Chapter 49 Wasteland Technology <TOC> Chapter 51 Winter is Coming
Translator: SumTLMan
Zhou Yi pondered the intricacies of the Light Print Technique.
Seeing him lost in thought, the pirate captain Yuan Tong dared not interrupt.
After a moment, Zhou Yi refocused on the ship: “Tell me about the current state of the Seventh Fleet.”
“They’re stationed at the port by Little Smoke Ridge in the north, assigned to escort tobacco shipments across the sea. The area I operate in is on the outskirts of a coastal town by Little Smoke Ridge, under the jurisdiction of the Seventh Fleet.”
After recounting this, Yuan Tong concentrated, then continued: “The main function of the Seventh Fleet is maritime patrol. They have one primary B-Class battleship, four B-Class heavy patrol warships, and eight C-Class medium patrol warships. Rumor has it…”
He hesitated: “It’s said that the C-Class patrol ship you destroyed was the Organ Horn. They also have a D-Class light patrol fleet of 10 light patrol ships and a logistics team with a mixed array of 20 support vessels.”
“That’s the extent of what I know.”
Zhou Yi made a quick calculation.
The Seventh Fleet still had seven ships like the Organ Horn, five heavyweight B-Class vessels, and ten D-Class ships in reserve, with substantial support vessels for logistics.
With just one fleet containing 43 ships, the naval might of the Dead Sea Knights was indeed formidable.
If the Seventh Fleet went all out with its full force, Zhou Yi knew his only option would be to order Jade Emerald City to retreat.
Zhou Yi asked: “Do you know Ji Chang?”
“I’ve heard of him.”
Yuan Tong’s tone grew somber: “He’s an honorary knight of the Dead Sea Knights. It’s said he’s heavily involved in arms trafficking and even excavates ancient weaponry with a certain expertise. Last year, he recruited a group through the Dead Sea Knights to search for something.”
“Search for what?”
“I’m not sure. Word is that wherever he goes, he hires local pirates due to his generous payouts and influential background, so many pirates work for him.”
This aligned with what Cui Mao had previously described.
Zhou Yi continued inquiring about other matters.
As a veteran in the pirate industry, Yuan Tong knew many hidden secrets about maritime pirates. However, he was less informed about the Seventh Fleet, only interacting with the Dead Sea Knights when summoned.
Not inquiring or initiating contact was a standard unspoken rule in this line of work.
Ji Chang’s relationship with Deputy Commander He Jiu remained unknown to him.
However, Yuan Tong did mention one new detail.
“Commander Feng Ji of the Seventh Fleet took leave for several months due to personal matters, during which the Deputy Commander and the Chief of Staff were in charge. Commander Feng is expected to return next month, so He Jiu likely won’t make any reckless moves; he still needs to deal with the fallout from the Organ Horn’s reduced personnel.”
“He Jiu is known for his cunning and ability to ingratiate himself with powerful individuals across regions, though he has a poor reputation. Feng Ji, however, is prudent and conservative, consistently aiming to avoid combat casualties, resorting to negotiations whenever possible. The Dead Sea Knights hold him in high regard.”
“When Commander Feng returns, He Jiu will undoubtedly face accountability. I think this is the reason why He Jiu couldn’t afford any more warship losses and sent us out to scout instead…”
The threads in Zhou Yi’s mind started connecting.
He Jiu was putting on a show for Ji Chang, signaling that he had done his best. As for the loss of the Organ Horn, the Deputy Commander likely didn’t care, so long as he could gain Ji Chang’s favor.
Clearly, Ji Chang’s goodwill was worth He Jiu sacrificing a C-Class warship.
The intelligence was fairly reliable.
Now came the matter of dealing with the pirates.
Zhou Yi told Yuan Tong: “I’m giving you two choices.”
“One, death. I’ll handle the burial.”
“Two, leave the ship behind, settle in Grub Grain Town, and leave when things cool down.”
The pirate captain didn’t hesitate: “I choose the second!”
“Except for you.”
“Understood.”
Zhou Yi asked: “Do you truly understand?”
“Yes, my words must be tested. I understand.”
“No. It’s unrelated to that.”
Zhou Yi looked at the middle-aged pirate before him: “Our Wasteland Development Company is in its infancy. We need talented individuals from all trades. Are you interested in working with us?”
“This…”
Yuan Tong looked puzzled: “I’m just an old man with no real worth. Among pirates, I’m a minor figure, and my ship-handling skills aren’t anything special. Why would you…”
“You’re right. But then again, few pirates have technical knowledge like yours, and few craftsmen have significant experience with piracy. Our company not only seeks professionals with deep expertise in specific fields but also values those with cross-disciplinary talents.”
Zhou Yi added: “Since you have no family obligations, if you’re looking for a simpler, stable life, why not join our company?”
After a moment’s hesitation, Yuan Tong asked: “What would you want me to do?”
“Your position would be as a nautical consultant, primarily responsible for researching ships and related technologies, analyzing the pirate and Knights’ situations from a technical perspective, and performing maritime risk assessments for the company. It’s a technical role; your input on the equipment we purchase and use will be crucial.”
Zhou Yi emphasized: “The Wasteland Development Company will eventually venture into Dead Sea trade. Forming a fleet is inevitable. But everything needs to progress step by step, from ships to equipment, personnel, and technology.”
“How much did you earn as a pirate captain annually?”
Yuan Tong hurriedly responded: “Surviving and being taken in is more than enough. I don’t dare to ask for anything more.”
“No, you’ll have a salary. If you don’t, how can I trust you to do the work?”
“…”
Under Zhou Yi’s insistence, Yuan Tong explained: “Previously, we split the earnings this way: after giving 45% as tax to the Dead Sea Knights’ tax collector, I took 10% of the remaining net profit, and the rest was divided among the crew based on their roles.”
“For instance, those on the front lines boarding enemy ships took 5% due to the high risk, scouts received 3%, and the proportion varied based on injury or significant contribution.”
“Hold on,” Zhou Yi interrupted: “45% tax?”
“Yes, it’s unavoidable.”
Yuan Tong chuckled wryly: “So, in truth, we’re under quite a bit of pressure. We might even be audited for tax evasion, and sometimes we have to grease the wheels despite being above board. Expenses are high in every direction.”
Zhou Yi mused that the Dead Sea Knights were profiting at both ends, taking nearly all the money.
“Overall, my annual earnings are around 12 gold, which is relatively low for a pirate captain.”
Based on the local conversion rate, 1 gold equals 10 silver, which equals 100 copper, which equals 10,000 mushrooms.
So Yuan Tong’s annual income was around 120,000 mushrooms.
Zhou Yi recalled that the average salary for a basic worker in Chicken Head Town’s farming cooperative was 1,200 mushrooms monthly, or 14,400 annually.
In sheer numbers, a pirate captain was indeed a high-paying role in the Wasteland Era.
Something struck Zhou Yi as odd.
If the energy packs required to power enhanced ships relied on Light Seed materials and the Dead Sea Knights traded in gold and copper, it meant that Light Seeds could be exchanged for precious metals like gold.
He mentally confirmed with the Red Falcon.
The drone responded: “Light Seeds and precious metals, especially gold, have long been traded. Both the Light Print Technique and Light Printing use precious metals as carriers and key components.”
“As of the current rate in Recursion City, 1 Light Seed is equivalent to about 101.44 standard gold, with a stable exchange rate close to 1:100. The base trading unit for iron, copper, silver, and gold is 5 grams. So, 1 Light Seed is worth roughly 500 grams of gold.”
Zhou Yi, who once thought the farm machinery brothers’ wages were low, realized their combined monthly salary of 2 Light Seeds equaled 2.4 million mushrooms.
Then again, those machines consumed Light Seeds and energy packs for sustenance and required frequent maintenance, part replacements, and upgrades. They earned much but spent equally.
Mechanical lifeforms earned Light Seeds and spent them; new humans earned and consumed mushrooms. Each faced its challenges.
Zhou Yi stated: “I’ll offer you an annual salary of one million mushrooms, paid in Light Seeds.”
“One… one million?!”
Yuan Tong’s eyes widened, then gleamed: “I… I assure you, I’ll fulfill your tasks with dedication!”
Zhou Yi reflected.
Offering competitive salaries ensured motivation and a fresh outlook.
The Warrior Crabs dragged both ships back to the company’s base, where Jade Emerald City settled them in a public square, resembling some exotic amusement setup, ready for use whenever needed.
Under Yuan Tong’s direction, the pirates quietly moved into Grub Grain Town, beginning their secluded life of refuge.
Observing via the Red Falcon, Zhou Yi noticed that all 21 pirates stayed put, gathering firewood and dried manure at night like the locals, then returning to their underground lodgings.
The only difference from the locals was their occasional hunting trips, where they set traps using metal tools and occasionally caught sand rats or small birds for a rare taste of meat.
Yuan Tong explained: “Chairman, they aren’t new to this; they understand the stakes.”
“Captured pirates are typically hanged. For people like us, failing to complete the missions assigned by the Dead Sea Knights means they won’t leave any evidence for other factions.”
“The only way out is to reach a large city beyond the Dead Sea Knights’ influence, like Ji Chang under the Tianjin Knights, or even the stronger ‘Mirror City.’ Only by being imprisoned there would they have a chance to live.”
“Living under your jurisdiction is, in fact, the safest option right now. They won’t cause trouble. You’ve made the Seventh Fleet wary of approaching again, so they’re not going to risk their lives carelessly.”
Relieved, Zhou Yi let down his guard.
Chapter 49 Wasteland Technology <TOC> Chapter 51 Winter is Coming