Chapter 102: Reparations from Hanshui City

Chapter 102: Compensation from Han Shui City

After receiving sufficient basic intelligence from Qin Yuan, Chen Jian also arrived at a fairly reliable judgment.

Namely, the earlier interrogation was very likely not to break the cooperation between the two sides.

He had originally thought the other party was an immensely powerful hidden organization, mastering a vast technological legacy, subtly influencing the world like a shadow through skill and cunning.

But clearly, judging from the current results, that is not the case.

The other side also needs cooperation, perhaps even more than Huangshi City does.

However, this does not mean they will abandon their established plan and stake everything on that overly mysterious Ring Guild.

Cooperation with the Jiangnan Guild headquartered in Jinling must continue to be pushed forward; Chen Jian and Zeng Yi initially drafted a follow‑up plan.

He intended, once the situation stabilized, to first organize basic training in Huangshi City, then secure a new batch of weapons and ammunition to ensure sufficient defensive strength, and only then lead a team to Jinling.

On one hand to establish a trade route, on the other to see whether any more useful supplies remain in the disaster‑prevention works located in Jinling.

Of course this plan cannot be accomplished overnight; while the people of Huangshi City were busy restoring order, resuming production, organizing training, and preparing for the coming winter, Zhou Qin, who had previously returned to Han Shui City, finally arrived again.

Accompanying him was Li Xian, the bishop‑priest of the Mechanical God Sect.

They did not come empty‑handed; in fact, they brought a force that could be described as massive.

Yet the vast majority of those in the troop bore no weapons.

They were still stripped naked for inspection on the lakeshore, though this time Chen Jian did not make them swim over.

Boarding the sampan dispatched by Chen Jian, Li Xian and Zhou Qin smoothly reached Huangshi City.

Seated in the cleaned ‘reception room’, Zhou Qin bowed humbly and offered his praise:

“Your efficiency is astonishing; in just two days there is no trace of battle left here.”

“Your people’s fighting spirit is high, whether in combat or in production.”

“We are pleased to have such a positive neighbor; it makes us feel…”

“No need for so many pleasantries.”

Chen Jian cut Zhou Qin short and asked bluntly:

“What have you brought?”

Seeing his slightly impatient expression, Zhou Qin hurriedly replied:

“As we said before, this is only a preliminary compensation, merely representing Han Shui City’s goodwill.”

“So the quantity is not large, but it should be enough to sustain Huangshi City’s residents through this winter.”

“We have brought warm clothing and bedding, already‑cut firewood and charcoal for fuel, and, of course, forty head of livestock for transport, which are also part of the gift.”

“As for food, we have prepared forty thousand catties of grain—part freshly harvested, part vegetables grown in the solar cocoon houses, plus the small livestock and poultry we raise.”

“In addition, we have prepared ten kilograms of gold as an extra supplement.”

“If you need other supplies, you can use the gold to trade with merchants.”

“Please forgive us; this is truly the limit of what Han Shui City can do at present.”

Not bad.

Chen Jian nodded slightly.

This batch of supplies shows sincerity; although it sounds modest, given Han Shui City’s scale it is likely near the maximum they can muster.

No haggling, no hidden tricks—this negotiation process is quite pleasant.

Of course, this is not because they are genuinely sincere.

Purely because they have truly been frightened by the fight.

They probably also know that if they stir up any trouble and dissatisfy Huangshi City, Han Shui City will suffer instantly.

Choosing the lesser of two evils, it is better to lower their posture and settle everything at once.

Chen Jian clearly understands their thoughts, so he does not intend to press them too hard.

For one thing, the two sides are merely in a strategic stalemate; if pressed too far and fighting resumes, nobody benefits.

Moreover, he has no extra nuclear bombs to scatter around.

Furthermore, in the apocalypse population is a precious resource; Chen Jian does not wish to see Han Shui City’s civilians starve to death.

Although it is hard to change their minds or absorb them into the alliance, it would not do to start a major operation and then deliberately puncture the blood bag.

Thus Chen Jian spoke:

“I can accept it, but as you said, this is only part of the compensation.”

“Of course, of course!”

Li Xian, seated beside Zhou Qin, quickly added:

“I have already made contact with the brothers of Xianning and Jiujiang; they too are willing to pay for peace.”

“Soon they will send envoys with the compensation; on this point we are agreed.”

His attitude mirrors Zhou Qin’s; clearly he too has seen the crater left by that “little sun” explosion.

“Very good.” Chen Jian nodded again, then shifted tone:

“But regarding the food portion, we have other plans.”

“Apart from the live poultry and livestock, we will not accept anything else.”

“Convert it to gold; if it is forty thousand catties of grain, that is roughly sixteen kilograms of gold?”

“Since trading grain for gold is not so easy, I’ll give you a discount.”

“Twenty kilograms of gold—how does that sound?”

“A very reasonable and merciful request.”

Zhou Qin’s reaction surprised Chen Jian somewhat, but the other’s next words immediately dispelled his doubt.

“Huangshi City indeed needs gold more than Han Shui City does, while Han Shui City needs grain more than Huangshi City does.”

“Thank you again for your mercy, sir.”

“Then I think we have reached an agreement?”

Chen Jian extended his hand to Zhou Qin; the other seemed not to grasp the gesture’s meaning, but eventually he tentatively took Chen Jian’s hand.

“Pleasant cooperation.”

Chen Jian smiled and said:

“If you want peace, I will give you peace.”

“If you want war…”

“We do not want war!”

Li Xian and Zhou Qin shouted in unison.

Chen Jian released his hand, shook his head slightly, and said nothing.

After reaching an agreement, the work of transporting supplies got underway swiftly.

Under the guard of several machine guns, two automatic cannons, dozens of rifles, and two heavy large‑caliber machine guns, the entire process proceeded without a hitch.

By the time dusk fell, most of the supplies ferried from Han Shui City had already been brought onto the island, and Zhou Qin and Li Xian had made ready to depart.

Just before leaving, Zhou Qin proactively shook Chen Jian's hand again, then said:

“The envoy from the Holy Blood Hall and the Machine God Sect’s sanctuary has already arrived in Jiujiang; they will likely visit Huangshi City tomorrow afternoon.”

“We will go to Jiujiang City today to meet them, and then come back together.”

“This is a peaceful visit; I guarantee that no conflict will arise.”

“However, it is said that the vicinity of Jiujiang is not entirely calm, so if you hear gunfire, please do not mistake it for anything else.”

“Not calm?”

Chen Jian asked doubtfully:

“Why is it not calm?”

Zhou Qin sighed and replied:

“The two monsters of the Han Shui and Huangzhou ruins have been slain, and the balance of this region has been shattered.”

“According to past experience, new monsters will soon migrate into the vicinity, and in the process they may come into conflict with human settlements.”

“Near Jiujiang City, the Holy Blood adherents have already spotted the tracks of at least two tier‑three monsters, one of which is now drifting downstream along the Yangtze.”

“Its destination may be the Huangzhou ruins, or perhaps the Han Shui ruins; when it arrives, the situation could become somewhat complicated.”

Chen Jian frowned, then asked again:

“How do those monsters know that this territory has become vacant?”

“Partly instinct, partly probing.”

Li Xian answered:

“Actually, under normal circumstances, monsters’ migrations and wanderings are also without pattern, except that each of them leaves various markers in their territories, much like beasts mark their territory with urine.”

“But now those markers have failed, so they no longer have any restraint.”

“I understand.”

Chen Jian did not press further, and saw Zhou Qin and Li Xian off onto the sampan that would leave Huangshi City.

However, this new piece of information could not be left out of his plans.

New Monster

Perhaps we should find a way to kill it.

Kill one, come another; keep killing until no more monsters appear.

Beasts mark their territory with urine; what about Huangshi City?

We will mark it with gunpowder and smoke.

(End of Chapter)