Chapter 223, We Want Gold
As soon as this was said, the atmosphere in the room instantly turned serious.
Two days ago, they had retreated from that area due to insufficient manpower.
And now, the people in the room were still discussing the plan to seize the factory.
They hadn't even reached a conclusion yet when they were informed the factory had been taken.
How could it have happened so fast?
Ma Zhiyong signaled the others to stay quiet and asked, "Who took over? Tell me everything."
The driver took a deep breath and said, "On our way back, we passed by the factory. When we looked through the gate, there weren't any zombies, not a single one. They were all replaced by skeletons, wearing ancient armor, holding melee weapons, guarding the factory like soldiers."
Skeletons?
The others frowned slightly, then quickly realized.
Wasn't that the same convoy from two days ago, the one carrying skeletons?
It had to be them.
"Damn, we got played. They must've learned about the location from us."
"Exactly! That factory should've been ours."
Immediately, two people cursed.
Even though they hadn't figured out how to take the factory, they were the ones who had organized the manpower first.
Now that someone else had taken it, the frustration was unbearable.
Ma Zhiyong's face was equally grim.
Restoring power was crucial to the camp's future development.
Did they really have to fight those skeletons?
If the other side had taken the factory on their own, they were clearly strong.
Both sides could suffer losses, and in their current environment, that would be disastrous.
Hearing the others continue cursing, Ma Zhiyong said, "Let's go to the radio station."
The group got up and followed him out.
They entered a room on the second floor.
Opening the door, they found a few women chatting while picking debris out of the grain.
Seeing Ma Zhiyong and his group rush in.
One woman asked, "What's going on?"
Ma Zhiyong replied, "Nothing, just need to use the radio."
On the wooden table by the window was a radio, its volume turned low. Inside, various shelters were discussing preparations for winter food storage.
The city was still overrun with zombies.
And with winter approaching, they had to stockpile food in the north.
Otherwise, it would be hard to survive.
Ma Zhiyong turned up the radio's volume, picked up the microphone, and said, "Is anyone from the Auto Repair Shop Shelter there?"
The casual discussions on the radio immediately stopped.
Whenever messages were transmitted, side conversations would pause.
"This is the Auto Repair Shop. What do you need?" a female voice came through.
"This is Flame God Shelter. I need to speak with your leader," Ma Zhiyong said.
"The leader isn't here right now..."
Before she could finish, another woman's voice cut in, "I'm here. What do you want to say?"
Everyone listening at the shelters was stunned.
How could they be speaking from two places at once?
Did the Auto Repair Shop have two bases?
Ma Zhiyong went straight to the point, "Did you take over the photovoltaic factory?"
The room fell silent.
Everyone waited for their response.
"Yes."
This...
Even though they had suspected it, hearing confirmation still left everyone shocked and incredulous.
Those skeletons were really being controlled by someone.
And they could even awaken such strange abilities.
Before Ma Zhiyong could respond, other shelters chimed in on the radio.
"Auto Repair Shop, that's not cool. We agreed to attack together and share the spoils. Why did you take it for yourselves?"
"Exactly, it was Captain Ma who organized this. What's the meaning of this?"
"How did you even find out the location of the factory...?"
One after another, the shelters began questioning them.
But the Auto Repair Shop side remained silent.
After letting the others vent for a while, Ma Zhiyong asked, "Are you willing to trade photovoltaic panels?"
The room went quiet again.
Then the woman from the Auto Repair Shop spoke up, "We can trade."
After a brief pause, she continued, "You won't be able to take that factory anytime soon. We can provide photovoltaic panels and food, but you'll need to trade us items we need."
Food too...?
How wealthy were they to offer food to all the shelters?
Before Ma Zhiyong could respond.
Another shelter asked, "What do you need?"
"Armored vehicles, weapons, zombie cores, gold, and silver!" came the reply.
The request for armored vehicles and weapons was clearly aimed at Flame God Shelter.
After all, they were the only ones with such equipment.
But gold and silver...?
What use could those have in these times?
"Do you really need gold and silver?" someone asked.
"Yes."
Ma Zhiyong chimed in, "What's the exchange rate?"
The radio went completely silent, everyone waiting for the answer.
After a while, the response came, "We need to discuss it. We'll get back to you in the next two days."
"Alright."
......
After putting the radio down.
Ma Zhiyong and his group sat in silence.
It seemed the Auto Repair Shop was far stronger than they had anticipated.
To even suggest trading food with all the shelters—it wasn't something just anyone could say.
"They want armored vehicles!"
"We can't give them. We only have a few. Without them, what would we use?"
"But we still need the photovoltaic panels, and we're short on food for winter."
"Captain Ma, what should we do?"
Ma Zhiyong sat in his chair, thinking. After a moment, he said, "We definitely can't give them the armored vehicles. But they also asked for gold and silver, didn't they? Look into nearby banks and jewelry stores. There's plenty of that around."
"Right, we'll trade gold and silver."
"Prepare for tomorrow. While gathering supplies, keep an eye out for jewelry stores," Ma Zhiyong continued.
"Got it!"
The group nodded and dispersed.
......
On the same frequency, shelters who had been listening in were all discussing the matter.
Most of their radios could only receive and not transmit.
But upon learning they could trade useless gold and silver for food or photovoltaic panels, they began preparing.
Perhaps they could make it through this winter after all.
......
Wu Heng returned to the factory with his skeletons.
After storing the helmets in a warehouse.
He reorganized the defensive positions, encircling the entire factory.
In truth, this area was much safer than the city—spacious and with fewer people.
But precautions still had to be in place to prevent any issues.
Once everything was set.
He used the portal to return home.
It was around four in the afternoon. Wu Heng first had the skeletons bring a few utility poles over.
After sitting in the room for a while.
He got up and headed to the guild.
The guild was still lively, as it was the time when most mercenary teams gathered.
Entering the hall, aside from the staff, some team members and captains greeted him from a distance.
As if they were all close acquaintances.
"Captain Wu Heng, you have a letter," the receptionist called out.
Wu Heng walked over. There was only one letter, and from the seal, it was a reply from Slater.
Smiling, he thanked her and headed for the lounge.
......
The lounge was empty.
Sitting at the desk, Wu Heng broke the seal and took out the letter.
The writing was neat and beautiful as always.
The contents expressed gratitude for Wu Heng's trust and provided some insights into the Secret Whisperer's internal affairs.
Wu Heng glanced over it.
He sensed that Slater's tone in this letter was a bit too formal, lacking the usual subtle hints.
The final part mentioned that she would be returning to Rentam City in three days to retrieve the "Blood Chalice."
She reminded Wu Heng to honor his promise.
And to meet her at the border.