Chapter 152

“This was developed through synthesis based on research into the Algae Division’s algae fruit…” One day later, inside Fengshan Farm, Song Yueshan was explaining earnestly.

Globally, 80% of oxygen comes from algae-based production. Since the Global Hypoxia, the Algae Division team had focused all their efforts on Acid Sea Algae. This algae had two key characteristics: first, it could produce oxygen in acidic ocean environments; second, it could purify substances found in acid rain. It was a challenging line of research. The Algae Division team had spent five years on it, but progress had been slow.

Just as the farm began to question the value of the research, three months ago, the team successfully extracted DNA from algae capable of purifying acid rain. From there, they developed Acid Rain Algae—a synthetic seaweed that produces three times more oxygen than ordinary algae and can effectively absorb acidic substances in the ocean.

As Song Yueshan spoke, she opened the door to the lab. Inside was a massive piece of algae, twenty meters long and five meters wide. Its leaves were enormous, and its roots were wrapped around a long stone base that had been prepared in advance.

The algae was a pale red color, resembling kelp, but with noticeable differences from the common variety.

“If it absorbs too many acidic substances, it will trigger a sulfur dioxide reaction,” Song Yueshan said, pointing toward Lab Room No. 2.

There, another strand of deep red algae was growing. According to their research, Acid Rain Algae changes color as it absorbs acidic materials.

“Does it affect the algae’s photosynthesis?” Liu Wensheng asked after observing.

“No,” Song Yueshan replied, producing a data report. “Acid Sea Algae can absorb acidic substances without hindering its photosynthetic growth. Its maximum lifespan can reach up to seventeen years.”

“Is it edible?”

“No. Algae grown in seawater contains excessive heavy metals and isn’t safe for consumption. However, it can be used as a high-quality raw material for the chemical industry.”

“Good!” Liu Wensheng exclaimed with his signature phrase.

Since the Global Hypoxia, he hadn’t used that word in a long time.

Over the next two days, the farm focused all its efforts on cultivating synthetic algae. Algae are spore-based plants with strong reproductive capacity.

According to calculations, purifying one square kilometer of seawater would require three hundred jin of algae seeds. The world’s oceans span 360 million square kilometers. With Longxia’s current seed production, they could purify their own maritime territory, but not the entire globe.

The Longxia team continued their research diligently. On July 20, they released a news bulletin: 【On July 15, Longxia developed Acid Sea Algae: Breaking Waves 005. Breaking Waves 005 is the nation’s first synthetic algae designed to combat acid rain. It can effectively purify seawater and generate abundant oxygen…】

When the news broke, netizens were momentarily stunned. Since the oxygen crisis of 3030, the global air quality had deteriorated to the point where people no longer hoped for clean air. But now, Longxia had given them a chance to breathe freely again.

“Is this the algae that can purify the air?” one netizen asked uncertainly.

Longxia released detailed data on Acid Rain Algae. According to experimental results, if planted globally, the algae could gradually improve the Earth’s air quality within five years, with the fastest projections showing a return to normal air by then.

“Ahhh! We can breathe real air again!”

“Longxia Academy of Sciences V587!”

“I just want to breathe normal air…”

Once the official confirmation came, netizens were instantly overwhelmed with excitement.

Hugua masks, isolation suits, oxygen tanks—these had become the essential trio for daily life. With them, people could barely function, but it was like living in a shell. They couldn’t remove their masks, couldn’t swim under the sun, couldn’t stroll through the streets like before. Life was technically normal, but in truth, far from it.

As people watched Longxia’s news broadcast, they dug out old urban films from eight years ago.

The world in those movies was the real normal.

“When do we start planting? How do we plant it?”

“Are there any big-time cultivators already growing algae?”

“Forget the big players, I’m buying a ticket to Fusheng Province to start planting. Any fertilizer plants buying algae?”

“They better be!”

Just one hour after the algae news broke, netizens were already discussing concrete plans for cultivation.

At 10 p.m., Longxia announced its algae cultivation policy:

1. Coastal aquaculture farmers are encouraged to plant algae. After five years of cultivation, the government will purchase the algae at a set contract price.

2. Fertilizer and chemical factories are encouraged to adopt Acid Rain Algae as a new raw material.

3. Longxia plans to plant algae in domestic waters including Liao Sea, Fu Sea, and the Longxia Sea.

4. Longxia will open-source the Acid Rain Algae seed technology and call for global cooperation in cultivation…

Longxia was a nation of action. The moment they announced the algae cultivation plan, they submitted the “Joint Acid Rain Algae Cultivation Plan” to the Shuilan Alliance. The plan’s core message: a global call to plant algae together and restore Earth’s ecosystem.

At 10:30 p.m. Longxia time, the Shuilan Alliance distributed Longxia’s proposal to countries worldwide.

“Amazing Longxia.”

“Amazing algae…”

“Algae that can purify the ocean?”

International netizens watched Longxia’s news carefully. Although Acid Rain Algae hadn’t yet been planted on a large scale, Longxia’s credibility over the years gave people confidence: this algae could truly restore Earth’s oxygen.

As international netizens weighed the feasibility of Acid Rain Algae, at 11 p.m. Longxia time, Cybera became the first to issue a statement: 【Cybera plans to invest in thirty Acid Rain Algae factories and complete full-scale planting in its maritime territory by 3037.】

Following Cybera’s announcement, thirty-seven countries including Mongol, Gilgia, and Sebiria also issued statements. Though the investment for Acid Rain Algae was massive, these nations were willing to cultivate it within their own territorial waters.

On the night of July 20, global netizens began counting the countries that had responded. By 8 a.m. on July 21, aside from Longxia and the initial thirty-seven countries, no others had made a move.

“Only thirty-seven?”

“There are 297 countries in the world. Isn’t that a bit too few?”

“That’s it?”

Not only Longxia’s netizens, but even some international users were stunned.

Before 3029, there had been 350 countries. After the fall of Kaman and the subsequent collapse of fifty-two nations due to rising sea levels, the number had dropped. Still, 297 versus 37 was a staggering ratio.

“Our country is landlocked. How do we participate?”

“If only half the world plants it, will the oxygen still improve?”

“With so many countries involved, how do we decide who plants and who doesn’t?”

Some users began asking questions on international forums.

Others quickly realized the issue: the entire planet shares the same atmosphere. Now that a solution existed, algae cultivation would require significant manpower and resources. While some landlocked countries had legitimate limitations, many others were clearly hesitant. The attitude was clear—since the benefits would be shared globally, no one wanted to shoulder the burden alone. If they were going to participate, it had to align with their national interests.

As usual, the whole tug-of-war negotiation would drag on for at least three months.

“Oh my god, this is just ridiculous.”

“Longxia is offering the algae technology for free! No patent fees! The food’s already at their mouths and they still won’t eat?”

“Shuilan Star is practically gone, and they’re still haggling over the math?”

…

The moment people in Longxia learned of the other countries’ attitudes, the internet exploded with outrage. They didn’t know the hardships endured during the Acid Rain Algae research, but Global Hypoxia had been ongoing for five years now, and Longxia had never given up—never stopped believing in the possibility of ecological recovery.

Everyone took pride in Longxia’s research.

But the pride they felt yesterday turned into fury today.

Longxia had developed the Acid Rain Algae, yet all the other countries cared about was how much manpower and resources they’d have to contribute to global ecological restoration. It was understandable, sure, but it still felt like their goodwill was being thrown back in their faces—like feeding meat buns to a dog.

Too infuriating. Too frustrating!

“The algae’s already been developed! All they have to do is cultivate the seeds. Is that so hard? It doesn’t even cost as much as a small town’s annual tax revenue!”

“A real-life version of ‘three monks and no water.’”

“Might as well let the whole world rot.”

…

Longxia’s netizens were so angry they didn’t even have the energy to argue anymore. At that moment, they all shared a single thought: forget it. Let no one plant anything. Just give up already.

—————

The phrase “three monks have no water to drink” (三个和尚没水喝) is a Chinese proverb and also the title of a well-known Chinese animated short film from the 1980s.

Meaning of the saying

It comes from a folk tale that illustrates how lack of cooperation leads to inefficiency or failure, even when the task is simple.

Story summary

When one monk lives alone in a temple on a hill, he fetches water daily from the river and has enough to drink.

When two monks live together, they argue about who should carry the water, but they manage somehow by sharing the work.

When three monks live there, each one assumes someone else will do it, and as a result, no one fetches water, so they all end up with nothing to drink.

Moral

The story criticizes poor teamwork and mutual dependence without responsibility. It shows that when everyone avoids responsibility, the group fails.