n

n

nChapter 76: Chapter 72: Shield Tunnelling Machine

nTranslator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

nOn the web, the hottest buzz was about the commencement of the maglev bus service.

n“The fare’s similar to an airplane ticket, but I heard it’s even faster…”

n“Hey, it seems it’s only operating in Chang an at present. Other cities have yet to catch on…”

n“Guys, I got my ticket from a scalper, paid ten times the original price, but trust me, it was worth every penny…”

n“Come on, it can’t be that fantastic, right? When I tried it, it was noticeably quieter during take-off. Apart from a slight vibration while ascending and the better soundproofing, there wasn’t much difference…”

n“I managed to grab a robot, inputted some data and account details. Now I’m eagerly waiting to see if I’ll get paid next month…”

nNine out of the top ten trending discussions revolved around robots and the maglev bus. The only one standing out was the hashtag #ProjectionTouchWatches, a luxury gadget.

nCompared to the other two subjects engaging the public, the projection touch watch was a high-end product, something the average person could hardly afford.

n“Is this your shield tunneling machine?”

nIn the Blue Moon New District of Chang an, a team of experts from the Earth were dumbfounded at the sight of the massive shield tunneling machine in front of them. Its diameter was more than a hundred meters.

nWere they intending to dig a hole? This machine seemed like it could slice through a mountain!

nZhao Yu offered a quick rundown of the machine’s functions. Using his projection touch watch, he shared a detailed user manual.

nBesides the shield tunneling machine, trading the Light Tweezers Sky Ladder and environmental simulation systems was tricky. They required orders from Earth, after which Zhao Yu would dispatch an engineer for installation.

nThere was no rush. All that was required was finalizing the deal before the completion of the nuclear power plant.

nObserving Colonel Chu and the team of experts completely mesmerized by the massive shield tunneling machine, Zhao Yu shook his head and said, “You guys continue your exploration. I’ll go set up the production lines for the Light Tweezers Sky Ladder and environmental simulation…”

n“Sure, go ahead!”

nOnce Zhao Yu exited the scene, the experts couldn’t contain their curiosity any longer. They extended their hands, eager to touch and feel the enormous shield tunneling machine, like they’d seen a captivating lady.

nColonel Chu, a bit taken aback by their enthusiasm, asked, “Can this machine actually dig underground?”

n“A machine of this size should be capable. We need to check the specifics, though…”

nThere were hundreds of experts present, all specializing in shield tunneling machines. Each of them had a role to play: some analyzed the user manual, some examined the materials used to construct the machine, and others studied its structural design.

nColonel Chu, standing off to the side, would occasionally catch the astonished exclamations of the experts.

nAfter an hour, a representative of the experts came forward with a flushed face to report their findings.

n“We can dig. This marvel can dig all the way to the mantle layer, at the very least…”

n“What’s astounding is that the tunnel lining isn’t composed of mud, but steel…”

n“This implies that the processes of drilling, reinforcement, and constructing the tunnel can take place almost simultaneously…”

n“According to the manual, this steel structure can withstand an earthquake of magnitude 10…”

nColonel Chu asked, “So, can you operate this machine now?”

n“More or less. Each team of five of us is handling a different section. We’ve mostly got the hang of operating this shield tunneling machine…”

n“That’s good news…”

nColonel Chu nodded, his face soon clouding with a new predicament. The massive shield tunneling machine looked to weigh well over a hundred thousand tons. What could they possibly use to transport it?

nThe most powerful aircraft could only lift eight hundred tons. Even with a hundred of these aircraft, they might not be able to shift it.

nWhat about trucks? Trains? Ferries?

nColonel Chu ran through the options in his mind, but he couldn’t figure out what tool or vehicle could possibly move this massive machine.

n“Well, leave it to the experts to figure out…”

nColonel Chu decided not to worry himself with it. He instructed his subordinates to inform Xia Capital about the issue at hand and ask them to find a solution.

nUpon receiving the three-dimensional data of the shield tunneling machine, the experts at Xiadu immediately began running calculations.

nThe expert team, their hair thinning from the stress, finally reached a conclusion.

n“It’s possible to transport it. There are two methods…”

n“One is overland transport, which would require the God Continent’s transport vehicles. Additionally, we would need to construct specialized roads as we move along…”

n“The other is water transport. At the very least, three aircraft carriers would be required to pull it. To expedite the process, we would need ten aircraft carriers…”

nColonel Chu was taken aback for a moment. He asked if air transportation was feasible, but the response was a resounding ‘no’. Even using the most advanced rockets, ten fired in unison, would fail to make the shield machine airborne.

nThe God Continent Transport Vehicle, a specially designed vehicle capable of pulling aircraft carriers, had more than two thousand tires and hundreds of high-powered engines.

nThe main issue was the road conditions. Ordinary roads wouldn’t be able to handle it. Even a small crack could pose the risk of a catastrophic flip-over.

nAs for the aircraft carriers, they were limited to water travel. Upon reaching the destination, getting them ashore presented another significant challenge.

n“If we can manage to float this shield tunneling machine,” suggested Zhuge Tao, “we could haul it to an uninhabited island in the open ocean and construct an underground city there…”

n“Firstly, this is a prototype, set to be delivered to an uninhabited island for data testing…”

n“What if, during the next transaction, we let Zhao Yu transport it directly to the deserted area using their spaceship?”

nColonel Chu seemed taken aback. “Won’t they stumble upon our underground city construction?”

nZhuge Tao replied with a grin, “We could initially construct a passageway near the deserted area, one that can accommodate God Continent transport vehicles…”

n“Keeping some distance from the location where we deploy the shield tunneling machine should be fine…”

nAfter pondering for a bit, consulting with Xia Capital, Colonel Chu finally decided. He would send the shield tunneling machine for a trial run on the deserted island.

nOnce the discussion was concluded, Colonel Chu promptly located Zhao Yu to explain the plan.

n“It’s a minor issue. Where do you suggest we place this shield tunneling machine?”

nZhao Yu had already handed back the tech points for the shield tunneling machine, so he was quite amenable to discussion.

n“How about the seaside, near the aircraft carrier base? Does that work for you?”

n“No issues with that!

nReturning to the shield tunneling machine, the once-smiling experts were now filled with anxiety, replaced with a worry-filled countenance.

nThey were collectively brainstorming how to relocate this massively heavy shield tunneling machine.

n“Let’s get everyone out of there!” Colonel Chu ordered, upon his arrival.

n“What’s happening?”

n“We’re about to move this shield tunneling machine, so everyone needs to evacuate promptly…”

nThis declaration startled the experts. They hadn’t considered how this heavy machine could be moved!

nThese experts, all from the shield tunneling machine domain, were aware of Blue Moon Technology’s intention to sell one, but lacked insights about other aspects.

n“What will we use to move it?”

n“Where’s the God Continent Transport Vehicle?”

n“The exclusive routes for the God Continent Transport Vehicles haven’t even been paved. How will the transport happen?”

nSome experts felt so connected to the shield tunneling machine that they were reluctant to leave, expressing their complaints vocally.

n“Everyone needs to get down…”

nDespite several reminders from the staff, some people stayed put.

nSeeing this, Zhao Yu gave a light laugh, stating, “No need to descend. We’ll transport them all together!”

nHe waved his hand as he spoke, and a transport carrier, ten kilometers long, gradually materialized overhead.

n“What is that?!

nII

nAll the experts were flabbergasted. A few of them were so terrified that they collapsed on the spot, immobilized.

nColonel Chu contemplated the situation but said nothing. These experts would be part of the underground city project, so there was no harm in letting them in on the secret.

nJust as everyone began to panic, a brilliant beam of light shot out from the bottom of the carrier.

n“Light tweezer technology?!” Colonel Chu was astounded. Could light tweezer technology manage to pull a hundred thousand tons?!

nThe following moment, everyone present, including the shield tunneling machine, was pulled upwards by a mysterious force. They began to float gently towards the gaping maw opening at the base of the spaceship.

nIn the next second, everyone present, including the shield tunneling machine, was pulled by a mysterious force. They slowly floated up and flew toward the huge mouth at the bottom of the spaceship.

n“Incredible!

nII

nColonel Chu couldn’t believe it. He’d underestimated the strength of the light tweezer technology. He’d thought it was impressive enough on its own, but had never dreamt it could lift such an enormous weight..

n