Chapter 13: Reaching the Moon in Three Months Is No Longer a Dream
Page 1/3
Question: How terrifying is it when the world's second-largest economy mobilizes its entire state machinery at full throttle?
Answer: Landing on the moon within three months is no longer a dream.
What was once a viral joke online has now become reality!
Ever since the announcement from Huaguo that a lunar rocket test launch would occur within a month, the world’s attention has focused on a certain island in the South China Sea.
As the nation's closest launch base to the equator, this location is undoubtedly the optimal choice.
Now, the once tranquil sea is boiling with activity.
Duan Rui, a space enthusiast who had just arrived, was rendered speechless by the scene before him.
On the water, 35 massive dredgers were neatly arrayed, tirelessly pumping sand to reclaim land under coordinated command.
In the distance near the shore, an artificial island was gradually taking shape.
While the land reclamation continued, fifty pile drivers were already on the artificial island, working feverishly.
“This is incredible! Everyone, look—this is real!”
Filled with excitement, Duan Rui recorded the spectacular scene with his mobile camera.
He was live-streaming in a room titled “Exploring the South China Sea Launch Base: Tracking Lunar Spacecraft Progress.”
Viewers in the chat exploded upon seeing the footage.
“No way, is this for real?”
“Dude upstairs, why else would they set this up in formation?”
“Amazing, is that a launch tower under construction?”
“Keep the updates coming, I can’t wait—I won’t sleep this month. Does anyone have sleeping pills to make me wake up a month later?”
“Calm down, the launch has to succeed first before there’s more news. No rush.”
“But I’m so excited! This is a moon landing!!!!”
Besides the enthusiastic comments, gift donations flooded the stream.
Duan Rui licked his lips, noticing an elderly man leading a yellow ox nearby. Sensing he was a local, he approached and pointed to the massive scene on the sea to ask, “Sir, what’s going on here?”
The old man leisurely halted the ox and smiled, pointing toward the sea: “Young one, this is a moon launch pad project!”
“My son went there; all the young folks around are piling the ground. The government pays well.”
“I heard they plan to finish by the 20th of this month. The construction runs in shifts—four shifts a day—and they’re building a tower over 150 meters tall!”
“Finish by the 20th, and 150 meters high?!”
Page 2/3
Upon hearing the crucial details, Duan Rui was instantly thrilled.
“Hey hey, that’s right, I heard it’s to go to the moon—that’s the moon, you know.”
The old man shook his head and looked up at the sky.
He marveled at how powerful this so-called “science” had become, capable of reaching the moon!
“Thank you very much, sir.”
Duan Rui expressed his gratitude, then excitedly shared with his viewers: “Did you all hear that? They’ll finish by the 20th, working in four shifts, building a launch pad 150 meters tall.”
“Hahaha, this is real. No doubt about it!”
Though they knew Huaguo’s scientific community was known for delivering on promises, the news was so astounding that many instinctively thought it must be a hoax.
Duan Rui himself had been skeptical until he arrived at the South China Sea island and witnessed the bustling construction firsthand.
This lunar mission was for real!
As more people like him verified the news on-site, those who had dismissed it as a joke were forced to take notice.
Such a spectacle could not be fabricated.
...
The launch pad construction was too massive to hide from the public eye.
However, the rocket manufacturing plants were also working intensively.
Hu Rongyao was a technician at Factory 615, three years out of university, responsible for producing engine turbopumps.
Early that morning, he was surprised to see the plant manager personally inputting models into the machine tools, accompanied by soldiers wearing red armbands.
What on earth was happening?
Soon after, the plant manager held a brief meeting that answered his question: they were producing engines for the lunar rocket!
“Manager, are we producing the new rocket engines?” Hu Rongyao asked excitedly.
“That’s right, Hu. The task is tough—study hard and observe closely!”
The manager, who admired Hu Rongyao, patted his shoulder and continued assigning tasks.
“The rocket’s codename has been decided. The leadership attaches great importance to this first launch.”
“Also, I’ll let you in on a secret: the entire lunar mission has been allocated a budget of 100 billion yuan. That shows how serious this is.”
“Everyone, the moon landing is the dream of our Huaxia people.”
“If we succeed, all participants will be immortalized in history.”
Page 3/3
The manager’s words were stirring, filling everyone with excitement.
Indeed, the Chinese people held a unique bond with the moon. The mission was not just exploration but a spiritual transformation for the nation.
Why, even today, do many overseas Chinese and foreign sympathizers still cling to Western ideals?
Centuries of weakness and subjugation had left deep spiritual scars. Though the people had physically risen, their spirit remained flawed.
A perfect lunar landing would be a triumphant step to cleanse this lack of confidence once and for all!
From then on, no matter the noise from dissenters, no one would pay it any mind.
Strength begets strength; no need to defend the path.
Once inside the international circle, there would be voices defending Huaguo’s cause!
...
At the Space Agency’s main control room:
“All tasks have been well accomplished. The military data is comprehensive, and we can meet the required production precision.”
A top aerospace official reported to Zhu Jincheng, the lead engineer:
“We’ve discussed at length and decided to use ‘Storm’ as the codename. This rocket model will be called Storm-9.”
“Storm?”
Zhu Jincheng nodded thoughtfully: “Sounds good. I recall the Storm rocket’s technology was later integrated into the Long March series.”
“Exactly, this naming distinguishes it.”
The aerospace official elaborated: “Storm-9 uses the YF-140 engine—single nozzle, post-pump swing, 600 tons of thrust.”
“The rocket has no boosters; the core first stage has twelve engines in total.”
“The second core stage uses YF-301 engines, each with 90 tons of thrust, four in total.”
“Sixteen engines altogether, expected to be completed by the 10th.”
The official glanced at Zhu Jincheng with a hint of resentment: “Fortunately, you consulted us first. Had you released the news prematurely, I don’t know how you’d explain it.”
It was indeed fortunate that the 700-ton test stand had just been completed.
Had Zhu Jincheng started this a month earlier, there would have been no test stand for the 600-ton engine. How could he have answered to the entire nation?
Using older test stands for a 600-ton engine…
It wouldn’t just be a spectacle of flying bricks but flying buildings!