50: I want your people

That is, they shouldn't have been in a hurry to recall the two fierce tiger h9s. This inadvertent action directly exposed to Qin Luming the poor condition of those two vehicles.

However, the two vehicles indeed had less than 30,000 HP remaining, and Zhao Feipeng's even had only a little over 10,000. If they weren't recalled soon, they would definitely explode if the opponent charged again.

Under these circumstances, Qin Luming might still have some chance of winning by going all out. After all, the opponent had plenty of ATVs, and a close-quarters fight would be unpredictable.

But Qin Luming, as the captain of his squad, did not take this risk and instead chose to negotiate again.

"Right now, our apparent forces seem evenly matched, but in reality, I still have over two hundred troops that can provide support at any time. However, I don't want to sacrifice all of our squad's advantages for a single Qiao Town, so I have a proposal. See if you can accept it?"

"Split evenly?" Li Xiao blurted out, already having guessed.

"Yes, split evenly!" Qin Luming said in a deep voice, "You should know that there are many other squads eyeing us in the vicinity. Once they smell blood, they will swarm in. The result of our two sides fighting to the death would only be to benefit others!"

"That's a good suggestion, but if you can add one more condition, perhaps I can consider it!"

"What condition?"

Li Xiao extended his index finger and beckoned into the distance: "Your squad merges into mine, and we share resources."

"What?!"

Qin Luming never expected the other party's appetite to be so large; he was already thinking of annexing his squad.

"Don't be surprised. I can produce a vehicle as durable as today's every day, and I have dozens of soldiers as resilient as these. Today, my two vehicles can wipe out half of your forces; tomorrow or the day after, I can level your base!"

"You wouldn't dare!" Qin Luming panicked. He had lost his previous composure. These indestructible off-road vehicles were slowly eroding his confidence.

"Actually, there's nothing to agonize over. I believe in one saying: if you can't beat them, join them! If you choose to join me because you can't beat me, I will welcome you with open arms, because at least you are a smart person, and it's good that no players have died yet today, so we haven't formed too deep a grudge."

Li Xiao's words left Qin Luming stunned for a long time. What this Li Xiao said was infuriating, yet the opponent possessed unfathomable strength.

Facing Li Xiao's vague threats, Qin Luming, who considered himself to have some cunning, was momentarily at a loss on how to decide.

He had established the Luming Squad in the second week after arriving in this world, initially just thinking that there was strength in numbers.

But as more members joined, he gradually developed ambitions, yearning to make a mark in this world.

Because he didn't want to be just an insignificant office worker like before.

Was it going to end so hastily?

Qin Luming's expression darkened, losing his former spirited demeanor. He said faintly, "Allow me to consider it before I reply."

"Alright, I'll be waiting!"

Li Xiao hung up the voice call, feeling secretly pleased. He hadn't expected Qin Luming to waver just from his casual remarks. Sure enough, death often prompted most people to make difficult decisions they wouldn't normally make.

"Hmm, why do I feel a bit like a villain with this behavior?"

Li Xiao shook his head.

"Lao Xiao, they've retreated! Don't we still have half our people? Why not continue for another round?"

Liu Nian said, still unsatisfied. Just now, Li Xiao was the only one showing off; they were indeed only able to play support.

"A wise man knows when to yield. Qin Luming might be a very rational wise man."

Li Xiao said so. He wasn't concerned about whether Qin Luming would agree to merge into the Xiaoyao Squad; he was concerned about where the next target was.

The larger the squad, the heavier the responsibility. Resources, diplomacy, and squad relations all had to be considered.

Especially resources. The squad's headcount and resource allocation must be maintained above normal levels, otherwise, the squad cannot develop long-term, which places demands on resource territories.

After the Luming Squad fully retreated, Li Xiao immediately said to Liu Nian, "Liu Nian, Qiao Town is the first collective resource area captured by our Xiaoyao Squad. Although the total resources are only a little over 20,000, when divided, each person can still get over 1,100 Star Coins per day. Tell everyone to send appropriate Engineers to collect them."

"Okay!" Liu Nian actually pulled out a notebook; it seemed Comrade Vice Captain was very diligent.

"By the way, tell them that everyone collects their own share. Anyone who takes more than their share will receive a warning the first time, and be expelled the second time."

"Don't worry, I've already drafted the squad rules. I'll send them to you tonight for review, and we can discuss them further."

At this moment, Yun Dongliu also walked over: "Captain, what do you think the troops should do next? Should we continue to stay here to deter them or withdraw?"

"There's no need to send a garrison here. The Luming Squad absolutely won't dare to come again. Anyone else who dares to touch our territory, I will definitely let them know how authentic the Xiaoyao Squad's raiding techniques are!" Li Xiao confidently told everyone.

Actually, driving to Qiao Town only takes about ten or twenty minutes. Sending a garrison would only benefit those who launch sneak attacks, just like today.

In the evening at the cafeteria, the soldiers ate venison dumplings made by Du Ziteng, all in high spirits.

Li Xiao was also very happy. He immediately bought juice at the trading center as a celebration. It wasn't that he was unwilling to buy alcohol, but the current situation didn't allow for any carelessness.

During the meal, Li Xiao also took the opportunity to tally today's gains. Besides about 110,000 vehicle durability points, he also gained 40,000 Life Points.

As for the equipment from the Luming Squad soldiers who were killed, Li Xiao gave it all to his team members.

His Life Pool was growing relatively quickly now. As long as he had enough teammates, he would be strong enough, which was also the main reason Li Xiao threatened Qin Luming to join his squad.

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. As Li Xiao put down his rice bowl, Qin Luming's voice call came in.

"How is it, Captain Qin? Have you made up your mind?" Li Xiao asked at his leisure.

"Captain Li, after our discussion, we agree to merge into your squad, but I must serve as the Vice Captain."

Qin Luming's voice was somewhat dejected, but his words were firm.

"Sorry, the Vice Captain position is already taken, and besides, you don't seem to have the right to choose. You only have to agree to join or not join!"

Li Xiao directly refused. Command and management authority were paramount; how could they be changed at will?

"You..." Qin Luming was so angry he couldn't speak. The arguments he had prepared now seemed completely useless.

Li Xiao then slowly said, "Don't worry, joining my squad won't be a loss for you and your members. I will distribute 100 Star Coins in welfare to everyone every week, and our goal isn't just these small places. I can guarantee that within the next month, your single-day resource income will definitely increase to over 10,000!"

"Aren't you afraid I'll betray you?" Qin Luming said coldly, "If I reveal information to other squads during your collective actions, you probably won't have it so easy."

Li Xiao said indifferently, "It's fine, I want your people, not your hearts..."