In the spacious circular conference hall, everyone was waiting for the person in the center of the stage to deliver today's speech. Search on Google to read more.
The conference would last for five days, but this single speech was more important than the address by the Japanese Prime Minister; everyone was waiting for the presentation from the Oscorp.
The heavyweights in the audience didn't make Harry feel a hint of nervousness; on the contrary, the way they waited in silence boosted his spirits.
Under the gaze of the entire World, Harry Osborn checked his watch. The time had come, and he lightly tapped the personal terminal on his arm.
A holographic projection appeared beside Harry, showing a dark brown, viscous liquid. Everyone present was quite familiar with this substance.
"This is crude oil. As you all know, it was once the pillar of industrial civilization and the primary source of energy for society."
"In 1859, Mr. Drake first used mechanized means to collect oil on a large scale, launching the modern oil industry. The immense value it contained gave the entire World a brand-new look."
After the Second Industrial Revolution, humanity moved from the steam age to electrification. Fuel gradually shifted from coal to primarily oil. New fuels and more powerful energy sources took human civilization to the next level.
However, its scarcity and uneven distribution brought about many problems. Everyone wanted more. In humanity's past wars, this resource played a crucial role. People waged wars for it and used it to establish new orders to gain an advantage, leading to constant conflict.
"Unfortunately, oil is not just a gift from heaven, but also a curse. It makes us mad—all of us. It is both the fuel that supports the development of civilization and the fuel that can destroy it."
"To control this precious resource, we fight and kill. The resulting political, military, and economic struggles have never ceased."
"People control oil, then fight to control even more oil, over and over in an endless cycle. But now, it all ends—"
"Osborn has grasped the stars in his hand."
The crude oil in the holographic projection ignited, and a Sun slowly rose, then continuously shrank until it reached the surface of the Earth—New York, USA, the Oscorp.
"And now, Osborn is sharing it with all of humanity—allow me to introduce to you our Global Power Grid for a new era!"
Centered on the golden flash of the Oscorp, golden lines began to expand—Washington, Chicago, Houston. The bright spots and lines multiplied, no longer limited to the United States but spreading across the globe.
North America, South America, Asia, Oceania, Europe, Africa—golden flashes symbolizing Nuclear Fusion appeared in almost every human settlement.
"This project brings together the private and official forces of over a hundred countries. It is estimated that the power grid will cover more than 91% of human settlements worldwide. This grid plan will also prove that we can, and must, stand together toward a better tomorrow."
"Energy is the key to the future. Now, Osborn is sharing this key with everyone. Prepare to set sail, humanity."
Harry faced all the attendees and the World's media cameras, spreading his arms wide. Behind him, the holographic model of the Earth shimmered with golden lines.
The next era was about to begin.
The speech ended, and Harry walked out of the conference hall. After all, he was an entrepreneur; he had no desire to attend sessions where a bunch of politicians sat down to discuss trade relations, and no one would force him to.
As he left, everyone else started moving with him, all wanting to get on his radar.
There were many entrepreneurs with lines like "I have a billion-dollar project" or "I have a genius idea." They were quite forceful when crowding around, but fortunately, at a conference like this, they could only squeeze together outside the security perimeter.
Felicia was outside chatting with a middle-aged man from the China. This gentleman was the chief engineer of the Oscorp's joint venture in the China, Chen Lu.
In this World, he was the China's top nuclear physicist and one of the most important authorities in radiation-related disciplines—the China's equivalent of Bruce Banner, though he hadn't conducted any human experiments.
Seeing Harry approach, the two ended their conversation.
Shaking hands with Harry, Chen Lu smiled kindly and said, "Mr. Osborn, we finally meet. That was a wonderful speech. Peaceful development is of the utmost importance. The Oscorp is a responsible and accountable international enterprise. Having such a company is indeed a blessing for the people of the World."
Norman's rise to power had made peaceful development possible. This unconventional President also hailed from the Oscorp, so there was nothing wrong with that statement.
Hearing this familiar flattery, Harry took the initiative to speak in Mandarin: "You flatter me, Mr. Chen. Peace requires the efforts of everyone to be realized."
The perfectly accented Mandarin surprised Chen Lu. "I didn't expect Mr. Osborn's Mandarin to be so good."
"He's an expert on the China. Sometimes I wonder why he's so obsessed with the culture there," Felicia shrugged.
Harry smiled. In a sense, he was a genuine "Egg Person," so of course his Mandarin was good.
Chen Lu was discussing the situation of the Asian Power Grid with Felicia. This was an enterprise formed by Osborn's funding and the China's government, following a classic model: Osborn provided the capital and technology, while the China provided the personnel and resources.
The construction of the fusion power plants there was nearing completion. The efficiency was quite high, and it was estimated that the first trial run could take place by the end of the year.
"This truly is the greatest invention of the century. It's also my lifelong dream."
Speaking of this energy source, the gentleman was quite excited. After finishing his report, he talked with Harry about some visions for the future:
Before long, fuel energy would completely exit the stage of human history. Electric vehicles would replace fuel-powered cars, industrial exhaust would decrease, and his hometown could once again have blue skies. Water resources would no longer be scarce; they could deploy large-scale seawater purifiers directly on the coasts. An ample water supply could even be used to green deserts and the Gobi, and various types of agricultural machinery could be promoted for farming.
"Well said. I really like this gentleman's vision—Stark Industries has many applications in this area."
A flamboyant fellow interrupted Chen Lu's vision—it was Tony.
When it came to things like seawater purifiers, large agricultural machinery, and new-generation industrial facilities, Tony was all ears. In the field of mechanics, Stark Industries remained in the top tier.
"I thought you weren't coming today?" Harry asked.
Stark Industries' presentation wasn't today; in fact, Harry hadn't seen him in the venue earlier.
"I need to talk to you," Tony said, smiling as he shook hands with Chen Lu. "Hello, Mr. Chen."
However, Harry could tell that Chen Lu's attitude toward this former arms dealer wasn't quite as friendly.
"I have no further questions. Mr. Osborn, Mr. Stark, it was a pleasure meeting you."
Once Chen Lu had left, Tony said, "Dario Agger is going to give a presentation in the main hall. Do you want to go take a look? I'm really curious if he's actually achieved that breakthrough."
Tony was an arrogant man. If not for his father's prior research, even he would have found it difficult to develop Nuclear Fusion. Thus, he felt that his and the Oscorp's technology should be at least fifty years ahead of the rest of the World.
Hearing Tony's invitation, Harry rubbed his chin. In truth, he was also curious about this.
After all, if Roxxon hadn't received that recent injection of capital, they should have been liquidating assets by now. What on Earth did Agger use to make investors willing to cough up money and take a gamble on him?
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