Chapter 360: Daily Survivor Report

  Chapter 360 “Survivor Daily”

  Street 97 is located in the west of Boulder City. It is full of sewage, the air is polluted, and the dilapidated tube buildings are crowded together. It is often criticized by nearby citizens as a “crow’s nest”.

  Because it is close to the giant wall, the residents here can only enjoy the morning and noon sun.

  At dusk, the street is shrouded in the shadow of the giant wall.

  Objectively speaking, if you ignore the lighting, life here is much better than the slums outside the giant wall.

  Most of the people living here are workers from nearby factories.

  Unless they are local residents, few people are willing to get close to here. There

  are almost no entertainment activities here, and almost no one will open a store among a group of poor ghosts.

  People with jobs need to work for 16 hours and fall asleep when they get home. People without jobs will not take out a chip from their pockets to consume even if they are idle all day.

  But there are exceptions.

  At the junction with the industrial area, there is a beer hall called “Walnut”. Its iconic sign is a pile of empty walnut barrels at the door.

  These barrels are small and can be used as tables or benches, and can even be used to deal with hygiene issues.

  When workers pass by here after a day’s work, they occasionally take out a chip rewarded by the foreman, drink a cheap and large cup of draft beer, forget the troubles of the day and go home.

  Some unemployed workers also come here to spend the whole day.

  Although they are short of money, it is good to smell the beer or breathe a few puffs of second-hand smoke.

  In any case, it is better than sitting at home and listening to the yellow-faced woman sighing and complaining that she can’t make it this way.

  Since almost no mercenaries come here, and travelers and merchants from other places don’t approach the West District at all,

  over time, this place has become a club for the workers in Boulder City.

  People not only drink, but also gather in groups of three or five to discuss some family matters or gossip they have heard.

  Especially gossip in the factory area. Of

  course, what people are most looking forward to is to hear the news that a factory is short of people, but this has not happened for a long time.

  An unemployed worker with a beard suddenly spoke.

  ”…Why don’t we become mercenaries?”

  A worker who was fired from the canning factory like him glanced at him.

  ”Have you ever touched a gun?”

  ”No, but I heard it’s not difficult. Open the safety, aim the gun, and then pull the trigger to shoot the hot metal fragments into the head of the gnawer.” The bearded worker used the broom beside the wooden barrel to demonstrate the shooting action. “You see, it’s that simple.”

  Everyone laughed.

  ”The wave will have to wait until next year. It’s summer now, and your opponent is likely to be a plunderer.”

  ”I heard that the Lister Caravan is recruiting people. They plan to open a new trade route from here to the Great Rift Valley.”

  ”The Great Rift Valley… I heard it’s at the northernmost part of the River Valley Province.”

  ”It’s really far away.”

  Next to the door beam, a group of workers gathered together and took turns smoking a cigarette butt that was about to burn out.

  Sperger couldn’t help but take another puff, and found that everyone was staring at him, so he quickly gave the cigarette in his hand to the next friend.

  He took a puff of the cigarette butt, and Pike, who had a bandage on his arm, suddenly spoke.

  ”Speaking of which, why haven’t I seen Kent recently?”

  ”I don’t know. Last time, he led us to surround the city hall. It was so damn satisfying to see those well-dressed bastards scared and pale!” ”

  It would be nice if we could do it again sometime.”

  Anyway, they had nothing else to do. Maybe they could get some benefits by making trouble on the street.

  At this time, the pot-bellied tavern owner came out of the utility room next to the tavern, holding a huge wooden frame.

  His name is Tang, which is a very short word in the human language, with only one syllable.

  Looking at this group of poor people who have nothing to do, Tang couldn’t help but complain.

  ”How long do you plan to waste time here? Can’t you find a job if you don’t have money?”

  The worker who was smoking said with a smile.

  ”We want to work too. Do you need a cleaner or a waiter? A handyman?”

  Tang laughed and said bluntly.

  ”Why should I hire a big man with no breasts and no buttocks to do handyman work?”

  Another burly man raised his hand and said with a grin.

  ”Are you hiring the boss’s wife? I’ll sign up.”

  ”Get lost.” Tang cursed.

  The Walnut Tavern has not been doing well recently.

  There are more and more poor people, and even cigarette butts have to be smoked by different people, not to mention taking out chips to buy wine.

  Sperger suddenly found that the old lady who helped pour the wine and the young man who did odd jobs were fired.

  Now even this kind of physical work is done by the boss himself.

  At this time in the past, this fat pig would sit behind the bar and doze off.

  At this time, Sperger noticed the wooden frame in his hand and the stack of papers in the wooden frame, and asked curiously.

  ”What is this?”

  ”Survivor Daily.” Tang didn’t say much, and moved it into the tavern with a grunt.

  Survivor Daily?

  Everyone looked at each other, and they had never heard of this name.

  Of course, it may also be because they don’t read newspapers. Although

  most workers can read, they basically only recognize a few words, and can probably understand the level of equipment operation manuals and recruitment notices.

  Workers who can afford to buy newspapers don’t have time to read them.

  Reading books and newspapers is a pastime for the upper class sitting in the office.

  ”How much is this thing?”

  ”It’s free, you can read it as much as you want, but you can’t take it away.” Tang said impatiently.

  These newspapers are provided free of charge by the “Survivor Daily” newspaper, and a box of Nuka-Cola is given away every month.

  Anyway, it doesn’t take up a lot of space, and it can also be used as a pastime for alcoholics. Based on the principle of not taking advantage of a good deal, he brought it back.

  ”Free?!”

  Everyone was shocked when they heard this.

  There is such a good thing?

  What made them even more incredible was that this stingy person said this.

  Sperger walked up, took a newspaper from the wooden frame, and unfolded it in his hand.

  Pike, who was smoking, also threw away the cigarette butt in his hand that had finally burned out, and curiously came over to watch.

  ”…”

  ”The negotiations between the City Hall and the New Alliance authorities went smoothly. The 200 million aid loan will strive for a win-win situation for both parties… What is a win-win situation?”

  ”I just want to smash the New Alliance’s factory to pieces! Throw the rags they produce out of the giant wall!”

  ”But being their creditor doesn’t seem to be a bad thing… Kate Textile Factory resumed work. According to this newspaper, it was because it received an order worth millions of chips.”

  ”Alyssa lost a southern shorthair cat. If anyone sees it, please contact the address in the newspaper. The reward is 25 chips… Alyssa… This name sounds familiar.”

  ”I remember… It’s President Melvin’s youngest daughter!”

  There is no entertainment industry in Boulder City, let alone stars. The top star of the Queen of the Night Bar and the families of dignitaries are the objects of gossip for most ordinary people.

  For President Melvin, everyone is naturally familiar with him. After all, there is only one bank in Boulder City.

  As soon as they heard the name of this adult, everyone came back to their senses and showed envy in their eyes.

  ”… She is actually the daughter of the bank president.”

  ”Whoever can marry her will not have to worry about the next life.”

  ”Don’t dream, it’s not dark yet.”

  ”25 chips to find a cat… If you change it into nutritional paste, it will be enough for 25 kilograms! Do these people have too much money and have nowhere to spend it?”

  ”You know nothing, I think it’s cheap!”

  ”Hey, it’s good to have money…”

  The people around the newspaper talked about it.

  Although the reward of 25 chips made people jealous, no one set out to find it.

  The Boulder City is so big, where can they find a cat?

  Not to mention that it is a question whether the cat is still inside the giant wall.

  Everyone was excitedly talking about gossip, but Sberg’s attention was on the last line of the newspaper.

  [We are committed to creating a newspaper that serves all survivors. If you see this newspaper on a public newsstand, please leave your valuable suggestions on it. We will use it as a reference after recycling. ]

  A newspaper that serves all survivors?

  Ha.

  It’s really strange.

  Although everyone is a survivor and lives in the same wasteland, Sberg can vaguely feel that people are different.

  Some people are born with a silver spoon in their mouths, while others live like cockroaches.

  For example, Miss Elisa.

  What the wasteland looks like has a lot to do with her?

  She may not have seen the nutritional paste, let alone tasted it.

  After hesitating for a moment, Sberg finally borrowed a pen from the boss and wrote at the bottom of the newspaper.

  ”We are very interested in what the city hall is doing.”

  ”The cat of the president’s daughter makes me depressed. When I still have a job, 25 chips are my salary for ten days.”

  ”… It would be great if you could publish more information about work.”

  ”I wish you a happy life.”

  After writing these words, he returned the pen to the tavern owner.

  At this time, Sberg suddenly remembered that it was mentioned in the newspaper that ten empty Coke bottles could be exchanged for a newspaper to take home.

  He couldn’t help thinking in his heart, why not wait until it is completely dark and go to the bar street to pick up empty Coke bottles.

  I could exchange a newspaper to teach my son how to read, so that at least I wouldn’t waste the whole day…

  …

  Sperger wasn’t the only one who had similar thoughts.

  In the past two days, there have been many “scavengers” picking up empty bottles around the tavern in Boulder City.

  Ten empty Coke bottles can be exchanged for a copy of the “Survivor Daily”. Even if you don’t need to read it, you can take it home to use as a table mat or bed.

  As for where this “Survivor Daily” came from, no one has paid attention to it.

  After all, it has just been published for the first time, and its popularity is too low. It is so small

  that the factory owners, chamber of commerce bosses and city hall officials in Boulder City would never notice it…

  That night.

  President Malvern returned to his mansion on the edge of the inner layer with a radiant expression.

  The negotiations with the Lord of Dawn City went smoothly. The other party took out a beautiful purchase list, which included a large number of building materials, textiles and food.

  This will create at least 50,000 jobs for Boulder City and solve the problem of food and clothing for nearly 100,000 people.

  By this time next year, the GDP of Boulder City will reach a new high!

  The interest paid by the New Alliance and the raw materials pouring in from the northern suburbs will give the factories in the industrial zone a new lease of life! What

  makes Melvin most happy is that many factories have recently started to borrow money from him.

  Some people borrow money for consumption, and naturally some people are willing to borrow money to expand production. His bank can make money from both ends.

  And there is almost no risk of bad debts!

  Boulder City has entered a new cycle, and he seems to have seen the dawn of economic recovery!

  ”It seems that you are in a good mood today. Did you encounter something good?” The lady took the coat from his hand.

  ”Of course,” Melvin said with a beaming face, “After so many days of arguing, the negotiations are finally over. The representatives of the New Alliance have signed the agreement. Our relationship with the New Alliance will enter a new chapter from now on!”

  Although the progress of the negotiations was full of twists and turns, thanks to his resourceful performance at the negotiating table, he firmly grasped the rhythm of the negotiations and finally forced the representatives of the New Alliance to make concessions, allowing the two sides to reach an agreement.

  ”But… is it really okay to lend money to those country bumpkins?” The lady looked a little worried.

  In her opinion, the people outside the Great Wall were either vulgar mercenaries, or sloppy scavengers, or looters.

  It was hard for her to trust those people.

  Even if they looked at her for a second, she would get goose bumps all over her body and feel physically uncomfortable.

  Melvin had a confident smile on his face.

  ”What’s the problem? They have copper mines, farmland, and large tracts of forest… I even hope that those country bumpkins will borrow more.”

  ”Debt will make them our slaves, which is much better than shackles.”

  At this time, he suddenly noticed the newspaper on the table. The

  headline on the cover of the newspaper actually published the news that the negotiations were going smoothly.

  Melvin couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows curiously.

  The negotiations just ended today. Two hours ago, the representatives of the New Alliance reluctantly signed the loan agreement, and neither side had time to officially announce it.

  How did this little-known newspaper guess that the deal would be done today?

  It guessed quite accurately.

  It couldn’t have been printed a few hours ago.

  ”What is this?”

  ”Survivor Daily.”

  Alyssa, who was sitting on the sofa, was gently stroking the cat in her arms. After hearing her father’s question, she raised her head and answered softly.

  ”Does our family subscribe to this newspaper?” Melvin asked doubtfully.

  Alyssa shook her head gently.

  ”No, but I think this newspaper is quite interesting… Didn’t I lose a cat before?”

  Melvin couldn’t remember which one it was. His daughter had too many cats.

  Seeing that her father didn’t seem to remember this, Alyssa continued in a soft voice.

  ”You told me at that time that you had asked the butler to post a missing cat notice in the tavern, and that a mercenary would bring it back for me soon.”

  ”It seems so…what happened later?” Melvin couldn’t help but look a little embarrassed.

  It seems that the cat was not found, and he broke his promise in front of his daughter.

  However, the sensible Alyssa did not blame him, and continued in a gentle tone.

  ”Later, the mercenary did not show up, but this newspaper found me through the missing cat notice in the tavern and said that they could publish an advertisement in the newspaper for me for free. As long as I find Xiao Hei, I am willing to write a thank-you letter for them.”

  Melvin smiled after listening.

  Is this to use his daughter’s fame to make the newspaper famous?

  These people are quite business-minded.

  In the upper class of Boulder City, his daughter’s name is much more valuable than a few chips.

  However, such a small matter is not worth his worry, he just cares about his daughter.

  ”It would be great if we could find it.”

  ”Yes.”

  Stroking the kitten in her arms, Alyssa’s eyes showed a trace of worry, “I’m really worried whether it will be hungry.”

  …

  At the same time.

  A single-family building not far from the warehouse area has a plaque with the words “Voice of the Alliance” hanging at the door.

  Judging from the brand new nail, the sign should have been hung up not long ago.

  Unlike the deserted entrance, the newspaper office is busy at this moment.

  Especially Hal, the president of the newspaper, has been busy from morning to evening without a break, wishing to split himself into two people.

  In fact, it is true.

  Since the newspaper was just established and was short of manpower, he had to take on multiple duties, being responsible for the content of the newspaper, the layout of the newspaper, and taking care of the connection between the newspaper and the outside world.

  As for why it became like this, it has to start from that afternoon three days ago.

  According to the instructions of the manager, the new alliance needs its own voice channel.

  However, due to the shortage of staff in the new alliance’s office in Boulder City, Shuyu and Luca discussed and decided that this important task fell on Hal’s head.

  Hal was flattered by the trust of the new alliance.

  Although he also wanted to repay these people for saving his life and taking him in, and to prove his ability, he had never run a newspaper after all, and he didn’t even know what a newspaper was.

  Fortunately, Shu Yu didn’t really throw all the work on him, but went to the talent market to find a few employees who had worked at “The Voice of Boulder City” for him, so that although he was busy, he was not in a rush.

  ”Survivor Daily” was their first product, and its distribution range was mainly in the outer city of Boulder City.

  The first issue was printed in 1,200 copies, which were distributed in taverns, grocery stores and mobile vendors with relatively low consumption levels.

  These newspapers were printed in a local printing factory in Boulder City. The printing volume was less than 10,000 copies, and the factory cost of each newspaper was about 0.5 chips.

  If labor, rent, water and electricity are counted together, their expenses for the whole day today reached thousands of chips.

  As for income, don’t think about it for the time being.

  These newspapers are provided to those partners almost free of charge.

  The retail price of each newspaper is one chip. If they sell it, after deducting the profit belonging to the partners, they can at most recover the cost of printing the newspaper.

  In order to promote these newspapers, they also put up 56 boxes of Nuka-Cola!

  But all these efforts are worth it.

  A meeting is being held in the conference room on the second floor of the newspaper. Hal summoned the only six editors of the newspaper to summarize the suggestions left by readers on the newspaper and discuss the content of the next issue.

  At this time, the door of the conference room was suddenly pushed open, and a staff member walked in hurriedly.

  ”Good news! Half of the 1,200 newspapers have been sold!”

  Hearing this, many people at the conference table relaxed their brows and showed joy on their faces.

  Being able to sell half of the newspapers when they can read them at will is a pretty good result for a new newspaper with no reputation.

  At least it shows that there is no problem with their content.

  The staff member paused for a moment and continued.

  ”…But the bad news is that we didn’t make a penny. We only got back 120 chips and more than 3,000 empty bottles.”

  Hearing the second half of this sentence, the editors sitting at the conference table looked at each other.

  ”…Maybe we can make some money by selling these bottles.” An editor glanced at the president of the newspaper and suggested in a low voice.

  It’s not easy to find a job these days.

  Especially since newspapers are not a necessity.

  He was really worried that he would lose the job he had finally found.

  Seeing the concerns in everyone’s eyes, Hal, who was sitting at the conference table, stood up and encouraged everyone with an enthusiastic voice.

  ”Don’t worry about losses. Profit is not our goal! There is only one thing we have to do now, and that is to make a name for ourselves as soon as possible!”

  ”I’ve just carefully studied the feedback and suggestions. The name “Survivor Daily” is still too general, and the content is not targeted enough!”

  ”People sitting in the office won’t be interested in which factory’s assembly line is short of people, and the workers in Boulder City won’t care what the Queen of the Night’s top star is wearing today.”

  ”I think that in addition to the Survivor Daily, we should also establish different sub-publications such as the Worker’s Daily, the Citizen’s Daily, and the Playboy Daily, and deliver different content to different customer groups!”

  ”Since the Voice of Boulder City has occupied the upper class of Boulder City, let’s go to areas they have never set foot in and open up new battlefields!”

  When saying these words, Hal felt that every cell in his body was boiling, and his eyes were shining with excitement and ambition.

  If this plan can be realized, the newspaper he founded will occupy every minute of Boulder City residents’ after-dinner talk, and the words he wrote will be read repeatedly by hundreds of thousands of people.

  And he will become the “uncrowned king” of this city!

  After being away from home for so long, this is the first time he has encountered such an exciting thing.

  Listening to him describe this amazing blueprint, everyone’s faces showed surprised expressions.

  An editor couldn’t help asking.

  ”Do we have so much budget?”

  Hal said firmly.

  ”…There will always be a way! Didn’t our boss say that? The alliance will not be stingy in investing in the cultural industry!”

  ”Besides, we just got a loan of 200 million chips. There must be a place to spend this money, right?”

–

  (Thanks to “Anie” for the reward from the leader!!! I started late today…TT)

  (End of this chapter)