“`
For the Wind Falcon and the Lion Tank, the problem wasn’t too big. The components produced by the Black Box weren’t many in number and were quite straightforward to assemble, so they would be quickly dealt with.
But building a Starport was a different matter.
Constructing a Starport was akin to building a city in space, orbiting a planet.
Even with the help of the Black Box, that would only significantly reduce the complexity of the construction, but the time saved in the building process wouldn’t be that substantial.
Moreover, orbital construction also required sufficient construction technology. The individual equipment of workers, construction processes, and knowledge of site selection… all of these posed challenges.
Fortunately, in the [Star Port Technology Blueprint], there were complete solution sets for these things.
It all depended on implementation.
After looking through this information, Gu Hang pondered for a long time and finally came to a conclusion.
Even for building the most rudimentary and lowest-grade Starport, excluding weapon defenses, energy shields, hardened armor, and starship fabrication capabilities, and maintaining only the trading attributes with the ability to dock ships—such a Starport would likely cost upwards of hundreds of millions of Tax Currency.
Which equated to twenty years of Imperial Tax from Rage Owl Star.
And to add various functionalities on top of that, the cost would head towards astronomical numbers.
Given the current situation on Rage Owl Star, it certainly couldn’t be achieved in a short time.
But that did not mean that Gu Hang planned to postpone this matter.
It was precisely because the cost was so high and the construction period so lengthy that this work needed to be started even earlier.
After all, Gu Hang’s role as the governor wasn’t a one-off deal—if nothing unexpected occurred, he’d be the governor for life, without terms or limitations. Thus, it was imperative to undertake projects of lasting significance.
First, he planned to get the corresponding site selection and Starport’s ground engineering started; then, extend the space elevator; using the orbital end of the space elevator to begin constructing space station platforms, from which to gradually expand and build out the Starport…
Considering the whole project—three phases—Gu Hang planned to initiate the first phase.
…
Aside from the [Star Port Technology Blueprint], the other three technologies were not worth discussing.
[Transition Identification System] was a prerequisite system required for the construction of starships.
The starships of the Human Empire, to engage in interstellar travel through hyperspace, must utilize the Star Realm Tunnels that connect two star systems. These tunnels, filled with Spiritual Energy and formed through the power of Subspace, existed naturally and were opened by the Imperial Psychic Association’s Star Guidance Hall.
And this identification system was the accompanying technology; it was essential for locating the entrances and exits of the Star Realm Tunnels.
At the moment, Gu Hang didn’t need this technology. The Star Port technology had just been drawn, and constructing starships was still out of the picture.
However, obtaining it was quite fortunate; it was a necessary technological reserve for building large ships in the future.
The [Chainsaw Sword] didn’t bear mentioning either, just another weapon configuration for interstellar warriors.
At most, it could be made lighter and with reduced power, similar to providing an attenuated version of bomb guns to the elite forces of the special combat brigade. Once equipped with Exoskeleton Armor, they were capable of using the basic version of the Chainsaw Sword and bomb guns.
As for the last one, the [Reflector Orbital Air Defense System], as the name implies, it’s an active orbital defense system, and of course, the most important component was the ‘Reflector’ Laser Cannon.
It was even a sort of energy weapon that could be installed on starships; the Claw Fierce Tiger was equipped with ten.
Besides the Reflector Laser Cannon itself, there was a whole set of air defense systems, including fire control, radar, recognition, and precision interception capabilities among a series of functions.
Its primary target was to conduct air defense operations, shooting down planes, fast attack boats, and the like—one shot per target; it could also be used to intercept firepower descending from orbit, such as Scalpel Missiles and Kinetic Cannons. If one wanted to “wash” Revival City or Weixing City from orbit, then the Reflector would be able to intercept them mid-air.
Of course, it could also be used as a normal laser cannon if one were to set it up on a flat surface.
However, that would be a bit like using a steam hammer to crack nuts.
Speaking of anti-aircraft guns being used as flat as a joke, of course, but it also side-heeled to express that the firepower of these ship-mounted guns—even just an S-spec—was powerful enough to breach walls and break the ground.
“`
…
Wu Jiarong stared at the large pile of black boxes lying before her, numbed by their sheer number.
In the past, whenever the Governor brought out a new black box, she genuinely rejoiced.
Although she was far from having the ability to crack these black boxes, by studying them and the high-precision, perfectly crafted objects they produced, she always managed to gain some insight and advance her mechanical expertise.
This was a critically important gain.
Her previously stagnant knowledge had skyrocketed over the course of the year. In the Sect of Mechanics, she had been recognized only as a technical specialist and, at most, after so many years, had the level of a formal mechanic.
But now, she felt she had surpassed the average Mechanical Priest in the Sect of Mechanics.
Initially, when the Governor had recruited that Engine Prophet named Hu Ke, she had been a bit worried, wondering whether she could be replaced?
But soon, she no longer thought that way.
The man clearly did not have the Governor’s trust as much as she did.
Moreover, with her current rate of progress, it wouldn’t take long to reach the Engine Prophet’s level, which would not be inferior to Hu Ke’s.
All thanks to the numerous different types and outcomes of the black boxes.
Theoretically, the more black boxes the Governor brought, the better.
But… there were just too many!
She simply couldn’t keep up with the research!
Within the Mechanical Cult Guild, only some top figures had the opportunity to possess a black box and the chance to comprehend it and the perfect creations; even in the headquarters of the guild, which had a significant number of black boxes, there were more people queuing up to study them.
And there I was, Wu Jiarong, spending long durations each morning, struggling to decide which black box to study from the countless options.
This was truly bothersome.
Nevertheless, she didn’t neglect her main tasks.
After briefly listening to Gu Hang’s introduction and then conducting her own examination and testing, she offered her assessment.
“The electric grid, two types of construction machines, and the agricultural machinery, we can quickly start mass production. However, we’ll need to coordinate with the development and production departments to maximize their effectiveness,” she said.
“The chainsword, Reflector interception system, and Lion Tank are a bit more challenging, but we should now have the capability to mass-produce them. The hardest part of the Lion Tank is the anti-gravity engine, but we already have some reserves.”
“As for the Star Harbor Technology Blueprint… I need more time to fully grasp it.”
Gu Hang stroked his chin and nodded.
“We can also use the black box to make a Transition Identification System first… How many can we produce with the black box?” he asked.
“One every two months.”
“That few?” Gu Hang was somewhat dissatisfied.
“Ah?” Wu Jiarong was baffled.
What’s there to be dissatisfied about when you can produce one a month?
This equipment is for starships, and we don’t even have the technology to build starships yet.
And with the black box, getting one virtually for free every two months—six in a year—would make a tidy profit just from exports.
Gu Hang seemed to realize he might be asking for too much: “Okay, let’s go with that… Start production on those that can be started, and as for the Star Harbor Technology Blueprint… I will assign the development department with the task. Let’s start the first phase of the ground construction without delay,” he said.
“Understood.”
