Chapter 910: Chapter 910: The Aftermath of the Incident
At the same time as the train incident occurred, the station "Voice of the New Era" affiliated with No.1 Settlement’s "Survivor’s Daily," was inviting a representative from the settlement, Gu Ning, to participate in a studio interview program.
Ever since the turmoil surrounding the city hall, Mr. Gu had been pushed to the forefront of public opinion.
Some radical individuals viewed his actions as a betrayal of "uniting all possible forces," yet many conservatives believed his actions were in defense of the alliance’s unity.
Faced with the host’s interview, Gu Ning pondered for a moment before expressing his views.
"Within our ranks exist some comrades with radical views, who believe that love can transform everything and unite all... even groups whose values are entirely different from ours. I don’t wish to judge whether they are right or wrong, but what I want to say is that this self-righteous notion is extremely naive, and this naivety will lead us to the abyss."
The host couldn’t help but show a surprised expression, not expecting this representative to make such sharp remarks in a public setting, and proceeded to say.
"Yet, the Wilante people’s values are also entirely opposite to ours, so why do you believe they are worth uniting?"
Hearing these words, Gu Ning smiled and raised both hands.
"No, no, no, you got it wrong. The Wilante people, whose values are completely opposite to ours, would never join us. Even if they stood at our front door, they would spit at us viciously."
"And those who choose to join us, without exception, are utterly fed up with evil militarism and colonialism. Not only do they share our values, but their courage and loyalty, along with a range of other admirable qualities, become the most solid shield defending our equality."
At this point, he shifted his tone again, looking at the host sitting opposite and asked rhetorically.
"Instead, I want to ask you... why do you think the Wilante people’s values must be opposite to ours? Or do you believe humans are made like machines with factory settings?"
Clearly not expecting the question to be thrown back at him, the host was taken aback for two seconds, his expression gradually turning awkward.
Realizing his momentary slip, he hastily denied.
"Uh, I didn’t mean that... what I actually meant to say was the Army."
"I understand," Gu Ning nodded, "stereotypes are not easily dispelled, especially when you are surrounded by a bunch of ’pitiful people.’"
"What I want to say is that it’s not my intention to imply that the victims are to blame, but is their suffering caused by us?"
Looking at the temporarily speechless host, Gu Ning continued without hesitation.
"Until today, most of Survivor’s Daily’s survivors have moved into leak-proof houses, and they even have a subway available to them that we don’t! I know those are investments from Baiyue Corporation, which is a business venture, but we cannot ignore that to this day, many residents in No.1 Settlement still live in containers, and they also need unity!"
"You might say we don’t have such a large population to need a subway, but we surely could use bigger and more spacious houses, couldn’t we?"
"We have already helped them so much, and how do they repay us? They throw tantrums at the civilized people and are subservient to the barbarians... because we are reasonable, we are expected to greenlight all their unreasonable demands, tolerating them again and again."
"They have just started living a somewhat better life and already want to teach us how to be human, thinking it’s for our sake. Tsk, tsk... I really can’t imagine, when they have money, will they turn into our overlords?"
Seeing Gu Ning’s rambling, the host hurriedly coughed to interrupt him.
"I must say, this is only a small segment of people. The vast majority we have helped have participated in our construction, you must see those silent majorities."
"That’s exactly what I mean." Gu Ning snapped his fingers, sitting up straight and looking at him, "Excluding those ungrateful individuals, making room for more deserving people is a solution that benefits everyone."
The host looked at him hesitantly.
"That sounds impractical; how do we determine who is ungrateful?"
Gu Ning said without hesitation.
"It’s simple, we don’t determine, we raise our standards and enforce them strictly! If we issue alliance ID cards just because someone is of Poluo or Wilante ethnicity, it is irresponsible to all alliance citizens."
"They must first work, learn while they work, and then pass the examination by relevant institutions! The alliance already has the ’supervised’ system, which is good but not enough. We should establish a specific regulatory department rather than leave everything to time."
"They must be clear that the alliance is not their cesspool. They messed up their homeland, and they should think about why things turned out this way instead of wreaking havoc in a new place. If some Waste Land Wanderers cannot adapt to the life of civilized people, they should stay in their zoo."
Host: "Mr. Gu, I must say there are many objective reasons; the sufferings they endured weren’t entirely their own making, and if we trace back to issues from the United Human period..."
"You are right, but I am a representative of alliance citizens, and I only speak for those I represent." Gu Ning stared at the host, speaking earnestly, "Listen, we cannot wait until the alliance is beyond remedy to reflect on past decisions; someone must step up to apply the brakes before it’s too late... No one can stop a speeding train immediately; we need to start slowing down before the bend and then determine the speed based on the conditions ahead. Do you understand what I mean?"
The host nervously touched his nose bridge.
"I think I get it... You mean it’s time to apply the brakes now."
Gu Ning leaned back in the chair, continuing in a relaxed tone.
"Pretty much, if no one dares to wade into this muddy water, let me be the brake pad. At least we can’t let those radicals keep stepping on the gas. If we become the Army or Poluo Empire, it will be too late to brake."
The interview was nearly over at this point.
The host was about to wrap up the show, but just then, his assistant rushed in, handing him a sheet of paper straight from the printer.
Taking a glance at the paper, the host’s expression changed slightly, and he adjusted the microphone on the table.
"Breaking news, this station has just received information that the train from Weifu City heading to No.1 Settlement encountered a situation where over a hundred settlement residents attempted to block the train... resulting in two deaths and one injury."
Saying this, the host’s expression suddenly turned peculiar.
Because just half a minute ago, the representative sitting across from him had just used an example involving a train.
Is this guy’s mouth blessed?
Gu Ning also showed an unexpected expression, clearly not anticipating such a coincidence.
He picked up the cup on the table and took a sip of water, then blurted out unintentionally.
"I hope the people on the train are okay... and don’t tell me the ones stopping the train are Poluo people."
The host coughed lightly.
"Mr. Gu, as a representative... please be mindful of your identity and speech. Who they are doesn’t matter."
"It’s nothing, I don’t mean to target anyone. It’s just my heartfelt wish, hoping it’s not always them in the end."
He placed the cup back on the table and assumed a thoughtful pose, speaking after a moment.
"Perhaps we should add a law for our trains... forbidding stopping on the tracks."
...
In just a few minutes, the "D97 Train Incident" spread throughout No.1 Settlement and Weifu City.
And when talking about the world’s origin, everyone was dumbfounded and left speechless.
Just to meet the Alliance Manager, those hundred-plus survivors came up with the outrageous idea of stopping a train.
And what’s more laughable is, the Manager they wanted to meet was not on that train at all, but rather sitting in the waiting hall like the other delayed passengers.
Rather than an accident, it was more of an absurd farce.
Especially when reporters arriving at the scene learned that the demands of the "stoppers" were to expel the Vellante people from No.1 Settlement and dissolve the Alliance Representative Council, even those sympathetic to them showed a bewildered expression.
Are these guys a bit too carried away?
Regrettably, aside from the seemingly awakened Jeremy, most Poluo people didn’t realize what they were doing.
When reporters asked if they knew the train couldn’t stop immediately, they tearfully accused the train of being aggressive and exhibited injuries obtained from rolling and crawling.
And when asked if they were aware their actions were unlawful, their opinions diverged somewhat.
Some jumped up in anger, protesting that they were already so miserable, why should the law further persecute them. Others pleaded to the camera, urging the people of No.1 Settlement to treat them leniently given the contribution of Poluo people to the railroad.
Actually, if they honestly admitted "I don’t know," they might have garnered some sympathy, a more meaningful approach than their evasive tantrums.
However, they refused to do so, opposing rules with all their might when they should follow them, striking a stark contrast to their docile sheep-like demeanor back home.
Even the interviewing reporters were at a loss due to the absurdity and obstinacy displayed by these people.
In reality, most journalists in the Alliance are quite sympathetic to the survivors from Poluo Province.
Partly because "Survivor Daily" originated from the "Revolutionary Old District" in Giant Stone City, and partly due to the numerous Moon people who fled and actively participated in developing the Southern Alliance Region, thereby birthing various media and journalists.
These reporters had asked questions considering their advantage, but their performance left radical factions who sympathized or supported them looking foolish.
At the first sign of an incident, Su Ka, the representative of No.1 Settlement, rushed to the scene.
He arrived slightly later than the reporters but not by much.
Seeing compatriots tearfully accusing the Representative Council before the cameras, and Jeremy standing with a numb expression in the crowd, he strode forward, grabbing the latter’s shoulder, shouting in a trembling yet restrained voice.
"...Are you all crazy? Dissolve the Representative Council... why don’t you say dissolve the Alliance as well?"
Jeremy turned his head blankly, looking at Su Ka, that polite young fellow.
He recognized this guy, remembered he was also a Moon person, even knew his original surname.
Unlike himself, he found success, not only obtaining Alliance citizenship early but becoming an official, a regional representative of No.1 Settlement...
Haha.
The mix is truly impressive.
Jeremy’s face gradually regained some color, and the "it’s all over" expression transformed into hatred in an instant.
Suddenly, he gripped Su Ka’s arm, veins popping on the back of his hand, looking not like he was grabbing a last life-saving straw, but intending to drag the spoiler into hell together.
"You traitor... why won’t you help us?"
The grip on his arm felt like iron clamps, but not as painful as the treacherous curse piercing Su Ka’s heart.
His expression twisted, shaking off Jeremy’s hand and his shoulder.
Since becoming a representative, he had never lost his composure until he let out a hysterical roar for the first time.
"I won’t help you? Have I not advised you not to be impulsive! I repeatedly told you hasty actions only make things worse, everything must be done step by step... but what did you say behind my back? You really think your words were only heard by you? Now you blame me for not helping you!"
Yet Jeremy acted as if he hadn’t heard, staring at Su Ka with vulture-like eyes, reaching out to grab his throat.
"You bastard... you’ve made it big yourself, and now you’ve forgotten your roots. Others may not remember your name, but I remember it clearly, Casadem, don’t forget, you’re a member of the Moon Clan! You’re a Poluo man! I’m your real compatriot! I am!"
Their argument finally attracted the attention of the nearby guards.
At first, they saw that this person was a representative, so they didn’t want to intervene, but as he was about to start a fight with the "criminal," they couldn’t just watch him embarrass himself in front of the media cameras.
The TV tower of No.1 Settlement hasn’t been built yet, but Weifu City has its own TV station.
It’s said that the esteemed Manager is also there, perhaps watching behind the screen.
The guard wearing the exoskeleton stepped up and pulled Jeremy back into the quarantine zone and took Su Ka out.
The police officer handling the case came over, stared at the disheveled Su Ka, and said in a warning tone.
"This is a crime scene, Representative, if you interfere with our law enforcement again, I’ll have to invite you to the car for a chat, or maybe you’d prefer to explain to the prosecution agency?"
He is a Weilante person, served in the Eastern Legion before, then followed the Southern Construction Corps here, retired and transferred into the local Guards Department.
Unlike the young guys from the Wasteland in the Guards Department, he has put up with this bunch for a long time.
There were people who once wanted to kill every Weilante person, but at least they don’t use words; they use guns.
Su Ka didn’t look at the police chief who pulled him away, just stared in shock at the beast-like Jeremy who seemed eager to kill him, and stepped back two steps.
After a long, long time, he finally squeezed out a sentence from his mouth.
"My surname is Su."
Maybe that Mr. Gu was right, the Alliance has reached the time to take action.
At the very least, they need to let the identity of "those under surveillance" play its due role...
This is not only aimed at the newly immigrated from Poluo, the Alliance needs to raise the threshold for obtaining identification cards.
Except for the trusted Survivor Forces, survivors without any background guarantee must receive a complete education and undergo regular checks by relevant agencies before obtaining full citizenship.
It’s time to establish an immigration bureau.
No matter if that old man heard it, Su Ka haphazardly tidied his collar and fled the scene awkwardly before the reporters arrived.
...
For three whole days, the "D97 Train Incident" occupied the headlines of No.1 Settlement and Weifu City.
Although some radical journalists selectively downplayed the outrageous rhetoric of those who blocked the train, the Alliance’s media is more than just one newspaper, and these newspapers are hardly monopolized by a particular group.
Moreover, apart from those newspapers leaning to the right, there is the "Goblin Observation Report," a paper run by amusement seekers who disregard context.
The morning after the incident, all survivors in the Alliance knew that the group blocking the train were Poluo people.
This farce not only shocked No.1 Settlement and Weifu City but even crossed the sea to Jinjaron Harbor and Mammoth City.
A total of 120 people were identified as the perpetrators.
Including two unfortunate victims, and the pitiful person who lost a leg in the ordeal.
Among them, 82 are Alliance citizens.
Aside from organizer Jeremy’s 100-year sentence, the remaining participants face a minimum of 10 years each.
In the Alliance, distribution based on disturbance and the notion of collective impunity don’t exist; if No.1 Settlement’s prison can’t hold them all, there’s always Qingstone County’s mines.
Besides, a hundred people is nothing; when the Alliance cracked down outside Giant Stone City, they managed to capture a whole punishment camp, and a turn at the frontline cured all problems.
As for the other 38 whose identities are "under surveillance," they are essentially not recognized as Alliance citizens.
After collecting their biometric information, the court ruled to deport them back to their original countries.
Of course, this doesn’t mean they won’t serve their sentences, just that they will do so in different places.
Long ago, the Alliance signed extradition treaties with friendly Survivor Forces, and this judicial cooperation occurs alongside economic cooperation.
According to information provided by labor agencies and shipping companies, they will be sent to Jinjaron Harbor, Poluo Country, or Mammoth Nation.
And for those Poluo people from West Sail Port, they will be taken by Jinjaron Harbor’s prison.
The most absurd aspect of this farce was that its actual impact far exceeded the direct economic losses it caused.
The royalist elders from Poluo Province manipulated their unique performance art and portrayed radical characters, successfully turning all radicals in the Alliance who sympathized with Poluo people into clowns, and made some Alliance folks who have lived comfortably for too long suddenly realize they’ve progressed a bit too much.
Now the debate between the conservatives and radicals is no longer about "shortening or extending the inspection period for those under surveillance," but has begun to discuss "establishing specific surveillance organizations to implement specific regulations, and whether to adopt a grading system."
As for those extreme radicals who called for "the identity of those under surveillance is outdated," they’ve all shut their mouths and become silent, no longer speaking up.
Actually, it’s not just the radical figures within the Alliance that have become disgraced, but also the Poluo Country and Mammoth Nation authorities who were supported by the former.
This incident undoubtedly served as a wake-up call for them.
If the public opinion of the Alliance therefore shifts to the right, compressing support for the resistance movement in Poluo Province, it would undoubtedly be disastrous for the various countries within Poluo Province that have not yet completely escaped reliance on aid...
In the Governor’s Mansion of Tiandu.
Looking at the report reprinted by Jinjaron Port’s "Survivor’s Daily," Absek was almost furious, slamming the newspaper down hard on his desk.
"This is utter nonsense!"
He had painstakingly established a somewhat enlightened image of rule for the Poluo people, allowing the survivors outside to see that the Poluo people could also stand up, yet these "old conservatives" who ran out have turned around and slapped them all in the face.
However, to be honest, apart from the frustration of unfulfilled potential in his heart, what he felt more was helplessness.
He understood these people too well.
The people under Laxi’s leadership were like this, and wasn’t he the same?
The education commissioner he appointed, Kaba Ha, was considered insightful, a good writer, and definitely capable, yet he couldn’t break his bad habit of "fearing the strong and bullying the weak," grinning at whoever gave him a hard time.
If it weren’t for his protection, who knows how many times that guy would have died.
Standing in front of Absek’s desk, the internal affairs commissioner Wadia said gravely.
"I’ve heard this issue has caused quite a stir within the Alliance; I don’t know if it will affect the support we receive from them."
Absek got up from his desk and paced half a circle around the office, letting out a long sigh as he spoke.
"I’m actually not worried about this, given the vision and breadth of that Manager of the Alliance, I don’t think it will."
Perhaps due to being in a similar position, he saw things very clearly.
That gentleman extended a helping hand to them not out of sympathy or similar emotions, so naturally, he wouldn’t abruptly cease support due to mere annoyance or similar sentiments.
Resisting the eastward expansion of the Army is both a strategic and value-driven necessity for the Alliance.
They oppose militarism and authoritarianism’s oppression of survivors, using it as a banner to unite more oppressed survivors.
This war, they have a resolute determination to win, and likewise, the Southern Legion feels the same way.
After a pause, Absek said worriedly.
"However, it’s not guaranteed that after the war ends, they won’t just leave us on our own...and that is what I’m most worried about."
The war ends in victory.
As pawns, they naturally will not be as important as they once were.
According to past practices, for lands without order, the Alliance would help local survivors establish their own order.
And for lands with existing order, the Alliance would let the locals decide their own fate.
For instance, Luo Xia Province is like this.
However, Poluo Province differs from Luo Xia Province, with its "Thousand Tribes and Thousand Gods" land accumulated with too many contradictions, not to mention Laxi’s attitude, even his own subordinates have not been entirely placated.
Occasionally, he can’t help but lament that those guys who kneel and bow to the Manager of the Alliance, if only they could share a bit of that pious faith with him.
Anyway, the Heavenly Palace has already collapsed, and he didn’t aspire much for that throne before, now he’s even more disillusioned.
In the future, we could all take a step back, take turns being the big boss, and let time dilute the contradictions, perhaps.
Seeing Absek lost in worry, the internal affairs commissioner Wadia became more serious and said solemnly.
"...If it really comes to that, we ought to start preparing now."
Absek nodded.
"Yes, the earlier we prepare, the better. I also need to find time to talk to Laxi, ask about his attitude toward the Northern Three States, and if possible, resolve it peacefully."
As he spoke, his eyes suddenly fell on an interview line in the "Survivor’s Daily" with a representative named Gu Ning.
That guy was a conservative within the Alliance, theoretically his "enemy."
Yet, for some reason, Absek could not bring himself to dislike this stranger; in fact, he even found a connection with what the person said.
Suddenly, he spoke.
"Wadia, do you think I am a civilized person or a barbarian?"
Hearing the leader’s sudden question, Wadia, standing by the desk, was stunned for a few seconds before hastily and respectfully saying.
"You are certainly a civilized person, Leader! Is that even a question?"
Absek chuckled.
"No wonder."