After making the necessary arrangements, Bai Yi walked out of the court.
Among the 150,000 soldiers, 30,000 upper bronze rank soldiers would definitely be retained, as well as 50,000 middle rank soldiers. The rest, likely lower bronze professionals, would be dismissed.
As a result, the legion's normal monthly expenditure dropped from 150 million to 60 million. Including equipment maintenance and daily military supplies, the costs now hovered between 63 and 70 million per month.
Meanwhile, the salaries for various positions in the city were directly reduced to 20 million. With the upkeep of the city and other expenses, the total monthly expenditure would not exceed 100 million.
In other words, this round of layoffs could save more than 100 million yuan each month.
With these savings, not only could Bai Yi maximize the efficiency of his resources, but he could also significantly improve the combat effectiveness of the 150,000 soldiers. And there would still be money left over for the construction of the inner city.
As for the outer city, nothing would change. It remained the foundation of order and civilization, and Bai Yi had no intention of disrupting it.
With these calculations in mind, Bai Yi's mood brightened. Once the trade route to Sabo was open, Dongwu City would be poised for a great leap forward.
He could also begin recruiting alchemists. With a larger number of alchemists, the inner city area would soon become the most prosperous part of the entire federation.
However, not everyone shared Bai Yi's optimism.
For example, the old city lord, Eric.
He stood expressionless, watching the group of people kneeling and crying in the distance. He felt a bit of boredom creeping in. He had given up so many territories, each one a chance for others. Yet now, seeing these people without any spirit, Eric began to question whether he had made the right decision.
"Do you feel the same way?" he asked his disciple, Badu.
As the commander of the Wucheng Army, Badu wasn't particularly intelligent, but in this era, potential often mattered more than intellect. He was tasked with defending the city, a relatively straightforward role.
Seeing Badu's confused expression, Eric waved dismissively. "Everything in the city is under Bai Yi's control now. You can go."
"As you wish," Badu replied respectfully, bowing before leaving.
Badu's strength was his unwavering obedience. When the city lord gave an order, he followed without hesitation, regardless of his own understanding.
Eric stared out at the sky, feeling melancholic. Leaving the civilian area, he knew the consequences of what was happening, but since he had chosen to step back, he wouldn't interfere. Once Bai Yi settled in Golden, he would be able to retire.
Meanwhile, the soldiers of the Apocalypse Legion, led by Sifu, dragged away the kneeling individuals with cold indifference.
If they wouldn't give up, they would be sent to mine. After a few years of hard labor, they would realize how many mineral resources Dongwu City had nearby.
The White Epidemic of the Ministry of Mineral Resources had not been disbanded, so there was room for this new labor force.
The Wucheng Army and the Storm Legion were also in turmoil. The soldiers anxiously looked to their superiors but could do nothing as the legion's numbers were cut down.
As Bai Yi had predicted, all middle and upper bronze rank soldiers would stay. Lower rank soldiers, however, would be evaluated based on level and profession.
Alchemists and mages were unaffected, but warriors and assassins had to be at least level 15 to remain. Those below that threshold were retired.
Though the idea of resisting magic seemed appealing to some, there was no real rebellion to be had. At worst, they would join the Ministry of Mineral Resources as laborers.
The execution of these changes was swift. In just three days, military camps were dismantled, and officials' mansions were vacated, all repurposed for Dongwu City's use.
The sudden influx of over 300,000 unemployed vagrants created a massive labor pool, benefiting the Adventurer's Guild and wealthy merchants who now had access to a larger pool of extraordinary workers.
With the steam locomotive now connecting the southeast of the Federation, the wealthy merchant who had purchased it was profiting greatly, and he needed even more extraordinary personnel for security on the routes.
Although this created a slight decrease in the cost of hiring extraordinary workers in Dongwu City, it wouldn't last. As the Federation's laws dictated, the prices for professionals would only increase in time, especially with the rising costs of materials and knowledge.
Bai Yi was considering all of this when Irene walked out in a daze, staring at him.
"Talent awakened?" he asked, intrigued. "What talent did you get?"
"Haha~" Irene yawned, stretching her hand out. A soft white light flickered in her palm, accompanied by a soothing healing sensation.
Bai Yi raised an eyebrow. "Healing? Not bad. What career are you planning to pursue?"
"Haha~" Irene yawned again, asking lazily, "Boss, what's my salary?"
Bai Yi examined the healing energy and nodded. "Healing is still quite rare. You're at the middle bronze level, so you'll earn 250 gold coins a month."
Irene grinned weakly. "Haha, I told you Luo Ning's prediction was wrong. He said I'd lack wealth in life. But look, wealth is here now!"
Bai Yi smirked. "You've been sleeping for most of the month. Consider those days absenteeism. I'll deduct 50 gold coins for that."
Irene shot him a resentful look. "Damn it! I've awakened my talent! How can you do this? That's my hard-earned money!"
Bai Yi chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "Just tell me, did you do any work?"
Irene hesitated. "Well… I guess I didn't do much. Haha~" She yawned again, got up, and made her way back to her room, muttering to herself, "Damn capitalist. Once my talent is fully awakened, I'll bite you to death!"
Bai Yi smiled mischievously. "So, what's your occupation?"
"According to the inherited memory, they called me the Life Sacrifice. Haha, I'm not telling you more! I'm going to sleep now. Bye!" Irene said, already half asleep as she collapsed onto the bed.
Bai Yi laughed softly to himself. "She went through the awakening ceremony just to get a raise?"
He felt a brief pang of guilt. She had done quite a bit for him, but he still deducted her pay.
Bai Yi silently resolved that when Irene's talent was fully awakened, he'd claim she had misunderstood the deduction.
Luo Ning entered at that moment, holding a lunchbox. "Boss, those people you're familiar with are looking for you. Do you want to see them?"
Bai Yi glanced outside and noticed that Wei Lv and his group had arrived at the door. A crowd of players surrounded them, peering inside.
Bai Yi opened the forum and checked the latest posts. He quickly watched a video and understood what had happened.
To summarize, after completing the member mission to find the hidden Night Rose, they attempted a main mission, but they were killed instantly after leaving the city. They sought help from the NPC Chamber of Commerce and the Adventurer's Guild, but their offers were rejected.
Last night, a player named Demacia boasted that he could get White Plague to help them. The players were curious, so they came to see.
Bai Yi was also intrigued, so he stood up and walked out. "Alright, I'll go take a look. Keep an eye on the store, and register anyone who comes by."
"Okay, boss. Be careful~" Luo Ning said obediently before digging into the lunch.
As Bai Yi stepped outside, dozens of players eagerly turned their attention to him, as if hoping he would lead them.
He paused and looked at Wei Lv. "What's the matter?"
Wei Lv signaled Demacia to begin his performance.
Demacia, without hesitation, spoke in a low voice. "Mr. Bai Yi, top secret information. A war is about to begin."
The players in the crowd froze. Was he aware that the Guards were broadcasting this live?
"What war?" Bai Yi asked, playing along.
Demacia paused, disappointed that there was no mission. "It's like this. While investigating Night Rose, I stumbled upon a situation. They're trying to activate a mutation zone and attack Dongwu City, to kill you in the chaos."
The players gasped, excitement building. It seemed like a major war mission!
Bai Yi frowned. Night Rose was known for its secrecy. How could such intelligence be leaked?
"How do you know?" he asked.
Demacia's eyes filled with resentment. "I didn't want to get involved, but I went to a basement and they—"
He broke into tears, "My staff! They took it! And they were discussing things over my dead body! They seemed to be using something from their headquarters to control the mutation zone!"
The players burst into laughter at Demacia's dramatic reaction, which only made him more upset.
Bai Yi, trying not to laugh, asked, "Where did you hide your staff?"
"West of the outer city!" Demacia cried out. "Mr. White Plague, avenge me!"
Bai Yi was intrigued but also skeptical. "Alright, take me there. If it's true, I'll give you back your staff."
Demacia's face lit up. "No problem! I'm a good citizen, a patriot!"