It was still Chen Gang's reception hall, but this time there were five people seated inside.
Besides Chen Gang and Mr. Zhuge, there were Xiao Jun, White Cloth of the Bloody Clothes Gang, and Lone Wolf.
"Today I've invited the three gang leaders here to discuss something."
"This is Mr. Zhuge, who has proposed using fire attacks to defend against the zombie onslaught."
Chen Gang then explained the detailed fire attack plan, much like what An Qingyu had imagined yesterday.
It turned out Future City had another formidable figure, no wonder it could be established - it took more than just fighting prowess.
"However, this means you may have to give up some of your territories."
The territories were originally purchased from Future City at a high price by these gangs.
Of course, that "high price" was only relative to the time - it's nothing now.
Within their territories, they had built many facilities, and now being asked to abandon them would definitely cause some reluctance.
"But you can rest assured, Future City will fully refund the fees you paid for forming the gangs and purchasing the territories."
"Moreover, after the zombie siege ends, you can still choose whichever plot of land you prefer."
"Future City still needs everyone's efforts to develop further and truly bring a future to the survivors."
Xiao Jun didn't respond, just sipping his tea - Iron Goddess, only tea he drinks.
A few hundred first-level mutation crystals weren't even enough for a second-level to advance to third-level, while Xiao Jun's team already had nearly 200 third-levels. This meager offer was beneath his notice.
Xiao Jun didn't say a word, and neither did the other two.
Even Lone Wolf wasn't that dumb - he wouldn't carelessly make any promises at this point.
"I originally set the rule of no gangs over 1,000 members to prevent infighting."
"But as Future City's population grew, with many survivors from surrounding cities joining too, 1,000-member gangs soon didn't fit your standing."
"Now during this critical zombie attack stage, instead of letting you all fight separately, it would be better if you recruit together, merge smaller gangs, to facilitate management."
This was actually a pointless remark.
Like Lone Wolf's gang - it had long exceeded 10,000 members. After the second zombie rain, numbers dwindled to only around 5,000 left.
But the next day, he absorbed four other gangs, and now has over 20,000-30,000 members.
The Bloody Clothes Gang wasn't far behind, with at least 10,000 members after mass recruitment following the second zombie rain.
And in their territory were countless lone survivors and small gangs seeking protection - with just a word, they could be absorbed into the main gang.
Xiao Jun's team had the least members.
1,000 sisters were the baseline, while the newly joined Gale Gang and Tiger Leopard Gang used to be 1,000-member gangs themselves.
After joining Xiao Jun, their numbers rapidly expanded instead.
Many lone survivors under Xiao Jun's protection, unable to join his harem gang, settled for these two gangs instead.
Their numbers had already exceeded 10,000 each.
Regarding this, Xiao Jun turned a blind eye.
The more cannon fodder, the better.
Plus, lone survivors were hard to manage - it was easier to let these two gangs handle them, while still paying Xiao Jun protection fees and lodging fees.
If Xiao Jun waved his hand, these two gangs could probably double in size again.
Many small gangs were even willing to be absorbed.
So what Chen Gang was saying was all empty talk with no actual substance.
[Heh heh, this Chen Gang is taking us for fools. Well, I'm not going to play the fool - let's see what that Stabbed-A-Thousand-Times has to say first.]
Lone Wolf thought inwardly, suddenly sensing something amiss as Xiao Jun gazed at him with a strange smile.
[What's this Killed-A-Thousand looking at me for? This old bastard's grin is so creepy.]
Xiao Jun's smile grew even brighter.
Lone Wolf discreetly shifted his butt away, needing to keep some distance from this killer.
"Gang leaders, our city lord means well, only hoping we can overcome this crisis together. Although you may lose some territory, Future City will provide all resources for this fire attack plan, which makes it worth it for you all."
Seeing everyone silent, Mr. Zhuge stepped in to smooth things over since his own gang leader was stuck.
"Alright, but the mutation crystals can't be refunded at the original price, otherwise it's hard to show your sincerity."
Unexpectedly, it was White Cloth who spoke up first.
[This one's dangerous too - I thought the more foolish Lone Wolf would crack first, never expected the usually aloof Bloody Clothes Gang leader to speak first.]
Mr. Zhuge thought inwardly.
Chen Gang had specially brought him to help assess these three gang leaders.
Just getting started, and he'd already discovered someone quite different from the rumors.
"We can discuss the mutation crystals - what refund amount would you consider appropriate?"
Mr. Zhuge kicked the ball back, letting them open with a number first to take the initiative.
In the hearts of everyone present, Xiao Jun held all the cards, successfully triggering the heart voice condition whenever anyone thought about him.
"Let's not go overboard - upgrading the first-levels to second-levels will do."
With everyone waiting for the other to speak first, Xiao Jun simply opened wide, challenging them to refuse if they dared.
"Surely Xiao Gang Leader jests."
"Aren't you the ones joking around?"
Uh...
"Double it, that's our bottom line."
"With the urgent situation, it's not good for us to squabble over this little profit. Future City, meet them halfway - what do you say?"
Double the refund was fair, conveniently within White Cloth's acceptable range.
Lone Wolf wanted to say more, but Xiao Jun cut him off.
"I agree."
He had felt out each of their bottom lines - this was likely the final price, no point dragging it out further.
"But I do have a few more modest tactics, though compared to Mr. Zhuge's fire attack plan they're just icing on the cake."
Xiao Jun then revealed the rolling boulders strategy he learned from the tsundere female scientist last night.
With Future City's large population, they would implement it.
Mr. Zhuge's expression tensed, never expecting Xiao Jun could take his single fire attack plan and expand on it with tactics like this - it posed a major threat to Future City's defenses.
Due to Xiao Jun's suggestion, Chen Gang had to make urgent preparations, as even just transporting all those heavy objects would take time.
The tea gathering dispersed, with four people harboring ulterior motives in their hearts - only Xiao Jun was different, listening to their motives while pondering his own.
"Oh, one more thing I wanted to ask."
As they were leaving, Xiao Jun spoke up, causing White Cloth and Lone Wolf who had started walking to stop.
"What's Mr. Zhuge's full name?"
"Zhuge - surname Zhu, given name Ge."