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When a new type of rocket is produced, it cannot directly carry out a manned mission on its first flight. This is a disregard for the lives of astronauts. Normally, an unmanned rocket should be launched into space first to collect relevant data on the rocket's operation and to improve possible loopholes. Only when it is certain can it be manned.
The official announcement released by China is that "a new manned spacecraft is about to be launched", which means that China intends to skip the first step and proceed directly to the second step.
Aren't they afraid of accidents?
Even with theoretical verification, the first flight of a new rocket still carries great risks. After all, humans are still too unfamiliar with space, and no one can predict what kind of accidents will occur.
China has always been steady and has never been so reckless.
NW and Neo even suspected that the writer had made a typo when drafting the news headline. But then they thought, after all, it was the top official website, and it was impossible for such a low-level mistake to be made.
After much thought, they still had no clue. They could not suppress their curiosity and requested an on-site visit. After obtaining China's consent, they immediately sent a team there.
…………
NH side mountains, cave base.
The director stood in the middle of the hall of the underground workshop, his arms folded across his chest, looking up at the huge, completed spaceship.
According to the general concept of spacecraft, the name "rocket" is easier for the public to understand, but the director still insists that it should be called a "spacecraft."
In the vast and empty construction site, the spacecraft was lying quietly on the steel floor, and workers were dismantling the scaffolding around the spacecraft.
So beautiful.
The director stared at the spaceship with a hint of obsession.
Its hull is like a UFO in an early science fiction movie, flat and oval in shape, with beautiful streamlines. The outer shell is bright silver, and the light of the incandescent lamp falls on it, making it extremely dazzling.
At this moment, the director suddenly understood why those aviation experts were willing to devote their entire lives to the cause of their motherland.
There is love for the motherland and also a longing for mankind to go into space.
"Director, we estimate that all the equipment can be dismantled in another hour. Uh, should we wait for Xuxian to come?" Yue Ruo walked behind him and asked.
Xuanniao is the name of the spacecraft, which was finalized after discussion by the entire design team.
"Wait for the Immortal Xu."
After saying that, the director raised his hand and pointed at the black bird, grinning and asked, "Do you think it's beautiful?"
Yue Ruo looked over and nodded: "Beautiful."
“I’m really looking forward to the scene of it flying in space. How spectacular will that be?”
"It will be launched in two days."
"I feel like I'm suffering if I wait one more second."
Yue Ruo shrugged, indicating that there was nothing he could do.
The two had nothing to do for the time being, so they stood there and chatted for an hour, watching the machines and equipment surrounding the spacecraft being dismantled one by one.
"Director Li." The head of the construction team came over from a distance and greeted loudly, "It's already been dismantled. So, how do we transport it?"
The ceiling of the underground workshop was not built into a flap door, and the entrance was only big enough for large equipment to enter and exit. It was a secret that Xuxian helped transport the spacecraft. Except for the senior executives of the Abnormal Investigation Bureau and a few big guys who designed the spacecraft, no one else knew about it, so the person in charge asked this question.
"Don't worry, you'll know soon." The project lasted for a year, and the director and the person in charge were very familiar with each other. He put his arm around his shoulders and said, "How is it? Do you feel a sense of accomplishment in building this spaceship?"
"Of course." Knowing that everything was prepared, the person in charge was relieved and chatted with the director happily. "I also took this opportunity to see the immortal from a distance several times."
"Hahaha...Xuxianren is very kind. You haven't talked to Xuxianren yet, right?
When the spacecraft is launched, I will take you to see it."
"Is this true? Can you please make me happy?"
"Hey, we've known each other for a year. When have I ever lied to you?"
"You're right. If you can really talk, I'll give you a few bottles of fine wine from my collection."
"It's a deal, let's have a good drink then."
The two middle-aged men talked about wine in just three sentences. Yue Ruo curled her lips, feeling a little bored, and took the initiative to find a topic: "You say, how did Immortal Xu transport the black bird?
Use a sword to make a hole in the ceiling, then pick it up with your bare hands and fly away?"
"No, that's too rude. You should be more elegant."
"How elegant."
"Hmm..." The director looked at the ground and pondered for a while, "Didn't the Asahi-senjin make a wooden box appear with a wave of his hand when he delivered the materials last time?"
"Well, Director Li means that the immortal has a magic space weapon that can collect the black bird and then release it when he arrives at the destination?" The person in charge speculated.
"Magic weapon? Wow, you know a lot."
"Thank you for the compliment. I read it in a novel."
Yue Ruo laughed dumbly and explained: "The mountain gate is different from the immortals in our common sense. The weapons they use are not called magic weapons."
"What's that called?"
The director touched the back of his head and said, "Come to think of it, Immortal Xu never said what the weapon used by the mountain gate is called. The Yueming Sword used by Xiao Luo is called the Yueming Sword."
"I'll ask you next time we meet..."
"Director!" Zhao Qi ran down the stairs next to the gate. "There's a call from Kyoto."
"What did you say?"
"Ami from Ying Country hopes to watch the launch of the Xuanniao, in Kyoto..."
"Agreed?" the director interrupted him, sounding somewhat displeased.
"Not yet. I called just to ask if the visit would expose confidential information. If there is a risk, then I will refuse."
The director's frown relaxed: "Reply to Kyoto, there is no risk in visiting, let them come."
"Okay." Zhao Qi turned and ran away.
"Hey, I heard that Amei from Ying country is also developing a spacecraft. How's the progress?" The person in charge raised his elbow and gently nudged the director.
"It's been kept very secret, and no news has leaked out." The director said with a smug look on his face, "It must be slower than us, otherwise they wouldn't be so anxious to apply...Xuxianren?"
A figure in white quietly appeared beside him, and the director said hurriedly: "We are ready."
"Yes." Xu Xianren nodded his head, "Just tell Xu Yun where to go."
…………
After the name of the spacecraft was announced, the official authorities continued to build momentum and the Chinese people's enthusiasm for discussion grew.
The Xuanniao was transported to the rocket launch base in the mountains. There were still a few days before the launch date, and nearby residents had already set up tents on the surrounding mountaintops. At the same time, people from cities a little further away were also arriving one after another.
The visiting team from Amei and Yingguo arrived the day before the launch.
When the director met them at the airport, he was surprised to see NW and Neo getting off two planes respectively.
This was beyond the director's expectations.
The spacecraft that cooperated with Chaofan is indeed worthy of attention, but it is not necessary for you to come here in person, right? Don't you have to take care of your family?
Especially Neo, do you think you can return to youth like NW? You are old, aren't you afraid that traveling will ruin your body?
The director didn't show any of his inner grumblings on his face. He performed his duty and led them to their cars, preparing to go to the hotel to rest first and set off for the launch base early the next morning.
However, both of them refused at the same time, saying that they were in good spirits and could go now.
The director was confused.
Xuanniao is not a random open-air place, there are simple assembled sheds for placement, and there are heavy guards outside. Before the fire is lit, except for a few people who have the authority to enter and exit freely, no one else can enter, even important people like NW and Neo are no exception.
We won't be able to see the black bird when we go today, why are you in such a hurry to go?
The director couldn't figure it out, but he didn't reject them.
There are rooms at the launch base, but the living environment is not as comfortable as that of a hotel.
The director also explained this to the two people, and they said nonchalantly that the living environment was simple and good, and they had long wanted to experience a normal room.
Since you all said so, I certainly have no objection.
The director gave orders through the headset, and the convoy changed its destination and headed straight for the launch base in the mountains.
The airport is not far away, and although the base is in the mountains, the entire route is paved with smooth asphalt roads, making it very convenient to drive.
In just over forty minutes, the convoy drove into the base.
After getting off the car, NW looked at the large tents scattered on the distant hills and said with emotion: "It seems that the citizens of your country are very concerned about the first flight of Xuanniao."
"I'm sure there will be a similarly grand occasion when your Highness's spaceship takes off." Neo walked over with a cane.
She responded with a proper smile on her face and turned to look at the director: "Can I admire your country's Xuanniao?"
The director pointed to the shed in the middle of the vast open space on the right and said, "The Xuanniao is there. You two will be able to see it when it launches tomorrow."
The two men heard the implicit refusal in the words and were not disappointed as they had expected it.
"I think I'll be up all night expecting it."
"Me too." Neo agreed with a smile.
The chief smiled back, then turned and led the two men to their respective rooms.
…………
The next morning.
The sun slowly rose from behind the mountains in the east. The morning light spread across the mountains, and the warmth awakened everyone in the tent.
"Hurry, hurry, get up, get up!"
"What a hurry! The fire was only lit at noon."
"If you're late, there won't be a good seat!"
Everyone stuffed a few packets of biscuits into their pockets, grabbed their binoculars, and rushed out of their tents to a place with a wide view.
This mountain is not very steep, but it is several hundred meters high. People camp at the top of the mountain, and there are so many people that it is easy for people to fall off the cliff due to the crowd. Taking this into consideration, the director sent people early to set up a cordon on the edge of the cliff.
At this time, everyone gathered five meters away from the cordon, huddled together, looking at the shed in the valley with excitement.
The crowd was so large that those who arrived a few minutes late were squeezed outside, without even seeing the cordon, let alone the shed.
So everyone showed off their skills. The husband carried his wife on his shoulders, muttering "Take a clearer picture". The smarter ones gave up squeezing into the crowd and turned around and ran to the higher slope farther away.
We are all looking through a telescope anyway, so a few dozen meters away doesn’t make much difference.