Chapter 405: Weapons and Ammunition Included
Afternoon arrival?
"So soon?"
"They probably made preparations in advance, just waiting for our confirmation."
Qi Hancai pulled out a map and pointed to a location, "The trade site is set at the station where the military retreated."
Wu Heng glanced at the map. The trade location was a temporary station.
It seemed to have been set up to avoid large-scale zombies.
The trade arrangements didn't seem problematic. "That works. I'll join you shortly."
Qi Hancai asked, "Should we bring more vehicles?"
"Five trucks loaded with skeletons; the rest for transporting traded food. We don't need too many survivors; they won't be much help." Wu Heng replied calmly.
"Understood! We'll go prepare now."
The two left the room.
Before long, a voice came over the radio, announcing that the convoy was ready.
Wu Heng went downstairs.
He got into a familiar passenger bus.
Li Yanhong was in the driver's seat.
"It's been a while since I've ridden in your car!" Wu Heng sat down, followed by the skeletons filing in behind him.
Li Yanhong raised an eyebrow. "Qi Hancai's vehicle wasn't comfortable?"
Wu Heng was about to respond but realized the question sounded a bit off.
"I wouldn't know. I just find your vehicle quite nice."
Li Yanhong was about to tease him further when Qi Hancai's voice came over the radio, giving the order to depart.
She dropped the topic, focused on the wheel, and the vehicle rolled forward.
...…
The station was at the city's edge, a small outpost.
It was empty except for a desolate building.
After a spectral scout checked the area, the convoy entered directly.
The skeletal army, armed with weapons, dispersed to guard the perimeter, encircling the entire station.
Qi Hancai approached. "Should we station personnel here for future trades? It would make things more convenient."
Wu Heng surveyed the surroundings. "Not yet. Let's see how frequent the trades are. If they're frequent, we'll post some skeletons here. Otherwise, it's not worth the effort."
"Alright, that makes sense."
"Let's head back to the vehicles; it's cold out here."
"Okay."
Around 2 PM.
The vehicle radio crackled to life.
"Calling Old Factory Shelter."
Qi Hancai picked up the receiver. "Go ahead!"
"We're the provincial trade team, about to arrive at the site."
"We're already at the station; proceed directly."
"Roger that!"
Several people disembarked, Qi Hancai leading skeletons to the platform while Wu Heng and his skeletal attendants entered a room set up for the occasion.
After waiting a while.
An imposing train appeared in the distance.
Its front was reinforced with a triangular battering ram, and its body armored with thick iron plates, resembling a massive black serpent speeding along the tracks.
Such a train could plow through anything short of a Level 3 aberrant zombie or a massive horde.
Ordinary zombies couldn't touch such a behemoth.
If zombies could tear through steel with their bare hands, there wouldn't be any survivors left.
Qi Hancai watched intently. "No wonder they use this for long-distance transport. It could crash through anything."
Wang Chengang nodded. "With this level of armament, trading becomes feasible."
"We could modify our trains similarly in the future."
"Agreed."
The group spoke in hushed tones.
The train slowed as it approached the station. As the doors opened, several figures in down jackets stepped out.
Leading them was a middle-aged man, followed by Yang Long and a sharp-eyed young man.
As soon as they alighted and saw the skeletons filling the platform and building rooftops.
Their expressions subtly changed.
Their faces showed a mixture of shock and unease.
The entire platform resembled a pathway to hell.
Tap, tap, tap~!
Qi Hancai walked briskly toward them. "Welcome, provincial rescue team."
Yang Long smiled and introduced, "This is Qi Hancai, the leader managing the Old Factory Shelter."
Then he gestured to the middle-aged man beside him. "This is Deputy Commander Liu from the provincial rescue team."
"Deputy Commander Liu, please come inside."
"Thank you." The deputy commander smiled courteously.
They passed through the skeletal guards and entered the station.
...…
Inside the room.
Xiaoxiao flew back first, merging with Wu Heng and relaying the train's interior.
The train was a fortress on wheels.
It carried food, supplies, and a stockpile of firearms and ammunition.
Footsteps echoed from the entrance.
Wu Heng sent out a specter to monitor the incoming train and picked up a book from his spatial ring to appear occupied.
The door opened as Qi Hancai led the visitors in.
"This is our leader," she said, gesturing to Wu Heng. Then she introduced, "Deputy Commander Liu and Captain Yang Long from the provincial team."
She didn't introduce the third person, likely unaware of their name or rank.
Wu Heng stood to shake hands with the newcomers before they all sat down. He got straight to the point. "Deputy Commander Liu, how much gold did you bring this time?"
Liu briefly studied him before smiling. "About 20 kilograms."
The amount was indeed modest.
Short preparation time and likely a trial run to verify legitimacy contributed to this.
Trading gold for food in the apocalypse was still extraordinary.
"That's fine. You know the market rate; we'll calculate based on weight."
"No rush," Liu replied casually, shifting the topic. "Will this exchange continue indefinitely?"
Wu Heng said, "Food is the current hard currency. But if you want to keep trading, relying solely on gold won't suffice."
Liu raised an eyebrow. "Captain Yang mentioned there weren't additional requirements before."
"It's winter now. Circumstances have changed," Wu Heng stated firmly.
"What else do you need?" Liu asked seriously.
"Weapons, ammunition, and blueprints for military-grade equipment. For every 10 kilograms of gold, we'll require either weapons or blueprints," Wu Heng outlined his conditions.
The other side fell silent, pondering the terms.
After a few moments, Liu responded. "We can provide firearms and ammunition, but quantities will need to be negotiated. As for blueprints, we'll supply copies with guaranteed accuracy."
"Agreed. When's the next trade?"
"Within five days, we'll contact you via radio beforehand."
"Next time, I'll need machine guns and corresponding ammunition," Wu Heng added.
The three visitors stiffened, their gazes tinged with surprise.
Yang Long had mentioned this area was nearing city-wide reclamation.
Why the urgent demand for so many machine guns?
"We'll do our best to fulfill your request, but availability will depend on circumstances."
"Understood," Wu Heng replied.
After concluding negotiations, Qi Hancai escorted the guests to exchange gold for food.
Sacks of flour were loaded onto the train, leaving the rescue team visibly thrilled.
Once the trade was complete, the train departed.
Wu Heng stored the gold and returned with the convoy.
During negotiations, Wu Heng had used the "Preaching Codex."
Its effect heightened charisma, enhancing persuasiveness and negotiation success.
While it was unclear how much impact it had on the deal.
Everything proceeded smoother than anticipated; his conditions were all accepted.
Even the machine gun request only prompted a promise to discuss further.
It remained to be seen how much they'd deliver next time.
Back at the mall, Qi Hancai brought up food concerns.
Wu Heng reassured her before returning to his room and heading back to Golden-Silver Island.
...…
Upon returning to Golden-Silver Island.
Wu Heng retrieved the codex and placed it on his desk.
The artifact's drawback required sincere repentance after use.
Using it meant adhering to its rules.
Otherwise, within three days, he'd face a cursed muteness.
After a brief study, Wu Heng clasped his hands and began his repentance ritual.
Internally, he repeated, "I was wrong, I was wrong…."
Gradually, he felt an intangible negative energy dissipating from his body.
It seemed to be working.
About twenty minutes later, roughly as long as the negotiation had lasted.
The negative energy vanished entirely.
Wu Heng stored the book and headed downstairs.
...…
Dinner was quite a feast that evening.
As they ate, they discussed the guild's
HHHH
Today's dinner was rather lavish.
Sitting at the dining table, they chatted about today's matters at the guild while eating.
Andviel said, "Master, today that island master sent an invitation, inviting you to attend a ball."
"A ball? Pirates like holding balls?" Wu Heng took a sip from his wine glass.
Minnie chimed in, "Exactly, he's a pirate, what's he doing holding a dance?"
"I… I'm not sure either," Andviel shook her head.
Wu Heng continued to ask, "Who else received invitations?"
"Hmm… the Steward and Deputy Steward Sheila Grey both received one."