"I have no intention of doing anything that a leader would do. I am against absolute authority and dominance. However, today, I want to step forward and swear with my life that this will be the only time in my life. This time, I want to arrange things with some friends to fulfill my plan." "Because time is running short, our organization has yet to take shape, but I'm getting a bit anxious. I worry about our friends suffering on the other side; I worry that they might not be able to wait any longer." "For those of you I've called upon, I will ask for your help in carrying out certain tasks. You can choose to accept or reject, or even offer better suggestions. For those not named by me, it's not that you're inadequate, but rather my knowledge is limited. If you're willing, you can volunteer to join or propose improvements." "Xu Dekai, ... If you take on this task, can you form a team of twenty people on your own?" "No problem, I can lead a team to complete it," Xu Dekai replied loudly. "Wei Youran, ..." "No problem, I can lead a team to complete it." "Huang Hao, ..." "No problem, I can lead a team to complete it." ... More and more people were named, but even more were not. The reason was simple: as Xiao Guang had said, "I don't know you." Fang Tong looked around himself, the buzzing in his ears growing louder. He couldn't sit still any longer. Suddenly, he gritted his teeth and stood up. It was just after Xiao Guang had arranged a task and was about to continue naming individuals. In a loud voice, Fang Tong said, "I have something to say." Everyone turned their gaze towards him, and Fang Tong cleared his throat. "I, Fang Tong, come from a military background. I've been stationed at the base for over a year and am familiar with all the ins and outs, both inside and outside. I know the entrances to the underground passages and have some experience leading teams. I request to undertake the mission!" Silence reigned like a still forest! "Alright, Fang Tong, ..." "No problem, I can lead the team to complete it." As soon as the words fell, someone else immediately stood up. "I, Mao Qiang, am a construction engineer. I've returned from the base, and I'm familiar with all the entrances on the northern side. I can offer assistance." "Very well, Mao Qiang, ..."
"I, I am Zhao Gang, also known as the Mountain Village Base by all of you. I possess extensive knowledge about insects, responsible for researching how to control them. When it comes to dealing with unknown insects, I might be more adept than everyone present," Zhao Gang pondered for a moment before adding, "though maybe not better than you."
His final sentence brought a knowing smile to everyone's lips.
Xiao Guang blinked in surprise and playfully quipped, "You're still the top, I don't count; I'm basically overpowered."
"Hahaha..."
Laughter filled the room, and the atmosphere lightened considerably.
Next, Xiao Guang organized numerous tasks. His thinking was meticulous, his logic clear. Initially, it might not have seemed much different from others' arrangements, but as he went on, the people in the room started nodding in silent agreement. Especially as new volunteers joined, Xiao Guang continued to assign them to suitable positions, occasionally even appointing assistants. His responses were swift, orderly, and well-structured. In the end, Xiao Guang even assigned a task to himself. The elderly figures like Old Su and the others couldn't help but admire his organizational skills. Su Pei gazed from a distance, her face filled with admiration. If Xu Dekai had left the impression of a grand general, a hero, then the man standing calmly on the podium, orchestrating and directing, was a king!
"Comrades, this is my arrangement for now. I earnestly request that if anyone finds shortcomings in my arrangement, please criticize and correct them. But at the same time, I hope everyone can act promptly. I'll be waiting outside now. Please help me out!"
Xiao Guang descended from the podium, and Su Pei immediately stepped forward, reaching out to take his arm. Despite Xiao Guang's reassurances that he could sense obstacles and wouldn't trip, even joking that he could ride a dragonfly, she stubbornly treated him like a patient, a patient whose sight hadn't fully returned. She walked alongside him, always ready to warn him about any obstacles ahead.
Su Pei said, "As long as I'm with you, you don't need to expend energy sensing things. Just close your eyes and follow me; I've got you covered."
"Alright, you've got me covered," Xiao Guang grinned.
At this moment, with Su Pei guiding him, Xiao Guang moved forward from his seat. Old Su stood up, saying, "Ladies and gentlemen, I, Su Ming, am willing to temporarily take charge of this meeting. I want to make it clear that after presiding over this meeting, no matter what kind of management organization we establish in the future, I will absolutely not take on any administrative position. I won't hold any managerial role. I'll wholeheartedly focus on scientific research."
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire assembly felt even more shocked, and a wave of murmurs swept through the room. Privately, Old Su was a towering figure in both the scientific and management realms. When he returned with a team of hundreds, his reputation had soared. Even the residents of the base believed that Old Su could replace Liu Xing, his abilities surpassing Liu Xing's completely. This was corroborated by the information brought back by Fang Tong, Mao Qiang, and others. While Xiao Guang was a young legend, Old Su was a tangible presence—his age and experience were enough to win over the crowd. After a period of wandering, many officers had aligned themselves with him. It could be said that Old Su was the true threat to Liu Xing's precarious position.
Everyone knew that the greatest hope lay years ahead when technology would have progressed to a certain stage, or perhaps a rare and unpredictable event would occur by chance. Otherwise, they might never be able to return, and from then on, they would have to survive in this world. Therefore, they needed to establish a small social group here. The individuals present at this meeting would become the foundation of this organization, even potentially creators of a new nation. This meeting held immense significance; while the primary goal was to save people, it was also an opportunity to lay the foundation for a coordination mechanism. The temporary management of this operation, as long as nothing went wrong, would become formal management, with those in charge of a future national department. Old Su's words were equivalent to voluntarily relinquishing his most promising position, that of a national leader and a key decision-maker.
If Xiao Guang's ability to rally and command was rooted in personal goodwill and charisma, then Su Ming's stance was an open-hearted display of sincerity. From now on, no one had any reason to doubt Old Su's intentions. With this gesture, he became the foremost impartial mediator in any disputes that might arise in the future.
"Old Su, I agree to have you preside over this meeting," Old Wei spoke, simultaneously raising his hand. "Those who agree, raise your hands like me!"
"Please let Old Su lead the meeting!"
"I have no objections."
"Old Su, please preside!"
"I agree to have Old Su preside!"
"..."
One after another, everyone expressed their opinions, all raising their hands in agreement.
"Very well, for the first matter," Old Su pointed at Zhengzi. "Please, Ms. Xu Zheng, take charge of maintaining order during the meeting."
"Yes!" Zhengzi immediately stood up, walked to the side, and a few other girls joined her at her beckoning—a clear indication of her companions.
While the meeting room could accommodate several hundred people, not all were responsible for various tasks; some were actively involved, assuming roles similar to part-time administrative staff for information dissemination—such as girls like Zhengzi. After completing their own tasks, they energetically took on additional responsibilities. Given the size of the meeting hall, and the fact that it wasn't filled to capacity, these girls naturally joined in.
At this moment, Su Pei was assisting Xiao Guang out of the conference room. The little girl stood at the doorway, glancing at the "King" by her side, then looking far away at her father. In her mind, another word emerged, "Leader!"