Chapter 832: Red Hood (Part 1) (Patreon)

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Roy held a document labeled "Gotham Comprehensive Improvement Plan" and questioned Professor Schiller, "Professor, didn't you mention improving the learning environment? How did it turn into a plan for improving transportation?"

Schiller, seated across from Roy, replied, "You should take a look at this plan first, and then you'll understand why." The morning light streamed through the blinds, casting patterns on the desktop.

Roy settled into his chair, studying the complex plan. While he didn't grasp most of the technical terminology, he could at least comprehend the numbers.

"172 overpasses, 36 underground tunnels, and what's this... 'sky something' passageway? What is this?" Roy looked puzzled and asked Schiller, "And, aside from the parts I can't understand, did they accidentally add an extra digit with the 172 overpasses?"

Schiller shook his head, saying, "These figures result from extremely precise calculations, and I don't know the specifics of how they were derived. You'll have to ask Wayne Group's specialized staff team for that."

"And this is just the first phase," Schiller continued, addressing Roy. "Conservatively estimated, Gotham, including the surrounding areas, will require more than 600 overpasses to meet daily traffic needs."

Roy's jaw dropped, and he said, "Wait a minute, Professor. I know you can't stand traffic jams, but won't this many overpasses completely clog the streets? Where is there enough space for all this?"

Schiller again shook his head, "These are just regular overpasses. We haven't even accounted for the skyways and overpass bridges you saw earlier. If we include those, the estimate would easily exceed 1,000."

Schiller handed Roy a blueprint and said, "Look here, this is called the Gotham Inner Loop, this is the Middle Loop, and there's the Outer Loop..."

"Furthermore," he continued, "you don't need to worry about the land area. All these bridges and buildings will be integrated. The overpasses will be divided into 23 layers, complementing the city's multi-level architecture."

"In this transformation plan," Schiller added, "the tallest overpass will match the height of Wayne Tower's top floor. As for technical issues, you needn't worry; we have highly skilled technicians capable of handling quality and maintenance concerns."

Roy's features were still wrinkled with concern as he flipped a page in the plan and asked, "What's this now? East District Building Improvement Plan? Wasn't the area around Living Hell just renovated recently?"

Roy was referring to the extensive renovation plan for the Living Hell district, which had been extended to cover three times the area around Living Hell. It focused mainly on improving sanitation and utility lines while keeping the core structure of the buildings intact. A significant portion of the project had already been completed, which was why Copperpot had undertaken efforts to improve the area's order.

Originally, their plan was to gradually expand in this manner, then repeat the process, with the goal of completing the entire East District within ten years. However, the new plan described in the document was reminiscent of the Living Hell renovation approach, intending to transform the entire East District into a fully integrated city, resembling a large beehive connected both vertically and horizontally. It had the potential for limitless expansion, addressing issues related to population and resource shortages.

"Can this really be done?" Roy questioned, "Well, Professor, if you say the specialists are highly professional, then I won't argue. But such a massive undertaking... won't the gangs..."

Schiller chuckled and replied, "The gangs will agree to it; no one is more impatient than they are. If every car has its own overpass, there will never be a traffic jam, and it won't disrupt their business."

As Roy carefully examined the plan, he realized that, despite its exaggerations, none of the items listed in the plan threatened the gangs' core interests. In fact, many aspects of the plan seemed advantageous to them.

The origin of the contents in this plan could be traced back to the second meeting between Bruce, Alberto, and Schiller the day before.

The previous morning had been even colder, and while Evans had arrived at the school early to catch up on case analyses, Bruce had demonstrated a lack of enthusiasm. However, Schiller decided to be lenient with Bruce because today was the day Bruce would suffer a financial setback.

When the three of them reconvened, Alberto was the first to speak, "Even if we reach a consensus on all these issues, there's still one problem: what if we can't dismantle the existing rules without resorting to violence? What if the gangs resist once the transformation begins?"

"If we stab them in the back, they will definitely resist, and their resistance will be more intense than any other organization's, considering they grew up in such an environment."

Bruce furrowed his brow as he considered the possibility of the Gangs reacting strongly to the proposed changes. There was a risk of a city-wide shootout or even a war breaking out. He understood that the current situation was akin to performing surgery on a seventy-year-old man. Not performing the surgery might lead to slow demise, while performing it could result in immediate death.

Schiller suggested, "Is there a possibility that before we make a move, we could sedate them or perhaps render them unconscious? That way, you can handle them as you see fit."

Bruce and Alberto paused, exchanged a glance, and then turned their attention back to Schiller. Bruce asked, "You don't mean physical sedation, do you?"

"Sorry, Professor, but I have to say, um... it would be unrealistic for you to knock them out one by one with an umbrella," Alberto said, somewhat awkwardly.

Schiller sighed, "Who said I meant physical sedation? Who said I would use an umbrella to knock them out one by one? I think you both have a skewed perception of me..."

Bruce and Alberto exchanged another look, and Alberto cleared his throat, saying, "Professor, even chemical sedation might not be viable. We can't drug all the Gang members in Gotham..."

"I know, Bruce might be able to come up with a sedative that they all willingly consume, but that doesn't solve the root problem. Professor, I think you should calm down, and we can discuss this matter further..."

Schiller was about to speak but was interrupted by Bruce, who stated, "I am against ambushes and poisoning. Even if you asked me about my technical abilities earlier, I will never use my skills for such despicable acts."

Schiller tried to interject again, but Bruce continued, "I know you might be thinking about the bigger picture, but have you considered how morally wrong this is?"

Schiller wasn't sure what impression he had left on Bruce and Alberto, making them believe that whenever he suggested something, it involved deceit or ambush.

Schiller tapped the umbrella handle on the floor and declared, "Stop! Let's not talk about this anymore! When did I ever say I wanted to physically sedate them? If clubbing them would work, why would I need to call you here?"

"Are you suggesting that if it worked, you would actually go around clubbing them all?" Bruce asked incredulously.

Taking a deep breath, Schiller replied, "If you continue speaking to me in this manner, you can forget about graduating, Bruce Wayne!"

Bruce tilted his head to the side and exchanged a glance with Alberto, as if to say, "See, he's being unreasonable again."

Schiller shook his head and said, "Enough of this. Let's get back to the main topic. As you mentioned earlier, Gotham's Gangs lack education, and most of their efforts are focused on competition. They lack logical thinking and foresight, and they are incredibly shortsighted. We can use this to our advantage."

Schiller lightly stroked the handle of his umbrella and continued, "If there's something that can offer them immediate interest in the short term but, in the long run, increases our control over them and has a significant impact on their future lives, do you think they'll see through it?"

"It depends on what it is," Alberto replied. "While they've been indoctrinated into Gang rules and are consumed by competition and seeking interest, they're not completely foolish. If it's an obvious trap, no one will fall for it."

"No, no, it's not a trap. We won't touch their current 'cake,' but we will give them a substantial interest, just like the previous logistics industry development. Everyone will have money to share, and the economy will accelerate..."

After explaining, Schiller looked at Alberto and said, "Considering the recent two days of flooding, I assume the Gangs have been complaining as well?"

Alberto nodded and said, "Yes, the water on the streets took two to three days to recede, and it disrupted a lot of their businesses. Some of the Gangs were in a rush to transport their goods, and not only did their trucks break down, but their cargo also got ruined."

"After Gotham's sewer system froze, they had to rely on the old sewers and some newly constructed drainage facilities. Efficiency was low, and if it weren't for the proximity to the sea, we might have already experienced a flood," Bruce added.

"Then let's go and deal with these issues for them. It's a matter of insufficient transportation capacity and susceptibility to weather disasters, isn't it?"

"Bruce, come up with a plan for how the underground sewers should be constructed to avoid natural disasters, how many overpasses are needed on the roads to avoid traffic jams, and what transport methods would achieve the highest efficiency for the entire city," Schiller said to Bruce, his tone relaxed. "You don't need to participate in the second round of internships. Just give me the plan by tomorrow morning."

Bruce touched his forehead and said, "Professor, do you know what you just asked me to do? You want me to calculate the optimal transportation routes for an entire city from scratch and submit it by tomorrow morning?"

"Is there a problem?" Schiller looked him up and down.

Seeing Bruce's dark expression, Schiller paused and looked up at the ceiling, saying, "Of course, manpower can be limited sometimes. If it's truly impossible, you can submit it on the day of your graduation..."

"I remember your butler graduated with a degree in mathematics, didn't he? He might be able to help you," Schiller added.

Bruce, looking as sullen as the bottom of a pot, got up and left. He realized that Schiller had two words on his mind now: graduation and butler.

As Bruce walked out of the room, he overheard Schiller saying, "Alberto, remind me to consider increasing the number of candidates for outstanding graduates this year. There seem to be quite a few, and we might need more slots..."

Bruce quickened his pace.

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Next Chapter>>Chapter 833: Red Hood (Part 1)