Rebirth: Super Banking System Chapter 2471 - 2309: Risk Aversion

Within the confines of the Testing Base, the atmosphere was thick with activity. On this occasion, a collective of over one hundred individuals had converged from various departments. This massive gathering was primarily due to the sheer scale of the project, which necessitated a rigorous and exhaustive assessment before any operational permits could be issued.

Exploration and extraction efforts were still taking place out at sea. Even if an oil discovery were made, those involved were largely unconcerned about the potential risks; after all, even if a spill were to occur, it was considered a manageable situation. Years ago, when an oil spill happened, the Myanmar Environmental Technology Company had completely turned the tide. That memorable event remained etched in their minds, ensuring that the world no longer lived in fear of ocean oil spills.

Nevertheless, standard bureaucratic procedures remained mandatory. Regardless of the broader context, these officials felt the need to establish their presence. If one were to simply hand over a permit upon request without any ceremony, the display of authority would be diminished. Thus, many gathered at the facility stood with a rigid, self-important posture, serving as a reminder that even the world’s wealthiest person must abide by the rules.

Tang Qing was well-acquainted with the petty thoughts of these attendees. With his nerve telekinesis spanning a range of kilometers, every fleeting emotion was palpable to him. In response, his heart remained remarkably unmoved. Over the years, he had been privy to countless intrusive thoughts, and he deemed these present ones quite benign. If one were to honestly examine their own psyche for evil thoughts or their darkest impulses, these individuals’ subtle sense of superiority felt almost virtuous. Life is defined by fleeting thoughts; as long as no actual harm is caused, such minor vanity is inconsequential, and perhaps even adds to the collective happiness of humanity.

By the following afternoon, the pre-launch examination phase was effectively finished. Two massive refueling vessels arrived, beginning the task of replenishing the ships' supplies, which naturally did not rely on standard gasoline or diesel. Such fuels were far too expensive, rendering them impossible to use at this scale. They were forced to utilize a heavy fuel oil blend. Tang Qing would have preferred nuclear power, but the technology was difficult to acquire, and producing it himself would invite unnecessary scrutiny. Consequently, he was forced to settle for this relatively antiquated propulsion method.

The dignitaries offered their praise, calling the design spectacular and suggesting it would be a phenomenal success for tourism. Tomorrow was the big day, and Ken and his companions had arrived to add to the excitement. As men, they naturally gravitated toward such colossal machinery, having awaited this moment with great anticipation. Standing at the top of the tower, scanning the horizon, each one was visibly thrilled.

When Ken asked if Tang Qing had considered using the vessel for tourism, Tang Qing declined with a shake of his head. He clarified that the floating boat was designed exclusively for mining operations. However, he floated a new idea: a specialized tourism vessel. With a gesture, he manifested a giant holographic projection before them.

The group was stunned by the massive size and aesthetic beauty of the design. It appeared as a giant, fish-shaped island, significantly larger than the mining vessel, featuring elaborate gardens, villas, luxury hotels, and expansive amusement facilities. The ten-floor residential suites were so opulent that the world’s most famous cruise ships paled in comparison. After recovering from his initial shock, Ken asked if this design was something he had planned for a long time. Tang Qing admitted that he had crafted it during his spare time for amusement. In reality, the design for the primary floating boat had been completed over a year ago. While others might require months and large teams for such a feat, Tang Qing’s advanced processing and mental modeling meant that even the most complex structures, layouts, and decorations could be refined in mere hours with the help of Little Two.

Every material, color, and furnishing was meticulously tracked in his mind. The complex engineering and structural safety calculations were handled internally, with any issues regarding material limits being flagged and corrected automatically. Within his library, numerous such designs existed, some even operating without financial constraints, effectively turning them into massive, autonomous floating cities. While the fish-shaped vessel was his most cost-effective option, the others carried price tags in the hundreds of billions, and he had treated the entire process as a trivial exercise.

Upon hearing that the cost to build the fish-shaped vessel would reach twenty-four billion, the group was taken aback by such an exorbitant figure. When Ken questioned the viability of such an investment, Tang Qing merely shrugged, explaining that he had no intention of funding it alone. He planned to utilize a global bidding process under a multi-shareholder model. By leveraging his influence, he could ensure that investment firms and tourism companies would front the capital, while he merely provided the engineering expertise. This would turn the project into a lucrative business venture rather than a personal expense, potentially recouping billions and mitigating the financial weight of the original mining operation. Ken was thoroughly impressed by this logic, choosing to trust Tang Qing completely, knowing that if anyone could pull off such an ambitious scheme, it was him.

As their conversation wound down, Ken acknowledged the wisdom of Tang Qing’s earlier advice, noting that he had successfully moved all his Euro-denominated assets to avoid losses during the European debt crisis. True to Tang Qing’s prediction, the Euro had significantly depreciated over the last month amidst political uncertainty and economic instability, further cementing Tang Qing’s reputation for unparalleled foresight.