Chapter 24: The Moment of Harvest

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Wang Ji stepped sideways to block Cao Muhua, his tone cold. “Did I ever say you could go in?”

Chen Yukai frowned, clearly annoyed by Cao Muhua’s behavior. “Captain Cao, stand down. Wang Ji was the one who opened the base. At least let him finish speaking.”

“Hmph. If he’s not one of our military, why should we listen to him?” The blatant ingratitude made even Lin Hanya’s face darken.

“I must remind you, I never agreed to open the base for you free of charge!” Wang Ji stood at the entrance to the base’s passageway, sweeping his gaze across the crowd.

“Look at this brat! Someone, arrest him and execute him!” Seizing the opportunity, Cao Muhua tried to remove Wang Ji. At his command, several soldiers raised their guns and surrounded him.

The onlookers outside erupted in commotion—some jeered, while others watched thoughtfully.

Mouse, agitated, tried to rush out but was pinned to the ground by two soldiers. He could only shout,

“Let me go! I have to help my boss! You ungrateful lot—my boss helped you all!”

Seeing Cao Muhua overstep his authority, Chen Yukai was about to intervene in anger when suddenly there was a series of mechanical clicks from both sides of the passage.

Two machine guns gleaming with metallic luster extended outward. Their caliber was as thick as a baby’s arm, with belts of ammunition exposed, revealing their intimidating power.

“Threat detected!”

“Threat detected! Commander, please issue your order!”

The soldiers, now targeted by these deadly weapons, broke out in cold sweat. Under such firepower, their bodies would be reduced to pulp.

Wang Ji’s eyes gleamed with a chilling light as he looked at Cao Muhua. “So, do you still want to arrest me?”

Cao Muhua gave a sharp turn and, cowed by the overwhelming firepower, led his men away. He understood that the matter here no longer concerned him; all supplies would be accounted for, and if he wanted to take advantage, he’d have to find another opportunity.

“Ahem… Brother Wang Ji!” Chen Yukai coughed awkwardly, glancing at the two machine guns.

Only now did Wang Ji relax. He had truly felt the urge to give the order to fire a moment ago. After all, if everyone present were killed, the camp would be leaderless, and he could easily step up as the boss.

But on second thought, if the military lost control, chaos would ensue, or people might storm in and plunder—a tragedy beyond words.

He shook his head, dispelling such unrealistic notions.

“SOX9527! Cancel the threat order!”

“Order confirmed!” With a cheerful click, the machine guns retracted.

Seeing Wang Ji’s actions, Chen Yukai finally breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. “That’s more like it, Brother Wang. Tell me—what compensation do you want? We can negotiate.”

Wang Ji glanced at Chen Yukai and nodded in satisfaction. It was always easier dealing with smart people. The two of them walked together deeper into the passageway to begin negotiations.

“No way, Brother Wang. Supplies for ten thousand people and you want half? What about everyone else?” Chen Yukai waved his hands in protest, fighting hard for his side.

“If I don’t open these supplies, no one gets a single grain of rice.” Wang Ji grinned. “Do you think my contribution isn’t worth that much?”

Chen Yukai could only smile bitterly. “How about this, Brother Wang—I’ll give you a reinforced company’s worth of weapons and ammunition, and for supplies, enough for a thousand people for three months. How about that?”

Wang Ji wasn’t interested in weapons. Energy cores and territory were far more important. He shook his head. “We can always trade supplies for weapons. Why not give us full control of the western district? Or, if not, an equivalent amount in energy cores?”

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After hearing this, Chen Yukai thought for a moment. The proposal struck a chord in him, and a light flashed in his eyes as he smiled.

The two discussed in private for nearly ten minutes before reaching a satisfying agreement. Both emerged from the passageway side by side, content with the outcome.

Facing the waiting crowd, Chen Yukai was the first to step forward and pick up a loudspeaker.

“Thank you all for your patience!”

“I now announce that the refuge base is officially open. From today, the price of grain at the base market will be reduced to a third. The first batch of relief food and clothing will be distributed—please remain calm. Detailed arrangements will be made public before tomorrow!”

There’s finally food and clothing!

People hugged one another in excitement. Cheers broke out, and the entire camp became a sea of joy.

“Everyone, please quiet down. I have one more announcement.”

“The opening of this refuge base was accomplished single-handedly by our great hero, Mr. Wang Ji, who traveled from headquarters to help us. On behalf of the military, I hereby confer upon Mr. Wang Ji the rank of Captain!”

“Captain Wang Ji is to form the base’s third army, recruit soldiers on the spot, equip his own men, and establish an independent company with the highest authority in the base, equal to my own. The entire western district will be under Captain Wang Ji’s management, and in a month, all defense and patrol duties for the western gate and sector will be handed over!”

As Chen Yukai’s words fell, the supervisors and others in the crowd turned green with envy, shouting out in protest. The benefits Wang Ji received were beyond anything they could ever hope for.

Official recognition, a military quota—even if he had to handle his own equipment and supplies, his status was now entirely different, and the cost of dealing with the base’s military would be drastically lower.

Not to mention, the western district—though the poorest and most crowded part of the base, it was teeming with people and, naturally, plenty of opportunities.

So their envy was palpable.

Mouse scrambled up from the ground, stunned by this sudden reversal, and, once he recovered, dashed off to find his brothers, shouting “Captain!”

Of course, the deal between Wang Ji and Chen Yukai was more than just what was announced.

Five thousand level-1 energy cores, to be delivered in three installments.

Food and supplies for ten thousand people for a whole year, to be delivered at locations specified by Wang Ji, starting immediately.

Military district authority equal to Chen Yukai’s—meaning Wang Ji now outranked Cao Muhua.

Priority access to internal military resources, and transactions at half the market price.

Finally, Wang Ji retained authority over the underground refuge base SOX9527. He gave Chen Yukai top-level access so he could operate the entire underground facility, which boasted a complete defense system and might one day serve as the last fortress of the base.

However, Wang Ji had quietly programmed SOX9527 to recognize his close associates as “non-attackable,” just in case.

With the deal struck, Wang Ji received the first batch of 1,500 energy cores and immediately took his leave for the western district.

Chen Yukai didn’t keep him—he had a mountain of supplies to handle and security to reinforce, so he threw himself into his work.

At the military district’s gate, Wang Ji finally shook off the congratulatory squadron captains. Once outside, he was met by Mouse and the others, who whisked him away by car, swaying all the way back to the western district.

Along the way, Wang Ji took a few deep breaths to quell his excitement.

He immediately converted the 1,500 energy cores into energy points, netting over 3,400 points. Staring at the numbers on his system display, he couldn’t stop grinning.

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As soon as he stepped out of the vehicle, everyone familiar with him gathered round, offering heartfelt congratulations.

Wang Ji steadied himself, then raised his voice.

“Everyone, listen up!”

“I am just as happy as you are right now! But what I want to say is, the real challenge lies ahead. Each of you is someone I trust!”

“The future of the western district and our development depends on all of us working together!”

“Mouse!” Wang Ji called out.

Mouse immediately stood at attention.

“From today, start recruiting. Expand the infantry to three platoons, a hundred people total. Remember, quality over quantity—can you do that?”

“No problem!” Mouse replied with a proud slap to his chest.

“Li Chengming, same for you. Expand the recon team into a full platoon—thirty people. From now on, you’re also in charge of internal order and security for the western district. Allocate your own men, but no matter what, get it done!”

Li Chengming accepted his orders with a bitter face. Of all Wang Ji’s people, he had the most on his plate.

Seeing this, Wang Ji sighed inwardly at his lack of manpower and called for Xiao Liu.

“Xiao Liu, from today, you are our logistics chief. You’ll take over Old Li’s work. Confident?” Wang Ji asked the young man before him.

Determination flashed in Xiao Liu’s eyes. Given Wang Ji’s trust and what he had learned recently, he was eager to prove himself.

“Absolutely, boss!”

Wang Ji patted him on the shoulder in approval. “Then do your best. We’ll soon have a huge shipment of supplies. Your priority is to recruit talent within the base—anyone with skills or expertise, bring them in. We’ll provide food! Next, prepare to purchase building materials—I have big plans.”

“Understood, don’t worry!” Xiao Liu nodded earnestly, committing every instruction to memory.

“Alright then. I hope everyone will remember what we went through at Hope Camp, remember the sacrifices of Captain Zhao Gang and the others, and strive for the future!”

“Get to work, everyone. Help Mouse and Li Chengming where you can—the real rush is about to begin.” Seeing the fire of enthusiasm in their eyes, Wang Ji sent them off, but inside he felt a hint of exhaustion.

This kind of management work really did require more hands. Wang Ji’s plans had already started to take shape the moment he gained control of the western district.

He intended to set up a military training camp near the western exit to improve the quality and skills of his soldiers,

and to establish an arms factory to build a self-sufficient infantry weapons production line.

Then, he would continue to acquire energy cores and unlock even more technology from his X System.