches and then distributed in sequence."

This news was expected, and Su Mingjin nodded.

She felt that now that the royal family had arrived and that they had been settled, they might have to bear the consequences of the other party's actions in the future, so she hoped that the strength of the pioneering team needed to be increased.

The new generation of powertrains and similar products are undoubtedly great for significantly enhancing everyone's combat effectiveness.

However, the pioneering team also followed the rhythm of designing one generation, developing one generation, equipping one generation, adapting in small steps, and making rapid progress.

Many advanced technologies in the laboratory may require a series of optimizations and adjustments when deployed to the battlefield.

That's terrifying!

If deployed on a large scale, given the current equipment upgrade speed of the pioneering teams, not only will there be insufficient funds, but it will also result in a large waste of resources.

However, Su Mingjin was happy to hear that President Li had agreed in principle.

It seems that the suggestion I made to President Li earlier—to bring some equipment from another world to the modern world for testing and training—has been approved.

This means that the importance attached to the front lines by the rear of the world has reached a new level.

The subsequent support in terms of supplies and personnel will only increase.

Seeing Su Mingjin deep in thought, Wang Kaixuan hesitated before adding, "President Su, money is no longer an issue for us! The biggest shortage is talent, especially basic personnel capable of operating advanced industrial equipment. At our current scale, building an industrial system in this other world would require at least five million people. Can we expedite it?"

"Huh—in advance? Do you even know what five million mouths are going to eat?"

Su Mingjin pinpointed the fatal flaw with just one sentence.

Everyone knows that what's holding the pioneering team back now is no longer technology or funding, but the oldest and most fundamental problem—food!

By the way, this thing can be broken down into—spear and counter!

Without food, everything is just building castles in the air, nothing more than sandcastles.

"Our own modern agricultural bases, whether greenhouses or large-scale farms, can barely improve the meals for tens of thousands of people, giving them a few more varieties of leafy greens on their tables. The bulk of our staple food still has to be sourced locally." Su Mingjin's tone became more somber. "Kaixuan, this is something we absolutely cannot rush."

As she spoke, she turned on her computer and looked up the production reports of food and various supplies in the other world. Looking at the flat curve representing food reserves and then at the steep curve next to it representing the population growth of the pioneering team, her brows furrowed again.

It wasn't until she saw Professor Li Donglai's agricultural team achieve an amazing breakthrough in breeding that a smile finally appeared on her face!

On the screen, the new comparison data is much more striking than before!

Let's take a look at the development of agriculture in this other world.

Large-scale, self-sufficient production of food in another world is currently not feasible.

Although staple foods are scarce, meat protein is surprisingly plentiful.

The other world has extremely rich marine and aquatic resources, which allowed the warriors to eat seafood three times a day in different ways.

Doctors are no longer worried about training and health issues, but rather about excessive intake of various nutrients.

Seafood is extremely high in purines, and eating too much of it can easily lead to gout!

But perhaps the most exciting development is the interdimensional breeding industry.

Ironically, the breeding field in this other world has achieved remarkable success due to its unique environment, and has even given back to Earth on a large scale.

If plant seeds from the modern world are taken to another world for planting and breeding, and then returned to Earth for planting, yields can generally increase by 15%.

It takes many years for each generation to increase food production by 5%, and 15% is an achievement that would take at least 20 years for a scientific research team on Earth to reach!

Needless to say, vegetable and fruit seeds, after being grown and bred in another world, and then planted on Earth for two generations, will completely surpass the original Earth varieties in terms of taste and nutrition!

Unfortunately, like genetically modified organisms, this stuff usually declines rapidly after three generations, and by the fifth generation, it's completely withered.

This is a grain and vegetable version of the proverb "The blessings of a virtuous person will last only five generations!"

However, this does not preclude the seeds from being used for re-breeding. According to Li Donglai and his team's analysis, if new seeds are planted multiple times in both worlds, their potential ceiling will be significantly increased, leading to a rapid increase in yield.

As the saying goes, food is the most important thing for people. This pioneering team and the Earth behind them are truly strategic treasures!

Upon seeing these data, Su Mingjin tapped her fingertips lightly on the table, her previously tense facial features softening considerably.

After ending the discussion, Su Mingjin inquired, "Kaixuan, how's the new territory the dwarves allocated to us doing?"

"Mr. Su, we've recently started large-scale planting. By the way, could you please take a look at this?"

Wang Kaixuan took out his office computer, connected to the network, and then pulled up real-time monitoring footage from hundreds of kilometers away.

That is the land now controlled by the humans of Tranquil Harbor.

On the vast black plains where many trees have been felled, hundreds of huge green and red agricultural machines are advancing in formation, turning over the fertile black soil in unison.

Dirt flew everywhere! It was a spectacular scene!

Interestingly, among these colossal creatures, one can also see many humans and dwarves, some carrying hoes, others driving small magical tillers, all enthusiastically participating in the activity.

They would occasionally gesture with the human technicians next to them, arguing about something.

"The dwarf farmers have been very enthusiastic lately since they heard that we would give them some of our grain. By the way, they are also very curious about what we grow."

Are those lands fertile?

"President Su, excellent! The black soil of the dwarfs is several times more fertile than the best soil in our Great Northern Wilderness!"

"It seems Professor Li Donglai's responsibilities are about to become even heavier."

"Haha, with more food, we'll have more confidence!"

In addition to the dwarf farms in the south, the human reclamation team also has 10,000 hectares of experimental fields at the southern base. A comprehensive breeding and cultivation base is being built there.

These are the foundation!

In fact, this is also the fundamental guarantee of the Industrial Cthulhu.

What if the portal suddenly closed or disappeared, just like some spacetime rifts that intersect with the heavens of another world?

The Earth's rear must provide a safety net to ensure the survival of the pioneering team.

This is called having one hand to cover the bottom, one hand to prepare, and one hand to guarantee.

This is also the path of steady development for a comprehensive major power.

A great power never goes down a single path to the end, but rather tries multiple paths to see which one is more successful, and then uses that industry to drive development in other fields.

Just like how gasoline-powered cars couldn't make it on Earth, they made plans more than 20 years in advance, and after 2018, the new energy field gradually began to take off, and by 2025, they had become the industry leader.

This is the core and key to a multi-pronged strategy!

Wang Kaixuan explained with a smile, "President Su, Professor Li Donglai's team has achieved so many results. I estimate that in a few years, we will be able to cultivate high-yield and stable grain varieties adapted to this other world."

Only when humanity solves the food problem and confirms that logistics can be guaranteed even after the time portal is damaged can humanity truly unleash its full potential and embark on a major undertaking.

Of course, they could also continue to expand southward.

But that would exponentially increase the problems and difficulties they face.

Whether it's the long logistical lines or the bizarre magical attack methods they haven't fully understood, they will cause them to make more unnecessary sacrifices.

Steadily encroaching on territory, making gradual progress – this is the strategic resolve of Lao Zhong!

It may seem slow, but it is precisely the path to the right path.

Only with a solid foundation can a pioneering team expand in all directions. If something goes wrong, without a safety net, what difference is there between them and a baseless rioter?

She asked Wang Kaixuan directly, "Kaixuan, isn't the dwarf's shopping mall going to have its grand opening soon?"

Wang Kaixuan paused for a moment, then nodded: "Reporting to President Su, the opening is tomorrow! Will you be going in person?"

"I won't go. Dou Jiankang and the others can handle it! I'm thinking about other things right now. I'm going to check out the Agricultural Research Institute later!"

"OK!"

After completing the handover with Wang Kaixuan, Su Mingjin began to think again—

"If energy particles from another world can nourish crops, what about magic?"

"We've received so much—too much to count!!!"

Su Mingjin turned around, her gaze fixed intently on the hopeful land on the screen, her mind racing with thoughts of the future!

"Time! The pioneering team needs more time!"

"Hopefully, their bizarre prophetic abilities aren't too outrageous!"

Another world, a tranquil harbor.

The royal residence of the Fire Dragon Dynasty.

There is no trace of the extravagance of the old dynasties here. The houses, constructed entirely of white marble and modern building materials, exude a simplicity and tranquility that is completely different from this world.

The room is not large, but the heating system inside the walls makes the whole space warm and cozy.

This was the perfect place for Queen Rhaenys, who had just survived the backlash from poison and magic and was still weak, to recuperate.

"—Those who aspire to become knights are all quite old, but their willpower is as unwavering as that of the Northern Winterwolves, and their talent is like unpolished gems—I have followed your orders and implanted the seeds of life into sixty people over the past few days. Seven of them succeeded after three attempts! The remaining fifty-three all succeeded on their first try—"

Old Dai Rui bowed, speaking slowly but with undisguised tremor in his voice. He reported to the Queen in detail everything he had seen and heard in the northern human camp over the past few days.

On a carpet not far away, Prince Viserys, with a colorful lollipop in his mouth, was intently staring at the Go board in front of him.

His opponent was a young maid.

"Clatter".

The prince placed a piece, and the crisp sound rang out in the quiet room.

"Darry! I won again! Mother, when will you play another game with me?"

Renis's thoughts were interrupted. She looked at her son, her gaze softening considerably, but she didn't respond immediately. Instead, she turned back to old Daryl and asked, as if confirming, "All at once? Fifty-three people?"

Her voice trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly.

This is not a small percentage.

They, the royal family members, and various nobles, had to undergo at least multiple cultivations of their life seeds before they could be completely controlled.

It seems those people are definitely descendants of angels!

Only those of noble blood can master these cultivation methods so skillfully, which are beyond the reach of ordinary people.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Old Darryl's Adam's apple bobbed. "Their learning ability—is terrifying. I originally thought it would take them at least several months, or even years, to master the basics of Knight's Breathing Technique, but I never expected that they would have already touched the threshold in just a few days."

"To say something that makes me uncomfortable, even the royal family's carefully trained knights from childhood are far inferior to them in terms of willpower and focus."

Old Derry paused, his expression turning serious.

"Your Majesty, we must keep as much knowledge as possible to ourselves. We must never reveal a single word about how to guide others to perceive the life force, or the secrets of teaching breathing techniques to another person."

"Of course." Renis nodded, a sickly blush rising on her pale face. "I never intended to train them into all-around knights. Darryl, a knightly order that can only be created by our own hands and cannot reproduce on its own, is the most reliable tool, isn't it?"

When she mentioned the word "tools," her face showed a complex expression.

Because she sensed the risk of things getting out of control!

"No—I can't be wrong! I am the offspring of the noble Fire Dragon God, with blood as noble as those angels!"

The prophecies I saw were not wrong; the glimpse of the future I foresaw is becoming reality. They are the sharpest swords of our restored kingdom!

"Your Majesty? What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

"It's alright. You'll be taking Viserys, who's been itching to stay indoors, around here later to find out where the angels are!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Old Dai Rui accepted the order.

Rene picked up a cup of warm black tea from the table, the rising steam blurring her expression.

She remembered the first time she saw the expressions on those human faces.

They all had black hair and black eyes, and were of noble blood. Even when they encountered me, they exuded an extraordinary aura.

"By the way," Renis put down her teacup and changed the subject, "besides training, has anything else been going on these past few days?" Old Darryl thought for a moment and replied, "Your Majesty, tomorrow the dwarves' shopping mall, built by humans, will have its grand opening. It's said that there will be many goods that we've never even heard of selling. Our friends are taking that place very seriously."

"Supermarket?" Renesas chewed on the new term, a strange light flashing in her eyes. "What's that?"

"Uh, I inquired before, and they said they sell grain, candy, cloth, refined salt, toys, industrial products, men's and women's clothing, cosmetics—oh, and farm tools and ironware!"

"Does the supermarket also sell clothes, farm tools, and ironware?"

"Yes! By the way, that supermarket is open to everyone; as long as you have money, you can buy anything."

"Everyone? Everyone can come in?"

"Go there for me tomorrow." Renis tapped her fingertips lightly on the table, making a soft tapping sound. "I want to know what's so good about the things they sell!"

"Mother, I want to go too!"

"No, you can't go!"

"I want to go! I want to go!" Viserys, barely ten years old, burst into tears when he heard he couldn't go. "I've been here for so long, why can't I go out and play? Why can't I go out and play!"

While he was speaking, he suddenly picked up a Go board!

"Ugh, get out of here! I want to go play!"

Rhaenys frowned slightly, looking at her daughter Daenerys who had been woken up, and immediately pulled out a stick.

Snap—

"I'll teach you to act recklessly—"

"Ah—Mother, don't hit me—ah—don't hit me, my bottom hurts!"

"Waaah, Mother doesn't love me—don't hit me—I'm not going out, I'm not going out!"

Renis coughed, and seeing that Viserys obediently didn't go, she nodded: "That's good. We need to keep our whereabouts secret for now and absolutely cannot go out."

"Mother, please don't hit my brother! I want to go out and play too! I want to go out and play too!!!"

A delicate voice rang out.

Rhaenys turned to look at Daenerys, who wasn't crying but trying to distract herself, then glanced at Viserys, who was rubbing his bottom—

She suddenly laughed.