Chapter 134: “What Kind of Garbage is an Agent?”
The matter of building schools was assigned to Osena by Gu Hang, with the instruction to first set up the framework for three academies.
Osena was actually somewhat puzzled.
According to their previous discussions, their primary focus in education was adult education, including literacy training and basic worker training, to facilitate factory employment.
In addition, there was also the provision of a four-to-six-year general compulsory education for children and adolescents.
This was a very pragmatic approach.
Didn’t education require significant investment?
Adult education was for short-term training to enable swift job placement, even if the skills were subpar, as it was better than unused manpower; education for children and teenagers focused on the future, avoiding child labor that would deplete future potential and lower productivity.
However, aside from the students being full-time, education required a substantial number of full-time teachers, all funded by the government.
As for school buildings, they were easier to arrange—just a few buildings. In the ongoing construction boom in Revival City, dedicating an area for school buildings was not difficult.
But according to the Governor’s current proposal, these three academies were now being considered higher education institutions.
How long had it been since Fury Owl Planet had such schools?
Most so-called intellectuals Osena had seen on the wasteland were products of private education, small-scale elite training, relying on private tutors, elder education, and family wealth.
She herself was somewhat familiar with this path.
Higher education?
Not a bad idea, but perhaps too early?
Leaving aside the issue of teachers of sufficient caliber.
The comprehensive academy was manageable, and the Loyalty Academy could be staffed by personnel drawn from the military or by soliciting assistance from the Phoenix Monastery, even sending people there for advanced training.
But what about the Technical Academy?
Within the Governor’s forces, there was only one person qualified as a competent technician: Wu Jiarong. Her students were merely junior specialists, hardly fit for teaching duties.
The Comprehensive Academy faced similar issues. Would they rely on the native intellectuals of the inner city, those who had grown up with so-called elite or family education, to serve as instructors?
That was possible, but only after identifying suitable candidates and putting them through Loyalty Academy’s training.
She presented these concerns to the Governor, who didn’t rigidly demand compliance but offered an explanation.
Of course, his explanation didn’t entail revealing any system details.
“We’re not looking to implement it right away; I’m aware of the issues you’ve mentioned. We simply need to establish the framework. Even if the curriculum isn’t ideal, it can still provide a place for those who have completed compulsory education or those eager to learn further.”
“I understand.”
With that, Osena took her leave.
Even without the new [Building] interface, Gu Hang would have undertaken this educational endeavor.
The difference now was that it had been prioritized, with the added support of Grace Points for assistance.
The benefits from the construction system were modest but crucial in their longevity.
Whether it was the academies or the two types of factories, as long as the core territories under his rule maintained stable production, they could continue to deliver long-term benefits.
In comparison to the immediate expense, the long-term yield was undoubtedly more valuable.
Of course, if conflicts arose too frequently, with the academies and factories enhanced by the building system being destroyed, there’d be little more to say.
…
After Osena left, Denison Henry soon entered.
This individual had just arrived from Garbage Town that morning.
He wasn’t there solely to serve as Gu Hang’s advisor but had genuine business to attend to.
“More military equipment required?”
“Yes.” Henry’s response was slightly embarrassed.
When he last requested military supplies, he’d mentioned it would be the final batch. Yet here he was, only a week later, making another request.
But he had no other choice.
Not only was he now a consultant for the Department of Commerce within the New Alliance and a businessman under the Governor’s banner, but over the past two months, his status in Garbage Town had also risen.
He had finally attained the coveted agent position.
Now, in addition to his work for the Governor, he also had to consider Garbage Town’s welfare.
Fortunately, he believed there was no conflict between these roles.
After arranging his thoughts, he continued, “It’s mainly the threat from those Greenskin Beasts.
Their numbers seem to have increased considerably compared to previous years.
We… the scavengers in Garbage Town, have already abandoned several valuable scavenging grounds; even adventurers have banded together and fought several battles against these beasts.
But honestly, the physical strength of these green creatures is overwhelming. Even though their weapons are simple, their individual combat abilities far exceed those of the armed adventurers.”
He paused, glancing at the Governor’s expression before continuing, “Due to these Greenskin Beasts, Garbage Town’s scrap recovery industries have seen a 20% decline in output.
If this situation continues, that figure may worsen. The previous shipment of military supplies was helpful; we managed to arm over three thousand scavengers, holding off the greenskin harassment. But losses were severe. Not only is reclaiming the former scavenging grounds beyond reach, but even sustaining defense is uncertain.”
After hearing Denison Henry’s report, Gu Hang said thoughtfully, “Then what do you need?”
“More weapons and more powerful heavy equipment. The armed adventurers in Garbage Town can no longer make do with standard rifles, risking their lives to battle those beasts in the High Tower Ruins.”
Henry resolutely continued, “The former Alliance’s equipment is insufficient; we need the G9-series rifles from your regular troops, and artillery.
If there were armored vehicles, that would be even better! Garbage Town is willing to exchange anything; we’ll supply all future output to Revival City for resale, offering significant discounts on metal resources and Hot Ash Stone!”
A brilliant smile appeared on Gu Hang’s face.
“Well, then how about this? I’ll give you twenty infantry fighting vehicles, a dozen tanks, over a hundred heavy artillery pieces, and eight thousand sets of full combat gear. How does that sound?”
Henry was stunned.
He’d intended to negotiate with the Governor.
He knew that the New Alliance’s army was still reorganizing, with equipment barely sufficient to meet the demands of the various units, each officer pressuring logistics to expedite the allocation.
He hadn’t expected infantry fighting vehicles or artillery; he’d merely hoped to obtain the reliable G9-series rifles by bargaining high.
With those, they’d gain an advantage against the greenskins when outnumbered three-to-five, rather than needing ten-to-one numbers for defense or twenty-to-one for an assault.
Denison Henry knew the G9-series rifles well. Durable, adaptable to various environments, powerful, lighter, and more accurate than native firearms.
Worst case, the bayonet alone could serve as a formidable close-combat weapon, better than any extra blade.
I had hoped for a thousand or two thousand sets, even willing to lower prices on raw materials, yet the Governor was offering eight thousand sets with artillery and vehicles?
Was this a pleasant surprise?
More like a shock!
Henry wondered if the Governor was mocking him, but a chilling thought soon crossed his mind.
The Governor’s mentioned quantity sounded suspiciously like a complete infantry division.
Though unaware of the military’s reorganization specifics, he’d heard rumors.
With this realization, he looked up, face filled with astonishment.
The Governor’s smile, to him, seemed icy.
Suppressing his unease, he asked, “Governor…we really don’t need that much equipment. Garbage Town may not even be able to muster enough resources…”
But Gu Hang was in no mood for further subtleties, responding bluntly:
“I know Garbage Town can’t pay that price. But if you offer all of Garbage Town as collateral, I could accept that.”
The suspicion confirmed, Henry forced a smile. “Do you mean… you intend to take over Garbage Town?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I? Garbage Town is part of the Alliance and an essential raw materials supplier.
Currently, it’s under significant threat from the Greenskin Beasts. I won’t stand idly by. Besides, I’ve never liked the production methods and power structure there; it’s time it aligned with Revival City.”
Henry’s mind was in turmoil.
After struggling for years, he had finally become an agent in Garbage Town, only for it to be snatched away mere weeks later?
But could he resist?
Obviously not.
His position as an agent was granted by the Governor.
The Governor had put him there precisely to facilitate future annexation.
He understood this, just not that it would happen so soon.
“Think it over carefully,” Gu Hang gave him a final statement. “When my troops arrive, I’d rather they only have to deal with the greenskins.”
…
Denison Henry did not linger in Revival City; he boarded a vehicle to return to Garbage Town that very day.
Covering two hundred kilometers from Revival City to Garbage Town took seven or eight hours, even on a clear route.
But this road was a well-maintained trade route.
On the way back, Henry carefully reviewed the entire matter.
He quickly understood.
What was unclear?
In Garbage Town, he was merely a newly appointed agent reliant on the Governor’s commercial support—not even the top agent there.
In contrast, his status as a consultant within the New Alliance’s Department of Commerce was far more substantial.
Moreover, would the New Alliance’s future be as dismal as the past decade?
Judging by the Governor’s methods, the so-called ‘Alliance’ was merely a shell, facilitating centralization.
The New Alliance was likely to expand rapidly, and the Governor had people, arms, finances, legitimacy, and starship support from above… If he didn’t seize the opportunity now, when would he?
Whether as a high-ranking official in the New Alliance or a
top merchant, both were better prospects than mingling in Garbage Town.
Besides, could he resist?
Just as his car left Revival City, he regretted his earlier stance favoring Garbage Town over the Governor.
Why hadn’t he taken a firmer stance as a Commerce consultant?
What kind of garbage was the title of Garbage Town agent?
He was a Commerce Department consultant!
In frustration, he quickly devised a plan to remedy his mistake.
After speaking with his driver, they altered their route toward the Wasteland District of Guardian City.
There, he met with Patel, leveraging their old friendship to contact Pobov, confirming his troop’s location.
Then he set off hurriedly.
In Three Pools Town, Henry encountered Pobov, who had just completed a bandit-clearing mission.
He hadn’t known that Three Pools Town was a bandit nest, merely suspecting connections to raiders and its use as a key smuggling and hiding site.
He first praised Pobov, calling the clearing a great success. Thousands of bandits had been slain, making the two hundred kilometers between Revival City and Garbage Town far safer.
Unused to such flattery, Pobov was slightly embarrassed.
Seeing the atmosphere as suitable, Henry extended an invitation.
He asked Pobov to move fifty kilometers northeast.
Right to Garbage Town.
“You want me to attack Garbage Town?” Pobov shook his head. “Not without military orders; I can’t act that boldly.”
“Major Pobov, you misunderstand. I’m not asking you to attack; I only hope you’ll position your troops near Garbage Town.
Of course, an operation like this requires the Governor’s approval, so I intended to contact him through your military line.”
Pobov thought for a moment. “You want to use my troops to intimidate?”
Henry clapped, smiling. “Exactly. The Governor has a mind to mobilize the army and take Garbage Town.
If it comes to that, wouldn’t it mean we failed?”