Wasteland Development Diary.

Chapter 43 Heaven and Earth
Cui Mao was surprised when he saw the can of Coke Zhou Yi handed over. He hurriedly opened his hand to block it: "This bottle of Dead Sea aged wine is only one price. It's not something a knight can afford with his salary."

Zhou Yi said, "I treat you as a friend, take it and drink it."

Cui Mao scratched his head: "Then...thank you very much."

He carefully opened the pull ring, brought it to his mouth, sniffed it with his nose, and then showed an intoxicated expression.

Then Cui Maocai took a small sip.

He smacked his lips slightly, as if savoring the taste in his mouth.

“Amazing and refreshing taste, no other city can really replicate this vintage.”

Cui Mao picked up the can with both hands and took another sip.

He relaxed a lot, and his shoulders were not so tense anymore. "It is said that Dead Sea aged wine is a sacrifice to the gods. It takes a long time to ferment in the Dead Sea to have various unique flavors. One less bottle is one less."

"I saw it before at the celebration banquet, but I was not qualified to drink it. I heard that one bottle required 5 light seeds. I didn't expect to taste it here, Mr. Zhou, or in the body of the Dead Sea alien. It's incredible to think about it."

Zhou Yi also opened a can.

In the past 24 years, his biggest concern was that the Coke would go bad over time. Who knows if there will be a kill virus?
I am the body of Bai Suanni, but I don’t know if ordinary people can drink it.

Fortunately, the Red Falcon extracted the data from the Recursive City, saying that the ancient food sealed in the Dead Sea is edible. Most of them are even more hygienic and healthy than the food of this era, but they cannot be left for too long after being opened to avoid spoilage.

Today was also the first time that Zhou Yi shared the diet of his time.

Cui Mao's words woke him up.

Yes.

The Dead Sea contains a lot of food and drinks, which can be preserved for a long time as long as the film is not removed. So cola, soda, juice, and wine can be sold as Dead Sea aged wines.

Recursion City does not engage in food trade, perhaps because the local residents are all mechanical and electrical life forms.

But when Qiansu comes back next month, I can ask her to ship a batch of goods.

Zhou Yi pondered in his heart.

This is a very suitable way to make money.

Cui Mao suddenly said, "Ah, the aged wine has made me a little too proud... Let's get down to business."

He said sternly, "Mr. Zhou, I don't need to say much about the Kingdom of Heaven. As the only empire in the world, its influence and deterrence are enough to radiate any community. Although the Kingdom of Heaven has not expanded on a large scale, its shadow is almost everywhere."

"There are many forces that are part of the Kingdom of Heaven, openly or secretly. For example, the Mechanical Knights are one of the best equipment manufacturers, and their headquarters is located in the territory of the Kingdom of Heaven."

"The Knights of the Dead Sea also have a close cooperative relationship with the Kingdom of Heaven."

"The vast majority of cities are eager to join the Kingdom of Heaven and become its direct territories or overseas territories."

"Merchants and knights are two shadows of the Kingdom of Heaven that radiate everywhere. They are also called agents of the Kingdom of Heaven. Of course, these people themselves will not admit it."

Talking about this huge monster, Cui Mao's tone became serious: "I went back to Shagang to report the situation here, and rushed here after finding out the latest news about Ji Chang."

"I met Qian Su on the way. She was also heading this way quickly. I noticed that the trunk of the mechatronic lifeform she was riding in had been opened, and some kind of equipment was set up and aimed at the direction of Emerald City. This kind of long-range device is generally non-lethal, and the optical printing structure is not accurate enough... But for safety reasons, I forced her to stop."

"She said she was testing the operation of the equipment while driving at high speed."

"I am more inclined to believe that she is here to support you, Mr. Zhou."

Zhou Yi noticed that Cui Mao's right spear fist had returned to normal, and he habitually gestured with his hands while speaking.

The other party explained: "It is very difficult to operate remote equipment while driving at high speed. It seems that she made a temporary decision rather than premeditated. At that time, your side happened to be attacked by the sea." "Compared with the honorary knight status, there are fewer citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. It is very difficult to obtain a passport of the Kingdom of Heaven. Even if living in the territory of the Kingdom of Heaven, there are many people who do not have such an official status protected by the Empire."

"When I questioned her, she also asked me to come and help you, thinking that you were attacked by pirates at sea... Of course, she knew very well that the warships of the Knights of the Dead Sea were definitely not pirates."

After talking a lot in one breath, Cui Mao took two sips of Coke to moisten his throat.

Zhou Yi asked him, "Is it easy to become an honorary knight of the Dead Sea Knights? Can people like Qian Su and Ji Chang, who belong to different national factions, also enjoy the same special treatment in the same knight order?"

"This... it's not difficult for those who know how to do it, but it's difficult for those who don't. The Dead Sea Knights are also willing to absorb those who bring their own resources. Because the Knights provide convenience, these people also need to pay corresponding resources. It's essentially a transaction."

Cui Mao held the can and said, "Although the Knights of the Dead Sea have cooperative relationships with various parties and face pressure from powerful parties like the Kingdom of Heaven, they have generally maintained their independence. This is also due to their high mobility on the Dead Sea and their interest exchanges with various parties..."

"Regarding Ji Chang, I was not in a position to disclose some confidential internal information. After this report, I have been authorized by the captain to share it with you in order to find evidence of Ji Chang's crime more quickly."

Cui Mao paused and said, "Ji Chang was born in Jitou Town. When he was 10 years old, he became a servant of a craftsman and followed the craftsman to leave the town. When he appeared again, it was 18 years later. He became extremely rich. No one knew what happened to him during his disappearance."

"We found the craftsman's son through some connections and learned that the craftsman took Ji Chang to a snowy mountain. After returning, the craftsman adopted Ji Chang as his son and there seemed to be some secret between him and him."

"The craftsman spent almost all of his family property to build something, and he was busy in the underground workshop every day. Not only did he forbid his family to ask questions, he also beat his wife with a whip when she wanted to find out. The craftsman's son was resentful because of this."

"Later, the craftsman and Ji Chang went to the snowy mountain again and never came back."

"The craftsman's son entered the underground workshop and used stone powder to restore some of the traces that had been erased on the wall. Those traces contained some vague schematics of parts and components, some numbers, and most importantly, a symbol."

Cui Mao took out the notebook he carried with him and turned to a page.

"This is it."

There was a round eye drawn on the paper with two long open wings.

Zhou Yi didn't understand what this was, so he pretended to be thinking about it.

Cui Mao said: "The craftsman's son doesn't know, but our people can confirm at a glance that this is the mark of the star hub."

"The strongest country in the world is undoubtedly the Kingdom of Heaven ruled by the Black Emperor. But Xingshu's territory is outside the world. No one can tell who is stronger."

"There have always been frictions and conflicts between the two. They are trying their best to absorb and gain the support and following of various cities, skywalkers, and territorial sea lords."

"The controversial point of Xinghu is that its "Eyes from the Outside World" always watch everyone in the Xinghu camp, and everyone's every move will be recorded. Some people think this is fair and safe, but more people think it is tormenting and terrifying."

"Although the Kingdom of Heaven acts in an overbearing manner, it is very restrained in annexing and maintains the living space of various cities and territories. The foreign star hub really wants to stare at everyone, and most people don't want this foreign country to come."

“They are engaged in fierce confrontation in all areas, but whether an all-out war will break out, no one can say for sure.”

Cui Mao clenched his fists.

Zhou Yi was puzzled when he heard this.

The Kingdom of Heaven is invincible on earth.

Xingshu is an enemy from the sky, right?
It seems that the general environment of the wasteland era is the confrontation between two major hegemonies.

"I don't know how Ji Chang and his men contacted Xingshu and became a member of the Xingshu camp. He travels around the cities and does business. He also represents Xingshu's will."

Cui Mao brought the topic back: "So Ji Chang launched the Dead Sea Knights to attack here, and Qian Su from the Heavenly Kingdom camp will try to disrupt Ji Chang's actions. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. I think this is the real reason why she came here to help you."

Zhou Yi thought about it.

Now that he has come into conflict with Ji Chang, this is a rare opportunity, so he must make good use of Qian Su and get some benefits out of him.

(End of this chapter)