Chapter 72 (2/2)

The people around him were also red-eyed, and some even followed his lead and grumbled, ”Little Rascal even saved them a few days ago. Even if they weren't grateful for their lives, they still didn't need to do that…”

”But who can we blame? If the army doesn't want us, the common people will naturally resent us.”

”But we're also just cannon fodder that was left behind to die just like them…”

”Don't blame them. The army has already become private soldiers for the people in power. It's not easy to survive living in the cracks. Did you forget how Wu Weihua died? You guys are no longer soldiers. Don't let me hear words about defending the country in the future.”

Everyone present fell into silence. Cao Lei gently lifted his eyebrows, breaking the silence. People would always only speak about other people's shortcomings. He started, ”Yo, Young Qiang. It's different when others have already become a lieutenant. How did you also end up at this point? How about you share and cheer up your big bro?”

Young Qiang glanced at him coldly and was just about to speak when he saw Cao Lei's face turn proper. ”Young Master.”

Young Qiang turned around and saw that the two of them had appeared at the door. One was as calm as a mountain while the other was wild and intractable. They were clearly two extremes, but they matched each other perfectly when they stood together. He could tell that this was the master that Cao Lei had spoken about, so he stood up politely and nodded his head towards them, ”h.e.l.lo, you guys.”

”h.e.l.lo, I've heard a lot about you.” Bai Jing smiled lightly and casually sat down in a chair. Once they were settled, someone came over and asked, ”Young Master Jing, Brother Sa, what would you like to eat?”

Xiao Sa glanced at him and said lightly, ”Bring a few extra dishes, and bring another bottle of wine. It's my treat today.”

”Okay, Brother Sa. You guys just wait a bit.”

After the man left happily, Cao Lei spoke up. ”Young Master, let me introduce him to you. He is Zhang Baoqiang. We used to be in a team together. He's trustworthy.”

Bai Jing nodded, and also did not beat around the bush. He directly asked, ”Tell me what you know about the situation. Which army is coming? Who do the forces belong to? And how many people are there?”

Zhang Baoqiang did not hesitate. Cao Lei had mentioned Bai Jing's character to him before, and he knew that this young master was a direct and upfront character. He answered, ”About 5,000 people. On the surface, they belong to General Yang, but in fact, General Yang has already sided with Zhou Family. This time when he went to B City, he brought along 80,000 people and materials collected from various major cities.”

Bai Jing laughed coldly, and a fierceness made itself known around his eyebrows. Why was it them again? It really was true that enemies met often on a narrow road. They just refused to let him live in peace.

”Don't be angry.” Xiao Sa patted his hand, then looked at Zhang Baoqiang and said, ”How did you find out?” These matters were supposed to be confidential. His question did not mean that he distrusted them, but he still needed to know how this became known.

”A few days ago, we were in C City. Old Lei had mentioned this place, and kept asking us to come over. Only, we had too many people at the time…” How could he be willing to burden others? Let alone, he had also been worried about his parents back then.

Cao Lei punched him. He had really been worried about this fellow for nothing if all he could do was treat him like an outsider.

Zhang Baoqiang smiled bitterly. Faced with his former teammate, he could only take the punch head-on. At that time, the situation had been so bad. He knew that Cao Lei was working for others. It might've been easy if there were only one or two of them, but he was dragging a large group of people with him, and they also had a group of old, weak and disabled people. How could he go and bother others? If he hadn't learned that there would be danger, he probably wouldn't have come to bring news. Only, he had not expected that he had really overthought things. Zhang Baoqiang's eyes darkened, his expression unreadable. If he had come here earlier, perhaps his parents would not have died, and some of his soldiers would also not have died in vain.

The atmosphere in the room was very depressed. Cao Lei also felt that it was no fun seeing him like this and simply turned his head, too lazy to even look at him.

After a moment of silence, Zhang Baoqiang went on to say, ”There are always some special channels in the base. Yan Liang has always been arrogant. When I heard hints about what was happening, I immediately brought my people over. They will arrive the day after tomorrow at the latest.”

Xiao Sa thought for a moment. ”What are your plans for the future?”

Zhang Baoqiang glanced around at his subordinates, and his voice was steady and firm when he replied, ”I want to settle here, the warehouse housing is very good. In the future, I'll have to trouble Boss Xiao to look after us.”

Bai Jing was slightly disappointed. He had originally thought that he would be able to bring this man under his command. However, the other party had already stated things so plainly, and he also would not insist on it. Anyway, as long as he was in the base, given that he was also Cao Lei's comrade, it would be a good thing for them.

Xiao Sa nodded. ”Asking me to look after you would be treating us like outsiders. You are Cao Lei's friend, and we can trust you. They can tell you the rules of the base later, and you don't need to be polite if there's anything you need. Only, the base is currently short on people, and I hope you guys can help with the patrols whenever you can. I'm afraid it's going to be chaotic soon.”

”Thank you, Boss Xiao. We'll follow your orders as long as it's something we can do.” Zhang Baoqiang let out a relieved breath. In fact, he had been very worried just now. He was different from Chen Dawei. He didn't want to join with the label of seeking refuge. Although the base was very good now, he still had a kind of doubt in his heart and believed that having his own forces was the better way to go. However, he had been surprised by how quickly Xiao Sa agreed, and hoped that this time, they could really settle down.

translator: xiin

editor: alamerysl

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