Chapter 240: Lobbyist_1

During the day, Jiang Yu roamed the fields, admiring the beauty of nature.

Inspired, he would sometimes join the robots in their labor.

Occasionally, art students would come here to sketch, and he would even take on a gig as a model.

Of course, what he loved the most was lying on the grass, looking up at the deep blue sky and the white clouds.

The heavily polluted industries had all been relocated to low Earth orbit, and the Earth had become clean once more in just a few decades.

The sky seemed magical, compelling Jiang Yu to gaze at it day after day.

As summer turned to autumn, the occasional breeze with the scent of fragrant grass blew by, immersing Jiang Yu even deeper.

You Ze approached slowly and whispered, "Gu Cheng just sent another message, saying you've been awake for about half a year and should have adapted to life now. He asks you to go to Jupiter to preside over the situation."

Jiang Yu laughed, "It seems they're making progress in negotiations with the three fleets and need my prestige to help curry favor!"

He sat up and said, "Tell him I'll leave Earth in two months' time."

You Ze asked, "Should I find an excuse to stall the Governor?"

After all, the Solar System State was now under Gu Cheng's control, and delaying him for two months without reason seemed rather unjustifiable.

Jiang Yu replied, "Just say I need to meet a friend, no need to explain further."

You Ze nodded, "Also, a few people from the Star Defense Department have arrived, hoping to meet with you."

Jiang Yu lay back down, "Let them come here to see me."

Ten minutes later, Jiang Yu heard several unfamiliar footsteps: "Take off your shoes before coming onto the grass, so as not to damage it.

"Everyone, sit down here; it's much more comfortable than sitting on chairs."

A woman's voice answered, "Okay."

Jiang Yu closed his eyes, waiting for the others to sit next to him before he opened his eyes and sat up: "Speak, what do you want with me?"

Sitting beside him was a woman in her thirties, who smiled and said, "It turns out I have some connection with you, the Wallfacer."

Jiang Yu was taken aback and took another look at the woman in front of him.

She had somewhat exotic ancestry, with a high nose bridge; though her features weren't very beautiful, they exuded a certain valiant air.

Jiang Yu thought, that statement of yours could easily be misunderstood.

The woman continued, "Do you remember the little girl Yuan Yuan, whom you met at the airport when you returned from the Americas over a hundred and eighty years ago?"

Jiang Yu nodded, "I have some recollection."

"Let me reintroduce myself. My name is Zhou Manqing, and that little girl you met back then was my mother!" Zhou Manqing smiled and said:

"My mother always remembered your warning vividly. After she grew up and started her own business, and earned her first income, she immediately bought a hibernation system for herself.

"When the pandemic broke out not long after, my mother realized your prophecy had come true and she entered hibernation.

"Once the pandemic got completely out of control, hibernation pods were selling at exorbitant prices, and soon after, they couldn't be bought at any price.

"Thanks to your warning, my mother was able to avoid that catastrophe.

"Half a century earlier, my mother woke up, rebuilt our family, heard about your heroic deeds, and was very happy for you. She also wanted to express her gratitude to you in person.

"On behalf of my mother, I want to say thank you."

Jiang Yu pondered before replying, "You're thanking the wrong person. Compared with Bo Xiangdong, I hardly saved anybody except one."

He fixed his gaze on Zhou Manqing, "One thing at a time, the more you talk like this, the bigger your request must be, right?

"Don't you know that I, as a Wallfacer, have hardly any power left?"

Zhou Manqing said with a smile, "You should have already noticed that whether it's the residents of the Solar System Federation or those on Earth, they all hold you in high esteem.

"A long time ago, the PDC wanted to cancel the Wallfacer Project, given that the results of the program were quite laughable.

"Two Wallfacers treated their own compatriots as their opponents, and one Wallfacer put in so much effort only to come up with something called 'Thought Imprint'.

"Another Wallfacer even thought he was a wizard and issued a curse."

Zhou Manqing laughed, "That's the funniest historical figure I've ever seen!

"The ridiculousness and ignorance of these Wallfacers turned the Wallfacer Project into a farcical joke.

"Only you, you're the true Wallfacer, the most competent Wallfacer.

"You have been guarding humanity all along, helping humanity through the darkest of times, and pushed humans into space, which led to humanity's achievements today.

"It should be said that your plan succeeded because humans now have a technological level far beyond that of the Trisolarans, all thanks to you, it's...

Jiang Yu frowned and said, "Alright, alright."

He paused and then said, "You must have studied history quite well, right? I've read the historical books' evaluation of me, so you don't need to recite it to me."

Zhou Manqing didn't show the awkwardness of being called out on a lie but continued smiling, "I just wanted to point out that you alone have made the Wallfacer Project great. Otherwise, it would have been canceled long ago."

"It's you who have long since forgotten this project!" Jiang Yu once again exposed the other party's lie. "Besides, I guess you are secretly considering canceling the Wallfacer Project now, and it won't be because of me that you change your decision."

This time Zhou Manqing's color changed: The topic of canceling the Wallfacer Project had only been discussed in a small circle, how did he know?

But she quickly replied, "We are preparing to cancel the identities of the other three Wallfacers, but we will keep only you, the most competent Wallfacer.

"Although the Wallfacer Project has lost the rationale to continue, we will retain your title as a Wallfacer as a mark of honor that you deserve!"

Jiang Yu was taken aback: Where did the "other three Wallfacers" come from?

After pondering for a bit, he remembered that Rediaz was still frozen on Mars.

He sighed deeply, "The PDC wanted to convict Rediaz back then, and that's when you yourselves destroyed the Wallfacer Project.

"The PDC's harm to Wallfacers was far greater than that of the Wallbreakers!"

At this point, he suddenly laughed, "But before long, you will have to start worshiping that curse!"

Zhou Manqing frowned upon hearing this.

Jiang Yu did not continue but said, "The relationship has been brought up, and the flattery is over. If you don't tell me what you want now, do not disturb my contemplation."

Zhou Manqing, sensing that the atmosphere was straying from her control and facing Jiang Yu's ultimatum, finally smiled and said, "We are prepared to support you in reclaiming the power of the Solar System State!

"This trip to Jupiter is a good opportunity to regain power; we will..."

But Jiang Yu interrupted her, "Too late!"

Zhou Manqing was taken aback, "It's not too late! You haven't set off yet, have you?"

Jiang Yu glanced at her, "If you had come to seek me out three months before I arrived on Earth, that would have been out of kinship, wanting to lend me a hand.

"Back then, I would have taken good care of you, even if I wouldn't cooperate with you, I'd still remember the favor.

"Now? You come to me purely out of opportunism, and if I am not mistaken, you don't even have a detailed plan.

"The PDC today has become a plaything of the global capital, and I will not cooperate with such opportunists."

Zhou Manqing felt as if her thoughts had been thoroughly seen through; she forced a smile, "Mr. Jiang, it's not what you think..."

Jiang Yu lay back down, "Go now; the help I need has already been provided by the Trisolarans. Your so-called help is truly insignificant in my eyes."