Chapter 71: Chapter 71: Anti-Ye Alliance
Liu Long looked at Xing Hai with suspicion, suspecting that this guy was setting him up, deliberately pushing him into a pit of fire.
Is this approachable?
This is a tyrannical warlord, isn’t it?
Bringing soldiers and dogs, I, Liu Long, have to avoid him when I see him.
"Brother Hai, I must tell you now, if this is the kind of deal we’re talking about, I’m out. Even though I’ve got over a hundred armed men on my side, combined with the forty or fifty you brought, I’m afraid we can’t contend with Ye Fan. These people look quite fierce, don’t they?"
Xing Hai, who was previously brimmed with confidence, no longer felt assured.
He had indeed found a group that could act when needed, but upon seeing Ye Fan’s strength, he couldn’t be sure his team could win.
"Liu Long, it seems we need a backup plan."
"Let’s hear it."
Xing Hai contemplated: "You see Ye’s demeanor. We’re not good people, but compared to him, we’re saints. Someone like him, holding such power, do you think he’ll still honor previous agreements and trade gold with us at old prices?"
Liu Long thought about it: "I doubt it. This guy goes out with two girls, definitely a hedonist. If he thinks our strength can’t match his, a change of heart wouldn’t be surprising at all."
"Exactly, I suspect he might backtrack, but none of the bosses would accept that. Forcing them into a direct confrontation with Ye Fan is tricky. That armored vehicle is a hard nut to crack, so our only chance is to act in the trading hall!"
"The trading hall?"
"Yes, we’re less likely to win outside. If we can gather support from the majority of bosses inside, there’s a significant chance. Take out Ye, and these bosses will have no choice but to be on our ship. Even if Ye Fan’s side is strong, combined, we have over five hundred armed men, holding the advantage of terrain. Are we afraid of their forty or fifty?"
Liu Long considered: "I think it’s feasible. What’s the second plan?"
"The second is a contingency plan. If we can’t handle him inside the hall, we may need to retreat. You can’t stay in this Hardware Mansion. I’ve contacted a team, but they can’t reveal themselves in crowded places, so we’ll need to escape and meet them. As long as we do this, I believe we can still contend with Ye."
Liu Long finally nodded in agreement: "Let’s aim for the first plan. I don’t want to run like a dog."
"Don’t worry, it’s settled. Let’s prepare; I remember there’s an elevator in this building, right?"
"Yes, but I’ve put it out of service."
"Good, we’ll quietly activate it later...."
********
Ye Fan and Chen Hao arrived downstairs. Liu Long’s men instructed them to take the stairs, saying the elevator was out of order.
For the safety of the bosses, each could bring a maximum of two people inside.
Ye Fan let Shen Ruihui and Qiao Sanyou accompany him. In such complex indoor scenarios, scouts are more useful than snipers.
However, the two were also holding two dogs.
Male dog Xiaotian.
Female dog Heaven-Suppressing.
These are names Ye Fan gave based on his observations of the dogs’ behaviors.
Liu Long’s men were unsure; their boss had instructed only two people, but Ye Fan’s two dogs—did that count as extra?
Chen Hao also brought two Evolvers with him and followed Ye Fan upstairs, arriving at the trading hall on the third floor.
This place used to sell metal fittings; it’s spacious. Upon entering, first there’s a partition screen, and behind it, Liu Long had already set up long tables for seating.
Ye Fan was led to his seat, with the two scouts and dogs dutifully standing behind him as guards.
As Ye Fan entered, the bosses sized him up, but no one approached to speak. It’s clear they were wary of this Dawn Army leader.
Ye Fan didn’t initiate conversation either; he first glanced at the radar screen.
Within the radar screen, the distribution of some blue light points caught his attention.
"Looks like they’re planning to make a move against me."
Ye Fan glanced around, noticing a restroom on the opposite side, divided into men’s and women’s sides, with its door diagonally facing the hall’s main entrance and currently empty.
"It’s mostly men in here; I can totally plant a small force in the restroom for a key moment surprise."
"Nana, create a three-person Heavy Machine Gun Warrior team for me, to be born in the ladies’ restroom, so as not to be spotted. If Liu Long and Xing Hai really send people over, I’ll have a surprise prepared for them."
"As you command, sir, it will cost 1500 gold and take 15 minutes. Please be patient."
The production of Heavy Machine Gun Warriors began. Once the fire appears at the restroom’s door, Ye Fan believed that regardless of how the situation shifted, everything would be under his control.
Never could Liu Long and Xing Hai have dreamed of an ambush in that restroom.
The production had commenced, and about ten minutes later, Liu Long and Xing Hai entered the room.
"Haha! Sorry to keep you waiting, my apologies!"
Liu Long, with a forced smile, took the central position as the host for today.
"Dear bosses, though this is our first meeting, we’ve known of each other for a long time. Surviving and thriving in this dog-eat-dog world, you all are like dragons and phoenixes among people, and I, Liu, am filled with respect. This trade gathering is in hopes that everyone can exchange what they need, develop, and thrive. May everyone achieve what they desire and leave fully satisfied!"
The crowd gave two symbolic claps in response.
Baihua County’s Wu Xiao impatiently spoke: "Leader Liu, now that everyone is here, propose how we will trade."
"Hehe, no rush, Leader Wu. Before we conduct transactions, there’s something we must first resolve."
Facing Ye Fan, Liu Long said, "This is Leader Ye of the Dawn Army, young and promising indeed. If I recall, the Dawn Army is interested in purchasing gold and silver jewels during these times. We’ve all accumulated some, and perhaps we can first trade these with you as per the previous agreement. Once those resources are abundant, further transactions would be less troublesome. What do you all say?"
The surrounding leaders nodded in agreement.
Ye Fan glanced at the crowd: "Yes, collecting gold and silver is right, but I’m not in dire need, and I have a habit—those I find agreeable may get a higher price, and for those I don’t, I’m sorry, I won’t buy no matter how low the price!"
Xing Hai and Liu Long exchanged a look, their excitement evident; Ye Fan was truly arrogant.
Xing Hai slammed the table: "Ye! You’re targeting us all. Whether you find one agreeable or not is just a matter of your whim. We can’t let our fate be in your hands, isn’t that right?"
The other leaders echoed in agreement.
"Yeah, are you mocking us? As Wu Xiao of Baihua County, I’m the first to oppose!"
"I, Zhao Xiaohao of Fuchun, also disagree; this must come to a resolution!"
"I, Wang Huai of the Forest Farm, stand by the original plan!"
With three prominent leaders opposing, Liu Long and Xing Hai felt a surge of confidence.
Five families opposed to Ye Fan meant they now had a decent chance.
Chen Hao was not to be relied upon, already a follower of Ye Fan. The attention now turned to Dai Yu of the Hot Springs and Qin Yumo of the Airport.
Dai Yu looked toward Qin Yumo, seemingly wanting to gauge her stance.
The Airport Base was not insignificant, and if Qin Yumo opposed, an alliance against Ye Fan would solidify.
The fiery Qin Yumo stared at Ye Fan for a while: "Leader Ye, don’t you think your demands are excessive?"
Ye Fan shrugged: "I don’t think so. Gold and jewelry hold no value for you, but exchanging them for lifesaving food and medicine is a good deal. If you disagree, you can opt not to trade with me and find someone else willing to trade."
Qin Yumo, inflamed by Ye Fan’s arrogant attitude, stood abruptly: "I’ve never seen someone so brazen. Who do you think you’re talking to?"
Ye Fan glanced at the young beauty: "Judging by your figure, you must be from the Airport Base, right?"
Qin Yumo was taken aback, glanced down at her chest, then blushed furiously.
"Pervert! Don’t think just because you’ve got strong armed forces you can do whatever you want. I’m not your mistress or wife to be toyed with! I absolutely oppose becoming the mistress; I refuse!"
Finishing, Qin Yumo stood up, took out a walkie-talkie, and spoke as she walked.
"All units outside, prepare for armed alert as the situation here may shift..."
Saying this, Qin Yumo walked into the restroom.
At the table, Liu Long and Xing Hai secretly rejoiced, exchanging subtle high-fives.
It worked!