Qin Shilei glanced at the two and asked, "May I know what business you two have with me?"
Liu Xiu, having apparently investigated Qin Shilei beforehand, knew that Qin Shilei preferred to get straight to the point. He said, "We learned that Mr. Qin has a large supply of grain. We wonder if you could part with some of it. Of course, it won't be without compensation."
Qin Shilei asked with interest, "What is the military willing to offer in return?"
Liu Xiu tentatively proposed the exchange: "The military can appoint Mr. Qin as the Legion Commander of your Vermillion Bird Legion."
"Heh." Qin Shilei chuckled. "Is the military that stingy?"
The Vermillion Bird Legion was one of the four major civilian legions. Even the military couldn't directly command these undisciplined civilian evolved humans.
What actual power would a casually appointed legion commander have? kAnshuWu.ξà
As a division commander appointed by the military just two days prior, Qin Shilei had taken a look at the other two legions.
However, the commanders of the other two legions were very resistant to his role as a "division commander," and the civilian evolved humans under them showed him little respect.
Qin Shilei currently had no energy to integrate and subdue the two legions, so after visiting once, he never bothered with them again.
The legion commander Liu Xiu mentioned now was like the division commander Qin Shilei currently held – nominal and of no practical use.
Seeing the disdain in Qin Shilei's eyes, Liu Xiu was unfazed. "Mr. Qin, are you interested in serving in our military? A Major General rank, commanding your own army – that would be a true Legion Commander."
"Oh."
Qin Shilei was taken aback.
Currently, the military only had four major legions, each with tens of thousands of soldiers under its command, making their commanders highly influential figures.
For the military to offer such a condition, they likely not only wanted grain but also to win over Qin Shilei, the foremost expert in Nanzhuang City.
Qin Shilei turned to Kong Qingshu, who was sitting beside him, and asked, "Is this your father's idea?"
Kong Qingshu shook her head. "I've been with you all along, so I don't know if it's just my father's idea. But for such a significant matter, my father should have discussed it with the other legion commanders and Deputy Commander Liu."
Qin Shilei asked Liu Xiu again, "Does this legion commander have troops under them?"
Liu Xiu hesitated for a moment before replying, "Three hundred men will be drawn from each of the other four legions to form a new legion. The remaining members will need to be recruited by the legion commander themselves."
Initially, the military's intention was to only provide a designation, and Qin Shilei would have to handle everything else.
However, this would have been too unsightly, so someone proposed drawing three hundred men from each of the four legions.
"Heh." Qin Shilei chuckled. "I didn't expect the military to be willing to part with twelve hundred men."
Hearing this, both Liu Xiu and Yao Yanyan felt a bit awkward.
After all, the other four legions had a total strength of nearly forty thousand men, a stark contrast to these twelve hundred.
Liu Xiu composed himself and said again, "Although this new legion may not have many soldiers, it will have a formal designation, placing it on equal footing with the other legions."
Qin Shilei knew perfectly well that this was just a ploy.
In the apocalyptic world, strength was paramount. One needed influence and subordinates to be on par with other legion commanders.
A mere nominal legion commander would not be taken seriously.
However, a legion with a designation, even if initially weak, was not a mere empty title like those of the civilian legions. At least it could be used to gain a foothold in the military.
Qin Shilei asked again, "Besides personnel, what about weapons and ammunition?"
Liu Xiu hesitated again. "Due to the military's shortage of weapons and ammunition, the legion commander will likely need to find their own solutions for these."
He began to feel a premonition that this mission was likely to fail.
This was clearly a case of an empty promise.
Using only a legion commander designation and a Major General rank, they expected to obtain tens of thousands of tons of grain.
This was wishful thinking.
As he expected, Qin Shilei refused, "If this is the military's only offer, then please, feel free to leave."
Upon hearing this, Yao Yanyan became anxious. "Mr. Qin, please reconsider. This is a Major General rank, a prestigious Legion Commander position."
"A Major General is a goal many strive for their entire lives. By parting with a small amount of grain, you could become one of the most influential figures in the military."
Qin Shilei said indifferently, "There's no need to reconsider. In this apocalyptic world, I still believe food to be the most substantial asset."
Liu Xiu turned to Kong Qingshu and pleaded, "Colonel Kong, we are making this request for the sake of the military and for all the survivors in Nanzhuang City, asking Mr. Qin to yield some of his grain."
Kong Qingshu spread her hands in a gesture of helplessness. "The Stony Rock Legion is governed by the sole decision of its commander. I can't help you."
In her heart, she disdained Liu Xiu's lack of foresight.
If she, the daughter of the Commander-in-Chief, truly had influence, wouldn't her father have approached her directly to request grain?
Liu Xiu had no choice but to speak again. "Mr. Qin, for the sake of the two to three hundred thousand starving refugees in Nanzhuang City, please yield some of your grain."
"The military is indeed out of grain. Without the military's relief, the survivors in Nanzhuang City will soon starve to death in large numbers."
"Just half. Not only will you gain a Major General's rank and a Legion Commander's position, but you will also receive the gratitude of countless individuals whose lives you save."
Yao Yanyan also pleaded, "Mr. Qin, if you just take a walk outside, you'll see how many people die of starvation on the streets every day. As fellow citizens of Great Xia, please show some compassion."
Qin Shilei said coldly, "Call me unpatriotic or cold-blooded if you must. I acquired this grain through my own efforts, and I know how to handle it."
"You..." Yao Yanyan suddenly said indignantly, "That was national strategic reserve grain! You're a thief. Before the apocalypse, people like you would have been shot ten times over."
"Captain Yao, be careful!" Liu Xiu shouted.
He had brought Yao Yanyan along, initially hoping her beauty might facilitate the mission.
He hadn't expected Yao Yanyan to be so fiery.
With that remark, their mission was likely doomed to failure.
Indeed, Qin Shilei's face turned cold. "Please leave. You are not welcome here."
Yao Yanyan stood up abruptly, her face flushed with indignation. "You cold-blooded monster! You took national grain but have no sense of obligation to repay the nation. You watch your compatriots starve to death with indifference. May you be killed by zombies for guarding that grain!"
Kong Qingshu and Liu Xiu were simultaneously alarmed, fearing that Qin Shilei might lose his temper and simply eliminate Yao Yanyan on the spot.
"Heh." Qin Shilei sneered. "The grain has always been in the granary. It's your problem if you lack the capability to retrieve it. Why should I hand over the grain I painstakingly retrieved from among millions of ants to your military?"
Liu Xiu, afraid Yao Yanyan would further enrage Qin Shilei, quickly pulled her away. "Mr. Qin, I will report your response to the higher authorities immediately. I believe the military will provide you with a satisfactory reply."