Chapter 752.2: Southern Front Progress
Chapter 752.2: Southern Front Progress
The building project was led by Chen Yutong, director of the French Fry Harbor Branch of the New Alliance’s Biological Research Institution.
Without exaggeration, the astonishing technology effectively removed French Fry Harbor's "Industrial and Infrastructure Costs +900%" debuff.
Since the self-repairing Living Cement was itself a living organism, it not only resisted the invasive local ecosystem but also benefited from the lush life force, significantly reducing long-term maintenance costs.
The only drawback was that both manufacturing and applying Living Cement required one additional production step compared to conventional concrete. Even so, compared to the tremendous advantages it offered, that slight increase in cost was practically negligible.
Once again, the New Alliance proved that there were always more solutions than problems. As technology advanced, things once considered impossible gradually became possible.
Even though the industrial debuff had effectively been removed, Ample Time still had no intention of changing the region's development strategy. For the time being, he would continue prioritizing the primary sector, using the tertiary sector as support, while leaving secondary industry for last.
After all, the accelerated growth buff was simply too good to waste on agriculture!
The same crop could only be harvested once a season in Dawn City, but here it could be harvested three times without any concern for soil fertility declining. In fact, its productivity was even more outrageous than that of the Sunset Province.
The only thing holding it back for the time being was its limited scale and transportation capacity. Once French Fry Harbor was fully developed, it might very well become an even greater breadbasket than Sunset Province.
As for the secondary sector, they could simply leave that to Port Gallon. Recently, a massive influx of migrants had been pouring into the outskirts of Port Gallon along the Everflowing River. The sheer number of young workers was already beginning to exceed what the local infrastructure could support.
There was simply no better place to develop manufacturing.
Finally making his leisurely way to the entrance of city hall, Ample Time narrowed his eyes as he examined the brick-and-stone landmark for a moment before suddenly calling out to an NPC who had just walked out. “My friend, where are you from?”
The man appeared to be a recent immigrant and didn't recognize him. He was momentarily puzzled by the strange question before replying, “Silvermoon Bay... Why do you ask?”
Smiling, Ample Time continued, “What do you think of life in French Fry Harbor? Are you satisfied living here?”
Hearing that, a look of heartfelt emotion appeared on the man's face as he sincerely praised it. “It's a wonderful place. I honestly don't know how else to describe it... But I'm certain that if heaven exists, this must be what it looks like.”
There was no king, no nobility, and no priests demanding support. As long as one worked hard, one could make their fortune. That alone made him happier than anything else.
Of course, what he found most irresistible was the bar along Coastal Avenue. At least a third of the money he had earned last month had been spent there.
Listening to sailors and mercenaries brag was far more entertaining than praying before statues of the gods.
Looking at this fellow who had completely forgotten both the Spirit of the Desert and the Silvermoon Goddess, Ample Time burst into laughter. “I think so too. This place is practically heaven... I'm glad you like it. It means our trip here wasn't in vain.”
With that, he walked toward city hall's entrance, leaving the man staring after him in confusion.
...
By the time Ample Time arrived at the conference room, the governor-general had just arrived as well, politely asking his secretary to prepare a cup of tea for him. After only a few pleasantries, they quickly got down to business.
“... French Fry Harbor has been developing very rapidly recently. Every industry is facing severe labor shortages. Our city hall has requested permission to recruit more immigrants from outside the New Alliance, but we obviously can't allow just anyone to enter. That would overwhelm our refugee intake system. I'd like to hear whether you have any good ideas.”
Ample Time asked, “What does the administrator think?”
The governor-general answered seriously. “The administrator asked me to hear your opinion.”
Ample Time thought for a moment before speaking. “That's simple. Use French Fry Harbor's budget, or commission a third-party company to establish accredited vocational schools and training centers in Port Gallon. Then encourage employers in need of workers to recruit graduates who have obtained professional certifications from those schools. All we need to do is issue visas to people who already have employment contracts. That way, they'll have jobs as soon as they arrive, and with both work and housing, they won't count as refugees.”
The governor-general’s eyes lit up, and he immediately gave Ample Time a thumbs-up. “Excellent idea!”
Ample Time could only smile helplessly.
Isn’t this just common sense?
Then again, considering that visas probably hadn't existed during the Prosperity Era, and that civilization had suffered a complete break during the Wasteland Era, it wasn't surprising that such a useful institution had been lost.
After all, Ideal City was such a culinary wasteland that it didn't even have steamed dishes. Compared to his hometown of Shanghai, that was almost unimaginable.
In fact, the electronic travel permit recently introduced by their administrator through the Mutant Slime Mold Research Committee already resembled a combination of passports and visas. Thanks to the electronic travel permit, survivor factions that had once kept their gates firmly shut had all begun opening them a crack.
Survivors living within Mutant Slime Mold Research Committee member states had finally gained the right to move freely within limited areas, instead of having virtually no choice as they had before.
To be honest, that was the part that felt the most unbelievable. An administrator from the Federation Era had somehow come up with something that hadn't even existed during the Federation Era and used it with remarkable ease.
Sometimes Ample Time couldn't help wondering whether the fellow was actually a real person pretending to be an NPC.
As Ample Time's thoughts wandered, the governor-general sitting across from him cleared his throat before he continued, “There's one more matter, concerning the Baiyue Strait Development Company.”
Snapping back to reality, Ample Time nodded. “Go ahead.”
The governor-general spoke earnestly. “The administrator hopes you'll suspend your military conflict with the Xilande Empire and focus more of your efforts on the Southern Seas.”
Although it was exactly what he had expected, Ample Time still couldn't help showing a trace of reluctance. “We've already been doing that. The underwater power grid, freshwater pipelines, tidal power stations, and the restoration of Coral City... These infrastructure projects are gradually bringing the Southern Seas survivors over to our side. But as you know, their impact isn't something that becomes visible overnight. The benefits of order take time to manifest.”
Hearing that, the governor-general immediately realized Ample Time had misunderstood him and quickly explained, “You've misunderstood. The administrator isn't questioning your work. Quite the opposite, actually. He believes you've done an excellent job. Whether it's uniting the survivors of the Southern Seas or handling the Expeditionary Army, you've genuinely approached these issues from the perspective of those being governed.”
“We're flattered. We only did what we were supposed to do.” Taking a sip of tea, Ample Time answered modestly, though the corners of his mouth couldn't help curling upwards.
Receiving praise from their faction boss still felt surprisingly satisfying.
The governor-general nodded. “I'm glad you understand. In any case, the administrator isn't urging you to achieve an immediate breakthrough on the battlefield. What he actually hopes is that you'll adopt a somewhat more conciliatory attitude toward the Xilande Empire.”
Ample Time couldn't help but laugh. “Have we really been that harsh toward those people?”
The embargo had been entirely the Xilande Empire's decision. The New Alliance had never restricted the movement of people or goods through Port Gallon. They had even tacitly allowed shadow ports like Banana Head Bay to exist.
As for the warlords appearing along the border, that had even less to do with them.
Because of the ceasefire negotiations, he had even suspended contact with rebel groups inside the Xilande Empire.
Faced with Ample Time's grievance, the governor-general wore a helpless expression and sighed. “I don't know much about your affairs across the sea. I'm merely conveying the administrator's wishes. In addition, the New Alliance is about to sign a formal ceasefire agreement with the Xilande Empire. Duke Garawa has already made concessions on several key provisions. The Administrator hopes that Port Gallon will release Governor Nihark as a gesture of goodwill.”
Ample Time blinked once before asking in shock, “That's it?”
“Is there a problem?”
“No... If anything, it's almost too easy.” Chuckling helplessly, Ample Time opened his VM right in front of the governor-general, typed out a message, and hit the send button.
Within minutes, Port Gallon’s city hall would receive a telegram from French Fry Harbor, and the secretary he had promoted would quickly take care of the rest.
By the same time the next day, Governor Nihark would be walking out of prison and standing on the streets of a Port Gallon that had been transformed beyond recognition. Hopefully, he wouldn't be too shocked by what had become of the place he had once governed.
If the Xilande Empire was willing to take this as a gesture of goodwill, there was no reason they couldn't send those 10,000 or so prisoners of war home as well.
After sending the message, Ample Time looked at the governor-general across from him and calmly said, “It's already taken care of.”
It was probably the fastest mission turn-in he had ever completed.
The governor-general looked visibly surprised, seemingly astonished by how quickly it had been done.
Ample Time continued, “Anything else?”
Whether it was immigration management or demonstrating goodwill toward the Xilande Empire, both seemed like trivial matters to him. If those were the only issues, there was no need for the governor-general to relay them personally. A single line added to the quest log would have sufficed. He was more inclined to believe there was something far more important to discuss.
Indeed, events unfolded exactly as he had expected.
The governor-general cleared his throat and spoke seriously. “One more thing. Regarding your earlier proposal to list Baiyue Strait Development Company on the stock market, the administrator has already discussed it with the experts at Camp 101. He believes your request is reasonable. The people of the New Alliance should share in the benefits brought about by the development of Baiyue Strait. Doing so will encourage them to continue exploring and developing the wasteland. For your company, going public will make it easier to raise capital and expand your operations more rapidly, allowing you to grow the pie even larger.”
“Before that, however, you'll need to cooperate with auditors appointed by the New Alliance Bank to examine and evaluate your company's operations, finances, and assets. This is to ensure investors' legal rights are protected and that all equity transactions are conducted openly, fairly, and impartially.”
“If everything goes smoothly, your IPO will serve as a successful model. The administrator plans to establish a dedicated stock exchange in Dawn City afterward to provide listing services for other well-managed companies seeking financing.”
Ample Time’s eyes widened in shock as he stared at the governor-general for a good minute without speaking. When he came back to his senses, delight immediately spread across his face, and he accepted without hesitation. “Please tell Lord Administrator he can rest assured! We'll fully cooperate with New Alliance Bank in completing the financial audit!”
The governor-general smiled and nodded. “Compared to the previous two matters, this is only a minor issue that is not worth mentioning. You just needed to be informed.”
Hearing those words, Ample Time wore a radiant smile but said nothing.
A minor issue?
If that counted as a minor issue, then there probably wasn't anything bigger than it.