Chapter 845: Fire (dungeon ends, two updates, 10,000 words, please vote for me)
February 23
A caravan crossed the northern ice field and arrived at the north gate of Winter City.
The new caravan brought much-needed food and industrial products to Winter City.
Rock City and Winter City held a press conference together to announce the successful opening of the northern trade route, which will pass through nearly seven cities and become the northernmost trade route in the entire federation.
The young deputy mayor Wei Li was interviewed remotely by Inno Media.
She spoke naturally and in detail in front of the camera about the "squeeze" of the people of Winter City by Rockville Energy Group, United Industries and the Eternal Secret Cult. She also took the camera to go deep into the storm area of Winter City and walked to those quiet corners to tell the story.
The life of the people of Winter City under the persecution of the Eternal Secret Cult, and interviews with the people of Winter City living in shanties and tents.
At the same time, she also told the camera the story of her young boy named ‘Ilo’,
And Iroh was the mecha pilot who was rumored to have destroyed the behemoth in the sky, and he was also the 'hero' who finally saved Winter City that night.
In her narration, Iroh was killed by the Eternal Secret Cult and all his family members were killed. Although he was young, he never gave up hope and resisted the Eternal Secret Cult until he finally destroyed the Eternal Secret Cult's terrorist plan and allowed the sun to shine.
Sprinkle it again on this city in the ice and snow.
It was precisely because of the encouragement and support from Iroh that she never gave up hope and kept going.
At the same time, she also believes that age is not the decisive factor, and hope will not differentiate whether the person who comes is an old person or a young person.
Finally, she told the camera that everything the Winter City government did was not to target a certain consortium or a certain enterprise.
"For large conglomerates like Rockville Energy Group, we are weak prey stuck in a trap and being slaughtered by others. But our weakness does not mean that we are cowardly. Even if we die immediately, we must let the world listen.
To our last roar.
"But we still believe that justice will eventually come, just like the sun will rise at the end of the night. This is the meaning of our candlelight walk at night."
The interview finally ended with the deputy mayor's calm and hoarse speech.
After gathering the calm but bloody 'crying' of each 'participant', the touching speech of the '18-year-old beautiful mayor', and the touching story of the heroic young man, this interview quickly broke down.
lock up.
Countless people have seen their own lives in the story of Winter City, and have also been affected by the story of the blond girl who stood in the dirtiest mud and still smiled calmly, and the heroic boy who was alone but never gave up.
The FBI, which has been silent for a long time, finally spoke out and stated that it would conduct a thorough investigation of Rockville Energy Group.
The Federal Tax Service also stated that it would conduct a tax investigation into Rockville Energy Group.
Rockville Energy Group's stock price fell more than 15% that day
——
February 24
Anti-Rockville Energy Group demonstrations have been held in major cities, especially in Rockville Energy Group's "Partner Cities".
Chenxi City announced an "extended investigation" into Rockville Energy Group and ordered Rockville Energy Group to suspend operations and make rectifications to cooperate with the Chenxi City Government's tax investigation.
——
February 25
The FBI raided the Morningside headquarters of Rockville Energy Group and arrested more than half of the board members on charges of "colluding with cults" and "conspiracy to subvert the federation."
In addition, Rockville Energy Group's branches in the thirty-seven cities previously covered by the Eternal Secret Cult were raided by the FBI.
The Federal Taxation Bureau also mobilized and arrested many executives of Rockville Energy Group branches in various cities on charges of tax evasion.
The FBI held a press conference and stated that it had already obtained conclusive evidence of the Rockville Energy Group's crimes, but had been setting up a network to investigate.
A large number of energy cities that 'cooperated' with Rockville Energy Group announced that they would suspend their 'cooperation' with Rockville Energy Group. Pfister Energy Company, which had long been at odds with Rockville Energy Group, took the opportunity to absorb some cities.
——
February 26
The stock price of Rockville Energy Group fell sharply at the opening, with a total drop of more than 50%, and its ranking fell from the top five in the federal list to outside the top 30.
Rockville Energy Group signed an agreement with Vice Mayor Willie of Winter City to sell all its shares in United Industries to Deputy Mayor Willie of Winter City at a low price.
On the same day, the Winter Municipal Government established the ‘Urban Resource Development Department’ and issued a targeted ‘Urban Resource Development’ bond.
In the afternoon of that day, the mayor of Chenxi City delivered a speech on "electricity price restrictions" at the city council.
The Chenxi City Council passed the Energy Price Control Act.
Analysts pointed out that there are only two core elements of the bill:
The first is to establish an energy price control department to control the basic electricity price of the entire city and participate in the formulation of electricity prices.
The second is to determine the upper limit for residential electricity price increases. The total increase in electricity prices for energy companies must not exceed 60% of the basic electricity price, and each increase must be reviewed by the municipal government.
After the bill was passed, carnival parades were held throughout Chenxi City.
——
February 27
"Mr. Christos."
A little boy with freckles stood on tiptoes and handed a lollipop in his hand to Christos who was standing on the roadside.
"Thanks."
Christos smiled and took the lollipop. He raised his head and looked at the cheering crowd in front of him.
When there is no official business to deal with, he often leaves the Palace of Glory and walks among the crowd.
People are no stranger to his existence.
However, many people still came over and took photos with him.
"So young."
Looking at the little boy walking into the crowd, he sighed sadly.
"yes."
The pony-tailed man, Seer, who is also the deputy mayor of Chenxi City, stood behind Christos and sighed in the same way. He turned his head and glanced at Christos, "Are you sure about the midterm elections tomorrow?"
"No,"
Christos looked at the cheering crowd in front of him and shook his head slightly, "But we have done everything we can. Next, we should believe those who have been ****ing."
——
February 28
In the mid-term election of the Chenxi City Council, Christos's staunch supporters won more than 50% of the parliamentary seats, and his ruling coalition won more than 70% of the parliamentary seats, achieving an overwhelming victory.
According to a report from Chenxi Daily, this is the first ruling coalition since the establishment of Chenxi City that not only did not lose the parliament after the mid-term election, but even gained an absolute majority of seats.
Some of Christos' original obstacles to governing have completely dissipated with this midterm election.
——
March 1
United Industries, whose stock price fell to freezing point, announced its delisting and had major shareholders repurchase all shares.
——
March 4
The Municipal Government of Winter City announced the acquisition of United Industries and placed United Industries under the Department of Urban Resource Development.
United Industrial shareholders headed by Wei Li sold all their shares to the Winter Municipal Government, and a large number of small shareholders also chose to sell their shares together.
——
March 10
Winter City completed the repurchase of all shares of United Industries and successfully took full control of United Industries.
United Industries became the only existing regional consortium in the federation controlled by a municipal government.
On the same day, the city government announced that it would extend low-interest loans for all residents of Winter City in banks owned by United Industries, lower the rents for all apartments in United Industries, and stop collecting "land use fees" for camping tents.
Vice Mayor of Winter City Wei Li issued an announcement to change the name of United Industry to "Winter City Industrial Group"
——
Standing on the towering podium, Willy stared at the dense crowd below.
This is the ceremony to convert the United Industrial Building into the Winter City Industrial Group Building.
She took a deep breath and spoke slowly,
"In the long years of more than seven hundred years in Winter City, we have experienced countless choices."
"In this ancient land, there have been chaos, there have been fights, and there have been brief alliances."
"But no matter how we change, one thing will never change, and that is our determination to pursue a better life."
"From the time the founders of the Federation built the first high wall in Winter City, to the caravans that crossed the city and connected the entire world."
"The people on this land have been working hard with perseverance."
"We have gone down the wrong path, and we have been in trouble, but fortunately, we have survived."
"From today on, there is no United Industry, only the Winter City Industrial Group that belongs to everyone in Winter City!"
The girl stared at those pairs of eyes shining with expectation,
"The fate of this world is a kind of reincarnation. Each generation has its own mission. Some generations can enjoy God's special favor, and some generations will eventually open up in the thorny road."
She slowly raised her hand,
"And our generation will control our own destiny!"
boom--
Behind the girl, the iconic signboard of United Industries collapsed.
The entire square was instantly filled with cheers.
——
March 11
The Winter Municipal Government announced a "constructive" investment in the storm area, led by the Winter Industrial Group, to develop and construct residential housing in the storm area.
At the same time, all roads in the entire Novit district are being inspected and repaired.
The wages of all workers under the Winter City Industrial Group have been increased by 20%, and a series of welfare policies such as the free public transportation policy of the Scone era have been restored.
——
March 13
The Wente City Government followed the example of Chenxi City in carrying out medical reform, limiting medical prices, and legislating to include the purchase of medical insurance as an employer's obligation.
The board of directors of Winter City Industrial Group stated that it will purchase medical insurance provided by Nolanka Group for all employees.
The first Pate-Qiming Hospital in Winter was established.
With the advice of economic consultants from the Nolanka Group, Winter City began large-scale urban construction and large-scale recruitment of workers.
——
Dong dong dong——
Accompanied by the sound of violent machinery roaring, several workers wearing safety helmets sat on the roadside, each holding a piece of bread and a bottle of bottled water with the emblem of the city of stars in their hands, and were eating.
"Hahaha, you don't know, buddy, I met the little hero Ilo at the intersection in front of me, where there is a convenience store.
"Didn't my brother hang out with a boss at that time?"
The young man sitting in the middle was chewing bread, drinking bottled water, and said loudly, "The boss foolishly went to rob the little hero Yiluo, but before he could do anything, the little hero Yiluo pushed him to the ground. It scared me.
Run away quickly."
"You are so brave, how dare you steal money? And steal the money of little hero Ilo?"
A worker next to him smiled.
"You don't know, don't you? Besides, it was my boss who robbed someone, not me. I was arrested and detained for a few days after that,"
The young man who spoke took another bite of bread, "But my brother did not surrender to those cults and kept fighting them to the end."
"It's just you who will fight to the end,"
The worker on the side laughed loudly and said, "I'm afraid you found a nook and cranny to hide all night."
"That's right."
The workers next to me laughed at the same time.
"You don't know, man, I'm pretty awesome."
The young man took a bite of bread and answered with a smile.
That night, he was indeed hiding in a corner, but in that corner, there were also two wandering children hiding.
That night, in order to protect the two children, he confronted the followers of the Eternal Secret Cult and almost died in that corner.
He didn't know why he suddenly had such courage. Perhaps it was because he saw the blood-stained boy's eyes that were as deep as the abyss, but still seemed to be burning with blazing fire.
He was actually very afraid of his behavior that day, but given another chance, he estimated that he would make the same choice again.
Just like a person who has been illuminated by fire, it is difficult to endure the darkness.
"Speaking of which, have you really seen the little hero Iroh?"
A worker next to me asked, "What does he look like? Is he handsome?"
"He's quite handsome, but he's just a little too young."
The young man recalled, "But he just has that, that special feeling that seems to attract you to follow him and resist those bad guys."
"Is it so evil?"
A co-worker's eyes widened, "Then he is some kind of reincarnated Holy Spirit."
"Come on,"
The young man laughed loudly, "Aren't you deceived badly enough by the Eternal Secret Cult?"
"Hahaha."
Everyone laughed together, and the air was filled with a happy atmosphere.
"Speaking of which, boy, are you going to rob again in the future?"
someone in the crowd asked.
"What are you robbing? The boss and I have been hungry for two days and can't survive anymore. Besides, I didn't make any orders and were scared away by the little hero Ilo."
The young man stuffed a few mouthfuls of bread into his stomach, drank tons of water, and stood up, "Now I have work to do, bread every day, money every week, and a cheap house to live in. I hate life."
Not good enough?”
"Hahaha."
Everyone burst into laughter again.
"Start work!!!"
Loud shouts were heard in the distance.
Everyone stood up together, dusted themselves off, and walked into the construction site that was roaring with dust.
The blond girl, who also wore a helmet, stood in the distance and watched them go away quietly.
Then she turned around and walked along the alley into the depths of the city.
She didn't know how long it took before a quiet street appeared in her field of vision.
She raised her steps and entered the street.
Immediately afterwards, it seemed that something that had been covered up was revealed.
Groups of huge, towering buildings with squirming flesh appeared in her field of vision.
And as she arrived, a bloody butterfly landed in front of her.
Then the butterfly's wings flew and turned into a little girl in a red dress.
Immediately afterwards, the surrounding flesh and blood slowly squirmed out, turning into a vague flesh and blood figure.
"Uncle Neeson, are you in stable condition?"
The blond girl raised her head and looked at the flesh and blood figure in front of her.
"It should be stable,"
Nissen nodded slightly, "We don't know what the situation is, but the people in the Kingdom of God seem to be 'surviving' together with the remaining 'flesh and blood' of the eternal Kingdom of God."
"Is the Eternal Kingdom still alive?"
Willy blinked.
"The Eternal Kingdom of God should be dead,"
Nissen shook his head, "But our situation is a bit special,"
He turned to look at the little girl in red dress beside him, "The current situation seems to be that Alice has 'replaced' the position of the Eternal Divine Kingdom. Perhaps this is also one of Iroh's remaining 'arrangements', and the Sea of Storms seems to be because of the Eternal Divine Kingdom."
The battle in China has fallen into a brief lull, maybe you can try to conduct 'mining' offshore."
"I see,"
Willie nodded and looked at Nissen, "Is there anything I can do?"
"We need food,"
Nissen paused, "And the machine."
"Food, and...machines?"
Willy looked at Neeson doubtfully.
"Alice needs food to sustain herself, and then sustain us,"
Nissen said slowly, "And we need machines to create value in exchange for food,"
He looked at Willy with a smile, "Some of our souls who want to die have dissipated with the help of Alice. For the rest, we have also unified our opinions. We can't eat for free, and we can also create value.
.”
One after another, flesh-and-blood figures emerged from behind Nissen, staring at the blond girl.
"I see,"
Willie nodded slightly, "You are still the 'citizens' of Winter City, and you will have a share in all the welfare policies of Winter City."
"good!"
Nissen nodded and showed a slightly 'scary' smile.
But his smile is so contagious that people can feel his joy.
The flesh-and-blood figures standing behind him also showed smiles.
"You are a good mayor."
Nissen gave a thumbs-up gesture to the girl who had always been calm and composed, and then his figure slowly disappeared.
And the figures behind him also disappeared one by one.
Willie watched these figures until they completely disappeared, then nodded to Alice beside her.
The girl in the red dress turned into a butterfly again and disappeared in the bright light.
——
Top floor of Vitland First Energy Group Building
The twilight light shone in the empty board meeting room, shining on the cheeks of the gray-haired old man sitting at the head of the chair.
Dong Dong... Dong...
A crisp knock on the door sounded slowly.
Immediately afterwards, the door of the conference room was slowly pushed open.
"Hello,"
A young man wearing a top hat swayed in. His body was light, as if he were a paper man swaying in the wind. He looked at the old man, slowly took off his top hat, and bowed slightly.
"Mr. Delin, Mr. Pierpont asked me to ask you, have you considered it?"
"Didn't you say that we have to wait for a transfer?"
The old man lowered his head and asked hoarsely.
"The turning point has not occurred, normal means have failed,"
The young man had a stiff smile on his face, as if it were painted on his face.
"What happened to Rockwell Energy Group is enough to make us vigilant, and the changes in Winter City do make us panic, but the real enemy is not in the west, but in the east, in that palace full of glory, our enemy is
Keep winning.”
——
The fire burning in the fireplace illuminated the calm face of the red-haired woman.
She lowered her head and stared at the acrylic box in her hand. On the back of the acrylic box, there was a simple "children's drawing".
In the painting, there is a little man covered in pitch black squatting in the corner of the street. The sky is filled with gray-black clouds and there are dark raindrops falling all around.
She has forgotten when this painting was painted. She only remembers that she was very young at that time, had just lost her parents, and was wandering on the streets alone.
This is her world, dark, turbid, and cold.
The appearance of that young man seemed to have changed something, but it seemed that nothing had changed.
She picked up the acrylic painting and slowly put it into the flames.
But the world seems to be not so bleak after all.
The dancing firelight illuminated the woman's crystal-covered cheeks,
"Brat."
——
The bright moonlight shines in the quiet park.
[You receive a video message]
Willie reached out and clicked on the video.
In the video, there is a cute little girl standing in a clean martial arts training ground, slowly practicing one move after another. It seems that she is afraid that the person who is following her will not understand. The little girl breaks down each move very carefully.
of teaching.
Willy subconsciously raised her hand and practiced a few moves.
While she was watching the video, a new message came over,
[You may have to practice by yourself today.]
[I have too much homework today. If I can’t finish it, Aini will not allow me to eat ice cream.]
[scratches head]
Willie raised her head and glanced at the character notes, [Jia Qian].
This was the 'martial arts teacher' introduced to her by the Nolanka Group after learning that she had learned self-defense skills. Although this young teacher was young, he was indeed the person with the highest martial arts attainments in the entire federation.
[good]
A smile appeared on the girl's face and she typed a reply.
At this time, pedestrians began to appear on the park's trails, and they also saw Willy.
"Miss Willie, good evening."
"Good evening."
"Miss Willie, can we take a photo together?"
"OK."
With a gentle greeting, Willy separated from the crowd.
"Miss Weili is so gentle. It would be great if I could become like her in the future."
In the night behind him, there seemed to be whispers gradually dissipating.
The blond girl looked up at the stars in the sky and continued walking along the trail.
After passing through several forks, she arrived at a silent tombstone.
This tombstone is an upright bust. The thin boy on the statue is wrapped in a scarf and looking calmly ahead. His eyes are as deep as an abyss and as hot as fire.
There are a few lines of small words engraved under the tombstone,
[His body is weak and small, but his soul is tall and magnificent. He does not need to wait for the morning light, he is the morning light.]
[Ilod Locke]
[747-759]
The girl slowly took out the bouquet from her chest and placed it in front of the silent statue filled with flowers.
Cold raindrops fell on the back of the girl's white hands.
She raised her head and stared at the face of the young man in front of her. Finally, she slowly reached out her hand and hugged the cold statue.
"A person's journey is really long."
Afternoon (confirmed)
I wrote too much, so in order to ensure the completeness of the story, I posted them together.
