109: Chapter 109 Lifting the Gun Ban

At the same time, after five hours of emergency deliberation, the council issued a nationwide shocking announcement.

There were several key points in the announcement:

First: The Red Coat Sect was defined as an anti-human cult organization that threatens national security and harms the interests of the people.

Second: Effective immediately, the "Gun Ban" is fully lifted.

Third: The public is encouraged to spontaneously form defensive forces and strengthen their self-protection capabilities, meaning that the construction of defensive fortifications and the formation of armed teams by civilians will be completely legalized.

Fourth: Capable civilian organizations are permitted to research, produce, sell, or lease lethal hot weapons, including heavy combat equipment.

This was a complete lifting of restrictions on civilian power.

At the same time, the Red Coat Sect also became thoroughly known to everyone in the world.

The content of the meeting was communicated via satellite phone to all accessible Settlements, requiring each Settlement to post it as a public notice and promote it vigorously.

As soon as the announcement was issued, the whole country was in an uproar.

Some applauded, others criticized, and there were varying opinions.

Due to limitations in raw materials, processing techniques, and processing equipment, most Settlements across the country lacked the ability to mass-produce weapons. At most, they could only process some homemade guns and cannons with limited lethality using crude methods.

There was another problem: even if a few Settlements, benefiting from their own advantages, possessed such conditions, the weapons and equipment they produced could not be sold and could only be used for themselves. For example, some Settlements were established in large factory areas such as armories and steel mills. They could gather the materials needed for gun production through resource exchange, but this was limited to the Settlements involved in the manufacturing. As for other Settlements without geographical advantages or resources, they had no choice but to complain and criticize. After all, in this era, money could no longer be used as currency.

Some clever Settlements thought of a method of indirect self-rescue, which was to develop agriculture or light industry. They could exchange food or daily necessities for guns and ammunition, but unfortunately, the quantity obtainable was small and the cycle was long. However, something was better than nothing.

The Meilin Settlement at this time presented a different scene.

Upon learning the news, Mayor Gong rushed to the Huatong Chamber of Commerce.

"Boss Niu, I have good news for you!" Mayor Gong shouted as he entered.

"Mayor Gong, what makes you so happy?" Niu Xingwang asked.

"Good news! Great news!" Mayor Gong was exceptionally excited.

The two sat down in the office, and Mayor Gong recounted the news he had just received about the lifting of the gun ban.

Niu Xingwang's eyes also lit up.

"Isn't this a coincidence?" Mayor Gong said.

"Look, our Settlement has guns, currency, and a Mercenary Guild. This is the rhythm of taking off!"

"Boss Niu, are you interested in expanding your business?"

Before Niu Xingwang could say a word, Mayor Gong spoke a lot, one after another.

"Mayor Gong, have you mentioned the antigen matter to anyone else?" Niu Xingwang asked.

Mayor Gong was stunned. What did he mean by this? How did the topic get sidetracked? He reacted for a moment, then sighed and said,

"Alas! Don't mention it. I've thought about the antigen matter over and over and haven't mentioned it to anyone."

Mayor Gong thought he was complaining about why he hadn't utilized this resource for so long. Niu Xingwang was now his and the entire Settlement's living money god, so he definitely couldn't be offended. If there were complaints, he could only endure them.

"Oh? Does Mayor Gong have any concerns?" Niu Xingwang asked with a smile.

"Boss Niu, our Meilin Settlement is just an ordinary small Settlement. If the antigen matter gets out, we don't have the strength to protect it. I hope you can understand; let's wait until the conditions are ripe later," Mayor Gong said awkwardly.

Niu Xingwang nodded and said nothing.

"But regarding the Chamber of Commerce and the Guild, can't we make some moves?" Mayor Gong probed.

"Mayor Gong, I think it's best if we just make a fuss in Meilin. The world is too chaotic right now; we just need to take care of ourselves," Niu Xingwang replied.

Upon hearing this, Mayor Gong felt the tone was off. What a great opportunity, how could they miss it? So he immediately followed up with a question:

"Does Boss Niu have any concerns?"

"Mayor Gong, I think you've misunderstood. I don't have any concerns. It's just that I'm just a commoner and don't have such big ambitions," Niu Xingwang replied indifferently.

Mayor Gong understood. This was a preparation to raise the price. He pondered for a moment, and it made sense. Wanting the horse to run fast yet not eat grass certainly wouldn't work. So he said,

"Then how about arranging a position for you?"

"Haha! Mayor Gong, you flatter me too much. How could I do it? I only know how to do business; I don't understand official matters," Niu Xingwang laughed and refused.

"Hmm? Is he disliking the low position, or is he genuinely not interested?" Mayor Gong pondered for a long time but couldn't figure it out.

"How about this, I'll arrange a position as Deputy Commander of the Settlement for you, do you think that's okay?" Mayor Gong gritted his teeth and said.

"Since Mayor Gong has said so much, I won't hide it from you: I plan to leave Meilin," Niu Xingwang sat up, leaned closer to Mayor Gong, and whispered.