"This involves another matter—why they have become unstable proletarians."
"A long time ago, companies were pressured by governments, societies, and unions to provide workers with sufficient labor security, maintain the social employment rate at a safe level, and comply with labor laws, at least on the surface."
David nodded thoughtfully, and Lin Miao continued:
"But all of this collapsed during the financial storm of the last century. Those multinational corporations waged a war against governments, and no government in any country could restrain their expansion. Everything that obstructs corporate capital expansion was eradicated during this process. They boast of so-called ’free competition, liberalism,’ with the core argument being—society should do everything possible to maximize free competition, and any obstacles unfavorable to market mechanisms must be removed."
Maximized free competition means that no one needs to be responsible for anything.
"Labor institutions, social security policies, unemployment benefits, professional communities...everything standing in their way was crushed, and due to intelligent industrialization and the maturity of prosthetics, everyone except for those at the top with technical skills became replaceable components at any time."
David murmured, "Doesn’t that mean...we...those Huang Ban’s employees..."
"Yes, you can be replaced at any time. Do you know how many ordinary employees those big companies lost last year? Just in Night City, it was over three figures. Killed by mercenaries, died from overwork, and secretly executed by corporate security agencies are countless. But none of these cause even a slight loss to the company. So how can these mercenaries feel at ease working as employees for those big companies? So why do you think Huang Ban hires so many new employees every year?"
There is actually something more brutal that Lin Miao didn’t say. These mercenaries’ so-called resistance against companies and opposition to enterprises are, in his eyes, nothing but illusions.
Even those seemingly glamorous, influential corporate middle managers don’t have stable lives. If you have the right channels, spending a few thousands could end their lives.
Because the only thing that can counter a collective is another collective. However, just like Qiwei, that female hacker believes in the phrase "Don’t trust anyone but yourself."
This is also one of the foundational structures of Night City and this world, because trust only exists in long-term communities with stable structures. In an ever-unsafe environment like Night City, any cooperation awareness or moral consensus cannot be sustained long-term.
Mercenaries betrayed by their companions, betrayed and dying by intermediaries, company employees randomly disposed of by superiors, and betrayed by colleagues are countless.
Guarding and suspicion between people has become the norm in this world, making it impossible to form a strong collective that can counter companies.
The greatest thing they could probably do is blow up the Huang Ban building again, but for these multinational enterprises, it’s no more than being bitten by an ant.
Lin Miao bet that even if you stuffed a Dragon Slaying Skill in every mercenary’s brain worldwide, it wouldn’t help.
Because in such a highly developed society, people like Mann will not be bound by so-called stable and high-welfare jobs. They have passed the time of just getting by, and current societal productivity, even just the scraps, can fill someone up. The current pursuit is self-development, the path to self-actualization.
And this society cannot provide them with these, so this world has already gone to hell.
Lin Miao looked at David, who was buried in deep thought, "Do you still want to become a mercenary?"
David hesitated, feeling increasingly troubled inside, and took a big gulp of alcohol before saying,
"But...if, as you say, Mr. Lin, wouldn’t I still need to become a replaceable Huang Ban employee?"
"Who says that?" Lin Miao laughed heartily, shook his head, and said, "You’re just studying at Huang Ban Academy, why must you become its employee? Does Huang Ban Academy have a rule forcing graduates to become cannon fodder for Huang Ban?"
David blinked, seemingly not quite understanding what Lin Miao meant.
Lin Miao patted his shoulder,
"Even though I don’t like Huang Ban, it doesn’t hinder the fact that Huang Ban Academy is currently the top educational institution in Night City. The most valuable thing in there isn’t the so-called Huang Ban employee contract, but this." He pointed to his head, "It’s knowledge."
"Knowledge is priceless."
"You just need to study well at Huang Ban Academy, work hard to learn more knowledge. I believe, even if the professors at Huang Ban Academy are prejudiced and exploit their graduate students, they will not reject a good student eager to learn without violating their interests."
"As for those who ostracize you, they don’t want to befriend you because you can’t benefit them and they feel you don’t deserve to join their circle. But think the other way, if you are studying not for benefit, why care about what they think?"
"From now on, you are not studying for your mother’s dream, not to become a Huang Ban employee, you are merely studying for learning, for yourself, understand?"
"Knowledge is power, only those who possess power in this world can choose what path they walk. Whether you want to be an employee or a mercenary technician, it’s the same thing. Without thinking, you’ll always be a gangster for a lifetime, without brains you’ll always wander at the bottom."
"Even if you don’t want to apply for Huang Ban after graduation, it’s okay. Come work for me. As long as you have the ability and talent, I promise your treatment won’t be worse than what Huang Ban offers."
David still wanted to mention his mother’s issue. He actually brought up to her more than once that he could drop out and work to bear the family’s financial burden, but Gloria was never willing.
Lin Miao could see through David’s thoughts at a glance, he laughed, like a devil whose sinister plan had succeeded, catching a fool in the act.
"You should think about it from a different angle, David. Your mom is always hoping you’ll soar high and achieve great things, so why can’t you think about her soaring high too?"
"Isn’t it better to let her climb to the highest perch herself?"
David was dumbfounded, "Mr. Lin...are you saying...let my mom give up her job to work at Huang Ban?"
"No, no, no, what I mean is...instead of working hard for REO, leaving early and returning late every day, working fourteen hours a day, and not even earning three thousand a month, why not come work for me?"
"I can guarantee, as long as you can convince your mom, I can offer her an irresistible condition and a sufficiently decent job that ensures your family a prosperous life, no longer worried about rent, water, electricity, or tuition."
David wondered if he heard wrong due to drinking too much, blinked, and asked in disbelief, "You...work?"
"Yes, I am about to start a company in Night City, and I am in need of people. If you can convince your mother, she could be considered a founding member."
Although he hasn’t gone to Night City to register an office and the company yet, this matter is already a certainty, whether Gloria agrees or not, he would still proceed.
He valued her because he was satisfied with the efficiency of Mann’s team. He believes that to steal valuable prosthetics right under the nose of ERO, and find a trustworthy sales object within the huge mercenary group, requires not just luck but also insight and capability.
Most importantly, he needs to find someone he knows inside out and can trust.
Gloria, with her clean background and caution, cherishing her son dearly, is easy to handle, and most importantly, fits his aesthetic. Is there anyone more suitable than Gloria?
She is not suitable to be a front representative.