10 The Ghetto Full of Talen (1/2)
Chapter 10: The Ghetto Full of Talent
Translator: xujin-t-t, _Min_Editor: xujin-e-x, Lis_
”Hehe, Boss, are you satisfied with this one?”
The weather on the wasteland was known for its strangeness. Although it was the midst of a summer day, occasionally the temperature would drop to subzero like it was the end of fall. The thick radiation dust blocked the majority of the UV rays, which means fluctuations in the weather was quite normal. If the cloud-like radiation dust would not drift away, then the temperature would feel even colder.
Especially in the morning, the chillness was even more apparent.
Covered in a trench coat, Jiang Chen stuffed one hand into his pocket while he examined a resume with the other. The fat guy standing by him was already bald and almost old enough to be Jiang Chen’s dad, but he just stood obediently there, waiting for Jiang Chen’s order.
The survival camp was governed by absolute freedom and a capitalistic view; the crystals dictated who had power. Although he didn’t know Jiang Chen’s background, if he offended the customer by any means, his boss would not take this lightly on him.
Also, Jiang Chen was a man of status. He took the recommendation from Sun Jiao to create a fictitious position – which was the general manager of a company called Fishbone Corporation. Other than the leaders of different factions and forces, the two other prestigious positions on the wasteland were arms dealers and food producers.
Both types of products were very lucrative, especially because the majority of the farmlands were no longer feasible for production.
As to why the company was called Fishbone Corporation, well it was convenient since the brand produced most of the canned food that Jiang Chen brought. He even considered, after receiving a sum of cash, he would buy that company out to save the trouble of erasing the production date.
”…Zhang Tianyu, originally the vice president of Walkman Electronic Company, specializes in business administration and electronic product development. The designer of the Asia famous Walkman P7 phone.” Jiang Chen cracked a smile. A vice president, that’s satirical. ”Hmm, Mr. Wang Yi, I need people who specialize in computers and can do some labor work at the same time. However, you managed to find me a vice president?”
Although a stellar resume, he didn’t consider the vice president any further. He didn’t need a person who was capable of corporate strategy.
He didn’t know why, but it felt great rejecting a vice president. His face maintained emotionless on the surface.
”I am sorry Sir. If you could please excuse me for a moment.” The labor market manager named Wang Yi profusely apologized, as he ran into the data room to search again.
Jiang Chen looked at the poorly dressed refugees in the ghetto as he let out a long sigh.
The ghetto included some families with young people who could work. Usually, they would work in the factory area in exchange for some cheap nutrient supply and a small tablet of iodine. They would continue to survive with the family in hardships until death.
If they encountered any diseases, their background almost foretold their unfortunate fate.
Jiang Chen gazed at the radioactive dust cloud; the light that struck through cast an unhealthy color.
Immediately, the fat Wang Yi hustled out of the data room and gave a stack of resumes to Jiang Chen. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and smiled at Jiang Chen.
Most of the resumes were dusty. It was evident Wang Yi recently dusted them off. There was an overabundance of highly skilled tech individuals on the wasteland. After all, the production of bullets didn’t require sophisticated technology. Also, nobody would bother purchasing a new computer or phone.
Jiang Chen carefully sifted through the resume as he raised his eyebrows occasionally.
”Boss, are you not satisfied?” Wang Yi asked anxiously, as this affected his commission, which was his only source of income.
”There are a few people that are quite exceptional. However... ” Jiang Chen pointed at the criminal record at the bottom of the resume, ”...why are they all criminals?”
Lu Haitao, IT Specialist, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after stealing 15 nutrient supply. He was currently working at the nutrient supply boiler as a laborer.
Li Kaiming, Feixun Technology's Project Manager, was sentenced to 17 years in prison for robbery, and currently worked in an ammunition factory as a laborer.
Wang Yi’s face was full of anguish as he said with a plea, ”boss, there is nothing I can do about it.”
After Wang Yi explained, Jiang Chen eventually understood. Not everyone in the ghetto had freedom. All the people that were traded as a product were people that lost their freedom. Every person that received low-income support were the ”property” of Sixth Street. They were similar to slaves in ancient times. Every capable individual was forced to work in a factory, and incapable people acted as population reserves who would serve as soldiers in the frontline. For those refugees that are given freedom, although most are poor, they can survive without any issues. Therefore, they do not need low-income support.
But those were the rules from ten years ago. The Wanghai City now had already established a stable ”ecosystem,” and mutants and zombies did not attack the remaining space of the survivors. Hence, Sixth Street was left with no external enemies. Therefore, there was no need for those slave like refugees.
To alleviate the overpopulation problem, the Sixth Street officials also had to participate in the human labor business. They provided connections for specific ”suppliers” and used them to sell the excessive refugees. Mercenaries or merchants would often purchase the refugees as bait. It’s fair to say that those people often did not end up in the best places. No one wasted nutrient supplies.
Therefore, the individual permitted to be sold were either incapable people that offered no value or criminals.
Jiang Chen hesitated again because he didn’t want either type of people to join him.
A terrible character would be difficult to control, but someone who was weak-bodied would also be challenging.
”Boss, you don’t have to worry. These people will wear electronic bracelets once they are sold. Therefore if they do any harm…” Wang Yi saw the hesitation in Jiang Chen’s eyes and carefully explained it to him. In the end, he made a gunshot gesture.
Although he was still worried, there were no better solutions. Jiang Chen sighed again as he must make a decision from the group of criminals. He just needed to be careful, that’s all.
”010342, please stop or you will be shot immediately.” An emotionless voice echoed through the door as Jiang Chen looked in that direction.
A soft body tackled his leg and he paused a little before looking down.
”I am sorry that I overheard your conversation. I know computers. Please, buy me.” The girl spoke in a fast tone. The emotion cast by her pupil transitioned between fear and desperation.
As the tiny body grappled onto his leg, Jiang Chen cautiously touched the weapon on his back. However, after he saw the soldier signaling him not to overreact and point his gun at the girl, Jiang Chen immediately abandoned the idea of pulling out his gun.
The soldier grabbed the girl like he was grabbing a chicken. Jiang Chen raised his eyebrows but didn’t say anything.
Although he sympathized with her, he was worried about the girl’s intentions. What if it was a trap by the Huizhong Mercenaries?
”I am very sorry. There are always plenty of people that don’t want to live to see tomorrow’s daylight,” Wang Yi apologized profusely. He also motioned for the soldier to send the girl back to camp.
Jiang Chen noticed the girl had a watch like item on her wrist. The item was constantly flashing. If anyone who received low-income left the ghetto, it would immediately trigger the alarm.
”If she is sent back, what would happen to her?” Jiang Chen asked carelessly.
”Put into a work camp.” Wang Yi shrugged, as things like this happened every day.
”Even a kid that young can work?”
”She is not that young. Usually, only people above the age of 16 wear those bracelets. She is just a bit malnourished. Anyways, boss, who do you want to select ….”
”I’ll pick the girl.” Jiang Chen sighed as he made the decision. A girl that thin and weak would die almost immediately in the work camp. Jiang Chen saw a lot of dead bodies since he came to the wasteland, he even killed someone with his own hands. But he couldn’t let the girl be taken to a hell like place right in front of his own eyes, especially if he was the reason. Jiang Chen tried to convince himself.
[Maybe that was my conscience after all? ] Something rare, but valuable.