420: In the future, everyone may not eat

Gouzi said, "Sister Sumei is absolutely right. Food processing factories need extensive modifications. In space, there isn't that much water for you to consume, so the initial stages will be very difficult. Large quantities of materials can either only be transported from the ground or mined from the asteroid belt."

You Suowei sighed softly and asked, "How much capital do we still have on the books?"

Zhou Sumei replied, "Over 800 billion, but half of it is tax that was withheld due to the Space City construction, and it will need to be paid later."

You Suowei said, "The food industry might not develop well in space, especially with the current rapid advancements in technology, particularly consciousness uploading and nanobot modification. If these truly become widespread, a large number of people will connect their brains to the network and enjoy life in the virtual world. I think the food industry can no longer be our main business."

The shareholders present all nodded, agreeing with what You Suowei said. Currently, these cutting-edge technologies haven't become widespread, but they will sooner or later. By then, fewer and fewer people will need to eat; most will just plug themselves in, charge up, and be fine.

Even if there's a desire for food, by connecting consciousness to the virtual world, one can have abalone, lobster, or a full Manchu Han Imperial Feast—whatever they want. Who would still eat processed food in reality? This trend is not alarmist or a groundless worry; it is something that will definitely happen.

Food and eating will sooner or later become a thing of the past. Even if some people maintain primitive needs, they will only be a small fraction, with extremely minimal demand, unable to support a large food industry. Therefore, they need to reconsider the business layout of Space City.

Everyone fell into deep thought, realizing that with the rapid development of technology, the food industry indeed faced unprecedented challenges, and the real-world food processing industry might gradually be marginalized.

Gouzi sighed and said, "Then what do you propose we do? We, who are in the food business, can't all just switch to technology, can we?"

You Suowei said, "It's too late to enter the technology service industry now. There are already two internet companies in the base that are well-established. They can migrate to Space City just by moving their server rooms and data, unlike us, with so many factories. I've always been in manufacturing and don't know how to do those service industries. So, I propose that once we enter Space City, our food industry will be a sideline, and all the funds on our account will be used to establish a new company."

After hearing this, everyone fell into deep thought again. Although You Suowei's proposal was somewhat unexpected, upon careful consideration, it was not without reason. In an era of rapid technological development, the pure food processing industry indeed faced huge challenges, and transformation or expansion into new business areas had become inevitable.

Gouzi frowned and asked, "Establish a new company, but what business will it do?"

You Suowei smiled slightly and said, "A Space Mining Company. The boss's ability can transform matter, but there isn't that much matter in space for him to transform. We'll establish a mining company to develop mines in the asteroid belt. This business is a sure profit."

Zhou Sumei's eyes lit up upon hearing this: "That's a good idea! But the funds on our books aren't enough. We need to recruit talent, establish a development department, develop deep-space mining robots, and also build refining factories in space. Eight hundred billion would just be a drop in the ocean; you might not even hear a splash."

Although the other shareholders agreed with You Suowei's proposal, they were unsure about talent and funding, and relatively speaking, the risk was unusually high.

As soon as You Suowei's voice fell, everyone's gaze simultaneously turned to Gouzi. Gouzi's wife, Xiao Qian, was a company shareholder, and Gouzi himself was the project development manager for the base's investment company, which belonged to Tian Ming. So, when it came to money, they naturally had to see what Gouzi would say.

Gouzi felt a bit uncomfortable being stared at and said, "Don't look at me! Money isn't the issue, but where are you going to find so many professionals to help us develop deep-space mining robots? Besides, you can't possibly poach people from the Comprehensive Management Department's technology division, can you? That's the boss's turf, You Suowei, you're getting bolder and bolder!"

You Suowei laughed heartily, waved his hand, and said, "How could I dare poach from the boss's turf? Gouzi, I need your help with this. You need to find someone for me. If he agrees, then this whole thing has a chance, and the future of the company depends on you."

Gouzi frowned and asked, "Who should I find?"

"Shen Yi!" You Suowei said.

Everyone took a deep breath. Shen Yi's status was top-tier within the entire base. He was the boss's brother-in-law and also the head of the entire Space City project. If he nodded, and a mining department was carved out of the Space Administration, then all problems would be solved. The issues of talent and funding would almost have no obstacles.

But the problem lay here: the Space Administration wasn't run by Shen Yi alone, and even if they were to engage in mining development, they wouldn't seek private developers. The Space Administration could establish its own mining company. Why would it cooperate with a food company?

Gouzi's mouth twitched, and he said, "You Suowei, are you trying to pull off another empty-handed trick?"

"I'm not trying to pull off an empty-handed trick! Didn't I say that all the funds in my company's account will be invested? Eight hundred billion for an entry ticket—besides me, You Suowei, no one else in this base can afford that price." You Suowei wasn't exaggerating; indeed, no ordinary member of the base could afford that price.

Gouzi pondered for a moment and asked, "Why do I have to negotiate? To be honest, if this goes through, Shen Yi's position will become a bit awkward. It sounds too much like using power for personal gain."

You Suowei pleaded, "Help your brother out, go and talk to him. Don't worry about the outcome, at least help your brother sound him out!"

Gouzi hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded: "Alright, I'll give it a try. But you have to promise me that if it doesn't succeed, you won't blame me."

Everyone nodded, agreeing with Gouzi's proposal. Gouzi was the former head butler, and now he was a well-known socialite in the base, with the widest network of connections. Since he took a position in the boss's investment company, many business people respectfully called him Brother Gou. Having Gouzi negotiate was undoubtedly the best choice.