Chapter 825: Method of Breaking the Game_4

"Those who have received higher education are understanding and willing to sacrifice their current benefits for longer-term gains, but they are always arrogant, believing that they are the only ones who are right and everyone else is a fool…"

Shiller laughed and said, "This isn't just a problem Gotham is facing. The entire world is facing this issue. Using compulsory rules to discipline the human race will inevitably erase some creative thinking. But if we leave everyone's imagination unchecked, we'll fall back into chaos."

"These past few days, I've been thinking about this problem," said Bruce. "If the lower-class citizens have no opportunities for education because they're too busy making a living, then the upper class of Gotham, due to the unique mob rules, their fast-paced competition, and quick turnover, are also lacking education. The uneducated leading the uneducated, they are trading everyone's future for current prosperity."

Shiller shook his head and said: "The people of Gotham are not uneducated. It's that the education they receive tends more towards societal norms and practical education. The downside of lacking systematic education is that there are no stable channels for individuals to prosper, and overall thinking and logical abilities aren't being improved."

"As it stands, this can be sustained due to Gotham's geographical and industrial advantages. Over time, the disadvantages will become apparent, especially once technology starts growing exponentially, increasing interconnectivity among people. If Gotham fails to keep up, disrupted profit chains due to it could plunge the entire city back into chaos."

Shiller glanced at the calendar and said, "It's 1990 now, and I think the situation I'm describing is not too far off."

Bruce and Alberto both frowned. Of all the people, they were the least likely to leave Gotham City. All other mob bosses could run away once they've made enough money, but these two couldn't just abandon this place.

From his pocket, Bruce brought out a piece of paper and read from it: "I hope to improve the education level of the Gothamites, but this matter is not that simple."

"To improve their educational level, we must ensure they receive education. To get them to accept education, we have to make sure they can survive outside of their lesson hours."

"To achieve this, we must allow them to earn more money in less time. To let them earn more money, we must provide better and more job opportunities. To provide these job opportunities, we need to develop industries and improve economic levels. Yet industry development requires all kinds of talented people, and to get these talents, we need to improve education…"

By the end of his list, Bruce looked rather grim, as if each thought loop tightened a noose around his neck, strangling him to the point of asphyxiation.

"There are industries that can bring in money in a short time..." Bruce added, speaking grimly, "But such industries are unhealthy, they can't grow into long-term industries or provide steady jobs. The money earned is not being invested into education."

"We're actually off to a good start," Alberto chimed in. "Thanks to the accumulation of wealth from the last era, Gotham's economic status is very good now. We haven't reached a point where all groups are at an impasse."

"However, the majority of wealth, through the layers of the Mob system, has ended up in the hands of the top twelve families. These families won't invest the money into education because the system which benefits them, the Mob system, doesn't need education, so they're not going to waste their money."

"The underlying problem is that if I topple the whole Mob system using violence, the ones that suffer will not be the wealthy but precisely the poor," Bruce took a deep breath and said. "Mob bosses can leave any time, they earned enough money and can live comfortably in other cities."

"But once the Mob system collapses, the remaining people unable to escape will disregard all rules. The only way they can seize enough benefits is to go to war. When everything comes down to robbery, the helpless common people will suffer most."

"That's the crux of the problem..." Shiller took a sip of water and said, "Many people believe Gotham is already in a dire state, but actually, it hasn't hit rock bottom. Some might think that Mob rules are already brutal, but in reality, they maintain stability and ensure the majority of people can still survive. Although life is tough and they are fighting for survival, at least they are living."

"Once the rules collapse instantly and the city's capital and economy are drained completely, Gotham will truly be out of moves."

Shiller looked out the door, as if envisioning a future. He said, "At that point, all sorts of madmen will come onto the stage one after the other, turning this place into a hell without any order. Neither Batman nor any other hero will have the ability or means to solve this problem from the root. They'll only be able to tackle criminals one by one. Saving one person means just one person saved..."