Chapter 42 Undercurrents

Chapter 41 Contradictions <TOC> Chapter 43 Heaven and Earth

Translator: SumTLMan

After the great battle, the company’s employees were still somewhat uneasy; they had never seen such a scene.

Zhou Yi briefly explained the situation to them.

“…In short, the maritime raiders who launched a violent attack on our company have been sunk by Jade Emerald City, and the company will resume normal operations.”

A Jin and A Feng found it the simplest; upon receiving the notification, they felt at ease and went on to focus on their work.

However, Gong Zheng privately approached Zhou Yi and said: “Chairman, the Knight Order is the most concentrated and largest armed organization of Enhancers among humans. They didn’t succeed this time, but they won’t give up easily.”

“When I was an apprentice, I heard that the Dead Sea Knights have the largest number of warships within the Knight Orders. They have been active in the Dead Sea for years, and they may launch reprisals in the future, potentially becoming a long-term threat.”

He was concerned about long-term security against thieves.

If the company one day has temporarily weak defenses or dispersed forces, it could be attacked again by Dead Sea Knights.

The passive situation will persist for a long time.

However, in Zhou Yi’s view, this approach to solving the problem was incorrect.

Zhou Yi told Gong Zheng: “The company will not choose to defend; we will take proactive measures to strengthen our control over the Dead Sea region and expand our business scope. In the long run, we will certainly enter the maritime areas of the Dead Sea.”

“If the Dead Sea Knights want to fight, we will fight them as long as it takes until we achieve complete victory. If they dare to send a few warships, I will sink a few warships.”

Zhou Yi gazed into the vast, misty sea in the distance, waved his hand, and said: “Reason and order are established through conflict.”

Ten years of underwater warfare made him very clear about confrontation.

One must never avoid combat.

The more afraid one is, the more easily one becomes restrained and prone to forced mistakes, and the more easily one is suppressed.

Daring to fight tough battles and being able to fight tough battles is the only way to put pressure on the enemy, making them hesitant to act recklessly.

Zhou Yi’s strategy was: if few Dead Sea Knights ships come, bomb and inflict casualties as much as possible; if many ships come, retreat to the land to conduct guerrilla warfare. Nearby Mushroom Forest, Death Dunes, and the Oasis Belt are all good places for ambushes.

As long as the enemy shores up and penetrates deeply, with Red Falcon’s sight, the Warrior Crab army can exert the true power of close-quarters combat.

If that doesn’t work, retreat back to the seabed, continue recruiting and training crab soldiers, and wait for the opportunity to make a comeback.

Come on.

Let’s see who can outlast whom.

Zhou Yi’s words made Gong Zheng’s eyes show a hint of bewildered struggle.

He finally sighed: “You are right; this is the mindset of a strong person. I have been a weak person for too many years, always thinking about how to protect myself, how not to offend others… In the end, I became more and more timid, even punished for things I didn’t do, and didn’t dare to argue.”

“Now that I think about it, I really feel uneasy.”

Gong Zheng said seriously: “I believe that with you, Wasteland Development Company, and Jade Emerald City, this place will definitely get better and better! As long as we become strong enough, the Dead Sea Knights will have to come and negotiate with us respectfully.”

Zhou Yi smiled and patted the shoulder of this crutch-wielding young man: “That’s right.”

“Chairman, I’m going to organize and test the company’s inventory equipment now.”

“Go ahead.”

After being busy for most of the night, Zhou Yi returned to his home on the 31st floor and finally slept for a while.

However, the patrolling Night Claw came to report, saying someone was visiting.

Zhou Yi looked at the three people standing outside the door, covered his mouth and yawned: “So you know each other. And who is this?”

The three people outside were Cui Mao, a Tianjin Knight carrying a square backpack; Qian Su, a weapons supplier wearing red round glasses; and an unfamiliar young man carrying a large box.

Cui Mao greeted with a smile: “Mr. Zhou, Qian Su and I met on the way, so we came together.”

He pointed to the young man beside him and introduced: “He is my knight guard, Chen Hao.”

Chen Hao bowed politely: “Mr. Zhou, hello.”

Zhou Yi also nodded to him in acknowledgment: “Hello.”

Previously, he had learned from Cui Mao that the Knight Orders did not have many formal knights; the majority were logistics personnel, followed by knight guards.

Knight guards are assistants to formal knights.

They usually undergo some combat training, acquire necessary basic knowledge, follow knights to learn, participate in battles and pursuits, and follow knights’ orders daily. The relationship between knights and guards is somewhat similar to that between police and auxiliary officers.

The difference is that guards have a closer relationship with knights, almost like a master-apprentice relationship, and can be promoted to formal knights.

Cui Mao suddenly looked at the girl beside him: “Didn’t Qian Su want to discuss important matters with Mr. Zhou?”

“Yes.”

Qian Su smiled and said: “It’s related to business secrets. I need to have a private conversation with Mr. Zhou. Please excuse everyone to step aside for now.”

Cui Mao took Chen Hao and walked outside, closing the door.

Night Claw also wisely stayed outside the door.

Inside, Zhou Yi and Qian Su were left.

Zhou Yi sat on the sofa: “Sit down, let’s talk. What’s the matter?”

The girl raised her head and looked through her lenses: “Will Mr. Zhou be staying here long?”

Zhou Yi nodded: “If there are no force majeure factors, Wasteland Development Company will operate here long-term.”

“Given that, does Mr. Zhou need any business-related services?”

Her words hit the pain point.

Previously, Zhou Yi conducted concentrated extermination of the Death Dunes’ Stinging Antlions to open the way into Sand Port, laying the foundation for future trade.

As the saying goes: “To become rich, first build roads.” Without convenient transportation, it’s hard for people and goods to flow.

The purchase of Red Falcon’s Machine Stack Service connected to Recursion City, which also secured an online channel.

However, Zhou Yi was still exploring the specific situation over there.

According to Red Falcon, the locals’ transportation fees to and from Recursion City are not only high but also require a long waiting period. Because this city is lacking in electronic and mechanical lifeform transport functions, it’s best to conduct business locally.

Zhou Yi asked the girl with glasses: “What are the fees?”

“Here is the product catalog, please take a look.”

Qian Su took out a piece of paper from her pocket and handed it over.

Zhou Yi took it and looked; the front of the list detailed the items for sale, the back was for purchases, and the bottom described the transportation fee calculation methods.

Regular delivery is free, but the delivery time is only guaranteed within a month.

Express delivery costs 10 Light Seeds per time; overweight items require double transportation fees.

Qian Su sold her two sets of Light Blockers at this standard rate.

It is stated that delivery services are not provided to special areas, including extremely remote areas, Dead Sea danger zones, war and natural disaster locations, etc.

After skimming the overview, Zhou Yi returned his gaze to the beginning of the list.

“Qian Su’s shop, Mission guaranteed.”

With the “two partners” as the promotional slogan, it was quite clear.

“If there are items not on the list, I can also find other merchants to stock them. Please don’t worry about this, it just takes a bit of time to adjust stock and turnover.”

This time, Qian Su was more proactive than before, with added restraint and a service-oriented spirit.

Zhou Yi thought to himself: “It seems that sinking of the Organ Horn has had an effect.”

He said: “Help me handle some items and see how much we can sell.”

Zhou Yi took Qian Su to the adjacent box-type house warehouse.

Inside were damaged four-wheel motorcycles, flintlock pistols, sniper rifles with scopes, and a metal spear whose name and usage method were unknown.

After a brief inspection, Qian Su gave individual quotations.

“Damaged modified four-wheel vehicle, 2 Light Seeds.”

“Knight’s musket, front-loaded pistol, 1 Light Seed.”

“Knight’s musket, medium to long-range rifle, 12 Light Seeds.”

“Chaos Spear, 90% new, 70 Light Seeds.”

Zhou Yi sold all these spoils.

Cash out, and deal with it later.

85 Light Seeds in the pocket.

Slightly alleviating his current tight situation.

After the transaction, Qian Su said: “I will go to Tianjin City to stock up soon, and it will take about a month to come back. I will come here again then. If Mr. Zhou needs anything, you can also pre-order from me first.”

Zhou Yi thought for a moment; he didn’t have anything he needed.

Three sets of Light Blockers are sufficient for now.

The girl’s lips moved as if she had something to say, but in the end, she just smiled and bid farewell: “Then I’ll go stock up first. I’m wishing Mr. Zhou all the best.”

From the time she arrived, Qian Su hadn’t mentioned the Dead Sea Knights, as if she had forgotten about it.

After she drove away in the big truck, Cui Mao dismissed his knight guard and said seriously: “Mr. Zhou, I don’t know if you’re aware, but this Qian Su is a Heavenly Kingdom citizen.”

Zhou Yi nodded.

Qian Su had mentioned it when introducing herself.

“She is one of the Heavenly Kingdom’s agents.”

Cui Mao whispered: “After returning to Sand Port, I checked with the squadron and found that Ji Chang is a Star Pivot elector. He is involved in multiple arms smuggling cases, sale of contraband, intentional injury, and causing death in several cities. He hasn’t been imprisoned due to his status.”

“The Heavenly Kingdom and Star Pivot have been in long-term confrontation, and the relationship is becoming more and more tense. That Qian Su may want to use your hand to deal with Ji Chang…”

Zhou Yi handed him a can of cola, letting him speak slowly.

Chapter 41 Contradictions <TOC> Chapter 43 Heaven and Earth

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