Doctor, I'm really strong!

But anyway, everything will be alright.

"This way, a little over here."

Is this the way?

"No, no, keep going a little bit to the left, um, that's it."

Misha and her siblings (the first and second generation of Shattered Bones) are putting up couplets because they are moving to their new house today.

Wait a minute, it's not Chinese New Year yet, why are you putting up couplets?

This was influenced by Liu Jiuli. Last year during the Spring Festival, he put up couplets on his door, which looked very festive. There was nothing wrong with that, but others thought it was good and followed suit.

The Ursus Empire did not have the tradition of putting up couplets, but Liu Jiuli's influence in the Red Guards was practically legendary. Whatever he did, even if he didn't say anything, a lot of people would follow suit, so everyone around him started putting up couplets.

This habit then spread, albeit with slight modifications.

In the cities now under the Red Guards' command, couplets are put up whenever there is a festival, a good thing, or simply someone wants to change their luck. New customs have also emerged, such as asking celebrities to write couplets, writing them themselves, or buying them at the market. After several years of development, these customs have become a habit.

Moving is such a big event, so of course we need to prepare a couplet to celebrate, and also set off firecrackers.

Today, Misha and her siblings are not the only families moving, but hundreds of families across various districts, because the slum redevelopment project in Steelgrad has been completely completed, and everyone can move into their new homes.

The renovation project was ordered by Liu Jiuli himself. As a red rabbit, he absolutely could not tolerate the existence of slums in the city. Those powerful and wealthy people didn't care, but in Liu Jiuli's eyes, these were his fellow class members who needed to be saved, the oppressed proletariat, the wasted labor force, and the precious reserve of future talents.

So, with a wave of his hand, the slum renovation project began, involving massive demolition and the construction of high-rise buildings.

Many people who had visited Chernobog before couldn't recognize the Steelgrad before them at all. Could the difference be so huge after just changing the name? It's like you've built a whole new city.

In a sense, that is indeed the case; in fact, the renovation project in Steelgrad has been ongoing.

The Chernobog incident occurred during a meteorite catastrophe, leaving many areas severely damaged and suffering from Originium erosion. These issues had to be addressed, and the solution was to replace the chunks.

Here we should mention Kroos's latest block-building mode.

Generally speaking, building a mobile city's blocks takes five to ten years, or even more than twenty years, but Kroos's technological innovations can compress this work into less than a year.

It's not some kind of cutting-edge technology, but rather a way to be reasonably lazy by taking advantage of nature.

Methods as below:

First, find a suitable mountain or plain. If it is a mountain, surround it with a special high wall. If it is a plain, dig down and cut out the part you need.

Then, reinforcement and integration began. A large amount of special materials, like skewers for grilling, pierced through these areas from all sides, forming a dense grid-like fixed structure with prefabricated channels in the middle.

Finally, the power system and docking system can be installed.

This design is like turning an asteroid into a spaceship; all you need to do is add an engine, a cockpit, and a fuel tank.

Its advantages include low cost, short construction period, and even mass production in an assembly line style.

The downside is that it has very little freedom. Once the plan is made, it is difficult to make subsequent changes. You have to reserve space in advance for everything you want to do, and the city's strength is affected by the original materials.

The performance of blocks you dig out on rocky terrain will definitely be different from those on dirt roads.

However, these are minor issues. Compared to fully artificial structures, the cost of this semi-artificial mobile city is only one-fifteenth of that of a fully artificial structure. The only problem is that such a project requires a large number of skilled workers.

Coincidentally, after years of development, the Red Guards now have no shortage of skilled workers. Even those who are just entry-level workers can learn and build on the job. Once their proficiency improves and they achieve economies of scale, the rest will not be a problem.

Although the construction of the first semi-manual block was somewhat unsatisfactory (the cost was basically the same as that of a fully manual block, and even less in some places), Liu Jiuli didn't care at all and continued to allocate funds, provide resources, and continue to build for me.

Now, the cost price has become one-twentieth of that of a fully manual labor structure, and the workers' hard work has brought tears to the eyes of capitalists.

The productivity unleashed by subjective initiative is truly terrifying.

With enough blocks, the living environment inside the city can be transformed on a large scale, slums can be relocated, and places that have no value can be abandoned and demolished to build new ones. There will never again be a situation where many people are crammed into a limited area and live like ants.

What is happiness? Happiness is having a refrigerator full of delicious food, looking forward to what tomorrow will bring. For most ordinary people, happiness is that simple: to live in a place where they can eat their fill, stay warm, and live like human beings. They are happier than most people on this land.

Happiness has led to the emergence of a new faction of Royalist Ussuri among the local Ursus people.

This faction believes that Liu Jiuli is more suitable to lead Ursus than the current Ursus emperor, and that the Red Guards should control the entire Ursus, planting red flags all over the land, ideally the whole world.

It's not surprising that this kind of thinking emerged. Compared to the Red Guards' ideological education, the locals' mindset is more based on the traditional ethnic characteristics of Ursus, who are the main population in the area. Therefore, the Red Guards' propaganda inevitably blends with the local ethnic characteristics.

The Lateran angels are the best example; they have begun to spontaneously organize and promote the theology of liberation and are working hard to improve this theory. In the Sakorta of Lungmen, this way of thinking has already taken the lead.

The Ursus people were no exception. Although they had received a completely new ideological education, the inertia of tradition still made it easy for them to place Liu Jiuli in the position of the new Tsar. This was due to the objective historical environment and could not be quickly reversed by the earnest education of the political commissar and instructor.

The formation of ideas and culture is not generated out of thin air, but built on the foundation of predecessors. Just as the proletariat is conceived in the factories of the bourgeoisie, the next stage of evolution must have a precondition. This precondition will only be replaced when other similar ecological niches that can replace it appear, and more advanced new conditions emerge. Just as machine guns severely damage cavalry, but tanks and armored vehicles eliminate cavalry.

Liu Jiuli must face this problem and deal with it thoroughly while he can, otherwise it will become a distorted cancer. Compared to collective wisdom, personality cult is the easiest to be distorted.

Talulah, as the second-in-command, was naturally aware of this, but she had more important matters to attend to.

That is the functional city plan proposed by Liu Jiuli not long ago, also known as the "satellite city plan".

Section 181: Getting Better

(Update delivered, (～￣▽￣)～, comrades, where are the comments? (?ω?))

Satellite cities are small cities surrounding large cities, essentially auxiliary functional areas of the large cities. In the future, they will be incorporated into the early development areas of the large cities, showing a pattern of multiple cities blooming on the outskirts of the large cities. This is also the initial form of the multi-core trend of cities, and they are generally upgraded from local counties and cities.

However, the unique environment of Terra makes its satellite cities quite different from traditional satellite cities.

These cities are characterized by their small size, small population, and single function. Although they have the ability to act independently, they still rely on large cities for long-term operation, essentially serving as functional extensions of large cities.

Simply put, it's a division of areas into industrial zones, agricultural zones, commercial zones, and residential zones, but this division is dynamic.

The advantage of doing this is that it can quickly increase the output value of a certain function of a city. The satellite cities that have been built can be directly attached, and when needed, they can be temporarily or permanently attached to other mobile cities, which is very convenient.

However, satellite cities are still mobile cities, and building them requires industrial capabilities. Not every mobile city has the ability to build satellite cities. Therefore, in the plan, industrial cities manufacture satellite cities, and these satellite cities are then allocated to other mobile cities according to actual needs, achieving a virtuous cycle.

Is this different from traditional block creation?

Of course there are, and they are very large. Because satellite cities have a single function, they need to be built to the highest standard. This requires cities with both advanced technology and talented people to achieve. Currently, the Red Guards' three mobile cities in the Ursus Empire—Irongrad, Kharkiv, and Yansk—are all industrial cities and are constantly expanding their industrial output. They are the future satellite city construction centers, and places where satellite cities can be built can naturally also be used to build land-based ships.

Some have even proposed a cheap assault-class land-based warship.

The method involves digging directly from the ground and processing it into solid, massive blocks. Once equipped with rams on the battlefield, these blocks can charge at the enemy at maximum speed and are equipped with explosives for self-destruction, allowing them to tear apart enemy defenses.

Because the materials are simple, they can be sourced locally and manufactured on the spot, making it highly efficient, environmentally friendly, and pollution-free.

Human beings have such a high talent for warfare.

The construction plan for the satellite city has been put on the agenda, and the next step is to put it into practice. Fortunately, the Red Guards are not short of excellent technical workers, so there is no shortage of manpower for the practical work. The rest is to use resources and time to build it up.

The next document contained the Red Guards' economic data for this period. As Talulah opened it, a sigh from the Black Serpent echoed in her mind: "The industrial output of just three cities is already twice that of the entire Empire's industrial output."

Talulah added, "It's the industrial output of the entire Far East region."

Black Snake: "It's absurd to build such a harsh and cold place into an industrial center. Is this the power of the people? Ordinary people who have put their initiative into action are truly terrifying."

The all-purpose factory provided by Liu Jiuli is just equipment. The value that the equipment can realize depends on the user. The same roll of silk can be used to make clothes, armor, or a filtration device. The way it is used depends on how people want to use it.

Black Snake was well aware of the significant role played by the massive workforce of the Red Guards. Everyone was actively improving their working environment to increase efficiency, safety, and reliability.

Although everyone's efforts are only a little bit, when they are accumulated, the mountain is tall enough to make people look up to it.

Talulah laughed and said, "It's rare to see something unexpected happen to you."

Black Serpent said matter-of-factly, "I'm not the all-knowing and all-powerful God that the people of Laterano claim. I'm just someone who wants Ursus to be better."

Talulah stopped flipping through the documents and exclaimed in surprise, "You say you're human? That's really strange."

Black Serpent: "I used to have the pride of a god, but now, god is nothing."

Talulah was dumbfounded. Was this still the Black Serpent she knew? When did he become like this?

It's said that Azur Lane changed ordinary people's perception of Naoko, so what changed Black Serpent's divine pride?

Black Snake snorted: "Little girl, the only people who can change me are those who are better than me. My pride is based on the fact that I am better than others. When I am not as good as others, the only way is to learn humbly. Arrogant people die very quickly in our time."

Talulah then realized that the Black Serpent's true form had lived through the ancient Terra era, when giant beasts roamed. In such an environment, the strongest might not survive to the end, but the most cunning and resourceful would certainly have made it this far.

How could such a guy not understand the principle of "knowing when to advance and retreat, and understanding gains and losses"?

Talulah: "Alright, Comrade Black Serpent, now you think that Jiuli is right, can I understand it that way?"

After a moment of silence, the black snake said, "To be honest, he brought me something I've never seen before and created miracles I can't even imagine. The era of man surpassing gods is being unveiled in his hands. If Ursus wants to move forward, I must board this train of time. This is the only chance for Ursus to become great again."

Talulah: "Are you so sure?"

Black Serpent: "The future is never certain, but this probability is enough for me to give everything."

Talulah: "I admit, you annoying guy do have some admirable qualities."

The black snake laughed, "Hahaha, little girl, although I haven't created anything entirely new in the long years I've lived, I have a wealth of life experience. The accumulation of time has brought me unimaginable rich gifts, and you can learn all of these."

"Then I'll have to learn a lot from you, Comrade Black Snake."

"To be precise, it's about learning from each other, you and me together."

In the past, Talulah would never have said such a thing. She thought Black Serpent was a liar, and every word he spoke was a hidden dagger. But after spending a long time with Liu Jiuli, she understood a principle: pragmatism.

Idealists are pragmatists; they know how to retreat in order to move forward, understand what necessary sacrifices are, and can disregard their own reputation when making choices. In a game, they can put themselves on the chessboard.

The Virgin Mary can never be an idealist, because idealists are always very realistic.

The study of Prince Alexei, Duke of Kosiché.

"Your Highness, we eagerly await your performance."

“I am very pleased to receive your approval, Earl Lawrence.”

After seeing the guest off, Alexei's smile quickly vanished, and he returned to his study to continue working on documents.

He is now completely different from how he appeared in the palace. He exudes the majesty of a superior, or rather, the ruthlessness and cunning hidden in the Ursus bloodline are gradually taking over this body.

This is a choice made under the law of the jungle. Alexei knows very well that if he wants to survive, he must resist. If necessary, he will stage a coup at Xuanwu Gate. In short, the battle for the throne has begun. There is no retreat, only life or death.

Fortunately, his allies were very supportive. Although those nobles were cunning, at least they wouldn't refuse the gold coins and valuable goods he possessed.

That's right. Alexei has now joined forces with the Red Guards to engage in smuggling, and every day a large amount of goods are entering the western part of the Ursus Empire through various channels, impacting its fragile economic system.

Do you think the Ursus Empire is like Tsarist Russia?

Friend, I think you've misunderstood something. At least Tsarist Russia had the Trans-Siberian Railway to ensure control over the entire country, but of the more than a thousand mobile cities scattered across the vast territory of the Ursus Empire, how many could be commanded by St. Arthur?

This is no longer a matter of the provincial capital and the capital bargaining; it's that the provincial capital, in a fit of anger, actually wants to jump up and smash the capital's head. In China, would you want to die or not?

The so-called national alliance is more like a coalition of interests. If they're unhappy, they can just open up a city and rebel. It's that absurd.

Similar events have occurred in various countries. On Earth, this is equivalent to calling a city London today, Paris tomorrow, and Berlin the day after. People who don't know the situation might think that Germany has successfully taken over the entire European Union.

But such an environment was perfect for Prince Alexei. The place was full of caves, making smuggling as easy as a whale's nuclear explosion team clearing the Abyss. Many places didn't even have a chance to struggle before being destroyed.