Panan recklessly went to challenge Dorio to an arm wrestling match, surrounded by a group of Adcardo people cheering for Panan, but still lost completely. Dorio’s arm looked like a bull’s, while Pira and Rebecca finished fighting over a can of fruit and ran off to discuss prosthetic modifications with Mitch. Lucy and Qiwei were murmuring on the hillside, saying god knows what, while Mann found the Adcardo prosthetic doctor to look into his old ailments.
The banquet was a blast for everyone, except Sol.
Lin Miao could see that this burly man was always worrying about something. Even though Panan’s quest succeeded, it didn’t ease his concerns. What he carried was probably more than Panan imagined, after all, every time he opened his eyes, dozens or even hundreds of mouths were waiting to be fed; a lack of trouble would be extraordinary.
Lin Miao gave him a look, and Sol nodded, then they walked together towards the hillside behind the camp.
Standing on the serene hillside, only the sound of the quiet night wind blowing by reached their ears. From here, one could overlook the whole camp, and in the vast night of Evil Land, only Night City and a few inns alongside here had some light.
Small bonfires gave the mobile homes a warm hue, and although not wealthy, this place had a bit more human touch compared to Night City.
"Listen, I’ve heard from Panan about your situation. I’m sorry, maybe if I had agreed back then there wouldn’t have been so much sacrifice. If there is anything you need help with, feel free to tell us, Adcardo never owes favors."
"Also, about the spoils, you’ve agreed on it with Panan, so I won’t interfere."
Sol crossed his arms, not knowing whether he should comfort Lin Miao or do anything else. The first batch of followers who came with him to mix in Night City nearly died in just a few days; regardless, if it were him facing such a situation, the blow would be heavy... It’s not about money.
Even if Lin Miao said he chose to join Adcardo at this moment, Sol wouldn’t be unable to accept it.
"Ha, you guessed right, Sol, I do have some things where I need your help."
Lin Miao’s speed in climbing up the snake was faster than he imagined, and Sol suddenly had an illusion that maybe it was not too late to regret now, but he still bit the bullet and held back.
"Go ahead, as long as it’s not excessive, our Adcardo will help where possible."
"I heard from Panan and Mitch that you were recently looking to work with a corporation, is that true?"
"Yes, I indeed have the intention to cooperate with a company." Sol felt there was nothing embarrassing to admit this.
"Smuggling and crime are not a long-term solution; every time members of the tribe are risking their lives for money. Children need a stable living environment. As the tribal chief, I must provide a sufficiently stable future for the tribe members, and I don’t think doing so is wrong, even if people don’t understand me."
After silently listening to Sol’s words, Lin Miao replied
"But you also have to admit, in front of major enterprises, even Adcardo doesn’t have bargaining chips, let alone here, which is merely a small branch tribe; to them, people from Adcardo and Night City aren’t that different."
"Besides, there is already old resentment between Wanderers and these big companies; even if everyone endures because of your face for a while, eventually someone will not put up with this situation, leading either to them leaving or going against the company, until the last Adcardo member willing to resist the company dies. The remaining ones will become just like other employees."
"I know that’s not what you want to see, Sol. You just want everyone to live a little better, not fighting life and death every day, struggling to find a next meal. It’s just that often people have no other choice."
"Thank you for understanding, so what is your matter?"
Though a little skeptical about Lin Miao’s motives, Sol thought if Panan could change his mind, maybe things between them might be better.
"Look, you want Adcardo people to have a stable life, but corporations don’t see you as people. Meanwhile, I want to start a company recently; though it’s small in scale, it has potential. I think we can accommodate each other’s needs a bit. You provide some manpower, Adcardo people hold 10% of the shares, I contribute technology and partial funds as well as security and construction, holding 51%."
"What about the remaining 40%?"
Sol didn’t mock Lin Miao’s ambition to start a business, nor ask why only 1% would be occupied by all Adcardo people rather than him alone.
"Of course, it would be attracting outside investment. Friend, starting a business costs a lot; you can’t expect me alone to sustain the initial phase."
Lin Miao looked innocent. Although he recently earned 500,000, it seemed a lot, but selling off would certainly involve discounts, and this amount wouldn’t make a ripple in real business investment. A fully automated smart machine tool from Night City starts at four or fifty thousand, then factoring in workshop, materials, labor, that’s even more.
Even if he extracted players’ organs to sell by weight, it wouldn’t be possible to gather a startup capital for a physical industry.
Moreover, relying on himself alone won’t work; to grow big in Night City requires backing. Lin Miao had considered Adcardo, but they’re not enough; even adding Sol’s big tribe behind him isn’t adequate.
The best option would be someone renowned in the corporate plaza.
"It’s too distant to discuss this now; Adcardo may not want to join. You better first tell me what you plan to do, then I can consider whether to join or not."