Qin Shilei continued, "Twenty percent of Hope City's revenue will be allocated by the Martial Artists Guild and the Internal Affairs Department for unified distribution."
Hope City's income primarily comes from the tax revenue of the trading street and shop rentals, and the second is twenty percent of the harvest from the Four Great Legions and the Rock Legion.
Previously, Qin Shilei used most of his earnings for his own cultivation and that of those close to him, with a small portion allocated for rewards for tasks issued by the City Lord's Mansion.
Now, he intends to use a portion for the daily management of Hope City.
Seeing no objections, Qin Shilei gestured for the others to continue offering their opinions.
Zhang Qiang spoke up, "City Lord, the zombies around our Hope City have been mostly cleared. We are now gradually entering the spheres of influence of other bases. How should we interact with those factions?"
"Yesterday, our Rock Legion members were in Yongde City, a hundred kilometers away, and almost got into a major brawl with the local forces over some supplies."
Qin Shilei said calmly, "We don't provoke others, but if provoked, we will retaliate. Our Hope City fears no challenge, but we should not bully the weak."
Zhang Qiang pondered for a moment and then suddenly asked, "City Lord, should we occupy more cities?"
Qin Shilei scanned the people in the conference room and noticed that most of them were looking at him with eager eyes.
He immediately understood that they wished to expand Hope City's territory.
After a moment of deliberation, Qin Shilei stated, "Our current enemies are zombies, mutated beasts, and creatures from other worlds."
"Without additional City Protection Emblems, occupying more cities is meaningless."
"However, we can send people to establish mercenary groups in those large bases. When the time is right, we can then replace them."
He then instructed Zhang Cheng and Kong Zhendong to prioritize acquiring City Protection Emblems and other strategic equipment.
Hearing that Qin Shilei had no immediate plans to expand their territory, Zhang Qiang and the others showed a hint of disappointment.
But upon reflection, they felt Qin Shilei's words made sense and nodded in agreement, "Alright, we will select suitable individuals to infiltrate those large bases first."
They then discussed some issues regarding Hope City's construction before dispersing.
...
The next morning.
Qin Shilei, Kong Qingshu, Xu Jun, and his subordinate Ma Hongwei drove towards Xujia Village.
Kong Qingshu was insisted upon by An Qian and Zhang Xiaoli, who said, "Bring Sister Qingshu along; you two can look out for each other."
An Qian and Zhang Xiaoli secretly instructed, "Sister Qingshu, you didn't go to the other world last time; it's your turn now. You must keep a close eye on Brother Qin and don't let him flirt with other women outside."
Kong Qingshu half-jokingly replied, "Aren't you two afraid I'll steal him myself?"
"Tch." Zhang Xiaoli deliberately scoffed, "You two already have the hots for each other; what's there to steal?"
Kong Qingshu's face turned bright red, and she said somewhat awkwardly, "I... I didn't. Qin Shilei and I are strictly platonic."
An Qian said with a half-smile, "Then if you don't go, the two of us will."
"I'll go, how can I not?" Kong Qingshu quickly replied, putting away her embarrassment.
Thus, the three women decided on the personnel accompanying Qin Shilei.
Xujia Village is located deep in the mountains of Xujia Town, Puchang City, nearly three hundred kilometers from Hope City.
After driving and stopping several times, the group finally arrived outside Puchang City after four to five hours.
Looking at the dense population of zombies within Puning City, Qin Shilei expressed concern, "President Xu, it seems this place has completely fallen. Will your Xujia Village also be overrun by zombies?"
"Xujia Village is in the deep mountains, so there shouldn't be many zombies, but there are quite a few mutated beasts," Xu Jun frowned.
He had explored this area with his subordinates before but had been so terrified by a five to six-meter-tall black bear that they had to flee before reaching Xujia Village.
Qin Shilei and his group spent another two hours cautiously passing through Puning City.
As soon as they entered Xujia Town, they heard sparse gunshots from ahead.
This was followed by a large group of people running towards them.
At Qin Shilei's signal, Ma Hongwei stopped the car by the roadside, allowing the group to pass first.
Through the car window, Qin Shilei noticed that it was a group of all women, about forty to fifty in number.
At the rear was a girl of about seventeen or eighteen, riding a blood-red leopard.
Chasing them was a large group of men, about thirty to forty in number.
"Xu Hongyu, you can't escape. You might as well surrender to us."
"If you agree, we can combine our strength and surely find our families back in Xujia Village."
"We are all from Xujia Village. Why are you siding with outsiders against us?"
The men shouted as they pursued.
"Are they from Xujia Village, President Xu? Do you recognize them?" Qin Shilei asked.
"That man is Xu Jiachao, the son of the Xujia Village chieftain. I don't recognize the women, as I left Xujia Village seven or eight years ago."
When Xu Jun saw Xu Jiachao, a hint of hatred flashed in his eyes.
He paused and then added, "City Lord, if we can capture Xu Jiachao, we can force his father to hand over the Gu Worm Sacred Canon."
While they were talking, Xu Jiachao and his group also noticed Qin Shilei's group and glanced at them curiously. However, being in a hurry to chase Xu Hongyu and the others, they quickly sped past the car.
Upon hearing it was the son of the Xujia Village chieftain, Qin Shilei became interested. He called out and got out of the car to pursue the group.
They quickly caught up with them at the entrance of the town.
At this moment, Xu Jiachao had caught up to Xu Hongyu and was now engaged in a fierce battle with her.
His subordinates, like wolves entering a flock of sheep, charged towards Xu Hongyu's companions with lecherous grins.
Xu Hongyu and Xu Jiachao were locked in a close fight.
However, her companions were faring much worse and were quickly overwhelmed.
"Haha, my beauty, let your brother dote on you properly."
"Such a fiery young lady, I wonder how good your verbal skills are."
"This fair and tender skin is so captivating; I can't wait another moment."
The men spoke lewdly as they repeatedly attacked the women's sensitive areas, even tearing their clothes.
Kong Qingshu, upon witnessing this scene as soon as they arrived, said with blazing eyes, "Brother Qin, I want to kill someone right now."
"Alright," Qin Shilei agreed, "I'll accompany you and kill all these beasts."
Qin Shilei was not one to meddle in others' affairs, which was why he had initially stopped the car and avoided the conflict.
However, seeing a group of men bullying women ignited his desire to kill.
Kong Qingshu's suggestion aligned perfectly with his own feelings.
The two quickly drew their weapons and charged towards the group.