Zirconium

The details regarding the Albacore have been basically finalized.

Kazumitsu knocked on the door and came in.

"Comrade Su Ming, this is the completed list of materials for the 'Zhurong' nuclear reactor."

Su Ming reached out and took it, habitually looking at the rare materials.

Most of them look normal, and the dosage is within a tolerable range.

In many cases, rare materials are like a certain "vitamin"—essential and highly functional.

At the same time, it accounts for a small percentage of the overall total.

Many times, Su Ming felt like an old Chinese medicine doctor, readily concocting prescriptions even more complicated than turtle shell decoction pills.

In short, to avoid a situation where there is no rice to cook.

Su Ming has been working very hard during this period, and the results have been remarkable.

He has almost completed the periodic table, except for radioactive elements!

Therefore, even though the list handed to him by He Guang contained as many as seventy different elements, he didn't panic.

But clearly, Su Ming was still naive.

When he saw one of the lines, he couldn't help but gape.

"No—120 tons of zirconium are needed—how could there be so much?"

Su Ming couldn't understand it at all; this amount was even approaching the material requirements for copper and iron.

This was the first time he had ever seen such an exaggerated scale of rare metal materials being used.

Zirconium has excellent corrosion resistance and high-temperature stability, making it a primary material for uranium fuel rod cladding tubes, control rod guide tubes, and positioning spacers.

He Guang explained to Su Ming from the side.

"Isn't there a substitute?" Su Ming asked, frowning.

Kazumitsu shook his head.

"Zirconium's neutron absorption cross-section is only 0.18 Å."

It is a fraction of most materials, even a hundredth.

"Moreover, it is stable and has a very high melting point."

"As the first metal of the atomic age, zirconium cannot be replaced."

The neutrons released during nuclear fission can trigger fission in one or more atomic nuclei, a process known as a chain reaction.

If the reactor core material absorbs too many neutrons, the rate of nuclear fission will slow down rapidly, until it stops altogether.

"Okay."

Su Ming was truly impressed this time.

He originally thought that having a whole wall of traditional Chinese medicine cabinets would be enough.

But now someone is telling him that he needs things by the container!

I'll figure something out.

****

After hanging up the call, Su Ming leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes in thought.

Zirconium-rich deposits are quite rare.

He used the data he had collected to discover that this mineral does exist in Taya.

For example, there are quite a few of them scattered within the Dwarf Kingdom.

However, this thing hasn't been developed into any applications.

Even when used as a gemstone, zircon is looked down upon in the market of the Taya world because it is too cheap.

In other words, Su Ming did not have any existing mines available.

It would be great if there were surface mineral deposits that could be easily mined with a simple dig.

He couldn't help but think about it.

Development time is only one aspect. If Su Ming rushes to the dwarves to ask for zircon ore, who knows how they might manipulate him.

This is also a problem that needs to be solved.

There was a knock on the door.

"President, this is tonight's midnight snack."

Lilishan, dressed in a maid outfit, entered and gently placed a crème brûlée on the table. The pudding was garnished with a few raisins and nuts, making it look exquisite.

She had her phone tucked into the front pocket of her apron, and the case was carefully covered with a woolen knitted protective cover.

Su Ming looked up at the window and realized that it was already late at night.

"Thank you." He nodded.

Lilishan noticed that Su Ming wasn't very interested in the pudding, so she brought over a glass of juice and gently placed it aside.

"The transport plane has returned from Northern Ice Island and has just landed," she reported to Su Ming. "King Wu Ling is on this plane. Do you need to meet with him?"

Since its completion, the Kunpeng transport aircraft has been transporting various supplies at a high frequency.

After this shipment is unloaded, it will be loaded with supplies to support the Republic of Chuxu and take off again.

Wu Ling took advantage of this opportunity to head there.

Su Ming shook his head.

"Notify the airport to reserve a cabin for me."

"OK."

Lilishan didn't ask any further questions and immediately turned to make the arrangements.

When she returned, she was carrying a suitcase.

Su Ming is going to the Chuxu Republic this time, and he needs to bring some documents from his office, as well as his office computer, with him.

Lilishan didn't disturb Su Ming while he was handling his official business. Instead, she quietly tidied up his usual water cups and other belongings, and even took the red currants from the refrigerator.

It was a wild berry, which Misaila had picked and then had Little Zisu deliver to her.

It needs to be given to Zijin.

Su Ming glanced at her.

No wonder she's a maidservant who serves a discerning noblewoman like Janet.

He doesn't talk much, but he's efficient.

Moreover, as the head lady-in-waiting, Lilishan also possesses considerable administrative management skills.

During this time, she took over a large amount of housework from Ainuobia.

****

Su Ming picked up the juice, walked to the window, and looked down at the empty space below.

There were more than twenty giant dragons lying there haphazardly.

Due to being tied up with other matters, Jielusi and Ruixiu remained in the Republic of Chuxu.

Rupert was put in charge of security at the Ruby Base.

This former sheriff clearly knew his own limitations, so he made sure Su Ming's personal guard had plenty of fighting strength.

The key point is that he specifically recruited the most mischievous and troublesome dragons.

He accepts all comers, especially those who work odd jobs everywhere but are always looked down upon by their foremen.

Over time, Su Ming's personal guard became a notorious bandit stronghold.

The food delivery service only delivers to the office if the system forces an order.

These days, every time Su Ming goes out, he is followed by a huge swarm of people, causing chaos and disorder wherever he goes.

Because of the bandit leader Long's style, not to mention ordinary people, even dragons would never easily approach him unless there was something important to discuss.

This leads to a very simple result --

Anyone who actively approaches you should be sprayed with water first; you're probably not wronged.

Sure enough, every security manager has their own style.

Su Ming couldn't help but sigh.

Just then, the security supervisor Rupert, walked in.

"Our brothers in the Holy City found this in the ruins of the Pope's office."

He handed me a printed photograph.

Su Ming reached out and took the documents, finding that they contained information on 206mm artillery shells and data on the outer casing of 71mm "fire extinguishing shells".

Judging from the graphic, it was ordered from the Dwarf Factory through Beianqi last year when the "White Triangle" was operating in the Western Ocean.

However, the dimensions in this data are 1.5% larger than the actual product specifications.

"I consulted people in the industry, and this is the factory's mold-making data."

Rupert continued.

Metal shrinks during the casting process, so the mold size is deliberately enlarged to allow for subsequent machining.

Su Ming understood.

Rupert's subtext was that the data was leaked from the factory and had nothing to do with Beianqi.

However, he didn't say much, so as not to interrupt Su Ming's judgment.

"As expected, these dwarves are anything but 'honest and simple'," Su Ming sighed softly.

This intelligence was most likely handed over to Pope Augustus by the dwarves themselves.

Just like before, when they proactively revealed Su Ming's "whereabouts".

"Since the Dwarf Kingdom is the strongest nation in the Eastern Continent, it's destined to be anything but simple and honest," Rupert grinned. "Otherwise, it would have been devoured by its neighbors long ago."

Su Ming began to think about how to delve deeper into this matter.

The fact that he leaked his battlefield whereabouts and the deployment of the dragon army was used by Su Ming to set a trap for the "Holy War Crusaders".

But that doesn't mean this matter can be let go like this!

"Hey, Lilishan, what's for dinner tonight?"

Rupert turned to Lilishan, saw the crème brûlée on the table, and reached for it.

But as soon as they touched, Lilishan slapped his hand across the back with a loud "smack."

"These have all been carefully checked." Lilishan's tone was somewhat stiff. "I also ate a portion myself as a test."

"Please stop pretending to be testing food for poison every time, so you can legitimately steal the president's food!"

"Give it to him," Su Ming said, "Sorry, I don't have much of an appetite."

Lilishan then released her grip, but still glared at Rupert.

To be honest, her expression actually has a bit of a cute but fierce vibe.

Rupert immediately picked up the crème brûlée, took a spoonful, scooped out half of it, and stuffed it into his mouth.

"Mmm, delicious."

He wore a satisfied expression.

"I'll choke you to death."

Lilishan lowered her voice.

****

Two hours later, escorted by Elder Mo Yuan, Su Ming boarded the Kunpeng transport plane.

"Hi, hi, hi!" Miao Xin's familiar greeting came from inside.

His figure flashed and he appeared in front of Su Ming.

Judging from her appearance, she was none other than Sabina, the warden who had been captured and released in the Northern Lands Divine Might Prison.

In that battle, her arm was severed by Katharine.

The bones and muscles, transformed by human alchemy, were revealed on the spot, their lines cold and hard, their structure intricate, clearly indicating a considerable cost had been incurred.

Therefore, when Su Ming saw this "old acquaintance" again in the prison of the Radiant Holy City, he immediately figured out what to do with him.

Of course, Sabina has now been "sent away".

Given what she did in the Divine Might Prison, she wouldn't be unjust to die ten times over.

"How is the crew training going?" Su Ming asked.

"It's alright, progress is quite fast," Miao Xin replied.

"You need to find time to learn how to pilot a submarine so they can fly independently as soon as possible."

"----hehe!"

Miao Xin discovered that people do laugh when they are extremely speechless.

"I've been flying planes for you day and night, and you still want to push me further?"

2

She was so angry that she jumped up and down on the spot, her voice rising in pitch.

Su Ming raised his hand and casually ruffled Miao Xin's hair.

"With continued modifications, your body can become almost identical to your original one."

"Furthermore, this trip to the Arctic to launch a satellite brings us one step closer to the dimensional gate. At that time..."

Miao Xin was taken aback at first, then became even angrier.

"You've changed, Su Ming!"

"You used to at least give me some shares!"

"Now all that's left is empty promises!"

Su Ming laughed and said, "See, I can improve too."

****

The group walked noisily toward the passenger cabin at the front of the plane, where they ran into Wu Ling.

The young Feather Race stood ramrod straight, his expression dignified.

"Welcome Lord of Feather Command," Su Ming said. "I apologize for not arranging for you to disembark and tour the area."

"You're too kind, Your Bone King," Wu Ling replied politely. "Priority comes first, and we certainly can't delay this plane's journey."

The two sat down facing each other on the sofa.

"My master Chloe asked me to give you her regards."

"No need to be so polite." Su Ming waved his hand. "Anyway, I'll have to have a fight with her on the radio every few days."

Zijin declined to participate in the discussion regarding the dimensional teleportation array.

Having no other option, Chloe had to turn to Su Ming.

As a result, the two would occasionally have some "minor ideological conflicts".

Unfortunately, these two can be incredibly awful when they argue.

"My master has lived in the Northern Lands for a long time, and usually not many people can keep up with her train of thought," Wu Ling carefully chose her words. "However, I've noticed that she doesn't seem angry after arguing with you."

"Chloe, you should feel refreshed!"

Su Ming succinctly pointed out the truth.

"I reckon none of you students would dare to talk back to her normally."

The Ashy Drongo is a bird with graceful flight, but it is by no means lacking in aggression.

Arguments and fights are commonplace.

This personality trait is quite similar to that of corvids, which even led the Ashy Drongo to be classified as a corvid at one point.

So, given that she was given this title, Su Ming had a pretty good idea of Chloe's personality.

For example, the Bay Owl, although possessing strong fighting and hunting abilities, has a relatively gentle temperament.

It must be said that the Supreme Knowledge Association has some tricks up its sleeve when it comes to awarding titles to scholars.

You don't need to worry about it.

Su Ming continued.

"I haven't had a verbal altercation with anyone since I came here."

He fondly remembers the days when he could type on the keyboard and express his opinions freely on the internet.

"Equally great!"

Wu Ling:

****

"How's it going on in the Golden Autumn Islands?" Su Ming asked in turn.

"Our forces have completely taken control of Golden Autumn Island and more than a dozen surrounding islands of varying sizes," Wu Ling replied immediately. "The first wave of Feather Race migration has also departed from Eternal Night Port."

The Golden Autumn Islands were promised to the Feather Race by Su Ming as a condition for their participation in his campaigns.

This is also why Wu Ling brought a large number of administrative personnel with her to take over the operation.

"Your Feather Race is skilled in flight, making you well-suited to set up production and life on these islands," Su Ming said.

"Yes, thank you very much."

Wu Ling said solemnly.

"Golden Autumn Island is suitable for growing grain crops, yielding three harvests a year, which is enough to completely solve the predicament of our Feather Race."

"As for Northern Ice Island, we will not give up either."

"The Feather Race is somewhat afraid of the heat, while the climate in Northern Ice Island is relatively mild in the summer, and its many unique mineral resources are worth further development, continuing to serve as the main economic force."

"You can make your own plans." Su Ming nodded. "But the terms we agreed on earlier should be clear, right? The Golden Autumn Island region must join the Republic."

Wu Ling raised his hand, and the clerk beside him immediately handed over a memorandum of understanding.

"The Golden Autumn Special Territory shall be subject to the territorial jurisdiction of the Republic of Chuxu."