16: Chapter 16: A Gold Mine in the Ruins, and a Bloodstained "Treasurer"

The first rays of the morning sun did not bring much warmth to this land that had just experienced a bloody purge; instead, they made the smell of smoke and blood permeating the air feel even more pungent.

Inside Dawn Base (formerly Feifan Park), the Death Soldiers were conducting final cleanup operations. They were like tireless, precision machines; even when moving corpses, their movements were uniform, and their faces were devoid of any expression.

In contrast, those newly rescued "piglets" had received water and food, but most were still in a state of post-traumatic numbness, huddled in corners, watching everything with hollow eyes.

Zhang Cheng stood before the floor-to-ceiling window of the top-floor office. This place was once where Scarface issued orders and enjoyed treatment fit for an emperor; now, sitting behind that large mahogany desk was the new master of this park.

The expensive Persian rug that had originally been on the floor had been removed because it had soaked up too much of the previous owner's blood.

"Master, the person has been brought here."

Old K's voice sounded like metal striking metal, cold and powerful.

Zhang Cheng turned around. At the doorway, Li Lanzhi appeared somewhat uneasy. She had taken a shower and changed into a professional outfit found from the park's female finance personnel.

Although the clothes fit, they looked somewhat loose on her thin frame. Her hair draped wet over her shoulders, and her complexion remained pale, but in her eyes, the former despair had been replaced by a cautious glimmer of hope.

"Sit." Zhang Cheng pointed to the chair opposite him. His tone was flat, lacking any air of superiority, yet it carried an inherent dignity that made one dare not act presumptuously.

Li Lanzhi took a deep breath, as if she had used up all her strength just to keep herself from trembling, and slowly sat down.

"Thank you... thank you for saving everyone." Her voice was somewhat hoarse, a lingering effect of long-term malnutrition and her recent crying.

"Saving people was just a side task." Zhang Cheng pulled a cigarette from the pack on the desk and lit it, blue smoke rising. "I didn't bring you here to hear thanks. The way I do things, I value efficiency and utility."

Li Lanzhi's heart suddenly leapt into her throat. Having stayed in the park for a month, she understood all too well what the word "utility" meant. In this man-eating place, having no utility meant death.

"I've read your file and observed you." Zhang Cheng flicked the ash, his gaze piercing through the smoke straight into Li Lanzhi's heart. "A Master's in Economics from Dongshan University, a financial analyst for a foreign trade company. You stayed in this cesspool, didn't sell yourself out, didn't go crazy, and could still leave others a bite to eat. A sharp mind, and a heart that hasn't turned black—that's rare."

Li Lanzhi gave a bitter smile, her hands wringing together: "I just... didn't want to become an animal."

"That is exactly why I value you." Zhang Cheng leaned forward slightly, an oppressive sensation instantly washing over her. "I'm short on people right now, especially people who can do accounts and manage money. I want you to be my Financial Officer."

"W-what?" Li Lanzhi looked up abruptly, her pupils trembling as if she had heard some fantastic tale. "Financial Officer? Me?"

"What? You don't dare?" Zhang Cheng raised an eyebrow. "Or are you saying you want to take two hundred dollars in travel money, go back home, and live a life of daily nightmares? Or, stay here and use your expertise to help me turn this place into a new world?"

Li Lanzhi was stunned. Go back home? Of course she wanted to. But what about after returning? This month of hellish experience would become a lifelong nightmare. But here... She looked at the man before her, who was excessively young yet terrifyingly powerful.

Was he a devil? He had killed so many people. Was he an angel? He had saved so many people.

"Why me?" Li Lanzhi's voice trembled. "Those... those black-clad soldiers under you, they look like they can do anything. Why would you trust me, a 'piglet' who was just rescued?"

"Because they are warriors, they only know how to kill and execute orders." Zhang Cheng pointed to Old K outside the door. "And you are a steward, you know how to make money beget money, and how to get this mess running. As for trust..."

Zhang Cheng stood up, walked over to Li Lanzhi, and looked down at her: "Trust isn't something you say with your mouth; it's earned through actions. I can give you power, dignity, and even the chance for revenge. But if you screw up, or if you betray me..."

He didn't continue, but Li Lanzhi felt a chill behind her neck, as if an invisible blade were hanging there.

At this moment, something within Li Lanzhi awakened. It was ambition that had been suppressed for a long time, the anger of refusing to be just a victim.

She stood up; although her legs were still shaking, her eyes had changed.

"Fine! I'll do it!" Li Lanzhi gritted her teeth, her voice not loud but exceptionally firm. "Thank you for your trust, Master. Li Lanzhi—my life is yours from now on!"

"Very good." Zhang Cheng nodded in satisfaction, a curve appearing at the corner of his mouth. "Old K, take her to the finance office and the underground vault. I want to know exactly how much blood these animals have sucked."

...

The next few hours were like a bizarre, surreal dream for Li Lanzhi.

Escorted by several armed Death Soldiers, she led a few accountants temporarily selected from the rescued personnel, pried open the safes of Scarface and several executives, and opened the heavy door of the underground vault.

The moment the vault door swung open with a boom, even though Li Lanzhi had done financial analysis and seen large figures, she was still stunned by the sight before her, her scalp tingling.

That wasn't money; that was a mountain of sin.

Bundles of red renminbi, green US dollars, and purple euros were piled messily on the floor like waste paper.

Beside them were several open chests, inside which golden bars emitted an alluring and evil glow under the dim light.

"How... how much money is this?" A young accountant was so scared that he sat down on the floor, drool running out of his mouth.

"Don't just stare! Get to work!" Li Lanzhi instantly entered her state, she shouted sharply, her capable professional aura returning in an instant. "Sort by currency! If there aren't enough money counters, count by hand! Every single cent must be recorded! This is all the hard-earned money of our compatriots!"

Besides cash, the more complex part was the digital assets.

Li Lanzhi sat in front of several high-spec computers, her fingers tapping rapidly on the keyboards.

Those park accountants who had only revealed their passwords after having guns pressed against their heads by the Death Soldiers were now trembling as they cooperated with her in executing transfer operations.

"Master, the data is ready."

By evening, Li Lanzhi took a thick report and entered Zhang Cheng's office once again. Her eyes were bloodshot, but her spirit was frighteningly energized.

"Cash assets total approximately 380 million renminbi. 200 kilograms of gold. Various jewelry and jade pieces as well."

"Cryptocurrency accounts, mainly Tether (USDT) and Bitcoin, at current exchange rates, are worth approximately... 620 million."

"Total assets are close to one billion renminbi!"

When she said that final number, Li Lanzhi's voice was slightly off-key. One billion! In this Northern Myanmar border region, where the average monthly income is less than one thousand yuan, this is a fortune that could rival a nation's wealth!

Zhang Cheng looked at the report, his face not showing too much surprise. He knew telecom fraud was hugely profitable, but seeing the number with his own eyes, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart: every single cent of this was stained with blood.

"Very good." Zhang Cheng put down the report and tapped his fingers lightly on the desk. "Money is a good thing, but it's also hot to the touch. Especially that cryptocurrency; there are records on the blockchain, and once it's cashed out on a large scale, we will definitely be targeted."

Li Lanzhi immediately said: "Master, I have already thought of a plan. For the cash portion, we can launder it through underground banks in a dispersed manner, or directly purchase supplies locally to stimulate domestic demand and turn it into physical assets. As for the cryptocurrency..."

She pushed up her glasses, her eyes flashing with professional brilliance: "We can't sell it directly. I will use a mixer to break up the funds, perform multi-layer jumps through thousands of temporary wallets, and finally slowly cash out on a few offshore exchanges with lax regulations. Or, we simply don't convert to fiat currency and directly use USDT on the dark web or specific channels to purchase the high-end equipment and... weapons we need."

Zhang Cheng gave her an appreciative look. This woman was indeed a talent. She had adapted to the logic of "thieves robbing thieves" so quickly, and her plan was meticulous, even considering subsequent procurement.

"Do as you said." Zhang Cheng made the final decision. "Safety first; a little loss doesn't matter. Also, take a portion of the money to improve the food for those rescued compatriots. Since they are following me, I won't have them eating pig slop anymore."

"Yes!" Li Lanzhi nodded heavily. In the eyes with which she looked at Zhang Cheng, besides awe, there was now a hint of genuine admiration.

This man held one billion in his hands, yet his eyes remained clear. He didn't just want money; he wanted the future of this land.

"Old K." Zhang Cheng suddenly spoke.

"Present."

"Over at Wang Wu's, it's time for him to 'wake up'."