Wasteland: My items are infinitely upgraded.

Chapter 278 The Future of Oasis Town: Meeting All Needs

When Lin Feng inadvertently revealed the inside story of how the common people were enslaved, the mother and daughter present were immediately shocked.

Rong Zhiyun, whose life was directly connected to hers, was completely stunned, her face turning deathly pale.

Rong Yan, who was sitting next to Lin Feng and drinking with him, quickly recovered after a brief moment of distraction and couldn't help but ask in return:

"Um... Chief Lin, are you sure this news is true? Is the Oasis Church really planning to do this?!"

Lin Feng didn't mind that the other party was so shocked that they ignored the honorifics in their question, and nodded to continue:

"That's right, that's actually quite easy to understand."

"The Oasis Church, especially the bishop, has been promoting the Upper District system for the past few hundred years. Its true purpose is not as simple as preserving tradition and protecting the interests of the Upper District."

"Even the moonlit ceremony held every Holy Spring Day in the Upper People's District, where centenarians are sacrificed to observe the forbidden zone of the scorching sun behind them, is not the real reason for the existence of the Upper People's District."

"As the canteen manager and one of the beneficiaries of the Upper Citizen system, you should be well aware of how much resources and effort it takes for Oasis Town to maintain such a large group of evolved people who are just a bunch of useless people who do not produce anything and only consume."

"But this heavy burden did not fall on the Oasis Church, but on the villages below the Oasis warship, especially the three major villages led by the Li family."

At this point, without Lin Feng needing to continue, Rong Yan realized the problem.

The disbelief on his face turned into a frown, and he gradually became serious.

Lin Feng smiled, glanced at Rong Zhiyun who was trembling beside him, and calmly revealed the truth:

"The ultimate purpose of continuing the existence of Shangmin District is nothing more than to suppress the local families of the Oasis, namely the three major villages led by the Li family."

"In this way, the church can act as the side of justice, continue to suppress the Li family's expansion and growth, and at the same time establish a huge interest group to maintain the stability of the Oasis."

"But now the Li family has no intention of continuing to play this game. Li Hao stood up, tore off the mask, and overturned the table, intending to take control of the Oasis warship from the church."

"Actually, if you think about it a little more, it will be very clear that once this matter comes to light, there will only be two possible outcomes."

"Either the church succeeds in defeating Li Hao, quelling the rebellion, and consolidating its rule in the Oasis, or Li Hao's uprising to seize power succeeds, making him the new ruler of Oasis Town..."

"Regardless of who the ultimate winner is, do you think the Shangmin District, which was only meant to balance the power of various parties, still has a need to continue to exist?"

"In order to suppress the rebellion, the Oasis Church has sought help from the Holy City Diocese. The price for this help is to take back the Oasis's autonomy and put it under the direct control of the Holy City, turning it into a centralized theocracy rather than a parliamentary system."

"The residents of the Upper District will also be reduced to evolutionary slaves, sold to the slave market in exchange for oasis development funds."

"Even if Li Hao wins and the Li family becomes the rulers of the Oasis, there is absolutely no way they can continue to maintain such a group of useless people who only know how to consume resources."

"He will face many problems, the first being how to pilot the Oasis warship and lead Oasis Town to escape from the Holy Spring Cult's encirclement and suppression."

"The Li family alone certainly cannot accomplish this. Li Hao will inevitably seek external assistance, and he will absolutely not abandon the Oasis warship that he worked so hard to acquire. Therefore, the only ones who can sway other forces or high-level evolved beings are the residents of the Upper Citizen District."

"In short, although the more than two thousand upper-class citizens are pampered and possess great evolutionary strength, they have grown up in the upper-class district from childhood, isolated from the harsh environment of the wasteland, and can be said to be very clean."

"Whether it's some high-ranking individuals with special hobbies, or organizations conducting related research, such as the Holy City's Life Farm, they are probably very interested in the fair-skinned, clean-looking civilians in the Oasis Warship's civilian district."

"However, in my opinion, neither becoming a sought-after evolutionary slave nor a pitiful experimental subject is a good outcome."

"Furthermore, for the vast majority of the people, their fate is already written from birth, so it is not their fault."

"Originally destined to be sacrificed a hundred years later, now they've inexplicably fallen to this state. It can only be said that in this wasteland world, only the absolute strongest can control their own destiny."

"Those who live by relying on rules and the charity of others, even if they can enjoy themselves for now, will not be happy for long."

With these thoughts in mind, Lin Feng picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp. Then he sighed deeply, shook his head with a touch of regret, and felt a pang of sorrow for the difficult fate of these two thousand-plus people.

After Lin Feng cruelly revealed this harsh reality, the two women beside him finally came to terms with it. Rong Yan, who was in charge of the Oasis Warship's management, was alright, since she had been out of the upper class for many years.

With their son now rescued, only their eldest daughter needs to make another effort.

However, the experienced Rong Yan, while refilling Lin Feng's glass, cautiously said:

"If the Upper District is gone, will there be other arrangements for us late-stage Tier 1 administrators?"

Lin Feng nodded and comforted him:
"Please rest assured about that. Even in the Holy City, a late-stage Tier 1 Evolver is considered to be in the upper-middle class. They won't easily become slaves. Moreover, even if the Holy City Bishopric takes over Oasis Town, it will still need to recruit manpower to manage tens of thousands of low-level slaves."

“Some dirty and strenuous work, especially when evil people are doing evil deeds, should not be done by the monks of the Church, as this would damage the great image of the Vatican in the hearts of the people.”

"And that is the value of your continued existence: you have the power to suppress the lower classes, you can help the Vatican to squeeze the last bit of value out of the lower classes, and you can also stand up and take the blame at extremely critical moments."

"For example, when public discontent is boiling over, and the lower classes strike and protest, or even attempt to launch riots and resist, your role will be truly demonstrated."

"As villains in the eyes of the common people, the Vatican will step in as the great and righteous savior to judge you, and take out the few among you who have handed over the most resources to be beheaded as a warning to others."

"However, Oasis Town is just starting out, and everything needs to be rebuilt. The resources obtained from selling slaves to the upper class can sustain its rapid development for more than a decade..."

"For at least the next two or three decades, professional managers who act as front men for the Vatican will not face any performance pressure. But it's hard to say what will happen after that."

"But as long as you are determined and use the resources you hand over to demonstrate your value, you can continue to live the good life you have now, and you may even have the opportunity to go further and become a second-order evolver."

"With Madam Rong's level 19 evolution strength, she could easily find a good job even in the Holy City. If she continues to stay in Oasis Town, she will definitely be highly valued by the Holy Spring Sect, and she may even rise to a higher position in the future."

In just a few words, Lin Feng outlined the fate of the late-stage management of the first tier and described a new oasis order where danger and opportunity coexist.

As a level 19 evolved being, Rong Yan was indeed among the top beings in Oasis Town, second only to the second-tier evolved beings. Although the change of dynasties in Oasis Town would affect her, it certainly wouldn't affect her life.

At most, they will no longer enjoy the comfortable life of making money while lying down, and will need to help the church manage the lower-level slaves and extract as many resources as possible.

But in Rong Yan's opinion, this kind of work is more suitable for the evolved beings in the three major villages, or the wild people who have grown up from the bottom. They are more aware of these bottomless methods and have the strength and determination to do them.

As a former member of the upper class, Rong Yan's education and understanding were based on acting in accordance with the rules as much as possible under a stable ruling order.

This is the result of the Oasis Parliament's autonomy, but this mutually balancing order is also quite fragile.

Once the riots are quelled, the oasis will become the private property of another power, and all existing rules and regulations can be changed at any time according to someone's preferences or the needs of the ruling power.

Unable to adapt to this environment, Rong Yan knew very well that her only way out was to go to the Holy City to seek a second chance for development.

Staying will only make you a victim of the fierce struggle.

While her youngest son, Rong Xuan, has managed to escape his status as an upper-class citizen through a series of unexpected events and has been successfully rescued, her eldest daughter, Rong Zhiyun, whom she has been carefully grooming as her heir, is facing the same problem.

Following her planned route, Rong Zhiyun was certain that she could earn the resources needed for the late-stage first-tier evolution agent before she turned one hundred, without having to worry about the sacrifice during the Moonlit Ritual afterward.

However, this timeline will take at least another twenty or thirty years to achieve. Currently, the countdown to the Oasis revolution and the enslavement of all the upper classes has begun…

Even if Rong Zhiyun, who is on record, accepts Rong Yan's help and advances to the late stage of the first rank, the final victor will certainly not let her go.

After all, a mid-stage Tier 1 evolved slave can fetch between 50,000 and 100,000 points, so a late-stage Tier 1 being would be worth at least 100,000 points.

This isn't an evolved being; it's basically a moving treasure chest of gold coins.

After understanding the whole story, Rong Yan, having come to terms with reality, immediately spoke respectfully:

"Governor Lin was able to rescue my poor child from the heavily guarded church prison and help him break free from the shackles of his upper-class status..."

"Surely there is a way to rescue my poor daughter from this fate of slavery as well?"

After saying that, he quickly added:
"Please rest assured, we will not be shortchanged in any way, including bribing officials and other such matters. If Governor Lin has any other needs, my daughter and I will not hesitate in the slightest."

"As long as you're willing to ask."

These are actually Rong Yan's true feelings.

Especially after Li Mingquan's death, Rong Yan felt more and more that the young man who had suddenly risen to prominence was receiving a lot of attention from the Vatican, and that he would definitely have a bright future after the rebellion of the Li family was suppressed.

I heard that he is also a gun-wielding superhuman, and he wields firepower comparable to an artillery company all by himself. The two guns he carries at his waist can even remotely kill several beings of the same level.

In the future, his status and position will be enough to surpass Li Hao, who currently controls half of the power in the Oasis.

Even if he has no interest in her, as long as his daughter gains his favor, she can use this opportunity to achieve success and bring prosperity to her entire family.

Moreover, according to Rong Yan's investigation, Lin Feng, who is not yet thirty years old, has not had any children.

During the evolutionary advancement period, when youth is full of vigor, it is easy to act impulsively and make rash decisions.

As long as Rong Zhiyun can perform well enough to satisfy Lin Feng, rescuing her from her suffering will be as simple as asking a few words.

Furthermore, rather than having her bought by some six- or seven-hundred-year-old second-tier immortals and used as a reproductive machine, it would be better to give her to a valuable young man.

At least in Lin Feng, there is still hope.

Once he reaches his limit, he will definitely need to consider building his own power base and raising his descendants.

As long as Rong Zhiyun stays by Lin Feng's side during this period, even if she is slightly weaker, she will still have an advantage over other women and be favored by Lin Feng.

Thinking of this, Rong Yan subtly nudged her daughter, who was still in shock, behind her with her left elbow.

He gestured for her to step forward and serve Lin Feng wine and food, to make a good impression.

The reminder reminded Rong Zhiyun, who was not as experienced as her mother, did not think that far ahead and thought that she was going to beg Lin Feng to help her.

After all, her fate was now entirely dependent on Lin Feng's attitude.

Even if they went to other second-tier evolvers in the oasis, their words would still have no effect in front of the unyielding Oasis Church.

Only this prominent figure in the church can save me and pull me out of this misery.

Then Rong Zhiyun came to Lin Feng's side, picked up her bowl and chopsticks, and stood down to serve him food and soup.

Having laid the groundwork for so long, Lin Feng, who had finally waited for the other party to speak first, stopped hiding his true purpose and directly revealed it:
"Of course, I did the church such a big favor, restraining Li Hao and his group's actions and preventing them from taking direct action on the warship..."

"It's just a matter of needing a few people; the church will definitely agree immediately."

"But this is, after all, asking someone for a favor, so I can't keep asking repeatedly."

"Besides, rescuing so many people would not benefit me much. In fact, due to personal relationships, I would become more passive in front of the church and would have to agree to some extremely dangerous conditions."

"The fifty portions of high-quality Tier 2 Evolution Meat offered by Madam Rong, along with the sponsorship from the guild and the church, are enough to sustain us through the consumption during this turmoil."

"Looking at the entire wasteland, Evolution Jerky is not a rare commodity. Even if you get a lot, it won't be of much use. Once I lead my caravan to the Holy City, I will have plenty of opportunities to obtain it."

"Why covet more Evolutionary Jerky, and risk your life to agree to more conditions from the church?"

At this point, Lin Feng glanced at the voluptuous woman beside him, a slight, cold smile playing on his lips:

"Don't you think so, Madam Rong?"

Upon hearing Lin Feng's analysis, Rong Yan felt a chill run through her body, as if she had fallen into an ice cave.

The man was right. The added value of the evolved jerky lies in solving the food shortage problem, but once it accumulates to a certain level, its value in buying and selling will only decrease.

Ultimately, the value will only revert to a low price.

The more you accumulate, the less the marginal effect will gradually decrease, and it will be insignificant compared to the risks involved.

Back in the Holy City, second-tier powerhouses like Lin Feng have an easier and safer way to obtain large quantities of second-tier evolved meat...

There's no need to be greedy for momentary pleasure.

This also made Rong Yan realize that the young man in front of her had an extraordinary calmness and agility, and would not let desires sway his brain's decision-making.

To impress him and gain his approval, neither second-tier evolved flesh nor physical beauty will make much difference.

We must find another way to understand his needs.

Thinking of this, Rong Yan suddenly had a flash of inspiration...

The stiff smile that had been frozen on his face slowly returned to normal.

She first used a glance to calm Rong Zhiyun, whose hand was trembling with anxiety as she held her chopsticks, and then replied to Lin Feng:

"From what Chief Lin is saying, have you already decided to move to the Holy City to develop your business after the turmoil in Oasis Town is over?"

"Then the convoy under his command will have to travel thousands of kilometers and go on long journeys. It will definitely need to recruit enough people and expand to a certain size in order to withstand the risks along the way."

"I suppose your team is currently lacking in professional technical personnel?"

"For example, the management and allocation of logistical resources?"

(End of this chapter)