The Electromechanical beings seeking fundraising are often those that need to replace a large area of body parts for various reasons, and the costs for treatment and repairs are extremely high, which they can't afford.

Besides, such major surgeries inherently involve significant risks.

Zhou Yi read the related tips on the page.

Typically, if more than 40% of the core components of the body are replaced, there's a risk of permanent memory loss. A replacement rate of 50% might lead to the death of the Electromechanical life, and 60% is a dangerously high failure threshold.

Even if the surgery is successful, there's no guarantee that the Electromechanical life will wake up, nor that it will retain its former memories and experiences.

On a physical surgery level, the dilemma of Theseus's Ship indeed exists in Electromechanical life.

Because of the above issues, it is difficult to secure large-scale fundraising help.

After severe damage, it is very difficult for Electromechanical life to fully recover. If they die during treatment or fall into a long-term coma, they won't be able to fulfill the service projects promised in their fundraising.

Zhou Yi scrolled through the screen, his gaze sweeping over each name listed below.

"Agricultural Machinery Brothers Cadia: 90% severe burns, promises to repay the full treatment costs within 20 years and will pay an additional 20% of the total price as extra remuneration/7900 Light Seeds"

"Rescue Machine Hercules: 45% core components transplant, promises to serve the payer for 100 years/4400 Light Seeds"

"Mechanical Stacker 038: 51% core components transplant, promises to serve the payer for 100 years/6000 Light Seeds"

…

The first one that interested Zhou Yi was the Mechanical Stacker.

He learned from the details that this was also a profession.

Mechanical stacking service is Recursive City's coverage of external information.

Transmission requires individual Mechanical Stackers. They act as mobile base stations, transferring inbound and outbound signals to the next Mechanical Stacker, stationed in a specific area for the long term to ensure the coverage of Recursive City's network.

When the distance is too far, the signals of Red Kestrel and the remote control are obstructed, causing only text messages to be sent, but access to Recursive City's Mechanical Stacking network platform is completely unaffected—thanks to the presence of Mechanical Stackers.

Zhou Yi looked through over a dozen of these aid seekers and found none of them appealing.

He wasn't surprised.

If they truly were top professionals, even as fundraising seekers, they would likely be quickly spotted and secured by a patron.

Zhou Yi was about to close the page when suddenly one of the aid seekers caught his attention.

"Doctor Da Vinci: repaying debts, promises to serve the payer for 100 years/8542 Light Seeds"

A debt-owing doctor?

Zhou Yi carefully reviewed the details below.

This Da Vinci had been in Recursive City for only three years, awakened (or aged) twelve years. Young as it might be, it was an Electromechanical life with a medical position, capable not only of diagnosing diseases but also performing surgeries.

There was just one small issue.

Due to lack of experience, Da Vinci had already caused one death and one coma in Recursive City since starting to practice.

The two patients involved in the medical accidents were both Electromechanical types. Although their specific identities were concealed, both had been severely contaminated by the Death Light radiation, with a replacement rate exceeding 60%.

Da Vinci had violated the existing medical ethics code, opting for radical surgeries with extremely low success rates, involving the removal and replacement of components, resulting in one patient dying on the operating table and another falling into a long-term coma afterward.

As a result, it had its medical license revoked by Recursive City and was sued according to relevant procedures. Due to its violating act causing severe consequences, it was fined and needed to pay compensation to the deceased's heirs and the long-term comatose patient.

The total amounted to 8542 Light Seeds.

If Da Vinci could not pay this compensation within the designated period, it would be partially remodeled and sent to a parts factory, where it would offset the debt through labor manufacturing various components.

Although it was not specifically indicated how long it needed to work, given the amount, it certainly wouldn't be short.

Zhou Yi had made up his mind upon seeing this.

Although a naïve young doctor, he had obtained a medical license and worked in Recursive City for several years.

The company was in dire need of a proper doctor.

Zhou Yi, with his White Suanni constitution, had never been sick, but others did need medical care. Not to mention, there was the example of Tie Ma from the Agricultural Machinery Brothers nearby; even minor illnesses could be detected and treated earlier if the company had its own doctor.

He contacted the Red Kestrel to seek the opinion of his partner.

Text popped up on the screen.

"I'm not familiar with this doctor; I'll go investigate and do a field inspection. We are now in Recursive City; wait for my message."

Zhou Yi waited at home for an hour and a half.

Finally, there was a response from Red Kestrel.

"Found some information."

"Before the incident, they worked at the East District Sanatorium in Recursive City, a medical facility for severely ill patients who can't care for themselves. It's a place that takes in electromechanical patients that other medical institutions cannot treat or have given up treating."

"According to the medical procedures in Recursive City, surgeries are to be evaluated, and any surgery to replace more than 60% is deemed risky and is consequently abandoned for more conservative care. According to existing case statistics, the success rate for such surgeries is less than 10%."

"Regarding penalties, Da Vinci has made an appeal. They presented surgery consent forms signed between themselves and two patients, stating that it was the patients' fervent wish. Due to the extremely fast destructive power of severe 'Death Light' radiation contamination, it could cause irreversible mutations in a patient within a maximum of six months to as short as one month, ultimately leading them to die in agony..."

The result of the risky surgery was one death and one coma.

Da Vinci also faced severe penalties.

"In Recursive City, procedures are the procedures, which cannot be violated unless revised through specific procedures. Procedures matter more than results."

At this moment, Zhou Yi thought of an old saying,

"Rules are dead, but people are alive."

In the past, this was often self-mockery or sarcasm, but in the absolutely just Recursive City, this kind of power was lacking.

It could only be said that different societal structures have their pros and cons.

Regarding Dr. Da Vinci, Red Kestrel commented,

"A few doctors from the East District Sanatorium told me that Da Vinci is very interested in complicated and rare diseases, possesses excellent surgical skills, and prefers surgery over conservative care."

"They are a young member of the medical profession, and though they made a huge mistake, both their colleagues and patients at the sanatorium have high praise for them."

That would do.

Zhou Yi said, "Can you locate Da Vinci?"

"They are currently in a detention center, and we can meet them if we go through the proper procedures."

"Then talk to them, and if there's no issue, let them know I'll handle the debts so they can come to me after they get out. They can also request whatever medical equipment or facilities they need, but we're quite limited here, so they need to be prepared for a scarcity of resources."

"Okay."

Half a day later, Red Kestrel returned.

They met with Da Vinci, who was very happy and grateful for Zhou Yi's assistance; however, the debt settlement procedures were complicated and would take several days. Additionally, Mouse King Nemo's physical examination and hardware upgrade were complete, but according to the rules, they still needed to observe for one more day before leaving.

Carrying the 8542 Light Seed given by Zhou Yi, Red Kestrel headed back to Recursive City.

Meanwhile, the flyers and shouting efforts of the residents of Mao Valley Town were already seeing some initial success.

On a sunny day, a group of three merchants arrived outside Jade City.

Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, Zhou Yi instantly recognized a familiar face.

Qian Su was among them, chatting happily with the other two.