Chapter 401 - Chapter 401: Meng Xian’s Plan
Chapter 401: Meng Xian’s Plan
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“Why are there so many people?”
Eagle was a bit surprised as they had only been gone for a few days. Upon their return, they found Zhao Yu’s camp had grown significantly, now hosting several hundred people.
“Could it be that Zhao Yu conquered several villages during this time?”
“It’s very likely…”
Meng Xian and others had serious expressions as they hurriedly returned to the camp. After some inquiries, they found that no one knew where these people came from.
The only useful information was that in recent days, there had been a lot of traffic in and out of the power plant, numbering in the hundreds.
“We allied with Zhao Yu originally because the difference in our strengths was not significant…”
“Just with these new people, they already outnumber us several times over. If this cooperation continues…”
People were worried, fearing that if the cooperation continued, they might be swallowed up by Zhao Yu.
“Send someone to ask about the condition of these newcomers and where they came from…”
“I’ll go to the power plant now to visit Zhao Yu and probe his intentions…” Meng Xian said with anxious and leave immediately.
Eagle quickly stopped her.
“Sister Meng, going there empty-handed will make our intentions too obvious. Why not take the gasoline we’ve got this time and trade it?”
“That’s a good idea!”
Especially since their recent outing had been fruitful.
Soon, a group of them drove up to a gate inside the power plant.
After explaining their purpose, a soldier went to report.
A short while later, Zhao Yu came out with some of his soldiers as his body guards.
After exchanging pleasantries, they got down to business.
“How much gasoline do you have?”
Meng Xian had someone bring down a few barrels of gasoline. “It’s all here…”
“Good!”
Zhao Yu nodded slightly. He had already obtained a significant amount of gasoline from Wild Wolf Town, so Meng Xian’s contribution hardly made an impact.
“How about we trade it for weapons and ammunition at the previous rate?”
“That works…”
Meng Xian agreed, noticing that Zhao Yu didn’t seem as eager for gasoline anymore.
“Commander Zhao, I noticed that there seem to be a lot more people in your camp since we’ve returned…”
“Um!”
Zhao Yu didn’t intend to hide it. A thousand people would always attract attention.
He straightforwardly said, “I’ve taken over Wild Wolf Town. These people are all relocated from there…”
” What?!”
Meng Xian’s jaw dropped in shock.
The others accompanying her were even more discomposed as if they had been struck by lightning.
Zhao Yu smiled and said, “I hadn’t planned to move against Wild Wolf Town, but the Han family was pressing too hard, making it unbearable…”
Meng Xian and the others didn’t doubt the truth of Zhao Yu’s words; such matters could be easily verified with a little inquiry.
What puzzled her was how Zhao Yu had the power to take down Wild Wolf Town.
Another question lingered: Was Zhao Yu really a part of the Re Zhao Coorperation?
If not, why did he keep getting new soldiers? If he was, then it seemed the people in Black Rock City were not very well-informed.
Meng Xian and her companions returned to Meng House Village in a daze with the traded weapons.
It wasn’t until someone asked what they had learned about at the power plant that they snapped back to reality.
“Wild Wolf Town is gone…”
“Wait a minute…”
Meng Xian suddenly thought of something and hurried back to the greet Zhao Yu.
Fortunately, Zhao Yu was still there and met her again.
“Commander Zhao, now that Wild Wolf Town has been taken by you, we need to find a way to appease the Han family’s anger…” Meng Xian was uncomfortable with the fact that the outside world thought Meng House Village was in league with Zhao Yu.
Zhao Yu’s intention to attack Wild Wolf Town meant that Meng House Village was also in the Han family’s sights.
In a way, they were in the same boat as Zhao Yu.
“What do you suggest?”
Zhao Yu wouldn’t compromise with the Han family, but if he could buy some time to continue developing into bigger force, that would be ideal.
“Wild Wolf Town might means little to the Han family; their real interest lies in the firearms parts production line…”
“As long as that line is maintained and trading with the Han family continues, everything else should be fine…”
Zhao Yu quickly grasping the key point.
The Han family had split the production line into the wilderness to save costs, allowing people like Li Yang to exploit the workers under high-pressure rule.
If he took over Li Yang’s role, it would mean the even if Han family want to kill him, but their core interests would need someone to operate.
Serving the Han family, something many in the wilderness would beg for, was pointless in Zhao Yu’s eyes.
Zhao Yu said gravely, “So, your solution is for me to be the Han family’s dog?”
Meng Xian had thought Zhao Yu would praise her idea, not be so opposed.
“It’s not about being a dog, just maintaining the cooperation channels that Li Yang and others had with the Han family…”
“Heh, isn’t that the same as being a servant?”
Zhao Yu laughed.
He had seen checked the Wild Wolf Town’s accounts. No matter how much Li Yang and others exploited the workers, the majority of the profits were sent to the Han family in Black Rock City.
Only a small part was left for Li Yang.
Yet, even so, Wild Wolf Town had became the strongest small town within dozens of kilometers.
There were many more towns like Li Yang’s in the wilderness, indicating that the Han family’s wealth and power were greater than imagined.
Meng Xian fell silent.
She couldn’t understand why someone would pass up the chance to align with the Han family.
Moreover, this alignment didn’t mean servitude or servility.
They had enough autonomy, as the Han family rarely visited the wilderness.
Was this man’s pride so high?
The only explanation Meng Xian could think of was that Zhao Yu’s pride prevented him from backing down.
“But if so, the Han family might come knocking soon…”
She said anxiously.
If Zhao Yu wouldn’t compromise, then Meng House Village had no choice but to follow him.
Otherwise, with the Han family’s power, they could easily destroy Meng House Village without Zhao Yu’s support.
Zhao Yu stroked his prominent beard, pondering for a moment.
He realized Meng Xian’s suggestion wasn’t entirely useless.
He could wait for the Han family to learn of Wild Wolf Town’s change and send investigators, then express his willingness to maintain the old trading routes.
This way, he could buy more time.
Given enough time, the Han family, no matter how powerful, wouldn’t be difficult to defeat.
“Um!”
“Hold on! Your point do make sense after reconsideration. Let’s do this: when the Han family discovers the situation in Wild Wolf Town and sends people to investigate, you’ll negotiate with them, okay?”
Meng Xian was overjoyed, not expecting such a turn of events. It seemed Zhao Yu was also worried about the Han family’s retaliation.
She quickly agreed, promising to negotiate well with the Han family’s representatives and try to reach a favorable agreement..