V8: Chapter 9

…

If you have housing, if you have food, and if you have basic furnishings and clothes, what’s the use of money?

Why would people work?

Surprisingly, the answer is to entertain themselves, buy things that they want rather than need, and spend very lavishly. Sure, there were some people who put in minimum effort, since they only wanted minimum things or pursued creative hobbies, but they were outliers. Most people got money, saw that they didn’t have to worry about their living situation, and spent the whole paycheck every week.

So, between the sales tax and the income tax, we were effectively making thirty percent of each person’s paycheck back.

The whole scheme was Ayah’s idea, and that was just the tail end of the whole economic system that I saw as its boss.

I’d like to take credit for it, but in all honesty, I didn’t understand it completely.

I mean, I gave some ideas and advice, but overall it was all the Ancient Administrator… and I probably didn’t have an economic disaster thanks to Ayah.

“With everything taken into account after bonuses have been paid out to the soldiers, along with other budgetary concerns for the rest of the year, we will be entering the next year with a slight surplus.” Ayah finished presenting the overview. Everyone else present in the fiscal council were Iterants. Since their introduction, they excelled in various roles of the state-owned companies I set up, and they naturally rose to prominence. I could safely say that I’ve successfully removed humanity from the arduous position of bureaucracy and administration. “I recommend using this surplus to invest in expansions of the steel foundries, especially with recent success of the locomotive tests.”

I knew better than to rely on the other Iterants to say anything to Ayah.

They were still scared of her.

“How are our reserves of currency looking? Can we meet it if everyone turned it in?” Money is printed out in society, but we weren’t a fiat currency. Instead, I followed the path that the game set, to make a universal currency. The currency effectively represents usage time on the fabricators of the Citadel. In-game, setting your Citadel to produce money was effectively buying off currency from your citizenry, letting them produce goods, luxuries, and furnishings from the Citadel instead of you. “You haven’t mentioned debt, Ayah.”

Ayah nodded at my words.

“That is because there is currently no debt. Should every citizen in our nation turn in every coin that they have, we will be able to manufacture all their needs before the next period of pay.” If you went negative in the game in gold, you lose out on production and if you get zero production output, then it gets turned on food, until you reach a 0 balance. If you ever reach that point in a competitive match, you may as well tap out, because you’re not catching up with someone who’s been in the black while you’ve been in the red. “This, of course, has stalled build up of non-state businesses. There are many promising ventures currently available that we can invest our surplus into or allow to take loans, which will give us profit.”

“No, that’s best reserved for later. For now, let’s focus on agriculture.” Ayah’s brow furrowed at my words, but waited for me to explain. I did so as calmly as I could with everyone’s attention on me. These were a bunch of living computers. However, I did notice something. They weren’t used to making redundancies. They just moved forward. I had to step in lots of times to create stockpiles and increase output of base materials for supplies. In essence, they ran a tight ship with little waste, but that also meant no room for failure. And, failure is pretty much a part of life, let alone in a world as eventful as the one we currently inhabited. “The locomotives are fine and we’ll need more steel, but I don’t wish to invest too heavily in there. We have control over the Ancient’s tunnel network and that is more defensible and better for logistics.”

“But investing in more foundries for steel can also be used to manufacture more machines, produce frames for stronger structures, weapons, and more.” Ayah made a good point, and it was a good point. “We have the materials in excess from our mines that are lying unused. Even as mere ingots, it can all be used.”

Huh, well that took me a moment to consider.

Ayah most likely picked up on its own weakness, since its proposal for making steel now sounded like stockpiling resources.

I’ll argue for my views then.

“I see. Then we’re somewhat on the similar page. I wish to create stockpiles to utilize should something occur. For example, having an excess of food in production is always preferable, since we can turn all excess to rations or preserve them in storehouses. Food is needed by all, and further investment can see innovation and increases in output for various crops.” I leaned forward while arguing my case. Everyone relaxed a little. They knew that I wasn’t about to bulldoze my idea through. I could, but I preferred not to waste political power so easily. It’s always better keep that resource locked up tight and used only when needed. Also, I was happy to see Ayah and the Iterants improving. “It will also be more effective, as it’s cheaper to invest into and more versatile. The more plants we study, the more foodstuffs we grow from the vaults where the Goddess of Life was founded, the higher the likelihood we find assets that we can use in the future. Steel ingots are needed and versatile, but the investment is higher, and the usages lesser.”

Ayah listened intently to my argument, before responding with its own.

“It is true that we have many secrets to unlock from the Seed Vault, but we are already set to discover them all within a year. Not only that, but we are expected to double the amount of food we produce yearly. Even with our growing population, even with all our excess storage from the famine, if we produce more food, it will be wasted.” Ayah asserted, and I was sure that it would be able to provide me with the numbers and statistics later. I couldn’t call it out right now, since it was unprepared. This wasn’t like a virtual meeting back in my old life, where some numbers were just there to be presented. “However, steel will be needed in truly vast amounts in the coming decades. Steel for guns, for war machines, and even buildings. We plan on building massive manufactories the size of whole villages, yes, but these smaller works can still give us more insight, more training, and more output until those facilities are online.”

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

With that statement, I raised my hand.

“I’ve heard enough and I am convinced. The excess funds we have will be diverted to steel production.” Ayah smiled and gave a small bow at my words, while some light applause resounded across the meeting room. I’ll ask for the details and plans later. No need to rob it of it thunder by making demands in front of everyone. Ayah didn’t ‘win’ an argument against me. It moved to convince me that its plan would be better, and it succeeded. “What’s next on the agenda?”

I looked over my shoulder, as did everyone else, towards the Iterant present solely to record the minutes of the meeting who sat beside the transcriber.

“Workforce expansion to accommodate the increase in educated laborers, your majesty.”

The topic would’ve honestly bored me to death in my previous life, but now it was honestly exciting. It was the fruits of my labors, investing heavily into residential districts and education districts early in the game, was now paying off with lots of skilled workers, while also having enough population that I didn’t have to worry about filling basic laborer jobs with raw numbers. Slowly, but surely, my civilization was getting some breathing room, while also keeping people happy, docile, and obedient.

It only took years of planning and preparation and removing regular people from the management position.

Was I setting myself up for an AI rebellion?

If I treated the Iterants like garbage, sure, but I paid them what they’re worth, gave them vacation hours, and treated them like loyal citizens.

If they betray me, despite being given everything they’d ask for to prevent that rebellion event, then my defeat would be set in stone anyway.

So, I’m just going to go ahead and treat the Iterants nicely, while trusting them to not stab me in the back simply because they’re not made of meat.

Who knows?

Maybe, that’s all that’s necessary for them to stay loyal and content in their role in society!

…

Interlude: Rita

…

“If nothing is done, the Iterants will break out in riots across the land.”

I paused in my pouring of soup at Ayah’s statement.

“That is quite the statement to make.” We were enjoying ourselves in one of the parks commissioned by our king. With reconstruction ongoing, and with the city expanding, he stated that many lost the ability to easily access nature. With that in mind, several plots of land all over the city were allocated to communal gardens that produced food, and which held contests for fine flowers. Bushes and trees were maintained by the state, but the most beautiful and abundant portions of the land were tended to by those who had a passion for growing plants. Many spent time after work in such places, simply eating meals as we did. “Why do you think so?”

“They expected punishment and received compassion. Instead of endless work and servitude for the failures of their ancestors, they are considered valued citizenry carefully husbanded and placed in positions of power. Many would say that they are receiving preferential treatment.” Ayah explained the matter stoically, as if she was not stating that a rebellion could take place and involve the most capable of our citizenry. Those who were regularly the most capable, the hardest working, and each a living weapon. She took a measured sip of the broth I prepared to eat with our meal. “They venerate him. They find the contributions of their fellow citizenry lacking, especially with what lies ahead. Slowly, they are beginning to believe that the rest of the citizenry are unworthy of the King of Wisdom.”

I considered my words carefully.

“They are being driven to madness by devotion?”

“Indeed. Imagine yourself in the place. Countless years spent knowing of the failures of your people. Of the betrayal that they committed, while you remain housed and protected for a chance at redemption. All your life, you waited for that moment, ready to break apart for redemption, and instead you are given this.” Ayah gestured around us. The capital city of our land was unrivaled by any other. It teamed with life, with industry, yet the streets were clean, water was pure, and sickness was nowhere to be found. People walked in the night beneath gas-lit lamps, unafraid of the shadows in alleys, and greeted one another with smiles. In this city alone, one in ten people were Iterants, who posed as migrants coming into the city when in truth they formed as full adults from cores created by mature variants of their people. “You are given purpose, treated well, and handled with care. You wish to work more, to prove your devotion, and to protect your new liege… but you are constrained by the limits of those around you. The normal peoples who are not willing to give everything to your lord and protector.”

I shook my head after considering Ayah’s words.

“That is slavery but with bonds of deluded devotion rather than iron.”

Ayah raised an eyebrow my way, and if felt my face slightly color beneath her gaze.

Morgan’s words regarding worshipping our king like a god came to the forefront of my mind, and how I did my utmost to distance myself from such thoughts.

“It is as you say. They suborn themselves to him and see all who do not as lesser. It is a cult’s method of thinking, and it will only be so long until they become one.” Ayah stated simply. She looked upon me with a firm gaze. This was a matter of immense importance, despite my embarrassment. “So, I wish to know how you avoided that path when you were so devoted. I would like to work towards preventing the Iterants from becoming so slavishly devoted that they would ruin the nation.”

I considered her words, and my own feelings, before answering.

“It is… difficult to not see him as someone to be worshipped, but it is more difficult to see him alone. I realized that by worshipping him, I did not seek to emulate him. I lowered myself and decided that I could not reach him.” Perhaps, it was after seeing Morgan act alone for so long that did it. Though our king surrounded himself with others and listened to them, when he acted his back was much like Morgan’s. Alone and solitary against the entirety of the world. Peerless and indomitable, but still alone, and without others to rely upon. “I do not wish for such a fate to befall him. No matter how difficult it is, I wish to emulate him and become worthy of standing beside him and lifting his burdens with him. Not push him upward, until he faces weights not one alone can carry.”

I understood why they worshipped him. I came from a people that spat upon the hospitality of hosts, who sought to kill all others as they deemed them lesser, and who planned to destroy a nation that offered them mercy. When I realized what I came from, I harbored a great loathing for myself, and I believed that service and loyalty were the only ways to absolve myself. However, I lowered myself by doing that. I declared myself incapable and unable, and only a servant, and never a peer or equal.

I left the King of Wisdom, Jack, to stand alone.

When I realized that, I did my utmost to change.

I hoped that was enough to help Ayah.

The Ancient Administrator was quiet for a long time, before she finally nodded.

“I’ll convey that message. It should work with the vast majority of the Iterants. Some, of course, will disagree and subordinate themselves completely… but that may simply be through personal preference.” Ayah chuckled and turned away from me. A sad smile formed on her face. “You’re very right, though. Sometimes, even I feel subordinate to him, despite the power he vested in me. Often, I must catch myself and force myself to run after him, as well.”

Her words were comforting to hear.

It was nice to know I was not alone in my aim to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Jack.