Chapter 977: The Thoughts of the Members of Parliament
The lights were on in the Yoda State Capitol meeting room, and Governor Cassandra was frowning and smoking a cigar.
He was in a very bad mood at the moment. Not long ago, he was still mocking the incompetent governor of Saskatchewan, who actually asked for peace with a group of city thugs, which was a shame for the Beacon State. As a result, not long after, a similar thing happened in his own state.
And it wasn't just one incident, it was three.
Except for the first largest city where his parliament was located, the second, fourth, and fifth largest cities all launched freedom actions, declaring independence from state control, demanding autonomy, and asking the state Supreme Court to pass a law to give them similar status to the Rose City.
If we really agree to their request, the economy of the entire Yoda State will suffer a devastating blow, and at least half of its financial resources will be lost.
He glanced gloomily at the military and political leaders around him and said in a cold voice: "Tell me, what should we do?"
"Suppress, we must suppress. If we don't suppress, where is the dignity of our guard? We must strike hard and give resolute blows. We must eliminate one if we find one!" said the commander-in-chief of the state guard in a firm tone.
"How to suppress it?" a congressman asked with a sneer.
"Of course we will use artillery and machine guns!" The commander-in-chief of the guard team had already prepared a plan. "The reason why Saxe State failed is that it underestimated the enemy. I can guarantee that we will not repeat Saxe State's mistakes. I will first use electronic warfare aircraft to destroy the enemy's communication network, then use stealth bombers to bomb important facilities and nodes, use missiles to snipe important targets, crush the enemy's armed forces, and use tanks and armed helicopters to cooperate in clearing ground targets. Finally, the special forces and infantry will advance together to eventually recapture the city."
The commander-in-chief of the state guard said confidently.
"Why didn't you tell me that I gave you the authorization to use nuclear weapons?" The state finance director sneered, "Do you know how much logistics it would take to use these weapons? How much would it cost? Can the state finances support it?"
"Moreover, even if it can be sustained, with the way you fight, even if the city is conquered, it will be turned into ruins. What's the use of a few ruins? Can they bring in any income?" Another congressman echoed.
"Then what do you say we should do? Are you just going to ignore ? Let them govern themselves?" the commander-in-chief of the state guard asked indignantly.
"In my opinion, it's not impossible." A congressman said with a smile.
"What did you say? Cartel, are you going to betray us and join those thugs?" The commander-in-chief of the State Guard slammed the table and roared.
"Calm down!" Governor Cassandra's voice spread throughout the conference room, making everyone quiet down.
"Cartel, we all know that you always have some good ideas. Now it's a critical moment, don't keep it a secret and tell us what you think."
Cassandra said.
"Yes, Carter, tell us what you think. Now we are in the same boat." The other congressmen cooperated.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the congressman named Carter stood up and said loudly, "Before discussing this issue, let's review why we are sitting here? Sitting in this state assembly room? Is it the spirit of serving taxpayers? Or practicing the great ideals and aspirations of freedom? Or is it a sense of social responsibility?"
"In my opinion, this is all bullshit used to fool fools. The only purpose for us to sit here is to make money!"
"Whether it's congressmen, financial officials, the commander-in-chief of the state guard, or our dear governor, our purpose is very simple and consistent, that is to make money!"
Carter exclaimed.
"Cartel, what exactly do you want to say?" a congressman asked impatiently.
"It's very simple. Since our goal is to make money, then the following is simple. The standard for whether to agree to the autonomy of these three cities is also very simple, that is, whether it can make us money. If it can make us money, then let them be autonomous. If it can't make us money, then use military force to raze these three cities to the ground! To deter those villains, and by the way, deduct some money from the city reconstruction."
Carter said lightly.
"If it becomes a free city, then state laws will not apply, city taxes will not be collected, and even factories of large companies will not be able to survive there. How can we make money?"
one councillor asked.
"Those are related to the state's finances and don't go into our pockets, so what does it have to do with us?"
Carter said with a smile.
"So what do you mean?" Governor Cassandra asked.
"I sent people to investigate the reasons for Rose City's economic boom. There are two main reasons. One is the sale of daily necessities. As you can imagine, after the announcement of full freedom and autonomy, no one will be willing to go to work, and factories will not stay in such an unregulated place. They will definitely move. By then, even if they want to work, there will be no place to go."
"There are no factories, no restaurants, no water plants, no power plants, nothing. What should we do? It's simple. We go and provide them with services. As for the price, we naturally have to add another zero. Don't ask, this is the price of freedom."
Carter said with a smile.
"Where does the money come from if they don't work anymore?" asked a member of parliament.
"It's very simple. When their savings are emptied, they will be forced to work by their stomachs. I sent people to Rose City to check. Those indigenous people are all doing some supporting service industries in the transfer center, such as accommodation, catering, entertainment, etc. As for the customers, they are naturally the main force of zero-dollar shopping. What do they use the money they get from selling stolen goods there for? Naturally, they eat, drink and have fun, and naturally flow into the pockets of those indigenous people, while they can only return to their hometowns and continue zero-dollar shopping. And the money of those indigenous people flows into our pockets by purchasing electricity, network, food and water. It's perfect, isn't it?"
"They already have a very mature network over there. Can we compete with them?"
One congressman was obviously tempted, but still asked with some concern.
"Rose City has an obvious advantage, which is that it was established the earliest, but its disadvantage is also obvious, which is that it is too far away, especially for us in other states. Our local zero-dollar shopping army has to go to Rose City to sell the stolen goods. The journey is too long and it takes too much time. This is the case for us, not to mention those states that are farther away. If we can help them solve the problem nearby, will they be willing to come to us?"
Councillor Cartel asked with a smile.
