Ever since Dr. Otto overcame the challenges of controlled nuclear fusion, he had been eager to change the "boiling water" method of power generation.
Although ultra-supercritical steam power generation technology, built on the wisdom of predecessors, was already very mature, it was still inferior to Dr. Otto's concept of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) power generation.
MHD power generation could further reduce the volume and maintenance requirements of the entire fusion power station; it was the power generation technology of the next era and a method more suited for fusion power plants.
So when Dr. Otto saw Dr. Selvig's design for the Iridium Stabilizer, his first thought was to refine his own design to make MHD power generation a reality.
As for space-time travel, it seemed difficult to achieve without that mysterious little cube for now.
If a high-quality power source like nuclear fusion were discovered in some countries, it would likely be promoted immediately—except in the United States.
Especially the United States of this World—Roxxon had never been broken up by anti-monopoly laws.
Thus, Osborn had only built two fusion power stations in the past few years. But now the situation had changed; no matter how much power Roxxon wielded, it couldn't surpass the President of the United States. That was why they needed to support politicians and had even gone as far as planting bombs to stop Norman from taking office, but they had failed.
"So my offer still stands—we can jointly enjoy this technology." Norman smiled amiably at the World leaders.
In the past, the U.S. dollar was pegged to gold and oil, but neither worked well anymore—gold aside, it could now even be mined from the heavens, and the value of oil monopolies had been halved by nuclear fusion.
Therefore, the cheap electricity produced by controlled nuclear fusion, a new type of product representing a technological monopoly, naturally qualified to be pegged to currency.
Although for various reasons Osborn hadn't yet gone to the moon to mine Helium-3, no one doubted that Osborn and the United States had the capability.
On the other hand, controlled nuclear fusion was Osborn's technology, not the United States' technology. From a propaganda perspective, there was still room for maneuver.
Norman's willingness to speak with them before the upheaval already proved his sincerity.
Development and hegemony are usually tied together in human history, but in reality, they don't have to be.
You can become a hegemon by developing faster than others, but that's not the only path; one can also win by being less terrible than the rest or by suppressing a rival's development.
Through the screen, Norman could sense the confusion of these leaders—when did the United States become so generous?
First agreeing to take them to outer space for mining, and now amiably stating they wanted to establish an electricity currency system, telling them to hold on tight—
Even though they would remain the hegemons after this move, such a gentle approach was already showing great respect.
And so, both sides shook hands and made peace. How could war be better than peaceful development?
Then, Norman made a move they expected even less: he brought the United Nations Secretary-General into the call.
"Then I propose that the United Nations Development Programme lead a project to allow the entire World to enjoy this clean and cheap energy."
"As for the codename of the project, I think 'Zeus' is good. I like names from mythology."
Thus, news that shocked the World appeared: nations would gather their strength under the leadership of the UNDP to carry out a global upgrade and construction of electrical energy.
What was even more shocking was that this union was initiated by the United States!
A few days later, Matt was invited to Harry's home as a guest, and all three were smiling happily.
Norman began establishing his electricity currency system, Harry became the largest construction contractor, and Matt—Matt was just purely happy to see such a good thing happen.
"Cheers!"
The three clinked their glasses. Actually, a Vice President was missing here to represent the Senate.
However, a new Vice President had not yet been elected.
"Is this your first time at my house, Mr. Chief Justice?" Norman teased.
Matt replied, "It's the first time, though I'd rather go to that decades-old Osborn Mansion."
Harry patted Matt on the shoulder. "You really don't know how to talk, Matt Murdock. The Osborn Mansion was destroyed long ago in the Battle of New York!"
After some banter, Matt said, "Guess what happened a few days ago."
Harry shrugged. "How would I know? If I could guess everything, wouldn't I be God?"
"Someone in the Prosecutor's Office proposed an anti-monopoly investigation into Osborn. They believe Osborn's monopoly in the energy sector constitutes a Trust, monopolizing the entire industry chain through electricity supply."
"Haha, how interesting," Harry said. "We still have Stark Industries as a competitor. Is this person crazy for fame?"
Matt smiled. "Your guess is much more accurate than mine. I thought he accepted sponsorship from Roxxon, but after I checked, it turns out he really just wants to be famous."
Norman also laughed—Osborn might be skirting the edges of a monopoly, but without his nod, who would have the power to investigate Osborn?
After a brief silence, Norman said, "But Roxxon has indeed formed a monopoly. All oil-related industries are under their control."
Matt nodded. "Yes, according to my investigation, it undoubtedly meets the criteria for a monopoly. But in past years, they controlled the officials and even the President, so no one ever had the thought."
Why make this judgment? Matt had carefully reviewed the files on the New Orleans explosion and oil spill; many things didn't add up.
The only explanation was that Roxxon had smoothed everything over behind the scenes.
"Then why don't we investigate them?" Norman said. "They even dared to assassinate the President!"
So, while eating, the few of them decided on their next move against Roxxon.
With the push from the Chief Justice and the President, they would launch an investigation into Roxxon. As for Congress, they would naturally have to follow along.
Even the HYDRA congressmen hidden within couldn't change this—after all, Norman and Matt had logic on their side now.
"Then it's settled. Roxxon certainly won't go down without a fight. I'll pull some men from the Thunderbolts to be your bodyguards," Harry suggested.
Matt's expression was a bit strange—he didn't feel he needed protection.
But in Harry's view, no matter how strong daredevil was, a few dozen guns could still turn him into a sieve. Never mind Frank; just a few of Frank's good brothers could turn him into a sieve.
Speaking of Frank, he wondered how he and Billy Russo were doing now.
Frank and Billy were currently drinking.
The atmosphere wasn't great. Billy Russo looked very haggard—without William Rollins' help, and having been stabbed in the back by Rollins, he would already be in prison if Harry hadn't agreed to let Frank handle him personally first.
Just a few minutes ago, he had confessed to Frank that he knew they were plotting to kill Frank's family and that he was the one who exposed Frank's location before the attack.
Frank didn't know what to say. If his family hadn't come back to life, he might have already picked up the wine bottle in his hand and smashed this beast in human skin to pieces.
"Frank, you know, you're a real jerk. Now I have nothing."
Betraying brothers, starting a company with dirty money—in the end, the career he traded for was just an illusion.
Hearing this, Frank's heart felt like cold ashes—he knew this guy had long ceased to be the brother who walked through gunfire with him.
He didn't want to say another word to this man.
Alcohol numbed Billy's nerves. He seemed to see Frank leaving, walking away with his family while telling young Frank: Your Uncle Billy died on the battlefield.
Images of them eating together at the amusement park flashed through his mind, and Billy smiled in a distorted way.
"Why didn't you die with them? Frank! Just like now!"
Frank paused in his step: he wanted nothing more than to rush back and smash this guy's head in, but he wanted even more for this former brother to enjoy the emptiness and pain of having nothing in prison.
Beside him, young Frank asked, "Is Uncle Billy coming back? Was that him? It sounded a lot like him."
Frank shook his head. "Uncle Billy didn't make it back. I recognized the wrong person. Do you still want to ride the carousel?"
Hearing about the carousel, the two children skipped and ran ahead.
His wife saw everything; the two shared a look and said nothing.
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right nobut who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/TripleCrown
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!