Chapter 294: Mobile Fortress – The Base Vehicle
Zhuo Ercheng thought about Taoyang and inevitably recalled the task he had entrusted to Jiang Jinwei.
He had originally left her in Dongyang to find and repair the relationship with her half-sister.
But in the end, she did nothing while staying there.
Zhuo Ercheng shook his head internally. He had planned to take Jiang Jinwei to the summit, but on second thought, Lulu seemed to be more sensible.
Ling Tianji suddenly changed the topic: “Wait, let’s not rush to meet Taoyang’s people. Let’s observe first—they might just be a front with someone else pulling the strings behind the scenes.”
Zhuo Ercheng shared a similar suspicion.
Being able to gather such a large amount of resources and transform Taoyang from a wasteland into a utopia in just six months—few would believe it was done without external support or backing.
Zhuo Ercheng had heard some rumors:
“I heard their boss has the ability to make skyscrapers rise from the ground. That could explain Taoyang’s rapid development, but the source of their materials remains a mystery.”
Ling Tianji pondered for a moment and then added:
“There’s some logic to that. Up north in Qian’an, their leader Luo Yan can produce and modify all kinds of mobile base vehicles by hand. These vehicles serve both as living spaces and combat units, making them highly practical. In just two years, he’s monopolized most of the transportation industry in the north. If any southern convoy wants to get a piece of the action, they have to curry favor with him.”
Zhuo Ercheng had heard of Luo Yan. Two years ago, he appeared in the north with nothing to his name, yet he made a name for himself by building and modifying base vehicles.
Rumor had it that he recently married a young wife whom he doted on. When she wanted a cat, Luo Yan sent people across the north and south to find one.
Many convoys, eager to form ties with Luo Yan or get a share of his business, offered high bounties for well-bred cats. This even sparked a cat-raising craze.
Zhuo Ercheng recalled the white Chinchilla cat he had gifted to Jiang Jinwei.
The cat was stunning—everyone who saw it said so—but its aggressive temperament was a problem.
Jiang Jinwei didn’t want it, so the caretaker had to sell it. Eventually, it was returned several times before a pet store in Xindu bought it at a low price.
What happened to the cat afterward, Zhuo Ercheng didn’t know.
A cat with that kind of aggression likely wouldn’t be anyone’s favorite—let alone Luo Yan’s pampered wife.
Zhuo Ercheng’s thoughts drifted until his boss’s voice brought him back:
“Luo Yan’s abilities resemble those behind Taoyang but also differ. Luo Yan seems obsessed with conquest and expansion—he wants his base vehicles to dominate the entire region. Taoyang, on the other hand, appears to be methodically developing at its own pace.”
“Our informants say a group of homeless survivors has gathered around Taoyang. The settlement frequently provides aid, and their reputation and influence in the area are strong. Compared to Luo Yan, Taoyang seems to have more compassion.”
Zhuo Ercheng, preoccupied with summit preparations, had fallen behind on these updates.
Ling Tianji tapped his fingers on the table: “I even heard that the old man from Dongyang is considering handing the region over to Taoyang’s administration—merging the two territories.”
Zhuo Ercheng was shocked. “Impossible! Old Xíng fought tooth and nail for Dongyang—offending his old friends in Changjing and giving up his political power. Would he really abandon the territory he’s built over the past twenty years?”
If Zhuo Ercheng were in his place, he’d never be foolish enough to hand over his life’s work.
Ling Tianji wasn’t entirely convinced either, but rumors often stem from some truth.
“Forget it,” Ling Tianji said. “Our priority is to ensure the summit goes smoothly. Otherwise, Minister Xu—being the strict, no-nonsense type—will make our lives difficult if there’s any negative feedback.”
Zhuo Ercheng nodded and hesitated before asking, “Minister Xu has a daughter who went missing years ago—rumored to be mentally impaired. Should we help search for her?”
Ling Tianji shook his head: “Minister Xu has far more connections than we do. If he hasn’t found her, we won’t either. The best way to please him is by doing our job—making the summit a success.”
That evening, Su Tao inspected the vehicle repairs and was very satisfied. Except for the mismatched headlights and some visible patchwork, everything else was in great condition—barely distinguishable without close scrutiny.
She paid promptly—8,000 federal credits. The old craftsman, liking her demeanor, even gave her a 20% discount.
After seeing off the craftsman and his apprentice, Su Tao lovingly patted the vehicle and had Fang Zhi store it in their spatial inventory—just in case someone tried to damage it again.
Watching this, Shi Zijin felt a pang of jealousy. Later, Cen Tianjiao suggested a shady plan:
“Boss, Gu Mingchi’s vehicle is probably undocumented. When we return to Dongyang, we can find an excuse to check its paperwork, seize it, and then you can gift Su Tao a better one.”
Shi Zijin’s face darkened, and he immediately rejected the idea.
He knew how much Su Tao cherished that vehicle—he couldn’t bear to see her upset.
Besides, he wasn’t that petty. If she liked the vehicle, she could keep it. He could always gift her an even better one later.
And where could he find a better vehicle?
If you wanted the most practical, high-quality vehicles, you had to go to Luo Yan.
A year ago, Dongyang had planned to purchase a base vehicle from him for frontier missions.
A medium-sized base vehicle could house twenty people and included beds, restrooms, and a kitchen. For an extra fee, it could even be outfitted with heavy weapons—essentially a mobile fortress.
But Shi Zijin had rejected the deal—Luo Yan’s asking price was exorbitant. That money, Shi Zijin thought, was better spent building more classrooms for the children’s welfare institute.
Thinking about his private savings, Shi Zijin considered buying Su Tao a small base vehicle.
Unaware of his intentions, Su Tao was up early the next day—summoned by Old Mei for more work.
The construction of Dongyang’s elementary and comprehensive schools was about one-third complete.
Her total assets had dwindled to just over a million credits.
Building schools was expensive.
But the results were already promising—Old Mei reported that the new classrooms significantly improved the learning environment and boosted enrollment rates.
The temperature was well-regulated, the furniture was brand new, restrooms had unlimited water (if used responsibly), and vending machines provided affordable, delicious food.
Parents who toured the new school were envious—many even wished they could attend alongside their children.
And this was only the beginning—there were still gymnasiums, science labs, an activity center, and a three-story cafeteria to be built.
