33: Giant God Industrial City

In a flash, the New Year arrived.

After the first sunrise of the New Year, sunlight streamed onto the main square of the New City District, where hundreds of worker families gathered, their faces a mix of anticipation and apprehension. Wu Suo Wen held his wife and two children, standing in the crowd, looking up at the dreamlike city before him.

Glass-curtained high-rise buildings sparkled in the morning light, wide streets were lined with neat greenery, and sky buses glided silently on their dedicated tracks. Most striking was the giant holographic projection in the central square. The Titan logo slowly rotated, with "Welcome, New Residents" written in Myanmar below it, as well as the tallest building in the entire New City District, a skyscraper without a logo.

"Dad, are we really going to live here?" his youngest daughter looked up, her eyes shining.

Wu Suo Wen squatted down and ruffled his daughter's hair: "Yes, from today on, this will be our new home."

Not far away, a young girl in a Titan uniform was using a megaphone to maintain order: "Please queue according to the number cards in your hands. Later, staff will lead everyone to their respective residences."

As the line slowly moved forward, Wu Suo Wen noticed several heavily armed security personnel standing on both sides of the square. They were completely covered in unknown black tactical gear, their guns were unlike anything he had ever seen, and the Titan emblem was emblazoned on their chest armor.

But most striking were the wristbands on their wrists, which glowed from time to time, identical to those worn by the senior technicians in special uniforms at the construction site.

"Those are Titan's security personnel," a fellow worker in front of him whispered, "I heard that any one of them can take on a squad of the Government Army. They're all special forces."

"Yeah, I just heard that they'll be responsible for the security of this New City District from now on," another fellow worker quietly added.

"That's pretty good, it makes you feel safe," Wu Suo Wen thought to himself. Compared to the Government Army and those warlords, he felt more trust in Titan.

New City Workers' Community, Building 3, Wu Suo Wen's new home.

When the elevator doors opened on the 28th floor, the Wu Suo Wen family all held their breath.

The corridor was covered with soft carpet, and landscape paintings hung on the walls. A sweet-smiling Myanmar girl handed a key card to Wu Suo Wen: "Room 2804, three bedrooms, a built-up area of 120 square meters. This is your door card, please keep it safe."

The door lock made a soft "beep," and Wu Suo Wen pushed open the door. A breath of fresh air greeted him.

"Wow!" the two children shrieked and rushed inside.

The living room was spacious and bright, with a panoramic view of the entire New City outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. Furniture was fully furnished: sofa, dining table, TV cabinet, and even an ultra-thin TV hanging on the wall. In the kitchen, a refrigerator, microwave, and induction cooker were neatly arranged, and brand new tableware was already placed in the cabinets.

His wife's trembling fingers caressed the marble kitchen countertop: "This... all of this is for us?"

The staff member smiled and nodded: "Yes, completely free. The bedrooms have prepared bedding and wardrobes, and the bathroom has 24-hour hot water. In addition," she pointed to a panel on the wall, "this is the smart home control system, which can adjust lighting, temperature, and call for property services."

"You can go to the Citizen Hall as soon as it's convenient to apply for an identity wristband. In Titan Industrial City, the wristband is proof of identity. Of course, there are some other functions, which the staff at the Citizen Hall will introduce to you."

"Oh, okay, thank you."

The staff member smiled, bowed, and left Wu Suo Wen's home.

Wu Suo Wen walked to the window, looking down at the city below.

A month ago, this was still a barren land. And now, it had become a futuristic metropolis. Further away, the 50-meter-high wall gleamed coldly in the sunlight, separating the New City from the mysterious industrial center.

He suddenly realized that he had not only gained a new home but had also stepped into a whole new world.

The teahouse in Mandala's 'Old City District' was livelier today than ever before.

"Have you heard? The New City District's schools have started enrolling students!"

"Not just schools, the hospital opens next week! My cousin was hired as a nurse and was given a free single apartment because of it, with a monthly salary of 500,000 myanmar kyat!"

The teahouse was bustling with people, almost everyone discussing the New City District. The owner had to put up a "limited dining time" sign to control the flow of customers.

Retired teacher Du Qin Wu sat in a corner, carefully reading the brochure in his hand, which was an introduction to the New City District's education system issued by Titan. From kindergarten to university, everything was free, with faculty from top global universities, and curriculum including traditional subjects and "future skills training."

"Teacher Du Qin," a young man leaned over, "you're so knowledgeable, aren't you going to apply for a job at the New City District's schools?"

Du Qin Wu pushed up his reading glasses: "These old bones of mine..."

"Age is not a problem!" the young man said excitedly, "The brochure says anyone under 65 can apply. And the teacher's apartments are right next to the school, I heard they're even more luxurious than regular housing!"

Du Qin Wu's heart quickened. Having devoted his life to teaching, his biggest regret was the backward educational conditions in the Emerald Principality. And now, the opportunity was before him, and he seemed unable to refuse.

Titan Industrial City, New City Central Hospital.

In the dean's office, Wu Min Deng, a doctor of Emerald Principality descent who had just returned from Libra Free Port, was checking an equipment list.

"10 MRI machines, 10 CT scanners, 20 Da Vinci fully automatic surgical robots..." His fingers slid across the tablet, his voice trembling more and more, "This! This equipment is even more advanced than that of Libra Free Port Central Hospital!"

The Titan Medical Director standing beside him smiled slightly: "Not only that, our pharmacy stocks 99% of all globally marketed drugs, including the latest anti-cancer drugs. And," he lowered his voice, "some of these drugs are independently developed by Titan, and their effects... far exceed similar products on the market."

Wu Min Deng suddenly looked up: "Independently developed? But drug approval..."

"Here, Titan has almost one hundred percent special permits," the director said meaningfully, "Of course, these drugs are only for use in the New City District."

Just then, the head nurse rushed in, knocking: "Dean, a special patient has arrived at the outpatient department, the mother of the president of the Northern Steel Federation Clean Energy Group! She said she had a sudden heart attack while sightseeing at Mandala Palace, and the local hospitals were helpless, so they..."

Wu Min Deng immediately stood up: "Prepare the operating room! Notify the cardiothoracic surgery team!"

After he rushed out, the Medical Director spoke softly into his communicator: "Ms. Emerald, we have an unexpected gain."

New City District Central Tower, Top Floor Conference Room

Emerald stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking at the increasingly bustling district below. Behind her, Aventurine was lazily flipping through a report.

"First batch occupancy rate 100%," he whistled, "Second phase lottery applications have already exceeded 500,000 people, truly insane."

Emerald didn't turn around: "The medical system has successfully attracted one-third of the Emerald Principality's top doctors, and the education system has poached 40% of its excellent teachers. At this rate, within three months, the New City District will be able to absorb 80% of the Emerald Principality's high-end talent. Although the quality of these people is just so-so, they can still serve as assistants."

"And the remaining 20%," Aventurine said with a grin, picking up her words, "will desperately try to squeeze in."

The conference room door slid open, and Topaz walked in, carrying a stack of documents: "Latest data, the New City District's productivity has reached 35% of the entire Emerald Principality, and it's still growing rapidly. However, ninety percent of the capacity will be supplied to Pierpoint, and the remaining ten percent is enough to operate the New City District." She placed the documents on the table. "Also, the mother of the Northern Steel Federation Clean Energy Company's CEO had a successful surgery."

Emerald finally turned around, a faint smile playing on her lips: "It seems our Ministry of Health will soon receive a 'thank you letter' from the energy oligarch."

"Not only that," Topaz also smiled, "We just received news that the Presidential Palace has approved the New City District's 'Special Administrative Status' application. From today on, this will be the Emerald Principality's 'Special Economic Zone'.

Legally it still belongs to the Emerald Principality, but in reality..."

"In reality, it's already the company's city," Aventurine finished her sentence, tossing the chip, "The boss's move is truly brilliant. Without firing a single shot, he gained a nation's elites and its future."

Emerald walked to the holographic projection table and brought up a 3D model of the New City: "Notify the engineering department to prepare to launch the third phase of expansion. Also," a cold light flashed in her eyes, "notify the market development department and the executive department to strengthen border control. I don't want to see any... unwelcome visitors."

"Also, contact the boss and ask if we need to start the 'targeted recruitment' plan."

While everything was thriving in the sunlight, in a dark alley in Mandala's 'Old City District,' two shadowy figures conversed in low voices.

"Can't get in," the younger man shook his head, "Everyone entering the New City District has to go through identity verification. If you don't have a complete life trajectory of over ten years in the Emerald Principality, you simply can't get in."

The older one, SIA agent John, fiercely extinguished his cigarette: "Keep trying. Director Yetu gave a death order, we must find out the truth inside."

"But..."

"No buts!" John lowered his voice, "Do you know what we found in the New City District's blueprints? That bear's latest nuclear power plant! And those high-tech devices that appeared out of nowhere! Mechs! Can you believe it!? The most crucial thing is, our satellites haven't even captured the construction process inside this base. There's definitely a big problem in there."

"But didn't the higher-ups order us not to investigate Titan before?"

"Bullshit! With such a big incident, the higher-ups are acting blind. That can only mean there's a problem within the country's high-level officials." John punched the wall, indignant, "So we have to find a way to figure out what secrets are in this base, so Director Yetu can have evidence to take back to the country and expose the ghosts in the high-level."

"Understood, Team Leader!"

Pierpoint, Chairman's Office on the Top Floor.

Chen Hao stood in the panoramic observation pod, looking down at the beautiful blue planet through a remote camera. Behind him, Bronya's projection was reporting the latest progress.

"Population absorption plan completion 47%, productivity integration 32%, social control system test pass rate 99%." Data streams flickered in her eyes, reflecting the dim blue light in the pod.

"International reaction?" Chen Hao's finger lightly tapped the suspended control panel.

"Within expected range. I controlled the content of information obtained by mainstream media from the Emerald Principality, downplaying the changes in Mandala as a major renovation of the old city district."

Bronya brought up a wraparound holographic screen, and media reports from various countries unfolded in space. "Western media calls the New City 'the miracle of the Emerald Principality,' the Eastern Union expressed 'pleasure to see a neighboring country embark on a path of sustainable development,' and the Emerald Ring Alliance has begun discussing granting the Emerald Principality special trade status." She winked slyly, "Progress with SIA is smooth. They just 'discovered' a third piece of 'evidence of Northern Steel Federation technical assistance.'"

"Will it be too obvious?" Chen Hao was a little worried.

"No, Master," Bronya shook her head, "After all, that's a country whose technology relies on archaeology. It's possible to suddenly find some Cold War black technology. For safety reasons, it's also very reasonable to test it somewhere far from the mainland."

"Besides, for those smart people in intelligence, if there are no flaws at all, it's actually not credible."

Chen Hao nodded slightly: "That's true, after all, there are makeshift operations everywhere in this world. What about Aventurine?"

"Financial system control progress 68%." Bronya lightly swiped her finger, bringing up the Emerald Principality's real-time economic data, "Titan Industrial City is preparing to implement a dual currency system of credit points and myanmar kyat, according to the previous plan, to make some preliminary preparations for the official arrival of Interstellar Peace Corporation."