Wasteland Development Diary

Zhou Yi digested the matters regarding the Light Imprint Technique.

Seeing that he wasn't speaking, the pirate leader Yuan Tong didn't dare to make a sound.

After a while.

Zhou Yi refocused his attention on the ship: "Tell me about the current situation of the Seventh Fleet."

"They are stationed at the port of Xiaoyan Ridge in the north, responsible for escorting tobacco shipments by sea in that area. The area where I operate is near a coastal market town outside Xiaoyan Ridge, under the jurisdiction of the Seventh Fleet."

After Yuan Tong finished speaking, he concentrated and recalled for a moment: "The primary function of the Seventh Fleet is maritime patrol. They have 1 Class B main battleship, 4 Class B heavy patrol warships, and 8 Class C medium patrol warships. Rumor has it..."

He hesitated for a moment: "That the 'Wind Organ,' which was said to be destroyed by you, was a Class C medium patrol warship. In addition, there is a Class D light patrol fleet, equipped with 10 light patrol warships, and a logistics team, with a mixed formation of 20 logistics supply ships of various levels."

"That's what I know."

Zhou Yi calculated.

Like the Wind Organ, the Seventh Fleet still has 7 ships of that class, plus 5 heavyweight Class B ships above, and 10 Class D ships below. Their logistics support also seems to be emphasized.

A single fleet has 43 ships. The Sea of Death Knights' naval power is indeed strong.

If the Seventh Fleet went mad and led the entire formation over, he could only order Emerald City to run away first.

Zhou Yi said, "Do you know Ji Chang?"

"I've heard of him."

Yuan Tong's voice became a little lower: "He is an honorary knight of the Sea of Death Knights. I heard that he specializes in reselling weapons and also digs up some weapons from the Age of Gods. He's very resourceful. Last year, he recruited a group of people through the Sea of Death Knights to look for something."

"Looking for what?"

"I don't know the specifics. I heard that every time this person goes to a place, he spends money to find local looters to work for him. Because he is generous and has a strong background, many looters work for him."

This was consistent with Cui Mao's previous description.

Zhou Yi asked about other situations.

As a veteran in the maritime looting industry, Yuan Tong knew a lot of secrets, but he knew very little about the Seventh Fleet. Yuan Tong would only contact them when the Sea of Death Knights came looking.

Not inquiring and not contacting was also a hidden rule of the industry.

He had no knowledge of the relationship between Ji Chang and Vice Commander He Jiu.

But Yuan Tong mentioned a new situation.

"Commander Feng Ji of the Seventh Fleet has taken a few months of leave to recuperate due to family changes. During this time, the fleet is being managed by the Vice Commander and the Chief of Staff. Commander Feng will be back next month, so He Jiu probably won't dare to act rashly. He still has to find a way to quell the matter of the Wind Organ's loss of personnel."

"He Jiu is good at scheming and currying favor. He makes connections with dignitaries everywhere, and his reputation isn't very good. Feng Ji, however, has a rigorous and conservative style. He always tries to avoid combat and personnel losses as much as possible. If he can negotiate, he will never resort to force. The Sea of Death Knights have a very high opinion of him."

"This time, when Commander Feng returns, He Jiu will definitely face questioning. I think that's also the reason why He Jiu can't afford to lose any more warships, so he sent us out to scout..."

The clues in Zhou Yi's mind connected.

This was He Jiu doing it for Ji Chang's benefit, indicating that he had tried his best. As for the loss of the Wind Organ, this Vice Commander probably didn't care at all, as long as he had given the favor.

Obviously, Ji Chang's favor was worth He Jiu sacrificing a Class C warship for.

The quality of the information was not bad.

Next was dealing with the looters.

Zhou Yi told Yuan Tong: "I'll give you two choices."

"One, death. I will collect your corpses."

"Two, leave the ship behind, and you go to live in Mao Valley Town first. After the heat dies down, you can leave."

The pirate leader did not hesitate: "I choose the second!"

"Also, you are excluded."

"Understood."

Zhou Yi asked: "Do you really understand?"

"Understood. My words need to be verified, I understand that."

"No. It's not related to that."

Zhou Yi stared at the middle-aged pirate in front of him: "Now that our Wasteland Development Company is newly established, we need talents from all walks of life. Would you like to come and work here?"

"This..."

Yuan Tong revealed a somewhat puzzled expression: "I'm just an insignificant old man, only a small character among the pirates, and my shipbuilding skills aren't that outstanding. Why would you..."

"You're right. But then again, there aren't many pirates as technically savvy as you, and there are few craftsmen with rich pirate experience. Our company not only needs professionals who deeply cultivate certain fields, but also yearns for cross-disciplinary talents."

Zhou Yi said: "Since you have no children, no parents to worry about, and want to live a simple and stable life, why not come to our company."

Yuan Tong hesitated for a moment: "What do you want me to do?"

"Your position is nautical consultant, specializing in researching sea ships and related technologies, analyzing the pirate and knight order situation from a technical perspective, and conducting maritime risk assessments for the company. This is a technical position, and your opinions will be very important when the company purchases and uses various devices."

Zhou Yi said seriously: "The Wasteland Development Company will definitely set foot in the Sea of Death's maritime trade. Building a fleet in the future is inevitable. But everything needs to be done step by step. Ships, equipment, manpower, and technology must be prepared little by little."

"How much was your annual income as a pirate leader before?"

The other party hurriedly said: "Being able to keep my life and be taken in is all I could hope for, I dare not expect anything else."

"No, you have to take a salary. If you don't take a salary, how can I trust you to do things?"

"..."

At Zhou Yi's request, Yuan Tong then said: "Our distribution method before was that each time we had income, after deducting 45% of the tax to the Sea of Death Knight tax official, I would take 10% of the remaining total net profit, and the rest would be distributed to others according to their respective jobs."

"For example, the two front-line people who need to board the ship take 5% because of the high risk, the person who does reconnaissance takes 3%... If there are injuries or outstanding contributions, the distribution ratio will be adjusted according to the situation."

"Wait a minute." Zhou Yi was shocked: "45% tax?"

The newest novels are first published on 6 9 books 9吧!

"Yes, that's just how it is."

Yuan Tong smiled bitterly: "So, in fact, we are under a lot of pressure, and we may also be investigated for tax evasion. Even if there is nothing wrong with us, we sometimes have to grease palms. There are many expenses in various aspects."

Zhou Yi thought to himself, the Sea of Death Knights are eating from both ends, they're making all the money.

"In general, I earn about 12 gold a year, which is considered relatively low among pirate leaders."

According to the exchange rate here, 1 gold = 10 silver = 100 copper = 10,000 mushrooms.

Yuan Tong's annual income is 120,000 mushrooms.

Zhou Yi remembered that the average worker in the farming group in Jitou Town had a monthly salary of 3,000 mushrooms, which calculates to an annual salary of 36,000 mushrooms.

Judging from the numbers alone, a pirate leader is indeed a high-paying profession in the wasteland era.

Zhou Yi also felt strange.

Since the light imprints of enhanced ships require energy packs to drive them, and energy packs are made from dead light mixtures, the pirates' income is measured in gold and copper.

In other words, light seeds can be exchanged for precious metals like gold?

He confirmed with Red Falcon in his mind.

The drone responded: "Light seeds and precious metals headed by gold have indeed been traded with each other for a long time. Light Imprint Technique and light imprints require precious metals as carriers and key components for manufacturing."

"Currently, the price in Recursive City is approximately 101.44 standard gold for 1 light seed, basically fluctuating slightly around a 1:100 exchange rate. The basic trading units for the four types of metals—iron, copper, silver, and gold—are defaulted to 5g. That is, 1 light seed is equivalent to 500g of gold."

Zhou Yi had previously thought that the farm machine brothers were too cheap, with a total monthly salary of only 2 light seeds for both of them.

But calculated, that's 24 million mushrooms.

But then again, the farm machine brothers can only use energy packs and light seeds as supplies and need regular maintenance, replacement of parts, and upgrades. They earn a lot but also spend a lot.

Mechanical and electrical lives earn light seeds and spend light seeds; new humans save mushrooms and eat mushrooms. It can only be said that each has its own predicament.

Zhou Yi said, "I will give you an annual salary of 1 million mushrooms, paid in light seeds."

"1, 1 million?!"

Yuan Tong's eyes suddenly lost some focus, and then suddenly burst into brilliance: "This... please rest assured, I guarantee I will do the things you arrange well!"

Zhou Yi thought to himself.

Recruiting people still requires paying enough salary, and the enthusiasm and mental outlook are completely different.

The two ships were dragged back to the company's residence by the warrior crabs all the way, and were placed by Emerald City in the open space of the community, appearing like some kind of peculiar amusement facility, and they could be used when needed.

Under the arrangement of the boss Yuan Tong, the looters all entered Mao Valley Town in an orderly manner and began a life of seclusion to avoid disaster.

Zhou Yi observed for a few days through Red Falcon and found that none of the 21 pirates ran around, and every night they went out to pick up firewood and dry dung like the locals, and then returned to the cave to rest.

The only difference between them and the locals was that they occasionally went out hunting, made traps with the metal tools they carried, and occasionally caught sand rats and small birds to eat some meat and improve their lives.

Yuan Tong explained: "Chairman, they are not newcomers, and they are clear about the pros and cons."

"If looters are caught outside, they will mostly be hanged. Like us, if we don't complete the tasks assigned by the Sea of Death Knights, they won't leave evidence for other forces."

"The only way to survive is to go to a large city that the Sea of Death Knights cannot influence, such as the Tianjin Knights' 'Jin City', or the even stronger 'Mirror City'. Only going to prison there offers a hope of survival."

"Living within your jurisdiction is currently the safest place. They won't cause trouble. You made the Seventh Fleet not dare to approach again, and they won't risk their lives."

Zhou Yi was relieved.