Chapter 174: Hypotheses on the Causes of the Cataclysm

Chapter 174: Conjectures on the Cause of the Cataclysm

"The Fuxi Project, at its core, was an ultra-large-scale, comprehensive exploratory undertaking."

"Yet there were many who believed it was, from its very inception, a disaster backup project."

Fuxi’s voice was remarkably measured, but to ensure Chen Jian could follow along with clarity, subtitles began to ripple across the screen in tandem with its words.

"Based on the various pieces of information within your resume, I imagine you have come to realize that the twenty years spanning from 2025 to 2045 were a rather turbulent and restless epoch for humanity."

"A multitude of nascent technologies were developing continuously, fundamental theories were repeatedly making breakthroughs, the balance of power among the world's nations was shattered, and the old order stood at a critical juncture of generational replacement."

"In stark contrast, the progress of frontier science and technology failed to translate rapidly into productivity within a short span of time, leaving individual nations and factions unable to rely on the advanced technologies in their grasp to swiftly establish technological hegemony."

"Contradictions grew increasingly acute, yet at the same time, the fragile rope of technological development maintained the final balance of the scales."

"By then, we were already the dominant force in almost all aspects of applied technology and fundamental theory."

"Artificial intelligence, energy, information, computing, materials..."

"And even as the year 2045 drew to a close, we had already laid our hands upon that final piece of the puzzle."

"Which is to say, room-temperature superconductors."

"Regrettably, we were ultimately not afforded sufficient time."

At this point, Fuxi paused, as if its heart too were brimming with sorrow.

A few moments later, it resumed speaking:

"In short, under such circumstances, the external pressure we faced was staggering and terrifying, while the developmental pressure upon us was monumental and brooked no delay."

"Thus, the Fuxi Project came into being."

"This project was initially established in 2038, the very year the Dasheng quantum computer was officially born."

"Its original intent was to train an AGI—an artificial general intelligence capable of undertaking the vast majority of tasks—through the high computing power support of the quantum computer, and to use this AI alongside a vast array of intelligent machinery in an attempt to initiate a truly intelligent industrial age."

"However, the development of events far exceeded our expectations."

"The striking of the quantum computer sounded not only the gongs and drums of humanity's glorious era, but also the death knell for certain aspects of the old order."

"Its birth inadvertently commenced the countdown to a global war encompassing all of mankind."

"Why?"

Chen Jian interrupted Fuxi, then inquired:

"The value that quantum computing can bring far outweighs its threat. How could it possibly become the fuse for a great war? This, I do not understand."

"You do understand—because you were one of the whistleblowers of that era."

Fuxi continued:

"You did not oppose quantum computing, but you believed that our confidentiality classification for quantum computing technology at the time was too low, and the protective measures were insufficient."

"This was indeed profound insight—but unfortunately, history is always bound by its limitations."

"We of that time were truly intoxicated by the deluge of technological progress, viewing quantum computing as merely one of the more brilliant objects among the shimmering stars."

"Perhaps some realized the threat it posed, yet compared to nuclear fusion, compared to the endlessly emerging new types of weaponry, the threat of quantum computing seemed somewhat negligible."

"Consequently, your recommendation was not adopted at the first opportunity."

"The leak occurred; in 2041, information regarding Dasheng was disseminated in a manner we had never wished to see."

"Immediately following this, the shockwave swept through the foundations of the entire old order like a tsunami."

"The first myth to shatter was that of all encryption algorithms."

"Encryption algorithms like RSA and AES, widely utilized in military and economic spheres, became like broken locks with their cylinders knocked out, no longer capable of safeguarding data security."

"To quote a line of yours from that time: when playing a game, if you turn on a map-hack to see the whole field, do you really think your opponent won't follow the network cables to come and cut you down?"

"Such was the reality; though our enemies did not brandish knives and charge at us on the spot, they were indeed already making preparations."

"And that was merely within the military domain."

"In the realms of economy and finance, certain monetary systems that were already gasping for their last breath collapsed on the very day the news was announced, plunging international finance into utter chaos, while certain stock exchanges even witnessed the bizarre spectacle of all data resetting to zero."

"Although subsequent investigations revealed it to be nothing more than an organized act of retaliation by insiders, everyone nonetheless pinned the blame squarely upon our heads."

"Because they knew that all data based on information technology was no longer secure."

"We became the center of the storm, and worse still, we truly possessed that capability."

"When the third Dasheng began running smoothly, we would have only needed to gently press the keyboard and alter a few digits to breach any seemingly invincible firewall in this world, arbitrarily modifying any data we disagreed with into whatever form we desired."

"Unless they physically isolated themselves from our intrusions."

"Therefore, we had no way to argue; we could only issue continuous statements, publicly declaring that we had no intention of launching attacks against any virtual or non-virtual targets."

"Such statements were naturally pale and powerless; we were giants holding a sharp blade in our hands, a blade that could swing downward at any moment."

"For our enemies, the best strategy left to them was likely a single, solitary path."

"And when they were left with only one path to walk, we, of course, were also left with only one path to walk."

"In the year following the leak of quantum computing technology, which is to say 2042, the Fuxi Project began to pivot."

"Or perhaps it should not be called a 'pivot,' but rather an 'extension.'"

"Its purpose was no longer purely to expand productivity, no longer an attempt to use exploding productivity and new modes of production to drown out those pale echoes brought about by the demise of the old order."

"It began to assume the attributes of disaster backup."

"To quote another line of yours from that time: if there is a project that can be called Project Zero, then it should possess the function of allowing us to grow rapidly from nothing."

"The Fuxi Project ultimately evolved into such a form."

"A golden key that would allow us to rise rapidly even after experiencing certain unwanted catastrophes, or an ultra-large-scale war that destroyed everything."

"Have you heard that joke?"

"The joke says: I do not know what weapons will be used in World War III, but I know that World War IV will be fought with stones and sticks."

"And the Fuxi Project was the ultimate insurance policy capable of saving us from stones and sticks."

"So now, is it clear to you what the Fuxi Project truly was?"

"...It is clear."

Chen Jian let out a long, slow breath, for a moment at a loss for words.

The information Fuxi had provided him was simply too much, the sheer volume of data overwhelming.

An imminent war, explosively developing technology, a magnificently brilliant era, omnipresent crises...

He genuinely regretted that he had not lived through that epoch.

Yet it seemed that now, upon his own shoulders, a far heavier objective had already come to rest?

The Fuxi Project could be counted as a success, right? —

Wait a moment.

Before that great cataclysm, had any other disasters occurred?

Chen Jian immediately spoke up to ask:

"Did that great war ever actually break out?"

"No."

Fuxi replied:

"As I said, in 2045 we finally grasped the last piece of the puzzle, the room‑temperature superconductor." "In fact, we had already discovered that piece back in 2040, but it took five years of effort to truly reach it."

"It was precisely because of that piece that humanity, in a subtle tacit understanding, slowed the march toward war."

"We kept broadcasting news about that piece, and combined with ever‑advancing fusion technology, as well as the fresh values born of quantum computing and artificial‑intelligence applications, the wheels of war teetered and stalled at the edge of a cliff."

"Although medium‑scale and even large‑scale clashes kept erupting, and the very notion of a 'proxy war' had faded into non‑existence, indeed no one took the final step."

"Of course we did not become complacent—by then we had already learned our lesson."

"Thus the Fuxi Project did not halt; on the contrary, it accelerated."

"Underground facilities like the one we inhabit, Facility 011, were erected, and even some surface 'towns' began experimental operation."

"Hold on!"

Chen Jian interrupted again.

"You mean the towns?"

"What about Mountain Town?"

"Mountain Town is the site of Facility 004, but I have lost contact there."

Fuxi answered:

"Facility 004 is also one of the installations that remained dormant after the great disaster; in theory it should, like Facility 011, maintain stable operation."

"No—at least from the information I have, Mountain Town's situation has completely changed."

Chen Jian shook his head slowly, pondered a moment, then asked further:

"So, how much do you know about the outside world? Do you know what has happened out there?"

"I know a little."

"Through quantum‑communication nodes, I can keep in touch with most facilities that have also installed such nodes."

Fuxi's tone remained calm.

"On October 19, 2045, the cataclysm occurred."

"After the cataclysm, surviving humans opened many shelters and underground facilities; the supplies, knowledge, and technology within those sites allowed civilization to rebound noticeably in a short span."

"Regrettably, not every facility under the Fuxi Project reached the level of Facilities 011 or 004."

"Moreover, humanity fractured internally, spawning divergences we had not foreseen."

"Human development proceeded relatively slowly; by 2080 no unified, highly organized regime had yet been established."

"Of course, given more time, they could eventually fan the spark of revival into a raging blaze."

"But in 2085, forty years after the cataclysm, secondary disasters struck."

"The fledgling flame of recovery was nearly extinguished, and from that moment onward I have scarcely been able to obtain further useful information."

"I also know that secondary disasters occurred more than once—perhaps several times."

"After confirming that, I once tried to pre‑activate a facility, switching it to an autonomous mode to create a livable environment before humans arrived."

"Soon I realized that a civilization without humans could hardly endure."

"Facility 009 was inadvertently destroyed in that attempt; since then I have done only one thing: wait."

"I knew someone would eventually come here and take up the mantle I bear."

"I did not expect that person to be someone as extraordinary as you."

"I hadn't expected that either."

Chen Jian's gaze dimmed slightly, as if sensing his own mood; Fuxi offered comfort:

"Do not be discouraged, commander."

"Between 2042 and 2045 we exchanged many messages."

"Those exchanges were mostly trivial, insignificant details, yet I know your abilities surpass what this 'machine' can imagine."

"What I cannot achieve, you surely can."

"I hope so."

Chen Jian shook his head lightly, cleared the lingering confusion from his mind, and asked again:

"Let's return to the most basic question."

"Do you know the cause of that cataclysm?"

"I do not."

Fuxi's words hung in the air, and Chen Jian was stunned.

"You don't know either?"

"No, my database is limited; the cataclysm unfolded too quickly—though not brief for me, it left humanity with a pitifully short reaction window."

"The effective information I ultimately received was scant, or rather, humanity received very little effective information."

"Synthesizing what I have, I cannot render any valuable judgment on the cataclysm's cause."

"But I can eliminate the wrong answers."

"So, what are the wrong answers?"

Chen Jian asked immediately.

"Viruses, radiation, extraterrestrials—those most readily blamed for the cataclysm are all incorrect."

"The cataclysm resembles a disorder at the foundational theoretical level; its outward manifestations merely echo elements we more readily comprehend."

"Understood."

Chen Jian nodded faintly and asked again:

"What about your speculation? Do you have any conjecture on the cataclysm's cause, however unreasonable?"

"That would be too macro‑level. Do you truly wish to hear it?"

"Or would you prefer to begin the task at hand, and have me brief you later when you are free?"

"Give me a few brief points, then we can start work."

Chen Jian rose to his feet.

In truth, while he was curious about the genuine 'cause,' it was not indispensable knowledge.

The immediate threat was tangible, and the workload piled up like a mountain.

Blindly chasing the so‑called 'truth' is not always prudent.

In short, its priority is not that high.

And after receiving his answer, Fuxi spoke:

“From my perspective, the origins of the cataclysm might have to be contemplated at the most fundamental strata—through the Higgs field’s phase transition, proton decay, the vacuum reconstruction of quantum gravity, the collapse of Caluza‑Klein dimensions, and the like.”

(End of chapter)