Chapter 97 (1/2)

Connecticut, USA, City of Groton.

In the new millennium, Pfizer unveiled the world's largest medicine research center here. With the world's most advanced facilities, it employed more than 700 researchers and it also owned the world's most advanced manufacturing and testing facilities. However, the company had been hit hard by generic drugs. Since last year, the world's largest pharmaceutical company experienced negative growth and had a 57% drop in net profits. Not only did its stock price drop, it was also experiencing severe cash flow issues.

Under such circ.u.mstances, CEO Steele set aside all his tasks to look for new sources of income. Issuing new corporate bonds was only one of these sources. Of course, due to decline performance, their ability to find financing was also shrinking.

When he heard that Huang Xuan had already raised $1.2 billion USD, Steele was amazed. He originally thought that it would take Huang Xuan at least a few months. Once he received confirmation from Citibank, he immediately went to inform the board. In the last quarter, the board had been putting a lot of pressure on him over these funding issues.

Connecticut is the third largest state in the United States, yet most people have never heard of it. Apart from its insurance and nuclear submarine industries, the state was not known for much else. Yale University was the exception. The three most recent presidents of the United States were alumni's of Yale.

Groton was even less known. When Huang Xuan was connecting via New York, there was only one flight headed there.

Despite all of this, Pfizer's research center was still impressive. Huang Xuan was relived after Rolin confirmed this fact.

When Huang Xuan read through a summary of Pfizer on the energy screen, an idea popped up in his head. ”Rolin, what do you think about selling medical formula's to Pfizer?”

”All temporal and spatial activities that take place in your own plane will deplete the energy in the buffer zone.”

”So what? We'll only have to replenish the energy.”

Rolin hesitated before answering, ”In fact, our time travelling has depleted the buffer zone's energy. Even though we used up less than expected, apart from killing Napoleon, we just broke even in the other planes. If we carry on intentionally depleting the buffer zone's energy, we might have difficulty defending ourselves when other time travellers come again.”

Something in Huang Xuan's brain clicked. He responded, ”If we find a way to add a significant amount of energy to the buffer zone, can we sell medical formulas?”

”Theoretically, there isn't a problem with what you say, but in certain cases, introducing advanced technology ahead of time may result in a sustained reduction in energy in the buffer zone. Also, all estimates of buffer energy consumption is limited.”

”Got it.” Huang Xuan didn't actually understand it, he then anxiously asked, ”How much energy is required to sell the formula of a best-selling drug?” Only drugs which could make over $1 billion USD in revenue were considered ”best-selling”, for example, v.i.a.g.r.a.

”At least 200,000 units of energy.” Rolin quickly estimated: ”We'll lose 1200 units initially. Afterwards, we'll gradually lose 200,000 units, perhaps even more.”

”How much energy did we gain when we killed Napoleon?

”4,000 units.”

Huang Xuan hesitated upon hearing the big difference in number. Finally, he spoke, ”Why's there such a huge difference? How would producing v.i.a.g.r.a have such a significant impact on the buffer zone?”

”Medicine changes living conditions, it will be hard to predict the consequences. Best-selling drugs are usually direct, they're usually special medicine that are efficient and have a defined function.” After explaining this, Rolin continued, ”Moreover, when we killed Napoleon, we only gained a portion of the energy lost on that plane. The remaining energy lost by P129 is irrecoverable. On the other hand, we have to account for all the losses we incur in this plane. Bit by bit, the differences add up.”

Disappointed, Huang Xuan asked, ”So we can't use it?”

”Not quite.” Rolin truthfully replied. ”For example, the change made by computer programs isn't significant. Whether people use Windows or Linux, it doesn't really affect the development of the plane. Similarly, increasing work productivity by just a few percent won't use up too much energy from the buffer zone.”

Huang Xuan rejoiced at this and said, ”Then how much energy will be consumed if you give me a system more advanced than Windows?”

”If I search and only hand it to you, it'll only consume a few units of energy. But if you completely replace Windows with it, it'll consume about 50,000 units of energy.” Rolin seriously calculated.