Chapter 537: Chapter 392 Open Conspiracy
"With the Brain Bug joining, the originally reckless Bug Race has gradually started to use tactics; coupled with the fact that there were already few people on that side, and the lack of defensive structures, it’s quite normal for the Survivor Camp to be breached by the Bug Race.
However, thanks to the desperate defense by the soldiers and the timely evacuation decision from the Command Post, many people managed to escape even though the camp was breached."
"That’s why I said it wouldn’t be long before a lot of people would be fleeing to Kyoto."
Upon hearing Yara’s words, Dong Tianyu didn’t pay much attention—after all, even though he lived in Kyoto, he held no official post and had already bought a house, so he didn’t have to worry about rent increases due to a surge in population. Therefore, whether or not the refugees arrived in Kyoto, it didn’t significantly impact Dong Tianyu’s life.
Seeing Dong Tianyu’s unconcerned attitude, Yara guessed his thoughts and immediately said, "Are you being naive? Even though those people are fleeing to Kyoto, haven’t you considered that the survivors who managed to escape the Bug Race’s encirclement either have strong personal abilities or have spent a great deal of money on protection? Otherwise, could they have safely made it all the way to Kyoto from the north?
You should know that times have changed since the onset of the disaster. Back before the disaster struck, fleeing meant at most enduring hunger, but now, let’s not even talk about the Bug Race pursuing them, just consider the prehistoric creatures and mutated plants living in the wilderness. Without some capabilities, those survivors wouldn’t even reach Kyoto."
After hearing Yara’s explanation, Dong Tianyu instantly understood Yara’s point, but still hesitantly said, "I get your point, but we can’t speculate on property anymore, and even if those people come with plenty of money, at most they will just be giving it to the Officials, which has little to do with us."
Frustrated by Dong Tianyu’s obtuseness, Yara said, "Are you being stupid? Have you forgotten what the most precious thing is during a disaster year?"
Confronted with Yara’s almost blunt words, Dong Tianyu was silent for a moment, then gestured towards the sky before speaking in a veiled manner, "Isn’t it obvious what is most precious during a disaster year?
But as precious as it is, those above would not sit idly by while we profit from a national crisis; it’s best not to entertain that thought, or the consequences could be severe."
Hearing Dong Tianyu’s warning, Yara laughed and didn’t take it seriously, knowing that members of big families like his had a deeper understanding of the law than ordinary people did.
They knew why laws existed—even though they sometimes ignored the law behind closed doors, in public, they adhered strictly to it. After all, the law not only restrains them but also protects them.
Laws represent the baseline for people’s actions. If these privileged families cavalierly trample over the laws, it would cause others to lose respect for those laws.
For example, if someone is humiliated, the law, if viewed as awe-inspiring, means the humiliated person would have difficulty seeking revenge or can only ’appeal’ through more moderate means.
Note the emphasis—appeal, not revenge.
However, if the law loses its majesty, should that person be humiliated again, they might endure it at first, but once their patience reaches its limit, they would resort to any means to exact revenge.
While an emperor’s wrath can slay millions, an enraged populace can cause blood to fly five steps.
In a one-on-one exchange, it’s the aggressor who suffers, since wise people have always known that it is unwise for porcelain to clash with rubble; there’s an old saying that he who is prepared to sacrifice his life can even overthrow the emperor.
Hence, the law’s purpose isn’t just to protect the weak; it also serves as a shield for the privileged, giving the oppressed a channel to vent their grievances without resorting to extremes.
History is replete with such examples, from aristocrats who preferred death to submission, to the last battle to drive out foreign invaders. In that battle, wasn’t the spark ignited by the powerless who had no means to voice their grievances, leading to a rebuilt order?
Although Dong Tianyu’s warning was serious, Yara didn’t take it too seriously. He came from a prominent family—not millennia-old, but he was no ignorant scion. Thus, he not only adhered to and maintained the rules of the game but had also studied them thoroughly.
"I’m not talking about taking advantage of those ordinary refugees. How much can one earn from the poor? Even though small amounts can accumulate, that kind of business is not only troublesome but also less profitable. To earn serious money, quickly, you have to target the wealthy.
Of course, those wealthy people aren’t fools, but as long as we can offer them something satisfactory, they won’t be stingy with their money. After all, they certainly understand that having a lot of money at this time is not a good thing but could instead be a curse."
Intrigued by Yara’s talk, Dong Tianyu’s interest was piqued, "Let’s hear it, how do we make money from those wealthy individuals?"
Seeing Dong Tianyu’s enthusiasm, Yara didn’t play coy. Although his plan might succeed without Dong Tianyu’s involvement, its chances of success would be significantly enhanced with Dong Tianyu’s capable participation.
