Chapter 425

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Protagonist:

Chen Yi

At dawn, Dayaang began his shift at the mine.

He took out the Mexicans' roster and started calling them one by one for talks. Senior officials of the West River Water Fortress all had sufficient access to Spanish Magic Konjac, which was also a scarce resource distribution method with Chinese characteristics: leaders first.

Mexicans with many misgivings began participating in Dayaang's talks.

In groups of five, Dayaang intentionally or unintentionally hinted at buying them off. He could offer many good things: US dollars from Earth, West Continent point rewards, cola, beer, tequila, corn tortillas, grilled sausages, and other foods, even comfortable living conditions moving into cement suites in the West River Water Fortress—all highly attractive.

For many Mexicans, the West Continent's environment was almost like a desert. As South Americans who lived for enjoyment, tequila and loyalty were hardly comparable; if they could regain even a third of their former lives, they would gladly defect.

Eight people immediately expressed their admiration for Chinese or Asians, and just as Dayaang hoped, each provided lists or estimated numbers of secret and semi-public Mexican small groups.

Besides the weak-willed type, Mexico also had some tough types like cacti. They not only developed opposition toward Dayaang but also infected those in the simultaneous five-person talks, causing the Mexicans in their groups to lose their willingness to defect. Dayaang recorded these people too, cross-referenced them with previous answers, and soon compiled an arrest list of 38 people.

But when submitting it to the Rhombus Conference Hall, he encountered some problems.

Li Feng said: "Without a legal system, just arresting people like this—what if the Mexicans resist?"

Cao Zheng's answer was as usual: "Hit them."

She Lei added two more sentences, but the core content was still "suppress."

But Yu Weichao, who controlled all resources, knew they couldn't do that. Of the 500 Mexicans, over 200 were Level 2 or above—meaning at least half knew how to drive machinery and were the main force of mining extraction. If they went on strike or were suppressed, the one who'd end up in trouble would still be himself.

Thinking of these complex and annoying matters, Yu Weichao couldn't so cheerfully say "suppress." He slowly said: "The West River Water Fortress is expanding fast; soon we won't be able to manage grassroots affairs. From now on, the Rhombus Conference Hall can't just say whatever goes. We indeed need our own legal system."

Li Feng immediately agreed: "The law can tell people what to do and what not to do. Punishment alone can't solve gang solidarity problems; it might even make their resistance stronger."

"Then what kind of law should we adopt?"

She Lei said without hesitation: "The American kind. Get a few defense lawyers and such, and we'll form a Procuratorate. First, Dayaang's side finds people, then judges. Who will be the judge?"

Dayaang only had the right to attend the Rhombus Conference Hall and silently looked at She Lei. He didn't want to be some boring prosecutor.

Li Feng didn't want to either, but he likewise liked the European-American legal system, even though it was an expensive legal system.

Yu Weichao looked around the circle and finally asked Li Changning: "What do you think?"

"I think... let the Lord choose. He just came from Earth and should stay for a week or two. Let the Lord decide—that's better."

"Then... Dayaang, you go report." Yu Weichao seemed unwilling to get involved in legal matters. That was extremely specialized boring work, especially in the early days of the West Continent. Expecting defense lawyers to function was sheer fantasy; even students with the West Protection No. 1 Medal dared to ignore him.

Dayaang worried that substantive secret groups would make the cleanup work extremely complicated, so he readily agreed.

He had no way to refuse. The Rhombus Conference Hall rarely gave him direct orders, but if it did, they usually had to be carried out.

Naked Bear brought two armored vehicles and, along the way, sent Dayaang to the Mining Pool, saying: "Master has been paying close attention to the ore lately."

"Thank you." Dayaang said sincerely. A kind reminder could help him focus on the key points; specifically now, discussing possible reduced mine output might be the best breakthrough.

Dayaang thought as he ran forward, covering his nose.

Bacterial metallurgy was going very smoothly; now three pools had been soaked. After microbes ate, slept, and bathed in them, the pools were like dye vats—yellow and green—and of course smelled bad. The only thing refreshing was the metal ingots.

One pool of 6,000 tons of ore would yield 600 kilograms of platinum. Though not 99% pure, after slight refining it would be real gold and silver. Such high output was over 30 times the world's platinum production efficiency. If South African mine owners heard about it, they'd be delighted enough to drop their jaws.

Now only Chen Yi and Zhou Houyuan were delighted.

Zhou Houyuan actually wasn't that delighted. A distinguished famous professor, a celebrity about to enjoy his second spring in life, suddenly came to this bird-shit West Continent. Zhou Houyuan simply couldn't be delighted no matter what.

And he was playing the role of a microbe waste-scooping worker.

Although a few natives and students followed his instructions to scoop in the pool, they weren't skilled enough, so some key tasks had to be done by Zhou Houyuan himself. Thus he had to stand by the pool all day smelling the strange concentrated odor. What he regretted most now was agreeing to come to Chen Yi's laboratory. If he had refused outright that day—Zhou Houyuan seriously doubted whether, even if given another chance, he could bring himself to say no.

Back then, Chen Yi was still very persuasive.

When Dayaang walked over, he smelled a sour stench. Seeing Chen Yi, he saluted and smiled: "You're amazing—you can even stand such a heavy smell."

He then nodded to Professor Zhou Houyuan. As one of the top figures of the West Continent's violent machine, Dayaang's power was second only to Chen Yi and Yu Weichao at the top level.

Chen Yi smiled like an old man retired and feeding birds, saying: "The strain has entered the logarithmic growth phase; this month's output increased quickly. How's the mine side?"

"South Americans do stick together." After Dayaang reported the intelligence he'd obtained, he said: "Now even Level 4 Mexicans have become leaders of various groups. To break them up, we need a law to back us."

"Law?"

"Even harsh punishments need a law." Dayaang said seriously: "Without a law, future matters will only get harder to handle."

"Any suggestions?" Chen Yi's attention was mostly on the green-tinted pool.

Dayaang hesitated for a long time, then said: "This is a big matter; only you can decide it. Hmm, our suggestion is to copy existing laws. That is, adopt whichever country's legal system—it would be easier to use."

Chen Yi played with the platinum group ore in the pool using a wooden stick. Beside him, Number One Pool was already shipping out metal ingots. The uneven metal ingots were mostly tin ingots—from 6,000 tons of ore, over a hundred tons could be produced—then several tons of copper ingots, while the combined weight of gold ingots and platinum ingots was only over 600 kilograms. Though the quantity was smallest, their value was highest, which is why the ore deposit is called a platinum group ore deposit, not a tin ore deposit.

"In about two days, Number One Pool will be fully replaced with new ore."

"Producing so much precious metal every month—congratulations, Lord."

"It's the result of our joint efforts." Chen Yi chuckled twice, then suddenly said: "Just use China's law."

"Huh?"

"Just use China's law." This time Chen Yi used an affirmative sentence. Chinese law had its superiority, such as low cost and suitability for rule; its natural attribute was that of a herdsman. Chen Yi had no intention of discussing equality with the West Continent natives, just as the proletariat of old had no intention of discussing equality with the bourgeoisie. Using Chinese law in the West Continent was entirely fitting.

Dayaang thought: although everyone was unfamiliar with Chinese law, it was probably easier to practice than that American kind, and the Public Security Bureau's ruling position was stronger than the Police Bureau's. So he took it as an order, scratched his head, and left.

Jin Douna came out from the small house behind and smiled faintly: "Yin Senchen has also come to report his gains from Malacheng."

"How much?"

"2 tons of precious metal."

"Have him come over." Chen Yi continued turning over the ore and observing Zhou Houyuan's actions. Due to the wide application of "Iron Bacteria Zhou," its continuous effect lasted a long time, helping to expand scale exponentially, though the operation was much more troublesome.

He had stored nearly 60 tons of precious metal in Jiangning, all smelted from Conch Shells bought with copper coins. As long as the wharf and Xima Market developed smoothly, this 1:1.2 or even over 1:3 exchange would continue, belonging to the best profit of a tenfold return.

In addition, over 10 tons of precious metal from the church, 10 tons from the Gasa Ye Family, and another 10 tons obtained recently bit by bit meant Chen Yi basically got the expected stockpile—100 tons of precious metal.

Counting to this point, Chen Yi couldn't help but smile. Seeing Yin Senchen, he happily waved: "Come quick, look at the precious metal we produced ourselves."

"Good." Yin Senchen performed the advance salute, then reported formulaically: "This time we received a total of 2.2 tons of precious metal, only about 10 tons short of completing the 30-ton mission. Of course, Gasa Ye will continue collecting precious metals from other nobles to compensate for his losses as much as possible."

"Did you bring it?"

"Brought it." Yin Senchen made a "pa" sound, placing the 2.2 tons of platinum and gold on the ground, a very small pile, which from a layman's perspective appeared round.

Noticing Chen Yi's gaze, Yin Senchen laughed slightly embarrassed: "Got bored on the way, kneaded it for fun."

……(Unfinished. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian. com) to vote recommendation tickets, monthly tickets, your support is my maximum motivation.)