Dark Ruins Dawn

Chapter 78 Route
He returned to the dormitory and looked at the remaining five slaves.

"From this moment on, you are free."

"Click, click..."

Five collars fell off one after another.

They stood there stunned for a long time before they came to their senses. Tears welled up in their eyes, and they knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly.

"Everyone, get up."

Zhuang Fan's expression softened.

"Since you've chosen to stay, your salary and benefits will be the same as everyone else's. Go register with Watson and get your numbers."

"Yes Yes!"

Watson led them away, numbering them from 11 to 15.

Due to the increase in the base's population, Zhuang Fan decided to temporarily assign two other industrial androids to defend the base, while also serving a monitoring and deterrent function.

They obeyed Watson's commands and were absolutely loyal.

But Gage also raised new questions.

"Boss, the combat capability of industrial androids remains a problem. We need to purchase cracked combat chips, weaponize them, and provide additional computing power support—all of which cost money."

Zhuang Fan suddenly laughed.

"Don't worry, money is no longer a big problem."

He had Hua Sheng compile an extremely long procurement list, which he then sent to Mao Shanwang.

The list included a large amount of supplies, including canned food enough to feed thirty people for six months, water purification equipment, fog lights, nano-medical kits, and survival equipment packs.

There are also various materials and props that Gage urgently needs, several miniature lithium solid-state batteries, and chips of various types.

This single item alone cost 250,000 gold coins.

In terms of weaponry, six rifles and a dozen pistols were seized from the old dealer and Tataji, which is enough for the time being.

Zhuang Fan purchased an extra rotary machine gun, making a total of two.

He plans to install all of these on the "Baron" mech, which will cost 100,000 gold coins.

The bullets and various throwable weapons, such as EMP grenades, shock grenades, fragmentation grenades, smoke grenades, and decoy grenades to deal with small zombie hordes, cost 50,000 gold coins.

In terms of equipment, in addition to high-temperature protective clothing, he also purchased more than a dozen sets of carbon fiber bulletproof vests, totaling 100,000 gold coins.

Finally, there were a few expensive pieces of equipment.

Two brand-new industrial androids bring the total number of androids at the base to six.

Ten quadcopter drones, ten mechanical steel dogs, and corresponding ammunition magazines, totaling 200,000 gold coins.

A complete server suite, providing remote computing power support for androids and drones, totaling 100,000 gold coins.

There is also a civilian-grade basic CNC machine tool, priced at 400,000 gold coins, which includes functional modules for ordnance manufacturing and prosthetic body repair.

Gage's rudimentary weapons processing table has finally been upgraded.

When Mao Shanwang received the list, his round face was filled with shock.

"A big deal has arrived!"

Two huge warehouse wagons arrived, and Mao Shanwang personally escorted the goods.

He clicked his tongue in amazement: "You guys have really taken off."

Then, he counted several times with his fat paws and finally reported an astonishing number.

"One million two hundred thousand gold notes."

“It’s so expensive.”

Zhuang Fan used his traditional bargaining skills and managed to reduce the price by half to 600,000 gold coins.

Ultimately, through friendly and amicable negotiations, the two sides agreed on a price of one million gold coins.

That is, one kilogram of gold bars.

Mao Shanwang accepted the gold bars, weighed them in his hand, and was very satisfied.

Xiong Er also came with the convoy.

It was taciturn. After greeting Zhuang Fan, it carried the huge sniper rifle and habitually ran to the top of the tallest tower nearby.

Mao Shanwang explained, "That's its personality. It doesn't like to talk, but it's very efficient at carrying out tasks."

Zhuang Fan nodded and then asked, "Old Cat, is there any news about the private shelter I asked you to inquire about last time?"

"We're still looking. This is something you can only hope for once. You'll have to wait patiently."

Mao Shanwang looked around the recycling station and said, "You can last a while longer here."

"That's what I said."

But Zhuang Fan always felt that this place was not safe, and no matter how much the defenses were strengthened, it was far from enough.

After clearing out the piles of scrap parts in the recycling station, Mao Shanwang paid 120,000 gold coins as payment.

He looked at the empty warehouse, somewhat curious:
"That's strange. You hired so many people, but the value of the goods this time is about the same as last time?"

"Because I also have a team of ratmen."

Zhuang Fan lowered his voice.

"There's still a payment for goods worth 60,000 over there, um, maybe even more."

He recalled that Tataji's compensation amounted to three times the amount of gold coins, which would amount to at least 200,000 gold coins.

Upon hearing this, Mao Shanwang rubbed his fat paws, wanting to drag Zhuang Fan along to Jetta's stronghold.

But all of Jetta's products are still shrouded in mystery.

"Come back tonight. The goods haven't been sorted yet. After that, you should still come every three days."

"Okay, see you tonight." Hua Sheng was keeping accounts, his heart heavy.

The team currently has 370,000 gold coins left, 200,000 of which were swindled from the old dealer.

Excluding the management team, the monthly salary expenditure for the 15 frontline employees is 45,000 yuan, and the total cost has reached 60,000 yuan.

Oh, and they've added Xiong Er to the mix, who costs 12,000 gold coins every month.

Total personnel costs: 75,000 per month.

They earn a lot, but they also spend a lot.

He has decided to control his expenses and expenditures more carefully.

……

A heated argument is erupting within the Jetta team.

One side, led by Jetta, aims to follow in the footsteps of the Demon General and seek the independence of the Black Rat Clan.
One side, led by Santa, wants to return to the Skaven and believes that opposing Chief Tataji is suicide.
The neutral party is the Fukang rat, who is old and hesitant, thinking that both sides have valid points.

Santa's voice was extremely loud; he waved his arm and shouted:
"Chirp! Don't be naive. Without Chief Tataji's protection, we can't even stop the zombie horde!"

"Exactly! We're all huddled up here, and it's so awful!"

"Yes, yes, we want to go back! Chirp!"

Fukang remained silent, but agreed with Santa's words.

Jetta immediately stepped forward:

"How can you still be so confused! Have you forgotten how Tataji treated us? If it weren't for Lord Demon General's rescue, our fate would have been even worse than that of the Rat Slaves!"

Fukang nodded in agreement, also becoming indignant.

Santa's voice became shrill.

"Hey, isn't it all because you sided with the Demon General that the relationship between the Black Rat People and the Tataji Tribe deteriorated?"

Jetta got even angrier after hearing that.

"Santa! Fukang! Have you forgotten?"
"When we first sought refuge with Tataji, we did hard and tiring work, and many of our people died, but in the end, we couldn't even fill our stomachs!"
What have we gotten in return? Endless exclusion and humiliation!

Do we have dignity? No!

"Do you still want to go back to that kind of life, spending your whole lives at its mercy and being its slaves?!"

Fukang squinted, twirled his whiskers, and thought Jetta's words made sense.

"You make it sound so easy!"

Santa scoffed and interrupted him.

"Tataji could run over us at any moment!"

"What can we use to block this? Our lives? Our slogans?"
Jetta, put away your naive ideas!

"We are utterly vulnerable!"

Fukang frowned, but then realized that Santa's words made sense.

Just as Jetta was about to retort, a commotion came from outside.

It turns out that the strategist has arrived.

The anger in Jetta's eyes was instantly replaced by surprise.

It abruptly pushed aside its arguing companions and quickly went to greet them, its posture humble and respectful.

"My strategist!"

Santana and Fukang stood there, stunned, looking at each other in bewilderment.

Zhuang Fan's gaze swept over every ratman present. "I was outside just now and heard your commotion."

Jetta's face showed a hint of embarrassment, and he quickly explained, "My strategist, it's Santa. It wants to take people back to join Tataji!"

"Chirp! Don't make false accusations!"

Santa pointed at Jetta's nose, "It was clearly you, but you insisted on dragging us down with you!"

It turned to Zhuang Fan, its eyes filled with doubt and dissatisfaction.

"My strategist, I admit you're very capable, but you can't push us into a fire pit!"
"Our Black Rat Clan has suffered enough already, and now we have to go against Tataji? Isn't that just courting death?"

Its words resonated with the other rat people.

"Exactly! We don't want to live this life of constantly hiding anymore!"

"We want to go home!"

Zhuang Fan ignored their clamor and simply stood there quietly.

He did nothing, but that invisible pressure silenced all other sounds.

He spoke slowly, "Are you finished?"

Santa remained silent for a while, but still mustered up the courage to meet his gaze.

"That's all! We're leaving now! Anyone who wants to live, come with me!"

Zhuang Fan nodded.

"Sure, you can leave now if you want, I won't stop you."

He paused, his gaze calmly sweeping over each of the hesitant black ratmen.

"But you must remember."

"From the moment you stepped out of this hole, you were no longer part of the Jetta team."

"You chose this path yourselves."

(End of this chapter)