Jing Mingqiu subconsciously replied, "How else would they be settled? You are all scientists, so of course, you will continue your research."
"But," the Asian scientist from the US looked troubled, "we are citizens of other countries after all. Do you truly trust us?"
Jing Mingqiu didn't look up. "Why wouldn't I? Don't you always say that science knows no borders?"
"Well," the Asian scientist from the US thought Jing Mingqiu was teasing him and chuckled awkwardly, "we're just saying that. Science knows no borders, but scientists do."
Jing Mingqiu didn't want to waste any more time and waved his hand dismissively. "It's fine, I trust you won't betray us. Alright, the aerospace battleship has arrived. Everyone, prepare yourselves, don't move around, and let the tractor beams guide you up."
The aerospace battleship, which hung like a mountain above the colossal ship, projected hundreds of beams onto everyone.
Just like the alien UFOs commonly seen in movies, they were slowly drawn upwards.
While the aerospace battleship flew towards its destination, Jing Mingqiu explained his plan to develop aerospace engines and build a super-large artificial biosphere of one million square meters to the others.
The more than a thousand scientists from the US were deeply moved by the trust shown by Long Country and threw themselves into their research work with full vigor.
To accelerate the research, Jing Mingqiu specially dispatched tens of millions of workers to assist, immediately maximizing the research speed.
Of course, among so many people, there were bound to be spies from the US. However, Jing Mingqiu was prepared. He arranged for a large number of artificial intelligences to collect their data, not only easily identifying all of them but also using these individuals to transmit vast amounts of false intelligence to the manipulators behind the scenes.
Three years passed in the blink of an eye. As both Long Country and the US were focused on technological development, the entire world entered a rare era of peace.
It wasn't just localized peace; all wars in every region of the world had voluntarily paused.
Long Country University of Science and Technology, thanks to Jing Mingqiu, had continuously advanced from a vocational college to a three-tier university, then a two-tier, a first-tier, and finally a world-class Double First-Class university.
It eventually surpassed all other universities to become the strongest industrial institution in the world.
Today, the entire university was filled with jubilation as the graduation ceremony for the new cohort was underway.
Jing Mingqiu, as the much-anticipated student representative, stepped forward to receive the microphone from the president and was about to say a few words when a piercing air-raid siren suddenly blared.
According to radar, a large number of intercontinental missiles had suddenly appeared in the skies above Long Country, each equipped with multiple nuclear warheads, capable of reducing a city with a population of ten million to ruins.
As this news spread rapidly through various media outlets, fueled by the US, many fell into a panic. Some began to commit crimes, engaging in arson, robbery, and looting.
In this critical moment, Jing Mingqiu stepped forward with a look of disdain.
"Nuclear bombs are nothing more than that. These outdated superweapons are not worth worrying about at all."
Before he could finish speaking, countless tractor beams were cast upon these intercontinental missiles, which were in the process of loading their nuclear warheads.
As the tractor beams exerted their force, the speed of these intercontinental missiles slowed down, and eventually, they all came to a halt.
"Jing Mingqiu!" Gus's enraged figure appeared on the live broadcast. "I was deceived by you from the start. You are not an alien at all; you are a native of Blue Star."
"Tsk tsk, you only just realized? Your reaction is too slow. No wonder I could trick you so easily with just a few words."
Facing Jing Mingqiu's mockery, Gus became furious. "Jing Mingqiu! Don't get arrogant too soon. Do you think controlling my star missiles means you've won?"
"As long as I press this button, the nuclear bombs inside will all detonate, and the radioactive fallout will cover the entire world."
"Your artificial biosphere can only accommodate one hundred million people at most, and Long Country alone has 1.4 billion. I'd like to see what reason you'll use to allocate the slots."
"I want to see those 1.3 billion humans you abandon curse and condemn you, their so-called national hero, with the most vicious language."
Looking at Gus, who seemed as if he wanted to devour Jing Mingqiu alive, Jing Mingqiu was very helpless. Was it really necessary to get so angry just because he had dug a few traps, tricked him a little, and incidentally made him the object of public scorn, to be pointed at and cursed by a crowd?
Furthermore, after Gus pressed the button with a ferocious expression, Jing Mingqiu snapped his fingers, and the tractor beams changed color.
The nuclear warheads, which had already reached their detonation limit, instantly became docile, turning into solidified, inert stones.
"Gus," Jing Mingqiu raised an eyebrow, "you seem to have forgotten that in terms of nuclear energy, you are far from being my match."
Despite his scheme failing, Gus showed no signs of dejection. Instead, he displayed a look of triumphant cunning.
"Jing Mingqiu, of course, I know nuclear energy can't harm you. I'm just doing this to attract your attention."
"After so long of effort, my spaceship's engine is finally completely repaired, and all the necessary supplies for navigation have been gathered."
"By the time you receive this message, I should have already left Blue Star, using Mars as a springboard to directly leave the solar system."
"After so many failures, I admit I am indeed no match for you. However, when I return next time, I won't be coming alone."
"Wealth moves the heart. Jing Mingqiu, prepare for a righteous one-on-one battle..."
Jing Mingqiu looked up at the sky. Through thousands of kilometers of atmosphere, past the obstruction of multiple planets, he seemed to see Gus on his ship, acting incredibly arrogant and laughing uncontrollably.
But at this moment, there was no trace of dejection in Jing Mingqiu's eyes. Instead, his lips curled into a confident smile, as if everything was under his control.
Gus believed he had outsmarted and outmaneuvered Jing Mingqiu through cunning and endurance, successfully deceiving him and using a feint to achieve his true objective, thus managing to leave Blue Star and escape.
In reality, Gus was deliberately allowed to leave by Jing Mingqiu.
There is an ancient saying in Long Country: "When there are no wise ministers at home and no external enemies abroad, a country is often in peril." Thus, one knows that life arises from hardship, and death comes from ease.
In the beginning, due to his youthful ignorance, and the pressure from the US and the Gus aliens, Jing Mingqiu brought out a large amount of technologically advanced knowledge, successfully raising humanity's standard of living to an extremely high level.
This was a result of Jing Mingqiu's "pulling up the seedlings to help them grow." At this time, human thought had not yet reached a level that could match the current technology.
Previously, with a strong external enemy pressing down, everyone could only cooperate and work together to survive, barely managing to maintain stability.
If the external enemy disappeared, humanity would quickly become a scattered mess. Then, if a new alien civilization discovered humanity's existence, it would be too late to make an effort.
Jing Mingqiu could indeed completely destroy Gus, but as long as human civilization continued to develop and humanity survived in the universe, it would eventually be discovered.
Rather than being caught off guard then, it was better to start working hard from now on.
After all, civilizations can only grow strong through tempering!
Humanity's journey is towards the sea of stars!
(The End)