Having received Qin Yingguang's confirmation, Chu Xiaoang's expression grew serious.
"Qin Yingguang, you really proposed that kind of term?"
["My terms aren't as outrageous as yours, are they? You... no, that tone... Zhao Longfei, are you playing me? Did you use my terms as a weight to press down on Chu Xiaoang's scale?"]
Zhao Longfei smiled, "Commander Qin, don't be angry. Negotiations are a matter of bidding against one another. I called you just to tell Commander Chu that I didn't make up anything regarding the deal."
["I hate dealing with business people like you the most. There's no business without treachery!"]
After cursing once more, Qin Yingguang hung up.
Zhao Longfei put away his phone and said to Chu Xiaoang, "Commander Chu, do you believe it now? Do you still think that guard company offer of yours is reasonable?"
Qin Siyang had been puzzled as to why Qin Yingguang, a dignified commander, would personally make the trip last time for the sake of a share of those crimson crystals, wasting so many days. As it turned out, he had another deal with Zhao Longfei involving medicine.
Or rather, his real purpose in coming to South Glory University back then was the deal with the Zhao family, and helping him kill Yamamoto Jiro had simply been catching a rabbit while brushing the grass, something done in passing.
Sitting across from Zhao Longfei, Chu Xiaoang had fallen silent.
His mind was working through what terms he should propose that would be worthy of matching Qin Yingguang's offer.
At this moment, Zhao Longfei rose with unhurried ease, stretched, then poured everyone a glass of water.
Just as Chu Xiaoang finished his water and was about to speak, Zhao Longfei filled his cup again, then smiled and said, "Commander Chu, let's just be straightforward. I hope the terms you offer can one hundred percent beat the terms the other five corps commanders could provide, so I don't have to run back and forth passing messages and playing tug-of-war. Am I right?"
The words Chu Xiaoang had been about to say were swallowed back down.
Yes, the one he had to beat wasn't just Qin Yingguang, but the remaining four corps commanders as well.
Tons of medicine targeted at Sequence ability users didn't show up often.
If a divine tide suddenly broke out, or if something changed within the safe zone, one extra batch of medicine meant one extra life.
Something that guaranteed sustained combat ability for the troops was something everyone lacked.
Without cutting off a slice of meat, there was no hope of getting it.
After a long while, Chu Xiaoang finally came to a decision. He slapped the table and said, "Qin Siyang, for the terms I propose next, there are several points you must listen to carefully."
Qin Siyang immediately sat up straight and listened attentively.
Zhao Longfei also put out his cigarette, adopting a serious posture.
"First, my terms are non-negotiable. You have only two choices: accept them directly, or reject me."
"Second, you must give me your answer right now. Otherwise, I will take it as a refusal."
"Third, I will not acknowledge these terms to anyone else. Situations like just now, where we called Qin Yingguang and discussed terms, will not happen again. This matter will only be known between us. I will never say it a second time."
The relaxed feeling in Qin Siyang's heart was replaced with tension under these domineering three points.
He didn't know what kind of terms could make Chu Xiaoang so serious.
"My terms are: I give you the formation of a Sequence Brigade."
"The formation of a Sequence Brigade?"
Qin Siyang frowned, not understanding what it meant.
But beside him, Zhao Longfei showed an expression of great surprise.
And Chu Baxing and Zheng Cong were stunned by their corps commander, looking at Chu Xiaoang with disbelief.
With a deep gaze, Chu Xiaoang continued, "According to the regulations of the United Government, the military is divided into two types: those composed of ordinary people, and those composed of Sequence ability users. The former are the normal corps, divisions, and brigades, while the latter must have the word 'Sequence' added before their name."
"The formation I give you is the formation of a combat brigade composed of Sequence ability users."
Qin Siyang sucked in several breaths of cold air, even stuttering as he spoke, "You... you... Commander Chu, you're giving me an entire Sequence Brigade?"
"Not a Sequence Brigade. The formation of a Sequence Brigade."
"What's the difference?"
"What I give you is an empty formation. You have to find your own way to recruit soldiers, find your own way to train them, find your own way to help them improve their Sequence level, and find your own way to handle military pay."
Qin Siyang stretched his neck forward, confused, "Isn't that just giving me nothing and making me a bare-branched commander... no, a bare-branched brigade commander? Commander Chu, how is this any different from grabbing something out of thin air?"
"It's different."
Zhao Longfei said, "What Commander Chu is giving you is a legal military formation acknowledged by the United Government."
"Only the six great corps possess military formations. No other organization can obtain them."
Qin Siyang was even more puzzled, "Can't I recruit people even without this formation?"
"The identity is different."
With patience, Zhao Longfei explained to Qin Siyang.
"Without a formation, the people you recruit are gangsters, street thugs, worthless people who can't be put on the table. The police can cause them trouble, the administration can detain them at will, and the tax bureau can extort them arbitrarily."
"In short, the United Government does not allow large gatherings of personnel without a formation, because that would destabilize the safe zone."
"On the other hand, with this formation, your people become an official military force. They can carry guns on the streets, enjoy inspection exemptions, train collectively, carry out missions. Police will steer clear, administration will open green lanes, and the tax bureau will enthusiastically offer refunds."
"I made the distinction clear enough, right?"
Perhaps even Zhao Longfei had not expected that Chu Xiaoang would offer this term. His fingers were trembling slightly, whether from excitement or agitation, no one could tell, as he explained.
"And moreover, what I'm giving is not just any ordinary brigade, but a Sequence Brigade," Chu Xiaoang said, picking up where Zhao left off, "You need to know, I only have enough formation to build one Sequence Corps and one Sequence Division. If I go beyond that, the United Government will make trouble for me."
"Giving you one Sequence Brigade's formation means I will have one less Sequence Brigade under my command."
Zhao Longfei glanced at Chu Xiaoang and added, "On the surface, one less Sequence Brigade."
Chu Xiaoang answered coolly, "Principal Zhao doesn't understand the situation, so don't speak carelessly. The United Government's supervision of our military isn't for show. I can create an extra Sequence Battalion secretly, but a Sequence Brigade is absolutely impossible."
"The expenses of a Sequence Brigade are simply too large. Military supplies, resources, facilities, all of it together cannot be hidden unless you can pack living people into a storage box."
Qin Siyang had fully understood Chu Xiaoang's terms.
An excellent opportunity to build power with borrowed chickens laying eggs.
Chu Xiaoang didn't give him much time to think.
"Qin Siyang, do you accept my terms? Give me your answer. If not, then I'll negotiate terms with Principal Zhao and the Zhao family."
[T/N: I have started doing another fanfic— "Frieren: A Journey of the Demon King". It is a quite relaxing and humorous read, give it a go. Have a great read~]