Armor-piercing bullets don't believe in carbon-based monsters

Chapter 220 Economic Issues
"The quantum computer was taken away before the fortifications were opened."

Chen Jian carefully examined the traces in the sealed machine room and continued:
"It shouldn't be said that they were taken away before the computer was opened. It should be said that someone took away the computers and then sealed the computer room again."

"This incident must have happened after the catastrophe, because according to Fuxi, the time when Fortification 008 lost contact was 152 years ago."

"152 years. Another 150 years."

“It seems like a lot of things happened during this period.”

"Where on earth were these quantum computers shipped to? What use did the people who shipped them have for them?"

"They obviously understand how quantum computers work, which means they are likely to be able to use them."

"Could it be the Circle Chamber of Commerce?"

Lei Jie suddenly spoke, and Chen Jian frowned and said:

"Not too possible."

"If it was the Ring Chamber of Commerce, they couldn't just take the quantum computer away."

“They are businessmen.”

"But anyway, we can ask them."

"Also. Fuxi!"

"I'm here."

Fuxi's voice sounded in his ears. Chen Jian thought for a moment and then asked:
"Can you find the maintenance records of Fort 008? If the disaster recovery system can maintain operation, then in theory, in addition to the quantum computer, there should be a second intelligent system as a backup, right?"

"Yes, but the computing power of the backup system is not enough to keep the entire fortification running, and it was obviously damaged after the fortification was opened."

"It is impossible to read the data when the fortification was opened. Sorry, Commander, I can't do anything about it."

"clear."

Chen Jian sighed, with a hint of regret in his eyes.

"So far, all the clues we have have been lost."

Lei Jie said with a frown.

Chen Jian shook his head and corrected:
"It's not that everything is broken, but all the clues point to the imperial capital."

"Mimetic heretics, horror demons, holy blood, records of the catastrophe, and the disappearance of quantum computers."

"The Allspark Project, the Artificial Humans, and the so-called 'Decay of the Creator'."

"I have a feeling that this Spark Project may be a project as large as Fuxi's."

"But logically speaking, it is unlikely that this plan was implemented before the catastrophe."

"Combined with the clues we found in 7025, the north was relatively less affected during the catastrophe, and the time from the catastrophe to death was longer."

"Then can I assume that the North has a stronger accumulation of technology, so that it has developed a complete 'salvation plan'?"

"At least judging from the name 'Fire', it does continue the style we are familiar with."

"No matter what, we will have to wait until we get to the imperial capital to get an answer to these questions."

As he spoke, Chen Jian stood up.

Then he said:

"Let's go and check out the reception situation in Huadu."

"After we finish dealing with things here, we can continue our journey to the imperial capital."

"clear."

Everyone stood up immediately following Chen Jian, and when they returned from the huge 008 fortification, the Mechanicus bishop in charge of receiving them was already standing outside the main passage waiting.

"My Lord, everything has been taken care of."

The bishop saluted respectfully to Chen Jian, who nodded slightly and asked:
"How do you plan to resettle the residents here?"

"We will send a group of crusader troops to manage them. Similarly, the Holy Blood Basilica will also send appropriate manpower to assist us."

"Just like the towns we once managed, the light of the Holy Trinity will convert sinners and guide them on the path of atonement."

"In addition, there are a large number of steel resources left over from before the catastrophe around Quancheng. We plan to build a steelmaking workshop here."

"However, it is mainly to consume the manpower here."

"Afterwards, the finished steel here will be transported southward to various towns. Of course, if the Chinese Army needs it, we will also give priority to supplying it."

"That's nice."

Chen Jian nodded thoughtfully, and then said:
“We can build broader collaboration.”

"You need weapons, and we need raw materials."

"Just give us the raw materials and we'll exchange them for weapons, how about that?"

"what?"

The bishop was stunned.

He didn't seem to expect Chen Jian to make such a suggestion.

In his opinion, isn’t the strength of the Chinese army due to their weapons?

And now, the leader of the Huaxia Army actually said that he wanted to exchange weapons for raw materials.
Isn't this destroying the walls?

Or has this leader become so short-sighted and arrogant that he completely ignores the risks?

He looked at Chen Jian suspiciously, and Chen Jian continued:
"I made myself very clear."

"You need weapons, we can give you weapons."

"Stop using those ridiculous smoothbore cannons and single-shot rifles to fight monsters."

"We can use some of the artillery we found here to exchange for the equity of the steelmaking workshop you are going to build."

“Do you know what equity means?”

"Of course, sir, I do."

The bishop nodded quickly, and then asked in a tone of disbelief:
"Are you saying that you intend to exchange those exquisite weapons for these crude raw materials?"

"I mean, maybe this isn't such a good deal for you."

"You are quite honest."

Chen Jian smiled and said:

"I will certainly make the deal more reasonable. We need to have a detailed discussion on the price of the deal."

"However, in this regard, the Ring Chamber of Commerce will communicate with you."

"You just need to take the message back to your saint, that's all."

"understand."

The bishop was very excited and confirmed again:
"In other words, we can trade directly from you and get the same weapons as your team?"

"No."

Chen Jian shook his head decisively.

“Not exactly the same.”

"But I will provide you with 'proper' weapons."

"Of course, of course!"

The bishop smiled.

"Everyone knows your kindness. I believe this will be a deal that satisfies both parties!"

"Then I will report to the Saint as you requested."

"I will take care of everything here, and I will send the seized materials to the Jinling Ruins as soon as possible, waiting for you to receive them."

"Very good. Don't try to trick us."

Chen Jian said solemnly:
"Whether in Jinling or Huadu, I think you have already witnessed our strength."

"What I want to tell you is that the people of Huadu couldn't defeat us with these weapons, and you certainly can't either."

The bishop's expression was stern, and he answered loudly:

"I absolutely understand!"

The acceptance work in Quancheng is still in progress, but Chen Jian and his colleagues no longer need to keep an eye on it all the time.

This battle shattered not only the city of Flower City, but also the morale of the Mechanicus's crusaders stationed in "remote areas".

In less than 5 hours in one morning, most of Huadu City had been destroyed. When the sun rose, the city had changed its flag.

What kind of terrifying strength is this? At least for the bishop in charge of receiving the work, after seeing it with his own eyes, he already understood one thing in his heart:
No one can compete with this Chinese army. Even though they only have a dozen people, they are an almost invincible team.

Not to mention fighting them, in fact most of the time, you won't even see them on the battlefield.

By the time they appear in front of you, the battle is most likely over.

Therefore, the bishop had no intention of "disobeying" the Chinese army at all.

After all, even the saint has compromised, so why should I show my ridiculous "loyalty"?

We are all working for the Most Holy Trinity, so isn't it the same wherever I work?

Besides, there was an unexpected surprise on this mission.

I even facilitated a deal with the Chinese Army. No matter from which angle you look at it, this is a great achievement.
Therefore, when Chen Jian's convoy left Huadu and continued to move north, his attitude of farewell was extremely sincere.

He even took out precious supplies from his team and gave them to Chen Jian for use.

The Chinese soldiers who originally came from Yellowstone City were very confused about this, but others did not care.

".So, Captain, what you really intend to do is not just trade, but more of a division?"

In the warrior car, Ji Xing asked curiously.

"of course."

"If it was just a deal, there would be no need for me to offer them such lenient conditions."

"The core of this deal is to divide the centralized system of the Mechanicus."

"--Although their centralization is not that strong to begin with."

"But think about it, who are we trading with? Is it the Mechanicus?"

".No, it's the Guardians of Huadu City."

Ji Xing replied thoughtfully:
"Or to be more precise, it's this steel plant in Huadu City."

“Yes, it is this steel plant.”

Chen Jian nodded with satisfaction. Ji Xing's intelligence had surprised him several times.

Perhaps, if she wasn't a Holy Blood, she would be born to be a business person.

After a brief pause, Chen Jian continued:
"According to what we have seen in Tongling and Anqing, the management of these steel mills and industrial workshops is actually somewhat disconnected from the theocratic system of the Mechanicus."

"The person who is directly responsible for managing the workshop is not the bishop, but a lower-level priest."

"They are not part of the Mechanicus' core of power, and it is precisely people like these who are easier to transform with benefits."

"When these people find out one day that they have the bargaining chips to negotiate with the Holy Temple, guess what will happen?"

"They will build new temples?"

Ji Xing answered subconsciously, but then shook his head and said:
"They won't necessarily build new churches, they will probably seek theological legitimacy."

"They should reinterpret the doctrine."

"More likely, they will just start a new religion!"

"Yes, that's what we want."

Chen Jian let out a long sigh and explained:

"The vast majority of the population on this wasteland world has been completely controlled by religious ideas."

"They don't have the ability to accept another system, and it's difficult to use 'covering' education to erase the inherent cognition in their minds."

"So you see, this is why there are Yellowstone people and Holy Blood people in our team, but until now, there has not been a single Mechanicus follower."

"The reason is simple. It is too difficult to reform them."

"We have to find another approach. Any idea what it is?"

".Let change happen from within."

Xie Liu in the back seat interrupted and answered.

"Exactly right."

Chen Jian nodded again and explained:

“And for change to happen, we have to create the soil for them to change.”

"Originally I was still thinking about how to create this kind of soil, but now this 'steel workshop' has provided us with inspiration."

"The only problem is that for a long time, most of the workers in the steelmaking workshops were from Huadu."

"them."

"Will not."

Ji Xing suddenly interrupted Chen Jian and said:

"Those people from Huadu won't live long."

"Their bodies are completely broken down. In a few months, they will be replaced by newcomers."

After the words were spoken, everyone in the carriage fell silent.

In fact, Chen Jian had already guessed this ending.

The mistake of one person will inevitably be borne by hundreds or thousands of people.

Of course he wanted to change all this, but with the current capabilities of the Chinese Army, it was completely insufficient to change it.

Ideals always shine in places that are out of reach. They can illuminate the road, but they cannot smooth out the bumps on the road.

Thinking of this, Chen Jian breathed a sigh of relief.

After thinking for a moment, he said:
"Then allocate a little more resources."

"Most of the people here shouldn't have died so meaninglessly. We can give them a chance."

"How to give?"

Reggie's voice came over the radio.

"Unless you manage this city yourself, it is impossible to change the established rules."

"That's not that difficult."

Chen Jian smiled and replied:
“Rules are meant to serve interests. If you slightly change the way interests are distributed, you can get different rules.”

“That could be part of the plan.”

"What we have to do is simple. If we want to keep these people alive, we need to make the Mechanicus understand that they are more valuable than if they were dead."

"How to do that?"

Reggie demanded.

"Isn't that simple?"

“Expand demand.”

"Understood"

Ji Xing reacted earlier than Lei Jie.

"Perhaps we only need 10 tons of steel, then the Mechanicus will desperately squeeze the existing labor force to produce 10 tons of steel and create greater value."

"But if we need 100 tons of steel, they will find that they don't have enough manpower."

"When there are not enough people, we cannot afford to let people die."

"Yes."

Chen Jian twisted his neck and continued:

"Our demand for steel will continue to expand anyway, so there is no harm in stockpiling in advance."

"But we have to think carefully about what to exchange with them."

"011's arsenal still needs to be built as soon as possible."

"After all, in this era, weapons are equivalent to currency."

"I rely on."

Lei Jie finally reacted.

He said in surprise:

"So you're planning to do a big money release?!"

(End of this chapter)