novelslam Chapter 369 Becoming a city lord is too easy
Chapter 369 Becoming a city lord is too easy
Chen You stared into Sander's eyes, which were filled with both sincerity and greed, and quickly calculated the time in his mind.
Two and a half hours.
There are still nearly four hours until the guild boss battle at 8 pm, which is plenty of time.
Most importantly, since this task cannot be skipped, there is likely a hidden storyline.
"Deal." Chen You nodded expressionlessly, took out 30,000 gold coins from his backpack, and transferred them directly.
The crisp notification sound of gold coins being deposited rang out in the courtyard.
"Two and a half hours, I would log off if it took even a minute longer."
"It's a deal!" Sander grabbed his shoulder and pulled him toward the center of the city lord's mansion.
"Come on, let me show you around the office. Don't worry, it'll be easy, anyone can do it!"
The two passed through several stone gates and arrived at a spacious office.
The interior design of this place, how should I put it, is a perfect blend of post-apocalyptic punk and classical fantasy, creating a jarring effect.
The dome of the hall is made of rough rock, inlaid with several fluorescent stones that emit a faint blue light.
In the very center was a huge obsidian table, piled high with sheepskin scrolls, bamboo slips, and even several clay tablets inscribed with cuneiform script.
Behind the long table was a vast throne pieced together from the bones of an unknown behemoth.
On the armrest of the throne, there was a tattered cloak stained with engine oil and unidentified blood.
"This is your workstation," Sander said, pointing to the bone throne with a hint of pride in his voice.
"Our ancestors sat right here and built Cangxing City."
Chen You stared at the uncomfortable throne, his eye twitching. "Didn't your ancestors suffer from herniated discs?"
"What's so outstanding about it?" Sander was taken aback.
"It's nothing, just praising his good health."
Chen You sighed, walked to the throne, and tentatively sat down.
Surprisingly, the throne is actually quite ergonomic, with the curves of the bones perfectly conforming to the spine, and even providing a slightly cool massage effect.
"This is your battlefield, Acting City Lord."
Sander pulled a dark, grimy seal from his pocket and shoved it into Chen You's hand.
The moment the seal was in his hand, a system notification sounded in Chen You's mind.
[Ding! You have obtained the Star Core Seal, the highest-level token of authority in Hidden Star City.]
[Change of Status: Acting City Lord of Cangxing City (Countdown: 2 hours 29 minutes 59 seconds)]
[A brand new feature module has been unlocked for you: City Building System.]
A holographic panel with a strong sense of science fiction and magic popped up in front of Chen You's eyes.
[City Status: Hidden Star City (A Dilapidated Pearl of the North)]
[Prosperity Level: 15/10000 (Everything Needs to be Rebuilt)]
[Security rating: 30/10000 (Troublemakers roam freely)]
Happiness Index: -45 (Various complaints)
[City Treasury: -28500 Gold Coins (Severe deficit, riots could erupt at any time)]
Chen You stared at the glaring negative number, his eyes twitching wildly.
He couldn't help but look at Sander, "Did you mortgage the city lord's mansion to loan sharks?"
Sander looked away guiltily and coughed twice: "Ahem, it was mainly for rebuilding the trade routes; I invested a little bit of money..."
"Well, my ancestors are calling me, so I'm leaving this place to you!"
Before she could finish speaking, the burly female city lord had already vanished in a blur, faster than a rabbit.
Chen You sighed, too lazy to say anything more.
As a seasoned player, DNA was deeply moved by this management-themed panel filled with red text.
"Prosperity, happiness index... if these values are maxed out, they will definitely trigger hidden achievements or hidden rewards." Chen You stroked his chin.
What is the one thing he has in abundance?
money.
In some respects, he is now the biggest capitalist in the Origin Realm.
"Let's address the fiscal deficit first." Chen You opened the treasury option and entered a string of numbers without hesitation.
[Ding! You have deposited 50,000 gold coins into the Hidden Star City Treasury.]
The fiscal deficit has been eliminated! Current funds are plentiful.
City Prosperity +500, Happiness Index +100.
Seeing the value change from red to green, Chen You nodded in satisfaction and casually picked up the top government affairs scroll.
He wanted to see what kind of national affairs the main city in this game usually handled.
Unroll the scroll; it's written on it in a crooked, common language:
Mediation Application Regarding the Dispute Between the Nanqu Xiaoshuai Basketball Team and Square Dancing Aunties over Open Space
[Case Description: The Xiaoshuai basketball team attempted to set up basketball hoops in the South District Plaza, but encountered strong protests from local elderly women.]
A physical altercation ensued, resulting in three players being knocked unconscious by the woman's cane, and her speaker being kicked and damaged by the players.
Chen You fell silent.
What kind of frivolous government affairs are these?
He picked up a quill pen and wrote his instructions in a flowing, elegant style below the scroll:
"Approve a grant of 1,000 gold coins. Build a floating disco for the aunties in the East District, with 24/7 soundproofing."
"Allocate a dedicated basketball court outside the city for Xiao Shuai's basketball team. The Philadelphia government will fully reimburse medical expenses and sound equipment costs."
Stamp the star core seal.
[Ding! Government affairs processed, dispute perfectly resolved.]
[Security score +50, Happiness index +20.]
"That's it?" Chen You sneered. This game was too easy.
He turned to the next document.
The Claim Filed by Horn, the Blacksmith Shop Owner
[Case Description: Horn attempted to use a fire magic circle to grill skewers, causing half a street to catch fire. He believes this is a design flaw in the magic circle and is demanding compensation from the city lord's mansion for emotional distress and shop renovation costs.]
Chen You's lips twitched.
Is this some kind of staged accident scam?
The order reads: "Claim rejected. Fine of five hundred gold coins."
"In addition, invest 2,000 gold coins to become a shareholder in the blacksmith shop and transform it into the 'Official Designated Magic Barbecue Experience Store of Zangxing City,' set up a fireproof barrier, and the City Lord's Mansion will take 30% of the turnover."
stamp.
[Ding! Business expansion.]
[Prosperity +120.]
Chen You became increasingly adept at criticizing, revealing his true capitalist nature.
The captain of the city guard's third squad applies to legally marry a slime.
The decree reads: "Respecting biodiversity, approval granted. However, a 'Special Management Tax for Interspecies Marriage' of one thousand gold coins is required, to be collected by the City Lord's Mansion."
The Succubus Tavern is suspected of false advertising; adventurers complain of back pain and no beneficial buffs after their visits.
Instructions: "Seal it off! After rectification, it will be incorporated into the City Lord's Mansion as a high-end clubhouse, with a VIP entry requirement. Those under level 18 will be prohibited from entering, and ticket prices will be increased tenfold."
Time passed by, second by second.
The only sounds in the office were the scratching of quill pens and the thumping of the official seal.
Chen You was completely immersed in the thrill of "spending money to buy stats".
He always approved the maximum amount of funding for any problem that could be solved with money.
When faced with bizarre requests, he uses even more bizarre business logic to transform them into profitable projects for the city.
Two hours later.
The mountain of scrolls on the table was cleared away.
Chen You leaned back in his chair, let out a long sigh, and brought up the urban construction system panel.
[City Status: Hidden Star City (A Rising City of Miracles)]
[Prosperity Level: 9850/10000 (Extremely Prosperous)]
[Security rating: 10000/10000 (Doors left unlocked at night)]
Happiness Index: 990 (Fanatical Worship)
In just two hours, Chen You transformed this city, which was on the verge of bankruptcy, into a paradise on earth.