Wasteland Development Diary

The captured prisoner was a very spirited young man. He had short hair and bright eyes. His black jacket and trousers were both cinched with drawstrings. He wore a leather belt around his waist, and thick-soled cloth boots on his feet. His officer's uniform looked more like sportswear.

Zhou Yi said, "Sit."

"Thank you, sir."

The man sat ramrod straight on the chair, his eyes fixed straight ahead.

Zhou Yi crossed his legs and asked, "What unit are you from? What's your name?"

"Mr. Zhou, I am Liu Zhaoshan, a propagandist from the Second Vanguard Team under Lord Extinction."

The young man said frankly, "I was captured after being attacked by local forces while preaching our preferential policies to the residents of Shell City."

From the propaganda department.

Zhou Yi hummed in acknowledgement. "Tell me what you know about the living construct."

"Yes, sir."

Liu Zhaoshan paused briefly, then said, "That alien structure is a bridge, codenamed 'Sea Crossbow.' It was originally a strategic weapon of ours, built on our floating island."

Zhou Yi asked, "You build islands?"

"We do."

The young officer said, "Many places with strong economic power are building islands to varying degrees. Some are expanding existing land, while others are building floating islands on the Dead Sea, each with its own advantages."

Zhou Yi understood immediately: "Floating islands can expand sea power and increase the range of military coverage. It seems that the Shuanghe region is a proactive and enterprising pioneer."

"Yes, Mr. Zhou, the Shuanghe region has been striving for more high-quality land."

Liu Zhaoshan said, "Sea Crossbow was originally an important support point on our Dead Sea. Its greatest function was to launch shells."

"Sea Crossbow can increase the range and speed of reinforced shells, making it easier to bombard enemy territory from a distance."

Zhou Yi was a little puzzled.

He knew about reinforced shells. These were high-energy shells made with light imprints, requiring corresponding launch devices and precision-positioned aiming facilities.

The advantages were great power, long range, and considerable destructive force.

The disadvantages were high cost, with even the cheapest costing hundreds of light seeds to produce. They also required sophisticated equipment and were prone to failure when encountering targeted weapons.

Using a bridge to launch shells... it sounded a bit outrageous.

Zhou Yi expressed reasonable doubt.

Liu Zhaoshan explained, "Previous promotional materials contained a large number of firing records."

"Sea Crossbow is like a giant crossbow fixed on a floating island. It can launch reinforced shells to the outside world, deterring the surroundings, and the launch cost is very low."

"This kind of strategic weapon is publicized to increase our influence. As a propagandist, I am very familiar with this information, but I was not a firsthand witness. That was 40 years ago."

Zhou Yi deeply agreed with the first half of the sentence.

The law of survival in the wasteland era was to never hide anything. If you had enough power, you had to show it, and enjoy it as soon as possible.

Rather than playing a reverse game in adversity, preventing problems before they happen was a better way to reduce losses.

"How did it explode?"

Liu Zhaoshan looked embarrassed at this question. "I'm not very clear about this, because there are no detailed records left. The existing documents describe that Sea Crossbow exploded during the launch of a shell, and the entire floating island sank as a result."

"The Dead Sea alien went out of control, causing this tragedy."

"After the incident, the army salvaged it. Sea Crossbow was severely damaged, and only one section maintained its alien activity. After a period of repair, Sea Crossbow was placed on another floating island."

"Sea Crossbow exploded again during the test firing phase, and the second floating island also sank. At this point, the army determined that it was not other technical reasons, but the Dead Sea alien itself that had gone mad."

"It has a destructive instinct and is a time bomb that cannot be moved. After the second explosion, no more salvage was done, because the cost of underwater salvage and repair was extremely high."

Zhou Yi looked at the young man: "Do you know where it sank?"

"Yes, it's not a secret. It's in the Dead Sea area 700 kilometers east of SH City. That area has become a wide high-pressure zone."

Zhou Yi immediately understood.

The reason why the other party dared to say this was because the bridge was on the seabed in the high-pressure zone.

In high-pressure field areas, not only is movement difficult, but the mecha's defense value will also be permanently and continuously reduced. The longer you stay inside, the greater the mecha's damage.

To salvage a large building from below was as difficult as ascending to heaven.

It wasn't that Lord Extinction didn't want to, but that he couldn't.

Zhou Yi couldn't help but ponder.

Did he have a way to move this bridge?

According to Liu Zhaoshan's description, the main body of the bridge was about 50 meters long and 17.5 meters wide after being damaged. Even such a remnant was incredibly heavy.

The biggest difficulty was how to move it from the seabed out of the high-pressure zone.

Zhou Yi summoned Xiaofu and Baili Gong to discuss countermeasures together.

Baili Gong said, "The specialized large ships needed for conventional salvage can be done by hiring the Mechanical and Electrical City. However, that area is in a high-pressure zone, and I'm afraid the steel cable can't support lifting it... This requires asking professionals."

The Streamtracer, however, said it was a piece of cake: "Just convert it into a Tinder life and take it away. It's just a bit expensive. The coverage of the Light Wheel Well is limited, making it difficult to search, but since we know the exact location, this is not a problem."

"Just prepare enough light seeds. This is the charm of the Cyclic Flow technology. Weight is not a problem at all in front of us... If the Celestial's main body were here, it could still be stored casually."

Zhou Yi didn't tell it to shut up this time.

For the first time, he felt a little empathy.

This was indeed useful.

Do you understand what Cyclic Flow technology is?

"How exactly does it work?" Zhou Yi humbly asked for advice.

"It's still according to the standard. First, use the [Light Wheel Well] to find and lock the target, and then activate the [Cyclic Light Instrument] to convert it into a Tinder life. There's no difference," Xiaofu said.

Zhou Yi's heart suddenly became hot.

Good opportunity!

Lord Extinction would never have imagined that he would take advantage of this node to salvage the bridge on the seabed.

The light seeds he had saved up before came in handy. It was a good thing he hadn't used them randomly.

Along with this, Zhou Yi looked at Liu Zhaoshan with more favor.

"What do you want to do by seeing me?"

Liu Zhaoshan looked solemn and took a deep breath: "Mr. Zhou, please surrender. Joining Lord Extinction is the best choice!"

"..."

Zhou Yi's smile froze.

Okay, then.

This kid came directly to persuade him to surrender. This was the first time he had encountered this situation.

Zhou Yi said with interest, "Tell me about it."

"A weak local industrial structure makes it difficult to provide any support to the Wasteland Development Company."

Liu Zhaoshan said seriously, "I have investigated the Sandport area. The total population here is only 44,000, and the average monthly income per capita is less than 2,500 mushrooms. With such income and population, it is difficult to digest the high-quality goods produced by your company, such as sweet red melons and dried sweet potatoes."

"Even if your company is working hard to reduce prices, high-quality goods such as Emerald Soup and Flame Cups, which are needed everywhere, can still only be processed and sold to the outside world through the Mechanical and Electrical City."

"The Sandport area lacks manufacturing and processing capabilities. The purchasing power of the local people is weak and cannot help your company in any way."

"Even with the addition of Shell City and Steel Refining City, the result is the same. These three cities can only do the primary collection and processing of raw materials and cannot support a slightly more complex manufacturing industry."

"But the Shuanghe region is different."

The young man said passionately, "We have 'Downstream City,' which specializes in undertaking the fine processing of raw materials, 'Upstream City,' which is famous for making finished products, such as clothing and shoes, and 'Harvest City,' which focuses on food planting."

"We have the Light Tower Port, which specializes in developing Dead Sea resources, 'River End Port,' which focuses on trade and maritime services, 'Engineering City,' a production city that undertakes light imprint orders from outside craftsmen and manufactures light imprint parts, and 'Water Village,' which focuses on outputs around rivers and underwater."

"And 'SH City,' a core city with many professionals that can attract and support many talents."

He spoke eloquently: "The Shuanghe region is a whole piece of medium-sized land. The cities are connected by ground, and there is no need to reinforce shipping. Lord Extinction introduced a transportation track running through seven cities very early on, which is built and maintained by track knights, allowing goods and residents to circulate quickly."

"We have a population of over 650,000, which is enough to support the manpower your company needs and can manufacture the goods you need at very low prices. The average income per capita in our cities is 3,400 mushrooms, and we can also afford things from the Wasteland Development Company."

"Compared to the backward cities here, it is better to stand with the Shuanghe region to have a better future, isn't it?"

Liu Zhaoshan spoke methodically, citing various data at his fingertips.

This made Zhou Yi realize that the other party was obviously prepared.

The comprehensive strength of the Shuanghe region was far stronger than the Development Alliance, which was beyond doubt.

He didn't expect that they were involved in multiple industries. It seemed that they were going to develop into a comprehensive region.

Zhou Yi opened his mouth: "So, what can our company get by joining the Lord Extinction camp? And what is your ultimate goal?"

The young man opposite him immediately showed joy: "The Wasteland Development Company can get more revenue. This is the most immediate effect. And with the Shuanghe region, you don't have to worry about safety issues at all. We can provide and cover everything you need."

"In terms of goals, of course, it is to become the strongest overseas territory of the Celestial Kingdom! Let us become the most prosperous and powerful region!"

Zhou Yi smiled: "According to what you said, wouldn't my better choice be to directly join the Celestial Kingdom? Choosing the Shuanghe region is not as good as choosing the stronger Celestial Kingdom. Right?"

The other party was momentarily speechless.

"Then the question comes, why did Lord Extinction withstand the pressure back then and become an overseas territory? Wouldn't it be simpler and more beneficial to directly join the Celestial Kingdom?"

"..."

Zhou Yi said, "The reason is very simple. What Lord Extinction wants is a territory that he can control and rule. What you are doing is also centered around his ultimate goal."

"I'm not saying there's anything wrong with this. Every territorial lord has his own interests and demands. Development and growth are also beneficial to every member of his camp."

"But I chose Sandport, not for this purpose."

Liu Zhaoshan was a little puzzled: "Then why did you choose here?"

"It may sound a bit arrogant and inaccurate to say this... What I want to do is to liberate human productivity."

"Liberate humanity?"

The other party's eyes widened.

"No, it's to liberate human productivity."

Zhou Yi corrected him.

He didn't have the ability to liberate all of humanity. It was already difficult enough to develop production.

He looked at the young man in front of him: "Do you know how prehistoric humans lived?"

"It is said... they had the ability to fly into the sky and escape into the earth, but many alchemists believe that this lacks direct evidence to support it," Liu Zhaoshan said.

"Do you think that the gods of the Divine Era would build construction, houses, and roads?"

"Probably not. Gods are high above."

"Then who were the builders?"

"So... it was prehistoric humans."

Zhou Yi nodded: "Can the divine cities and buildings on the seabed be reached and approached by today's human cities? I'm afraid not. Why are we so weak now?"

"I saw a sentence in the Dead Sea documents, which may be a bit awkward, called 'When the granary is full, people know etiquette; when they are well-fed and clothed, they know honor and disgrace.'"

"This sentence means that only when people are rich will they value honor and shame. If the problem of food and clothing cannot be solved, people cannot consider these things."

He patiently told the other party: "What I want to do, or what the Wasteland Development Company wants to do, is to allow some humans to get rid of hunger and cold, so that they can show their intelligence and gradually improve the survival status of the human group."

"The residents of Emerald City have already provided proof. The inventions of Emerald Soup, Fighting Machine, and Flame Cup all have human participation. This proves that as long as there is a suitable environment, humans are full of potential and hope and can unleash their power."

"If we continue to push forward like this, more people will be fed and clothed, have better medical conditions, and have longer lifespans, so that they can exert their talents and imagination. No matter which city they are in in the future, they can shine."

"The Sandport area, which is as difficult as it is, can do it, and so can people like you who live in more prosperous and superior places. One day, I hope to reproduce the human achievements of the Divine Era. So I invest in the upper limit of humans."

"This is what I want to do."

Liu Zhaoshan seemed to be nailed to the bench, somewhat absent-minded.

After staying for a long time.

The young man shook his body after regaining his senses: "I don't believe it!"

Zhou Yi shrugged: "You gave me the information I needed, and I answered your questions. That's all."

Before being sent away by Ding Ye, Liu Zhaoshan couldn't help but turn around and say: "Mr. Zhou, can people from different camps also unleash their power?"

"Of course."

Zhou Yi nodded: "Although we each serve our own masters, it is all progress for the entire human group."

"We are currently hostile, but I also hope that the humans in the Shuanghe region can develop quickly. Who will make good use of these forces is another matter."

The other party nodded, seemingly understanding something.

"Thank you for your answer."

Liu Zhaoshan bowed.