Chapter 348.2: Walking The Path So No One Can Walk Down The Same Path

Occasionally using stopgap measures could be acceptable, but it couldn't be the constant approach. Continuous transfer of benefits would only create a colossal and sluggish Leviathan, laying the seeds of trouble for the future. Moreover, while maintaining secrecy was a means to maintain technological advantage, real superiority had never been sustained solely by keeping things under wraps.

Those might not be pleasant words, but they were all lessons from history.

As the makers of rules, they needed to ensure the rules were as perfect as possible, minimizing the space for rent-seeking, safeguarding the personal safety of those players bringing technology to the collective, guarding against a small number of ill-intentioned individuals who might harm the interests and image of the collective, preventing certain people from using their power, position, and fallacious reasoning to unjustly acquire from others their treasures to satisfy personal desires, and even transfer benefits overseas.

"... Luckily, I've noticed a special company that has recently appeared in Shanghai, and their business scope aligns perfectly with our area of interest."

"This seems like a good start."

"You mean that... Bull-something company?" Speaking of it, the old man's expression held some regret. "I've heard about it, but unfortunately, they're only involved in intermediary services."

If a part of the outstandingly capable players could actively bring the technology back, that would indeed be the best.

In this way, they didn't need to make it so complicated. Sending a few certificates to that company, and letting the local authorities handle them would directly resolve the matter.

Lacking personnel?

Lacking land?

Lacking funds?

For a company that truly possesses the core technology, would this even be considered a problem?

If they gave them a loan of 10 billion and another 20 billion RMB of orders, even if a dog on a leash occupied the chairman's seat, as long as it maintained stability and posture, it could still rise to the top.

With a vast reserve of talent and a perfect industrial ecosystem, what was scarce in the society wasn't a few sheets of paper or a string of numbers but the real fertile ‘soil’ they could nurture.

"There's nothing to feel unfortunate about. Everyone has their specialty, and human energy is limited. They've chosen what they're better at, and I support them." The man with a stern face smiled.

After listening to this, everyone in the office nodded in agreement.

Truly, the man, who gained recognition from an extraterrestrial civilization and obtained the qualification for the closed test, spoke with depth!

At this moment, a bespectacled colleague suddenly curiously asked, "Speaking of which, how's your gameplay going? What level have you reached?"

Many were curious about this question and looked at the man with a stern face.

Under the gazes of his colleagues, the man with a stern face suddenly showed a somewhat subtle expression and cleared his throat. "Didn't I say? Everyone has their specialty...and human energy is limited."

.....

Wasteland World.

At the south gate of the Linghu Wetland Park, ten fully equipped players had already assembled.

Apart from Old White and Ample Time leading the team, the remaining eight players were elite members of the Burning Corps, with skills ranging from tier 3 to tier 2.

Not only were they well-equipped, but they also had experienced battles multiple times, possessing extensive combat experience in wasteland and urban warfare.

Before gathering, they had already heard about the mission from Old White. All of them had eager expressions.

Glancing at the well-equipped and high-spirited players, Chu Guang nodded in approval.

Good. For once, everyone was dressed properly for the cinematic cutscene.

"Little Seven, take a picture for them."

An enthusiastic voice came from nearby. "Sure!"

While Little Seven was taking photos of the players, Chu Guang organized his words in his mind and slowly began to address them. "I salute you, warriors of the Alliance. Thanks to your efforts, we were able to end the war so quickly."

"Now, the chaos from the north has been quelled, and the alliance needs time to recuperate. For the long-term prosperity and stability, as well as for the survivors, I need you to represent our New Alliance and bring friendship and peace to our neighbors."

"Always remember, on this mission, you represent the New Alliance."

"Our neighbors will judge their relationship with us based on your actions and words."

Personal actions of players were challenging to control. However, when players formed a collective, they would naturally take care of each other's gaming experiences and consciously restrain themselves and others.

Once the personalized in-game scene ended, Chu Guang turned to the nearby Luca and gave a final reminder. "Be careful on the road."

"Don't worry, sir. I will remember your advice. However, please take care of yourself too. No matter how important the work is, your health is more important." Luca maintained a sincere expression on his face as he spoke.

It wasn't flattery or courtesy; these were words from the bottom of his heart.

Others might not be aware, but Luca, as an executor of commands, knew very well how much effort the administrator had put into this alliance.

From the Northern Expedition to their current state, except for a short break on the day of the victory ceremony, the administrator had hardly rested.

If possible, Luca genuinely hoped that the administrator could consider taking care of himself a little more.

Seeing the old man worrying about him before leaving, Chu Guang smiled and nodded. "I'm doing fine; don't worry about me... Go. The sooner you leave, the sooner you'll return."

"Yes, sir." Giving a respectful fist to his left chest, Luca brought a few accompanying personnel and followed the players towards the south.

Watching the team depart, Charlie, who stood beside Chu Guang, suddenly spoke up, "This trip might not be peaceful."

Although he didn't approve of setting flags, Chu Guang followed up with his thoughts. "What's your view?"

Charlie continued cautiously, "Although the factory owners in Boulder Town don't want to engage in direct conflicts with us, it's evident they don't want the authorities to get too close to us."

Most merchants investing in factories in New Alliance were traveling merchants from Boulder Town or owners of struggling small and medium-sized factories.

The goods produced in New Alliance took a significant portion of the profits away from the big factories and merchants associations in Boulder Town.

For these matters, Chu Guang was well aware; he knew he had played some tricks in the trade.

For instance, through administrative intervention, he controlled the exchange rate between silver coins and chips at 2:1, actively increasing export profits.

Another example was the dumping of low-value-added light industrial products, along with the enthusiastic Awakened Mercenaries who were keen on tasks, seizing chips from Boulder Town. With the foreign currency he earned, he purchased locally discarded second-hand equipment from factories, hired unemployed engineers and workers, and upgraded his industries.

One of the most typical examples was the KV-1 exoskeleton. Although it was a product of the Boulder Town’s Arms Industry, now in the southern part of the River Valley Province, over half of the KV-1 exoskeletons were produced by the New Alliance's Liszt Factory.

Another example was the New Alliance's LD 47 assault rifle, which not only seized market share from the Hornet assault rifle in the southern part of the River Valley Province but even made its way onto the shelves of Boulder Town’s weapon stores.

Now, throughout Boulder Town, except for those merchants and mercenaries who seized historical opportunities and profited greatly from the rise of the New Alliance, hardly any factory owners held favorable views toward them.

Chu Guang even dared to assert that as long as House, the man on the radio, stirred things up a bit, soon even the ordinary citizens of Boulder Town might start complaining that residents of New Alliance had taken away their job opportunities.

"... Do you mean they might act along the way?" After listening to Charlie, Chu Guang said thoughtfully.

"I don't rule out that possibility, although it's a lowly tactic," Charlie said seriously. "Boulder Town has no shortage of mercenaries, and most of those factory owners and merchants associations’ bosses have private armed forces. Kidnapping or hijacking would undoubtedly be the most direct way to hinder the signing of contracts."

Chu Guang nodded earnestly. "I'll have my soldiers pay extra attention."

Although the journey was full of risks, someone still had to do it.

After seeing off Luca, Chu Guang returned alone to the shelter and headed to the library on level B4 to continue refining New Alliance's reform plan and the Beta 0.3 version of Wasteland Online.

At that moment, Little Seven, sitting at the desk, suddenly spoke up. "Master, there's been progress in that matter you were concerned about."

Chu Guang subconsciously asked while placing his hands on the keyboard. "What matter?"

"The 10GB data I helped you translate!"

Hearing this, Chu Guang finally revealed a surprised expression.

He had been so busy with internal affairs these days that he hadn't paid much attention to the developments on Earth.

"They've already produced those lithium batteries?"

So fast?

Little Seven nodded, saying happily, "Yes! And it made it to the news! Shall I reopen the silver coin trading platform?"

Looking at the webpage on the computer screen, Chu Guang pondered for a moment before saying, "Yes, reopen it."

𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Originally, he had planned to release the platform again next month, in sync with the Beta 0.3 version. However, the progress on the real-world side was faster than he had expected.

After he thought about it, he revealed a somewhat regretful expression.

Unfortunately, the closed beta qualifications were almost insufficient. Otherwise, taking advantage of this opportunity, he could harvest a large number of hardworking small investors...