Warhammer: The Time Traveler

Chapter 257 The Meeting of the Three Sages (Nine Updates)

The lights in the conference room seemed to be focused on Chen Yu, who remained silent throughout.

As the last echo of his thoughts dissipated in the air, the holographic projection of Chen Yu, the black-haired youth, slightly raised his head. His calm, unwavering eyes swept over the three of them, and he finally spoke.

His voice remained steady, yet carried an undeniable weight, as if every word had been meticulously calculated and contained the power to determine the fate of the city.

“A constructive discussion.” Chen Yu’s opening remarks were concise and affirmative. “Your views, especially those concerning balance, gradualism, and checks and balances, have provided me with valuable, multi-dimensional observational data.”

He paused briefly, as if retrieving and analyzing the massive amount of information he had just recorded.

"Johnny Silverhand, your yearning for individual freedom and dignity, and your idea of ​​awakening the public's sense of autonomy through practice, reveal the potential flaws in the existing management system in stimulating individual initiative. Your very existence is a necessary reminder of the rigid order."

His gaze shifted to Arasaka Kei.

"Takashi Arasaka, your insistence on macro-order, social stability, and efficient operation is the cornerstone for maintaining the basic survival of Night City and gradually restoring its functions. Your logic and experience ensure that the system does not become unstable and collapse during the process of change."

Finally, he looked at Arasaka Yorinobu.

"And you, Arasaka Yorinobu, your brief experience at the grassroots level, and the thinking you demonstrated in this discussion, which attempts to integrate two extreme paths, provide the most practical transitional ideas."

You recognized the complexity of the problem and began trying to find systemic solutions, rather than simple binary oppositions.

"Based on the above analysis and the experimental data I have obtained," Chen Yu's voice carried an almost absolute rationality, yet it was not without warmth, "I will optimize and adjust the management model of Night City."

The core principles remain unchanged: order and efficiency remain the primary prerequisites for ensuring the survival and development of the community. Any changes must not come at the expense of basic survival guarantees and the overall stability of the city.

He then changed the subject and introduced a new variable.

"However, I acknowledge the necessity of gradually increasing the public's voice and autonomy while ensuring this core premise. This is not a compromise with chaos, but rather a means to build a more resilient social structure that is better suited to long-term development."

“The specific implementation plan is as follows,” Chen Yu began to explain his decision, clearly and logically, as if he were deploying a precise scientific experiment. “We will adopt the ‘gradual pilot’ plan proposed by Lai Xuan.”

First, in non-core functional areas, such as certain communities in the Watson District, a 'community self-governance pilot' will be launched.

He looked at Johnny.

“Johnny Silverhand, don’t you long to see the underprivileged speak out? Pilot communities will establish ‘community councils’ whose members will be elected or drawn by the community’s residents.”

The council will be empowered to manage the use of public spaces in the community, organize community cultural activities, and propose improvements to small public facilities.

Initially, decision-making power is limited, primarily focusing on advice, oversight, and implementation. All decision-making and implementation processes must be open, transparent, and subject to compliance review by the 'management' system.

Johnny crossed his arms, his eyes sharp behind his sunglasses, but he didn't immediately refute, seemingly weighing the value of this limited concession.

Chen Yu's gaze turned to Arasaka Kei.

"Takashi Arasaka, to ensure the pilot program stays on track and accumulates effective data, you need to design a standardized operational monitoring and performance evaluation system for these pilot communities."

Record key indicators such as decision-making efficiency, conflict resolution capabilities, changes in resident satisfaction, and resource utilization efficiency.

"Any action that exceeds your authority or may cause systemic risks, you have the right to intervene or even suspend the pilot program according to the rules." Arasaka Kei bowed slightly: "Understood, Sage. I will establish a comprehensive monitoring and feedback mechanism to ensure the accuracy and reliability of experimental data and the controllability of the process."

“As for you, Lai Xuan,” Chen Yu said, looking at him last, “you will continue to go deep into the grassroots, but your role will change. You will become the coordinator and observer of these pilot projects, responsible for explaining policies, collecting feedback from the public, helping to resolve any confusion that may arise in the early stages of the pilot projects, and reporting your observations and analyses directly to the ‘managers’.”

Your practical experience is an important reference for calibration policies.

Lai Xuan took a deep breath, feeling the heavy responsibility on his shoulders, but a flame of recognition also ignited in his eyes: "I will do my best."

"This is just the first step," Chen Yu emphasized, her tone leaving no room for doubt. "The promotion, deepening, and even the decentralization of greater autonomy for the pilot projects will depend entirely on the data."

If the pilot program shows that these communities can effectively improve resident satisfaction, promote community vitality, and reduce management costs while maintaining basic order, then we will gradually expand the scope and authority of the pilot program.

Conversely, if the data proves that it leads to inefficiency, increased conflict, or wasted resources, the plan will be reassessed or even terminated. I believe in letting the data speak for itself, rather than vague ideals or rigid dogmas.

After announcing the adjustments to the management model of Night City, Chen Yu made another, even more crucial decision.

“Given the unique value demonstrated by this tripartite discussion,” Chen Yu said, glancing at the three of them before making a decision, “I will establish a new management body—the ‘Three Sages Council,’ composed of the three of you, to be responsible for the daily governance of Night City.”

The meeting room fell silent, and Johnny also dropped his nonchalant expression.

Chen Yu clearly defined the powers and responsibilities: "Takashi Arasaka is responsible for maintaining the stability of the city's basic systems and ensuring order and efficiency; Johnny Silverhand is responsible for listening to the voices of the grassroots and promoting community self-governance pilot projects; Yoriyuki Arasaka is responsible for coordinating all parties and ensuring the implementation of policies."

He looked at Johnny: "This is a platform to transform your ideas into constructive solutions, and to legitimately fight for the rights of the underprivileged. Of course, you retain the right to speak out."

Johnny snorted, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Sounds... not too bad."

Chen Yu then looked at Arasaka Kei: "Ensure that the meeting operates in accordance with rules and efficiency, and turn feasible suggestions into plans."

"Yes, Your Excellency." Arasaka Kei accepted the order.

Finally, he looked at Lai Hsuan: "Your role is that of a bridge and mediator, promoting understanding and finding consensus."

Lai Xuan nodded solemnly, fully aware of the weight of this responsibility.

"The specific operating rules of the meeting will be drafted by Arasaka Kei," Chen Yu concluded. "I hope to see a debate based on facts and logic."

As he finished speaking, a new governance model was officially established in Night City.

For Chen Yu, this is another key experimental adjustment in his research on social operation models.

The "Three Wise Men Conference" itself was a valuable experimental field for observing how three completely different ideas collided and merged in practice, thus accumulating data for his sociological research.

Chen Yu's projection dissipated, leaving the three of them to digest this new responsibility.

Outside the conference room, the city continues to operate on its established track, while a new management structure has begun to take shape.

The observation system left behind by Chen Yu continues to record all these changes.

(End of this chapter)