When Xiao Xuejian saw Zhang Su deep in thought and silent, he waited for a while and then continued, "The scale of other camps and shelters isnât too large, generally ranging from thirty to two hundred people. For example, the Water Bear in Beihai District has about seventy to eighty people. This is the information weâve gathered ourselves."
The emphasis here is that this information is not hearsay; itâs accurate intelligence that weâve obtained through effort. Iâm telling you this because Iâm being straightforward.
Zhang Su shook his head with a smile, "Seventy to eighty people is quite a lot. How many people do we have here..."
Xiao Xuejian smiled without saying a word after hearing this. Yes, there arenât many people, but why not mention everyone has an automatic rifle or that the camp is guarded by Type 99 tanks? Camps capable of this are rare in the entire Qin City!
"Whatâs in these boxes?"
Zhang Su got the information he wanted and pointed to the last few boxes with a question.
"These two boxes contain some common medicines. According to the medical team in the Alliance, during cold weather, the human immune system weakens, and headaches or colds are inevitable. Taking some painkillers makes people feel much better. Weâve also prepared some nutritional supplements, like vitamins A, B, C, D, E, F, G, haha..."
Then this box contains canned goods, pickled vegetables, and other food. Director Gong said that Leader Zhang, you likely donât lack food here, but the taste might suffer due to the conditions, so these would make everything taste better."
Xiao Xuejian took out a few cans from the box, labeled "Side Dish" and "Clean Plate." Though they were already frozen, the enticing colors couldnât be hidden, and once thawed, theyâd be delightfully tasty.
"Damn, these tech and preserved goods, which we used to disdain, are now truly rare delicacies."
Zhang Su felt quite moved as he took a can from Xiao Xuejianâs hand and looked at it. The string of Chinese characters on the label made him feel nostalgic. Just then, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a few villagers from West Camp Village peeking around the corner of the wall, guessing they were preparing to move to Madian Village and were unsure if they should come out upon seeing visitors.
He discreetly waved to them from a distance, then put down the "Side Dish" and beckoned Xiao Xuejian, walking to the other side of the tank.
Xiao Xuejian knew there was something Zhang Su wanted to say privately and wasnât surprised. He immediately followed.
"Captain Xiao, letâs be honest. Right now, no one can hear us. Tell me the real reason youâre here for this trip."
Zhang Su took out a pack of cigarettes and offered one to Xiao Xuejian.
Xiao Xuejian politely took a cigarette, lit it for both of them, and whispered, "A few days after we left Leader Zhang, we didnât continue with our investigations in Qing County. We went straight back to the Alliance headquarters. Along the way, Director Gong couldnât stop praising you, Leader Zhang. He meant no harm, he just genuinely wants to be friends with you, hoping for mutual visits in the future."
The sincerity was clear in his words; there was no fabrication at all.
Zhang Su exhaled a puff of smoke, smiled slightly, and said, "Captain Xiao, from start to finish, youâve only mentioned Director Gong and never your Leader Liao Youzhi. It seems these gifts have nothing to do with Liao Youzhi?"
Xiao Xuejian paused slightly while raising the cigarette to his mouth, lowered his arm, and said seriously and in a deep voice, "Leader Zhang, youâre truly sharp. Youâre right, Iâm here on behalf of Director Gong to extend an olive branch to Celestial Horse Island."
The meaning was clear by this point. Zhang Su couldnât help but ask, "How many people are in your Alliance now?"
"Uh..." Xiao Xuejian didnât expect the conversation to jump around so quickly. He thought for a moment and said, "There should be fewer than four hundred people. If several small surrounding teams join us, weâll surpass four hundred, maybe just over five hundred, but all of this is temporary."
Zhang Su secretly shook his head. Why is it like a curse that once the number reaches three or four hundred, internal power struggles begin?
First, there was the factional fighting in the Cyan Dragon Corps that led to their downfall, and now the Survivor Alliance is starting too. This is even more intense, as the second-in-command has come outside to form alliances and found me.
"Letâs get to the point, Captain Xiao. I want to know what Director Gong really means. If you donât understand what Iâm asking, let me put it another way: what does Director Gong want me to do for him?"
Zhang Su wasnât aware of the current seafood market, but the quantity of those materials was significant. The second-in-command of the few major forces in Qin City could only provide them, but they wouldnât give them away so easily without expecting something in return!
Come to think of it, if Gong Chengming indeed didnât have any requirements, Zhang Su would directly accept everything and do nothing in return. In the apocalyptic world where rules havenât been established yet, donât bring in those social mores.
Xiao Xuejian took a deep drag on his cigarette, his expression turning stern, and said, "Liao Youzhi is extravagant and militaristic! He has no right to continue leading the Survivor Alliance!"
As the leader of a now nearly hundred-member organization, Zhang Su, upon hearing Xiao Xuejianâs remarks, could easily imagine a scenario where Zhao Dezhu or Lu Yubo, Wang Xin, or any core member made similar statements criticizing him. He didnât feel too pleased...
He didnât respond, seemingly apathetic, but looked at Xiao Xuejian, waiting to hear more.
Xiao Xuejian didnât notice Zhang Suâs displeasure and continued, "Director Gong, in terms of personal ability, leadership ability, and reputation, has already surpassed Liao Youzhi comprehensively. We all hope for a more capable leader to lead the Survivor Alliance forward in this apocalypse!"
"Hmm, thatâs human nature. So then?"
Zhang Su nodded ambiguously, following along with the conversation.
"Director Gong plans to replace Liao Youzhi at some point in the future!" As he spoke, Xiao Xuejian took a palm-sized walkie-talkie out of his bag and said, "Leader Zhang, Director Gong hopes to have the opportunity to speak with you directly."
"Now?"
Zhang Su didnât immediately take the walkie-talkie.
Xiao Xuejian shook his head, "No, Director Gong didnât come here. Heâs at the Alliance. I donât know when he will contact you. Besides, Director Gong knows Dr. Fu is here. If we topple Liao Youzhi, Dr. Fuâs experimental equipment can all be sent to Leader Zhang."
"Huh?"
Zhang Su was suddenly taken aback, looking at Xiao Xuejian in confusion, "Dr. Fu is here with me? Why didnât I know..."
A quick initial reaction is often a standard measure of authenticity.
After seeing Zhang Suâs expression, Xiao Xuejian felt perplexed. He firmly believed in Gong Chengmingâs judgment, but the other partyâs reaction didnât seem fake. What was going on?
Unable to figure it out...
"I see..." Zhang Su revealed a somewhat enigmatic smile, shaking his head, "Did Director Gong send you to test me then?"