2077: V really knows how awesome he is

Vera scratched her head: "I think that's fine too."

Selene raised an eyebrow: "Not good at all. If people don't really wake up, they will repeat the same mistakes one day."

If they repeat the same mistake, just send another large army to crush them again.

Vera had intended to say that, but seeing Selene's determined gaze, she could only swallow her words back.

"Fine, you're the captain and I'm just a nobody. Whatever you say goes. Anyway, I'm having a lot of fun." Vera shrugged indifferently. "So you're going back to fool your dad?"

“That’s right, I need to buy us more time,” Selene said earnestly.

What are you planning to do?

Do you remember my dad's name?

“David Martinez.” Vera thought for a moment. “I feel like I’ve seen his wine in a past life, which means that in this world, he is already…”

"That's right, David Martinez in this world died in 2076, which is why Chairman V appointed him as the commander-in-chief of the expeditionary force."

Vera asked curiously, "Because it's awkward for two identical people to meet?"

“There are more scientific and mystical considerations involved, but you can interpret it that way if you want,” Selene continued. “David Martinez in this world is dead, and I will not be born, but there is someone closely related to David Martinez who is still alive. Do you know who it is?”

"Who?"

“My mother, Luxina Kushinada.”

Vera was taken aback: "You wouldn't be going to..."

“That’s right.” Selene’s eyes flashed with excitement: “I will create a coincidence so that my current mother and future father can meet. My father is a typical henpecked husband, so he will definitely be thrown into a frenzy and will no longer care about my little schemes on Earth!”

Vera's face was full of unspeakable emotions: "You are so filial. But aren't you afraid that your future father might accidentally sleep with your current mother? After all, she is 80 years younger than you."

"What do you mean?" Selene, who only used virtual signals in the nanonetwork to meet her physiological needs, didn't understand at all.

Vera had no choice but to speak her mind: "What I mean is, aren't you afraid that your current mother will cheat on your future mother?"

Selene asked, puzzled, "We're all the same person, with the same DNA, does that count as being cuckolded?"

Vera was speechless: "The DNA is the same, but the thoughts and experiences are different. The preferred positions and sensitive spots may also be different. Doesn't that count as being cuckolded?"

Does it count? Or doesn't it?

Seeing that Selene's brain chip was about to burn out, Vera quickly called for a halt.

"Stop thinking about it. Just do whatever you want. Anyway, you're going to either mess with your dad or your mom."

Selene glared at Vera and pulled a bunch of machines out of his pocket.

"what is this?"

"The camping and wilderness survival supplies from 2157 should be enough for you to live on for a long time."

How do I use it?

"Read the instruction manual yourself."

"I don't understand it either."

"This wasn't meant for you to see. It's for Xiaochao. The AI ​​will tell you what to do!"

Selene left after uttering those words.

Vera scratched her head and handed the instruction manual to Clown.

Claptrap understood immediately and asked, "Has Captain Selene set an expansion limit?"

"Expansion cap?" Vera's eyes were clear. "What's that? Can you eat it?"

"Okay, I know the answer."

From that day on, Little Clown took over the development of the "Reckless Alliance," from optimizing production lines to designing products, from confirming the distribution system to drafting labor contracts—everything was done according to the company's regulations.

Of course, these are real regulations, not just empty words. If it's said that a 12-hour workday means 12 hours, not a second more; if it's said that there are 4 days off per month, then there must be 4 days off, not a day less. If it's said that the monthly salary is 600 yuan, then not a penny less; if it's said that there are perfect attendance bonuses and year-end bonuses, then those must be fulfilled.

AI is just like that, it's programmed this way, so it will definitely execute in that way.

Of course, some people say that AI is impersonal, for example, being even a second late for work will be counted as being late. But people criticized it harshly at the time, but still went to work as usual the next day, and quitting was absolutely out of the question.

If you ask why, it's because even working one second overtime counts as overtime.

The workers are not afraid of hard work; they are only afraid of not getting a reward for their hard work. The employees are not afraid of strict rules; they are only afraid of strict rules when deducting money and lax rules when awarding money.

As AI unleashed its cold, impersonal rule, the "retreat alliance" suddenly erupted with unparalleled enthusiasm. Men, women, young and old alike were working with boundless passion, wishing they could work overtime every day. However, the current technological power meant their productivity far exceeded their needs, so they couldn't even complete a full 12-hour workday, let alone work overtime. Every day consisted of 8 hours of work, 8 hours of rest, and 8 hours for themselves, leaving the people with a bittersweet experience.

The pain is not being able to earn more money, but the happiness is genuine.

However, they soon discovered that they didn't need to make that much money at all.

First, various financial activities are explicitly prohibited by AI, and hype and various consumer-inducing commercial practices have basically disappeared. With no one selling anxiety, people are no longer suffocated by various "pursuits," and every penny they earn is used for the essentials of survival, focusing on real needs rather than following trends or engaging in mutual comparison.

Secondly, education, healthcare, and housing are all free, or rather, their daily work is to produce goods to meet these needs.

They produce the bricks and cement, the educational chips and various medicines. Since these are products that people produce themselves, it is reasonable for people to use them for free.

Human rulers need luxury cars, beautiful women, mansions, and gardens. Inhuman AI rulers don't need these things, so of course they wouldn't do something as absurd as "making workers build houses and then selling them back to the workers at a high price."

For AI, monopolizing resources is meaningless. What matters is how to distribute resources fairly and reasonably to every human being, ensuring that humans are healthy and happy enough to reproduce more and acquire more brains and computing power.

In just one month, the "Resignation Alliance" developed rapidly, attracting people with its more advanced social system, who joined one after another. Even some company employees and lower-level managers abandoned their former allegiance and joined, many of them bringing their own projects and businesses, thus filling many gaps in the "Resignation Alliance" and enriching people's material lives.

Claptrap welcomes all comers; the more people there are, the more factories it opens to expand its territory; the more factories there are, the more citizens it recruits to join in production, its main strategy being to add more water to the noodles, and more noodles to the water. In 2077, without the nanonet "monitoring" everyone, Vera and her gang become the main force in maintaining order and ensuring security. A ruling structure completely different from traditional government is established; there isn't even a government at all. People simply do their jobs: those who need to tighten screws do so, those who need to sweep the streets sweep the streets, and gang members patrol and stand guard as needed. They don't need to worry about the future or development, because all decisions have been handed over to AI.

Such a society may be somewhat lifeless, but AI has no selfish motives, nor will it bend the law for personal gain, engage in corruption or bribery, and thus brings true absolute justice to humanity.

Do we want freedom or justice?

The ever-growing tanking alliance says it all.

“Be careful, Vera. The company won’t let us develop like this. They’ll probably make their move soon,” Maiko Maeda warned.

"Don't worry," Vera said confidently, "We're just waiting for them to come!"

The company didn't show up.

Why didn't you come?

Because they dare not.

Although Jiang Ping, that blockhead, did intend to mobilize the company's resources to wipe out the "slacker alliance," her report as acting president had barely been submitted when the government issued thirty-three orders to halt the operation.

The "tanking alliance" is backed by people from the future. You're attacking the forces they support. You think you're so smart, and all the other companies are idiots?

Jiang Ping is simply talking nonsense. Young comrades are indeed unreliable. Look at the state of public opinion she has created. The whole world knows she is lying, but she herself believes it!

Jiang Ping was severely reprimanded by her superiors, who even considered removing her and replacing her with Xu Shiming.

Upon hearing the news, Jiang Ping panicked. She was trying to remove the word "acting" from her job, but being dismissed meant she was doomed.

So she hurriedly sought help from her parents in the central government, but the matter was too big for them to handle. Seeing that the dismissal order was about to be issued, Jiang Ping angrily cursed her parents as two useless people and rushed to curry favor with Arasaka Yorinobu, seeking international support.

Arasaka Yoriyuki was indeed loyal; he immediately called various companies and ceded many of Arasaka's interests, finally gaining international support for Jiang Ping.

Jiang Ping was deeply moved. Being a grateful person, she immediately betrayed many Kangtao and state secrets to Arasaka Yoriyuki, returning the favor in kind.

Arasaka Yoriyuki felt contempt in his heart, but on the surface he was full of gratitude: "Ei-san, you are so outstanding, how could Kang Tao not value you in the past? Xu Shiming must have been blind!"

“Who says otherwise?” Jiang Ping looked like she’d been suppressed by her unscrupulous boss, then suddenly had a brilliant idea: “How about I switch jobs to Arasaka? You be the president and I’ll be the vice president. We’ll definitely make Arasaka bigger and stronger and dominate the world!”

Poor Arasaka Yoriyuki wasn't afraid when he strangled his father, Arasaka Saburo, with his own hands, but now he was terrified by Jiang Ping's ordinary words.

He hoped that Arasaka would go out of business, but not so soon. If Jiang Ping joined Arasaka, his family's business would have to close down tomorrow.

“I appreciate Jiang’s kindness.” Arakasaka Yoriyuki said, feigning composure, “Now that the time travelers are eyeing us covetously, the company is united against them. If you join Arakasaka, misunderstandings are inevitable. It’s better to maintain the status quo.”

“Hmm, you’re right.” Jiang Ping lacked her own opinions and acted on impulse. After hearing what Arasaka Yoriyuki said, she abandoned her idea. But then she became troubled: “Although the superiors have withdrawn the order to dismiss me, they have asked me to take immediate action to salvage the situation. However, the ‘playing it off’ alliance has already gained momentum, and I really don’t know how to start. Please teach me, Brother Xuan.”

The word "Xuan-ge" almost made Arasaka Yoriyuki vomit. He forced himself to say, "Professional matters should be left to professionals. Why don't you ask Kangtao's propaganda minister if he has any good ideas?"

Jiang Ping was puzzled: "If I can't do anything, how could he? He's just a minor minister, and his father isn't even as high-ranking as my father."

God's father isn't as high-ranking as your father. These days it's about talent, not who your father is. You work as a hobby, and it doesn't matter if your head is empty. But he works to earn money to support his family, so he must have real skills.

"Give it a try." Arasaka Yorinobu, who was almost driven to despair by stupidity, said with great difficulty, "Consider it an act of respect for the worthy."

Since Brother Xuan had said so, Jiang Ping decided to give it a try. She respected men and always gave them face; that was the kind of good woman she was.

To be honest, Jiang Ping didn't have high hopes, but the pregnant propaganda minister really had a way.

Jiang Ping didn't blame him for the incident. He thought Jiang Ping was magnanimous. In reality, Jiang Ping simply didn't realize that he had been deceiving his superiors and subordinates. She really thought that the "playing dumb" alliance had suddenly made a move and taken over Night City in one fell swoop.

After all, in Jiang Ping's mind, she was the president of Kangtao, and a mere department head wouldn't dare to lie to her even if he had the guts of a bear and the courage of a leopard.

Thus, Jiang Ping's foolishness was mistaken for magnanimity by the propaganda minister. Seeing that this good leader had come to ask him for a solution, the pot-bellied minister named Liu Hu felt that he had finally met a wise leader after a life of wandering. He immediately gave a brilliant plan.

"The 'Relaxation Alliance' is best at winning people's hearts, but in terms of military strength, they have the backing of future people, and in terms of financial resources, they're not even worthy of shining the shoes of the company. Aren't they doing some kind of small favors like free medical care and housing? We can do that too, and we can do it even better than them. In that way, those citizens who are greedy for cheap things will naturally return to our embrace."

Jiang Ping frowned: "What are you babbling about? Get to the point and tell me what to do!"

“We are following ancient methods and implementing a pension system,” Liu Hu quickly said. “Medical care, housing, and education are all immediate concerns. If we want to win people’s hearts, we must grasp everyone’s future. Ordinary people are unsophisticated and only care about their own interests. As long as we shout the slogan ‘The company will help them with their retirement,’ we will definitely be able to turn the situation around!”

"Wouldn't that cost a lot of money?" Jiang Ping started to feel the pinch. Kang Tao's money was all her money. How could she just give it to Kang Tao's employees? Everyone was riding oxen and horses; who would be stupid enough to carry them on their backs?

Liu Hu advised, "A small act of impatience can ruin a great plan, President Jiang. The most urgent task is to regain the advantages we have lost."

Jiang Ping was persuaded and nodded, saying, "Okay, I'll leave this to you. Don't mess it up again."

"Yes!"

Liu Hu immediately got to work. This time, he also wanted to repay the kindness shown to him. He didn't slack off anymore, but did everything himself. He calculated various figures and promoted the system on TV. The pension system he developed was perfect. Finally, he turned the tide and helped the company regain a group of supporters.

Kangtao's publicity director breathed a sigh of relief, finally having lived up to President Jiang's expectations.

He was just imagining how Jiang Ping would reward him when he received a notice that he had been fired, ordered by Jiang Ping herself.

Now that the pension system has succeeded, it's only natural to fire the person who did all the hard work and let the leaders take all the credit.

The seasoned veteran Liu Hu instantly understood this, and roared to the sky, "Jiang Ping, I'll fuck your mother!"

Chapter 156 King of Gangs

Liu Hu deserves credit for the success of the pension system, but to a large extent it is due to meeting people's needs.

Not everyone likes AI or the "tanking alliance" mentality. Some people insist that people need to be managed and that going their own way is just a step backward.

The implementation of the pension system became a powerful boost, serving as an argument for these people to persist in their views: Look, humanity needs a unified management body to concentrate resources on major tasks. We have pensions, do you? Haha, you don't even have a government!

Indeed, people have long been accustomed to being managed by the government, and the government has brought them a great sense of security. Compared to the loose management structure of the "Reckless Alliance," a traditional government is more trustworthy to them—even if this government has cheated them countless times, this time will definitely be different.

Then they were thoroughly humiliated.

Jiang Ping became arrogant after "winning back people's hearts." Feeling that victory was in her grasp, she immediately started causing trouble.

She coveted the money in the pension fund and began to embezzle it under various pretexts. At first, she was quite excited, but when she thought that the money originally belonged to the company, she lost interest.

In her quest to make money, she racked her brains and finally came up with a clever plan: to reduce employee wages, indirectly making employees pay into their own pension funds, and then misappropriating the money.

Jiang Ping praised herself for her quick thinking and immediately ordered the implementation. Such constant changes of orders caused great suffering to the employees, who then followed the example of the "Slack Off Alliance" and started a strike. Jiang Ping was furious and scolded the "Slack Off Alliance" for corrupting social morals and turning the originally honest fools into cunning fools.

She thought to herself that if she couldn't deal with the "slacker alliance," she couldn't deal with her own employees either. Just as she was about to send in the company's security forces to suppress them, she discovered that the company's security forces had also gone on strike.

It was only then that she realized the seriousness of the problem, because her move not only harmed ordinary employees, but also everyone included in the pension system, including the company's middle and senior management.

Jiang Ping was truly anxious when she realized that her ruling position was threatened. She ran around asking for the cooperation of the middle and upper management, but they simply ignored her.

Does your interest count as your interest, but mine doesn't? I can support you, but you have to give me half of the money you've embezzled!

Jiang Ping was reluctant to take the money out of her own pocket, but without the support of the middle and senior management, it wouldn't be easy for her to be the president. After another night of deep thinking, Jiang Ping came up with another brilliant idea: to implement an "equal contribution" policy for the middle and senior management, and promised to give them special treatment, with their pensions being three times that of ordinary employees!

When the middle and senior managers heard that they could enjoy the pension system without paying a single penny, and even receive three times the return, they were overjoyed and expressed their willingness to unite under Jiang Ping's leadership for eternity.

Jiang Ping breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time felt very proud. Using the company's money to win people's hearts, she was really too smart!

Then she received a report that the solar power plant outside the city had been attacked by the Salvage Alliance.

Jiang Ping was taken aback, as was Vera on the other side, because she had not ordered anyone to attack any solar power plant.

"What exactly happened?" Vera asked Nika, who was gathering information.

"It's Kangtao employees who are dissatisfied with Jiang Ping's policies and are causing trouble on their own. They're using our name to intimidate us."

Hearing this result, everyone found it both amusing and gratifying. Some people had come to their senses, realizing that their night school hadn't been a waste of time after all.

Gustavo asked with a smile, "And then, what's the situation now?"

"Jiang Ping dispatched security forces to suppress the disturbance, and the rioting employees were shot dead on the spot, with no survivors."