There are struggles every year, but this year there seem to be more than usual.
Gerbils have encountered this kind of unexpected situation more than once.
The increasingly strained relationship between the military and the underworld is largely a result of the political struggles within the inner city walls.
The reason is simple: they're running for office now.
Although there are only two or three high-ranking officials competing against each other, each of them has substantial resources.
Resources, healthcare, public security... bills on various livelihood reforms are piling up in the first district.
One of them is:
Abolishing the existence of underworld organizations
This bill has been in the works for several years.
But those were all minor skirmishes. This time is different; someone is actually using this as leverage to garner votes.
The most powerful among them was a high-ranking military officer in the First District.
He caused several disturbances on Sand Dune Tower, and finally used force to break through and impose military control on the fourth and fifth districts.
Using the rampage of the biker gang in the fourth and fifth districts as a pretext, he sent three of his divisions in to give them a taste of their power, causing the grizzly men a great deal of trouble.
The corpses of citizens from the fourth and fifth districts piled up outside became stepping stones for the upper echelons of the election.
Viewing killing as a bargaining chip,
The sacrifice of the 'rioters' in the fourth and fifth districts was used to win over most of the public opinion in the inner city.
After all, using a lot of resources to keep the fourth and fifth districts as a "garbage dump" is a burden for many high-ranking officials.
The existence of the Black Street makes this drag on the business even more difficult to get rid of.
First-class citizens pay so much tax every year, and good heavens, a portion of it is going to be used to clean up the garbage stations in the fourth and fifth districts? Why should that be?
It should be removed!
Inside the church, Gerald lit another cigarette, tapped his knuckles on the table, and said, "Tell me, what's going on in your community lately?"
First, the cadres gave their reports.
Then there's the adjustment of gerbils' control over various communities, and the issuance of new policies.
Just read from the book.
The rest should be discussed objectively. Sand Rat said coldly, "The soldiers are arresting people in Districts 4 and 5. They killed more than two hundred people today. All communities should pay attention. Now, those I've named, stop taking in outside citizens."
After he finished speaking, he picked up a document and began reading out the names of the community cadres.
Xue Lei was not among them.
However, the Shell Community was no longer able to accommodate any more citizens.
There are only so many resources in the warehouse.
Every month, he has to pay a 'protection fee' to the Gerbil Community, using the money to buy supplies that the Shell Community doesn't have, with the Gerbil Community taking a cut.
Apart from a few important communities with mines, workshops, and small factories, which will be directly governed by gerbils, the same applies to all other major communities.
It was fine before.
With a large population and insufficient productivity, resources become stretched thin.
"Boss, the soldiers killed so many people, and the higher-ups didn't say anything?"
“It’s like hell on earth outside now. Once those refugees come in, they don’t want to leave. You can’t get rid of them no matter what.”
“The citizens of the fourth and fifth districts have all come to the dark streets. I’m afraid the army will search our place too.”
The gerbil slammed its hand on the table. "They wouldn't dare!"
There were troops in the Black Street, but only the Fourth Division, with about five or six hundred men, was stationed there permanently.
Normally things are peaceful, but don't forget that the soldiers are all part of the same system, and they won't obey the gerbils. If they were to turn against each other one day, it would be a matter of minutes.
For every supporter, there must be an opponent.
The bill to ban black streets has opponents.
This opponent is actually the gerbil's backer in the inner city wall.
However, with the major election about to begin, the high-ranking officials were also fiercely competing.
In the midst of this overwhelming sense of unease, the fate of a dark street seems insignificant.
The arguments from both sides are naturally different. One side thinks that Districts 4 and 5 are a burden, consuming various resources but having no value. Some major taxpayers have also been complaining. The other side is also very realistic, believing that Districts 4 and 5 are the best place for Sandcastle to eliminate the conflicts within the inner city walls. Criminals, diseases, poverty, and garbage can all be dumped in Districts 4 and 5 to protect and 'highlight' the prosperity and peace of the inner city walls.
Districts 4 and 5 are under the jurisdiction of the Black Street.
This is tantamount to cracking down on the underworld.
Therefore, even the high-ranking official in District One has recently become hesitant to get too close to the gerbils, communicating only via radio.
In order to discuss this matter, the gerbil listened to the suggestions and policies of many cadres.
The meeting lasted for more than three hours.
It wasn't until someone next to him reminded him, "Boss, the head of the security team invited you for tea today, and the appointed time is almost here."
The gerbil nodded and dismissed the meeting.
Xue Lei sat in his seat for more than three hours straight, until his buttocks went numb.
He suddenly stood up, "Boss! Boss! I have something to report to you!"
Gerbils, of course, remember all their subordinates.
They stopped in their tracks only after recognizing the young man as a minor leader in the Shell Community.
Xue Lei was overjoyed upon seeing this and quickly told him about Qin Che's situation.
"...Boss, we encountered a biker gang in the desert before. If it weren't for him, I probably wouldn't have made it back. He saved the Shell Community. I want to bring him to meet you."
"A psionicist from outside?" The gerbil was taken aback, then showed some interest. "Let him in."
His subordinate frowned and said, "Boss, what about the security team..."
"I'll go after I see him," the gerbil waved its hand.
A short while later, Qin Che and Xiao Tao were invited in.
The two were dressed in high-class attire, looking very noble at first glance. Qin Che held his head high and walked with firm steps, while Xiao Tao followed behind with her head down, making herself look like a loyal servant.
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