142: Getting something for nothing?

Qin Shilei glanced at the two and asked, "May I know why the two of you have come here?"

Liu Xiu had probably investigated Qin Shilei before coming, knowing that Qin Shilei preferred directness, so he went straight to the point: "We heard that Mr. Qin has a large batch of grain. We wonder if Mr. Qin could spare some of it? Of course, we wouldn't ask for it for free."

Qin Shilei asked with interest, "What can the military offer for it?"

Liu Xiu tentatively offered a trade: "The military can appoint Mr. Qin as the Commander of your Vermilion Bird Legion."

"Heh heh." Qin Shilei chuckled, "Are you military personnel really that stingy?"

The Vermilion Bird Legion was one of the four major civilian legions, and even the military couldn't command these undisciplined civilian Evolution users.

How much actual power could a casually appointed Commander have?

As the Divisional Commander appointed by the military two days prior, Qin Shilei had also gone to take a look at the other two corps.

However, the other two corps Commanders were very resistant to him, their so-called Divisional Commander, and the civilian Evolution users under them showed him little respect.

Qin Shilei temporarily had no energy to integrate and subdue the two corps, so after visiting once, he never bothered with them again.

The Commander Liu Xiu spoke of was just like the Divisional Commander Qin Shilei currently held—a nominal position, utterly useless.

Looking at the disdain in Qin Shilei's eyes, Liu Xiu showed no embarrassment: "Mr. Qin, are you interested in serving in our military? A Major General rank, commanding your own army—that would be a truly substantial Commander position."

"Oh."

Qin Shilei was somewhat stunned.

Currently, the military only had four major legions, and each Commander commanded tens of thousands of troops, truly holding a high and powerful position.

For the military to offer such a condition, they probably not only wanted to exchange for grain but also intended to win over Qin Shilei, Nanzhuang City's top expert.

Qin Shilei turned to look at Kong Qingshu, who was sitting beside him: "Is this your father's intention?"

Kong Qingshu shook her head: "I've been with you all this time, so I don't know if this is just my father's intention. But for such a big matter, my father should have discussed it with the several Commanders and Deputy General Commander Liu."

Qin Shilei asked Liu Xiu again, "Does this Commander position come with troops?"

Liu Xiu hesitated for a moment and said, "Three hundred people will be drawn from each of the other four corps to form the new corps; the remaining members will need to be recruited by the corps Commander himself."

Originally, the military's intention was to just give a designation, with everything else to be handled by Qin Shilei himself.

But that would have looked too bad, so someone suggested drawing three hundred people from each of the four corps.

"Heh heh." Qin Shilei chuckled, "I didn't expect the military to be willing to part with 1,200 people."

Hearing this, Liu Xiu and Yao Yanyan both looked a little awkward.

After all, the other four corps each had a strength of nearly 40,000, a huge difference compared to these 1,200 people.

Liu Xiu composed himself and spoke again: "Although this new corps doesn't have many troops, it is a formally designated corps, existing on equal footing with the other corps."

Qin Shilei knew clearly in his heart that this was just a trick.

In the apocalypse, strength was everything; only with followers and influence could one stand on equal footing with other Commanders.

Simply holding a nominal Commander title meant others wouldn't even look at you properly.

However, a Commander with a formal designation was not like the largely useless empty titles of civilian legions. At least it could be used to gain entry into the military.

Qin Shilei asked again, "Besides people, what about weapons, ammunition, and other supplies?"

Liu Xiu hesitated again: "Because the military's weapons and ammunition are scarce, this might require the Commander to find a solution."

A premonition that this mission might fail began to form in his heart.

This was completely trying to get something for nothing.

They wanted to exchange a Commander's designation and a Major General's rank for tens of thousands of tons of grain from the other party.

This was probably a pipe dream.

Indeed, just as he expected, Qin Shilei flatly refused: "If these are the only conditions from the military, then please leave. I won't see you out."

Hearing this, Yao Yanyan immediately became anxious: "Mr. Qin, please reconsider. This is a Major General's rank, a powerful Commander position."

"Being a Major General is a goal many strive for their entire lives. With just a little grain, you can instantly become one of the most powerful people in the military."

Qin Shilei said indifferently, "No need to consider. In the apocalypse, I still find food to be more practical."

Liu Xiu turned to Kong Qingshu and pleaded, "Colonel Kong, we are asking Mr. Qin to give up some grain for the sake of the military, and for all the survivors in Nanzhuang City."

Kong Qingshu spread her hands, looking helpless: "Everything in the Panshi Battle Group is decided by the Group Leader. I can't help you either."

In her heart, however, she disdained Liu Xiu for his lack of discernment.

She was the General Commander's daughter; if she truly had influence, wouldn't her father have asked for grain through her?

Liu Xiu could only speak again: "Mr. Qin, please consider the hundreds of thousands of hungry refugees in Nanzhuang City and give up some grain."

"The military truly has no grain left. If there's no military relief, the survivors in Nanzhuang City will quickly starve to death in large numbers."

"Just half, and you will not only gain a Major General rank and a Commander position, but you will also receive the gratitude of countless people who live because of you."

Yao Yanyan also pleaded, "Mr. Qin, if you just go outside, you'll see how many people starve to death on the streets every day because they have nothing to eat. For the sake of us all being Great Xia Country citizens, please show some compassion."

Qin Shilei said coldly, "Call me unsympathetic or cold-blooded, it matters not. The grain was obtained by my own ability, and I will decide how to deal with it."

"You..." Yao Yanyan suddenly said angrily, "That was originally the nation's strategic grain! You're a bandit. If this were before the apocalypse, people like you would be executed ten times over!"

"Captain Yao, watch your words!" Liu Xiu sharply rebuked her.

He had brought Yao Yanyan along, originally just thinking of using her beauty to make the mission easier to accomplish.

He hadn't expected Yao Yanyan to be so unyielding.

With these words, she would likely be kicked out.

Indeed, Qin Shilei said with a cold face, "Please leave. The two of you are not welcome here."

Yao Yanyan stood up abruptly, her face flushed as she condemned him: "You cold-blooded monster! You took the nation's grain but have no sense of repaying the nation! You watch your compatriots starve to death without a shred of concern! May you be killed by zombies while guarding that grain!"

Kong Qingshu and Liu Xiu were simultaneously startled, fearing that Qin Shilei, in a fit of anger, would casually eliminate Yao Yanyan.

"Heh heh." Qin Shilei sneered, "The grain has always been in the granary. It's your problem if you couldn't get it. I went through immense hardships to retrieve this grain from millions of ants. Why should I have to give it to your military?"

Liu Xiu, afraid that Yao Yanyan would anger Qin Shilei again, quickly pulled her out: "Mr. Qin, I will go back and report your intentions. I believe the military will give you a satisfactory reply."