Chapter 404: Vote

Li Zongkai was about to speak when the private room door knocked—dishes were being served.

The server opened the door; one server and one chef each pushed a restaurant-specific serving cart, stacked with delicate bowls and plates across three tiers.

Soon, steaming, fragrant dishes lined the table: four cold appetizers and eight hot dishes—braised lion's head, pig's stomach and hen soup, stir-fried pork, chicken with mushrooms…

In terms of ingredients and refinement, these dishes naturally couldn't match pre-apocalypse banquets, but in today's world, they were explosive—how many struggled in hunger and cold, while the leaders of survivor factions had already returned to—and even surpassed—their former dietary standards? Equality never existed; at the disaster's onset, nearly everyone was thrown back to square one—some died in terror, some exploded in desperation, others rose up and led more to survive—the stronger the individual, the more resources they secured.

"Come, everyone, try some—I emptied my entire warehouse for this feast, hahaha! But no alcohol—I'm sure none of you will drink. Chairman Li, you were about to say something earlier—please continue."

Liao Youzhi urged everyone to pick up their chopsticks, then turned back to Li Zongkai, trying to resume the previous topic.

Li Zongkai delicately picked up a piece of poached chicken and said slowly: "Rather than storming directly into their stronghold, why not lure them into our trap? Once their leader is captured, their ranks will collapse in chaos—then we won't even need to fight. Isn't that better?"

Gong Chengming, who had barely registered until now, glanced subtly at Li Zongkai, then resumed eating calmly and deliberately, as if his presence here was merely to pig out.

"Lure them into our trap? Hmm… elaborate?" Liao Youzhi asked curiously.

"Let's assume the horde was drawn by the people of Tianma Isle. We don't know their motives, but I suggest we send envoys to negotiate—show humility and friendliness, invite their people here to talk. Then, how we handle them becomes entirely our decision—with maximum safety."

Li Zongkai's demeanor was always steady, his proposals consistently cautious—he wanted results, but prioritized his own safety above all.

Logically, such a prudent plan should have won at least partial approval—but the table fell strangely silent. Everyone wore thoughtful expressions, though what they truly thought remained known only to themselves.

"Old Li, your plan sounds safe enough, but execution is tricky—who's not as sharp as a monkey these days? Who'd dare wander into another's territory?"

Liu Yao shook his head, deeming Li Zongkai's proposal unrealistic.

Under normal circumstances, Yang Xiqi would have erupted at Liu Yao—but now he stayed silent, spinning the lazy Susan and constantly grabbing food, as if he'd been reincarnated as a starving ghost.

"Liu Officer makes a valid point—not everyone has the close bonds that our family does…"

Liao Youzhi feigned deep thought, then turned to Gong Chengming, who was slowly chewing beside him: "Gong, don't be like Old Yang—just eating! This alliance is half yours—give us some ideas!"

"You make it sound like I only know how to eat!"

Yang Xiqi awkwardly set down his chopsticks, tongued his teeth, and said: "Gong Boss, don't jump to your high-minded opinion yet—let me speak first, or Liao Boss will think I'm just a glutton!"

"First, I don't support Chairman Li's plan—I can't imagine any reason to lure them out. Even if we somehow brought them to Qincheng and then wiped out Tianma Isle, once word got out, our reputation would be ruined…"

"Trading with us becoming difficult is minor—what's worse is we'll become everyone's target! That's all I have to say—Gong Boss, your turn."

Gong Chengming's expression mirrored Li Zongkai's—calm, faintly smiling. "The alliance only needs one decision-maker. Brother Liao, leave these matters to you."

"No way!" Liao Youzhi frowned, waving his hand. "You must propose something tonight. You've even scouted north—you know that region well. Come on, I know you've got ideas—don't hold back."

Gong Chengming, seeing he couldn't refuse, set down his chopsticks, picked up his extinguished cigar, and relit it. "Actually, I agree with Chairman Li's plan—for three reasons. One: our current survival environment seems safe, but it's fragile—we must constantly guard against zombies and opportunistic external factions."

"Two: from the city to Tianma Isle isn't far, but it's not close either. The closest should be Tianqi Corps—about thirty kilometers. The farthest, Civilization Guardians, exceed fifty. Everyone here knows better than I do the risks of long-range operations."

"Three: information. We know ourselves, but know almost nothing about Tianma Isle. I believe combining the forces of all four factions to attack one target won't be impossible—but the final losses are unpredictable."

"As for what Brother Yang just said—I don't think it matters much. In the apocalypse, people care only about fists. Whoever has the biggest fist holds power, sets the rules. Worrying about becoming a target is overblown—there are no eternal enemies or friends, only eternal interests!"

Compared to Li Zongkai's vague plan, Gong Chengming laid out clear points one, two, three, and directly addressed Yang Xiqi's concerns—highly persuasive. Silence fell again, broken only by the sound of chewing.

After a moment, Liao Youzhi exhaled deeply. "In this world, gathering everyone together is hard. Tonight, we must decide—no more beating around the bush. Let's vote. Those who support marching directly to their doorstep and 'reasoning' with them—raise your hands."

This "reasoning" wasn't literal—everyone knew the power of "reason." Soon, two hands rose slowly.

"Liu, never thought we'd end up in the same boat—damn, the heavens are blind!"

Liu Yao turned his head away, expression odd, refusing to look at Yang Xiqi, who had raised his hand with him.

Yang Xiqi shot Liu Yao a disdainful look, snorted, and said: "North has countless villages and vast farmland. None of us are saints—better to eliminate the northern factions and divide the resources now."

Liao Youzhi nodded, offering no comment, then said: "Those who think marching directly is too reckless, and that we should use strategy—raise your hands."

Gong Chengming and Li Zongkai exchanged glances, then slowly raised their hands.

"This vote? Hahaha—two to two. Still no resolution!"

Liao Youzhi pouted and spread his hands.

"Liao Boss, you forgot yourself—what's your stance?" Liu Yao asked, expression odd.

"Oh! Right, right, hahaha—look at my brain, so focused on planning, I forgot my own vote!"

Liao Youzhi slapped his head in mock frustration, then pretended to ponder deeply—he hadn't forgotten; he was just putting on a show.

The atmosphere grew strangely delicate, thick with unspoken tension.

Gong Chengming half-closed his eyes, as if certain of Liao Youzhi's choice. Liu Yao and Yang Xiqi looked confident, puffing cigars. Li Zongkai, who had barely eaten earlier, now began devouring his food.

After two or three minutes, Liao Youzhi tapped his fingers on the table. "I think we should strike now—march straight to their gates and 'reason' with them. Night brings more dangers."

With Liao Youzhi's declaration, the vote became three to two—the decision was made. Gong Chengming's body stiffened slightly, a flicker of surprise in his eyes—Liao Youzhi's choice stunned him. Though second-in-command, outside the alliance, whether first or second, once one clearly declared, the other never opposed.

Put yourself in his place—if Liao Youzhi had spoken first, no matter his stance, Gong Chengming would never have contradicted him.

Compared to Gong Chengming's shock, Li Zongkai merely paused his chopsticks, offering a faint look of regret—he didn't seem overly concerned. For him, whether launching an offensive or luring them in, the goal was simply to get the job done.

"Good! I knew Liao Boss was wise, hahaha!"

Liu Yao, pleased with the outcome, raised his thumb enthusiastically toward Liao Youzhi.

"Hahaha, flattery, flattery. I do think we should march straight to their gates—but we still need strategy. We can't just charge in like fools—what tricks might they have?"

Liao Youzhi waved his hand, smiling, then turned serious: "My men have clashed with them before, and Brother Gong has even ventured north—but our intel remains limited. Every possible investigation must be done.

I propose: each of our four factions sends five elite men to form a special reconnaissance team to scout north. Ideally, we capture a few Tianma Isle members. Any objections?"

(End of Chapter)