"Hello, Mr. Duron, honorable Director of the Great Stone City Hall, I am the Lord of Dawning City—"

"Luca."

Evacuation B4 floor, browsing room.

Luca, dressed in formal attire, sat on the couch.

On the coffee table in front of him, there was a holographic computer pen, and light blue beams of light intertwined above the coffee table, forming a three-dimensional imaging cone.

Through the pale blue cone-shaped surface, you can see the bay window of the office of the director of the Boulder City Hall and the director sitting at his desk.

"Dawning City City Lord......" Du Long frowned slightly, "What about your administrators?" ”

If the news was correct, he remembered that the highest authority in the alliance should be the administrator.

What the hell is the City Lord of Dawning City?

And this Luca......

That windswept old face was more like a peasant than a city lord.

What the hell are the managers of the new alliance doing!

He couldn't understand it.

Not taking the change in Mr. Duron's attitude to heart, Lukka continued in a gentle tone as the manager had explained.

"Our administrators are inspecting Dawn City, and we may not be able to return to Qingquan City in a short time. As the communications there were somewhat unsatisfactory, in order to show his respect and importance to you, he entrusted me with this telephone meeting with you. ”

"When the administrator explained this to me, he specifically instructed me that Boulder City is a neighbor and a friend of the Alliance, and that I must show our friendship during the meeting."

For this high-sounding wording, Dulong's face was written with a hint of imperceptible disapproval.

Friend?

What does Boulder need?

He was going to say, "Since your manager isn't here, let's wait for him to come back," but thinking that it might take a long time, he swallowed it back.

He doesn't care, it's a big deal and waits, but the things that the city lord of Boulder City explained can't wait that long.

Duron can be sure that if the planes of the new alliance appear in the airspace of Boulder again, the anti-aircraft guns will definitely open fire.

If this friction turned into war, he was sure that the northern suburbs would be reduced to a scorched earth, and the militia that poured out of the nest would seal the blue gophers in turtle shells forever with steel and concrete, but the outer city of Boulder City would undoubtedly suffer great losses.

Maybe Mr. Fang Ming didn't care what became of it, just like the inner city never cared about what kind of life the residents of the outer city lived.

But Duron couldn't help but care.

It's not because he's kind-hearted.

Rather, he knew very well that the nobles of the inner city were his masters, but the factory owners and chamber of commerce owners of the outer city were his foundation.

"Since you think we're friends, I hope your planes don't appear in your friend's airspace in the future. Your planes are on our radar, and this time our soldiers are restrained, but not next time. ”

Lukka looked at him and said.

"That's a legitimate claim, I want to know what your airspace is?"

Dulong said bluntly.

"The area within the fifth ring road of Qingquan City is our airspace, which is bounded by the ring road."

"This can't be," Lukka shook his head, "Dawning City is also part of the Fifth Ring Road of Qingquan City, and we will respect your safety needs, but only if we don't sacrifice our own safety."

Duron raised his voice.

"Mr. Luca, I'll get straight to the point, this is our city lord's request, do you understand the meaning of the word demand?"

Lukka smiled faintly.

"Of course I understand, but our managers have said that if we compromise today on airspace, tomorrow we will have to compromise on territory. We can guarantee that our aircraft will not enter the West District Ring Road of Qingquan City, and only that. ”

Dulong raised his eyebrows slightly.

As if he had heard something interesting, he said with a smile.

"Territory? What do I want you to do with that place? ”

Figure that 10,000 acres of land?

How many dilapidated houses are there?

That's too much to underestimate them.

Lukka replied in a tepid tone.

"Our place is a little broken, but we are happy with our home."

Duron's tone was tinged with mockery.

"Do you think that if you win a few primitive people with burning sticks, you are qualified to negotiate terms with us?"

To Duron's surprise.

The old man in front of him actually nodded.

It made him wonder if he was wrong.

"Of course, I have no doubt that we have the qualifications."

Looking at the head of the town hall with eye level, Lukka rightfully continued, "Actually, I'm negotiating terms with 'you' right now, aren't they?" ”

When he said this, he bit the word "you" very hard.

Duron narrowed his eyes slightly.

He suddenly couldn't figure it out.

"What do you mean?"

Lukka said calmly.

"It's not interesting, your army is strong, but we are not weak either. Boulder may be able to defeat us head-on, but we can guarantee that our opponents will pay a heavy price. ”

"And that price must be 'you'."

This sentence stung Duron deeply.

The inner city has been neglecting the outer city for a long time, and everyone knows it, and he is no exception. He had no doubt that if there was a war, they would become cannon fodder.

Just like every wave.

But so what?

This kind of thing needs you a "wastelander" to remind you of?

Duron sat up straight and laughed angrily.

"You're threatening me?"

The atmosphere at the negotiating table instantly dropped to a freezing point.

Lukka was equally nervous.

However, he did not put his emotions on his face.

Before the negotiation began, the manager explained to him that he should not show timidity or panic under any circumstances, and that he should calm down at all times.

The other side is very strong, and from their standpoint, "coercion by force" will become a convenient option, because security is a "pain point" in the vast majority of survivor settlements.

Although Boulder City is the spiritual licking dog of Ideal City, they are not rich enough to eat and support themselves, and they will not have the so-called moral cleanliness.

Jumping sideways around the opponent's baseline is dangerous, but it can be fatal if you are too weak.

Grasp the pain points of the other party, stop before the other person feels pain, give up part of the appeal appropriately, and find a range that can be accepted by both parties.

That's where the negotiation comes in.

Looking at Duron, Lukka spoke slowly.

"Of course not, Mr. Dear Director, we sincerely hope that we can live together in friendship and peace. This world has had enough tragedies, xenos, slime molds, mutants, evil. Cultists, and marauders...... The spark of civilization is still alive and under the shroud of barbarism, and we are really, really reluctant to go to the last step in such a time. ”

After a pause, Luca continued.

“…… But sometimes, even if we are very, very reluctant, we have to let others know that we are not intimidated and that we are not cultivating the land by handouts. ”

"Therefore, I prefer you to interpret my earlier words as a response to the threat of war rather than a threat."

Dulong's eyes had narrowed into a slit, staring intently at Luca in the hologram.

He was thinking.

It's also weighing.

The talks fell silent.

Lukka waited patiently.

At this moment, Dulong suddenly blurted out a sentence that had nothing to do with the negotiation itself.

"Did you come up with these words yourself, or did your managers tell you to say them?"

Lukka replied without thinking.

"Is there a difference? The will of the manager is both the will of the alliance and the will of me. ”

Duron didn't say anything, just stared at the old man and looked thoughtfully for a moment.

After about half a minute, he spoke slowly.

"I don't agree with your sophistry about the 'threat of war.'"

As soon as the conversation shifted, he continued.

"But I admit your other remark, there are already enough tragedies in this world that we don't need to add meaningless sadness."

"For the sake of the relationship going forward, I think we need to talk openly and honestly."

Hearing this, Luca finally breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, and a smile appeared on his face.

"That's what I thought too."

……

Although the arrogant attitude of the other party has not changed, the willingness to solve problems through dialogue is at least a good start.

The next step is to bargain.

Duron considered himself his area of expertise, after all, he was a businessman before he became the head of the town hall.

However, what he didn't expect was that the other party's ability to mess around was not inferior to him at all.

At least not as easy to fool as he thought.

“…… The area of the South Third Ring Road of Qingquan City belongs to our airspace, and we need to fight the waves! What's more, our Air Force has shared some of the pressure for you, which is also good for you! ”

"Your Air Force? Heh, just those paper airplanes? You might as well hire our planes directly, anyway, you haven't hired them before, and I can give you a 20% discount. ”

"Yes, we are paper airplanes, so why should you worry that we are threatening your safety? Can't even fit a paper airplane in your mind? ”

“…… South 4th Ring Road to South 5th Ring Road, this is our bottom line! At the same time, I need you to promise that the borders of the new alliance will not continue to expand southward. ”

"We can stop expanding south, but in exchange, I ask you to stop the embargo on the sale of New Alliance goods, and we don't ban the sale of your goods, do we?"

"The last one is impossible, the ban on the sale of LD-47 is a requirement of the 'Boulder City Military Industry', and I can only promise not to add a new import and export restriction list in fields other than the 'Military Industry'."

These conditions had met the expectations of the negotiations, but Lukka nodded in reluctance.

"Okay, let's keep it as it is."

Du Long breathed a sigh of relief, and his tense expression finally stretched a smile.

"I'm glad we agreed."

Verbal agreements don't count.

The parties will then sign a specific agreement.

As for the location of the signing, Dulong asked for it to be held at the city hall of Boulder City, and invited him to visit Boulder City.

Luca did not insist on such a trivial matter as the place of signing at the behest of the manager, and readily agreed to his request.

In addition to airspace and trade issues, the two sides discussed and reached consensus on cooperation in a number of areas.

After the communication ended, Lukka reached out and turned off the holographic computer, and the whole person seemed to have taken off the cover of tens of millions of catties, leaning on the sofa and breathing.

"Well done!"

Hearing the sound of approval coming from the door of the browsing room, Lukka immediately got up from the couch and placed his right fist respectfully on his left chest.

"Your Excellency, Administrator."

"No need to be polite, sit down."

Motioned for Lukka to sit down.

Chu Guang sat on the sofa opposite and looked at him with satisfaction.

To be honest, when I rescued him at the beginning, I didn't think about it that much at all, purely out of accidental kindness.

In addition, he happened to need an honest and obedient person to help manage the warehouse, and by the way, he asked about something he didn't know, so he took out a chip and bribed the farm guard who was executed.

At that time, Chu Guang didn't expect much from him.

If nothing else, the greatest achievement of his life is probably helping the outpost of the new alliance manage the treasury.

Like Guo Niu, Guo Ma, and other liberated serfs who also joined the new alliance very early.

However, Old Luca's performance at work was beyond Chu Guang's expectations.

Not only loyalty, but also the accurate understanding of his own orders, as well as the characteristics of diligence and hard work, far exceeded Chu Guang's initial expectations.

Although he was born as a serf, he was a little less flexible, but compared to other wastelanders, this flaw was not harmful at all.

Now it seems that that chip was well spent.

"I'll have to trouble you to go to Boulder City after that."

"It's not a hassle, it's my pleasure to serve you." Luca said respectfully.

Chu Guang smiled.

After a pause, he restrained his smirking expression and continued in a serious tone.

"In addition, when you return from Boulder City with a friendship agreement, you will be the lord of Dawning City."

Hearing this, Luca was blindsided.

The City Lord of Dawning City?

Didn't you say that it was just a title at the time of negotiation?

Luca said with trepidation.

"My lord, but I-"

Knowing what he wanted to say, Chu Guang interrupted him.

"Alright, I've made up my mind! I see your abilities, and no one is more suitable for this position than you. ”

Originally, Luca had been in charge of the long-term farmstead.

As for the origin.

In Chu Guang's opinion, it was not a problem at all.

Rather, it can be a banner for propaganda.

In the new Union, equality is not a slogan. As long as you can prove your ability and loyalty to the Alliance, you can become the lord of the settlement even if you are from a humble background.

Not bad.

Chu Guang became more and more satisfied with his arrangement.

When he got back, he would find time to write a press release that would make people's blood boil, and throw it to the people on the Alliance Radio side to promote it.

Although he still had some doubts about whether he could be up to the task, seeing that the manager had chosen him so firmly, the old Luca didn't say anything, but silently hid his gratitude in his heart.

After a moment to calm his breath, he looked at the manager and said seriously.

"Your Excellency...... There's one thing I don't quite understand, so could I ask you. ”

"What's the matter?"

"Boulder City...... Why are they clinging to the airspace of Qingquan City? Lukka had a look of confusion in his eyes, "They obviously didn't take our plane seriously. ”

That kind of inattention in the bones can't be hidden.

The mayor of the town hall even used the term "paper airplane" to describe the Union's flying machines.

Despite his anger, Luca had to admit that this arrogance was not without reason.

The flying machines of Boulder City may not be enough to look at in front of the company, but they are a product of the pre-war era. Anyone with a discerning eye can see that the big guy with a sense of science fiction is not at all the same thing as the small plane of the new alliance.

"It's nice that you think of that."

Looking at the slowly enlightened old Luca, Chu Guang nodded approvingly, "The reason is actually very simple, because you are right, what they really care about is not the airspace at all." ”

Lukka was stunned.

I didn't understand the meaning of this sentence.

Chu Guang didn't explain immediately, but reached out and gently pressed it on the holographic computer pen.

The city map of Qingquan City was projected in a pale blue cone of light, and I saw that the edge of the third ring road was flashing with a few intermittent green dots.

"Because the center of Qingquan is the core of their real interests."

"Mutant slime molds, evolutions, ancient battlefields, and equipment left over from the pre-war era...... One piece can't restore the whole puzzle, but countless pieces stacked together can always restore something useful. ”

A look of surprise appeared on Luka's face.

"If that is the case, isn't that a wave ......?"

Chu Guang nodded.

"It may not be exactly a disaster for them."

"Our researchers have been studying the evolutionary organisms that the last wave spread to the northern suburbs, both on a biological and engineering level. It's just that we started too late, and even though we have good researchers, we are still far behind them. ”

Looking at Luca, who had a sudden look on his face, Chu Guang said slowly.

"Like you said, they don't care about our planes at all, because that thing doesn't even give them trouble."

"Their real purpose is probably to limit our access to their treasures."

……

On the other side, the Boulder City Hall.

Duron, who hung up the phone, let out a sigh of relief.

While relieved, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up with a smug smile.

The planes of the new alliance will no longer enter the core area of their interests, and the honorable lord will definitely be satisfied with this result.

The LD series of weapons is still on the list of restricted imports, and the trade between the two sides will not be affected because of this, and the military-industrial complex will not make irresponsible remarks about him.

As for other areas outside the military industry?

What does it have to do with him?

What's more, trade itself is a good thing for both sides, and it's not a bad thing that Boulder City can buy cheaper consumer goods and industrial raw materials.

In Duron's view, he just took out a little honey in exchange for a result that made all parties happy.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but praise himself in his heart.

What a genius!

In the past, as far as the eye could see, there was no decent opponent in the southern part of the entire river valley province, and the Great Rift Valley in the north was too far away, and everyone looked down on each other.

He sat in the office of the city hall every day, either stamping or dozing off, and few people took him seriously.

Now he finally has someone to complement his ingenuity!

At this time, a voice from the side interrupted his thoughts.

"Mr. Director."

"What's wrong?" Looking at his deputy Jaeger, Du Long, who was in a good mood, said with a pleasant face.

"I don't understand, why are we talking so much nonsense with a bunch of scavengers?" There was a hint of displeasure on Jaeger's face, "Their population is not even as large as our slums. ”

The outside of the city was crowded with people who wanted to enter the city.

Even the dirt that flowed out of the city was enough to feed tens of thousands of people.

Negotiating with them made him feel unhappy in itself.

Duron guessed what was going on in his mind and figured out how to answer it.

"They are not as strong as us, but they are nowhere near as weak as we thought. Do you remember the look in that man's eyes? ”

Jaeger chuckled.

"Can eyes kill?"

Dulong said softly.

"No, but it's not easy to get them to their knees, isn't it good to negotiate a solution? If we really fight, we will be cannon fodder again. ”

"Besides, the city lord's request is to keep their planes away from the fourth ring road in Qingquan City, and we have not only completed the task, but also exceeded the quota."

Patting his deputy's shoulder, he continued with a fluttering eyebrow.

"Be happy, don't hang your face."

……

Qingquan City, on the edge of the South Third Ring Road.

The oblique sunset stretches the shadows of the viaduct piers.

As night approached, the predators roaming the area grew frantic and became more aggressive.

Shops along the street not far from the viaduct.

Squatting on the edge behind the window and paddling, with an assault rifle in hand, cautiously monitoring the street outside the bunker.

In addition to him, there were nine teammates hiding nearby.

The xenomorph corpses lying on the streets, and the dense bullet holes on the walls, tell the fierceness of the previous battle.

Four hours ago, he and his team received the task of walking to the edge of the third ring road in the south of Qingquan City to pick up the Niuma team that had withdrawn from the "new map".

After a fierce firefight, they managed to clear the street of xenos.

However, with dusk approaching and more and more xenomorphs starting to spread from nearby buildings into the streets, it's hard to say how long the peace will last.

The construction site boy and brick, who were holding the machine gun, suddenly muttered.

"I won't give it for nothing again."

Hearing this, Kakarot glared at him.

"Less crow's mouth!"

Debt Big Eyes gave a glance to the fringe brother next to him.

"How much longer?"

The edge paddling was about to open his mouth to answer, when suddenly there was movement at the intersection.

Everyone's nerves tensed instantly, and the weapons in their hands were aimed at the past.

At this moment, a familiar voice suddenly came

"It's me, don't go off."

Looking at the person who appeared at the intersection, the edge paddling was slightly stunned, and a surprised expression suddenly appeared on his face.

"Damn!? Old white? ”

"Why are you like this?"

At this moment, Lao Bai's situation can only be described by the word embarrassment.

He was carrying a parachute package in his left hand and a blood-stained rifle in his right hand, not only was his chemical protective suit gone, his body was covered in mud, and the bulletproof vest on his chest had a hole that almost burned through.

It's like rolling out of hell.

Facing everyone's surprised gaze, Lao Bai smiled bitterly.

“…… Something went wrong. ”

What is this called a little?!

Everyone looked at each other.

Quitting smoking aside, the old white captain is already the ceiling of the full server's combat power.

What the hell is the situation, even these guys are so tricky!

Debt big eyes swallowed spit.

“…… What about the others? ”

Lao Bai didn't speak.

At this time, Fang Chang's voice came from behind him.

"Dead."

With a heavy expression on his face, Fang Chang's condition was similar to that of Lao Bai, and he also looked like he was gray-headed.

He probably lost his rifle, and in his right hand he carried a mechanical arm tied to a VM, and half of his shoulder was hanging from the bloody interface, which was shocking to watch.

Edge paddling recognizes this guy.

It seems to be the arm of the wind......

"Anyway, the mission is done."

Throwing the bloody package on the ground, Lao Bai raised his arm and wiped the mud and sweat on his forehead, "This thing...... Please help me carry it, I really don't have the physical strength. ”

"What is this?"

The construction site boy and the brick stepped forward, curiously unwrapped the package and took a look, to find a pile of strange parts and dark red fungus clumps lying inside.

Many of them had tentacles exposed, and they were still slowly wriggling, like freshly cut beef.

"The wreckage of an evolutionary body, the devil knows what it is."

Leaning on the hood of the scrap car, Fang Chang looked at the fungus cubes fiddling with the construction site guy's hands, and kindly reminded him.

"You'd better not rummage through this stuff with your hands...... That's how our quit brother died. ”

Chapter 345: The City Lord of Dawning City, It's Up to You to Be It!

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