Chapter 1592
Chapter 1592 - 1588: Mining
1,488 words
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8 min read
"I just wanted to get something done, why is it so troublesome..."
Although a bit annoyed, Lu Ping’an wasn’t rude enough to just bolt away.
Discussing personal matters it is, then, but looking at these faces that are both familiar and alien, Lu Ping’an felt a sense of exclamation.
"He’s still alive? Oh, his body harbors Extraordinary strength... Indeed, that is a terminal illness in the world of technology, but in this world, one only needs to gamble on becoming a professional to be saved."
"Oh, oh, I remember he got divorced, right? Is he bringing his wife along this time?"
"My God, aren’t they a gay couple? How come they each brought a girlfriend this time. Ah, I get it, they haven’t come out of the closet yet...."
Within social and school circles, especially those who haven’t been in touch for a long time, various rumors and gossip are the most widespread.
Lu Ping’an occasionally smiled, appearing friendly, yet no one realized he was already fed up with the gossip.
The reunion ended quickly, as it was just a regular gathering that had been scheduled in advance... Though Lu Ping’an was a newcomer, he quickly blended in, since he truly had been classmates for three years and had many memories.
Everyone was enthusiastic, particularly in their caring inquiries towards Lu Ping’an... In their memory, Lu Ping’an was just a somewhat silent and reserved old classmate who wasn’t very close to the others, but had the misfortune of encountering a terminal illness right before the college entrance examination.
For most ordinary people, the Extraordinary World is too far removed; even if they’ve heard of Vice Admiral Lu Ping’an, it would likely flash past their minds, and then they’d be surprised to think that they seem to have a classmate with a similar name.
Lu Ping’an received several business cards and invitations to get together again, although he knew that without making an effort to keep in touch, these connections would soon fade. Yet, he was still somewhat pleased... After all, in his world line, so-called classmate relationships were already tainted with the stench of money.
Of course, 99% of it was his own doing. As a businessman who chased after profits, when he looked at everyone around him purely in terms of resources, he naturally became just a resource in the eyes of others.
"It’s a pity, I’m just back from a business trip and will have to leave soon..."
Lu Ping’an did not deliberately conceal his identity, and truly left it to fate.
He gave his contact method to the others; it was all about being friends.
As for Liu Yu’s request, however, Lu Ping’an had to take it seriously, as it wasn’t just a personal request but the plea of tens of thousands or even over a hundred thousand laborers...
"If it weren’t for this request, I might have indeed prioritized the visitors from Mercury 42."
Foreign laborers are cheap, loyal, hardworking, willingly overworking without extra pay—what reason would there be not to choose them? And on the other hand, the semi-unemployed workers who are basically over thirty years old, half even over forty, with their knowledge and skills already set, still need to provide for their families.
From a purely cost-performance perspective, the choice that businesses would make is clear.
"...But do I lack that little bit of money?"
For Lu, what he least lacked was probably the Eastern Country’s coins.
This money can’t buy rare Extraordinary resources, cannot open the paths to the next level, nor buy Extraordinary warriors and arms... Yet what the local mortals need most are coins.
At this moment, Lu Ping’an somewhat understood why, despite the immense pressure, the Eastern Country Official forcibly split the Eastern Country’s coin with the "Extraordinary Credit Currency".
If it really allowed Extraordinary beings to plunder and squeeze out massive value from Mortals, heaven knows what would happen.
And now, as long as he earns a bit less Eastern Country’s coin, it seems everything would be acceptable.
He could be manufacturing Extraordinary warships and Extraordinary Items; the profits at that time would surely be in credit-coins, but if he adjusts the product structure to include some lower-end products, the income in Eastern Country’s coin wouldn’t be low either.
At the same time, the warships from the Extraordinary World and Mercury 42 are indeed distinctly different... The technology from this world can be completely utilized, which is humanity’s biggest advantage against Exotic Realm Invaders, the home-field advantage of civilization against barbaric invaders.
Even if I create Extraordinary warships, various equipment and weapons on them can be directly purchased—technological creations, mutant machinery—since they are genuinely cost-effective and easy to mass produce. The production lines for these machines and instruments can provide a great number of job opportunities for the general populace.
Previously, Lu Ping’an planned to buy these directly, but now, perhaps I should consider introducing some production lines... If I ask, the Ministry of National Defense should give face to me. Facilities for military equipment as downstream, affiliate enterprises could also set up in Ancient city.
To put it accurately, Lu Ping’an has set up a production base upstream, then invites military-industrial enterprises here to get a slice of the pie. Theoretically, they should be thankful to us.
"When the time comes, I’ll talk about prioritizing local workers..."
Thinking and acting fast, Lu Ping’an didn’t wait but directly made a phone call to initiate contact.
Assigning relevant matters and expressing his wishes, he had his secretaries delve into details... God knows how many people will be working overtime tonight because of his call.
"If nothing goes wrong, there should be results by tomorrow..."
Lu Ping’an hung up the phone, mulled over for a moment to ensure there were no issues, and then moved on without further concern.
But then, a call came in, from the Saphire people.
"You’re surprisingly well-informed..." After a brief exchange, Lu Ping’an made no promises nor agreed to anything, hanging up directly.
Who knows just how wide a network those Saphire people have managed to build locally—instantly seeking me out just after my meeting with Liu Yu.
Always pursuing fairness, this time Lu Ping’an did not agree to their "equivalent conditions for competition" because truly unrestricted competition would be the gravest unfairness to the weaker.
But to directly exclude all the Saphire people... well, Lu Ping’an didn’t fancy being labeled a racist.
He was somewhat irritated; he merely wanted to use the remaining time wisely to set up some strategies and prepare contingency plans for his hometown folks before the war, yet he hadn’t expected to encounter so many difficulties.
"...The necessary price is actually that all parties have been quite patient with you. Especially the Eastern Country’s officials, their trust in you is maxed out."
𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦
Big Cat seemed to have a different idea.
"What do you mean?"
"You want this place to be a growing area for your Family Clan, meaning you need to turn this region into an Exotic Realm, even cutting off a part of your own Courtyard to integrate with the homeland, right?"
"...Yes, I’ve invested a lot."
"But their sincerity is also substantial. From the perspective of Eastern Country, Ancient city, isn’t this just like ceding land? No matter the economic or material benefits you bring, this area is basically yours. Look at other Proper God Churches, which one isn’t in a corner of the map? But this place is in the City area... it’s as if they’ve entrusted the safety of a million people of this city to you."
Thinking this way, Lu Ping’an had an epiphany.
Perhaps, the trust they’ve given is even greater than that of the Proper Gods.
After all, having a Domain world with its own rules... isn’t that a Deity’s Earthly Divine Kingdom? And the domains of other Divine Kingdoms of Proper Gods are all far away from the cities.
"...It’s like saying to you, even if you Ascend to Godhood using this area, it’s permitted."
Lu Ping’an opened his mouth but said nothing, the weight of this trust perhaps too heavy.
He just wanted to make the most of the last moments before the war to prepare, at least to arrange the "aftermath," but hadn’t expected to receive a gift and trust that far exceeded his expectations.
Some things can’t be said outright; this is also like hinting...
"If the worst case scenario unfolds, we can raise the Divine’s Throne here, transform the Earthly Divine Kingdom into the Divine Boat, and directly lead the people of Ancient city to escape."
— End of Chapter 1592 —