Chapter 338: You

Xiao Xuejian saw Zhang Su lost in thought and silent, waited a moment, then continued: "The other camps and shelters aren't very large; most have between thirty and two hundred people. For example, the water bear colony in the Beihe District has about seventy to eighty people—this is intelligence we gathered ourselves."

The emphasis on "final" means these aren't rumors—we obtained them through hard effort, and I'm giving you accurate information. I'm being fair with you.

Zhang Su smiled and shook his head: "Seventy to eighty people is already a lot—how many do we even have?"

Xiao Xuejian smiled but said nothing. Yes, yes, you don't have many people—but why don't you mention everyone has an automatic rifle? Why don't you mention the Type 99 tanks stationed at your camp? Camps that reach this level are rare across the entire Qincheng!

"What's inside these?"

Having gotten the information he wanted, Zhang Su pointed to the last few crates.

"These two crates contain common medicines. According to the Alliance's medical team, the cold weather lowers immunity, so people inevitably get headaches or fevers—pop a painkiller or two, and they feel much better. We also brought some nutritional supplements—vitamins A, B, C, D, E, F, G, ha ha…"

"And this crate has canned food, pickled vegetables, and other provisions. Commander Gong said your group certainly doesn't lack food, but the taste might suffer due to conditions. These will make everything taste delicious."

Xiao Xuejian pulled out several cans from the crate—labeled "Rice Enhancer" and "Clean the Plate"—frozen into lumps but still radiating an appetizing sheen; once thawed, they'd be utterly delicious.

"Damn, these tech and additives? We used to ignore them. Now they're rare delicacies."

Zhang Su took a can from Xiao Xuejian, deeply moved, studying the label—the long string of Chinese characters in the ingredients list felt familiar. As he glanced aside, he noticed several villagers from Xida Camp peeking around the corner of the wall, likely preparing to relocate to Madian Zhuang. Seeing visitors, they didn't know whether to come out.

He subtly waved to the distance, then set down the "Rice Enhancer," gestured to Xiao Xuejian, and walked toward the other side of the tank.

Xiao Xuejian naturally understood this meant Zhang Su wanted to speak privately—he wasn't surprised and immediately followed.

"Captain Xiao, no beating around the bush—we're alone now. Tell me your real reason for coming."

Zhang Su pulled out a pack of cigarettes and offered one to Xiao Xuejian.

Xiao Xuejian politely declined once, then accepted, lit both their cigarettes, and whispered: "After we left your camp a few days ago, we didn't investigate further in Qingxian—we returned straight to Alliance headquarters. Along the way, Commander Gong praised your group endlessly. No hidden agenda—he just wants to be friends with you, and hopes we can exchange goods and support in the future."

His words were sincere—every one true, not a single lie.

Zhang Su exhaled smoke and smiled faintly: "Captain Xiao, you've only mentioned Commander Gong the whole time. You never once spoke of your leader, Liao Youzhi. These gifts—do they have nothing to do with Liao Youzhi?"

Xiao Xuejian was about to bring the cigarette to his lips when Zhang Su's words made him pause. He lowered his arm, his expression serious and low: "Commander Zhang, you're sharp. Correct—I'm here solely on behalf of Commander Gong to show goodwill toward Tianma Yu."

The message was now unmistakable. Zhang Su's hand trembled slightly inside his sleeve, and he asked without thinking: "How many people does your Alliance have now?"

"Hmm…" Xiao Xuejian hadn't expected such a jump in conversation. After thinking, he said: "Just under four hundred. If the nearby small groups join us, we'll surpass four hundred, maybe reach five hundred—but all of that's temporary."

Zhang Su silently shook his head. What curse was this? Why did internal power struggles always erupt once a group hit three or four hundred?

First the Qinglong Army faction fought itself to death—now the Survivors' Alliance was doing the same. Worse still: the second-in-command had reached out from outside and found him.

"Let's be direct, Captain Xiao. I want to know what Commander Gong really wants. If you don't understand what I'm asking, let me rephrase: what exactly does Commander Gong expect me to do for him?"

Zhang Su didn't know the current market value of seafood, but the other supplies were heavy—only a top-tier power in Qincheng's handful of major factions could afford this, and even then, it wouldn't be easy. To give all this away with no demand? Impossible.

Then again—if Gong Chengming truly asked for nothing, Zhang Su would take it without hesitation. Free gifts? Don't refuse them. The post-apocalypse rules haven't been established yet—no need for social niceties.

Xiao Xuejian took a deep drag, his face hardening: "Liao Youzhi is decadent, wasteful, and militaristic! He has no right to continue ruling the Survivors' Alliance!"

As leader of a nearly hundred-person group, Zhang Su instantly imagined Zhao Dezhù or Lu Yubo or Wang Xin or any core member making similar accusations against him. He didn't like it…

He said nothing, staring blankly at Xiao Xuejian, waiting to hear what came next.

Xiao Xuejian didn't sense Zhang Su's discomfort and continued: "Commander Gong surpasses Liao Youzhi in personal ability, leadership, and reputation—he's clearly the one who should lead the Survivors' Alliance through the apocalypse!"

"Hmm. That's understandable. And then?"

Zhang Su nodded vaguely, letting the conversation flow.

"Commander Gong plans to replace Liao Youzhi at some point." As he spoke, Xiao Xuejian pulled a palm-sized walkie-talkie from his bag: "Commander Zhang, Commander Gong hopes for a chance to speak with you directly."

"Now?"

Zhang Su didn't immediately take the walkie-talkie.

Xiao Xuejian shook his head: "No. Commander Gong hasn't come—he's still at Alliance HQ. I don't know when he'll contact you. Also, Commander Gong knows Fu Bo is here. Once Liao Youzhi is overthrown, all the experimental equipment Fu Bo needs will be given to you."

"Huh?"

Zhang Su froze, staring at Xiao Xuejian: "Fu Bo is here? How do I not know that?"

The first reaction within an instant is usually the truest indicator of truth.

Seeing Zhang Su's expression, Xiao Xuejian was baffled—he trusted Gong Chengming's judgment, but this reaction didn't seem fake at all. What was going on?

He couldn't figure it out…

"I get it…" Zhang Su gave a faint, knowing smile and shook his head: "Commander Gong sent you to bluff me, didn't he?"

(End of Chapter)