Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
After the initial shock, the reporters quickly regained their professional composure and began to ask the Trainees various questions. However, aside from a few very simple and normal inquiries, most of the reporters were probing into the matters of the Second World and what the Trainees had experienced.
Fortunately, the Trainees were quite clever; when questioned, they either played dumb or simply ignored the reporters. Once their instructor dismissed them, they immediately left the port area, distancing themselves from the incessant chatter of the journalists.
Chen Rui and other staff members followed closely behind the training team as they emerged. As soon as the main subjects appeared, a group of reporters rushed forward with microphones in hand, blocking Chen Rui and his colleagues from descending the gangway.
Chen Rui raised his hands to signal for silence and smiled lightly. "Ladies and gentlemen, I know what questions you want to ask, but I'm afraid I cannot answer those due to regulations. You may choose to ask the Trainees or observe for yourselves. That's all I can say."
After speaking, four security guards forcibly pushed aside the reporters, clearing a path for Chen Rui and his team to disembark. Under the protection of the guards, Chen Rui and He Chengrong boarded the prepared Azure Lotus vehicle, followed swiftly by several staff members from the central control room.
He Chengrong frowned at their reluctance and gestured for them to hurry up. Chen Rui noticed their unwillingness and chuckled. "It's fine; there are plenty of seats. What’s wrong with catching a ride?"
"But..." He Chengrong looked at Chen Rui in surprise. During their time aboard, this man had insisted on following rules, yet now he seemed so carefree!
"It's not working hours!" Chen Rui laughed heartily as he settled into one of the front sofas, patting the armrest beside him. "It's quite comfortable here; hurry up and sit down, don’t waste time!"
With the highest-ranking officer's approval, the group of young people eagerly rushed to the back of the vehicle, leaving the front seats for their two leaders.
Not all staff members from The Other Shore disembarked; about forty percent remained aboard—over three thousand individuals—while First Officer Guo Xinhua tragically took on the role of 'temporary captain,' meaning he couldn't leave the ship either.
Although there was free time for the Trainees at various scenic spots, this was also part of their training—to learn how to live and truly enjoy life.
In fact, it wasn't just them; many people in the real world do not understand how to live beyond merely making money. Such a lifestyle is distorted and inappropriate.
Here, they needed to learn how to enjoy themselves, relax, and indulge in entertainment!
Yakushima was an excellent outdoor experience destination, allowing those who lived in high-end urban environments to appreciate this unique beauty. A wonderful life does not necessarily have to be found in first or second-tier large cities.
After placing the others in their reserved hotel, the Light Traveler headed directly towards Yokohama Beach as Chen Rui suggested. Since it was December, the famous sea turtles would not be seen laying their eggs.
On the long stretch of beach, Chen Rui noticed that several tents had already been set up. It seemed that those were the first trainees who had disembarked; they had rented tents and were preparing to use the beach as their first resting point.
"In this season, even during the day, the temperature is only about ten degrees Celsius, and at night it can drop to nearly zero!" He Chengrong said anxiously as he looked at the row of tents. "Many people didn’t bring warm clothes. What if they catch a cold?"
Chen Rui smiled broadly at He Chengrong and laughed heartily.
"You really sound like a father worried about marrying off his daughter! Worrying about this and that. Although they are trainees, they are all adults in their twenties and thirties; they have some experience with these things."
"And let me remind you, your temperature reference is based on Hangzhou's climate, which is at the same latitude as Yakushima, right? Come on, you used to be a naval commander! Don’t you understand the island's climate?"
He Chengrong sighed and helplessly rubbed his temples. He hadn’t had much rest lately. After all, he was not just responsible for physically strong naval soldiers this time but also a group of young adults from society. How could he not worry?
His earlier temperature estimate was indeed based on inland China’s climate calculations. If it were adjusted for Yakushima, the average temperature would likely be about five degrees lower, meaning it was currently between five degrees Celsius and minus five degrees Celsius here, which made him even more anxious.
After all, if anything happened to these people, he would be held responsible!
"Don't worry; I am the primary person responsible here. They must get through this phase if they want to continue their journey."
Chen Rui directly addressed He Chengrong's concerns with a comforting smile. The trainees would be sailing around the globe for several months, stopping at thirteen destinations along the way, most of which were coastal cities in the subtropical and tropical regions. Climate changes would certainly vary more than just a degree or two; one stop could be winter while the next could be summer. If they were to be overwhelmed by this climate now, then there would be no need for them to continue this journey.
"Did you just use the word 'journey'?" He Chengrong asked with a smile as he followed Chen Rui. "Do you think this is a trip for them?"
Chen Rui chuckled and waved his left hand dismissively.
"You don't need to speak to me with honorifics; after all, you are much older than I am. My not using honorifics with you already shows your respect for me."
"Alright, alright, let's not get too philosophical; neither of us is a philosopher." He Chengrong smiled lightly, gazing at the sea as he said, "My respect for you comes from many aspects, not just because you are my superior now. Your words just now further prove this point."
"Travel?"
He Chengrong nodded.
Chen Rui looked up and smiled, slowly shaking his head. "Do you think their journey is like a moving prison?"
He Chengrong did not nod but took a deep breath. "Most people think that way."
Chen Rui turned around and continued walking forward.
"Yes, most people do think that way. After all, these individuals are the 'detritus' of society, right?"
Although He Chengrong was quite offended by Chen Rui's term 'detritus,' he understood that this was the general perception of these Trainees. Those deemed useless to society needed to come here, so naturally, they were not well-regarded by others.
"But think about it: which prison in the world allows 'criminals' to interact with ordinary citizens like this? Which prison in the world lets 'criminals' travel around the globe?"
"No... that's not what I meant!" He Chengrong hadn't finished when Chen Rui interrupted him again.
"I'm not saying what you think I am either. I want to tell you that those people have done nothing wrong. Whether they are lazy or timid, it's all part of human development. Can you imagine what the world will be like a hundred years from now?"
He Chengrong was dizzy from Chen Rui's sudden shift in perspective. After a while, he finally replied calmly, "It's impossible; just like people in 197 can't possibly envision what the world is like now."
Chen Rui shook his head with a smile. "No, it can actually be foreseen. After the emergence of the Dual Machine, artificial intelligence will make tremendous advancements. AI will gradually replace humans in various fields, and eventually, all productive labor will be handed over to machines. So the question arises: what will happen to humanity then?"
"I... I can't imagine a world where people can live happily without work. Isn't that absurd?" He Chengrong said with a wry smile.
However, Chen Rui's expression turned serious as he looked directly at He Chengrong and said emphatically, "No, that's not absurd; that's hell!"
"When that time comes, ninety percent of the world's population will lead lives similar to what they had before. The difference is that in the future, those people will live even better because their salaries will remain unchanged."
"Isn't that great? If machines do everything, perhaps that's the true advancement of human technology."
"No, such a life can only be sustained under certain conditions! There will always be things that AI and machines cannot accomplish—at least not within our current understanding. Those tasks will require human involvement, but in such an environment, who would have the motivation to work?"
"What conditions? According to your view, if machines can completely replace humans in production in the future, what tasks would still require human effort?"
"Innovation!"
"Wait! That doesn't necessarily have to be done by humans! Just like..."
Chen Rui paused and looked directly at He Chengrong with a smile. "Just like what? Just like Brain-like Biological Computers? As long as we have such computers, won't they soon be able to completely replace humans?"
He Chengrong fell silent, realizing he had struck a nerve with Chen Rui and offered a sheepish smile.
"You are mistaken again. A Brain-like Biological Computer is not merely a type of computer; in a serious sense, it resembles a living organism or a new form of human brain—it could even be another form of life."
"Coincidentally, this form of life will inevitably evolve in a direction influenced by humanity, ultimately leading to unresolved issues."
Chen Rui stood on a rock by the beach, gazing at the vast ocean, letting out a sorrowful sigh.
"And if nothing is innovated, in a society under such circumstances, collapse will inevitably occur. What’s worse is that in such an environment, individual consciousness will gradually dissipate. Although this is a long process, no one can guarantee it won't happen in the future."
He Chengrong stood beside Chen Rui, forcing a smile. "So this is the core of the plan? I knew there had to be a reason behind this seemingly baseless public welfare."
"Of course, it's for the continuation of humanity."
"When life itself conflicts with evolution, such tragedy is already destined."
He Chengrong picked up a stone and threw it into the sea. "Is there any way to solve this?"
"Isn't that precisely what we are researching? This phenomenon won't occur overnight; we are merely trying to mitigate this tragedy as much as possible. What the world will ultimately become has nothing to do with you."
Anyway, you won't see it. The last part of Chen Rui's statement remained unspoken, but He Chengrong understood it nonetheless. He let out a helpless smile, realizing that worrying about these future matters was unnecessary. Besides, hadn't the government already begun to take action? He just needed to focus on his own duties.
The two turned and walked toward the road. As they crossed the beach, they suddenly heard a scream from among the tents.
"I'll go take a look." After exchanging a quick word with Chen Rui, He Chengrong dashed into the cluster of tents. Moments later, he returned carrying an unconscious girl.
"She was setting up the tent when it was blown by the sea breeze, and one of the supports pierced through her right upper arm. She's bleeding heavily and needs to get back to Aboard immediately."
Chen Rui nodded, but when he saw the girl's face, he couldn't help but freeze in place.
Comment 0 Comment Count