"At ease, everyone. How is your weekend?" Zhang Qin Feng greets everyone as he is seated on his throne. This is their first meeting after the number of people in Azure Wind Base increased to 20,000 people.
And for a meeting of this caliber, the previous meeting room is renovated into a much proper-like council hall. Right now, everyone has their own flashing tags showing their identity to where Zhang Qin Feng sits.
They're separated into four colors.
Military HQ - Red | Worker's Union - Blue | Resident's Union - Green | Scraps Exchange Company - Grey
In this way, a decent meeting can be conducted without a tiny disturbance.
Listening to Zhang Qin Feng's greeting to everyone present inside of this room, they soon seated according to their position inside this Council Hall. Those like Dan Bao, Dan Mi, Guo Jing, Guo Fu, and Elder Lucas are positioned closer to Zhang Qin Feng.
In total, 112 people representing the Military, 25 people each from the Workers and Resident's Union, and 8 from Scraps Exchange Company. A total of 170 people attends this meeting that could decide the fate of this Azure Wind Base is right here.
"Dan Bao," Zhang Qin Feng's first word to start the meeting is actually Dan Bao's name.
"Your subordinate is present," Dan Bao stands up with his head held up high. He's currently worthy of this because of his excellent handling during the two days Zhang Qin Feng is away.
Not only the two platoons worth of Second Lieutenants are found, but the overall conduct of the base also went off pretty well. Only 11 reports so far registered from the Shanghai Plot, mainly for small matters.
"From today onwards, you'll be promoted to the rank of [Colonel] leading our Azure Wind Brigade." his promotion came immediately after Zhang Qin Feng's sentence.
It was a well-deserved reward for Dan Bao, who's counted as the first batches of people submitting to Zhang Qin Feng's Faction.
"Thank you, Sir!" Dan Bao made a salute at Zhang Qin Feng and then returned to his seat.
"Guo Jing, and my first ten Lieutenants," Zhang Qin Feng's reward finally came to them. The group of eleven immediately stands up, awaiting their order.
"Guo Jing will be our Lieutenant Colonel. As for all of you, the rank of a Major of Azure Wind Army!" Zhang Qin Feng's following promotion came to them, which made each of them wanted to hop from where they stand due to happiness.
Compared to when they're still nobody trying to settle in Changyang City, their current military rank is something everyone dreamt about.
The promotion of Dan Bao to a colonel rank also means he will be calling out from smaller skirmishes except for something like the Titanfall War. That means from this meeting onwards, Guo Jing is going to take the chain of command with 10 Majors assisting him.
Each unit of 10 has its own leader, and five form a platoon. Managing each platoon will an appointed Second Lieutenant. And a Lieutenant will manage five or a company of 250 soldiers.
Two companies formed a Battalion, managed by a Major. And with 10 Majors right here, the Hierarchy Rank has begun to be established.
After he's down with the officer's promotion, the meeting continued. It was quite a dull session as there's no excitement brought up in the boring topics.
With most of the available and worthy technology scraps digested, there's a lack of demands for the Scraps Exchange Company's visit.
And with the smaller gangs already joined into Azure Wind's big family, the demand for goods can be said as halted.
Their only available option is to either invest bigger to trade with the five top tier gangs or try their luck by going through the bridges leading to the western part of Changyang City.
Of course, this suggestion is not made whimsically by the members from Scraps Exchange Company. Their real target is the Military Expertise's Changyang building, located in the 18th zone, or the Gigacorp Arsenals building in the 22nd zone.
It is two of the most valuable targets for Zhang Qin Feng. Although the resources available in both building might be limited, their main intention in getting hold of both buildings are due to technology purposes.
But they'll have to persuade Zhang Qin Feng if they wish to continue.
"So... Your suggestion is that we open a trade route over to the west while slowly build our influence there?" Zhang Qin Feng tapped his finger on the table, seems interested in their suggestion. But no matter how confident is Zhang Qin Feng towards his people, one important factor cannot be overlooked.
The dispute in profit margin.
In this apocalypse, food yields the highest profit alongside with power supply. And both of them are a part of Zhang Qin Feng's business. Of course, the Duranium-Made Atom Battery is out of their trade option.
"How confident is your team about expanding our business? I know that the two main buildings are our main objective, but that's not enough." Zhang Qin Feng stopped tapping. He's not satisfied with only approaching two zones after crossing the bridge.
"Sir's suggestion is..." Elder Lucas seems to catch Zhang Qin Feng's intention and quickly grabs the map with two more zones.
"From 16th to 22nd Zone. We'll expand our reach to all four zones nearest to our Eastern District." Zhang Qin Feng released the thought from his ambition out, revealing how greedy he is.
"Your thought will be my command." Elder Lucas nodded.
Just like this, the Council Meeting ended.
But that's the calm period before a tsunami strikes. With Zhang Qin Feng's approval in his hand, Elder Lucas led a convoy of 60 Minos, twice the number before the Titanfall War, over to the Western District.
Accompanying them is equal numbers of Armored Response Vehicle and two King-Rhino. Six Majors participate in this "Business" trip, along with 3,000 soldiers under their leadership.
As for Zhang Qin Feng, he ordered the Resident Union to expand its influence, indirectly taking over important locations surrounding their base. Shops selling food, firearms, and battery started to appear here and there.
They're attractive because survivors still exist all over the place. In their estimation, at least close to 50,000 people are still living independently without joining any gangs. Part of the business from their stores also comes from these people.
Also, at the same time, Zhang Qin Feng tried to mend his relationship with the Wanshui Group and Yang Militarized Group. His expansion can only be a success if both front and backyard are handled well.
Since the two gangs have little to no interest at Changyang City, they agreed. They suggested a friendly trading-relationship amongst the three of them, while Zhang Qin Feng provides them with attractive supplies.
But that's also translated into saying Zhang Qin Feng's current intention of hegemonized the entire Changyang is nothing but a small dream to the heroes. A bigger game exists outside of Changyang, and it was more attractive than what's available here.
"I believe you should see this before you expand your hands outside of Changyang," a Memory Drive is thrown at Zhang Qin Feng before Yang Leader left the Azure Wind Base.
"This fellow..." Zhang Qin Feng put the drive into his pocket and followed Dan Bao back to their Military HQ. But at the same time, the Luna III device vibrates.
"Qingfeng Leader," Zhang Qin Feng's status code is read out to allow sensitive information to be reported.
"Sir, we're in the Military Expertise HQ." Elder Lucas's voice made Zhang Qin Feng can't help but chuckled.
"Bao," he turned his attention to Dan Bao.
"Sir?" Dan Bao stares at Zhang Qin Feng, patiently waiting for his order.
"Give me the control to one of your Elite Unit. I have something to do," Zhang Qin Feng patted on Dan Bao's shoulder. Instead of walking straight to the Military HQ, he takes the direction leading to the Shangwen Upper Street, where the armory is located!
"Bzzt! Sir!" Dan Bao's device is connected to a soldier.
"Your Lord is taking a trip outside his garden. Get your chariots and warriors ready!"