Su Yi's Plan, Aolong's Excitement

Aolong frowned at Su Yi's alarming words. "What makes you say that?"

Su Yi laid out the advantages and risks for him.

"Boss, why are we making such a public spectacle of collecting debts?"

Su Yi did not wait for an answer. He knew Aolong did not understand.

He went straight on. "Boss, I think making money is secondary. What matters is stirring up class conflict among them."

Aolong had been about to say they were doing it for the money, but his eyes brightened. He had not considered that angle before.

Su Yi continued, "You're talented and capable, but you didn't come from the lower classes like us."

"Sometimes, all it takes to break someone at the bottom is one or two coins."

Aolong nodded slightly. "Go on."

Su Yi continued, "The oppressed people at the bottom don't just hate debt collectors like us. They hate the noble government above them for doing nothing, too."

"As they're pushed toward desperation, they'll start taking risks, committing crimes and fighting back against their oppressors."

"Look at how revolutionary forces and guerrillas keep springing up over there."

Aolong recalled the news he had seen and nodded. "That's true."

"If our debt collection fuels their conflict, why stop?"

Su Yi said, "Boss, the company's goal is to intensify that conflict and overthrow the Rhodes Alliance government."

"But we're the ones the people at the bottom hate!"

"If something happens one day, or large numbers of people join the Revolutionary Army, the company will have to make a gesture to win them over."

"So tell me: who would those people want dead first?"

Aolong's expression changed drastically, and fear flashed in his eyes.

Debt-collecting thugs like them, who preyed on ordinary people, of course!

He had never considered that. He had always thought this was just an ordinary assignment away from headquarters.

Now he finally understood why he had been sent here.

He had offended his team leader's younger brother!

That bastard knew the truth. He had sent Aolong out here to die!

Cold sweat broke out across Aolong's back.

He looked at Su Yi. The man might have come from humble beginnings, but he had a sharp mind.

"What's your plan?"

Su Yi said, "I've made a few friends these past few days."

"If our company wants to throw the Rhodes Alliance into chaos, and it plans to support the Revolutionary Army sooner or later..."

"Why don't we skip straight to it and support the Revolutionary Army now?"

Aolong's eyes lit up. He lowered his voice. "You mean sell them..."

He made a finger-gun gesture.

Su Yi smiled and nodded. "Yes, boss."

"But there are only four of us. We can't do it on a large scale."

"We need more people and a legitimate front."

Aolong immediately understood what Su Yi meant.

They would stop collecting debts and start transporting arms to the Revolutionary Army.

Su Yi pressed on. "Boss, we'd avoid the risk and build a relationship with the Revolutionary Army ahead of time."

"When the company decides to work with them, you'll already have that connection. A promotion will be yours for the taking!"

Aolong's heart leaped.

He had long heard that the company was considering backing the Revolutionary Army, but it was still too weak.

The company could not be sure it would amount to anything.

But if he helped the Revolutionary Army grow strong enough to attract the company's investment, they would have to go through him!

Su Yi followed his praise with a barb.

"Boss, someone as capable as you was sent here to die and take the fall. Someone with connections is clearly holding you back—maybe even trying to get rid of you!"

"Are you going to put up with that?"

"I know I wouldn't!"

Aolong shot to his feet.

The smug faces of his team leader and that damned man at the meeting grew clearer in his mind, stoking his anger.

Before, he had neither the power nor the standing to fight back.

But things were different now. He understood the company's plans, and he had a chance to make a name for himself and climb higher!

He could see a future where he trampled those two underfoot!

Anticipation surged through Aolong. Excitement and delight filled his face, and he looked at Su Yi with open approval.

"Su Yi, I could tell from the start you were sharp and no ordinary man. After talking today, I know I was right!"

"You're capable, Su Yi, just like me. All you lack is an opportunity!"

Su Yi laughed inwardly with contempt, but said, "You're too kind. I'll still need your support in the future."

Aolong took a deep breath. The more he looked at Su Yi, the more he liked him. "What do you plan to do next?"

Su Yi lowered his voice. "First, you need to bring this to the attention of a discerning superior and find a chance to reclassify our company as a trading company."

"That way, when the debt collection companies are called to account, we can make a clean break."

Aolong frowned. He currently reported directly to an L6 district team leader.

But that man had no say in this. Aolong needed to report directly to the L10 project manager.

The project manager...?

Manager Tor is capable and farsighted, but his parents are often ill, and he needs a lot of money.

Even at thirty, he hasn't saved the 1,000 Void Abyss Coins needed to activate the Void Abyss Projection. He's missed several promotions because of it. In that case...

Aolong's eyes brightened. He lowered his voice. "I do have a connection, but it'll take money."

"At least 1,000 Void Abyss Coins."

Su Yi fell silent, deep in thought.

Seeing Su Yi struggle, Aolong thought of his future prospects and his plans for revenge. He lowered his voice. "Eight hundred will do. I'll cover the other two hundred!"

A glint flashed in Su Yi's eyes, and he gave a considerate reply. "How could I let you pay, boss?"

"But 1,000 Void Abyss Coins is no small sum. I'll need a few days to earn it."

Aolong was delighted by how considerate Su Yi was. "About how long will you need?"

Su Yi did the math. "If you give me your full support in expanding the business, I can put together the 1,000 Void Abyss Coins in five days."

"Five days!?" Aolong's eyes widened.

Now he understood why Su Yi could afford to be so generous.

His own monthly salary was only 40 Void Abyss Coins!

These people could make 200 in a single day!!

Aolong was both envious and stunned. "Those profits are outrageous."

Su Yi sighed. "We risk our lives for them. You know how chaotic the border is."

"I've already lost seven men I recruited for temporary work in the past few days."

Su Yi had no intention of making Aolong a core member.

The man was just a stepping stone on his way up.

If Aolong knew his place, he could work under Su Yi in the future.

If not, Su Yi had no qualms about making him disappear once he had outlived his usefulness.

Aolong's expression shifted. The daily news told him just how chaotic things were over there.

In their group chat, they even bet each day on how many deaths the border papers would report, how many police officers had died and how many gangs had been wiped out.

If that many incidents made the news, who knew how many more went unreported?

With that in mind, Aolong set aside his intention to squeeze Su Yi for now. "What's your plan?"

Su Yi said, "I won't use any of Mad Dog's men. I'm cutting ties with them completely."

"We'll stop collecting debts for now. My profits can cover any shortfall in your performance targets."

"In the meantime, we need to expand the business as quickly as possible."

"I need you to help me request four sets of exoskeletons and four temporary company employee IDs."

The exoskeletons and temporary employee IDs were crucial to Su Yi's next plan.