Chapter 76: Chapter 72: Shield Tunnelling Machine
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
On the web, the hottest buzz was about the commencement of the maglev bus service.
“The fare’s similar to an airplane ticket, but I heard it’s even faster…”
“Hey, it seems it’s only operating in Chang an at present. Other cities have yet to catch on…”
“Guys, I got my ticket from a scalper, paid ten times the original price, but trust me, it was worth every penny…”
“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…”
“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…”
Nine 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.
Compared to the other two subjects engaging the public, the projection touch watch was a high-end product, something the average person could hardly afford.
“Is this your shield tunneling machine?”
In the Blue Moon New District of Chang an, a team of experts from the Earth were dumbfounded at the sight of the ma.s.sive shield tunneling machine in front of them. Its diameter was more than a hundred meters.
Were they intending to dig a hole? This machine seemed like it could slice through a mountain!
Zhao Yu offered a quick rundown of the machine’s functions. Using his projection touch watch, he shared a detailed user manual.
Besides 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.
There was no rush. All that was required was finalizing the deal before the completion of the nuclear power plant.
Observing Colonel Chu and the team of experts completely mesmerized by the ma.s.sive 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…”
“Sure, go ahead!”
Once 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.
Colonel Chu, a bit taken aback by their enthusiasm, asked, “Can this machine actually dig underground?”
“A machine of this size should be capable. We need to check the specifics, though…”
There were hundreds of experts present, all specializing in shield tunneling machines. Each of them had a role to play: some a.n.a.lyzed the user manual, some examined the materials used to construct the machine, and others studied its structural design.
Colonel Chu, standing off to the side, would occasionally catch the astonished exclamations of the experts.
After an hour, a representative of the experts came forward with a flushed face to report their findings.
“We can dig. This marvel can dig all the way to the mantle layer, at the very least…”
“What’s astounding is that the tunnel lining isn’t composed of mud, but steel…”
“This implies that the processes of drilling, reinforcement, and constructing the tunnel can take place almost simultaneously…”
“According to the manual, this steel structure can withstand an earthquake of magnitude 10…”
Colonel Chu asked, “So, can you operate this machine now?”
“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…”
“That’s good news…”
Colonel Chu nodded, his face soon clouding with a new predicament. The ma.s.sive shield tunneling machine looked to weigh well over a hundred thousand tons. What could they possibly use to transport it?
The most powerful aircraft could only lift eight hundred tons. Even with a hundred of these aircraft, they might not be able to shift it.
What about trucks? Trains? Ferries?
Colonel Chu ran through the options in his mind, but he couldn’t figure out what tool or vehicle could possibly move this ma.s.sive machine.
“Well, leave it to the experts to figure out…”
Colonel 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.
Upon receiving the three-dimensional data of the shield tunneling machine, the experts at Xiadu immediately began running calculations.
The expert team, their hair thinning from the stress, finally reached a conclusion.
“It’s possible to transport it. There are two methods…”
“One is overland transport, which would require the G.o.d Continent’s transport vehicles. Additionally, we would need to construct specialized roads as we move along…”
“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…”
Colonel 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.
The G.o.d Continent Transport Vehicle, a specially designed vehicle capable of pulling aircraft carriers, had more than two thousand tires and hundreds of high-powered engines.
The 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.
As for the aircraft carriers, they were limited to water travel. Upon reaching the destination, getting them ash.o.r.e presented another significant challenge.
“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…”
“Firstly, this is a prototype, set to be delivered to an uninhabited island for data testing…”
“What if, during the next transaction, we let Zhao Yu transport it directly to the deserted area using their s.p.a.ceship?”
Colonel Chu seemed taken aback. “Won’t they stumble upon our underground city construction?”
Zhuge Tao replied with a grin, “We could initially construct a pa.s.sageway near the deserted area, one that can accommodate G.o.d Continent transport vehicles…”
“Keeping some distance from the location where we deploy the shield tunneling machine should be fine…”
After 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.
Once the discussion was concluded, Colonel Chu promptly located Zhao Yu to explain the plan.
“It’s a minor issue. Where do you suggest we place this shield tunneling machine?”
Zhao Yu had already handed back the tech points for the shield tunneling machine, so he was quite amenable to discussion.
“How about the seaside, near the aircraft carrier base? Does that work for you?”
“No issues with that!
Returning to the shield tunneling machine, the once-smiling experts were now filled with anxiety, replaced with a worry-filled countenance.
They were collectively brainstorming how to relocate this ma.s.sively heavy shield tunneling machine.
“Let’s get everyone out of there!” Colonel Chu ordered, upon his arrival.
“What’s happening?”
“We’re about to move this shield tunneling machine, so everyone needs to evacuate promptly…”
This declaration startled the experts. They hadn’t considered how this heavy machine could be moved!
These 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.
“What will we use to move it?”
“Where’s the G.o.d Continent Transport Vehicle?”
“The exclusive routes for the G.o.d Continent Transport Vehicles haven’t even been paved. How will the transport happen?”
Some experts felt so connected to the shield tunneling machine that they were reluctant to leave, expressing their complaints vocally.
“Everyone needs to get down…”
Despite several reminders from the staff, some people stayed put.
Seeing this, Zhao Yu gave a light laugh, stating, “No need to descend. We’ll transport them all together!”
He waved his hand as he spoke, and a transport carrier, ten kilometers long, gradually materialized overhead.
“What is that?!
II
All the experts were flabbergasted. A few of them were so terrified that they collapsed on the spot, immobilized.
Colonel 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.
Just as everyone began to panic, a brilliant beam of light shot out from the bottom of the carrier.
“Light tweezer technology?!” Colonel Chu was astounded. Could light tweezer technology manage to pull a hundred thousand tons?!
The 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 s.p.a.ceship.
In 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 s.p.a.ceship.
“Incredible!
II
Colonel 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..