Chapter 37: Visitors from the Southwest
The two burly men looked at Wang Ji with anticipation, yet their hearts were filled with unease. Cui Dazhou, however, had made his choice after careful consideration. He had observed Wang Ji for a long time—within less than a month, Wang Ji had transformed a group of ordinary peasants into soldiers with the strength of professionals. This was the first reason Cui Dazhou decided to align himself with Wang Ji.
The second reason was that Wang Ji, alone in the base, clearly needed more people by his side.
Meanwhile, Lin Xue had risen powerfully, joining forces with several second-tier factions and threatening to swallow up Cui Dazhou’s own territory. His team, once more than five hundred strong, had been whittled down through defections and repeated screenings, leaving him with barely two hundred men.
The loss of strength and ground had compelled him to choose Wang Ji.
“What are you doing?” Wang Ji asked. “The Independent Company isn’t a place where anyone can join just because they want to.”
Cui Dazhou answered immediately, “Captain Wang, we dare not ask to be included in your ranks. We only seek your protection, so we may have a place in the base and make a living. We will follow your orders unconditionally and bring you offerings every month.”
“Yes, yes! We’ll do that too. All our gains will be handed to you—just grant us your protection,” He Guangsheng added, trying desperately to show his loyalty for his own survival.
After all, the rumor in the base was that anyone who clashed with Cao Muhua had mysteriously vanished, except for Wang Ji himself. He Guangsheng had no desire to be dragged outside and buried.
Hearing their words, Wang Ji was moved. “Fine, stand up, then.”
“No, Captain Wang! If you refuse, I’ll kneel here until I die! My poor family is still at the base!” He Guangsheng wailed, thinking Wang Ji had rejected him.
“Stop it! Why are you crying? If you won’t even listen to me, how could I take you in?” Wang Ji snapped irritably.
Cui Dazhou’s face brightened and he quickly pulled He Guangsheng to his feet.
“Thank you, Captain Wang. From now on, the entire Tiger Gang follows your orders!”
He Guangsheng, realizing his acceptance, wiped away his tears and grinned, “Thank you! Thank you, Captain Wang. The Dragon Gang will obey you in everything!”
Wang Ji sneered, “Dragon Gang? With your attitude? Learn from Dazhou.”
“Yes, yes, as you say. Dazhou, from now on we're family. Let’s take care of each other,” He Guangsheng replied, lacking backbone but smooth in manner.
“Enough. Since you sincerely wish to join me—and because you’re caught between me and Cao Muhua—I won’t turn you away. But let me be clear: if you ever betray me, you know what your fate will be.”
Cui Dazhou’s expression turned solemn. He seized a dinner knife from the table and sliced his palm. “If I betray, may heaven and earth punish me!”
He Guangsheng, trembling, followed suit to show his loyalty.
“Good! If you are true to me, I will be true to you!” Wang Ji laughed. “From now on, you are auxiliary organizations under my Independent Company.”
“Dazhou, for now, you and I are not officially cooperating, so I want you to keep your independent status and operate in the base as you always have.”
Cui Dazhou thought it over and agreed readily.
“No need to worry. Every month, based on the crystal cores you hand over, I’ll support you with weapons at twenty percent of market price. Any issues?”
This time, joy lit up Cui Dazhou’s face. Weapons at twenty percent of the market price would let him arm his men quickly, eliminating worries about Cao Muhua secretly sabotaging him.
He nodded earnestly, “Understood! Thank you, Captain Wang!”
“As for you, today’s events will surely reach Cao Muhua’s ears. So let’s make it public—you’re with me now,” Wang Ji said, his brow furrowed. “From now on, every day you’ll bring your most trusted men to my training camp for half-day drills. Otherwise, carry on as usual. Execute orders when they come. Understood?”
“Understood, Captain Wang!” He Guangsheng replied, attempting a clumsy salute.
“Alright, then. Go back and prepare yourselves. You’ll have work soon.” Wang Ji waved them off, pleased at having absorbed these two factions.
He Guangsheng hesitantly took out a token and handed it to Wang Ji.
Wang Ji waved him away, “Go on, I’m not greedy for my subordinates’ things. Also, follow him to logistics and each of you collect a thousand rounds of ammunition!”
“Yes! Thank you, Captain!” Cui Dazhou and He Guangsheng beamed as they departed, following Wang Ji’s guards.
Meanwhile, beside the camp base in the industrial district, the pointed communications tower atop the telecom building was finally completed with the last weld.
The young supervisor, dark circles under his eyes, watched the worker signal 'OK' and climb down. He went to the base of the tower, pressed a few switches on the control panel, and tested the system.
When the signal lights came on, he clenched his fist in excitement—a dozen days and nights of nonstop work had finally paid off.
He grabbed his pad and hurried downstairs.
“Minister! Minister! The communications tower is perfectly finished!”
Li Qing, busy with data in the research center office, sprang up at the news.
Li Qing grasped the young man's shoulders. “Xiao Wu! Is it true?”
“It’s true! I just tested it—the signal is normal! Minister, you should come see for yourself!”
Li Qing laughed and tapped his head, “No need! Xiao Wu, connect the transmission lines to the server! Meng Lan, find Supervisor Xiao Liu and have him arrange production of several wireless handsets for testing!”
“And you—return to the base, find Sergeant Zhao Xiaoquan, inform him of the good news and prepare for communication testing!”
“Everyone, move quickly! Keep it confidential!”
“Understood, Minister!” The office team, thrilled, rushed to carry out the orders.
The communications tower was now directly linked to Wang Ji’s service system. Once tests were complete, it would be ready for full deployment.
Half an hour later, Haozi, visibly excited, led several soldiers from the base to the industrial district.
Behind them, a heavily modified military jeep rolled in.
At the wheel was a muscular man with a green army cloth tied around his head, a cigarette dangling from his lips. He glanced at the camp gate and walls.
“Captain, this base looks decent—everything's normal.”
His captain, dressed in dark green camouflage with a cap and sunglasses hiding his eyes, straightened in his seat, waved to the patrol team ahead, and spoke hoarsely, “Be careful, everyone. Don’t cause any trouble—especially you, Lisa. Understood?”
Beside him sat a radiant young woman with twin ponytails and smoky eye makeup. She rolled her eyes playfully. “Oh, why do you always pick on me? I’m well-behaved, honestly!”
From the front passenger seat came a raucous laugh.
“Hahaha! Lisa, try using your foot on me again and I’ll deal with you myself!”
Lisa, clad in a vest and shorts, giggled and snapped, “Fat pig! Try it if you dare!”
“Quiet!” The captain’s commanding presence silenced the others.
As the base guards questioned them, the driver flashed their credentials. The guard ran inside for approval, soon returned, saluted, and let them in.
The jeep, guided by soldiers, arrived at the office building run by Chen Yukai.
The captain got out, scanned the surroundings, and said in a deep voice, “Later, Fatty, you’re coming with me upstairs. Lisa, you and the others find some supplies in the base. Remember, I don’t want to repeat myself.”
Lisa wriggled her waist, sidling up to the captain. “Captain, relax. I’ll listen to you.”
He frowned, stepped aside, and said, “Enough. Once our business is done, we’re returning to base. No mistakes at this critical time.”
He turned and, taking Fatty, strode into the building, leaving Lisa to stomp her foot in annoyance.
“Come on, Baldy, let’s see what goodies the base has!”
The jeep growled as it turned toward the base marketplace.
The captain and Fatty quickly reached Chen Yukai’s office.
Chen Yukai, having received word from the sentries, was already waiting.
“Greetings, Commander! Wu Gang, Captain of Southwest Military District Special Forces, reporting!” Wu Gang saluted with stern resolve.
Chen Yukai returned the salute. “Thank you, Captain Wu. Please, sit.”
“Commander, is the base currently under your control?” Wu Gang asked directly after sitting.
Chen Yukai nodded. “Captain Wu, what brings you all the way from the Southwest Military District?”
Wu Gang took a sealed document from his pocket and handed it over. “Sorry, Commander—I'd thought Zhang Zhining was in charge here.”
Chen Yukai accepted the file. “Ah, Director Zhang sacrificed himself en route, so I’m in charge for now.” He opened and read the document.
Wu Gang’s heart sank at the news. “I’m here by order to investigate the use of supplies in the shelter base. Please cooperate, Commander.”
Chen Yukai finished reading, his expression puzzled. “Captain Wu, while I have no doubt about your identity and the documents, I must ask: why is the Southwest Military District handling matters for the F City shelter base?”
Wu Gang forced a stiff smile. “Commander Chen, our headquarters’ communications equipment has been restored. We came at the request of your headquarters. The F City military district has relocated north to join Jiangbei Military District Headquarters. We were the closest, so we took the task.”
At the mention of restored communications, Chen Yukai leapt to his feet. “Communications are restored? Headquarters moved to Jiangbei?”
“Yes. Communications technology is limited by equipment, so only branch headquarters are operational. As for the Jiangbei branch, I don’t have full details yet.”
Chen Yukai slowly sat, voice grave. “It’s alright. The restoration itself is good news. Captain Wu, welcome. If you need support, we’ll cooperate fully.”
Wu Gang smiled. “Just need to check underground supplies and usage. By the way, with Director Zhang gone, how do you have access to the underground base?”
Chen Yukai paused, watching Wu Gang’s smile closely. He finally sensed that this inspection was not as simple as it seemed. He took a drag of his cigarette and quietly spoke a single name.
“Wang Ji.”