Chapter 389: Cooperation for Mutual Benefit

Yu Li's temper was just like her father's; she knew that if she didn't make things clear now, he wouldn't leave.

So, after hesitating for a moment, she ushered her father back onto the kang.

"The row of houses on this side and Bai Bai Xiyuan are a scrap recycling station, run by people from the courtyard; I'm here watching the shop, cooking, and doing some odd jobs."

"So, you really did divorce?"

Yu Yu Bao Dong's train of thought was peculiar; he wasn't very concerned with what Yu Li had just said, yet he immediately realized that Yu Li had divorced.

None of the people living in this courtyard had figured it out, but he could see it clearly.

"Mm."

This time, Yu Li didn't hesitate and admitted it generously, then continued, "After I started working here, we moved out of the front courtyard, and his father took the house back."

"That stingy Old Man Yan! I knew he was no good!"

Yu Yu Bao Dong was so angry he was jumping up and down, but he remembered what his daughter had just said; they couldn't cause a scene in this courtyard, as making trouble might affect his son.

"Did you divorce because you had no house to live in?"

He asked this first, but then Yu Yu Bao Dong thought again and realized something was off; lacking a house to live in shouldn't be enough reason for a couple to divorce.

"No."

Yu Li lifted her head, looked at her father, and said, "We had discussed building a house in the east courtyard, and the land permit had already been approved, but he..."

"Was it Yan Brother Jiecheng?"

Yu Yu Bao Dong understood; it turned out the problem lay with his son-in-law.

Thinking now of his son-in-law's pathetic appearance, he couldn't help but frown and ask, "What happened to Yan Brother Jiecheng? What could someone so spineless possibly do?"

Yu Li exhaled a breath, lowered her head, and said, "Because of his family, we had an argument, and then..."

Actually, she wanted to mention that Yan Brother Jiecheng had found another woman, but thinking of herself, she held some words back.

Seeing her father's anxiety now, she paused briefly before continuing, "Now he has his own life, and I have my own life too; please don't worry."

Hearing this, Yu Yu Bao Dong finally understood; it seemed his son-in-law had already found a new partner, and his own daughter was also planning to move on.

"He found someone else?"

After asking this, Yu Yu Bao Dong immediately followed up with, "You found someone too? Then..."

Speaking to this point, he figured out a few things, frowned, and asked, "Is Xiao Xiao Laosan the one you... the one who arranged this?"

Yu Li kept her head down, unsure how to explain, but since her father had asked directly, and he had always doted on her since she was small, she didn't think about hiding it from him now.

"Mm."

That single "mm" answered three of her father's questions at once.

Yu Li then explained, "Yan Brother Jiecheng has already established a new family; he's no longer driving at the Rolling Steel Mill and has gone to work downstairs, so don't go looking for him."

"And what about you?"

Yu Yu Bao Dong didn't believe that someone capable of arranging a job for his son would take an interest in his divorced daughter.

Could it be some old cadre?

"I'm doing quite well now."

Yu Li sniffled, lowered her head, and said, "I earn a lot now; I don't worry about food or drink, that land plot belongs to me now, and we'll start building the house in a few days."

Yu Yu Bao Dong frowned and said, "What do you need that house for all by yourself?"

"Besides, do you think building a house is as simple as cooking a meal? Where would you get the money?"

As he spoke, he got off the kang, walked over to Yu Li, patted the top of her head, and said, "Come home with Dad; don't stay here suffering. I'll bring Xiao Xiao Laosan back later; we don't need this job."

"Dad!"

Yu Li lifted her head to look at her father, that stubborn old man who loved face but also loved her.

"Daughter, come home with Dad first; if it doesn't work out, we can look again."

Yu Yu Bao Dong reached out to wipe his daughter's tears, his face bitter as he said, "We can't sacrifice you for this job, for your brother's job, making you serve some middle-aged old man."

At first, Yu Li was quite moved hearing this; for her father to let her come home meant he was making a huge sacrifice.

A daughter divorcing at this time would be talked about by others, and her natal family would also lose face.

Yet her father's first thought was to have her come home, to avoid suffering here, serving a...

Wait! What middle-aged old man?

Hearing this, Yu Li froze, then thought of that mature, steady twenty-year-old young man who carried quite an old-man demeanor; now she didn't know whether to cry or laugh.

"Dad~ Where is there any old man!"

Yu Li chided her father lightly, then said, "I haven't suffered any injustice; without him and his family, I'm living very well on my own; I eat whatever I want, wear whatever I want, and I've even saved money in my pocket."

"Sigh~"

In Yu Yu Bao Dong's understanding, his daughter was stubborn; what difference was there between fifty and forty? Was it necessary to be so particular? Weren't they all just old men?

Even if it were someone in their thirties, they would already have a family and children; could they really want his daughter!

"Xiao Li, you know your Dad; I care about face!"

Yu Yu Bao Dong looked at Yu Li with eyes full of pity and said, "But what is face compared to my daughter? Look at your mother-in-law's expression, and you say you haven't suffered any injustice!"

"Dad, sit down."

Yu Li helped her father sit back on the kang, picked up a teacup, handed it to him, and said, "She's not my mother-in-law anymore; she's just a neighbor. With neighbors, if you get along, you get along; if not, just pretend you don't see each other."

As she spoke, she remembered her agreement with Yan Brother Jiecheng, so she instructed her father, "Don't go causing trouble or speaking recklessly; we two have separated, but we haven't told his parents yet."

"Why put yourself through this! Why go against our conscience?"

Hearing this, Yu Yu Bao Dong became unwilling; just a moment ago, he had wanted to go stir up trouble at the Yan family.

"He found a..."

Yu Li hesitated for a moment, then quietly explained to her father the agreement between the two of them and those matters concerning Yan Brother Jiecheng.

Hearing this, Yu Yu Bao Dong's furrowed brow relaxed, adopting a look of sudden understanding.

"Understood. This sort of thing was common during the Republic era; later, it became nothing special."

Speaking, he nodded in strong agreement and said to Yu Li, "I never expected such a good-for-nothing would dare try this trick; he deserves being trapped. And to think his father is a teacher—pah!"

After spitting, he continued speaking to Yu Li, "This divorce was justified. If I had known sooner, I would have beaten him senseless!"

Yu Li long ago lost all anger and resentment toward Yan Brother Jiecheng; even when encountering members of the Yan family, she acted as though she saw nothing.

Sometimes when the Yan children greeted her, she would just smile and pass by; just as she had said earlier, they were merely neighbors.

"Drink some water."

Yu Li held up a teacup and handed it to her father.

Yu Yu Bao Dong took the water his daughter offered, drank a sip, then said, "Alright, now that things are clear, tidy up; let's go home."

"Why are you still hung up on this matter!"

Yu Li helplessly said to her father, "Didn't I already tell you? I'm doing quite well here; I even have a job. Isn't that better than you supporting me?"

"It isn't that storefront house, is it?"

Thinking of the old man he had just seen inside the storefront house, Yu Yu Bao Dong frowned, looked at Yu Li, and asked, "Tell me, is it?"

"Don't speak nonsense!"

Yu Li quickly pulled down her father's pointing hand and persuaded him, "Isn't it enough that you know I'm living well now? Xiao Xiao Laosan has already made arrangements; what more do you want?"

Yu Yu Bao Dong finally understood the situation; glaring, he said, "He arranged it for Xiao Xiao Laosan behind your back?"

Without waiting for Yu Li to answer, he said with a face full of disgust, "So skilled at coaxing people—if he sold you, you'd probably help him count the money!"

Seeing his daughter's obvious reluctance, Yu Yu Bao Dong persuaded, "It's not that I forbid you from continuing to look, but you must find a respectable family. That... that old man looks older than me!"

"Father! That's the recycling station's Da Lao!"

Pressed urgently by her father, Yu Li hastily explained, "Please stop talking nonsense; if others hear this, I truly won't be able to stay here anymore."

"The recycling station's Da Lao?"

Yu Yu Bao Dong stood up to leave, saying as he walked, "How could a recycling station have a Da Lao? I'm going to ask; I'll see who owns this recycling station."

"Father!"

Yu Li grew truly anxious; she grabbed her father's clothes, blocked the doorway, and said with absolute determination, "Can you please stop meddling in my affairs?"

Yu Yu Bao Dong looked at Yu Li and asked, "Does he have a family?"

Yu Li was utterly defeated by her father's line of thinking; usually, the old man was muddled, easily swayed by flattery, yet at this precise moment he had become sharp; no deception could fool him.

"Yes!"

Yu Li nodded and said, "He does have a family; he even has children, but he treats me very well."

"You! You!"

Yu Yu Bao Dong frowned in frustration, like iron that refuses to become steel; pointing a finger at his daughter, he was so agitated he could not speak.

Yu Li stubbornly guarded the doorway, preventing her father from leaving; she certainly would not allow him to go find Hearing Da Lao.

Today was already chaotic enough; if this veil were torn apart, who knew what trouble might erupt.

At this moment, Yu Yu Bao Dong dared not shout loudly; frowning, he said, "Can he support you for your entire life? Can you remain single forever? He..."

While speaking, he gestured with his fingers toward the north, saying, "He arranged things for your younger brother; who knows what he might demand from you in return!"

"Demand what from me?"

Yu Li said helplessly, "If he wanted a house, there is no house; if he wanted land, there is no land. All that remains is this person, who is worthless now; what could he possibly demand from me?"

While speaking, she pushed her father to sit on the kang; she sat beside him, hugged his arm, and said, "Just indulge me~"

Yu Yu Bao Dong allowed his daughter to lean against his shoulder; sighing helplessly, he said, "It is my failure; I have caused you to suffer grievances."

"I already said there are no grievances!"

Hugging her father's arm just as she did in childhood, Yu Li said coquettishly, "Things are fine now. Tell me, what do you want to eat? I can buy it for you right now—whatever flies in the sky, runs on the ground, or swims in the sea..."

"Look how boastful you've become!"

Yu Yu Bao Dong did not know whether his daughter was comforting him; his brows remained furrowed.

Although he saw his daughter dressed well and possessing a job,

and although the work she described sounded legitimate, the location of that job, with the Yan family present, always made him feel uneasy.

"Truly not coming back with me?"

"Not going back!"

Yu Li shook her head and said firmly, "Do not go investigating either. He is not from around here, nor does he belong to the recycling station. If you ask, the Yan family will surely hear news of it, and then there will be trouble again."

Yu Yu Bao Dong stood up, looked at Yu Li, and said, "Daughter, I will advise you only once: this situation is bad not only for you but also for his family; end it soon."

While speaking, he glanced at the two bottles of wine on the table; without taking them, he turned to leave.

Yu Li picked up the wine from the table and chased after him.

"Father, take the wine back home."

"Keep it!"

Yu Yu Bao Dong turned to look at his daughter; frowning, he said, "This wine was meant to thank him for this matter; I do not know whether he would even appreciate it."

"Father, look at what you are saying."

Hearing her father speak thus, Yu Li knew the stubborn old man would not take the wine; she casually placed it on the windowsill and escorted her father out the door.

"When you return home, do not speak recklessly; Mother's worry would be in vain. Let this matter remain known only to the two of us."

"Hmph!"

As Yu Yu Bao Dong passed through the second gate, he snorted through his nose in the direction of the Yan family, allowing his daughter to see him out the door.

"Remember my words; when convenient, come home for a visit; your mother misses you."

"Understood."

Yu Li had just agreed when she watched her father, hands behind his back and lips pursed, walk out of the Jinyu Hutong.

She knew her father was worried about her, and she knew this state of affairs made the old man both ashamed and heartbroken.

But this state right now was the most comfortable one for her; her parents were already old—how could she go back to that home?

Although she now wanted to return home, she didn't want to trouble her parents; in the end, she had to bear everything alone.

Someone else who bore everything alone was Li Li Xuewu.

Arriving at Haidian, since they had already notified the Haidian Armed Forces Department, their vehicle entered the regiment's garrison without issue.

But as soon as they stepped upstairs, the Haidian Armed Forces Department director pulled Zheng Zheng Fuhua into the upstairs office.

Li Li Xuewu, however, was invited to the conference room, where someone was already waiting.

"This is Comrade Zhao Zhao Zhenhua, Deputy Political Commissar of the regiment."

"Hello, I'm Li Li Xuewu from the Branch Bureau."

Li Li Xuewu didn't wait for the local Armed Forces Department personnel to introduce him—he introduced himself.

In his self-introduction, he was skillful: he didn't mention his official position, but directly said "Li Li Xuewu from the Branch Bureau."

Because from the current situation, they must already know the purpose of their visit and their identities.

Comrade Zhao was very courteous—he clearly had plenty of experience dealing with local authorities—and didn't underestimate Li Li Xuewu because of his youth.

"Judging by your movements, Comrade Li, you're a demobilized cadre?"

Li Li Xuewu was much better now; many of his military habits had been corrected, though a few small ones remained.

But these traces were sharply caught by Zhao Zhao Zhenhua—anyone who had served could tell at a glance.

Seeing Li Li Xuewu was now a deputy director and so young, he must be a demobilized cadre.

Li Li Xuewu smiled and said: "Demobilized last year, platoon leader rank."

"Really!"

Zhao Zhao Zhenhua was astonished at Li Li Xuewu's rapid advancement—deputy director in just one year?

"Then we're still comrades!"

As he spoke, Zhao Zhao Zhenhua warmly shook Li Li Xuewu's hand again.

Li Li Xuewu wasn't fooled by the political commissar's smooth talk; after smiling and shaking hands, he let the other man guide him to sit beside the conference table.

When he first entered, Li Li Xuewu noticed the room was filled with people—but all sat on one side, leaving the other side clearly for him.

Zheng Zheng Fuhua's secretary followed Li Li Xuewu in, and with Comrade Sha Sha Qizhi, there were three people here.

Li Li Xuewu knew the Branch Bureau's secretary was only here to observe and listen, so he ignored him and sat squarely beside the conference table.

Opposite him sat Zhao Zhao Zhenhua.

"I heard from our superiors that a military unit ran into trouble when looking for a garrison site."

Li Li Xuewu immediately steered the conversation to the point—he had work this afternoon and couldn't waste time here.

Zheng Zheng Fuhua could just vanish; Li Li Xuewu had real business to handle.

Zhao Zhao Zhenhua also preferred directness, especially since Li Li Xuewu was military-born—they'd found common ground.

"Exactly! That's why we say comradeship matters!"

Zhao Zhao Zhenhua smiled at Li Li Xuewu: "When trouble comes, it's always demobilized cadres like you who think of us."

"Hehehe."

Li Li Xuewu knew Zhao Zhao Zhenhua was testing him—telling him not to try taking advantage of them.

That was unfair—he'd come today to bring warmth; sure, no pigs or sheep, but he had buildings.

"Comrade Zhao, let's not talk about relationships."

Li Li Xuewu first distanced himself from any personal ties; since they were at the negotiation table, he'd start with high demands and bargain down.

"We can provide two sites."

Zhao Zhao Zhenhua hadn't expected Li Li Xuewu to be so straightforward—he'd laid his cards on the table immediately.

So he dropped his smile, looked at Li Li Xuewu seriously, and waited for his next words.

Li Li Xuewu took the pre-prepared materials from Comrade Sha Sha Qizhi and handed one copy to Zhao Zhao Zhenhua across the table.

"This is our training ground, operated under a joint construction model, with participating units including our Branch Bureau, Rolling Steel Plant, Huaqing University, Investigation Department, Hongxing Commune, and Jingcheng Waste Company Jiaodaokou Branch."

Zhao Zhao Zhenhua listened as Li Li Xuewu listed a long string of units—some were indeed important.

Hongxing Commune made sense, but what was this Waste Company Branch?

Guarding trash?

Watching Zhao Zhao Zhenhua frown as he studied the documents, Li Li Xuewu continued: "The training ground spans over a thousand mu, with actual training areas covering two hilltops, complete with dormitories, mess halls, offices, drill grounds, training facilities, and special operations zones."

Zhao Zhao Zhenhua examined the maps and schematic diagrams attached to the documents, especially the training equipment and facilities—his eyes brightened.

This was an ideal garrison site—perfect for housing an entire regiment, ensuring secrecy, security, and maintaining combat readiness.

Li Li Xuewu waited as Zhao Zhao Zhenhua studied it for a while, then pulled another document from his bag and handed it over.

Zhao Zhao Zhenhua glanced at Li Li Xuewu, then accepted it—he assumed this was the second location.

The first location was already satisfying—what could the second one possibly be like?

Though pleased, Zhao Zhao Zhenhua showed no expression, maintaining his cautious demeanor.

Li Li Xuewu gestured for Zhao Zhao Zhenhua to look at the map and explained from across the table: "This is the Public Security Detachment at the intersection of Jiaodaokou and Beixinqiao."

So now, after just seeing the place this morning and still not deciding whether to assign it, Li Li Xuewu was already presenting the map as if it were his.

"It used to be the mansion of a Qing dynasty minister, extremely large—the Public Security Detachment can't use it all, so..."

Li Li Xuewu paused here, his eyes half-lidded, watching Zhao Zhao Zhenhua, who was studying the documents.

Zhao Zhao Zhenhua was pleasantly surprised by the mansion's schematic and its surrounding location.

They'd been pulled up from the mountains; previously stationed deep in the hills—if they could place the regiment headquarters in the city, especially in such a prime location, then...

"Comrade Li"

Zhao Zhao Zhenhua set the documents aside and looked at Li Li Xuewu: "Say what you need to say—we're comrades. You should already know our situation."

He glanced at the cadre beside him, then continued to Li Li Xuewu: "If you need our help, we won't hesitate—we're here to support local armed construction."

"Then I'll speak plainly."

Li Li Xuewu crossed his hands on the table and looked at Zhao Zhao Zhenhua: "We can allocate one of the Public Security Brigade's courtyards for your regimental headquarters."

Zhao Zhao Zhenhua nodded and asked: "Director Li, you know how large a regimental headquarters is, right?"

"Heh."

Li Li Xuewu nodded, smiled faintly, and paid no mind to Zhao Zhao Zhenhua's skepticism—he'd once been a platoon leader himself.

"We're forming a professional emergency response team here to handle sudden and special incidents."

Li Li Xuewu gave a general explanation of the situation here, but didn't elaborate on the emergency team—after all, they weren't yet his people.

"Also, at this location we'll establish the district-wide Public Security Brigade, including training and duty for police, security personnel, and other law enforcement forces."

"Do you need us to do something?"

Zhao Zhao Zhenhua seemed to understand Li Li Xuewu's meaning; he narrowed his eyes and said: "If it's about training and organizing structure, we have no problem."

"Mm-hmm."

Li Li Xuewu nodded: "Yes, that's exactly what we need."

He affirmed Zhao Zhao Zhenhua's words, then continued his explanation: "Including the government personnel coming here to work, several hundred people will be operating here."

Li Li Xuewu knew the higher-ups were also discussing this; they were now talking about concrete operations, so he explained in detail.

Especially for a unit of this nature, setting up a regimental headquarters in the city would be sensitive.

But if they participated in local armed construction, assisted with public security training, and helped with infrastructure, it would be justifiable.

This was the cake Li Li Xuewu and Zheng Zheng Fuhua had devised to entice this regiment.

Such a prime location—there was no way they wouldn't be satisfied.

"We don't just need you to help form and train the teams—we also need you to bring in your military discipline and security standards."

Zhao Zhao Zhenhua nodded: "Explain in detail. We'll discuss it among ourselves."

Li Li Xuewu knew Zhao Zhao Zhenhua had no authority to decide—like himself, he was only here to discuss operational matters.

"We need you to share training—specifically, to train our personnel according to your methods and standards."

He stated the first demand, then handed over two prepared training outlines.

One was for the emergency team, the other for the Public Security Brigade.

The training content in both outlines differed, especially in intensity.

The Public Security Brigade's focus remains on duty, with training as secondary.

Seeing Zhao Zhao Zhenhua flipping through the documents, Li Li Xuewu continued: "We also need to share equipment and facilities."

"How do you mean 'share'?"

Zhao Zhao Zhenhua had never heard this before, but didn't look up—yet Li Li Xuewu still sensed his caution.

"Vehicles, special vehicles, weapons, equipment—those kinds of things."

Li Li Xuewu stated his demands without hesitation. They were here to support construction; though bold, it was standard to ask for the moon.

Before Zhao Zhao Zhenhua could ask further, Li Li Xuewu added: "Also, discipline and security."

"We need your help in building discipline."

Li Li Xuewu said: "Good discipline ensures combat effectiveness. We plan to align our base's discipline and security management with yours."

Zhao Zhao Zhenhua nodded: "That actually simplifies our management—we're in the same courtyard; having two standards wouldn't work."

"Mm."

Li Li Xuewu nodded: "If you handle our base's security and discipline, we can also learn your excellent conduct and management practices."

"Heh."

Zhao Zhao Zhenhua chuckled at Li Li Xuewu's flattery, unbothered—this young comrade wasn't simple.

"I've read your training outlines."

He passed the documents to the cadre beside him, then said to Li Li Xuewu: "We can only assist you in following these methods. If you agree, our training department can revise the outlines—we can study them together."

"No problem."

Li Li Xuewu smiled: "One mind is short, many minds are long. No one claims their training method is perfect. We're feeling our way across the river—now if we can cross together with you, that's even better."

He emphasized with approval: "After all, you're professionals in training."

"Hehehe."

Hearing Li Li Xuewu's joke, Zhao Zhao Zhenhua laughed—clearly, the tone between them had eased.

"We can discuss this gradually. We're also willing to absorb local advanced experience to improve our own training."

He gestured to the cadre beside him and introduced Li Li Xuewu: "This is Comrade Zhang Ren Chenggong, our regiment's training staff officer."

"Hello, Staff Officer Zhang."

Li Li Xuewu extended his hand and shook the cadre's.

After sitting down, Zhang Ren Chenggong raised the training outlines and asked Li Li Xuewu: "Did you write these?"

"Yes."

Li Li Xuewu nodded: "We wrote them. I based them on my military training experience, combined with local operational needs and practical methods from the steel plant's security and guard teams."

"Very good. Ting You Xiang Fa."

Zhang Ren Chenggong nodded to Zhao Zhao Zhenhua, then said to Li Li Xuewu: "If we really relocate to your side, we could learn from each other."

"No problem."

Li Li Xuewu nodded, acknowledging Zhang Ren Chenggong's words, then turned to Zhao Zhao Zhenhua: "Let me tell you about the training ground situation."

Li Li Xuewu pulled another document from his bag and handed it over: "We already have personnel training there, following this outline."

Zhao Zhao Zhenhua picked it up, flipped through it briefly, and then handed it to Zhang Ren Chenggong beside him.

Li Li Xuewu continued speaking: "The requirements are about the same as over there; our unit stationed there will similarly need to help maintain discipline and security at the training ground while assisting us with training."

Just as Zhao Zhao Zhenhua felt Li Li Xuewu's requirements were about the same, Li Li Xuewu added: "When necessary, we will need you to participate in our duties and operations."

Upon hearing Li Li Xuewu's words, Zhao Zhao Zhenhua frowned and asked him: "What constitutes 'when necessary'? Surely you know the nature of our unit?"

Li Li Xuewu nodded but still said: "'When necessary' will be decided by the leadership."

Seeing the other party frown and about to object, Li Li Xuewu spoke first: "Of course, this will be coordinated with you, but there must be actions supporting us."

"Let's set this aside for now."

Zhao Zhao Zhenhua tapped his fingers on the table, looked at Li Li Xuewu, and said: "You understand what I just said; this requires further study."

"I understand."

Li Li Xuewu nodded, knowing such matters were highly sensitive and required study by the leadership upstairs before a decision could be made.

Seeing Li Li Xuewu had finished speaking, Zhao Zhao Zhenhua began stating his own conditions.

"You already said this garrison in the city could accommodate our regimental headquarters, so I won't ask about the size of the grounds."

Zhao Zhao Zhenhua looked at Li Li Xuewu and asked: "You also mentioned 'sharing' just now; exactly what can we share?"

"Everything."

Li Li Xuewu said very generously: "Including the grounds we're discussing now, our vehicles and equipment, as well as logistical support."

"This..."

Zhao Zhao Zhenhua frowned as he looked at Li Li Xuewu; they had their own logistics department, so they didn't have such a great demand for what Li Li Xuewu was describing.

Now was the time for him to haggle; he understood Li Li Xuewu's sky-high asking price, he could see Li Li Xuewu's little schemes, and he believed the leadership upstairs could see them too.

But the very purpose of their transfer was to support local construction.

Yet before the transfer, everything sounded fine; after arriving here, however, they were neglected by everyone.

Although their establishment had already been transferred to the Jingcheng Garrison Command, they weren't even given a place to station and had been lodging with the Armed Forces Department all along.

The troops were still stationed outside the city under very poor conditions and environment, and they had to find a garrison site before spring, or it would affect the local area.

Li Li Xuewu had seen through this regiment's predicament, which was why he dared to make such outrageous demands.

Despite making it sound like mutual benefit, he had consistently spoken only of this regiment cooperating with their construction efforts.

Not to mention anything else, just how many people would be needed for auxiliary training and ensuring discipline and security?

It was fine here in the city; a single guard company could ensure it, but what about up on the mountain?

That was a mountain, not a mere mound of earth.

Seeing Zhao Zhao Zhenhua didn't think much of the logistical support he mentioned, Li Li Xuewu smiled and explained: "The training ground I just mentioned includes two mountain peaks; that area isn't just a training ground, but also includes breeding farms and agricultural fields operated in cooperation with Red Star Village."

He was starting to talk nonsense in order to swallow up this regiment; the breeding farms and agricultural fields on the mountain had only just begun, yet he already dared to speak of logistical support.

But Li Li Xuewu was bold, just as he had been regarding that residence mentioned earlier.

If one sub-bureau unit carried little weight, what about two?

If the Special Duty Team plus the Public Security Brigade still carried insufficient weight, what if another regimental headquarters was added?

Get on the bus first; once the weight increases, won't things become easier to discuss?

The same applied here: trick this regiment into coming, and once the mountain was truly guarded, even if Li Li Xuewu claimed there were dragons on the mountain, who could climb up to challenge him on it?

"Is that so!"

This surprised Zhao Zhao Zhenhua; he hadn't expected that they also had their own breeding farms and agricultural fields in the mountains.

Although it might not guarantee supplies for the entire regiment, it could certainly improve their meal standards.

But after being transferred here, they had nothing; supplies relied entirely on allocation, which was barely enough to eat.

Now hearing Li Li Xuewu speak of agricultural fields and breeding farms, he became interested.

"Do they belong to the training ground itself?"

"No."

Li Li Xuewu shook his head; he did not intend to cast aside Red Star Village, not only because of Yin Yin Mancang's relationship but more importantly for the future.

Naturally, the bigger the cake, the better; it's no fun for just two people to eat it; only through cooperation can there be mutual victory.

"The agricultural fields and breeding farms belong to Red Star Village, but we can participate in their construction."

Li Li Xuewu defined the nature of this matter: just like with the training ground, I provide the land and the ideas; if you want resources, you can contribute manpower and effort.

If this regiment participated in the training ground and planting projects on the mountain, Yin Yin Mancang could then work with free rein and go all out.

Furthermore, Li Li Xuewu wouldn't have to worry about the mountain being affected by the impending storm.

Once Shan Kou was sealed off and the two mountain peaks placed under closed management, if you couldn't get up there, how could you know what was above?

"To what extent can we participate?"

Zhao Zhao Zhenhua remained uneasy about what Li Li Xuewu said; since The Matter Is Serious, he still wanted to ask for clarity.

"There is plenty of land; however much effort you put in, that's how much you can share."

Li Li Xuewu looked at the man opposite him, smiled, and said: "How bold a person is, that's how much the land will yield."

"Heh heh."

Zhao Zhao Zhenhua smiled but did not pick up on Li Li Xuewu's joke; given their status, they had to be very cautious in their speech.

Unlike Li Li Xuewu, who was in a local position and could speak indirectly, they could not; one was one, and two was two.

When Li Li Xuewu negotiated conditions with them, although some words were implied, he still spoke plainly about what existed, neither lying nor concealing.

Just as mentioned earlier, when necessary, if the sub-bureau side needed support, then this regiment would have to be mobilized for support.

Of course, Li Li Xuewu was not so arrogant as to speak of 'mobilizing'; let alone that he lacked such authority, even Zheng Zheng Fuhua did not have it.

Their entire system lacked such authority; it required coordination, and the Garrison Command had the final say.

Zhao Zhao Zhenhua put down the pen in his hand, looked at Li Li Xuewu, and asked: "Is there anything else?"

Li Li Xuewu smiled and asked, "If you need anything, feel free to bring it up; aren't we also thinking of lending a hand to help?"

Zhao Zhao Zhenhua looked at the cunning Li Li Xuewu opposite him; this fellow said to let him name his conditions, yet his following words claimed they were only there to help Zhao's side.

If he were to name any conditions now, wouldn't that make him appear ungrateful?

Yet when the other party had named their conditions, they had shown no politeness, saying everything that needed to be said.

Zhao Zhao Zhenhua thought for a moment and said, "Our transfer here is not merely to assist one or two of your units with armed construction; normally, we are also responsible for training local militia."

While speaking, he glanced at Li Li Xuewu and added, "Of course, there is also the task of maintaining social order, as you mentioned, but our establishment cannot be broken up, because we must serve as the foundation for expanding local armed forces in wartime."

"I understand."

Li Li Xuewu nodded and said, "Since I said I would help, I had no intention of taking advantage of you."

"Heh heh heh, yes."

Zhao Zhao Zhenhua chuckled lightly, glancing at the several people beside him; he knew Li Li Xuewu was spinning tales, but since they currently needed his help, he pretended to believe Li Li Xuewu's words were true.

"In that case, since we now understand the situation, let us discuss and study the matter."

Zhao Zhao Zhenhua stood up, signaled to those beside him, shook hands with Li Li Xuewu and his companions, and then led Li Li Xuewu out of the conference room.

Meanwhile, Zheng Zheng Fuhua, who had gone upstairs earlier, now came down from the upper floor.

Li Li Xuewu suspected there was some connection between the upstairs and downstairs activities; how could Zheng Zheng Fuhua come down just as soon as their meeting ended? Could someone not be relaying messages?

"How did the talks go?"

Zheng Zheng Fuhua, while leading Li Li Xuewu to shake hands and bid farewell to the regiment cadres here one by one, acted as if his visit today had been solely to cultivate relationships.

Only after getting into the car did he pose this question to Li Li Xuewu.

"Acceptable."

Li Li Xuewu glanced back at the main gate and instructed Han Han Jiankun at which intersection to stop the vehicle.

On the way, Li Li Xuewu reported the course of the negotiations to Zheng Zheng Fuhua; it could be said that contact had been established in an atmosphere of equality and mutual benefit.

Zheng Zheng Fuhua was quite satisfied with Li Li Xuewu's work; he nodded but made no further comment.

The two parted outside the city; Li Li Xuewu headed east to the Rolling Steel Factory, while Zheng Zheng Fuhua went south back to the sub-bureau.

No wonder people say Li Li Xuewu is busy; no sooner had he arrived at the Rolling Steel Factory than a phone call came chasing after him.

"Director, Deputy Factory Director Li Li Huai De called this afternoon, saying he has matters to discuss with you."

Just as Li Li Xuewu put down the receiver from Li Li Huai De's call, Yu Yu Decai, standing beside the desk, reported the afternoon's developments.

"I know."

After acknowledging Yu Yu Decai, he then asked, "Regarding what the leadership mentioned this morning, have the reporting materials on the emergency plan and the emergency plan drills been compiled?"

"They are ready."

Yu Yu Decai replied affirmatively and handed the documents in his hand to Li Li Xuewu.

Although Li Li Huai De had said he wanted to see Li Li Xuewu, Li Li Xuewu still decided to finish the work at hand first.

Because he knew what Li Li Huai De wanted to see him about; it certainly related to the morning's incidents.

He knew that if they could not find him, they would surely go to Li Li Huai De, and it was even more likely that Deputy Factory Director Nie, who supervised those two departments, would contact Li Li Huai De directly.

After glancing at the materials Yu Yu Decai had handed over, Li Li Xuewu placed the documents back in front of Yu Yu Decai.

"Send them to the Factory Office, and attach a summary; I wrote one previously."

While speaking, Li Li Xuewu stood up, walked to the filing cabinet, opened the door, rummaged inside, and pulled out a summary report, which he handed to Yu Yu Decai beside him.

"Adjust the date, polish the content slightly, and attach it at the end."

"Understood."

Yu Yu Decai looked at the summary report in his hand; he held no objection to Li Li Xuewu asking him to organize a previous report.

He was capable of writing such summary reports himself, and in fact, he had already drafted one that very afternoon, fearing Li Li Xuewu might be too busy to write one.

He had not expected Li Li Xuewu to have written one before; now, with a document in Li Li Xuewu's style, it would naturally be more convenient to simply polish it and submit it.

"This afternoon, Deputy Factory Director Li arranged for the Fire Protection Section to remove the seals from the experimental building."

Tomorrow morning there will be an extra update; good brothers, please cast more monthly tickets~