You were supposed to hoard supplies, why the heck did you hoard zombies!

"Pfft."

"Are you thinking too highly of yourself?"

"Didn't Big Beard mention that guy named Li Wanhao in Jiangbei District?"

Luo Xin's face flushed red, but she still put on a serious expression to discuss with him, although her body was gradually softening.

"Li Wanhao?"

"You mean the one who uses playing cards as money?"

Zhang Ye continued his movements, never stopping as he enjoyed the soft sensation of the woman's body, and chuckled,

"He's just occupied a few warehouses and shops, am I supposed to be afraid of him with the power I have now?"

But as easy as it was to say, it was another story to actually go ahead with it.
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Zhang Ye had indeed decided to trade weapons with the survivors of Jiangbei District to deal with that Li Wanhao whom he had never met.

He initially only planned to use food and other necessities to knock on the doors of those settlements.

But who could have expected that the situation over there would be much more complex than imagined?

Not to mention Peng Yue and Chen Xiaoyong, who didn't have a great need for food, just Li Wanhao alone couldn't be dealt with by a few boxes of canned food.

Big Beard made it very clear.

That guy started out by occupying the market street and then took over several nearby factories before he grew stronger.

It was only with a sufficient supply of materials and a population base that he was able to issue new currency.

This also showed that the man definitely had an economic mind; he was very clear about what money truly meant.

Such a person would inevitably become an obstacle to the company's expansion in Jiangbei District.

If Zhang Ye hadn't guessed wrong, his men must already be trying to trade with the various forces, big and small, in Jiangbei District.

Only through trading could they get their own currency into the new market and swiftly absorb others' resources and wealth.

Once all the settlements gradually accepted his playing card currency, it meant that the resources of those settlements were very likely already mostly under Li Wanhao's control.

Then, taking over control would naturally be an easy task.

Moreover, Tian Gou had sent back a particularly special piece of information.

The guns in Chen Xiaoyong's hands seemed to have been bought from Li Wanhao.

What did that imply?

The opponent had people who could also manufacture firearms.

Though based on the man with the blown-off wrist, the manufacturing process and technology clearly fell short of their own, it was still not to be underestimated.

As Zhang Ye contemplated, his body suddenly sank; Luo Xin had climbed on top of him.

Amidst their entwining lips and the sounds of their flesh colliding, they became one continuous rhythm.

"Thinking of other things while with me?"

"That won't do!"

——————————

Peng Yue indeed took the initiative to seek them out.

Upon entering, the first thing he did was to thank the company for its assistance.

The news that his third brother was still alive had been relayed to Big Beard through Tian Gou, and Big Beard had immediately informed him about it.

But although he wasn't dead, he had suffered a great deal at the hands of Chen Xiaoyong.

And this brought up the second matter of his visit today.

Ransom.

"Ransom?"

"What terms do you want to exchange for the person?"

After pondering for a moment, Big Beard asked this question.

"Guns."

Peng Yue answered decisively.

It was the only exchange condition he could think of.

And for Chen Xiaoyong, it was the most valuable condition.

However, Gao Feng, who was listening to the conversation, suddenly let out a cold laugh.

Exchange people for guns?

The deal might work, but the outcome was probably easy to foresee.

The opponent was already stronger than them.

Now with them losing and the other side gaining, it was as if two more guns appeared out of thin air.

Even if we manage to get our people back, I'm afraid their days of hopping around are numbered.

Yet, there was not a hint of fear in Peng Yue's eyes, but rather a surprising determination.

Even Big Beard always felt there was an elusive confidence on his face.

This man definitely had some covert plans in mind!

True enough, Peng Yue's next sentence instantly turned their doubts and mockery into surprise.

"There's another matter that might require Section Chief He and the higher-ups to be informed."

"I'd like to request that Director Zhang can station a troop here."

Seemingly aware of their astonishment, Peng Yue immediately said with a bitter expression,

"As you know, I've lost more than a dozen men, and my strength isn't what it used to be."

"If at this time we encounter unscrupulous bandits or thieves, the company's trade with this area will undoubtedly be affected."

"So I have no choice but to trouble Director Zhang to personally send some people."

At first hearing, this statement didn't seem problematic.

But to them, it almost equated to a naked plea for help to the company.

The only difference was that it looked better in terms of face.

Peng Yue, after all, was someone who had played the boss before; begging for mercy wasn't that easy for him.

However, this also conveniently explained their earlier doubts.

No wonder he dared to propose trading guns for his third brother's return.

Turns out, he had already thought of a way to deal with the crisis.

With the company's people stationed here, it wasn't about whether Chen Xiaoyong could break in; Zhang Ye simply wouldn't allow him to do so.

I didn't sell you the guns so you could rob my territory.

It was to create chaos in Jiangbei.

Peng Yue's territory is now the perfect example of this.

Chaos brings opportunity, allowing the company to infiltrate these settlements gradually without setting off anyone else's alarm.

By the time they realize this amidst their strife, it will be too late for regrets.

Without the company's equipment, they couldn't possibly outfight their rivals.

At that point, their only option would be absorption by other forces.

And, so far, Zhang Ye's plan was progressing exceedingly well.

Peng Yue had been compelled to agree to the company garrisoning here.

What remained was a matter of time.

Once the people here got used to the company's goods and protection, control of the settlement would naturally shift into Zhang Ye's hands.

After seeing through Peng Yue's thoughts, Gao Feng's eyes held less disdain.

Knowing when to stand firm and when to bow down indeed made him quite a character.

Big Beard, however, felt somewhat wistful.

Counting from the night he arrived here, it had only been a week until Peng Yue actively sought protection.

Yet the company's tendrils had already extended into this seemingly strong settlement.

And the next target was clearly already set.

Ecological Park.

He made a show of calling the higher-ups on the radio, and after reporting the situation here, he immediately turned to Peng Yue.

The man appeared calm, but occasional flashes of nervousness betrayed him.

Peng Yue was afraid of something.

"I've already communicated Peng Boss's request to the higher-ups," Big Beard said earnestly.

"Director Zhang agrees."

"From now on, Captain Gao will be in charge of the company's security work here."

As he spoke, he turned to Gao Feng beside him, who immediately feigned surprise, then showed a hint of reluctance.

"Security work?"

"Then our daily expenses—"

Peng Yue cut her off resolutely, "The fleet will cover that!"