Selling oil across Libya

Chapter 39 Heaven and Hell are only one step apart

Around the New Year, a population census was conducted in Tripoli, and the entire city had only 15523 people remaining.

A significant portion of these 10,000 people occupied abandoned houses in Tripoli on their way to Benghazi and refused to leave.

Musa did not force these people to leave Tripoli.

But if they want to get food and clean drinking water, they have to work to earn it.

After the outbreak of war, Libya's monetary system completely collapsed, and the current common currencies are the US dollar or the euro.

Not only has Tripoli's commercial system completely collapsed, but water, electricity, and communications have not yet been restored. What use are large houses if there is no food or water?

Jalil's request for the charity to return to Tripoli was also rejected by Yuri.

Yuri coldly declared: "The era of free food is over. Those who do not work shall not eat."

To survive in Tripoli, you must abide by our rules.

Numidian travel agencies do not exclude idlers. In places like Zawiya, Tripoli, Hums, and Gharyan, the first institutions to resume functioning were not municipal governments or churches, but shelters established for a very small number of vulnerable groups.

There were no nursing homes in Libya during the colonel's era, and pensions were provided to all people over the age of 60.

Shelters are temporary accommodations for vulnerable groups, such as women fleeing domestic violence, providing free lodging and monthly cash assistance, and helping them reintegrate into society.

During the war, Tripoli saw a surge in homeless people suffering from mental breakdowns or physical disabilities due to the conflict.

There are also some elderly people living alone and orphans who have lost their loved ones.

Numidian authorities take in elderly people living alone and homeless people in welfare homes across the country, sending people to take care of their lives and sending doctors to provide them with treatment.

Orphans are raised in orphanages in Tripoli, where they are cared for not only in their daily lives but also given an education.

To Qin Rui's delight, these behaviors all generate [evolutionary value].

So it's hard to say who will support whom.

"When you say 'a free era,' do you mean only food and drinking water, or all welfare benefits?"

Jalil was unsure of Yuri's scope.

"everything!"

Yuri wanted to make the Libyans truly understand what capitalism is.

Jalil was furious: "This is outrageous!"

After going through countless hardships, we finally overthrew the rule of the toxic vegetable makers and ushered in democracy and freedom;

If Libya under our rule is worse than the Libya before;

Then what's the point of all that we've done?

Yuri shrugged: "Sir, will you distribute the profits from oil production equally among every Libyan?"

Jalil was taken aback, then quickly replied, "That's impossible. We need to build the country, build up national defense, and set aside the necessary funds for development."

After we've done all that, we need to distribute income according to contributions.

"So, what contributions have these people made to us?"

Yuri seized upon Jalil's weakness.

Jalil paused, and after a long while, he forced a defense: "At least we must guarantee their most basic right to survival."

Yuri sneered: "The King of Kings guaranteed their basic right to survival, but in the end, what did the King of Kings get?"

Jalil was speechless, dumbfounded.

"You promised the Libyans in Benghazi that education, healthcare, housing, and pastures would all be free;"

A man can marry four wives;

so good!

That's absolutely fantastic!

The Benghazi you described is like heaven;

But what was the result?

Is this the Benghazi you wanted?

Yuri's gaze was icy. Even the most idealistic person will eventually be battered and bruised by the cold reality.

Jalil opened his mouth, wanting to defend himself, but couldn't utter a single word.

"I agree with what you said, let the Libyans decide the future of Libya;"

But this is contingent on all Libyans jointly deciding Libya's future, rather than a very small minority representing all Libyans.

Yuri strongly opposes violence by a minority against the majority.

"This is precisely the significance of establishing the National Assembly."

Jalil finally found a starting point.

Yuri said calmly, "Your Excellency, do not deceive yourself."

Are you sure the National Assembly can represent all Libyans?

Jalil sighed: "At least this is the best option for us at this stage. This is what the whole world is doing, and we can't be the exception."

"But truth is often in the hands of a minority."

Yuri delivered the fatal blow.

Qin Rui does not engage in philosophical debates; the Numidian Brigade respects the choices of all Libyans, who are free to come and go.

After Haftar's coup, the Tripoli radio signal finally reached Benghazi.

Indeed, many people support polygamy.

However, many people still insist on monogamy.

This is especially true for young men and women who are mutually attracted to each other.

As time went on, the Transitional Council's lies finally could not be sustained, and many Libyans saw through the true nature of the so-called "new policy" and left Benghazi one after another.

Unfortunately, those who left Benghazi did not choose Tripoli as their first destination, but rather Europe.

Those who could have traveled to Europe through normal channels had already fled before the war even broke out.

In Benghazi, you can buy a berth on a smuggling boat to Europe for just 1000 euros or 1300 US dollars to a smuggler.

Italy is the first choice.

Greece is slightly less so.

If I can't go to either of those places, Malta will do.

Of course, some people choose Tripoli, since it costs 2000 euros for two people, which is not a small amount.

From Benghazi, take a car west along the coastal highway, passing Misrata for about 10 kilometers, and you will enter the Numidia Tourism-controlled area.

Arable land accounts for only about 1% of Libya's total area, and is mostly concentrated in coastal areas.

After the outbreak of war, the few remaining plots of land were abandoned. A few date palm trees grew sparsely along the coastal highway. Two checkpoints were about 200 meters apart, with military Humvees on one side and pickup trucks with heavy machine guns on the other, clearly visible to the naked eye.

Faris and Aisha did not take the coastal road, but deliberately bypassed the checkpoints, hoping to enter the Numidian Brigade-controlled area unnoticed.

Under the cover of darkness, Faris and Aisha walked all night and finally arrived at the famous Leptis Grande archaeological site before dawn.

"I really can't walk anymore."

Aisha was exhausted, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Aisha, hang in there a little longer, Hummus is just ahead."

Faris preferred to join the evil Numidian tribe rather than see his beloved forced to marry his father.

By this time, it was already broad daylight. Several Hummers passed by on the coastal road, and one of them suddenly left the coastal road and drove towards Faris and Aisha.

"God, save us!"

Aisha was filled with unease.

Faris glanced at the stone at his feet, then at the heavy machine gun on the Humvee, and obediently raised his hands.

The Hummer stopped beside Faris and Aisha. A Numidian brigade soldier in desert camouflage, with an M4 pistol slung under his arm, got out of the passenger seat: "Who are you?"

In order to persuade the Numidian Brigade to accept him and Aisha, Faris prepared a long speech: "We are from Benghazi and want to go to Tripoli to find work..."

"Tripoli is being rebuilt. Come on up, I'll take you to Hums, there are plenty of jobs there."

The soldiers were surprisingly friendly to Faris.