Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 1193 - 1186: Discussion on Quota System

Chapter 1193: Chapter 1186: Discussion on Quota System

Lin Wei’s remarks made the faces of the district government people look very unpleasant, for his words amounted to saying that the Lipei District Government was ranked lower than the headquarters and was not qualified to criticize or direct the actions of the headquarters.

However, the awkward truth was that the Lipei District Government was not under the jurisdiction of the headquarters but was accountable to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, with the headquarters generally only being responsible for military affairs.

Of course, to resolve this conflict, arrangements had been made by the superiors in the past, which essentially meant that affairs in Lipei were to be decided by the headquarters. So, in certain situations, the district government had to obey the headquarters; they could not simply ignore their directives simply because they weren’t governed by them, and this was precisely what made the district government staff members so uncomfortable.

Pausing for a moment, Lin Wei looked around at everyone, making sure no one dared to speak out against him, then continued, "Since its establishment in 2021, our headquarters has a history of nearly thirty years. We are clear about what we are doing, and we can unequivocally say that the headquarters only wants mixed-race elves to fulfill the Elf Planet Project."

"However, we should also recognize that Lipei has its local residents, including local children, most of whom are not mixed-race elves. Can we say we don’t need them, to let them fend for themselves? No, we can’t. Why? Because we are a modern nation, fulfilling the duties of a modern government. Therefore, we must allocate them a quota, acknowledging them as part of Lipei District. For you, as a government official, to make such an extreme statement, I find it biased and astonishing. I believe that no matter how angry, a staff member should not say such things."

Lin Wei’s statements silenced the room. The generals from the headquarters, not only formidable on the battlefield, did not show weakness in this arena of debate. The firepower at the last internal meeting of the headquarters was so intense that Luo’er was utterly bewildered by the end.

After discussing the issue of recruiting young children, the next topic was the immigration issue in Lipei. Because currently, Lipei indeed needed the adult labor force from the Otherworld to join in and develop the jurisdiction’s land, at least to ensure a basic food supply for the city.

However, there was even more controversy over this topic—not between the headquarters and the district government but rather an irreconcilable internal division within the district government itself. This disagreement was so significant that it could not be resolved internally and had to be decided by the senior leadership through this meeting.

The main point of contention surrounding the immigration quota in Lipei was whether to implement a quota. The officials responsible for immigration believed in the need for quotas, while those handling economic affairs opposed the quota system, arguing that immigration should be freely accepted until the total quota was filled.

So on this topic, the district government didn’t even have time to confront the headquarters, as the opposition first unleashed fire on their own people.

An economic official opposing the quota system was the first to slam the table and then burst out indignantly, "We firmly oppose the quota system because it is a contempt for human rights. The quota system is tantamount to discriminating against people from the Otherworld, exacerbating racial tensions, and causing unnecessary trouble. If we advocate for universal fraternity, we should treat everyone equally. No quota system is the best interpretation of fairness."

"What is the quota system?" General Zhang, who had been out of the loop, leaned over to his secretary and asked in a hushed voice.

"It’s a quota system based on racial distribution," Lin Wei volunteered an explanation, "To be specific, it determines what percentage is Aud people, what percentage is Bobulu people, what percentage is Blaiqi people, and what percentage is other mixed races. Because it doesn’t involve the Mingming Plan, all we can do is watch."

"Well, if that’s the case, I would think it’d be better not to have a quota system at all. Why should we divide quotas based on one’s race? That’s clearly not fair," said General Zhang, spreading his hands.

"Elder Zhang, you can’t say that. Let the professionals handle their business. We should observe and consider before making a decision," Lin Wei said with a smile.

Indeed, no sooner had the economic official sat down than the immigration officer immediately stood up to rebut his point, "We must decisively devise and implement a quota system, because only this system can ensure Lipei’s fairness and development. Quotas may seem unfair on the surface, but they are very fair in reality; whereas not having quotas may appear fair on the surface, but is actually unfair."

His remarks sparked a lively debate among those present. Lin Wei nodded in satisfaction, then gestured and said, "Let me give you an example!"

Upon hearing Lin Wei’s words, the immigration officer turned to look at him, nodded slightly, cleared his throat, and continued, "Let me ask you all, who has an easier time joining Lipei? The Aud people or the people from the Ancient States? Of course, it’s the Aud people, right? Why? Because the Aud people live closer, while those from the Ancient States are mainly in the south and would take several months to arrive by ship. Lipei has a limit on immigration; once reached, no new immigrants are accepted. So I ask you all, if a quota system isn’t enforced, who would make up the majority of new immigrants: people from the Ancient States or from Aud?"

"This is a very simple truth. Without a quota system, naturally, those closest to Lipei will have the opportunity to join and become new residents of Lipei. But what about those who are further away? Is it fair for them without a quota system?" asked the official, spreading his hands.

"You’re conflating concepts. Implementing a quota system will inevitably lead to racial tensions among new immigrants. Sadly, this is a man-made racial conflict. We should announce to the world that Lipei welcomes anyone, regardless of their race or status. If we emphasize race, it will lead to racial conflict. Imagine if the quota for the Aud people is filled while there are none from the Ancient States. How is that fair to the Aud people? Why should such a large population be limited to so few quotas?" the economic official retorted.

"You are the one conflating concepts and confusing right and wrong. Whether the quota system is fair to the majority of races is a secondary conflict. The main issue is, if we don’t use a quota system to restrict new immigrants, their proportions will become uncontrollable, which would contradict the principle of fairness," the immigration official shot back vehemently.

Furthermore, he turned his guns on the economic officials, pointing at them and saying, "There’s a hidden agenda that you’ve left unsaid, and it seems you don’t plan to reveal it, so I will say it for you."

"At this stage, the groups from Otherworld who control information channels and have a strong desire to become Lipei residents are not the Aud people, nor the people from the Ancient States, not even the half-breeds, but the Blaiqi people. If we do not restrict their entry, they will get the news first and flood in, eventually filling all the quotas. What kind of fairness is that? Can we call it fair for the Blaiqi people to occupy all the quotas while others watch helplessly? This might only be the fairness that comes with money and wealth, not true fairness."

Pausing for a moment, he continued to attack, "I know why you oppose the quota system. You want the Blaiqi people to completely fill the quotas because they possess vast wealth, which can be invested in the production and construction of Lipei, speeding up its development. You’re not welcoming true fairness, but the arrival of capital."

Then, without giving the economic officials a chance to speak, he went on, "I realize that capital is crucial for the development of Lipei, that the nation has been investing continuously, and you too hope to quickly restore and even generate a surplus in Lipei’s productivity. But there should be limits to everything. You can’t abandon fairness just for the sake of capital. I know, and I am very clear that your opposition to the quota system is also for the sake of Lipei. However, I do not agree with this approach. Perhaps my thinking is too rational, but I truly cannot agree with your so-called fairness. I have said my piece, and welcome any criticism."

Having finished speaking, he sat back down, leaning back and crossing his legs, his eyes half-closed, waiting for a rebuttal. To his surprise, the room erupted in thunderous applause.