Chapter 212: Negotiating Terms with the Special Zone Chief

Luo Song said that with his mouth, but his heart was already overjoyed; his eyes fixed tightly on the two crates of supplies, looking eager, yet he didn't dare to move them himself.

Seeing this, Ye Heng smiled and said:

"Brother Luo, open them and have a look; they should all be in-demand goods, I hope you like them."

Having obtained Ye Heng's permission, Luo Song swallowed his saliva and carefully opened the crate.

The contents of the first crate immediately brightened his eyes.

"It's the milk the children love to drink!"

Beneath several crates of milk lay a layer of strange-looking items; Luo Song looked at Ye Heng, puzzled.

Ye Heng then glanced at Zhang Chaoran; the quick-witted youngster instantly understood the captain's order.

"Captain Luo, let me introduce these to you."

"You know these crates of milk; the small packets underneath contain sanitary napkins, which women need each month—I don't know exactly how to use them." Zhang Chaoran scratched his head.

"But the women in our Bi Hu Suo can't get enough of them; I'm sure your wife will like them."

Luo Song understood at once and immediately expressed his thanks to Ye Heng.

Zhang Chaoran continued, saying that the crate at the bottom held various sundry items, quite a lot of them.

"Vitamin tablets, various nutritional supplements—our captain has written instructions for them—and there are also these seasonings; Captain Luo will know once he tries them."

Apart from these things unavailable in the Special Zone, the other crate is filled entirely with food.

Salt-cured preserved meat, air-dried whole chicken, clear cooking oil, wheat noodles, etc. —these are also in-demand goods on the market.

"With all this stuff, Brother Ye, are these really all for me?"

Leaving aside other things, that meat looks quite good and there's plenty of it—enough for his family of four to eat for a whole year without problem.

Luo Song was shocked inside; even the wealthy households in the Special Zone dare not stockpile meat like this, and the only livestock uninfected in the limited pastures are registered.

Moreover, livestock reproduction is low now; slaughtering one pig, cow, or sheep reduces the count by one, meat prices are high, and monthly supply is rationed—wanting extra meat requires spending a lot of money to find connections.

Over time, the upper-class citizens of the Special Zone have actually grown accustomed to eating various unpleasant supplements; their appetite has long been suppressed by food scarcity.

Including Luo Song, a contingent of Defense Team members, among the Special Zone's public officials, receives relatively larger rations.

But having this much meat, Luo Song possesses it for the first time, inevitably making his heart tremble.

Seeing Luo Song's cautious expression, Ye Heng thought for a moment and said:

"Brother Luo, the things are naturally yours; we've had mutual exchanges, and you've helped me a lot."

"However, please keep the source of these supplies secret, Luo Brother, and hide them for clandestine consumption and use."

Upon hearing this, Luo Song immediately nodded repeatedly and raised three fingers to swear an oath to heaven.

"Brother Ye, rest assured—I know what should and shouldn't be said."

"By the way, Brother Ye, do you still remember the Special Zone Chief's child's matter? Recently he asked me about you; I'm afraid he'll ask you to buy medicine again."

Ye Heng nodded upon hearing that, saying, "I understand; could you trouble Brother Luo to show me the way to the Special Zone Chief? I happen to have brought the medicine."

The aerosol spray had always been placed in the space.

Ye Heng guessed that the researchers inside the Special Zone had not managed to replicate that medicine.

As Lin Meng had said, asthma cannot be completely cured; one must keep that medicine on hand year-round.

It seems that, before Special Zone Chief Chen Yu, this lowly commoner of mine already has some say.

As Ye Heng had expected, Chen Yu couldn't reach him; the child's medicine appeared to be nearly exhausted, leaving him anxious and pacing.

Upon hearing that Ye Heng had arrived, Chen Yu immediately released the pigeons of several other important guests and personally went to receive him.

After Luo Song brought Ye Heng there, he then withdrew; he was merely a Defense Team captain and not yet qualified to linger long.

The moment Chen Yu saw Ye Heng, he threw aside all dignity and ceremony and immediately performed a great salute.

"Brother Ye Heng, I've finally waited for you; I don't know whether the previous Holy Medicine could be supplied again—I'm willing to pay a high price. What supplies do you want? Food? Winter clothing? I'll try my best to meet them."

Seeing the Special Zone Chief's attitude much more humble than last time, Ye Heng again felt the lethal power of the Holy Medicine.

He thought for a moment and said:

"I don't need any of those supplies you mentioned, Chief; I can give you five Holy Medicines for free, but on the condition that, in your capacity as Special Zone Chief, you guarantee my safety during the transaction—no one dares to move against me."

Within the Special Zone, although the Special Zone Chief doesn't truly hold absolute power, many nobles and forces still give him some consideration.

With his guarantee, safety would certainly be much higher.

Chen Yu heard this and was slightly surprised; it turned out Ye Heng had come to participate in the trade fair.

For a trade fair of this level, forces without any foundation simply aren't qualified to attend.

Even those large Bi Hu Suo that wish to participate must first undergo inspection, ensuring their supplies are substantial enough, before being allowed to join.

Could it be that Ye Heng intends to use Holy Medicine to enter the trade fair? Just how much Holy Medicine does he have left?

Chen Yu thought to himself, his mind becoming active.

"Brother Ye Heng, what supplies do you hope to obtain at the trade fair? Although I don't have ownership of Special Zone resources, I do have authority over them."

Ye Heng didn't hide anything and spoke frankly:

"I need to expand and strengthen my Bi Hu Suo, requiring large quantities of building materials and new offensive-defensive weapons; if you have sources here, Special Zone Chief, I could instead trade privately with you, saving a trip to the trade fair."

It would be even better for him to avoid revealing his material situation in public.

Before his Bi Hu Suo truly becomes strong, he must faithfully guard the supplies given by Lin Meng.

After hearing this, Chen Yu fell into thought, then his eyes lit up.

"If you trust me, I propose to help you privately meet several merchants whose resources are exactly what you want."

"But you also know that, for major powers lacking no combat resources, ordinary supplies won't catch their eye; you must provide specially high-quality resources."

Ye Heng nodded upon hearing that, after agreeing with Chen Yu on the meeting arrangements, he brought Sun Hao and Zhang Chaoran to stay at the lodging Luo Song had arranged, awaiting contact.

One day later, word came from the Special Zone Chief's side; Luo Song relayed the message and took responsibility for bringing them there.

Luo Song couldn't help but say:

Those who can get the Special Zone Chief to personally recommend them must be several major powerful forces; I estimate besides our 13th Special Zone's Lu family, there should also be other Special Zones. Brother Ye, if you're not at ease, during the transaction later you can let the Special Zone Chief act as intermediary, to hold the fort for you.

What Ye Heng was thinking, however, was, 'Will that Floating Light Chamber of Commerce appear at today's meeting?'

Upon hearing this, Luo Song immediately denied his guess.

Don't worry, actually the Floating Light Chamber of Commerce has a notorious reputation in private; few Special Zone high-ups like them.

"However, nobody dares to offend them openly, because behind the Floating Light Chamber of Commerce lies the Guangyue family, which almost monopolizes all zombie vaccines, so they're not afraid of lacking business."