Chapter 17: Mining Makes You a Slave?

"Fixed Star, it’s a good name."

Sitting inside the train’s cabin, Chen Mang repeated the name with satisfaction. "Constant Star Train," he thought, was grand enough; maybe one day it could even venture out into the cosmos.

By then, the Fixed Star would be just as imposing in the universe.

Actually...

He wanted to name it "Fucking Everything," but after thinking about it, he felt that name might be a bit too crude.

Just then—

There was a knock at the cabin door. After pressing a random button on the control panel, the door quickly opened to reveal Old Pig.

"Mang."

Old Pig seemed to have some kind of unspeakable issue, cautiously approaching and carefully speaking, "I have some suggestions, not sure if I should say them."

"Go ahead."

Chen Mang looked at Old Pig with a serious expression; after all, Old Pig had once been the Deputy Train Captain, and many of his suggestions were very useful.

"It’s like this." With Chen Mang’s permission, Old Pig carefully organized his words before saying, "First, I must admit something, I’ve seen a few Train Captains, but Mang, you are the most dignified one I’ve seen among them all."

"I believe we can go far, perhaps even build an absolutely safe train during the Doomsday."

"For an organization to develop far enough, the first thing it needs is cohesion, not just between the Train Captain and Deputy Train Captain, but among all the passengers on this train. When everyone is united towards a common goal, the organization will move forward as swiftly as a chariot."

"If you alone have to work hard, it will be exhausting."

"In Doomsday."

"Trust is a very luxurious thing, for instance, many Train Captains are worried about their deputies or thugs betraying them, or slaves rioting, leading them to establish many harsh rules, with immediate execution for any rule-breaking, using iron-fisted methods to rule the organization."

"But—"

"I’ve always felt these things are unnecessary. It’s very hard to have someone be completely loyal to another person, especially in a Doomsday environment."

"For example, Mang, can you completely trust me, or completely trust those thugs?"

"It’s hard to do."

"Your trust in them stems entirely from the fact that all their weapons come from the train, making it impossible for them to harm you."

"Everyone knows this; you don’t care about the thugs’ casualties, and with that understanding, how could the thugs give their all for the train or dare to face overwhelming battles? As passengers on a train, when everyone is separated by their own interests, incidents like ’betrayal’ or ’rebellion’ are almost inevitable."

"I understand what you mean." Chen Mang slightly furrowed his brows. "Just tell me your suggestions."

"Certainly."

Old Pig hurriedly added, knowing well that a competent subordinate should provide solutions, not just problems, as every leader detests those who do not suggest solutions. Right now, finding a way to solve issues is the main focus.

"To make everyone loyal to you, Mang, is hard to realize and express."

"But making everyone loyal to the ’train’ is easy. Let everyone feel they are part of the train. Whether they are fighting or mining, they won’t feel exploited but rather inspired to fight for their future."

"More recognition and more motivation."

"Step one: Transform class disparity."

"Many trains deliberately add sand to water for slaves to create class differences, giving thugs a sense of superiority and starving slaves when not mining to reduce slave riots."

"I used to agree with this method, but now..."

"Having been a slave for a while, I’ve discovered slaves don’t have many thoughts. Most slave riots are due to random killings by Train Captains or not providing food. We can just give them pure water, let them eat their fill every day."

"We must create a differential between us and other trains."

"Let the slaves’ meals match those of thugs from other trains, let the thugs’ meals match those of Train Captains from other trains."

"Let them feel superior over slaves from other trains, forming a sense of recognition towards our train."

"Step two: Change designations."

"’Thug’ and ’slave’ are almost common terms on all trains."

"But these terms inherently carry derogatory meanings, easily creating opposition between the train and slaves. We ensure their safety and provide them meals every day; in the Doomsday, this is clearly a benevolent act, so why use such insulting terms?"

"To put it bluntly, even in peaceful times, jobs that include food and board are hard to find."

"Even more so during Doomsday."

"So why bear such a bad name when we are clearly doing good?"

"’Slave’ is changed to ’Passenger,’ ’Thug’ is changed to ’Guardian.’"

"This change in addressing will make them more appreciative of the train itself, and by providing clear promotion paths, existing and new-coming slaves will have clear goals to strive for."

"Add another car; giving slaves enough space to move will only take 100 units of iron ore for a standard cargo car."

"Step three: Value recognition."

"Mang, you may have noticed that after the victory of that battle, those ten thugs were actually very excited, developing a sense of identification with the train, but it was weak because they knew, Mang, you didn’t care about them."

"But if you guide this emotion, with my daily promotion to them, soon everyone will have a strong sense of identification with the train."

Old Pig said a lot in one breath, his lips even slightly pale, with an earnest look as he gesticulated passionately: "Mang, think about it, when everyone’s hearts are aligned."

"The slaves’ mining efficiency will also be higher."

"Thugs will be more zealous in dangerous battles."

"And in the future, there might not even be a need to capture slaves, as our reputation grows, survivors will flock to us."

"Of course..."

"All of this is premised on having enough food resources. In Doomsday, food is still rather scarce, so these are just ideas for now. If you think it’s feasible, Mang, we can start with the other steps."

"Once every slave and thug has a deep sense of recognition towards the ’train,’ the chances of betrayal and rebellion will decrease significantly."

...

...

Chen Mang slightly squinted his eyes, scanning Old Pig up and down. He had to admit, Old Pig had some ideas, for a seemingly ordinary bald man, his mind was quite active.

Though a bit raw, this plan... seems like he’s the only one who could try it.

Old Pig had one thing right, why call them slaves just for mining? Do people not work during peace times?

The most important thing is!

This plan might be difficult to achieve on other trains, mainly due to needing enough food, but this... is his easiest problem to solve.

-

"Moldy Bread Slice Production Line": White-grade component, requires 100 moldy bread slices to craft.

-

This component at Level 1 can only produce moldy bread slices.

But what about at Level 10?

Could produce delicious stuffed bread, and survivors in Doomsday eating this daily would hardly think of revolting or escaping.

To him, food isn’t a problem, so this plan... is entirely feasible!

A moment later.

Chen Mang looked at the ten patrolling thugs outside the train and laughed, "Old Pig, I’ll leave this matter to you. I find it feasible, and you needn’t worry about the food issue, I’ll take care of that."

"But there’s no rush, we must wait until the future development before implementing it fully."

"Oh yes, the train has a name now."

"It’s called Fixed Star."

Before that, he needed to use the "Blade Car" blueprint.

In Doomsday, organizational cohesion can only be considered as a side dish.

The main dish must be the train’s strength; without enough offensive and defensive power, no matter how strong the cohesion is, it’s useless. He needs to first check the changes of the Level 3 "Blade Car."