Starting Cultivation in Wasteland

Chapter 986 - 852: The Great Net

The youngest son of Milton’s family actually had a pretty good relationship with Acne. At fourteen or fifteen years old, their friendship was still quite pure.He had some extra money at home, while the other party not only had money but also quite an influential family. He was slightly inferior, but it didn’t affect their friendship.

So he answered in a deep voice, "What do you mean by impending disaster? If you can explain, I’ll give you this car."

He really liked this car; it was the most precious souvenir he had received, also a gift for his fifteenth birthday.

However, he had grown up, and if he could do something for his family, even at a great cost, it was worth it.

Acne shook his head and spoke with a thick tongue, "I’ll just ride a couple of laps, who wants this crappy car? My family has plenty of good cars!"

After pausing for a moment, he spoke in a lowered voice, "There’s going to be a land requisition soon in your area... uh, I can’t say much more."

"Land requisition," the youngest son of Milton’s family turned pale upon hearing this, and his slight drunkenness dissipated quite a bit.

On other planets of the Imperial, the words "land requisition" were seldom heard—there was too much idle land.

But due to some construction needs, the act of land requisition objectively existed, yet if the resources exchanged were sufficient, there would be no problem.

Ultimately, habitable land was not a scarce resource; it was cheap and lacked much value-enhancing attribute.

However, on Homeland Star, land requisition was quite a terrible thing, because the government’s control was particularly strict.

Firstly, the land exchange might not be equivalent, since the government has been tightening land management.

It could be exchanged for money or commercial real estate, which would effectively cut off the livelihood of farmers.

Those who lost their land could only find other work—the key is, concurrently, government subsidies would also cease.

Even if luck was relatively good and the land exchange was equivalent, farmers would have to start over.

All previous investments on the farm would be lost, plus starting from scratch would be much more laborious than farming familiar land.

Of course, the government might provide some compensation, but moving the entire family involves inevitable upheaval.

However, once the government decides on requisitioning land, no one’s words would make a difference, and it will be executed thoroughly.

The youngest son of Milton was truly frightened by this news.

After thinking for a while, he asked, "The uncle who gave me the car... are they also going to be forced into land requisition?"

In his view, although his family were local natives with certain networking advantages, their neighbors were even less to be trifled with.

Though they were outsiders, they had several Awakened ones and were quite wealthy.

Not only did they contract a large area of land, but also purchased a lot of equipment, clearly intending to undertake large operations.

Some insolent street punks tried to take advantage and were directly hung upside down for a day, even the City Guard dared not say anything.

Forcibly requisitioning such people’s land? It’s not asking for trouble?

"Tch, so what about the Awakened ones?" Acne repeated dismissively.

"The Imperial is a society ruled by law, what storm can a few outsiders stir up?"

After saying this, he mounted the brand new motorcycle, revved it up, and roared away.

Half an hour later, he came back riding an off-road vehicle, with a face covered in blood, but the motorcycle was nowhere to be seen.

"Um... took a tumble, it can be used after a repair."

The youngest son of Milton had been entangled with the land requisition news, and was instantly furious upon hearing this, "That was my new car!"

"You said you’d give it to me," Acne wiped his face with a hand, smearing it even more.

"You need to clarify!" The youngest son of Milton was furious, "Has the land requisition been decided? Who’s responsible?"

"How would I know if it’s decided?" Acne confidently retorted, "It’s already good enough that I told you the news in advance."

"As for who is specifically responsible... of course, it’s the people from City Hall. I can’t tell you who it is."

His information was indeed well-informed; he knew who was responsible but it was not suitable to make it explicit.

Anyway, Milton’s family was considered a powerful landowner, could find out by themselves, why should he be the villain?

The youngest son of Milton bluntly stated after hearing, "Then this car definitely can’t be given to you... and you broke it!"

Acne didn’t really want the car anyway—otherwise, how would classmates view him? He was merely unwilling to concede verbally.

He nonchalantly commented, "Well, the news I gave you is worth the repair fee, isn’t it?"

The next day, Qu Jianlei had just mentioned going out when Milton and his wife visited, bringing the news about land requisition.

The one who attended to them was Bentley, who pondered for a moment and replied, "Since it’s uncertain news, let’s wait and see."

Milton was somewhat anxious upon hearing, "But once it’s decided, then it’d be too late for anything."

His wife was more direct, "Our land area is small, and influence is low, you pressuring them would be more effective."

Bentley mused for a moment and looked at Qu Jianlei, "What should we do?"

This matter could be decided by himself too, but having just found a suitable place, it was better to listen to everyone’s opinion.

"Let’s wait and see," Qu Jianlei casually replied, then released Spiritual Power to contact Granny Jia, "?"

Granny Jia returned an information, "!"

A few days later, a City Guard came to town, along with an Assistant Defender, notifying them the government was going to requisition land.

Xiao Qin was in charge of reception this time, and she asked in a deep voice, "There must be a procedure for land requisition, right?"

The City Guard replied expressionlessly: For this matter, you need to go to the city and ask the people at the City Hall.

Although Xiao Qin came from Garbage Star, she was also part of the Central City system and was not unfamiliar with the government’s operating mode.

She shook her head and replied lightly, "The government has an obligation to inform us. They’re requisitioning our land, and we have to ask them about it?"

The City Guard knew the group on the other side was hard to deal with—could someone who could contract over a hundred square kilometers be easy to provoke?

He didn’t want to get caught up in this trouble, so he simply stated.

"I’m just notifying you. If you don’t go to understand the situation, once the decision is made, it won’t be changed."

Xiao Qin nodded casually, "Alright, I got it, thank you."

As she spoke, she handed over a ten-unit Card Coin, "Thanks for making the trip."

The City Guard was taken aback, but managed a sheepish smile as he accepted it. After thinking for a moment, he cautiously added.

"I’ve heard the requisition range hasn’t been fully determined yet, so... I can’t say much more."

After he left, Xiao Qin turned to find Xiang Xue—she was more knowledgeable about Imperial affairs.

When Xiang Xue heard, she furrowed her brows, "Do we really need to go to City Hall?"

Then she shook her head again, "No, we have several Awakened individuals, why should we be so timid?"

In their group of ten, three Supremes and Bentley could perfectly conceal their presence.

The Flower Scorpion, Fourth Master, and Xiang Xue were similar, only Xiao Qin, Youyou, and Claire were slightly weaker.

To the outside world, Fourth Master, Youyou, and Xiao Qin were B-level, and Xiang Xue, Flower Scorpion, and Claire had uncertain strengths.

But even so, they were quite an impressive team among normal people.

Xiang Xue discussed with everyone, and indeed, they all leaned towards not proactively dealing with the government.

Although they hid their identities and sought refuge everywhere, feeling was quite awkward, but that’s how bandits are forged!

Living in hiding and their repeated victories led them to not regard anyone highly.

Growing discreetly doesn’t mean taking all grievances; they’ve fought even Supremes, why be afraid of these small fry?

Bentley’s words resonated with the group’s thoughts, "We’ll wait and see. If the conditions are too harsh, then let’s see who comes to provoke us!"

Claire timidly asked, "If the conditions are right... do we have to move?"

"Moving is no big deal," Qu Jianlei stated calmly, "as long as the conditions are reasonable, we’re not unreasonable."

Five days later, the town’s mayor and sheriff arrived, accompanied by a male and female attendant.

He presented a land requisition document, indeed issued by the city.

The requisition terms were straightforward: because they were outsiders, the contract nature meant their contract would be directly terminated.

As for compensation... it didn’t exist, at most they’d allow a month to harvest crops and move.

Faced with this request, Fourth Master’s attitude was very firm, "Compensation is necessary. Our equipment and facilities weren’t bought and installed for free."

The mayor didn’t want to stir up trouble either, so he had to state helplessly, "This is a City Hall document; I don’t have the authority to change it."

"Then I won’t make things difficult for you," Fourth Master stated bluntly, "Just report our demands."

"Report..." The mayor hesitated for a moment and said, "I can report it, but I can’t guarantee they’ll listen."

Qu Jianlei heard this and pursed his lips. Why did this scene seem so familiar?

Similar things were common on Blue Star with certain filth not being done by a single person but woven into a large web.

Many people are involved; each seems a bit indifferent, even innocent, but everyone is a participant.

In endless shirking and bickering, a large web is formed, and those being calculated against can only struggle helplessly and aimlessly.

There’s no place to apply force and no one to confront when you want to act.

It seems that no matter the society, bureaucratic style is universal.

So he couldn’t resist letting out a slight huff, "I hope you keep your word and report."

The mayor’s face darkened slightly at this, looking at him indifferently, "What do you mean by that?"

None of the Awakened individuals spoke up; why are you trying to make your presence felt?

Qu Jianlei didn’t even glance at him, just replied calmly.

"Just what the words mean, and... don’t give me attitude; you can’t bear the consequences!"

"You!" The mayor’s face went pale, then red, then black, ultimately stopping short of saying harsh words.

The prosperous Star Realm indeed values the rule of law more, but Awakened individuals are still a very special group.

He glanced around the room, stood up, and spoke expressionlessly, "I have delivered the notification; take care!"

Fourth Master flashed to his side, raised a hand gently patting his shoulder.

Then he pointed at Qu Jianlei, "You’d better take his words to heart... do you understand?"