"Today is already October 17th, it has been 22 days since the earthquake in the Watson District. The area remains a wasteland with no effective cleanup, and many citizens have to live in hazardous buildings without water or electricity. According to insiders, the risk of fire is continuously increasing."

"The rate of shootings and robberies in the area has risen significantly, and the number of deaths is currently unknown."

"As of now, Councilor Pereira's promise to clean up the disaster zone has not been fulfilled. It is reported that the city council does not plan to allocate funds for the disaster area any time soon."

On TV, Pereira looked awkward facing those microphones thrust into his face.

"Um... we are trying our best to coordinate with the relevant departments, but preparing for rescue takes time..."

It was obvious that someone had learned Pereira was preparing to run for the next mayor, so they were trying to trip him up. Meanwhile, in another interview program, that chubby Deputy Mayor Hote appeared very natural.

"This natural disaster came very suddenly. I am deeply saddened by the property loss and casualties caused to the citizens. Therefore, I condemn those thugs who take advantage of the situation. If they have the guts, they should come at me, not rob my citizens!"

"Deputy Mayor Hote, I would like to ask, does the city council currently have any funding plans for the rescue and resettlement of the disaster area?"

"First of all, every penny of the city government's money comes from taxpayers, and we must be responsible to all the taxpaying citizens. Secondly, Watson District's tax revenue is the lowest among all districts, so there's barely any tax to be used for aiding the disaster victims. If we use the tax revenue of other districts, it would be irresponsible to the local citizens. So here, I suggest the citizens in Watson District prepare self-rescue activities on their own..."

Just have to say, these astonishing statements on TV are never out of date in any era.

Regardless of whether it's a natural disaster or a man-made one, no one in Night City takes responsibility for it.

"What a bunch of vermin."

Lin Miao sat on the couch, disheartened, covering his face, and directly turned off the TV.

"How can you do politics with such vermin?"

"What's wrong?"

Seeing him like this, Lucy, who had just entered the door, was curious about what had infuriated him so much.

Then she saw the communication message on the tablet on the table and after taking a glance, she choked up as well.

"That Deputy Mayor Hote found out about our deal with Pereira, and gathered a large group of people wanting to discuss with me about changing the garbage collection method."

"The garbage tax levied on enterprises will be offset from Night City's tax revenue, and then the 2 Euro per ton garbage tax will be raised to 5 Euro, with 3 Euro going to me and 2 Euro going to the city government. In return, the Night City Government will not trace the destination of the garbage."

In other words, inventing names, the gentry's money is returned in full, and the common people's money is divided into seventy-thirty shares.

The initial plan was to create job opportunities, enhance the city's image, and recycle waste resources—a win-win-win situation. But in the eyes of Hote's group, it's just left with collecting taxes under this guise.

However, Hote and his group probably also think that Lin Miao and Pereira intend to make money through this method, not believing Lin Miao could gain any benefit from recycling garbage. Most likely, it would just be piled up in another place.

Therefore, they had to 'retreat greatly,' letting Lin Miao take the bulk and be blamed, while they quietly took a smaller part behind the scenes, which made them feel very wronged.

"What should we do about this?"

Lucy was furious.

"Should I get someone to warn them?"

"Forget it."

Lin Miao waved his hand.

"They can't collect it anyway. Let's just do what we need to do and let them do whatever they want."

The grassroots institutions of the Night City Government had long since shut down. With massive cash flows and gray underground transactions, nobody knew how much the people below were earning, let alone collecting any significant taxes from the lower levels. Eighty percent of the city council's funding came from the companies and corporations behind it, with that whopping 0.2% revenue tax, while the rest mostly came from the middle class, namely company employees and self-employed businesses.

This garbage tax would eventually fall entirely on the company employees and self-employed.

It's like standing too high to see the ground beneath.

However, Lin Miao understood that without a solid grassroots institution, any attempt to lighten the burden of the people would ultimately become a heavier burden on the lower class.

Skipping over this vexing topic, Lin Miao looked at Lucy. "By the way, what did you come to see me for?"

"It's nothing. The geological survey team composed of Sol and Military Science has returned from Big Sur. They've found a suitable location to build a water plant, but they almost got into a fight on their way back."

Lin Miao was a bit surprised. "Huh? They can even fight when surveying land?"

Lucy explained, "The people from Military Science secretly set up equipment in northern Big Sur, intending to detect the AI warning range of the northern Terimon. But they were almost discovered by the opposing party's floating patrol car. If exposed, none of them would have been able to escape."

Lin Miao held his head, unwilling to speak. When will these incompetent teammates ever stop causing trouble?

Lucy also brought back some photos of Big Sur, showing barren seaside cliffs. The once lush forest had long lost all its leaves, leaving only twisted, dried-up trunks standing alone. The withered branches extending upwards looked very much like the hands of a dying man, making one's scalp tingle.

And the river used as a water source, although not particularly murky or foul, had no fish or aquatic plants in sight.

This scenery was basically the same across the entirety of North America. Only the areas designated as exclusive residential zones for the wealthy could still see the green from a hundred years ago.

This area would essentially become the main activity area for players in the next few versions. To meet the need for transporting materials, Lin Miao would have to organize a large transportation fleet responsible for unloading goods transported by train.

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