Will the kemonomimi encounter Alien Ranch Story?

"But they are infected," Mudrock said in a low voice. Herdsmen and slaves are the most likely to come into contact with Originium Dust and become infected. Infected people can use Originium Arts, even if they are not very powerful, by wielding a staff.

“Spell attacks pose little threat to us.” First, most Sarkaz have considerable spell resistance. Second, the power of spells is far less than Old Xia’s pile of firearms.

"Massively export simplified staves, buy livestock, and then export LMD. Hmm, that's the plan."

After pondering for a moment and finalizing the plan, Lao Xia needed to activate the trade market to attract tribes and herders to trade.

"This winter will be exceptionally cold—" Even with a heart of stone, W still felt a chill when he thought about how a large amount of Lungmen Dollars flowed into the wilderness, turning into livestock and various resources, instead of flowing back into supplies for survival.

“A harsh winter freezes people to death, but it also kills pests. Spring brings even greater prosperity…” The patriot’s deep voice rang out. He understood this principle perfectly. He was not a pedantic person; a pedantic person would not become a banner of resistance.

You have a point.

"Moreover, we prepared a path, but if they don't follow us, they'll have to walk with winter." Patriots who initially joined Lao Xia's camp would object.

He believed that empty promises could not compare to real human lives, and that there were ubiquitous dreamers who spouted empty rhetoric and demanded necessary sacrifices.

However, their fantasies could not be realized. Patriots valued what they could actually grasp and preferred what they could see with their own eyes and what they could personally salvage.

But now, having witnessed the Ursus snowfields become less cold and the oasis farm slaves no longer need to endure the White Plague, he has a full understanding of Old Xia's plan and Talulah's ideals—

This is not empty talk, but a steady, step-by-step progress towards the goal, making a little progress each day—not much, but enough to be comforting.

What he had to do was to make those obstacles blocking his path disappear; they might be innocent, or they might have been wronged by the halberd.

However, the patriot never cared. He had killed many people, and no one could say that all those he killed deserved to die. So it didn't matter if a few more innocent souls were added to the resentment. This was the tragedy of a warrior.

So either follow him on this path to the future, or walk with winter!

The herders and farmers of the oasis farm, who had no idea how tough this winter would be in the desert, didn't have such long-term thoughts; the joy of the harvest was still lingering in their hearts.

Even the ranchers of North Cazdale, who had never engaged in large-scale agricultural production, understood upon seeing the mountains of tubers that they wouldn't have to shiver with lambs this winter, but could instead sit comfortably in their warm homes with plenty of food.

The original simple tents have now been replaced by mud houses, and the tower-type thermal furnaces are not only making great achievements on the snowfields, but also shining brightly in the desert of Kazdel.

By mixing soil, fine sand, and iron-rich clay together, simple bricks can be fired. Then, a layer of mud made from limestone and desert soil is applied, and it quickly transforms into an earth-colored flat-roofed hut under the scorching sun.

It must be said that Talulah's wet items achieved the ideal and effect of "providing shelter for all the poor and needy and bringing them joy" before she herself did.

If there was still extra capacity, they could use limestone and verdigris to paint it, adding beautiful white and blue patterns. These little houses formed small towns in the residential areas designated around the oasis, and even created several small markets.

After finishing their farm work, most Sarkaz people have some of their own small skills, such as weaving, handicrafts, and dyeing. When food is plentiful, snack stalls and night snack stalls have also appeared, and their businesses are quite prosperous.

As a result, they accumulated some Lungmen coins, which, together with the funds in Lao Xia's hands, will be used to harvest the remaining tribes. The chief is selling livestock, the warriors below are selling various supplies, and the lowest herdsmen may also sell their only resources in order to buy some local specialties or useful tools.

Only a small portion of the Lungmen dollars will flow back; the rest will be stored away. Ultimately, it's self-evident what will happen when winter comes and currency is no longer available for food and clothing.

It's normal for Lao Xia to close the market in winter; everyone is short of food in winter, so naturally, he stops selling things indiscriminately.

Oasis Dome, living area. "Wow, it's so beautiful!" Yelena exclaimed in surprise as she looked at the beautiful coat in front of her. It was white and smooth, and felt wonderful to the touch. In addition to the coat, there was also a smooth and crisp winter cloak and inner clothing. It was a complete set of clothes that had not been dyed or processed.

"Why did you think of giving me this?"

"The farm's new products are about to be launched on the market. Take a look and see if there's anything that needs improvement. Oh, and over there is the changing room, and some Sarkaz traditional costumes that I had local women make. I also did some simple replication of their dyeing techniques."

While the white rabbit happily went to change her clothes, Old Xia was considering whether these things could open up the market. Textiles, after satisfying the need for food, the second need was clothing.

Terran textiles are actually not expensive; they make the most of all kinds of synthetic fibers, which can be seen as a remnant of their former civilization.

However, Lao Xia not only has more advanced synthetic fiber technology, but also natural fibers, which can be used for cotton spinning, wool spinning and blending, and even nanoscale spinneret printing technology, making the fabric so smooth and soft that it has no fiber cross-section texture, "producing special low-friction materials".

For Kazdel, which already had a vast pastureland and a sunny environment suitable for growing cotton and linen, developing the textile industry was the most suitable industrial path for them, and it would not lead to a situation where sheep eat people.

The textile industry is also a labor-intensive industry, which is perfect for accommodating the upcoming wave of refugees or displaced persons, even if it means burning wasteland.

But after the harsh winter and wildfire, it is time to sow seeds; burning down the old order necessitates establishing a new one.

Old Xia couldn't accomplish such a large-scale operation on his own. Therefore, he had to make those profit-driven guys in Lungmen see that there was something to gain. Then, following Wildfire, a large influx of investment in the textile and related industries would pour into Kazdel.

As for whether the shepherds or the workers are happier, that's a matter of opinion. The only thing Lao Xia can do is ensure that his treatment is better than those guys, as a safety net to alleviate the conflict.

With him here raising the bar, at least we won't see situations where people die from overwork after three years in the factory.

However, his industry was too advanced to accommodate many entry-level workers, but it needed a significant number of skilled workers.

With such an upward path available, it's hard to say whether Kazdel will be better or more difficult than before, but it will certainly be more hopeful.

However, when this industry enters Kazimierz, the classic scenario in the history of world industry will begin to repeat itself: land is fenced off for sheep farming and the planting of cash crops such as cotton. Farmers lose their jobs and enter textile factories run by unscrupulous merchants from Victoria and Da Yan, who have no guarantee of support from Lao Xia, and die from exhaustion within two or three years.

Well, considering the Terrans' strong physique, they might be able to hold out for another two years, but the outcome won't change.

The infected become the cheapest kind of nourishment. But since they become nourishment and fuel, they are a kind of wealth, and no one would destroy their wealth before using it.

When the conflict is at its most intense, Lao Xia's entry will seem like an angel descending to earth. The infected in places like Kazimierz are not as distressed as those in Ursus, and entering them directly would only provoke new conflicts. But entering at this time would be fine.

According to Xia Lin's plan, under normal circumstances, he could control a significant portion of Kazimierz's economy with almost no bloodshed. Controlling the economy meant controlling human and material resources, and the Doctor's plan required a large amount of human and material support to proceed.

However, he never expected that due to VI's efficient decision-making and the "dream chaser" approach of approving reasonable expenditures without regard for money, a great depression was brewing in Longmen and might spread to the whole world along the trade network.

At that time, Kazimir, a battleground on the Great Plains, will become a target for surrounding powers to divert their economic crisis, just like the peaceful and isolated town of Lubobo, which could disappear in an instant.

When that time comes, Old Xia or the Terrans might only be able to... resolve the issue through a world war.

Chapter 71 Until Dawn

Chapter 71

Sami, a country surrounded by mountains, is a beautiful land shaped by sacred snow-capped peaks and vast forests. It is rich in natural resources. The snow-capped peaks block the cold air from the north, forming a small basin structure. The relatively warm climate makes the land fertile and easy to grow.

The winding valley flowed down the hillside into the distance, shimmering brightly in the sun. The deep green forest rustled in the summer breeze. The young Ailafia girl squinted her eyes, enjoying the wind that swept through the forest, before raising her light hunting crossbow.

In the grass, a meerkat was tearing apart its prey, completely unaware of the silent hunter hidden in the woods. "Buzz!"

The sound of the bowstring was like the rustling of wind through the leaves in the forest, and the arrow pierced precisely into the eye socket of the alert mongoose that had stood up.

The young girl, Ellafia, ran joyfully toward her prey; meerkats were not exactly easy prey.

But for her, who was hunting alone for the first time, not returning empty-handed was already a great achievement.

Skillfully skinning the prey and draining the excess blood, the girl hung the prey on the side of her backpack. She carefully inspected the old crossbow, retrieved the arrows, and checked the shafts for any cracks.

If so, the arrowhead needs to be removed and replaced with a new shaft. Otherwise, splinters from the shattered wood could easily get into the eye and cause complete blindness.

Or rather, for border hunters who can only recycle and reuse inferior arrows year after year, their faces will mostly bear such "souvenirs".

Crossing the woodland on the hillside and stepping across the still slightly chilly stream, her home was on the gentle slope of the valley. It was a village common on the Sami border, mainly producing timber and hunting furs. The loggers felled trees, processed them into logs, tied them into rafts, and carried the furs obtained by the hunters downstream to the towns in the lower reaches of the valley to exchange for necessary salt, food, and tools.

Life is somewhat difficult, but peaceful and tranquil. Sami experiences almost no large-scale natural disasters, or rather, for the residents, natural disasters are like regular friends who come almost every two months. The long-term low-intensity natural disasters have shaped the unique climate and natural landscape here, and most locals choose to settle down rather than migrate to other towns.

Like Ursus, the Sami Scourge is caused by Originium particles accumulating in the basin that transform into snowstorms. The creatures and plants living there have become accustomed to these unpredictable snowstorms and heat.

Therefore, Sami houses are also very distinctive, mostly appearing somewhat round and covered with a type of thatch that effectively insulates against heat and moisture.

[The natural environment can be referenced from Skyrim, as the source material is the same... lol]

The stone stove burns whole pieces of oily wood, and the Sami-style mixed vegetable soup hanging in the iron pot always exudes a sweet aroma. Cabbage, carrots, and mushrooms picked from the forest, seasoned with a little bit of dried salted meat powder, are cooked until tender. Freshly baked, wheat-scented black bread is then chopped up and soaked in the soup, making for a delicious meal.

The girl seemed to already smell the warm scent of the hearth. Her elderly father sat silently smoking his pipe in a recliner by the stove, rubbing his clumsy old legs, while her mother grumbled and complained about the trivial matters of the village.

After crossing the hill and stepping over small fields planted with tobacco, the road down the mountain soon comes into view.

However, what came into view was not a peaceful valley town, but a raging fire, with soldiers in black armor swaggering and looting the village.

Her little house was reduced to ruins. A light assault ship flying the Ursus flag rolled over the village and stopped at the river to collect water.

The girl let out a heart-wrenching scream and pounced down the hillside like an enraged stag, her hand gripping a light crossbow tightly. There was no doubt that such equipment was no match for the Ursus regular army.

"Thump!" The girl suddenly fell to the ground. Just as she was about to get up, someone pressed her down. "Don't be impulsive!"

A familiar voice reached his ears. Looking up, he saw the insignia of a border ranger, and then the face of the old hunter who had taught him hunting techniques.

The forest rangers are the border militia of Sami. In this place, the gentlemen living in the rich capital don't care how they survive. People have to organize themselves to fight against wild beasts, natural disasters, and bandits. And such an organization is the forest rangers.

Most of them are hunters and rangers from various villages, as well as loggers. Their rudimentary equipment and lack of training do not diminish their enthusiasm and determination to protect their homeland.

Soon, the girl spotted the other forest rangers in the shadows of the woodland. "Don't act rashly. Wait until dark, until those iron machines are gone. The Sami Forest at night is our world," the forest ranger captain whispered. "This is our land. Those Ursus people will never understand!"

The girl gradually calmed down, gripped her weapon tightly, and the naivety on her face seemed to have vanished overnight. She simply nodded silently.

In July of that summer, Ursus invaded the Sami border. In the same year, the border militia organization, the Forest Rangers, waged a guerrilla war against them that lasted for several years. Even after the Sami government surrendered, the conflict did not stop, and a large number of guerrillas continued to operate in the Ursus-controlled areas.

[Snow and trees are speaking Sami – an Ursus classic, a must-try!]

In Lungmen, trams clanged and clattered through the streets. July was the hottest time of year in Lungmen. Usually at this time, the streets would be filled with poor people looking for work. They had to store up some food and resources during this hot but warm season, otherwise it would be difficult to survive the winter.

However, there are far fewer infected people on the streets this year, which makes the locals in Lungmen feel that this year is finally much easier.

It must be said that Longmen's economy has indeed changed a lot in the past two years, and the public security environment has also improved a lot.

On one hand, the slum, which was once a huge festering wound, is now the high-tech science and technology park of Lungmen. On the other hand, the Xia Group's Kazdel Reclamation Project has recruited a large number of infected people and poor people.

With the gang losing its stronghold and lacking new blood, and then facing a joint crackdown from two police superintendents who weren't actually on bribes, the gang has become much more restrained in the last two years.

Swire, of course, wouldn't accept money; your little bit of money wouldn't even be worth as much as the piano in her living room. Old Chen, on the other hand, simply wouldn't accept such outdated customs. And the original insider of the Guard Bureau was also dismissed by Swire with a fearless spirit.

Of course, some bold individuals did send her threatening letters, but they were wiped out along with their outposts. The Yeti Security guys weren't as easy to talk to or follow the rules as the landlady—they had only recently been promoted from guerrillas to full-fledged members.

After several attacks by powered armored canned goods patrolling the building, storming in from the first floor, wiping out the entire building before the cops arrived, and then calmly retreating, the gangs realized that the winds of change in Lungmen had finally shifted.

However, ordinary citizens of Lungmen cannot feel the blood and tears of the gangsters. Whether they are wage earners or ordinary laborers, they all feel that things have gotten much better in the past two years. Food prices have dropped significantly, and gang members who extort money have disappeared from the market. It can be said that a good era has arrived.

The industrial index of Lungmen's stock market has more than doubled, with many investors putting their money into industrial production and various agricultural product processing.

Because the price of raw materials has dropped by almost half, but the price of finished products has not decreased much, this means that it is profitable.

"Whoosh—" The public bus slowly pulled up beside the station, and the commuters who had been waiting at the station rushed on. Now was a period of economic prosperity, and every minute wasted meant that countless opportunities to make money would slip through their fingers.

Soon, the bus was packed with people, like a sardine can overflowing with sardines. However, a group of people remained motionless at the stop.

Their common feature was that they didn't wear suits, but rather green jackets with a badge made of circles and wheat seedlings on the back. Most of them were carrying thick pocket books and flipping through them. Although they were dressed as ordinary workers, they acted like young masters of the bourgeoisie who lived off the land, unhurried and even having time to read books to pass the time.

Of course, this is just an outsider's perspective. In reality, what they were looking at wasn't some entertainment, but rather production manuals or general education textbooks that were often a hundred or two pages long, printed by the group's human resources training department, making it very difficult to get promoted within the group.

Because the group doesn't need many middle-level managers, the only relatively easy path to promotion is through technical positions. Promotion to technical positions requires mastering a lot of relevant knowledge and production techniques, which is difficult, but for these infected workers.

It's actually simpler—after all, you don't need to rely on connections, relationships, eloquence, or currying favor with superiors.

"Whoosh!" The bus bearing the Xia Group logo stopped right behind. This was the company's dedicated bus, only responsible for picking up and dropping off company employees. The route and passenger capacity were carefully designed, so there was no need to rush to squeeze in. You just needed to get on and off the bus in an orderly manner according to your respective workshop group.

Although the bus departs later, it arrives earlier than public buses that stop and start along the way, so they don't have to rush to work. They can read a book, study, or simply relax for a while before returning to work in a better mental state.

As members of a subsidiary of "Mill Food Co., Ltd.", their job is to operate somewhat complex equipment to process delivered agricultural products into various primary processed products, mainly grains, vegetables, and mushrooms, turning them into finished starch, freeze-dried vegetables, and dried mushrooms. Besides this, their biggest task is actually supplying corn starch to Sanlian Pharmaceutical.

This starch is used to compress pharmaceutical tablets. Generally speaking, this is the main ingredient in oral tablets. The actual drug content is subject to the instructions.

In addition, corn stalks are used to make corn syrup. However, this work is now largely done by production facilities in Kazdel, and the original largest volume of starch processing is gradually decreasing. Since Ursus is also producing it, and Kazdel is also producing it, the importance of this area has declined considerably.