Chapter 1,132: Opening up Wasteland, Farming, and Large-Scale Steelmaking

After the new colonists arrived, the construction of the Mars colony also entered the second stage.

Star Ring Trading's positioning of the Mars colony has been to build it into an industrial base in the solar system from the beginning, so the development direction of the colony in the second phase is quite clear, which is to mine, continue to mine, and then make steel!

Steel is the foundation of industry. If we want to expand production capacity on Mars, steel production must keep up.

It's not difficult to achieve this on Mars. You can smell the rust when you bend down and grab a handful of sand. It's just a matter of how much. In addition, another benefit of developing heavy industry is that it causes the artificial greenhouse effect and indirectly changes the thickness of the Martian atmosphere. Maybe in a few centuries, the thickness of Mars' atmosphere will return to the level three billion years ago due to human intervention, and it will become a second paradise for mankind...

Of course, these are all things for later.

In addition to increasing explosive production capacity, the population cannot be left behind.

Labor force is always one of the important factors restricting industrial development, whether it is the general labor force or the labor force with higher education. Even if automated production can significantly reduce the need for low-educated labor in industrial facilities, it is still unlikely to completely kick humans away.

At least not for two centuries.

Jiang Chen clearly stipulated two goals in his half-year plan for the Mars colony. The first is that the monthly steel production must exceed one million tons, and the second is to expand the size of the colony to a population of 1,000.

It is precisely because of this that the newly arrived colonists on Mars did not have time to savor the exotic customs on Mars. The next day, they carried their brains groggy from drunkenness and carried their tools to their jobs. .

This time the Seagull-class transport ship not only brought colonists, but also brought a lot of production tools, such as excavators, cranes, mining equipment, etc. specially designed by Futureman Heavy Industries for the Martian environment. The original colonial cabin with a square could only provide 200 living units, and the colonists who came later could only live in the rooms they built with their own hands.

After all, the kind of colonial capsule that can be deployed by airdrop is quite expensive, and Star Circle Trade cannot waste all the colony's budget on buying houses for the colonists.

Engineers in the entire colony suddenly became busy, directing the construction workers to drive engineering vehicles to encircle the area. The entire colony turned into a huge construction site, submerged in the flying dust.

The first expansion started was the soilless farm, then the ball pump, then the steel plant...

Just as the construction machinery was plowing on the sand dunes,

An armored vehicle specially modified for the Martian environment drove out of the colony's garage and headed toward the distant horizon...

…

Star Ring City, Space Command Center, Mars Colonization Project Department.

After learning that the transport ship had arrived on Mars, Jiang Chen took the space elevator and arrived here immediately. He found Kerwin who was inspecting work in the command center and asked him about the current situation of the Mars colony.

"All our colonists landed safely?"

"We landed yesterday," Kerwin nodded. "After one orbit around the synchronous orbit, the Seagull-class transport ship has escaped the gravity of Mars and is now returning to the Earth-Moon system."

It seems that the colony is developing well.

Jiang Chen nodded with satisfaction, and then asked about another thing that concerned him.

"Where is the 071 mineral point? Is there anything going on?"

"It can't be so fast," Kerwin shook his head. "Our Marines have just set off from the colony and have not yet arrived at Mine Point 071. Even if they arrive, they will not be able to immediately obtain information about the five kilometers deep underground. According to Hong Zewei According to the plan provided, we will first drill a five-kilometer-deep well on the 071 mineral point, and then send a drone down to see the situation."

Jiang Chen asked, "What do you think will be there?"

Kerwin shook his head helplessly, "I don't know, maybe it is really an alien city? But I prefer that it is an alien tomb, or a fossil. If it is a living Martian, what will happen to ours?" The colony was an absolute disaster.”

Traces or ruins of "alien" were found on Mars. Jiang Chen didn't know whether this was a disaster or a blessing. On the one hand, he is looking forward to what the colonists on Mars will find, but on the other hand, he is worried about whether this will bring disaster to the Mars colonization plan of the Star Ring Trade.

Just when Jiang Chen was puzzled, he suddenly remembered that there might be someone who could give him the answer.

Full of questions, he took the space elevator back to the ground the next day.

…

University of Coro.

Unlike the third-rate university that was not much better than community colleges, the current University of Coro has developed into a world-class institution. Whether in academia or among enterprises, he has considerable influence. Of course, these influences are mainly reflected in the majors of aerospace, new energy, and materials science. As for other majors...

Just don’t mention it.

I remember that when the university was first established, Jiang Chen opened a public elective course called cosmology at the invitation of President Raphael Leif, which was considered as a university professor's addiction. But since he pulled Mr. Hawking out of the wheelchair, his three-minute fever had almost subsided, so he gave up this public elective course to Mr. Hawking, who taught physics.

On the green tree-lined path, slightly green faces passed by. Students of different skin colors spoke the language he was familiar with, chatting with their friends about clubs, girls, and professors. , chatting for a while about where to go to relax...

Because it was Saturday, the campus was quieter than usual. Whenever this time comes, students will choose to go shopping in the urban area of ​​Koro City, or buy a boat ticket and go to Penglai City for a day or two before coming back.

Those who are still in the teaching building are either top students or freshmen who still have public elective courses to deal with.

Jiang Chen was very low-key when he arrived. He drove into the campus quietly without attracting too many people's attention. After making a phone call with Raphael Leif and learning that Hawking was in class, he drove directly to the teaching building.

Waiting at the door for the end of get out of class, Jiang Chen found Hawking who had just walked out of the lecture theater.

As if he was surprised to meet Jiang Chen here, Hawking was slightly stunned as he walked out with his briefcase.

"...What a rare visitor."

Jiang Chen made a helpless expression, and just as he was about to speak, Hawking spoke first.

"I guess you have something to ask me?"

This time Jiang Chen was stunned. He didn't expect Mr. Huo to have the ability to read minds?

"That's right, I have a small problem at work... I wonder if it's inconvenient for you?"

"What's the inconvenience? If I were inconvenient, I don't know how many scholars would have to break their heads for this opportunity to answer questions for Mr. Executive Officer." Hawking said humorously, stretched out his hand and pulled off Jiang Chen's sleeve, leading him to On the other hand, "It's just time for dinner, let's talk while walking. The cafeteria next to the east teaching building is good. The pine cone pancakes there are quite good. I recommend you to order some too."

It is now the end of get out of class, and many students have noticed the two people at the door. After recognizing Jiang Chen, some even took out their mobile phones excitedly. If they stay here any longer, they will be looked at like giant pandas.

Jiang Chen didn't have time to appreciate the enthusiasm of the foreign female college students, so he quickly followed Hawking's footsteps and walked out of the teaching building.

(To be continued.)