[War Alert]
[The military has dispatched 128 probes to this planet, distributed in the deep oceans worldwide]
[Over a thousand whale nests have been observed, and whales of all ages within the nests are successively awakening, loaded with water ghosts, and will land soon]
[The military has launched nuclear missiles at the currently observed whale nests, eliminating approximately 70% of the whales. However, the total number of water ghosts globally is still expected to reach over 3.5 million in the next month]
[Colony commanders are advised to prepare. Good luck to all]
Reading the message, Jiang Ye gasped.
3.5 million water ghosts!
His mind conjured images of countless water ghosts stampeding across the wasteland, a purple-black tide that crushed everything in its path, overwhelming base vehicles one after another. The hairs on his back stood on end.
It was terrifying!
Even if the water ghosts landed evenly, the number of water ghosts attacking the town could still reach tens of thousands.
If they came in trickles, it would be manageable, but if thousands arrived at once, they wouldn't be able to hold.
Jiang Ye's account balance was only 1,024,000 yuan, leaving him in a precarious financial situation.
He had to find a way to deal with more water ghosts.
After a brief hesitation, Jiang Ye opened the chat channel and sent a message to Isabella.
Jiang Ye: Sis, did you see the news? The number of water ghosts will double in the next month.
Isabella: I saw it. What's up?
Jiang Ye: If, and I'm just saying if, we can't defend the town and it falls completely due to too many water ghosts, can you pick me up in your spaceship before it's too late?
Isabella: You remember me now? How long has it been since you came over for a meal? You call me "sis" so sweetly when you need something, but disappear when you don't. You're really something!
Jiang Ye: I've been really busy these past few days. By the time I finished, it was late at night, and I didn't want to disturb you.
Isabella: I'm busy too. I can't chat. As for saving you, that's out of the question. If the town falls, I'll fly away immediately. You should find someone else.
Jiang Ye was greatly embarrassed, not expecting her to be so upset.
However, he understood Isabella. She appeared to be a fiery woman, but she was actually quite sensitive. If it came down to a life-or-death situation, Jiang Ye believed she would still save him.
Closing Isabella's private chat window, Jiang Ye sent a plea for help to Li Nannan.
Jiang Ye: Commander, help! The water ghosts are rampant! Is there any support available?
Li Nannan: Didn't the announcement say it all? They fired nuclear weapons at the whale nests near you. Most of them were eliminated. You can deal with the rest yourself.
Jiang Ye: There are still too many left! 3.5 million water ghosts!
Li Nannan: How many military factories have you built?
Jiang Ye: Two assault rifle factories. They're currently in high demand.
Li Nannan: What about anti-aircraft machine gun factories?
Jiang Ye: I haven't built them yet. They're too expensive, 250 million each.
Li Nannan: Hurry up and build the anti-aircraft machine gun factories. Those anti-aircraft machine guns are the only true weapons. They can shoot at aircraft when mounted vertically and fire horizontally at ground targets. One bullet can penetrate seven or eight people, and it can also kill four or five water ghosts. Set up a few anti-aircraft machine guns around the town, and even tens of thousands of water ghosts won't be able to break through.
Jiang Ye was shocked. He thought anti-aircraft machine guns were only for air defense, not for horizontal firing. They were quite versatile!
Li Nannan: Also, after you build the anti-aircraft machine gun factory, it will unlock the next military factory: light armored vehicles.
Jiang Ye: Holy cow! Thank you, Commander! I'll find a way to build it right away!
Li Nannan: If you can't even defeat low-level creatures like water ghosts with your military factories, you're truly incompetent. If your town falls, don't bother being the commander anymore. Write me a resignation letter immediately!
Closing Li Nannan's private message, Jiang Ye took a deep breath, his face etched with worry.
Once the reconnaissance drone factory was built, his daily income would be close to thirty million.
Even with such earnings, it would take over a week to save up 250 million for the anti-aircraft machine gun factory.
How many water ghosts would land during that long week? Could they really hold out?
After much thought, only one path lay before him.
Borrowing money!
Fortunately, Jiang Ye knew some wealthy friends.
He typed a message on his panel, but halfway through, he deleted it all.
Borrowing money, especially a large sum, was best done in person. Sending a message was too casual.
Jiang Ye went out and headed straight for the coastal luxury residential area.
Finding Ju Lanlan's house, he took a deep breath and rang the doorbell.
"Who is it?" Ju Lanlan's sharp voice came from inside, accompanied by the clacking sound of a gun bolt being racked.
Jiang Ye was startled. "It's me, Jiang Ye!"
"Coming, coming!" Ju Lanlan's voice became warm.
The door opened, and Ju Lanlan stood at the entrance, smiling, holding an assault rifle and wearing a black tank top. Jiang Ye's eyes widened slightly. Indeed, she was only wearing a black tank top.
"Why are you holding a gun?" Jiang Ye asked.
"I had a dream last night that some thugs broke into my house to steal money, and it woke me up. The fighting has been fierce lately, and I'm afraid someone might take advantage of the chaos to cause trouble." Ju Lanlan placed the gun by the wall and gestured for him to sit. "Make yourself at home."
Jiang Ye's expression was a bit complex. "Your dream was a bit too accurate."
Ju Lanlan's mouth fell open in surprise. "What do you mean?"
"I won't beat around the bush. I've run into some trouble, and I've come to ask you for a loan," Jiang Ye said sincerely. "I hope you can help me."
Ju Lanlan paused. "How much?"
"As much as you can spare," Jiang Ye replied.
"Holy cow, I shouldn't have let you in," Ju Lanlan's expression changed. "I need to keep ten million for business transactions. I'll transfer the rest to you."
With that, Ju Lanlan walked to the wall, clicked on her panel, and transferred money to Jiang Ye.
Within ten seconds, the transfer was complete!
A sum of 110 million yuan was deposited into Jiang Ye's account. This was essentially all of Ju Lanlan's savings.
Jiang Ye had prepared a lengthy speech, intending to use emotional and rational appeals to persuade her. But she was so straightforward that he was momentarily taken aback.
Ju Lanlan walked to the kitchen. "Don't just stand there, sit down. I just bought some coffee beans, let me make you a cup to try."
"Uh, aren't you going to ask what the money is for?" Jiang Ye asked, dumbfounded.
"Why ask? If you need it, I'll give it to you," Ju Lanlan replied without looking up. "How long have we known each other? Don't we have this much trust? My money is your money, my home is your home. Don't be polite. Tell me whatever you need, and I'll give you whatever I can."
Jiang Ye was genuinely touched. To lend him money so readily, emptying her pockets – was this what true friendship was?
"Don't bother with the coffee. I still have a lot to do. I'll come back later to have coffee with you," Jiang Ye turned and opened the door. "I'll pay you back within a month."
"Really not drinking?" Ju Lanlan looked up at him and smiled faintly. "Alright then, go ahead and get busy. I won't be polite either. I earn over seven million a day now, so ask me again if you need money."
"Okay, okay, thank you, thank you!" Jiang Ye said, turning and walking out.
It had gone much smoother than he expected. With half the money borrowed, he still needed the other half, but the pressure had significantly eased.
Leaving Ju Lanlan's house, he headed straight for Tian Rao's place.