Chapter 315: Only I Can Use the Law Chapter 315 Watered-Down Oil (1)

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Protagonist:

Chen Yi

Yu Weichao was always the busiest person at West River Water Fortress, and his situation was far from as comfortable as it looked.

The first challenge he had to face was the students known as the "Wuguan System." To put it precisely, apart from him and the few professionals Chen Yi had sent over, all Earthlings were members of the "Wuguan System."

Within this small Wuguan System, there were low-level management-style Wuguan System students represented by Li Changning, Old Third Phase Wuguan System students represented by She Lei, and new Wuguan System students represented by Li Feng—of course, so-called factional power could only be described as a natural clique, or purely a personal small circle, but everyone knew that if such circles developed in the future, they would inevitably change the landscape of West River Water Fortress, and even the West Continent. At least the natives now had begun spontaneously gravitating toward different circles; for them, high-level changes within West River City Fortress were not a game, but a real turning point that affected and even decided their lives.

Although the current divisions were still unclear, it was an undisputed fact that the power Yu Weichao could directly control was getting smaller and smaller. However, relying on his natural high-position advantage, especially Chen Yi's support, Yu Weichao did not find it very difficult. He knew clearly that no matter how many factions the students on the West Continent stirred up, they were ultimately Wuguan Hall students, and as long as Chen Yi said a word, they would obediently follow orders. All students' innate advantages came from the Wuguan Hall, so the Hall Master was the ultimate decision-maker.

Precisely for this reason, although Yu Weichao knew that asking Chen Yi to send over non-Wuguan System students was the best way to change the landscape, he would never say so. He was very clear that as long as he could continuously develop the power of West River Water Fortress, his position would be hard to snatch away. And no matter how he changed the landscape, as long as he aroused Chen Yi's suspicion, he would lose all his rights.

Although coming to the West Continent was so unwilling, now if he were asked to go back, Yu Weichao was absolutely unwilling.

Every day on the West Continent was a day of creating history; this place was like a new human colony, a New America of the Age of Discovery. And Yu Weichao had always regarded himself as the Governor of New America.

Here there was a warm and humid climate—although too warm and humid; here there were abundant products—although not easy to develop; here there was a future of infinite development—although no one knew when it would develop; here there was immense power—this point was beyond doubt.

For a man, possessing the power to control countless lives was almost half of life's pursuit—if he could also possess a beautiful wife and concubines, then he would have no regrets in this life.

"Master, adding water." The rough voice of a servant interrupted Yu Weichao's reverie. He helplessly glanced at the transport tree and lightly nodded.

After spending a long time on the West Continent, one knew that natives in the wilderness were a hundred percent rough like savages, but in the city, quite a few natives were relatively normal in appearance. Yu Weichao had seen some slightly fair-skinned merchants and nobles, among them women without hair on their faces—that was already not easy.

It was precisely these rough servants that Earthlings on the West Continent could not all have; Yu Weichao even listed various small movies at Loyalty Level B in his request list, at the same level as cement and iron nails—after all, cement could be partially self-produced, and iron nails were the same, but small movies were irreplaceable spiritual food. How many students, since having small movies, no longer clamored to return to Earth.

Anyway, they watched small movies on Earth too; on the West Continent, apart from not being able to download freely, the variety was actually quite complete...

"Bring me today's files." Yu Weichao stretched lazily, preparing to start a day's work. What he implemented on the West Continent was a signature responsibility system; he tightly held financial power and most personnel power, while the work was mainly done by others. He did not care whether the request came from which faction or person, but took developing West River Water Fortress as the first goal; thus, as long as he leaned toward one side, that side would inevitably win, thereby stabilizing his own position.

"Three more vehicles broke down? Too many." Seeing the first material report, Yu Weichao could not help it and ordered: "Call Qin Dajiang of the Vehicle Group, and the people from the Maintenance Group."

He wrote a short note and handed it to his rough servant to send out. The cipher room outside had walkie-talkies and errand runners; personnel were often outside the city, and when walkie-talkies were unusable, someone had to deliver it manually.

After reviewing more than ten files, Qin Dajiang hurried over, and from the Maintenance Group only Deputy Group Leader Li Duo came—a machine repair worker nearly forty years old, who had followed Chen Yi for a 150,000 yuan settlement fee. It was also because the demand for vehicle maintenance workers on the West Continent was too urgent, and repair personnel for engineering vehicles were originally scarce. However, Li Duo received a Level 2 Student's salary on the West Continent, able to send 20,000 yuan home every month; the Wuguan Hall had two student family members, Wang Chun Chun and Mo Zi Qin, handling West Continent payroll, never delaying a single day.

Yu Weichao silently raised the radio station from Loyalty Level B- to Loyalty Level B, then looked up and said: "Since the Maintenance Group leader is not here, let's just talk among the three of us; the vehicle damage rate is too high."

He looked at Qin Dajiang, then at Li Duo, and said: "In the past, people talked about it, but now we can't just let it go. I plan to use... one hour to talk with you about this problem. Is it that students and native workers use vehicles improperly? Or is maintenance lacking resources? Or is the West Continent environment unsuitable for Earth vehicles? Or is it that everyone sees we have many vehicles and doesn't care to maintain them?"

Putting it this way, both groups had responsibility.

Qin Dajiang was a combat hero; the "Xi Bao Excellent Medal" was earned with his life. Back then, while others sat safely in Humvees or even stayed in the city, he stood alone in the turret, firing desperately; a less lucky person might have been speared by arrows or javelins. Therefore, after the war, when rewards were given according to merit, he held the most eye-catching Vehicle Group; apart from a small number of engineering vehicles under the Mechanical Construction Group, all other types of vehicles were under his control, making him a powerful faction in West River City.

However, he was easy to talk to, rarely protective of his own, and vehicle loss was actually the Vehicle Group's loss. Thinking of the dozens of cars parked in the garage that still needed upkeep, Qin Dajiang thought for a moment and said: "We have actually classified vehicle damage from usage; work loss is the most, such as overloading and getting stuck in mud pools, but overall it belongs to environmental factors. As for personal use, early on some vehicles were indeed damaged by humans—not just natives, but our students' driving skills were not great either; but now newly arrived students have received driving training on Earth first, so it's not a big problem."

Yu Weichao grunted and asked: "Where do you think the problem lies?"

Qin Dajiang hesitated for a moment and said: "The oil used recently often isn't finished in one tank; there's always some left over."

"Left over?" Yu Weichao turned his head toward Li Duo.

Li Duo wore a blue worker's uniform. On the West Continent, he was an oddity; actually, anyone not from the Jiangning faction of the Academy system was an oddity. Their sleeves and chests were clean, without the armbands and medals of Xi Bao, and they couldn't speak effectively in front of natives. Li Duo was older; although it was inconvenient to fit into circles, he received some respect, which was why he became Deputy Group Leader of the Maintenance Group. The Group Leader was Gong Ancestor, a 30-year-old auto mechanic specially recruited from the 21st Term Students sent later; after studying at the Wuguan Hall for 3 months, he was different, but he mostly looked after engineering machinery in the wilderness and couldn't return this time.

Like workers of the same age, Li Ze usually didn't speak; he thought a lot and revealed little.

When Yu Weichao asked about this, Li Ze slowly said: "I've seen it too; some oil used by large trucks, uh, isn't particularly good."

"What do you mean?"

"That is, it might be watered down."

Yu Weichao frowned like stretch marks from childbirth and asked: "How could it be watered down?"

Li Duo hesitated and didn't speak.

Yu Weichao was unhappy and said: "The Maintenance Group is your responsibility; if you don't speak, should the vehicles just keep breaking down? Is a student stealing oil?"

Judging by age, only Yu Weichao was suitable to use a lecturing tone.

Li Duo hurriedly said: "Not stealing oil, that... actually, places selling diesel and gasoline, watering down is normal. According to state regulations, a certain amount of water is allowed, and although water isn't flammable, it doesn't necessarily affect the machine..."

"Get to the point."

"The diesel bought might have a problem." Li Duo sighed; this was accusing the "Hall Master," "Sovereign." Being on the West Continent, he clearly knew Chen Yi's prestige.

Yu Weichao didn't think it mattered and asked: "Is the massive vehicle loss related to this?"

"Half and half, maybe. Many broken vehicles have carburetor issues, and some engines won't start; changing the oil fixes them... I often encountered this in Jiangning; some motorcycles encountering black-hearted gas stations, 200-plus milliliters of gasoline actually had 50 milliliters of water—impossible to start." Li Duo gritted his teeth and said: "Actually, just looking at those oil tankers tells you; they're bought from some companies under CNPC, some good, some bad. You buy so much at once; if they add two tankers of water, they've made enough to break even."

Yu Weichao didn't dare decide alone; he thought and said: "Write me a report: which vehicles broke down for what reason, whether they won't start or can't be used, what equipment maintenance needs, how many vehicles can be repaired. Most importantly, list the problematic oil separately, and you need evidence. Understand?"

This project wasn't small; Li Duo carefully said: "At most half the vehicles are because of oil problems; that... carburetors and fuel lines probably have issues too, getting worse the longer they're used; replacing them all would cost quite a bit."

"Can they be repaired?"

"With our conditions, it's hard. Mainly because there are too many types."

Qin Dajiang couldn't hold back anymore and said: "Over a hundred broken vehicles; one way or another, at least millions in losses."

"Mm, leave it to the Sovereign to handle." Yu Weichao was very careful with the title, gave two more instructions, then let Qin Dajiang and the others leave.

A few days later, Chen Yi transported supplies as scheduled; while Chen Yi inspected the highway construction, Yu Weichao handed him the report completed by the Maintenance Group.

"China National Petroleum Corporation Southeast Sales Branch?" Chen Yi calmly finished reading the report, repeated the final conclusion, and asked: "They're a sales company under a major central state-owned enterprise."

"The problematic oil almost certainly comes from their subsidiary gas stations, sub-companies, or entrusted companies." Yu Weichao had verified it three times before daring to answer Chen Yi so confidently.

"I understand." Chen Yi continued inspecting the Mount Beast Station under construction, showing no expression.

Yu Weichao thought: This person's majesty was growing day by day.

However, once the things were handed over, he felt at ease, and introducing various equipment made him feel exceptionally at ease.

After viewing the combined Livestock Station and Veterinary Station, Chen Yi immediately asked: "How is the highway construction?"

"18 kilometers completed; now affected by the Light Curtain, students can't easily leave a 12-kilometer radius, so it's mainly being done by natives." The Light Curtain effect on the West Continent was weaker than on Earth, so students were relatively less restricted, but still not much better.

"Build 20 kilometers; as for the rest, you publicize it and let Malacheng build it." Chen Yi hadn't expected the supply to arrive so quickly, even much faster than he increased the Light Curtain's speed. But he wasn't in a hurry; if all else failed, he could just rob an Archaeopteryx specimen.

Shi Nengren quickly agreed and wrote it down in his notebook. West River City Fortress now had nearly 100 students, another 2,000 households of residents under them, plus nearly 10,000 village households; in ancient times, this would count as a large county. Students in high positions like colonial officials were finding it more and more enjoyable. Their only worry—smooth postal routes—had also diminished; although they could only communicate with family or transmit video data once every two or three weeks, as long as they knew the other side was safe, that was enough. Of course, occasionally conspiracy theorists wondered if the Hall Master would imprison their families, but more and more Wuguan Hall students, or members outside the Wuguan Hall, entering the West Continent brought mostly good news. For Chinese people of this era, the main problem was economic; earning several years' worth of salary in one month—if life wasn't good, that would be fake.

Chen Yi finished inspecting the roads outside the city, then had Shi Nengren plan the internal roads of the West River Water Fortress. The so-called internal area referred to the 10-plus-kilometer radius around Yun Village.

Yu Weichao and the others had already planned for this, and said quietly, "We've preliminarily decided whether to cut down all the trees in the surrounding area."

Chen Yi was no environmentalist, and agreed, "Fill in all the swamps and such places completely, to prevent poisonous insects and the like from breeding."

Yu Weichao happily said yes, then yielded his place to Li Feng.

Li Feng now managed industrial and other departments; he pulled Shi Nengren over and said with a smile, "Master, over the past two months we've been training native workers to tap rubber. The problem now is that the rubber trees on the West Continent differ slightly from Earth's; the tapping methods can be transplanted but still need some improvements. However, production has already begun."

"How many rubber trees did you find?"

"Within a 12-kilometer radius, about 10,000 trees, but the yield is probably three to five times that of Earth's."

So few rubber trees were a large asset for a farming household, but a drop in the bucket for a city. Chen Yi felt the most pressing task right now was still expanding the foundation — for example, enlarging the Light Curtain and personnel.

But he didn't say so immediately, only ordered, "On one hand, research the tapping technology; on the other, prepare the raw rubber — I'll send it to Jiangning for testing."

The price of natural rubber was still quite attractive; if it could be produced in large batches, setting up a dedicated factory would be no problem.

On his return trip Chen Yi mainly carried wood pulp, basically no different from an empty vehicle.

After quietly reviewing the latest construction results, Chen Yi arranged for the 15 newly joined trainees to meet the West Continent trainees, then hurried back to Jiangning.

He was still angry inside; otherwise he wouldn't have refused to stay even one night.

Back in Jiangning, after unloading the supplies, Chen Yi went up to the office on the top floor of the central warehouse and called Kong Qian, Deputy Captain of the Public Security Corps, asking straightforwardly, "I recently bought several batches of gasoline and diesel from the China National Petroleum Southeast Branch, and now discovered they're watered down — do you know about this situation?"

Jiangning's officialdom was now a muddy mess; high political-legal official Deng Ge was wavering, clearly unable to hold his post, and the old Bureau Chief seemed ready to retreat while the going was good. Kong Qian got nervous every time he saw a call; answering Chen Yi's call, he stammered, "You mean the China National Petroleum Southeast Branch, or the Southeast Sales Branch?"

"Is there a difference?"

"Yes, the former is their directly affiliated company, belonging to the oilfield enterprise; the sales company is the sales company, managing the gas stations below, the oil product companies, and so on." Kong Qian spoke half of it, then wished he could slap himself: saying useless things.

He quickly tried to fix it: "You mean the sales company, right? I know about oil products being watered down; sometimes the media reports it too — using water to earn oil money, how nice. But their own company shouldn't dare. Which branches did you mainly buy from?"

"Donghong, Xiangzhou, and the like." Chen Yi glanced at the documents.

Kong Qian was right there in the Public Security Corps; although he hadn't personally handled similar cases, he knew plenty of inside information. Hearing the company names Chen Yi mentioned, he smiled and said, "I know the companies you mentioned; most are those managed by the sales company. I'll help you ask around and make them pay compensation."

Chen Yi understood at once and asked, "Whose?"

Kong Qian replied vaguely, "Heard it's from Xijing. You know my rank — not high enough to know."

With Old Master Chen no longer in power, the Chen Family had no capital to be arrogant in Xijing. Chen Yi gave an "Mm," and said, "A few million yuan matter — you see if they're willing to pay."

Kong Qian clicked his tongue inwardly, somewhat regretting taking this on, but could only answer, "Yes."

…… (Unfinished, if you want to know what happens next, please log in to www. qidian. com, more chapters, support the author, support genuine reading!)