Chapter 111: Starting from scratch
Xiang Maosen's expression suddenly became serious: "This won't work."
He flatly refused.
These soldiers are very sensitive about weapons.
He couldn't put weapons in the hands of a group of untrained and undisciplined people.
"Don't rush to refuse." Ai Wanxin said slowly.
"I know you have concerns in your heart. How can you allow others to sleep soundly beside your bed?"
"It's not that reason, young comrade. The country does not allow private possession of firearms and other weapons. I cannot break the law knowingly." Xiang Maosen even changed the way he addressed her, and was obviously very unhappy.
He escalated the situation to such a level that it seemed there was no room for negotiation, but Ai Wanxin was not discouraged.
She wanted weapons not only to get something from him, but also to make the guns in the space pass through. It wouldn't be a big problem if the negotiation failed, but she felt that it could be negotiated.
"I just said that I want this land for business, which means I can provide jobs for the residents of the base."
"Relief cannot solve the problem. Eventually normal production needs to be restored, which is difficult to do by the military alone. The spontaneous market economy must be put into operation."
"There are many capable people, but they are struggling to make ends meet. Getting started is always the hardest part, but I don't mind being the one who starts from scratch."
"I helped the base get back on track as quickly as possible, and the base provided us with protection. What laws did I break?"
Xiang Maosen still shook his head: "Wanxin, this is not something I will change my mind about just because you say a few words. This is a matter of principle."
"Uncle Xiang, you can promise her this. I will take all the responsibilities." When the two were in a stalemate, He Yang suddenly spoke up.
"He Yang?" Xiang Maosen looked at him disapprovingly.
"Uncle Xiang, I will explain to you." He Yang looked at Ai Wanxin and smiled, "I am not stingy now, am I?"
Xiang Maosen frowned and shook his head. You little brat, didn't I ask you to be generous about this matter? !
Ai Wanxin is a typical result-oriented person. She doesn't care why He Yang agreed to her request. As long as her goal is achieved, she will move forward immediately.
She nodded with satisfaction and praised, "Very good."
Pei Junlin's skill of holding back his laughter has now reached perfection. He bit his cheek, and when He Yang frowned and turned around, he opened his mouth and gave him a big smile.
Ai Wanxin then said: "Then this matter is settled. This is clause two."
"Don't feel burdened, Commander Xiang. Since you are so generous, I will not be stingy either."
"Today, when I was wandering around the base, I encountered two things. The first is what I just said, there is a shortage of jobs and people have no food or clothing. Of course, this is not your fault. A good cook cannot cook without rice."
"The second thing was that I met a gangster who wanted to kidnap me because I was alone."
No one present knew about this, and Yin Yanhan and Pei Junlin looked visibly gloomy.
"But because I happened to meet two policemen, I didn't suffer much harm."
"I am lucky, but other women in the base may not be so lucky."
"Based on what happened today, I want to do something for the women on the base."
"I want to give priority to women in this territory for the jobs in the base. If they wish, I can provide them with an accommodation area filled with women and children."
"I wonder what Commander Xiang thinks?"
Xiang Maosen sighed slightly after hearing this: "Wanxin, you are very thoughtful. This matter is my negligence. This is a good thing. Just go ahead and do it."
"Then I would like to thank you on their behalf."
"But there is one more thing." She changed the subject, "This morning a few sentinels came to our place to cause trouble. You all know this, right?"
"From now on, the people living in the territory will be the elderly, the weak, women and children. Even if they have weapons in their hands, they will have no chance of winning against the sentinels."
"We can't stay by their side forever. We want to do our part to eliminate the zombies in Maple City so that everyone can return to normal life as soon as possible."
"So..." Xiang Maosen knew that she was about to make another request, so he simply gave her a chance to talk.
"So, I want the criminal and administrative jurisdiction of the territory."
"Wanxin, power without restraint is a terrible thing. I can only promise you that I will not pursue your legitimate defense against malicious intent."
Ai Wanxin knew that he would not agree to all of it, but this was enough. The key purpose of this was to serve as a deterrent, to let the people in the base know that if they tried to take over the territory, their death would be in vain. In fact, she did not really want to punish anyone (maybe).
"Okay, then the third rule is also settled. By the way, Captain He, can you read?"
He Yang was startled, not understanding what was going on: "I can read."
"That's good. You can write a meeting minutes later."
"Me?" He widened his eyes slightly and pointed at himself.
"Yes." Ai Wanxin nodded.
"Why don't you let them go out?" He Yang pointed at Yin Yanhan and Pei Junlin and asked unconvincedly.
Pei Junlin curved his eyebrows and said, "Captain He, I can't read."
He Yang looked at Yin Yanhan again.
"I can't read either." Yin Yanhan said calmly.
"Okay." He Yang said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, "I deserve it because I can read."
"Anything else? Wanxin." Xiang Maosen asked good-temperedly.
"No, I'm here to help the base. I can't let you think I'm here to rob, right?"
Just as Xiang Maosen was about to breathe a sigh of relief, he heard Ai Wan thinking, "I just wonder if the base has any policies for tax deductions for donations, or tax reductions for helping the elderly and children?"
Xiang Maosen's expression was slightly blank.
If all donations are tax deductible, then are these materials considered purchased or donated?
This thought flashed through his mind, but Xiang Maosen knew very well the scarcity and preciousness of materials, so he said, "All of them will be implemented according to the highest standard of tax reduction policy."
"General Xiang is such a straightforward person. This matter is settled. We will go and clear this area tomorrow. There is no need to make too much trouble with the fortifications. Just help us prepare some more metals."
Xiang Maosen said: "Okay."
Ai Wanxin was about to say goodbye, and Xiang Maosen personally sent her to the courtyard.
Ai Wanxin stopped and said, "General Xiang, please stay. I will take you to move the supplies after we clear the zombies in the west tomorrow."
"By the way, we don't need to use our own vehicles to move the supplies, right? I wanted to apply for a city entry permit today, but I didn't meet the requirements."
In fact, these small matters were delegated to the temporary administrative department, and Xiang Maosen did not personally inquire about them. When he heard Ai Wanxin mention it, he understood what she meant.
"No need, I'll arrange it. I'll also have someone follow up on the city entry permit."
"That's great. There's just one more thing." Ai Wanxin glanced at He Yang and said, "My phone navigation doesn't work..."
"This is easy. Just let He Yang load a military map for you." Xiang Maosen said casually.
Ai Wanxin turned her eyes to He Yang and said, "Thank you, Captain He."
He Yang laughed: "You are too vindictive."
Ai Wanxin did not answer him, but only said: "Tomorrow at 7 o'clock, west gate of the base, Captain He, don't be late."