After careful observation and testing, Ye Fan finally discerned Smith's intentions. His attempts to contact the Bingcheng consulate were also clarified. It appeared that Smith sought assistance from his home country, perhaps still harboring hope that his fellow countrymen would come to his rescue.
However, Ye Fan, being from Bingcheng himself, knew that the situation there was far worse. The once vibrant city had turned into a ghost town, with the number of survivors dwindling. Rescue was no longer a viable option.
While it would be easy for Ye Fan to eliminate Smith and his group, he refrained from taking such risks. A hasty confrontation might prompt Smith to act recklessly, endangering the hostages. Ye Fan was particularly concerned about his sister's safety, prompting the need for a change in strategy.
From the outset, Ye Fan had a clear plan in mind.
"Nana, I recall when I first produced soldiers, you inquired about race. Can I set the race of soldiers?"
"Yes, sir. The default race of your soldiers at that time was natives of the Qin and Han Dynasties. Do you need to modify it?"
"If I produce soldiers of other races, what's the difference between them and locals?"
"There is not much difference except appearance. No matter which country's race they are, they are all your Red Alert soldiers. However, you can only change the race of the soldiers, and change their clothing and weapon shapes. The actual combat effectiveness is identical."
Ye Fan considered the information and sought further clarification.
"Then if I change the race once, can I change it back again later?"
"Yes, this is the right of your supreme commander."
Understanding the mechanics, Ye Fan had an idea in mind. However, with limited funds, he couldn't produce enough soldiers to gain control immediately.
He recalled Lan Lili's mention of her friend's house nearby, and Ye Fan remembered the address. Zijin Garden Community, visible across the street, seemed like a viable source of supplies. To avoid attracting attention, Xu Haoran, accompanied by two three-star army soldiers and two military dogs, was dispatched.
Upon Xu Haoran's return, Ye Fan received a bag of supplies. Opening it, he discovered larger gold jewelry, such as bracelets and necklaces.
Nana suggested converting rare metals into system money, and Ye Fan agreed. Transforming the items yielded 9,000 money, bringing his total to 10,000.
Despite the temptation to immediately build a tank factory, Ye Fan recognized the urgency of the current situation. He considered establishing a base in Chengguan Town after resolving the crisis.
Observing the soldiers below, Ye Fan noted their improved food situation. Although he lacked supplies, thoughts of returning to Chengguan Town to clear out zombies and gather resources occupied his mind.
Curiosity about Lan Lili's jewelry stash lingered. The prospect of a tank factory intrigued Ye Fan, pondering what improvements the system might offer.
As his mind wandered, Xu Haoran returned.
"Sir, the mission is completed. Here are all the supplies found in the house of the resident you mentioned!"
Ye Fan opened the bag, revealing a mix of larger gold jewelry. Despite not meeting the level of a jewelry store, it was a substantial haul.
Nana presented a prompt: "Sir, if you find a rare metal, do you want to convert it into system money?"
"Transform immediately, transform them all!"
"Congratulations, sir, you got 9,000 money!"
Ye Fan, momentarily stunned, saw his system money reach 10,000.
If not for the pressing situation, Ye Fan would have built a tank factory without hesitation. However, the immediate challenge demanded attention.
Reviewing the video captured by Xu Haoran, Ye Fan counted almost 20 armed foreign teachers scattered among the crowd. To control the situation, he decided to produce 25 soldiers.
Twenty-one conscripts, three United States soldiers, and one scout were ordered. The soldiers emerged half an hour later, saluting Ye Fan. The scout, John, reported, "Scout John, reporting to sir!"
Ye Fan, satisfied, assigned them roles and identities. The soldiers, while different in appearance, spoke fluent Chinese. However, they couldn't be included in the regular army establishment due to racial restrictions.
Deciding to pose as escaped guards from the U.S. Consulate in Bingcheng, Ye Fan emphasized the need for secrecy. The soldiers acknowledged their role as mercenaries for external interactions, pledging allegiance to Ye Fan's will.
A temporary combat platoon was established, lacking a complete configuration. Financial constraints meant Ye Fan couldn't fully equip them, but he prioritized maintaining the army's image.
As the white soldiers headed towards the side door, Ye Fan contemplated the challenges ahead.