[Breaking News: Dongwu City Sets New Laws and Prepares for a New Order!]
Just a day after Bai Yi entered the dark world, a headline exploded across the internet, drowning the network in discussions about war.
This development caught the attention of many influential families and capital holders. Dongwu City had already been a focal point, with Bai Yi leading the charge in dawn technology, and now, with three top potentials in Tobu City, the news became even more sensitive.
The announcement was shared and discussed widely in a short span of time.
Just months earlier, Tobu City had begun constructing houses for civilians, erecting high-rises, entertainment areas, and numerous schools. Speculation had run rampant, but now, many anxieties were finally laid to rest.
With the update of this account, the internet faced unprecedented scrutiny.
[Hello, friends. I am an alchemist from Dongwu City. Numerous laws have been issued and abolished here. As someone deeply interested in history, I've compiled and summarized these changes.]
Over 300 years ago, Lou Shanming led a sub-border city to independence, aiming to create a world devoid of privileges—an era of equality between the extraordinary and ordinary.
Fortunately, unlike his capricious vision, the current Tobu City has not eliminated extraordinary privileges but instead weakened them while empowering ordinary citizens.
For example, in Dongwu City, any resident, regardless of age, can enter school for a small fee, gaining access to a new cultivation system known as Arcane Art.
If you're unfamiliar with this system, feel free to ask scholars for insights. Remarkably, 90% of scholars have achieved extraordinary status through arcane art in just a few months.
This system boasts an incredibly low barrier to entry, disregarding occupation, qualification, or age. Rumor has it, it originates from the distant Star Federation, but that's a topic for another time.
Here are some key laws recently enacted in Tobu City:
Any force or capital hiring civilians in Dongwu City must limit working hours to a maximum of eight hours.
Only residents with a registered household in Dongwu City may remain permanently; others will be repatriated within a specified timeframe.
An application for household registration is required for civilians relocating to Dongwu City.
The minimum annual salary for residents is set at 1 gold coin.
Residents can apply for business licenses; a newly established City Management institution will assist them in opening shops.
Robbery and fighting are strictly prohibited; offenders face fines, while severe cases may result in 3 to 30 years of imprisonment or forced labor.
The grain base will be expanded to grow more diverse and affordable vegetables.
The animal husbandry industry will be supported, establishing enterprises that produce ordinary meat, which will be purchased in bulk by major campuses.
Alchemy technology will be popularized, with Dongwu City launching mobile phones available for just a single silver coin, alongside high-value non-extravagant technologies to further enhance the city.
Final Summary: In Dongwu City, extraordinary privileges have been significantly reduced while civilian rights have expanded.
[Brothers, I'm off to travel with my backpack! If I hire civilians in my alchemy workshop, costs will rise over thirty times. It's ridiculous. Goodbye, Dongwu City! Deleted.]
Follow-up Post: What's going on? Am I angry? Don't worry; I'll keep reporting on Tobu City's unspeakable actions! Stay tuned.
Moreover, household registration is exclusive to ordinary citizens; extraordinary beings are exempt.
This type of article swept across the internet, creating more buzz than the previous uproar over Dongwu City's gambling game.
The network's reach extended throughout the federation; even with fees, it couldn't curb the rising interest.
After all, a monthly internet fee of one silver coin is manageable for extraordinary individuals, while only transactions and premium knowledge incur significant costs.
Opinions flooded the internet, with most echoing the sentiments of the former city lords: why weaken their rights?
It was akin to someone who had struggled for years to obtain a driver's license learning that driving tests had been canceled, allowing everyone to drive without one.
This imbalance ignited backlash against Tobu City.
Of course, public opinion was polarized. For every critic, there were supporters, but the latter constituted less than 1% of the network. Most supporters were weaker extraordinary individuals, their voices drowned out by the prevailing negativity, including that from Dongwu City's legions.
Complaints were rampant, yet few chose to leave.
Middle-ranking bronze soldiers in the outside world typically earned between 100-150 gold coins monthly. In contrast, even the lowest military salary in Wucheng troops had surged to 1,000 gold coins per month.
It resembled a job with an annual salary of one million; even if the leadership was harsh, few would resign outright.
Many officials left, but as welfare in Dongwu City improved further, those positions were filled almost immediately, leading to only minor chaos in the inner city.
However, with the three-meter-tall whispering legions patrolling, disturbances were minimal.
The outer urban area, on the other hand, had fallen into an unbelievable state.
At dawn, ordinary citizens toiled for 13 to 16 hours a day, earning mere dozens of copper coins each month.
But when these new laws were announced, the outer city erupted in cheers.
Goblins, humans, and even some exceptionally talented elves celebrated as if it were the Spring Festival.
The days that had felt like hell were finally coming to an end.
Gratitude towards Bai Yi began to spread. The transition of power had shifted; they were no longer cheap tools but real people deserving of dignity.
Laughter echoed in the outer urban area, which had once been lifeless, now bursting with vitality.
Players engaged in tasks observed this transformation, mirroring the joy they felt, a sincere smile gracing their lips. It was a remarkable sight.
On the top of the city lord's house, Luo Ning wiped away a few tears, moved by the praise from outside.
Looking up at the sky, she whispered, "Mom, maybe there will be no one like you in the future."
——
Capital, Emergency Meeting.
Bang!
"This is absolute nonsense!" a prominent congressman slammed the table in frustration. "What is he thinking? Is there any rule left? Can the lord of Dongwu act so recklessly?"
The head of the Rova family chimed in disapprovingly. "We must withdraw him! What kind of city is this child managing? He should return to training and let someone else handle the city!"
Their family was the wealthiest among all in the dawn, producing most of the basic and high-level equipment for the Federation.
The pricing of equipment at all levels was determined based on their standards.
Manufacturing equipment was tied to a series of industries, including mining, handling, and polishing.
Among these sectors, some required low-skilled labor, relying on extremely cheap civilian workers.
For just one gold coin, they could hire twenty tenth-level orcs for a month.
This was considered high-paying work throughout the entire federation.
Even in the most prosperous regions, a farmer's annual income was only 20 silver coins, and farmers were regarded as high-status professions among ordinary citizens.
The crops they cultivated were not high-yield but consisted of various vegetables supplied to numerous restaurants.
Ordinary workers often earned merely ten silver coins a year, while dozens of copper coins a month was the norm.
Now, Bai Yi had set the minimum labor wage for civilians at no less than one gold coin per year.
For a councilor's family like the Rova's, this meant that their previously low expenses would skyrocket, drastically reducing profits.
Though this information might not have reached them yet, if all civilians flocked to Dongwu City, the impact would be the same.
Moreover, the imbalance would lead to a series of reactions, posing a considerable threat to the existing federal system and economy.
Many council members voiced their opposition, but surprisingly, not all were against it.
The legislator leading the Rova family surveyed the silent families with confusion.
Before he could speak, a wave of dark energy swept through the room. In a shroud of black fog, Diane emerged.
It was her first time in the parliament hall, but she showed no curiosity.
"Hell, esteemed congressmen."
Diane bowed slightly, a smile gracing her lips. "I come representing Dongwu City to address your concerns."
Legislators frowned, unsure how to react. Diane was now an adult with considerable power—an undead mage at level fifty-nine—potentially on par with them in some respects.
Yet, they had watched the third generation grow. In formal settings, they often felt these young figures were less reliable, and familiarity bred skepticism.
"You—"
Cough!
The head of the Rova family was interrupted by a soft cough. Metheus, ever the jokester, teased, "Why do you represent Dongwu City? Have you abandoned your family name, Difeng?"
Diane flushed and glared at the old man. "Grandpa, don't interrupt. I have important matters to discuss."
"Ha ha ha, alright, you represent Dongwu City. You're not half bad for a little girl," Metheus chuckled, stroking his beard.
His jest lightened the atmosphere, easing the tension.
Xiaoben Koeman joked, "Difeng, didn't we agree to let that kid into the council? What's this? Have you changed your mind?"
Fman Helen, an elderly woman, added, "Tsk, he may have visited Dongwu City twice and been swayed, but you're treading a fine line. Be cautious of Ogana's wrath."
Metheus chuckled, "You're just jealous and envious of her!"
The rarely seen head of the Will family appeared, a sword box on his sly back, exuding an air of authority. He said calmly, "If you continue this chatter, I'll make you regret it."
Metheus replied, "Old man, don't be so serious. It's freezing out here!"
"Ah, this busy man is back! I support you in beating him—give him a good thrashing!" chimed in the Lott family, the Hull family, and the Yong family. Nearly half of the assembly joined in, creating an oddly jovial atmosphere.
The head of the Rova family frowned, knocking on the table to restore order.
"Let's get serious," he said, his tone steady. "Do you understand the implications of this? Think of the past three hundred years. Even if we could implement such changes, it would bankrupt many small families, striking a fatal blow to the existing federal system and economy."
"Even those benefiting civilians might end up with no actual advantages. You can't deny this reality. Do you truly believe every city is as affluent as Dongwu City?"
Metheus glanced at Diane and said with a smile, "Never mind, you said it's yours."
Diane nodded and addressed the displeased legislators. "This is my first time in parliament to propose on behalf of Tobu City."
As she spoke, her initial tension began to melt away.
She was not entirely unprepared.
In the past two months, aside from a few minor setbacks, she had successfully persuaded her brother, and the two had discreetly sought support from Metheus.
With the backing of the Difeng family, they found a half-elf who had suffered and was now a top-tier assassin.
This half-elf had been discovered by the Yong family after enduring hardships, and she supported Bai Yi's vision.
Through her bloodline advantage, she rallied five elven council families that favored peace and equality, as well as law enforcement captain Ogana.
Now, Diane had gathered support from six parliamentary families and three top potentials.
Under her influence, her brother Yuan Tang Difeng had also reached out to his friend, Helen Renchu.
After two days of persuasion, the most talented individual in the entire federation—only 24 years old and already at level 75—agreed to support the reform.
Although the Renchu family still listened to the elder's words, Helen's talent meant that as long as he advocated for the cause, the family would support his decisions.
Now, with seven families, the law enforcement hall, and four top geniuses backing Bai Yi, the momentum was building.
Next, they needed the For family and the Lott family, where Guan Xin resided.
Guan Xin had remarked to Diane that he never expected her to not only keep pace with Bai Yi but also to have successfully joined their ranks.
Then, there was the top genius from the Lott family. With five of the six top talents in the capital supporting her cause, Lott Zhengquan hesitated, ultimately deciding that the trend was favorable.
Even the fortune teller Elsa did not oppose his grandson's involvement.
Now, all the top potential families and elven clans, many of whom already possessed extraordinary talents, favored Diane's vision of a better future.
After all, Diane had not relied solely on persuasion. She had meticulously reviewed historical data, examining the laws of powerful empires during the New God era, and had compiled comparisons of various economies, data, and power structures.
Perhaps the liberated world could deliver better benefits.
With this support, Diane approached the Koeman family, which had become a significant player in the network. They maintained a neutral stance on her proposals.
Finally, she reached out to Eric and Hedinger. Now, Diane had garnered support from 70% of the Federation's power, excluding the legends.
She had not troubled the old swordsman but sought the opinion of the renowned madman, Roman.
As a madman, Roman had always been indifferent to such matters. He did not offer any advice, merely requesting Diane not to disturb him.
But ignoring the most critical legend was a mistake...
Diane outlined the Grassroots Reform Plan and the future she envisioned.
With confidence, she declared, "Our goal is to implement the system of Dongwu City throughout the federation, adapting it to the unique circumstances of each city!"
(End of this chapter)