Chapter 003: Advanced Goods from the Future
This phrase comes from the "I Ching". In modern language, it means if a monarch fails to be discreet in speech, he loses faith in his subjects. If a subject fails to be discreet in speech, he brings disaster upon himself. If important matters are not kept secret, they cause harm. Therefore, a gentleman handles matters with confidentiality and discretion; he doesn't speak recklessly and cause disorder.
Liu Shiqing often heard this phrase in historical dramas, so he had a pretty clear understanding of its meaning. What puzzled him was why this phrase would be on a radio. Could it be that the previous owner of this radio had a habit of engraving warnings on it?
Thinking about it, Liu Shiqing didn't find any clues. As the instant noodles were ready, he lost interest in fiddling with the radio. He carelessly put the radio on the table. As soon as he turned to pick up the noodles, a magnetically resonant voice came on, "Dear listeners, this is The Galaxy Radio. It's time for our daily music. Today, as requested by our friends, we will play the first Federation composition written at the founding of The Galactic Federation- Beautiful Galaxy. Please enjoy."
The magnetic female voice ended, and a melodious tune began to play. Just the first few bars were enough to deeply immerse Liu Shiqing.
The piece lasted about six minutes, but Liu Shiqing felt as though he had wandered the galaxy for six centuries. Once he snapped out of this wonderful feeling, he frantically grabbed the "radio".
The "radio" continued to broadcast programs from The Galaxy Radio. Liu Shiqing quickly found the switch, and with a push of a hidden button on the side, the radio stopped.
When Liu pressed the button again, he did not hear the voice of The Galaxy Radio but a string of synthesized sounds. "Hello, friend. Welcome to the use of the Silver Sea Ninth Generation Signal Receiver produced by Future Technology Company. This product integrates our company's cutting-edge technology, and it enables you to receive signals from communication networks, broadcasting networks, television networks, internet, virtual networks, and other networks in any corner of the galaxy. It is a must-have high-tech product for your travels. The product uses light for charging, and each charge of about an hour can keep it running for a month. The product has various binding methods to prevent your stored data from being stolen once the product is lost..."
As the synthesized voice prattled on, Liu Shiqing's eyes grew wider. The events he encountered today were too much like science fiction. How could the fantastical scenes he had only encountered in online novels suddenly appear in front of him?
Liu Shiqing couldn't help but doubt the authenticity of the signal receiver. Could it be a prank someone put together when they were bored?
Once the synthesized voice finished speaking, Liu Shiqing followed the instructions and started to operate the signal receiver. This device was extremely user-friendly with the buttons and knobs designed to adjust the network mode and target.
As Liu Shiqing adjusted the settings, images, texts, and symbols flashed across the front of the signal receiver. He quickly started receiving television signals, a holographic projection appeared half a meter above the signal receiver. It was a war-themed television program, the forces of good and evil were at a climax, with spaceships flying all over the place and laser cannons, pulse guns, and electromagnetic guns emerging in an endless stream. Liu Shiqing was dumbstruck. He had seen many American blockbusters, but compared to this television program, the American Hollywood blockbusters were simply children's doodles.
Liu Shiqing fiddled with the signal receiver for a long time and with great effort, he finally connected to the so-called Galactic Network. Liu Shiqing couldn't wait to check the date on the Galactic Network—September 11, 2701. The headline news on the website was a line of striking large characters—What were our ancestors doing 699 years ago during the 9/11 incident on Mother Earth?
A sense of dread sunk into Liu Shiqing's heart, immediately followed by a surge of ecstasy. The current date was March 15, 2012, the 23rd day of the second month of the year of the dragon in the lunar calendar, Thursday. The Spring Festival had passed for nearly two months, and it was a year and over two months until Liu Shiqing would take the college entrance examination.
Liu Shiqing was at an age where he loved to daydream. When he used to read online novels, he would imagine how it would be like to have the luck of the protagonist. Now when this kind of thing happens to him, one can imagine how he felt.
After the ecstasy came a long period of calm and reflection. The sentence that was engraved on the back of the signal receiver spontaneously surfaced in Liu Shiqing's mind—If the monarch is not secretive, he will lose his subjects. If the subject is not secretive, he will lose his life. If a machine is not kept secret, it will cause harm. Therefore, a gentleman is cautious and keeps things confidential and does not disclose them.
Liu Shiqing didn't need to think to know that if he had such an advanced item from the future and the information leaked out, he would attract endless troubles. From local thugs to the national apparatus, to foreign spies, everyone would view him as a target for plunder. After all, the value of this signal receiver was too significant. Even if a country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of ten or eight years was used to exchange for it, it still would not reflect its value.
Liu Shiqing made up his mind that the signal receiver would be his greatest secret. He would not tell anyone, not even his biological parents.
After tossing and turning in bed, he finally fell into a confused sleep in the early morning. At six o'clock, Liu Shiqing was awakened by the alarm clock. The first thing he did was search for his signal receiver. Seeing it neatly placed on the table, he let out a sigh of relief.
Alas, the signal receiver is a good treasure, but it's not very safe to leave it out. If it could be integrated into his body like the artifact in the Xianxia novel "Money Making Expert" that he had read before, that would be great.
Liu Shiqing laughed and shook his head, feeling a bit greedy. Just as he had dismissed this thought, the signal receiver made a creaking sound. In the blink of an eye, the signal receiver had transformed into a regular-sized wristwatch. The synthesized voice came again—"According to the master's needs, entering transformation, mute, and invisibility mode."
Liu Shiqing put the wristwatch on, and looked on as the signal receiver disappeared. When he touched it with his hand, he could vaguely feel the existence of the signal receiver.
He couldn't help but marvel. This truly was an advanced item from the future. It could do whatever he wanted, could it be a magic tool refined by a deity?
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