Chapter 273

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Protagonist:

Chen Yi

"Pop pop," "pop pop" — the Type 54 Pistol rang out crisply four times in the jungle.

The native lunging at Xia Jia, eyes bulging like beans, fell down. His thin leather armor was fine for warmth, but useless against a pistol famed for its penetration.

The young man's ruthlessness was on full display at this moment; Xia Jia took a moment to aim slightly, then fired at the next native.

Another "pop pop" two shots. The target fell instantly.

Xia Jia laughed twice in fear; the long-haired natives covered in grass and leaves didn't look human at all — even if they were stark naked, if they pounced, he would still fire without hesitation.

Taking advantage of their stunned hesitation, he hurriedly fished out the signal pistol from his back and fired a red signal flare into the sky. Good luck — because it was a gun, he always carried it on him; the walkie-talkie had been left at the construction site, but there had been no chance to use it.

Staring at the ground full of worker corpses, Xia Jia gripped the Type 54 Pistol's handle tight, his mind constantly replaying: How many shots did I fire?

A Type 54 magazine holds only 8 rounds; he had a second magazine, but would likely not have time to load it. Xia Jia was terrified that when he pulled the trigger, not a single bullet would come out — then he'd be dead for sure.

Several natives held javelins; even facing that thick black gun barrel, they were still somewhat terrified. They weren't desperate men; hesitating, they slowly backed away. Though they didn't recognize the signal flare, they could guess its purpose; besides, the Type 54's report wasn't quiet.

Xia Jia exhaled; he was also wary of the javelins, yet dared not hide.

About 20 seconds later, the natives finally declined to challenge the Type 54 with its last two rounds, and slowly retreated into the jungle.

"Fortunately my marksmanship isn't bad." Xia Jia plopped down on the ground, unable to suppress an urge to bawl.

The West Continent, truly bitter!

The Basic Construction Group even more bitter.

And now there's mortal danger too.

Two minutes later, a jolting Humvee emerged from the jungle, Qin Dajiang's whole body tucked inside the autocannon turret. Compared to a heavy machine gun, the 25mm Autocannon merely has a longer barrel, a thicker barrel — like a donkey whip and a dog whip in a pot, no great difference.

"What happened?" Da Zhuo, inside the cab, roared into the walkie-talkie.

Xia Jia found the walkie-talkie in the corpse pile, voice cold: "Natives attacked, I drove them off."

After all, he's a 21st-century youth; he may not understand war, but he definitely understands merit. Though the enemy withdrew on their own, he did leave behind two corpses. When the thought of corpses struck him, Xia Jia scanned around — but couldn't find those monkey-like long-haired natives anywhere; no idea when they were dragged off.

Qin Dajiang didn't care about Xia Jia's so-called "drove off"; he only saw corpses, corpses everywhere, and immediately reported upward.

She Lei and Li Changning arrived swiftly to handle the scene.

The attack site is only 5 kilometers from the Water Fortification, still in the wet-soil excavation phase; by rights it should be a relatively safe sector — if visibility were good, the heavy machine guns on the city walls could even reach here, albeit with very weak power.

However, facts prove everything.

The corpses prove this place is not safe.

Li Changning found several natives to come investigate and question. The Shang Tucun Village Chief rode a swift Lei Beast, taking a full day to reach the West River Water Fortification; he saw only the corpses and the reconstructed scene, then declared with absolute certainty: "It must be those Manor Lords."

"Manors? Property belonging to Nobles?" Li Changning knew manors — collective farm estates producing necessities for Nobles, such as oils, flowers, and other economic crops, all produced by manors and consumed internally by Nobles. Compared to the various villages outside the city, natives on such manors have better production techniques and a higher degree of dependence on Nobles.

"Yes." The Shang Tucun Village Chief said with righteous indignation: "I know — someone came to warn us not to work for Jiangning people. I said we work for money; no matter who does what civil engineering, it's all benefit and no harm. They said I was disobedient, that they'd teach me a lesson……"

Speaking here, Village Chief Shang Tu slammed his wooden cane heavily on the ground, furious: "I thought they'd attack the village, already organized many able-bodied laborers; never expected, they, actually."

Villages like Tu Village are the most martially powerful among all village types; because they often work outside, their outlook is open, clan organization tight and effective; when they encounter personnel without social connections, they often absorb them, so Tu Villages often number hundreds of households. Shang Tucun itself is a pure Tu Village clan, but also has some slaves, their numbers only more, not fewer, than the lower Tu Villages.

She Lei and Li Changning exchanged a glance; both tended to believe Shang Tucun Village Chief's judgment. Speaking of building a highway, whether for Yun Village or Lie Village, there are only benefits, no drawbacks. The Water Fortification pays very promptly — often a day's work earns several dozen Thin Coins, plus room and board; aside from the work being hard, it's actually very good. At least far better than risking hunting in the forest; even Shanglie Village hunters face significant danger deep in the jungle, for many creatures growing in the dense forest can release Pocket Qi.

"We definitely won't let your villagers die in vain." She Lei promised impulsively; Li Changning didn't even pull him back.

The Shang Tucun Village Chief left with a thousand thanks to rest inside the Water Fortification. The dead Shang Yun Village villagers were only three Overseers; the rest he didn't care about, but since the bigwigs in the fortress offered compensation, he naturally wouldn't refuse.

After the corpses were taken away for burial by Shang Yun Village people, Li Changning reproached She Lei: "You can't say things like that."

"Say what?" She Lei looked blankly unaware.

"Saying you definitely won't let Shang Yun Village people die in vain."

"They're our little brothers; how can we let little brothers die in vain?"

"You really..." Li Changning nearly choked on a breath of anger; he feigned fury: "Those words — either the Hall Master says them, or at minimum Yu Weichao says them; how am I supposed to handle you?"

She Lei grew unhappy: "Don't lecture me. I have decision-making authority."

"Going to war with Ma La Nobles — that's within your authority?" Li Changning finally understood why She Lei always acts like a hoodlum; his IQ is hoodlum-grade. Once the scope exceeds a street, he can't figure it out anymore.

"Even if the Hall Master were here, he'd say the same." She Lei actually also felt Li Changning had a point, softened his tone: "Shall we go find the Hall Master now?"

"Hall Master Chen may not be in. Let's go find Yu Weichao first."

She Lei snorted: "Don't get along with that old brat."

"Let's go." She Lei dragged him along; on the way he couldn't help lecturing: "What you said today — Shang Yun Village Chief was so grateful; you sold the favor good and proper."

"Huh?"

"Selling a favor — you have to let the other side do it." Li Changning said this, then no longer cared whether She Lei understood. More and more West Continent students, the fortress growing larger; the interests involved will only grow. If She Lei doesn't understand, better he step down early.

Back at the West River Government Office, Yu Weichao was discussing the next batch of supplies to transport with Chen Yi.

Each shipment around 20 tons — not a lot, not a little; for highway construction, materials like cement and crushed stone must be solved by the West Continent itself, but mechanical equipment is naturally better sent from Earth. Even for transport, an 8-ton truck overloaded is more convenient than transport beasts — provided there's a highway.

Li Changning dragged She Lei before the two, recounted today's events, then separately explained both men's handling opinions, concluding: "We consider the current situation — getting ironclad proof is a bit difficult, but we can ask around nearby manors, see which manor recently lost two people; have Lie Village people do it, they often go to Ma La to sell game."

Chen Yi stroked his chin, then smiled: "Asking is fine; ironclad proof isn't needed. I guess if it's Ma La Nobles' doing, there'll be word within a day or two. Defenses must be strengthened!"

"Yes, we're preparing to build watchtowers." Defense matters fall under She Lei; he held his neck high: "Previous bunkers all considered our own survival rate higher; now this happened, shows bunkers' visibility is too poor. Erect 10-meter-high watchtowers, at least they can cover a 1-kilometer radius nearby."

"Build 10-meter watchtowers in 30-meter-high forest?" Chen Yi laughed.

She Lei's face flushed red at once: "Trees along both sides of the highway are to be felled."

"Better to leave one big tree, dig a watchtower into it." Chen Yi finished, then added: "If watchtowers are built, machine gunners will definitely die — just a question of how many."

He himself is a Pocket Qi Level 8 Knight; he knows a Standard Bearer like Kaman, if willing, can effortlessly knock down a watchtower from long range.

Of course, cost is always key; if a Knight is willing to travel thousands of li to West River Water Fortification to knock down watchtowers, they must be given something to play with. Missiles hitting bunkers are likewise one shot, one kill — at least few people do it; but in the 1982 Falklands landing, proud British soldiers used $1 million precision-guided missiles to deal with $10,000 Argentine machine gun nests. Such waste — an ordinary economy like Ma La simply cannot afford it.

She Lei scratched his head stupidly and said, "Then we'll leave the big tree by the roadside; I'll instruct them to do it today."

"Just set up sentry posts on top; don't use heavy machine guns, too expensive." Chen Yi thought and said, "I'll get some more automatic rifles over; that'll also save bullets. You train some natives to man the posts using the existing automatic rifles. Also, how are the Humvees working out?"

"Passable." Yu Weichao replied, "Performance on the highway is good, just a bit fuel-hungry."

"Right, the fuel issue will be a trouble later on." Chen Yi was thinking of the storage area — when it could be completely built, and a few vehicles transported in at once; then West Continent people could be used as labor.

The three then continued reporting recent events; Chen Yi listened meticulously but didn't express much opinion. After a while, he suddenly said, "You go organize two inspection teams composed entirely of martial arts hall students; teach them to use all existing equipment. As for the manor aspect, check which one it is."

She Lei agreed strangely. Li Changning and Yu Weichao glanced at each other, both hurriedly lowering their heads.

The Hall Master truly dislikes suffering a loss.

……(Unfinished, if you want to know what happens next, please log in to www. qidian. com, more chapters, support author, support genuine reading!)