Yu'er was indeed smiling, and it was his casual, cynical smile, so he must have been joking.
The problem was, even though he was smiling, his words seemed to carry an indescribable, subtle hint of killing intent. However, that murderous aura flashed and vanished within his jocular tone so quickly that Babalu even felt it was an illusion.
He pondered for a moment, then asked, "Captain, I don't quite understand, why are you doing this?"
"Why what?"
"My grandmaster once said that every person and every group has their own pursuit. Our pursuit is to protect the Red Maple Factory, to see it regain its glory, and to see every child of the Red Maple Factory live happily. The gentlemen of Xingsheng Company want to make money. The military representatives and the government only hope to stabilize the hearts of Lumina and it would be even better if they could supply some excellent and inexpensive Taishi Alloy. As long as everyone's pursuits can align, there will be no obstacles. But if everyone's pursuits can never merge or compromise, then conflict is inevitable."
Yu'er sighed regretfully again, "Not being able to have a long talk with old Mr. Tom Wise all night is truly a lifelong regret of mine!"
Teacher Li was right, capable people, heroes, and wise individuals are always hidden among the common people. It's truly a pity not to have met such a wise person.
Babalu showed a proud smile. For him, old Mr. Tom Wise was not just his master's master in craftsmanship, but probably also played the role of a life mentor.
"Someone said the same thing at the old man's funeral," he said.
Yu'er was a little curious.
"He's a very famous great writer! None of us expected him to attend the old man's funeral. It was Mr. Qi Bingwen, but I don't read much, so I don't really know how great he is."
That's the guy who showed up at the Kaitai Ambassador's residence with a watermelon knife to block the door and curse, right? He can no longer be described as just 'famous'! In this universe, that gentleman is a combination of Alexandre Dumas and Gabriel García Márquez! And he's not particularly old now, who knows if he might evolve into Tolstoy and Tagore someday?
All in all, he is definitely one of Earth's most famous cultural icons.
"Mr. Qi said that when he was young, he once came to Lumina to gather inspiration and became good friends with the old man. Hearing that the old man's health was failing, he rushed over from the Empire, but unfortunately, he still couldn't see him one last time."
That literary giant is currently the Commonwealth Ambassador to the Empire. Of course, he actually plays more of a mascot role; the actual administrative tasks he needs to handle personally are not many, which is why he could leave his post and travel to such a remote planet to attend an old worker's funeral.
Of course, the current atmosphere of civilization in this universe already shows too much preferential treatment to geniuses. If one is a bit willful, others might even think it's the true mark of a free-spirited celebrity.
Speaking of which, this Mr. Qi is indeed a very interesting person. Yu'er had read his books in his previous life, but he didn't know much about his life and conduct. After all, in his last life, before he grew up, Mr. Qi ended his own life with his own hands...
...I really need to find an excuse to talk to this literary giant. Life is so wonderful, how can it be wasted so casually?
"Everyone has their own pursuit. But, Captain, what is your pursuit?"
"A person like you, with a great future, must also have grand goals. We all think that a person like you should be stationed on the New Independence, commanding all the Commonwealth's fleets."
"I just helped you restore the factory, what gave you such an illusion?" Yu'er said with a smile.
"A person who can manage a factory well can definitely manage a fleet well. That's what the old man said too."
It's becoming more and more regrettable...
"For a person like you, even staying one more day in such a small factory would be a waste of life," Babalu said.
Because I really like it here! I like this place that is infinitely close to my true hometown from my life before last. If it weren't for the sense of mission imposed on me by being reborn three times, I might have stayed here my whole life.
"Did you forget my main profession? I am a revolutionary!" Yu'er patted his chest and said in a matter-of-fact tone.
Before this, he really wasn't qualified to say such words. However, seeing the factory in the distance roaring and shining, and seeing the increasing smiles of the two hundred thousand people in Maple City, Yu'er felt somewhat confident.
You never said that! Also, what does 'revolution' mean? Whose revolution?
Babalu stared blankly at Yu'er, his mind a little slow to process.
Yu'er paused, then smiled again, "Every individual intelligent life has different levels of needs. First, there's the need for basic survival. At least enough food to fill one's belly, shelter from wind and rain, and clothes for warmth and modesty. Then, there's the need for safety. The right to live freely, without being arbitrarily harmed or humiliated."
Babalu felt that what he said made a lot of sense. He and his workers' committee had worked hard to this day precisely for these things.
"Then, there's the need for belonging and affection. As far as we know, the intelligent beings that make up the Milky Way Civilization society are all social animals and emotional animals. Only when they have a sense of belonging can they truly..."
Babalu still felt it made sense, which was why he had always guarded the Red Maple Factory. He had to leave a home for everyone where they could feel a sense of belonging.
"As long as you have these three layers, you live like a human being."
"...Captain, this is already a good life that most people wouldn't even dare to dream of! Actually, our Red Maple Factory is still quite good; at least other tribes will exchange food and clothes with us, but even so, everyone still can't get enough to eat. But in some places, I used to hear the old man talk about them... Sigh, in short, it's truly crueler than you can imagine!"
Babalu probably felt that a promising prodigy like Captain, no matter how noble or capable, was completely a person living in the clouds, so he shouldn't pollute his ears with matters from the mud.
It must be said, this was a very considerate gesture, even if it made Yu'er a little annoyed.
What haven't I, the great hero, seen?
Yu'er rolled his eyes internally, but said, "Then, if most people don't live like human beings, isn't this world wrong? If a person is wrong, they stand at attention and take their beating. If the world is wrong, then we torture this world to get it back on track!"
Yes, this was inherently wrong. But why did I used to think it was natural? Babalu thought.
He suddenly realized that he might already be standing at the threshold of some truth, just waiting for the final step.
"Then, there are the last two layers. The need for respect, whether it's respecting others or being respected by others! And, the ability to successfully realize one's self-worth!" Yu'er looked at the worker leader who had fallen into deep thought and slowed his speaking pace: "If every intelligent individual can fully satisfy the needs of the first three layers, and possess the motivation and hope to pursue the last two needs at any time. Then my endeavor will be a success!"
"I truly... can't imagine such a world."
"I also find it very difficult to imagine! In fact, I don't even expect it to be possible in my lifetime."
"However, moving in that direction is my endeavor. Being a Commonwealth professional officer, and a spiritual energy user, and so on, are all my jobs and side occupations. Don't forget! My main profession is a revolutionary!"
You never said that before, did you? Also, what does "revolution" mean?
Babalu had indeed never heard the word, but he always felt that as soon as he heard it, a burning fire ignited in his heart.
"Of course, all of this is for later! You can think about it slowly and decide later." Yu'er smiled, "Let's get back to business. You keeping me today shouldn't just be about the Xingsheng Company, right?"
What decision should I make? And after you said all that, suddenly other matters really seem insignificant.
Babalu's heart surged for a while in place. He composed himself and organized his thoughts, then said, "The beast tide two days ago was a bit unreasonable. This season, when the autumn grass is most abundant, there shouldn't be a beast tide! Moreover, a beast tide of this scale is too unscientific. There must be something fishy about it!"
So, this 'something fishy' must be what Babalu wanted to tell him.
"Before you came, someone visited Red Maple Factory once... It was an old friend of mine, also a child of Red Maple Factory, named Ke'ermo."
Yu'er was a bit surprised. He had heard that name before, either in his previous life or this one; he was one of the leaders of the Lumina Rebels, a notorious bandit with an eight-figure bounty.
However, he truly hadn't expected that this guy was also born at the Red Maple Factory.
According to Babalu's introduction, this Ke'ermo was not only a Red Maple Factory native but also the most famous 'child from another family' in Maple City back then.
If he hadn't gone astray, the chairman of the Workers' Committee would certainly not have been Babalu.
Ke'ermo's father was a worker at the Red Maple Factory, but their family was a highly prestigious and ancient clan among the Luminans, having produced many tribal chiefs, warrior leaders, Hunter Masters, and sky god priests.
Moreover, the relationships among members of this clan were very close, and it was even rumored to have some unverified, yet unrefuted, kinship with the extinct Serro Royal Family.
Therefore, after Ke'ermo's worker father passed away, his clan uncles discussed it and felt it was a pity for such a talented young man to be wasted.
So, they pooled some money, and with the help of everyone at the Red Maple Factory, sent him to study in the Empire.
"We all thought he would learn many skills and come back to help the Red Maple Factory.
The old man also had high hopes for him back then and even mobilized everyone to donate! Even I donated 1,000 yuan to him!"
It didn't sound like much, not even enough for Zhi Xia and Liuli's afternoon tea.
But one must know that the Red Maple Factory hadn't paid wages for nearly ten years, and the workers' families' cash came from their own side businesses.
They occasionally even had to carry some Lumina Planet local specialties to New Seville to sell at the market.
Any further was impossible.
After all, Luminans are a race with the characteristic of 'cherishing their homeland and being reluctant to leave'!
Ke'ermo was even more talented than his hometown people and clan elders had imagined.
Not only did he earn an engineering degree, but he also awakened his spiritual energy.
Everyone was very moved, and even more so, he politely declined an offer from a certain great noble of the Empire, deciding to return to his hometown—a perfectly positive story of an overseas wanderer returning home after completing his studies to serve his homeland.
He did return to Lumina, but he did not go back to the Red Maple Factory; instead, he joined the Lumina Rebels.
Evidence suggests that he even personally planned and organized several large-scale terrorist activities and rebellions, causing considerable casualties, and thus was directly placed on the Commonwealth Government's wanted list.
Due to this guy's background, the intelligence department even suspected a connection between the Red Maple Factory and the rebels, sending people to investigate.
As we all know, the intelligence department's investigative methods are never very reasonable, compliant, or friendly.
Of course, the workers of the Red Maple Factory were all unruly individuals; they had even confronted military representatives, who represented the country's strongest violent organs, and dealt with heavily armed, murderous pirates.
Would they be afraid of you, a bunch of lackeys?
That conflict, of course, ended with the intelligence department retreating in disarray, but the Red Maple Factory was not without losses.
Young workers like Babalu naturally had no goodwill towards the Commonwealth Government; of course, towards the true culprit, Ke'ermo, it was direct dislike, even hatred.
"Everyone funded him not to become a terrorist!" Babalu said through gritted teeth: "Studying is for understanding reason, but how did that guy go backward the more he studied?"
"Because the path was wrong, the more knowledge, the more reactionary!" Yu'er said this in a matter-of-fact tone.
Then, before the other party fell into thought again, he added: "So, you think this strange beast tide is related to him?"
"It may not be directly related to him, but it must be related to the current situation in Lumina." Babalu thought seriously for a moment, then added: "He came to the factory to see me once on the day you arrived.
He hoped that no matter what happened, we would remain neutral.
I suspect that he, his rebels, and the cultists are definitely planning something big!"
Yu'er nodded.
Even if they didn't plan something big, he would definitely make them do so; otherwise, why would he put so much effort into pretending?
If he didn't create something big, how could he live up to the Lumina Star System, which was now at a turning point?
Of course, there was no need to tell Babalu about such things.
Ke'ermo, of course, didn't just come once.
As a rebel leader, he had always tried to win over Babalu, telling him that "Luminans would definitely have no future if they continued to follow Earth people."
Babalu responded to him: "The big shots who exploit us are all Earth people.
However, in this city, those who work with me to maintain our hometown, our factory, aren't they still Earth people?
Why this is, I don't quite understand! But right now, I only want to protect our factory."
Ke'ermo, however, said: "But how long can you protect it?
We Luminans, a few hundred years ago, still lived in trees and mountains.
Without our own foundation, without our own history, without our own traditions, apart from a so-called phantom of a sky god, we have nothing.
We are destined to be unable to stand independently among the Milky Way Civilization.
Given this, why not stand on the side of the strong?"
So, that guy was an Empire collaborator!
That's quite new, Yu'er thought.
There was no blood feud between Earth people and Luminans, but Luminans were used as slaves by the Empire.
Who knows how many died in mines, farms, or even gladiatorial arenas.
"Yes! No matter how much Earth people say they've wronged us, it doesn't feel like there's much left of it."
"You are wrong; it is not that Earth people have wronged you, but that the flesh-eaters of Earth have wronged the common people of Lumina.
They have also wronged the common people of Earth.
There is actually no ethnic conflict here, only class conflict."
It was the first time Babalu had heard the word "class," but he only thought about it for a few seconds before immediately understanding.
"But the Empire is different.
Not to mention the nobles and citizens, even ordinary Empire nationals can kill a Lumina and at most pay for two pig legs.
Facing those big shots of the Commonwealth, I can at most bow and call them 'Sir'… However, if it were the Empire, wouldn't I have to kneel and call them 'Master'?"
At this point, Yu'er shrugged: "Still too young!
He hasn't personally experienced that era and has no intuitive feelings.
Young overseas students can easily get lost in the glitz and glamour; if they don't have sufficient self-awareness and firm values, they can easily get lost on the path of life."
"Yes, yes, that's exactly it! I wish I had met you earlier.
That way, I could have made that guy shut up!
Every time I listen to that guy ramble on, knowing that what he says is problematic but unable to refute it, that feeling is really unpleasant!"
Yu'er also smiled and asked, "But you haven't notified the military or the government about these matters, have you?
So why tell me?"
"I don't trust the military, and I don't trust the Earth Government… but I am willing to trust you.
I believe you can bring a good resolution to these past grievances.
Then, we are willing to trust you, willing to follow you."
Babalu pondered for a moment, then patted his chest hard: "The young men here, and me, you can use us as you please!
As long as there's a way to get weapons, I can help you raise a militia of ten thousand in three to five days!"
He thought for a moment and added, "Marine Corps is hard to say, but definitely better fighters than the Security Forces!"
Yu'er really wanted to ask what gave him such courage, but thinking that this old brother had always been a very reliable person, it shouldn't be bragging.
The working class had always been the best soldiers, which was not surprising.
But even so, there was no need to be so radical.
Even if they were to be armed, it wasn't now!
Just as Yu'er was about to say this, his communication terminal rang three times, then connected directly; it was Feifei calling.
"Yu'er, come to the Company Headquarters.
The General Headquarters has sent people again."
"...This time, they won't be forcibly requisitioning supplies, will they?"
"If you're here, everyone can discuss it properly.
Where's the 'forcibly'!" Feifei laughed.
"Oh, then they must have lost the battle, right?"
"...Yu'er, they're right next to me."