Wasteland Development Diary

In the following days, the Sandport area returned to calm.

The Mechanical City avoided mentioning the destroyed Energy Storage City, as if it had never happened.

Although aerial footage clearly showed the Energy Storage City, devastated by the attack, was in ruins. Two ports were submerged, and numerous factories and cooling towers were reduced to rubble. Roads were swallowed by sand, and no human figures could be seen locally.

This overly calm outcome made Zhou Yi suspect whether they had relocated and rebuilt the city elsewhere.

However, news from various external sources confirmed that the Energy Storage City was indeed gone.

First and foremost was Duke Overlord.

He contacted Zhou Yi at the first opportunity.

"Well done! I've long disliked the Mechanical City, and the ever-unfallen castle has finally collapsed."

"How are the spoils? The Mechanical City should have a lot of valuable data and store a large number of Light Seeds. A medium-sized city like the Energy Storage City should have reserves of no less than 20 million."

Duke Overlord was very concerned about the gains from the siege.

Zhou Yi told him, "The Light Seeds were transferred long ago, but some data was intercepted. I'll have Red Falcon share the parameters of the 'Security Joint Guard' with you…"

After obtaining the information, Duke Overlord exclaimed, "Death Ray weapons are indeed tricky. This is a core technology independently developed by the Mechanical City, with a very high level of confidentiality. Even the Celestial Kingdom doesn't have comparable weapons yet."

He asked, "Can we replicate the Death Ray weapon based on this data?"

"That's wishful thinking."

Zhou Yi explained, "Whether it's the [Mirror Force Field] or the [Death Ray Cannon], the structure is very complex. From basic materials to components, every step has specific technical standards and processes."

"Our data comes from the Energy Storage City, which only has relevant parameters during their operations and some maintenance and repair information…"

It's like publishing the basic principles of the [Floating Heart], but so far, no one outside has been able to create a heart that meets the standards.

Even the three major companies that spent huge sums of money on training and learning are still in trial and error.

Knowing and doing are two different things.

"I was a little greedy."

Duke Overlord regretted, "The intelligence you provided is very important. The Light Seeds in the front-line cities have been transferred in advance, leaving only various resource reserves that are difficult to cash in. The gains from the siege will be greatly reduced, no wonder they are so confident."

Zhou Yi suddenly smelled something fishy, "You also want to attack the Mechanical City?"

"I have plans to."

Duke Overlord said, "But I am the Governor-General of the Celestial Kingdom and belong to the Celestial Kingdom's camp. This time, the Mechanical City did not invade the Celestial Kingdom's territory or my jurisdiction."

"Lord Hegemon invited me to take action together, and I am still considering it."

Zhou Yi was surprised, "Lord Hegemon is going to attack the Mechanical City?"

"Yes."

"Originally, he was fighting with a Joint Guard, because the Mechanical Vehicle City was also a key target, and it had already requested my assistance for defense. However, after learning about your achievements here, he changed his strategy and prepared to emulate this side, turning from defense to offense and directly attacking the Mechanical City's homeland, cutting off logistical supplies."

Duke Overlord said, "So I am collecting as much detailed information as possible to judge whether it is worth sending troops this time."

Zhou Yi was confused, "Wait. I just finished fighting, how can you get the information so quickly?"

"Intelligence officers are a force that every ruler must develop."

Duke Overlord chuckled, "Even in the Mechanical City, there are intelligence officers from various Sea Territory Lords."

"It is more difficult for Mechanical Lives to be internal agents, as they are easily detected by the General Protocol. But these cities still have some other residents who do things that Mechanical Lives are not convenient to do… such as program data errors, which require them to manually calculate and process externally, or simply settlers who obtain resident status through various means."

"Many of these people are intelligence officers."

Zhou Yi remembered.

When the Energy Storage City was breached, a small number of Bone Men and Light Na'vi were also fleeing outwards.

Internal spies were hidden in this group.

Duke Overlord said, "The key is that you have now provided an answer: as long as information can be blocked, the Mechanical City itself will lose external support."

"After becoming an isolated island city, their cohesion and will to resist are even inferior to human cities. Any Sea Territory Lord with a little strength will pay attention to this fatal flaw."

Zhou Yi agreed with this.

Mechanical Cities rely heavily on data for decision-making. If they lack data and information sources, and have no support and command from other cities, their judgment will be extremely conservative. If the failure rate exceeds 50%, they will make the most conservative choice, and if the failure rate exceeds 60%, they will abandon the action.

Data is their magic weapon, and their only lifeline.

In short.

Mechanical Cities only fight advantageous battles and cannot fight disadvantaged ones.

"In that case, I'll join the game."

Duke Overlord said, "I'll tell you if I have any news."

Just two days later.

Zhou Yi saw two news items on the Spring and Autumn Merchant Guild's page.

"[Security Joint Guard] Launches New Offensive Against Mechanical Vehicle City, Mass of Slaves Rescued and Regained Freedom."

"[Security Joint Guard] Breaks Through [Estrella] Region, Local Sea Territory Lord Deposed and Exiled."

According to news from Duke Overlord, they had already besieged and blockaded the nearby Mechanical City, [Turbine City].

The news reports didn't mention it at all.

Zhou Yi asked the Merchant Guild's manager, Shang Fulin, "Why is there no report at all about our company breaking through the Energy Storage City?"

"This…"

Shang Fulin said cautiously, "The Mechanical City requires all Machine Stacks to comply with a joint agreement, prohibiting third-party reports on the destruction of the Energy Storage City, and promoting matters related to the Wasteland Development Company… including their losses and city damage."

"Because of the relationship between our Merchant Guild and the Recursive City, to avoid unnecessary associations and troubles, we really dare not release news in this regard."

Zhou Yi found it a bit difficult to bear.

So this is the charm of journalism at work.

As long as I don't admit it, it means I haven't lost, right?

At least in the controlled media, the Mechanical City is always in a win-win-win state.

The real situation is another matter.

The Joint City reported, "According to our satellites, there are currently nine Sea Territory Lords who have launched counterattacks and attacks on the Mechanical City's homeland."

"Among the Mechanical Cities, Turbine City and Gear Fortress have been cut off from external contact."

"Large-scale explosions have occurred in Mechanical Bay, and it is currently unknown who launched the attack. However, it is an important large-scale manufacturing city, so the Joint Guard is supporting it from all over."

The local rulers who were militarily threatened had long been dissatisfied and successively launched rapid offensives against the nearby Mechanical Cities.

The flames of war are further spreading.

This was good news for Zhou Yi, as it could effectively prevent the company from becoming a focused target.

…

The latest novel is first published on Liu Jiu Jiu Shu Ba!

In this chaotic and uncertain situation.

One night, Red Falcon said, "Zhou, Sigma from the program department of Recursive City is outside Emerald City."

"Bring him up."

The go-kart came to the roof.

At this time, Sigma was covered in dust, and there were many scratches on the body shell, suggesting that he had encountered many difficulties along the way.

"In the current environment, you must have come to me with something important."

Zhou Yi asked, "Has Recursive City been attacked?"

"Thanks to you, Recursive City has not been attacked. Our city is very small, and we have always only provided technical services to the outside world, and we are unwilling to intervene in external disputes and wars."

Sigma's headlights lit up slightly, "This time I am here on behalf of Recursive City, rather than contacting through Machine Stack, also to avoid complications."

"The current situation is very tense. As you said, our city is also facing a strategic strike from a Sea Territory Lord. Various intelligence sources have already proven this, it's only a matter of time…"

"Although we have not provided a garrison, we only serve as a data communication center, and have therefore had our permission priority in the General Protocol reduced. But Recursive City is still being targeted. The war has become white-hot, and more and more forces are joining in."

Zhou Yi listened patiently.

"So, you need me to provide assistance?"

"Yes."

Zhou Yi frowned.

This situation is not easy to handle.

Mainly because there is no position and sufficient reason to deal with it. It is a matter of course to launch a counterattack against the invaders, but to cross 2000 kilometers to manage the wars of two other parties is not in line with the company's consistent behavior and principles.

Sigma said, "My side hopes to officially withdraw from the Mechanical City group and join the Development Alliance led by your company."

This made Zhou Yi a little confused.

"Recursive City has carried out a lot of meticulous calculations, confirming that this is the only way to avoid the flames of war and allow the city and 1300 Mechanical residents to survive safely."

Zhou Yi frowned, "But there is a General Protocol, how can you bypass the jurisdiction of the agreement…"

Sigma was silent.

Zhou Yi's eyes suddenly widened, "You installed the [Key]?"

"Yes."

This time Sigma admitted it directly.

"It is also the method we found after simulating calculations."

The go-kart said, "If the current city situation continues, even if the war ends immediately, Recursive City's financial difficulties will still not be resolved."

"Without breakthrough technologies and commodities, it will not be able to obtain room for growth, and will only be gradually and completely overwhelmed by large cities with stronger resources and funds through cost advantages in the competition for existing commodity services."

"We simulated 101 development routes, and they all tend to one result. Within 20-100 years, Recursive City will lose its profitability, rely on seeking external loans to fill the deficit, until it is insolvent and completely bankrupt. The yesterday of Transmission City is our future."

It paused, "So we made a difficult and groundbreaking decision."

"We hope to join the Development Alliance, and have the company invest in and lead the city to redevelop. Recursive City will also give you continuous benefits, just like the relationship between Yin Shang Company and Transmission City."

"Only this way can our calculated results break through the continuously declining cycle and effectively avoid war."

Recursive City is as flexible as ever in its direction.

Zhou Yi hesitated.

But the cost of investing in the city is probably not low.

"How much do you want?"

"We hope to sell 50% of the company's shares for 5 million Light Seeds, I wonder what you think?"

Sigma said, "This share is enough to have actual control over the city."

"Recursive City is good at technical services and can build an independent Machine Stack service and an exclusive database for the company. We have a technical team of more than 300 Mechanical programmers."

Zhou Yi thought to himself.

The infrastructure of the Mechanical City itself is well-established, and the existing 1300 Mechanical professionals in the city are also very valuable.

Taking Recursive City for 5 million is definitely buying at a low point.

He decisively replied, "Okay! I'll invest."

Sigma immediately lit up the headlights, "Great! Our Recursive City is saved!"

"Thank you for your trust and recognition!!! Recursive City will definitely not let you and the company down!!"