Players Invade Cyberpunk

Strictly speaking, this was the first time Lin Miao entered the Night City factory assembly line for inspection. It was... quite eye-opening.

There wasn't much difference compared to the Guangzhou factory in 2010. The harsh metallic friction noise made one's scalp tingle. Rows of workers stood on both sides of the assembly line, their hands constantly assembling prosthetic limbs delivered by the conveyor belt, with eyes void of any light, numb like real machines.

No need to mention trivial issues like dark circles; a strange rubber smell filled the air, and Lin Miao suspected those people's poor mental states might indicate some illness.

There wasn't even a single stool here; everyone worked standing up.

If there's something different to pick about, it's probably their exceptional work efficiency, assembling parts with modified hands so fast that they leave afterimages in one's eyes.

Quite abstract, right? Despite having this level of technology, still using human-powered assembly lines.

And because of network monitoring, any intelligent program beyond a certain complexity must establish a rigorous regulatory system to prevent the emergence of runaway AI, which is another huge fund.

Therefore, for a small contract factory not guaranteed to last beyond three years, recruiting a batch of workers with a monthly salary of 1500 Eurogold is clearly more cost-effective than installing expensive automated production equipment.

Meanwhile, the factory broadcast continuously loops

"Recently, the leftist terrorist Selene incited 157 workers to strike in Night City, intending to threaten the government with slogans to raise basic wages and welfare, stirring up riots. They've been shot dead on the spot by the NCPD police, and the other involved parties have been arrested, expected to receive 10-15 years in prison."

"Don't ask what the company has done for you, ask what you have done for the company. The company provides the position, distributes the salary, while those lawbreakers only destroy everyone's work environment, causing more people to lose jobs. Everyone please beware of their traces around, if you find any suspicious individuals please report immediately to the superiors. Reporters can receive an 8-hour leave and a 150 Eurogold reward...."

The workshop director continued assuredly, "Mr. Lin, all our workers are equipped with Zeta Technology's Cyrus Work B5 prosthetics from year 44. Although the version is somewhat old, there's absolutely no issue with efficiency. It was previously the designated worker equipment for mainstream factories."

"B5 Cyrus...." Lin Miao glanced at him, "I recall Zeta Technology announced the cessation of this prosthetic's production in year 72."

"Haha." Seeing he couldn't fool him, the workshop director awkwardly laughed twice "It's just ceased production, but that doesn't mean anything. The AK47 has stopped production too, yet I've heard it's still used in several places. As for prosthetics, it's only about suitability, and new ones aren't necessarily useful."

Lin Miao made no comment and continued along the assembly line. Seeing the boss didn't pursue the issue further, he added,

"And there's absolutely no problem with the workers here. Their hands and feet are swift, don't complain, and are much more honest than those automatic assembly lines that might have rogue AI devouring humans. Furthermore, the prosthetic loans were voluntarily signed by them; even if one day the factory goes belly up, Zeta Technology will only repossess their prosthetics, not cost us any loss."

"I heard that Delaman Auto Service Corporation was even reverse-acquired by their AI. Isn't it ridiculous?"

Even though he concealed it well, presenting a very familiar demeanor before Lin Miao, Lin Miao still saw in his eyes, a sense of superiority when he glanced over at the assembly line workers,

"I am not like them"

Despite having a monthly salary of four to five thousand, after monthly expenses, there's not much left, but at least he didn't have to stand beside an assembly line day after day like a dead person, nor carry the burden of prosthetic loans.

"Since these prosthetics have already stopped production, where did your workers get loans to buy them?"

The workshop director chuckled

"Of course it's Zeta Technology, Mr. Lin. You should understand that as long as there's demand, there definitely is a market."

After a loan, when the factory goes bankrupt, the prosthetics retrieved by Zeta Technology are naturally re-loaned and sold, which explains why this prosthetic stopped production. The cycle of reclaiming, selling, and reclaiming again sufficiently supports subsequent demand, and hence, manufacturing continues.

Lin Miao then asked: "How much is the loan? What's the interest rate, how many installments, how many years to repay?"

Though it was peculiar why he'd ask, the workshop director honestly responded,

"6000 Eurogold, 40% interest rate, equal principal and interest, 10 years, 120 installments, 204 Eurogold per period."

My goodness, this freaking counts as usurious loans already....

Also, just because the prosthetics ceased production in 72 doesn't mean the workers' equipment was produced then. It might be even earlier, and they most likely weren't the first owners.

For work, loans were taken out for prosthetics. Factory closure led to unemployment. Inability to repay loans resulted in prosthetics being repossessed by Zeta Technology, then sold to the next individual loaning for prosthetics, continuing the cycle.

Therefore, although superficially it appears that Zeta Technology doesn't recover loans every time, in reality, they've already profited handsomely.

Moreover, the base cost of the prosthetics should be around 2000-3000 Eurogold. In just over a year, they can recover the costs from workers, and the rest is pure profit.