Starting from scratch, Batman crushed my dream of getting rich

Chapter 139 Victor Freese

Chapter 139 Victor Freese
With Ma Zhaodi's intelligence, the Gotham transformation plan officially began.

The Wayne Corporation submitted a plan for the renovation and construction of Gotham City and, leveraging its size and connections, began implementing it immediately. The relentless underworld forces naturally had neither the time nor the interest to consider this grand plan, which temporarily did not affect their war effort. The only problem was that officials were being imprisoned too frequently, and those who followed were afraid to step in, slowing down the administrative system's efficiency.

However, Harvey, Gordon, and Bruce are all very patient. Gotham has been sick for so many years, and now there is hope for improvement, so they don't mind waiting for some time.

The inmates at Wayne Prison soon underwent a major reshuffle. The prison meticulously categorized them, taking into account their previous jobs and their specific skills. They quickly began contracting them out to perform tasks they were relatively skilled in. The city, previously vacant due to the influx of people into Wayne Prison, was now filled by the sudden influx of inmate labor.

Of course, this resulted in most ordinary prisoners having more opportunities to go out, and the channels for escaping prison also increased a lot.

For example, consider the following conversation between two prisoners.

"Want to run?"

"Run? Are you stupid? Which do you think is better, Gotham City or Wayne Prison?"

"At least we can cook and eat at home after we escape."

"What about work? What about sanitation? What about medical care? What about living expenses?" The prisoner-dressed companion curled his lips. "Or do you want to continue being a slave to those gangsters out there?"

“I can still go for a walk on the street.”

"Brother, what do you think we are doing now?"

The two prisoners walking on the street looked at each other, then looked at the traffic and people around them.

"Damn it, Wayne Prison just let us out to work on our own."

"I guess the prison couldn't be bothered to waste the energy and money to rent a car just for two people, but that's fine too—we only have half an hour left to go out, so we really need to hurry and get back to the prison before roll call."

".If you think about it, if the salary can be brought to a normal level, prison wouldn't be bad either."

"I don't know, Wade. I feel like I've saved more money than I've spent since I went to jail."

"So are we actually in jail?"

"So are they actually in jail?"

Sheriff Gordon looked at the Gotham City reform plans that were blooming everywhere, and then looked at the prisoners who were subdivided and outsourced to various Wayne projects in Gotham City, and he couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

"Gotham City has many industries, and the industrial structure that originally relied on gangs for survival needs to be drastically changed. I understand that this is a long project, but we have to do it. We must do it."

At this moment, he subconsciously looked at Ma Zhaodi who was standing beside him. It was he who first proposed the design of the prison system: "But, punishing evil and promoting good is justice."

"That's called reform through labor, Chief Gordon. If the very environment of Gotham City forces people to resort to evil and collaborate with gangs to survive, then their primary responsibility, at least in large part, should be placed on the environment itself. This is one of the reasons why I don't advocate for Wayne Prison actively abusing ordinary prisoners. They are both perpetrators and victims."

Sheriff Gordon thought about his words and rubbed his beard.

"Old Ma, I want to remind you that I've seen countless criminals. Some of their situations are indeed worthy of sympathy, but some are simply bad guys. Proper punishment is essential - this is also for the victims and their families to feel relieved."

"The criminals will definitely be punished, Chief Inspector Gordon. We'll just have them rebuild a social environment where they can live well for the victims. This is also a form of compensation for them." "And then?"

"Then, after the renovation plan is completed, Wayne Private Prison will cease operations, and all profits during this period will be used to complete the renovation project. New factories, new companies, renovated buildings, and major projects such as attracting investment will be used to replace the economic industries and jobs vacated by the gangs. I don't understand much about this, but it's a long-term, major undertaking that requires the efforts of most people."

Harvey nodded. "That's true. If it weren't for the Wayne Group doing this, and the financial support from those bastards, I'm not sure such a grand plan could actually be implemented."

"Gentlemen, let's stay on topic." Sheriff Gordon knocked on the table. "Where's the punishment?"

"My first words are, 'Sir, close Wayne Prison,'" Ma Zhaodi replied. "Then the remaining felons inside will have to spend the rest of their sentences in public or private prisons. By then, the gangs will be completely wiped out, and there will be no one to bail them out. Compensation for the families of the victims will also be deducted from their underpaid wages for their long hours of work, as additional financial compensation for the victims."

"Most of the reformed minor offenders will have returned to Gotham City by then, so the city's operations will not be affected." Bruce added: "The protracted blood transfusion plan will not cause too much turmoil."

Harvey Dent flipped the coin in his hand and nodded: "Very smart move."

"One more thing, could you please propose the introduction of a death penalty bill in this state after Reconstruction is completed?"

The three of them paused, and all turned to look at Ma Zhaodi who said this.

"Some people lay down their butcher knives and hope to become Buddhas. They don't understand what it means to truly lay down the butcher knife. Killing someone means paying with one's life, or repaying a debt means paying it back. Only when one has paid off all sins can one truly lay down the butcher knife." Ma Zhaodi shrugged. "This is our tradition and the wisdom of our ancestors."

Harvey listened to Ma Zhaodi's advice, his eyes shining.

When Sheriff Gordon saw his expression, he suddenly suspected that he was the conservative.

Bruce remained silent, as if thinking deeply.

Just when the atmosphere was becoming a little strange, Bruce's phone suddenly rang. This coincidental rescue call was from the butler.

So he took out his phone and answered it.

"Alfred?"

"Master Wayne, the matter entrusted by Mr. Ma Zhaodi has been resolved."

"Found him?"

"Yes, a bank in Gotham City was robbed this morning. The frozen marks left at the scene were very unique, so we locked onto an abandoned building."

Ma Zhaodi saw Bruce speak briefly and then hung up the phone.

"Lao Ma, Ah Fu found the person you were looking for."

"Who?" Sheriff Gordon asked subconsciously.