Love letters are not allowed in the exorcism notebook!-Chapter 790 - 37 Independent Technological Path

"I agree!"

"I haven’t even said anything yet, and you agree?"

"The government has fought for this generous opportunity for me. I trust the government!"

Shen Qingxi answered firmly and confidently, without hesitation.

Lianluo scrutinized her face for a moment before speaking softly, "There are some matters that can’t be explained to people who don’t understand technology. Those garrison soldiers are just brutes—they only know killing day in and day out. They don’t understand what development and construction mean at all."

"But you, Miss Shen, are different. You understand technology."

"That’s right, I understand technology!"

"Do you think the Net Path technology has a wide application space in the future?"

"What is Net Path technology?"

"..."

Faced with Lianluo’s increasingly meaningful gaze, Shen Qingxi panicked instantly. "I really don’t know what Net Path technology is!"

"Then why are you storing so much Ether Substance?"

"If the government needs it, I can hand it over immediately!"

"Don’t be so nervous; it’s fine not to know. It’s not a big deal."

Lianluo took out a file folder marked "Top Secret" from behind her and handed it to Shen Qingxi. "Take a look at this."

There wouldn’t be snipers waiting for the moment I reach for this to blow my head off, right?

Shen Qingxi apprehensively took the folder, cautiously opened it, and pulled out the documents inside to glance over. She immediately relaxed.

"Oh, you mean this? I know about this. Over on the Academy of Sciences side, this is called the Ether Network. It’s already being widely applied—even those Mechanical Sect people..."

She caught herself and quickly reacted, "Are you suspecting that those Mechanical Sect priests are secretly manipulating the Ether Network? But as far as I know, domestically there is absolutely no Ether—ah, we call it Net Path technology—you’re worried they could invade via the Ether Network?"

"Let’s set aside the question of invasion first. Evaluate this thing from a technical perspective."

"It’s usable, but it has great security risks."

Shen Qingxi quickly reached her conclusion. "First of all, the underlying logic of this technology is based on the infinite extensibility of Ether Substance to create a multi-user interactive information network. This network must have backend control permissions. If there’s only the users and no administrators, everyone holds privileges in their hands, and in the end, it would only distort into chaos."

"We have backend control permissions."

"But was the backend control developed by us? I don’t think so. From this paper alone, this is clearly a mature theoretical technology. Under our country’s past conditions, it certainly couldn’t have been developed."

When discussing technical issues, Shen Qingxi’s tone turned calm and composed.

"Ether Substance wasn’t invented or produced by us; it can only be extracted from Angels, and it’s a non-renewable resource. Net Path technology wasn’t researched by us either. Just because someone gave us the theory doesn’t mean that it’s complete. If there’s a backdoor in it... Scratch that—there *is* a backdoor. Once we allow this technology to be widely applied domestically, the people holding the backdoor won’t they be able to do whatever they want?"

"In summary, if I were to speak solely from a personal standpoint, I really like this technology and would love to use it. But if I were to look at it from a national perspective, if you asked for my advice, I would definitely vote against it."

"But we’re in urgent need of implementing this technology right now—it can save us massive manpower costs."

Lianluo spread her hands and said, "If we don’t go down this route, do you have any alternative suggestions?"

"Can’t we research vacuum-tube-based computers?"

"That’s also being developed, but the initial investment is too high, and we lack industrial infrastructure domestically. The development cycle is far too long. Right now, we urgently need technology we can immediately apply in practical scenarios to deal with the looming tidal catastrophe."

"How much time do we have left roughly?"

"Within ten years, shortest would be four to five years."

"If it’s just about transmitting information, wouldn’t a crystal detector suffice?"

"Crystal detector?"

"Yes, also referred to as a crystal radio. Don’t we lack civilian radios in our domestic market right now?"

"All production lines are currently prioritizing military supplies, so there’s temporarily no civilian production capacity. But this is an excellent thought—Miss Shen, you not only understand technology, you’re wealthy. Why not consider investing in building a factory?"

"Me?"

Shen Qingxi thought carefully for a moment before shaking her head and saying, "Without skilled workers and upstream industrial support, it’s very difficult to mass-produce this thing. If we can get it into production within four or five years, that would already be good."

"What if we provided upstream raw material support?"

"We would still need to train workers..."

"The Mechanical Sect doesn’t seem short on people."

"Huh???"

Shen Qingxi was stunned. "You want me to make use of those Mechanical Sect fanatics?"

"How is that ’using’? To be accurate, it would be a win-win cooperation."

Lianluo chuckled. "Those skilled craftsmen of the Mechanical Sect just happen to be a vital human resource for the country right now. I hope you can take on the role of the Mechanical Sage and completely take control of this scientific sect, contributing to the country’s future development plans."

You want me to lead the Mechanical Sect?

I don’t want to do that kind of thing! I’m the dignified eldest lady of the Shen Family; isn’t running proper businesses good enough?

But looking at the gentle smile on the elder sister’s face in front of her, Shen Qingxi knew she didn’t have a choice.

If she wanted to clear her name and go straight, no longer rotting in a cell, this was the only legitimate path.

"You’ll need to give me more time. I abandoned them back then when I fled—they’re not going to trust me so easily."

"But *I* trust you, Miss Shen. I believe you have the ability."

Lianluo smiled. "We will do everything possible to provide you with support. The only requirement is that this project must be implemented as quickly as possible. If your backup plan can’t be realized, we’ll have no choice but to risk activating the Net Path."

"But Net Path isn’t the only technological route, right?"

Shen Qingxi asked back, "For such an important mission, the country wouldn’t pin its hope on just one person or a handful of individuals, would it?"

"Of course not."

Lianluo shook her head. "We will try every possible technological route. You and your Mechanical Sect are merely one part, sufficient but not indispensable. In devising plans for this natural disaster, we can never allow for *too* much redundancy."

"Alright then, I’ll do my best... But I have one more condition."

Shen Qingxi said solemnly, "I want to know the true identities of Reddy and Amber Coffin."

"Have they already been recruited by the government into the Regular Army, and are just treating me like a fool?"

"Why don’t you ask them yourself?"

"I did! But they don’t utter a single truthful word!"