The population cap of a Tier-1 Mobile City is merely one thousand. This means the vast majority of survivors on the Wasteland cannot board a Mobile City to enjoy the shelter and resources it provides.
And only Mobile Cities possess a relatively complete industrial system.
Relying on the core facility known as the “Workshop,” theoretically, anything can be manufactured as long as one possesses the blueprints and resources.
It is precisely for this reason.
The “scrap” Jiang Zhixu and his crew inherited from the old “Deep Blue” are considered rare, high-end goods in the eyes of independent scavengers and adventurer convoys who lack industrial capabilities.
“Let’s get out.”
Jiang Zhixu ignored the surrounding gazes filled with awe, greed, or curiosity. He led Qi Honglang and three guards out of the vehicle.
He had already observed that the internal roads of Rust Town were narrow and cramped; driving the off-road vehicle in would be inconvenient.
Since that was the case, it was better to proceed on foot.
The moment they stepped out of the vehicle.
A small figure, slippery as a loach, darted out from the crowd and rushed up to them!
“Sir!”
It was a boy who looked to be barely over ten years old.
He wore ragged clothes that barely covered his body and straw sandals on his feet.
Blocked by Jiang Zhixu’s guards several meters away, his face showed not a trace of fear. With a practiced tone belying his age, he began to sell his services:
“I haven’t seen you before. Do you need a guide?
“Every cableway, every back alley, every merchant, every drifter… if you want to find them, I can take you there!”
Jiang Zhixu looked at him. In the old world, a boy of this age should have been enjoying a carefree childhood.
Yet, the boy before him had to struggle for survival on the Wasteland.
He pondered for a moment, then asked gently, “What would it cost me? I can’t afford too high a price.”
The little boy glanced at the two guards in front of him and flashed a bright smile:
“You’re joking, sir. You clearly look like a distinguished City Lord. How could you possibly not afford a guide!
“And my rates aren’t high. Just one gold coin per hour! I promise, I won’t deliberately drag out the time. If you say east, I won’t go west!”
Gold coins were the medium of exchange in this world, and the smallest denomination. There were no subsidiary coins like copper or silver.
So, one gold coin for an hour of the boy’s time was indeed cheap enough for Jiang Zhixu.
“Well then—alright, I do need a guide.”
Jiang Zhixu was about to have someone pay.
But just then, several more people hurried over, weaving through the crowd from a distance.
Their clothing, though simple, was clearly made from materials and with craftsmanship worlds apart from that of ordinary civilians!
“Might you be City Lord Jiang of the ‘Deep Blue’?”
They addressed Jiang Zhixu by his title the moment they spoke, clearly having come specifically for him.
Seeing this display, the little boy’s eyes instantly dimmed. He hastily bowed and stepped aside, not daring to obstruct these important people’s “official business.”
His heart sank, feeling this job opportunity was probably lost.
Still, he clung to a sliver of hope, waiting nearby, hoping Jiang Zhixu might remember him later.
Jiang Zhixu looked curiously at the middle-aged man who had spoken. “That’s me. Who are you? What’s the matter?”
The leader among the newcomers respectfully clasped his hands toward Jiang Zhixu:
“City Lord Jiang, City Lord Zhou Yi of the ‘Elegy’ has informed us of your arrival. The five of us have prepared a welcoming banquet for you tonight and have come specifically to extend our invitation!”
Jiang Zhixu asked with interest, “A welcoming banquet? For me?”
“Yes!”
The middle-aged man who spoke first nodded emphatically, his tone filled with undisguised admiration. “The moment the ‘Deep Blue’ changed hands, it counterattacked and destroyed the raider city ‘Roar’! That is truly incredible!
“The five City Lords are deeply curious and full of respect for you, who have given the ‘Deep Blue’ a new lease on life. That is why they have specially prepared a humble feast to welcome you!”
The five City Lords mentioned by the middle-aged man were clearly the actual controllers of Rust Town.
Zhou Yi of the ‘Elegy’ was likely among them.
Jiang Zhixu nodded, then turned to look at the other two Mobile Cities docked at the distant berths. “Who are the City Lords of those two cities? Will they be attending tonight?”
The middle-aged man followed his gaze. Upon seeing the two cities, a trace of barely perceptible contempt flashed in his eyes before he resumed his respectful demeanor and replied:
“Those are the ‘Dwelling’ and the ‘Redrock.’ They are not first-time visitors to Rust Town. The City Lords interested in them have already sent people to meet with them.
“Of course, if you are also interested in them, we can send someone to extend an invitation. I believe they would not refuse.”
The subtext of his words was practically stating outright that those two cities were not yet qualified to attend tonight’s banquet.
*’The five City Lords also judge people by their status.’*
Jiang Zhixu understood clearly. However, since this slight was not directed at him, he naturally had no reason to refuse.
So he said, “I will attend the welcoming banquet on time tonight. However, please do me the favor of inviting the City Lords of the ‘Dwelling’ and the ‘Redrock’ as well.”
If possible, Jiang Zhixu needed as many allies as he could get.
Weak strength didn’t matter!
Because Mobile Cities themselves were immensely useful!
If a single city has a population limit, what about having two, three… even ten cities?
Uniting more Mobile Cities, clearly dividing them into industrial/logistics cities, agricultural/living cities, combat/escort cities…
In the end, could one not form a vast Mobile City cluster?
However, this somewhat crazy idea, Jiang Zhixu hadn’t yet shared with anyone.
Before possessing sufficient strength and influence, voicing this idea would only invite ridicule.
“Very well, we will immediately send someone to invite the two City Lords of the ‘Dwelling’ and ‘Redrock.'”
The middle-aged man was indifferent to this. This banquet was arranged for Jiang Zhixu. As long as he himself was willing to attend, this small request was insignificant.
With his objective achieved, his attitude became even more cordial: “City Lord Jiang, this is your first time in Rust Town. Would you like me to arrange for someone to show you around?”
At these words.
The little boy, who had been waiting quietly nearby, immediately clenched his fists nervously.
Just as the boy’s heart was in his throat, Jiang Zhixu chuckled lightly and declined the offer. “Thank you, but that won’t be necessary. Before you arrived, this little guide had already approached me, and I agreed.”
Hearing Jiang Zhixu’s words, the middle-aged man finally spared a glance for the little boy.
In truth, he had seen the boy earlier and knew what he did.
But in his eyes, a child who hadn’t yet grown up was no different from wild grass by the roadside. Only those who survived to adulthood were considered “population” in his view.
However.
Since Jiang Zhixu had chosen him…
A formulaic smile appeared on the middle-aged man’s face as he instructed the boy:
“In that case, do a good job guiding City Lord Jiang and familiarizing him with Rust Town. Whatever his needs, you must do your utmost to fulfill them, understand?”
The boy, overwhelmed by the unexpected favor, nodded repeatedly. “I, I understand!”
The middle-aged man turned back to Jiang Zhixu with a smile. “Snakes have their paths, rats have their holes. A child like him, struggling at the bottom, probably knows many bits of information we are unaware of. He might be of help to you.
“But if you have any additional needs, or if some fool with no eyes offends you—anything he cannot handle—you can send someone to find me at the office on the seventh level of the Administrative District anytime. If you don’t know the way, have him lead you!”
Jiang Zhixu nodded. “Alright.”
“In that case, we shall take our leave. We wish you a pleasant time, City Lord Jiang. Tonight at seven, we will await your esteemed presence in the banquet hall on the eighth level.”