Time was the most mysterious of magicians. In just seven short years, the changes in Vila Nova Dônia were something no one could have predicted.
The construction of skyscrapers in the city had become a common practice. The lack of land was a common problem in every developing area. Every inch of land was worth its weight in gold. Ordinary workers would probably never be able to afford to buy their own dog house in their lifetime.
It was not without reason that the merchants forced Rorschach to build a new city. Since they did not have enough land now, it was inevitable that they would develop a new city.
Rorschach himself did not intend to stop them. He just wanted to use it as a bargaining chip for a political exchange. In the end, he went overboard … Of course, he felt that there was something fishy going on. He might not have gone overboard.
"I should have already revealed the signal of a political exchange. Would they be stupid enough to go head-on against me, a person in power? This is not the style of merchants. At least, before I force them into a dead end, there is no need for them to take the risk. "
Looking back, this matter was too subtle. He always felt that someone was trying to take advantage of the situation. That was why Rorschach faked his death to get away and personally investigate.
Now, he was at the base of the Heaven's Eye mercenary group. Moreover, he was already doubting that his previous judgment might have been wrong.
"Are you sure that we are not in the wrong place? I understand. Perhaps, it really is those unscrupulous merchants who want to kill me. "
Looking at the skyscrapers in front of him, Rorschach suspected that the merchants really wanted to kill him.
"Previously, I thought that I was blocking a stream of benefits. Now, it seems that I am a dam that is blocking a river that leads to the sea …"
Every inch of land in the city was worth its weight in gold. With the development of the era, the threat of Lei Ji was getting weaker and weaker. The safety of the periphery of the city and even outside the city was greatly increased.
The railway network brought fast transportation and freight transport, and it also divided the wasteland.
The dissipated magic fog and the stations and outposts of the railway network made the wasteland no longer a wasteland. Now, a few hundred people could build their own small town on the railway network.
Small town, small city, satellite town, outer city. Many of these terms actually referred to a group. A small independent town near Vila Nova Dônia.
There were many small towns like this. It was also the result of Vila Nova Dônia's increasing population and living pressure. The four satellite towns (outer city) closest to Vila Nova Dônia also took up some of the city functions of Vila Nova Dônia.
For example, the Woodlands District, where the Heaven's Eye mercenary group was located, was a designated area for magic engineering factories on the city's planning map.
On the map of New Donia, there were more than forty heavy industry magicite factories of various sizes. Seventy percent of the industrial land was occupied by high-pollution, high-consumption magicite factories. The cheap industrial land was used to produce all kinds of war machines and magicite equipment, and the rest of the land was used to install environmental protection facilities and garbage dumps.
. people... Express rail transport allowed the workers in the city to come in the morning and leave at night.
But now, Rorschach didn't see the huge chimney and the huge freight train that he expected. He didn't see the huge trucks filled with oil and sand. He didn't even smell the garbage burning power plant or the stench of the landfill.
There were neat and beautiful garden villas, elegant and beautiful running tracks around the lake, lakeside villas built along the lakeside, and most of the apartments, office buildings, and parks.
There were no busy workers or vehicles. There were only couples with pets and children playing around. What a leisurely garden town. It was a paradise on earth … What the hell!
"What the hell is this! Are we really on the right track? "
After getting off the train station, Rorschach took a carriage (except for the government). He looked at the stop sign and was speechless for a long time.
Of course, he knew that he wasn't on the wrong track. As a core member of the city's board of directors, he had to personally review the city plans. The outer city plans were personally reviewed by him.
Although the construction period was less than three years old, the last time he came here, it was still a wasteland. Now, it was indeed a garden. If he wasn't immune to illusions, he would have suspected that he was under some kind of evil spell.
But soon, he understood everything.
"These bastards, they really dare to play …"
Rorschach wasn't a greenhorn anymore. Even if he couldn't predict other people's plans and tricks, when the problem was placed in front of him, he came to a conclusion after thinking for a while.
It was now the seventh year of the Confederation. The biggest difference between before and after the establishment of the Confederation was that this wasteland had a new owner.
And Rorschach's development strategy was to use land and natural resources in exchange for material and financial support to speed up the pace of development and prepare for war.
Simply put, it was to sell land in exchange for money to buy guns.
After this strategy was set, every piece of land, especially the land around Vila Nova Dônia, was a very precious asset.
According to the development plan, this land was to be used to build various industrial zones, to provide spare parts for the core military factory in the central city, downstream industries, and some new factories and facilities.
But now, someone was using this land to build real estate and residential development … Rorschach didn't even need to think to know that the profit margin would be terrifyingly high.
The price of the land in the industrial zone was to be rented to the various factories. Although the use of the land for fifty to sixty years (which could be extended without any cost) was no different from buying and selling, the price was extremely low. After all, this was part of the city's development strategy and was a necessary investment in infrastructure.
In addition to the necessary investment in roads and water and electricity infrastructure, it was possible to sell the industrial land at a loss. But as time passed, the taxes from the factories would make up for this income, and it would also provide a lot of employment opportunities. It was a stable and long-term income.
The real estate business was commercial real estate. It was a one-time sale of land in exchange for resources and funds. It was the pillar of the Confederation's income. But in the long run, the Confederation's income wasn't great. The ones who earned the most were the real estate companies.
Generally speaking, the price difference between industrial land and commercial real estate was ten times. Depending on the location, it was possible to have a difference of a hundred times or even a thousand times. The income from selling a commercial real estate was enough to make up for the loss of an industrial zone.
Rorschach still remembered clearly that the construction plan for this distant city didn't change, and the factories were gone. What was in front of him was only the residential area and commercial real estate.
At this moment, even the daring Rorschach had cold sweat dripping down his forehead.
"These bastards, they are too daring. They are using the land in the industrial zone as real estate to sell for money … They have embezzled an entire city!"
Frowning, Rorschach felt that there were too many tricks involved.
This kind of thing couldn't be done by just one or two people. It wasn't possible for an organization or a faction to do it. This could only be done by a group of higher-ups and a bunch of churches deceiving their superiors.
"… They are crazy. Do they think that we will never find out?"
[That's really possible. When the construction plan for the new city was done, this place and the new city would be connected. They could just say that the original factory sold the land to build the new real estate. Who can say for sure? Both sides have been working together for two years, creating a huge construction project. Even if you look at the blueprints, you won't be able to tell the difference.]
Rorschach felt a little confused. There were too many tricks in this city. He wanted to go back to the village.
"But there are no problems with the military factory in the city center. Their spare parts …"
Halfway through the question, the voice became softer and softer. Rorschach also guessed that the planned magical engineering factory definitely existed, but it should be in an even more remote area.
"… These bastards are really daring. But they will be found out eventually, right? There is no such thing as an airtight wall. Now I know why there are always problems with the construction of the direct train. "
[… It has been more than two years. Another two or three years of war. Who will care about them? Besides, their goods are sold and the money is in. What's the point of investigating after the fact? They will have run away with the money.]
After discussing with Lori, Rorschach more or less understood the ins and outs of the matter, as well as some of the other party's tricks.
For example, Rorschach and the other higher-ups would occasionally come down for an inspection. They were all received by the lower-level personnel … At that time, the caravan would probably be brought to the real magical engineering factory. No wonder they would inspect the same factory every time.
After discussing and discussing, the final conclusion was quite frightening.
"… Maybe we are the only ones who don't know."
This was the first time Roxia had experienced the so-called 'it's lonely at the top'. This time, he felt a chill from the bottom of his feet all the way to his tailbone. He was truly frightened.
"… How about we stop investigating, go back, wash up, and sleep, and let them do whatever they want?"
[Alright.]
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