Chapter 758 The new wind blowing into the wasteland
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The cold wind and snow howled on the endless tundra, and the furry lemmings poked their heads out of the snowdrifts, but were frightened by the rumbling sound and hid back.
A train with only four carriages was traveling on the snow.
This train has no rails, instead there are tracks under the chassis. The carriages are connected by hooks and locks. Each carriage seems to have its own independent power system, but it seems that all power is provided by the car in front.
.
Sitting next to the car window, Ye Shi stared at the vast and astonishing tundra outside the window, with unspeakable surprise written in his eyes.
This dog has something planned.
Although the number of players active in the Wandering Swamp is less than three digits, the operators of "Wasteland OL" still made this part of the map.
Hail slapping on the windows, broken snow kicked up by tracks, reindeer walking across the tundra...
Everything is so realistic.
Sitting opposite him, Jiang Xuezhou misunderstood the surprise on his face and gently raised the corners of his lips.
"Is it big?"
"It's indeed quite big..." Ye Shi nodded, and added with emotion, "It's just a little deserted."
What he couldn't understand the most was why the academy, which clearly had the most advanced technology in the wasteland, left such a large piece of land undeveloped.
If we say that the prosperity of the ideal city actually has a certain "moisture content", for example, the colorful light and shadow and the endpoint cloud with complicated information can give people the illusion of rapid technological advancement, but the technology of the college has indeed reached an awe-inspiring level.
category.
As the only survivor force in the wasteland that can produce anti-gravity devices without relying on black boxes and has the technology to produce hyperlight engines, they actually have hope of building a real utopia in this wasteland.
This shouldn't be any harder than finding another planet in the universe to colonize and starting over.
At least that's how it seemed to him when he was still a student.
Jiang Xuezhou tilted his head, not quite understanding what he meant by deserted.
At this moment, the researcher sitting at the next table interrupted with a smile.
"Of course, this is the northernmost part of the Middle-Continent. The fragile ecosystem can support the current population at its limit. It's good now. Rather, if there are more people, things will become troublesome."
Ye Shi looked at him puzzled.
"Will it become troublesome if there are more people?"
"After all, the ticket is fixed." Another fellow researcher looked at the paper on the tablet in his hand and said concisely, "There has never been a 'ship' that can accommodate everyone. The contract we signed with the survivors
This item was never included in the contract."
Ye Shi: "Contract?"
"That was a century and a half ago. We left the Great Rift Valley to escape the persecution of the legions and companies. Some survivors who had lost their source of livelihood due to the collapse of the post-war reconstruction committee followed our footsteps and found us, hoping that we
To take them in, the Science and Technology Committee was established."
The researcher paused, looked out the window, and continued in a tone without too much fluctuation.
"As promised, we will provide them with the nutrients necessary for survival, and they also agree to voluntarily give up all political power, join our plan, and submit to our management. We have provided them with the promised treatment and even given them obedience to management.
People are rewarded... and the latter is the obligation they promised. Is there any reason why we should improve their living standards?"
Ye Shi looked at him in surprise: "Good guys, you are more capitalists than capitalists."
The researcher was stunned for a moment and looked at him with a strange expression.
"I don't know what you are talking about, but at least we didn't lie to them. We told them clearly from the beginning that the academy is not a charity or a country, it is just a research organization. Our ultimate goal is to complete our Ark
, we will leave after it is completed. We have never asked them to live on our territory. Or do you think it is more correct to draw an unreachable pie for the wastelanders like a company?
"
This sounds reasonable.
At eleven o'clock at night, he couldn't think of how to refute, especially when he suddenly realized that this was his own business, and it was not his turn as an outsider to make irresponsible remarks.
However, just when he was about to end this topic, what he didn't expect was that Jiang Xuezhou, who looked like a good girl, suddenly spoke.
"Didn't you also get into the academy?"
The researcher glanced at her and said calmly.
"Yes, so."
Jiang Xuezhou couldn't help but said.
"You were one of them before, why do you treat them like slaves..."
"First of all, let me correct you. I never said they were slaves." The man returned his gaze to the tablet and said with a blank expression, "Then to answer your question, you also said it was before."
Having said that, he didn't want to make enemies for himself because of this boring verbal dispute.
This was a train departing from Binghai City, and the passenger traveling with her was wearing the iconic VM of the shelter residents on her arm. Maybe she was a foreign guest invited by the Sticky Community Project.
If this is the case, her mentor's background may not be small.
Jiang Xuezhou stared at him with an incomprehensible expression, and was speechless for a moment.
"My fault, I have to apologize." Ye Shi coughed lightly, stood up from his seat, and tried to ease the atmosphere in the carriage, "Actually... our shelter is the same, a shelter that can accommodate everyone.
It is impossible to exist, so some people can get in, some people can't, some people will enjoy it early, and some people will suffer early. For a greater goal, some people have to make sacrifices... This is the reality and the most important thing.
The helpless reality.”
The researcher who was brushing up his paper had a faint smile on his face, but Jiang Xuezhou looked at Ye Shi in disbelief, as if he couldn't believe he would say such a thing.
The latter didn't look at her, just shrugged and continued.
"It's just that we really can't step on those who couldn't get in just because we were lucky enough to be born in a shelter. Our knowledge, technology, methods, black boxes, etc., should belong to that era.
'All of us' signed an unequal contract with a small group of poor people, only enjoying the inheritance left by 'our' and refusing to fulfill 'our' obligations. I really can't understand... Being a coward can be because of reality
It’s helpless, but is this something worth puffing up your chest and being proud of?”
The researcher who was brushing the paper twitched his brows fiercely and chose to respond to these words with silence.
The surprise on Jiang Xuezhou's face turned into surprise, and then a victorious smile appeared on his face, as if to say that he had indeed seen the right person.
There were whispers in the carriage, and some people looked over to see what the guy who was talking arrogantly looked like. Some people curled their lips in disdain, not interested in the wisdom of mortals.
Of course, some people showed pensive expressions and were really thinking about the rationality of this statement.
In the academy, the voice of reason is relatively popular, especially the voice of logical reason.
This is also the biggest difference between the academy and other areas. If it is just the output of emotions, no one will pay attention to it.
However, Ye Shi, the instigator, suddenly felt regretful.
His original intention was to apologize, saying that he shouldn't have meddle in other people's business. However, he ran away as he spoke, and couldn't help but say something strange and angry.
Brother Fang is right, he really needs to change his habit of talking too much nonsense.
They are here to make friends, not to offend others.
"Thanks."
Looking at Ye Shi sitting back in his seat, Jiang Xuezhou blushed and whispered.
"Hey, there's nothing to thank you for." Ye Shi said nonchalantly without thinking about what exactly he had helped her.
Although he was very happy that he said what he wanted to say but didn't dare to say, Jiang Xuezhou soon seemed to have thought of something, and suddenly became worried about gain and loss, and whispered.
"By the way...you came here with that electronic pass. If you talk nonsense, your manager won't blame you, right?"
All the researchers sitting in this carriage are equipped with bionic prosthetics, and taking photos and recording videos is just a matter of thought.
She was worried that the news would cause any diplomatic disputes, such as alliance shelter residents publicly criticizing the college's policies and the management methods of the Science and Technology Committee.
Ye Shi was stunned for a moment, then said with a smile.
"Ah? That's not the case. Our managers are not so cautious."
Not like a dog planner.
It’s fine to ban someone for posting a pornographic picture. Emojis that are not pornographic at all and are taken from the notebook are also against the rules.
It’s really a bit too much!
While he was talking, a faint wisp of human smoke appeared in the endless wilderness outside the window.
That's an oil well.
The "old-fashioned" design style makes you feel like you are back on the real earth at midnight.
When he saw the oil well, Jiang Xuezhou's expression suddenly became excited.
"Here we are!"
Just as the voice fell, the sound of arriving at the station also sounded in the carriage.
"No. 721 has arrived. Passengers who get off at this station please get off in time."
Ye Shi was about to help her get her luggage, but she saw that the suitcase ran off the shelf on its own and rolled to the door of the carriage with its wheels rolling.
"What are you doing standing around like that? We should go." Looking at Ye Shi standing motionless next to the seat, Jiang Xuezhou urged him excitedly.
It had been a long time since she had seen her family. Others were timid about being close to home, but she was looking forward to it.
"Ah...ok."
Ye Shiyi looked at her suitcase with envy and followed her.
High technology is still good!
For a university monk who often takes the high-speed train home, this thing is much more attractive than nuclear fusion...
A group of people stood in the buffer cabin. As the door outside opened, the howling wind and snow rolled in.
Even though he was wearing a cold-proof suit and his whole body was covered in technology, Ye Shi still felt the biting cold hitting his face.
This is a remote corner of the Wandering Swamp, where a settlement called "Land 721" is located.
According to Jiang Xuezhou, the task of the local survivors is to exploit the oil under the permafrost in the year-round minus 20 degree weather to provide production raw materials for the industrial zone fifty kilometers away.
Crawler trucks will come regularly to transport the fuel away and bring daily supplies needed by the local area.
Although various biological or chemical synthesis methods of petroleum analogues have been found in the era of prosperity, from the perspective of adapting to local conditions, this kind of drilling platform driven by a diesel engine is more suitable for the swamp environment and the special science and technology committee.
organization.
Advanced production methods are not always good.
What the Science and Technology Committee needs to ensure is that the colonial ships heading for the future can be completed as scheduled. Excessive production is equivalent to waste. The traditional laws of economics do not apply here, and they do not even apply to most settlements in the wasteland.
There was another man and a woman who arrived at the station with them. The man was tall and thin with short hair. The woman had a black ponytail and looked like the type who rarely talks.
Just as Ye Shi looked at the two of them, the man looked at him, smiled slightly, and suddenly said.
“Excellent speech.”
Ye Shi was stunned for a moment when he heard this, and suddenly felt a little embarrassed. He coughed lightly and said.
"Thank you, but I feel a little ashamed. I always talk too much. I'm sorry to have offended you -"
Jiang Xuezhou curled his lips slightly and said in a whisper.
"There is nothing to be ashamed of. What you said was right. Why do you have to apologize for the right thing? The strange thing is that those who feel offended have relatives and friends who obviously live in that kind of place."
"Haha, I can't evaluate the decision-making of the Science and Technology Committee, but... I agree with what this gentleman said. We should indeed do something with the knowledge left to us by our predecessors. The pursuit of a better life should not become a
It's a sin." The researcher smiled to smooth things over, and then introduced himself, "My name is Li Xiang, an E-level researcher. This is an explorer in the same department as me, and my name is Wu Xiaoxiao."
The girl named Wu Xiaoxiao nodded cautiously and glanced at Ye Shi, but her eyes were mostly on Xiao Jiang beside him.
Ye Shi noticed a hint of obvious awe and envy in her eyes.
This is actually quite normal.
Although Xiao Jiang is only a small D-class, he is undoubtedly a boss-like existence in the eyes of many E-class and prospectors.
"Ye Shi, this is Jiang Xuezhou."
Although he felt that the two of them might know Xiao Jiang who was traveling with him, Ye Shi still introduced himself to her.
Li Xiang looked at the two of them and nodded politely, especially to the fellow senior.
But what surprised Ye Shi was that he always felt that this guy was more interested in him.
"I heard you are from the Alliance?"
He nodded at ten o'clock in the night.
"Yes, I am a resident of Vault 404."
The interest in Li Xiang's eyes became more and more intense, especially when he heard about Vault 404.
"Great... I have always been interested in you. Can you tell me in detail? How did you establish such a huge organization in the wasteland, and it only took two or three years."
It can be seen from those interested eyes that he is really curious.
He didn't expect to meet fans of the alliance in such a far away place. Ye Shi couldn't help feeling proud, and then said with a hearty smile.
"It's a long story... Although it's only been two or three years, a lot of things have happened in these two or three years."
"It's okay! We can talk while walking." Li Xiang looked at him eagerly, and this time even Jiang Xuezhou couldn't help but pricked up his ears curiously.
"Okay, let me think about it..." While recalling the past, Ye Shi made up a story in a chatting tone, "Everything has to start with a mayor named Old Leech, and a guy named
Xiaoyu’s girl talks about..."
Beautiful stories always warm people's hearts, and the howling wind and snow don't seem so cold anymore.
At first, he was talking casually about how the flame of order rose from the wasteland, but as Ye Shi spoke, he suddenly felt moved.
Not that he was bragging.
It was really not easy at that time. He was a t0 player and had to burn cement himself. The maximum equipment on the server was an iron pipe rifle with a mirror!
Not to mention the person listening to the story, even he, the storyteller, shed tears while talking!
The three people following him were also touched in their hearts, and a looming flame burned in their hearts unconsciously...
Just when Ye Shi overthrew the old mayor of Beit Street from Chu Guang and talked about the sparks burning outside the Stone City, thousands or even tens of thousands of kilometers away from the Wandering Swamp on the Borneo Sea, an inconspicuous ship
The cargo ship is slowly approaching the largest trading port on the west coast of Borneo.
Standing on the deck of the bow of the ship, Governor Nihak looked at the port in the distance in amazement, his eyes filled with unspeakable surprise.
The afterglow of the setting sun shines on the busy concrete pier, and rows of well-proportioned red brick bungalows line both sides of the four- to five-meter-wide brick street.
The prosperity here seems to be no less than that of Kingallen Port in a different day.
Even more luxurious and busier than that!
The artistic attainments of the Vaillant people are not inferior to those of architects from alliances, companies, and colleges. Especially when it comes to large and beautiful buildings, they have an aesthetic understanding as huge and unique as the caliber of their cannons.
Some Weirant people seem to have settled here. Not only did they bring their wives, houses, and dinars from Triumphal City, but they also brought their elegant lifestyle here.
Governor Nihak saw an overseer with a high nose waving a whip in his hand, urging a group of bare-chested workers to carry large boxes that could fit themselves into the concrete pier that was baked by the scorching sun.
Shuttle back and forth.
That familiar smell!
Looking at the scene in front of him, Governor Nihak took a deep breath and burst into tears.
came back!
Finally they are all back!
Not far behind him, the furry white bear stared at his back with disgust and couldn't help but cooed.
"Can I throw him overboard?"
"No, Rourou, he is a mission prop! The customers of Youtiao Port paid a large amount of travel expenses." Standing next to her, Tail stepped on the railing with his right foot and looked excitedly.
The legendary port of Sails.
What a big port!
This settlement is probably no smaller than King Gallen Port, and may have over a million people!
Moreover, in addition to the locals of Borneo Province, there are also a large number of Wilant people living in the port area. It seems that the goods they brought should be sold without any worries!
Not long after, the cargo ship docked at the port, and an officer from Vaillant stepped onto the deck.
Walking out of the captain's cabin, Sisi handed over the cargo list and at the same time took out the VM and showed the ID and the bar code for identification to the Weiland officer.
"This is an electronic pass issued by the United Nations, and we want to apply for permission to go ashore."
"It's up to you," the Wilante officer glanced at the certificate and said with a chuckle, "We will guarantee your legal rights, but I still advise you to only move around the port area. Those rats
You have very bad habits. It would be better for a lady like you not to walk at night or go into alleys, as our guards may not be able to see you."
Noticing the unkind look in his eyes, Sisi didn't pay attention and just spoke concisely.
"Then I won't bother you, as long as you don't try to be clever."
As if he heard some funny joke, the Wilante man laughed, curled his lips and said after laughing enough.
"We don't bother to be clever. We will go to the battlefield to grab the things we are interested in."
I'm afraid only people from Weiland can stand up and say these words.
Sisi shrugged and said in a teasing tone.
"You can just tell this kind of cowhide to your own people, there is no need to tell it to us. People who do business with us have made a fortune, but if they want to steal even a copper plate from us, they have to be ready to collapse.
Mental preparation for two teeth.”
Hearing the thorn hidden in the words, Officer Weiland smiled nonchalantly and made an exaggerated invitation gesture.
"I, Mr. De Colo, Director of the Port Office of Saifan Port, welcome to Saifan Port. I wish you a happy stay here!"
After speaking, he handed the cargo list to the deputy on the side and got off the cargo ship.
In addition to more than 20 passengers, the cargo carried by the cargo ship Rourou also included 500 tons of canned herring and 150 tons of spirits made from potatoes.
These are the specialties of Golden Gallon Port, and they are also the two commodities most in demand by the people of Weiland. Although there is not much room for bargaining, there is no need to worry about selling them.
There are at least five to six thousand Willant people who immigrated to West Sail Port. Counting the floating population, the number may exceed 10,000, and the herring and spirits consumed every day can be calculated in tons.
In addition, a few hundred nautical miles to the northwest is the port of the Southern Army, so even if the local consumption is not enough, it can be sold there.
In addition to the two commodities of herring and spirits, there are also some miscellaneous things.
For example, refrigerators, watches, furniture, electrical appliances, and even old books or other handicrafts from Silver Moon Bay.
After getting off the ship, Sisi rented a shed with a shed in the market through the port office, and then directed a group of crew members to carry several boxes of bulk goods to the stalls as samples, and put price tags on them to sell.
.
The four people agreed to take turns taking care of the booth in pairs, and the groups were determined by drawing lots.
Group 1 is Sisi and Zhima Lake.
In order to pass the time when there were no customers, Sisi bought a local best-selling book from the market and started reading.
Zhima Lake curiously looked at the pedestrians coming and going at first, but soon discovered that the people walking in this area were all Weiland people. After looking at it for a long time, he felt bored, so he picked up a book from the wooden box containing old books.
I followed Sisi's example and started reading.
As luck would have it, the book she picked up was "Bol the Awakener" that Awei had longed for.
At first, she just casually read two chapters with the mentality of casually flipping through it, but soon her attention was attracted by the ups and downs of the plot, and she was fascinated by it without even realizing it.
Time passed by, and before he knew it, Si Si had already completed two transactions, selling 100 tons of canned herrings at a price of 6,300 silver coins per ton, and selling 80 tons of potatoes at a price of 11,221 silver coins per ton.
Liquor.
In Sifan Port, the retail price in the market is about twice as high as the wholesale price. For example, canned herring with a wholesale price of 3 silver coins per kilogram will eventually be placed on the shelves at a retail price of 12 to 15 dinars per box (200g).
Sales on.
In fact, if you do a little conversion, based on the minimum retail price of 12 dinars, the "wholesale price" of a 200-gram can is about 6 dinars, and a kilogram is 30 dinars, which is exactly the same as the real wholesale price of 3 silver coins per kilogram.
The difference is around 5 times.
The maximum exchange ratio between silver coins and dinars is basically around 1:5.
But if it is spirits, the calculated proportion is often higher than this value.
Feeling a little curious about this interesting phenomenon, Sisi jotted it down in the notebook he carried with him, intending to update it in the post as an observation during the trip after he goes offline.
Seeing Si Si working hard, Zhima Hu, who had been fishing for an hour, couldn't help but feel a little ashamed. He quietly closed the bag open on his knees and planned to work hard for a while.
You can't always leave everything to Si Si alone, at least... sell one order before the sun goes down!
Just when she was thinking this, a customer happened to sneak up in front of her stall.
The man looked thin and dressed simply. He was not from Weiland, but he didn't look like a local either. He looked a bit like a priest from the Silver Moon Sect in Silver Moon Bay.
Zhima Lake looks very familiar with this kind of people, even so familiar that he can recognize them from the crowd at a glance.
After all, every time if she didn't wear a hat to cover the cat ears on her head, these people would rush to worship her with fanatical expressions.
The man glanced at the book on her lap, then looked at the basket of old books next to her, touched his chin and asked curiously.
“Are these books intended for sale?”
Hearing that someone was interested in these books, Zhima Hu suddenly had a smile on his face and said in a pleasant voice.
"Of course, guest, are you interested?"
The man nodded honestly.
"How much?"
Zhima Hu said enthusiastically.
"We sell it by the ton. There are almost two to three thousand copies per ton, and it only costs 2,000 silver coins!"
However, what she didn't expect was that after hearing this, the man shook his head and complained in a low voice.
"It's too cheap. How can such a precious thing as a book be sold cheaper than canned herrings?"
But this is an old book...
Looking at the guests who were stamping their feet and shaking their heads, Zhizhihu made a helpless expression and said tentatively.
"Then...2500?"
Before she could finish her words, the guest had already taken out the banknotes from his simple robe.
"Just 2,000 silver coins. No need to bargain. Just give me a ton."
Although in principle the minimum selling price is 5 tons, considering that he was the first customer, Sesame Lake made an exception and accepted the money and gave him a ticket to pick up the goods.
"Just take this coupon and go to the Rourou cargo ship to pick up the goods... Well, may I ask, what are you planning to do with these books?"
The man didn't hide anything and said with a pious look.
"I am a servant of the Silver Moon Goddess. I came to this barren land to spread the gospel of the Silver Moon Goddess. Unfortunately, the local survivors are too ignorant and the people are not yet enlightened. I plan to start by teaching them how to read."
Sesame Lake looked at him in surprise, and unconsciously tightened the hat on her head with her right hand.
It is said that the Yue tribe has just been purged by the emperor of Xilan. Does it really not matter if the Silver Moon Sect is preaching here?
It is difficult to say whether there is some connection between the two. After all, Silver Moon Bay and Borneo Province are so close to each other, and many things are unclear.
But she quickly thought that this place was ruled by the Weirant people, and the emperor should have no control over it.
"Then I wish you good luck... Ah, by the way, in fact, in addition to old books, running newspapers can also improve the literacy rate." Halfway through, she suddenly remembered something, so she kindly reminded her again.
"...The newspaper?"
The man muttered to himself as if he had some enlightenment, and his eyes gradually brightened, "Well... this is indeed a good idea. I can give it a try, but what should I write in the newspaper?"
"It might be better to serialize some popular stories. For example...how about this one?"
As he said this, Zhima Lake handed the book "Boll the Awakener" to him and said eagerly.
"I remember that Boulder City's "Daily Survivor" first became popular because of its serialization in sub-magazines! Once people have a common language and topics, even if they don't have to be urged, they will take the initiative to learn it, and even
Participate in the creation.”
She still remembers that the earliest newspapers published were real-life magic modifications carried by some players, but later the stories that became popular were stories created by the residents of Boulder City themselves.
Looking at the book that the girl put into her hands, the pastor had a flattered expression on his face.
"Ah, this is so embarrassing. Is it really okay to give it to me like this? How about I just pay...how much is it?"
As he spoke, he hurriedly put the book under his elbow and rummaged through his pockets.
Seeing him eager to find money, Zhizhihu couldn't help but smile, waved his hand and said.
"No, no, no, just think of it as a gift from that ton of old books. If your newspaper makes a lot of profit, please send a royalties to Mr. Sperger in Boulder City. Although the wording and sentence making are a bit rough, it is still the same after all.
He wrote it carefully."
"Don't worry about this! By the way, my name is...Melgio, what is your name?"
"Just call me Sesame Lake." That was actually the name of her cat, and it later became her online name.
At this moment, Melgio suddenly noticed the cat ears sticking up from the edge of the slit of her hat.
At first he thought it was an illusion, but when he heard the name Sesame Lake, he vaguely remembered the rumors he had heard in Silver Moon Bay, and the expression on his face gradually changed from shock to enthusiasm.
Noticing the change in his expression, Zhizhi Hu secretly said something bad, and quickly pulled the brim of the hat to plug the exposed ears back.
But it's obviously too late.
The man had an extremely pious look on his face, and he bowed deeply as if no one else was watching.
"Please respect me... I'm sorry, please rest assured that I will definitely live up to your expectations! Let the light of the silver moon fill this barren land!"
Seeing him obviously exerting too much force, and Sisi who was stunned at the side, Zhima Hu explained in a dumbfounded way.
"Don't be like this, and you have misunderstood. I am really not the incarnation of the Silver Moon Goddess... I am just an ordinary person - oh, what on earth do I have to say so that you can believe it."
"You are right, it is what you say it is." Melgio looked pious and kept a tight-lipped expression.
Just like when I was in Silver Moon Bay.
These "cat lovers" don't listen to themselves at all.
Although it is quite fun at first, over time, everyone will feel a headache.
Zhizhihu held his forehead and sighed, finally gave up the explanation, hugged his knees and muttered softly.
"Ah... Anyway, come on."
The voice was full of helpless perfunctory, but to Melgio's ears it had a completely different meaning.
As if he had been called by the Lord, Melgio looked at her squatting behind the grocery stall and swore with great piety.