Chapter 875: Longyou Shuangzixing (9)

Huolakesi cursed "old fox" to himself; he knew Breken was distancing himself, emphasizing that the Garrison was only responsible for "executing" and maintaining "established" order, and as for the potential unrest caused by the new policy, that was the City Lord's failure in management.

He leaned in half a step, lowering his voice further.

"The General is absolutely right. It's just... as you know, it's not like there haven't been troubles before. Especially in No. 49 Mining Area; that small-scale disturbance a few decades ago, although suppressed quickly, still caused significant losses and delayed mineral output. Now that the quota has been increased by twenty percent all at once, while rations have been cut... I am worried that if a few fools who don't know death are pushed to the edge and start a riot, it will disturb the Special Envoy..."

He paused deliberately, observing Breken's reaction.

"The Special Envoy is going all out to push the new policy. If he sees signs of instability below, I fear... he won't think it's just a matter of a few pieces of mining slag; he might think our overall... 'execution capability' needs strengthening."

Huolakesi's meaning was very clear.

If something happens, I, Huolakesi, will certainly be in trouble, but you, the Garrison, are responsible for security and stability—can you really stay out of it? How would Special Envoy Grendel and those Liquidators of his view a garrison that "fails to get things done"?

Brigadier General Breken's expression darkened slightly.

He certainly understood Huolakesi's subtext.

The appearance of the Liquidators also made him and his officers feel as if they had thorns on their backs.

Those executioners from the Internal Affairs Department possessed independent investigative and judicial powers, and even had the authority to execute members of the Star Alliance Regular Army before reporting, making them the people these local garrison officers least wanted to deal with.

He pondered for a moment and said slowly.

"The City Lord's concerns are not without reason. I wonder what your brilliant suggestion is?"

He kicked the ball back gently.

Huolakesi sneered in his heart, but his face became increasingly sincere.

"I wouldn't call it a brilliant suggestion. I was just thinking, could the General take Precautionary Measures and strengthen the guard in some key areas? Especially the main roads leading to the Refinery and the Central Elevator Platform, as well as the entrances and exits of those settlements that have never been very peaceful."

"There is no need for large-scale mobilization; just increase the frequency of patrols and pre-deploy some Regular Army troops and armored units at certain high points and traffic nodes as a deterrent."

He paused and added.

"This way, we can prevent trouble before it happens, ensure absolute stability during the Special Envoy's inspection, and also allow the General's troops to demonstrate high vigilance and professional quality in front of the Special Envoy. What do you think?"

Brigadier General Breken's gaze swept over the other officers, and several field-grade officers nodded slightly.

Huolakesi's proposal not only gave the Garrison a reasonable excuse to increase troops but also saved face for the military, implying this was an opportunity to "demonstrate professional quality" rather than simply cleaning up their mess.

"Hmm..."

Breken rubbed the base of his wine glass, his three eyes turned, and he spoke.

"Increasing patrols and pre-deploying is standard security procedure. After all, with the Special Envoy here, it is only right to raise the security level."

He was taking the step down, agreeing to the troop increase while attributing the main reason to "protecting the Special Envoy" rather than suppressing a potential Riot.

"The General is wise!"

Huolakesi immediately offered high praise, his smile becoming brilliant again.

"With the General and your elite troops sitting in command, those mining slag will definitely not dare to act rashly! Even if there are some who don't know death, it will just let the Liquidator see the efficiency and determination of our local Garrison!"

He breathed a sigh of relief inwardly. As long as the military was willing to intervene and deploy in advance to create a high-pressure situation, it should be enough to deter those bottom-dwelling wretches and keep them from acting rashly.

As long as they could get through the period of the Special Envoy's inspection smoothly, then... they would deal with what came later, later.

The banquet continued, and the atmosphere seemed to become relaxed and lively again.

The officers began to talk about some "good news" from the Star Alliance front lines, or strange anecdotes from certain star sectors.

A slightly younger major in charge of intelligence took the opportunity while offering a toast to speak in a low voice to Breken and Huolakesi.

"General, City Lord, although we have strengthened our deployment, there are indeed some... unusual undercurrents below recently."

"Oh?"

Huolakesi raised an eyebrow.

"We intercepted some abnormal communication fragments; they are very fragmented and the encryption method is very primitive, but we cannot pinpoint them accurately. It seems there are some words like 'unity' and 'survive' circulating in specific small circles."

The major chose his words carefully.

"Additionally, the circulation of some contraband drugs in the black market, especially those that can boost spirits or suppress pain, has increased abnormally recently. This is usually... a precursor to something happening."

Breken frowned and asked.

"Can you find the source? Is it those decrepit 'Mutual Aid Societies' coming back to life?"

In his memory, there had been small groups of miners spontaneously organizing to help each other with food and medicine, which were usually dismantled quickly.

The major shook his head.

"It doesn't look like it. This time it seems more... scattered and more covert. There is no obvious organizer; it is more like a... spread of emotion. Because of the Liquidator's actions, our people don't dare to go deep into the lower levels to investigate like before, for fear of causing misunderstandings."

Huolakesi waved his hand, unimpressed.

"They are just wretches who can't survive muttering in despair! In the face of absolute power, any undercurrent cannot stir up waves. Just strengthen surveillance; no need to make a fuss, lest the Special Envoy think we are worrying about nothing."

He was more worried that an overreaction would draw Grendel's dissatisfaction, leading him to believe their control was weak.

Brigadier General Breken pondered for a moment and said to the major.

"Continue monitoring and report only when there is solid evidence. The current priority is to ensure surface stability. Follow the City Lord's suggestion and send more Patrol Squads, especially around those abandoned facilities in West District 7; keep an eye out to prevent anyone from using those places to make trouble."

"Yes, General!"

The major saluted and withdrew.

Huolakesi smiled and smoothed things over.

"The General is truly thoughtful. Come, let us toast the General again, thanking the Garrison for their outstanding contribution to the stability of Longyou Shuangzixing!"

The atmosphere of the banquet warmed up again, as if the brief conversation about "undercurrents" had never happened.

These high-and-mighty big shots, relying on force and management systems, were confident they could control everything.

They believed that sending a few more soldiers and showing off a few weapons was enough to keep those wretches they viewed as "mining slag" crawling on the ground, silently enduring everything.

The high-level banquet neared its end in a "harmonious" atmosphere. Huolakesi looked at Breken and the others, feeling much more at ease.