Chapter 257: The Council of Three Sages
The lighting in the conference room seemed to converge on Joric, who had remained silent throughout.
As the lingering echoes of the final thought dissipated into the air, the holographic projection of the black-haired youth raised his head slightly. His calm, waveless eyes swept over the three of them before he finally spoke.
His voice remained steady but carried an undeniable weight, as if every word had been precisely calculated and contained the power to determine the city's fate.
"A constructive discussion," Joric's opening was concise and affirmative. "Your views, especially the parts regarding balance, gradual progress, and checks and balances, have provided me with precious, multi-dimensional observation data."
He paused slightly, as if retrieving and analyzing the massive amount of information just recorded.
"Johnny Silverhand, your thirst for individual freedom and dignity, as well as your philosophy of awakening the people's independent consciousness through practice, reveals potential defects in the current management system regarding stimulating individual agency. Your very existence is a necessary reminder against a rigid order."
His gaze turned to Kei Arasaka.
"Kei Arasaka, your persistence regarding macro-order, social stability, and efficient operation is the cornerstone for maintaining Night City's basic survival guarantees and gradually restoring its functions. Your logic and experience ensure that the system will not destabilize and collapse during the process of change."
Finally, he looked at Yorinobu Arasaka.
"And you, Yorinobu Arasaka. Your brief practice at the grassroots level, and the thinking you displayed in this discussion attempting to fuse two extreme paths, provided the most practicable transition ideas.
"You saw the complexity of the problem and began attempting to find systemic solutions rather than simple binary opposition."
"Based on the above analysis and the experimental data I have acquired," Joric's voice carried a near-absolute rationality, yet was not entirely devoid of warmth, "I will optimize and adjust Night City's management model.
"The core principles remain unchanged: Order and Efficiency are still the primary prerequisites for ensuring collective survival and development. Any change cannot come at the cost of sacrificing basic survival guarantees and overall city stability."
He shifted the topic, introducing a new variable.
"However, I acknowledge the necessity of gradually increasing the public's right to speak and room for autonomous management under the premise of guaranteeing this core. This is not a compromise to chaos, but to build a social structure that is more resilient and adaptable to long-term development."
"The specific implementation plan is as follows," Joric began to elaborate on his decision, his logic clear as if deploying a precise scientific experiment. "We will adopt the 'Gradual Pilot' plan proposed by Yorinobu.
"First, in non-core functional zones, such as specific communities in Watson, we will initiate 'Community Autonomy Pilots'."
He looked at Johnny.
"Johnny Silverhand, do you not crave to see the underclass speak? The pilot communities will establish 'Community Councils,' with members elected or drawn by lot from the residents of that community.
"The Council will be empowered to manage the usage of community public spaces, organize community cultural activities, and propose improvements for small-scale public facilities.
"Initially, decision-making power will be limited, concentrated mainly on the levels of suggestion, supervision, and execution. All decision-making and execution processes must be open and transparent, and subject to compliance review by the 'Administrator' system."
Johnny crossed his arms, his eyes sharp behind his sunglasses, but he did not refute immediately, seeming to weigh the value of this limited concession.
Joric's gaze turned to Kei Arasaka.
"Kei Arasaka, to ensure the pilots do not deviate from the track and to accumulate valid data, you need to design a standardized operational supervision and efficacy evaluation system for these pilot communities.
"Record key metrics such as decision-making efficiency, conflict resolution capability, changes in resident satisfaction, and resource usage efficiency.
"You have the right to intervene or even suspend the pilot according to rules for any behavior exceeding authority or likely to trigger systemic risks."
Kei Arasaka bowed slightly. "Understood, Lord Sage. I will establish a comprehensive monitoring and feedback mechanism to ensure experimental data is accurate, reliable, and the process is controllable."
"As for you, Yorinobu," Joric looked at him last, "you will continue to go deep into the grassroots, but your role will shift. You will become the coordinator and observer for these pilot projects. You are responsible for explaining policies, collecting civilian feedback, assisting in resolving chaos that may arise in the early stages of the pilot, and reporting your observations and analysis directly to the 'Administrator.'
"Your practical experience is an important reference for calibrating policy."
Yorinobu took a deep breath, feeling the heavy responsibility on his shoulders, but a flame of recognition also ignited in his eyes. "I will do my best."
"This is merely the first step," Joric emphasized, his tone brooking no doubt. "The promotion and deepening of pilot projects, and even the devolution of autonomy on a larger scale, will depend entirely on data.
"If the pilot results show that these communities, while maintaining basic order, can effectively enhance resident satisfaction, promote community vitality, and reduce management costs, then we will gradually expand the scope and authority of the pilots.
"Conversely, if data proves it leads to low efficiency, intensified conflict, or wasted resources, the plan will be re-evaluated or even terminated. I believe in letting data speak, not empty ideals or rigid dogmas."
After announcing the adjustments to Night City's management model, Joric threw out another even more critical decision.
"Given the unique value demonstrated by this tripartite discussion," Joric's gaze swept over the three men as he made the decision, "I will establish a new governing body—the 'Council of Three Sages'—composed of the three of you, responsible for the daily governance of Night City."
The conference room fell silent. Johnny also put away his cynical expression.
Joric clearly defined the rights and responsibilities: "Kei Arasaka, maintain the stability of the city's basic systems, ensure order and efficiency; Johnny Silverhand, listen to the voice of the bottom, promote community autonomy pilots; Yorinobu Arasaka, coordinate all parties, ensure policy implementation."
He looked at Johnny. "This is a platform to transform your philosophy into constructive plans, legitimately fighting for the rights and interests of the underclass. Of course, you retain the right of final voice."
Johnny huffed, the corner of his mouth hooking up slightly. "Sounds... not too terrible."
Joric looked at Kei Arasaka again. "Ensure the Council's operation conforms to rules and efficiency, transforming feasible suggestions into plans."
"As you command, Lord Sage," Kei accepted the order.
Finally, he looked at Yorinobu. "Your role is that of a bridge and harmonizer, promoting understanding and finding consensus."
Yorinobu nodded solemnly, fully aware of the weight of this task.
"The specific operational rules of the Council will be drafted by Kei Arasaka," Joric instructed finally. "I hope to see debates based on facts and logic."
As his words fell, a new governance model was formally established in Night City.
For Joric, this was another critical experimental adjustment in his research on social operation models.
The "Council of Three Sages" itself was a precious experimental field, used to observe how three starkly different philosophies collided and merged in practice, thereby accumulating data for his sociological research.
Joric's projection dissipated, leaving the three to digest this brand-new responsibility.
Outside the conference room, the city continued to run on its established track, but a new management framework had already begun to operate.
The observation system left by Joric continued to record all these changes.
(End of Chapter)