Chapter 178: Objective Achieved, Ding Yishan's Guidance!

Investment from the inspection station?

Twenty thousand points?

Cheng Ye calmly took the few sheets of white paper Ding Yishan handed him, fingertips smoothing the glossy surface as he quickly scanned through them.

[Proposal for Inspection Station Investment in B7 District Buffer Zone Center Construction]

This wasn't a pure investment, but a proposal that hadn't yet been submitted for meeting discussion.

The current power structure within the inspection station had already formed a delicate balance.

As one of the few academic elites in the inspection station, Vice Station Chief Harlin firmly controlled the economic lifeline.

Approval authority for material expenditures, management of logistics systems, leadership in personnel training, adjustment authority for the contribution value system, and even decision-making power for facility purchases and renovations, anything involving large expenditures was grasped firmly in his hands.

While Station Chief Ding Yishan kept personnel authority tightly in his grip.

The proposal currently in his hands was just a draft, with many blank spaces.

For instance, the planned future of B7 District, the construction concept for the pedestrian street, and various sections related to personnel allocation, economic income, and so forth.

Quite interesting.

What was Ding Yishan trying to do?

Cheng Ye's mind quickly sorted through the situation. B7 District was already a pilot project supported by the Idealist faction, with the elders wanting to prove the feasibility of "carriage theory" through community system development.

Ideology as the driver, community as the steed, the stronger the horse, the faster the carriage runs.

They needed a "fast horse" to drive the development of the entire buffer zone and even Happiness City, thereby proving the correctness of Idealist concepts.

Ding Yishan certainly understood this too, so if the inspection station wanted to get involved, it couldn't just be to share in the profits after B7 became the center.

Otherwise, this proposal wouldn't have so many blanks, it would simply present terms for him to sign and seal.

Now that Ding Yishan was handing him the draft, he obviously wanted him to fill in the content before taking it to the inspection station assembly for voting.

At that time, every inspector would know about B7 District's development plan. What was the significance of letting these people know?

Hmm.

In an instant, Cheng Ye understood, looking at Ding Yishan with some enlightenment.

But at this moment, Ding Yishan wasn't waiting for his response, just standing with hands behind his back gazing toward the end of the pedestrian street. Sunlight fell on his slightly hunched back, revealing an indescribable loneliness.

Like a lonely old man guarding an old house, watching with melancholy as his home was about to be demolished.

"Station Chief Ding?" Cheng Ye called softly.

"Hmm?" Ding Yishan turned around, his face already habitually showing a faint smile, as if the earlier loneliness was just his imagination, "How is it?"

"This is quite a generous move, enough for me to overhaul the underground pipeline network in B7 District. It's just a pity that if other areas aren't renovated, no matter how orderly I make this place, it'll probably become an isolated island. What do you think?"

"Perhaps."

Ding Yishan nodded slightly, his eyes showing some appreciation, "The buffer zone's pipeline network hasn't been touched for decades. It's not that Happiness City can't produce enough resources, but lacks a reason, there needs to be sufficient potential to be worth investing in. Just like how the inspection station dares to bet on B7 District, we need to see some hope."

"Then I must thank Station Chief Ding for his trust. I'll fill out this proposal seriously."

"Good. After you finish filling it out, remember to give it to Harlin. He manages the economy and needs to review it first."

"Understood."

Cheng Ye nodded lightly.

Smart people never need things spelled out completely. Ding Yishan might be constrained by hierarchy and unable to openly discuss upper-level decisions, but this proposal itself was the most direct signal.

The upper levels were going to make moves on the buffer zone!

It's just that the reconstruction pie was only so big, where to invest it all depended on who could demonstrate "potential."

This was another round of interest reshuffling. Whoever could rally more forces to bind with their district would be able to seize the future center.

So complicated.

The interests of the satellite cities hadn't been clearly divided yet, and the chess game of the buffer zone was already laid out.

When some eat meat, others drink soup. Seizing this wave of reshuffling opportunity would be enough to reach the sky in one step.

Cheng Ye looked at the construction site of the pedestrian street, already surrounded by green barrier nets.

He suddenly felt that this cat-and-mouse game with Mu Shuang and Jiang Chuan had actually yielded solid benefits.

Could it be... that Ding Yishan had already anticipated Mu Shuang would fail and prepared the reward in advance?

This proposal indeed solved an urgent need, the funding gap for B7 District's pedestrian street reconstruction was settled, and the district's potential rose accordingly.

But correspondingly, he had to face Harlin's review directly and withstand questioning from other inspectors.

However, these were tests that standard-bearers had to go through anyway. Mixed in with all this, were there other deeper meanings?

Hard to say.

The more he dealt with this old fox station chief, the less Cheng Ye felt he could see through him.

But there was no helping it, he really lacked experience in this area and didn't have an expert nearby who could provide guidance.

Even someone like Lee Matteo, who was deeply concealed, could only restrain his edge and use slacking as camouflage, showing how difficult it was to grasp real power in this sanctuary city of a million people.

Strength was the foundation, but the ability to tolerate others, the art of controlling people, and the method of using people were even more crucial.

Otherwise, this city would just be an empty shell, forget about expanding outward, being able to stabilize internally would be a blessing.

"What are you thinking about?"

Seeing Cheng Ye slightly lost in thought, Ding Yishan's voice came with a hint of teasing.

"When I was still a trainee inspector, I just thought about doing my job well. I didn't have as many thoughts as you do."

"Station Chief is joking."

Cheng Ye came back to his senses, laughing, "After all, times are different now. In the past, there weren't so many satellite cities to manage, and a trainee inspector certainly wouldn't be involved in assessments."

"Times..."

Ding Yishan shook his head slightly, as if he didn't understand the hint in Cheng Ye's words.

Suddenly changing the subject, "Captain Wu, for the next six months, Inspector Cheng will be your primary protection target. All orders should center on him, understand?"

"Yes, Station Chief Ding, guarantee mission completion!" Wu Rui immediately stepped forward, first giving Station Chief Ding a standard military salute.

Then he turned to face Cheng Ye, right fist pressed to his heart position, "Inspector Cheng, Crusader First-Class Captain Wu Rui, leading the Sharp Edge, Formation Breaking, Falcon Hunt, and Bedrock squads, reporting to you!"

After speaking, four people immediately stepped out from behind him, each announcing loudly:

"Crusader Sharp Edge Squad, Third-Class Squad Leader Dai Zun reporting to you!"

"Crusader Formation Breaking Squad, Second-Class Squad Leader Lu Mingxuan reporting to you!"

"...Falcon Hunt, Second-Class, Zhao Feng reporting to you!"

"...Bedrock, Second-Class, Zhang Zhenyue reporting to you!"

All four were distinguished and imposing, the iron-blooded killing aura on them almost tangible, clearly elite veterans of many battles.

One squad had 8 people, four squads totaling 32 people, plus Wu Rui as captain made exactly 33 people.

Deploying such an elite battalion to protect him was truly extravagant!

"Good, good, good!"

Cheng Ye's face showed delighted surprise, his heart blooming with joy.

Finally getting a definitive answer from Ding Yishan! Since he was entrusting Dai Zun and his group to him for half a year, this was essentially saying he would be arranged for field duty next.

Secured!

"When picking people for you, Captain Wu fought to come." Ding Yishan said lightly, "You should cherish the opportunity and not disappoint anyone's trust."

"Yes! Station Chief! I guarantee not to disappoint anyone's trust!" Cheng Ye responded loudly.

Being lectured again, but he didn't feel anything at all.

As long as he could continuously get personnel and resources, never mind a few words of criticism, a few more wouldn't matter either.

Not listening, not listening, turtle chanting scriptures.

With solid benefits grasped in hand, trying to make him give them up wouldn't be so easy.

"Let's go, take me in for a tour?" Ding Yishan stepped forward, "The last time I came to this mall was 17 years ago."

"Station Chief, please!"

Cheng Ye bowed slightly, making a gesture of invitation.

He turned to Wu Rui, "Would Captain Wu like to tour together?"

"Since we're here, might as well see it with you." Wu Rui straightforwardly removed his weapons, and the four squad leaders behind him immediately followed suit, handing their equipment to accompanying team members.

"Second Dragon, help me host everyone, don't neglect them." Cheng Ye instructed.

"Don't worry, sir!" Second Dragon immediately put on a smile, cupping his hands toward Wu Rui and the others, "Brothers, I'm also retired from the Pioneer Corps, much offense just now, please forgive! This way please, I'll show you around B7 District and familiarize you with the situation!"

Everything arranged in perfect order.

Even Ding Yishan couldn't help but glance back at Second Dragon, his eyes moving slightly, then followed Cheng Ye into the mall passage.

Sunlight passed through the glass at the end of the passage, casting a long strip of light on the ground.

Both sides of the passage were filled with residents, men, women, old and young all curiously examining the visitors.

Seeing Cheng Ye leading, their faces showed complete respect.

"This is Station Chief Ding Yishan from the inspection station, specially here to inspect everyone's efforts during this period. Welcome... Station Chief Ding!"

Cheng Ye stopped and announced loudly.

Instantly, the quiet mall erupted in enthusiastic applause, mixed with rising and falling cheers.

Ding Yishan's steps paused, his gaze sweeping over face after face.

That unhideable excitement, elation, and respect made his heart sigh slightly.

He never expected that one day, he would need to borrow the light of a trainee inspector to once again enjoy such genuine welcome.

Walking into the mall interior, the completely renewed facilities were orderly.

The three district elders were somehow already waiting there, not wearing their usual festive red clothes, but camouflage military uniforms Cheng Ye had never seen before.

The clothes were wrinkled and somewhat faded, Elder He's even had large patches of mending.

Seeing Ding Yishan approach, the three stepped forward with steady steps, raising their hands in salute:

"Commander Ding, veterans Song, He, and Zhou reporting to you!"

Commander?

Cheng Ye was slightly surprised. This was a position in the Pioneer Corps. Commander ranked second, mainly responsible for coordinating combat between multiple pioneer battalions.

Above was the Territory Supervisor, responsible for comprehensive affairs in designated pioneer areas and supervising work progress.

Below was the Battalion Commander, responsible for managing standardized pioneer units. Cheng Long had held this position back then, just one step away from becoming Commander. He returned to the inspection station once but never went out again.

Otherwise, with Cheng Long's ability, he would at least be a Commander, possibly even Territory Supervisor.

Below Battalion Commander were four more levels: Squad Leader, Team Leader, Foot Soldier, and Auxiliary.

The three district elders were Team Leaders, each leading 100-300 people.

"Commander Ding reporting to three veteran soldiers!" Ding Yishan also raised his hand in return salute, the scene so solemn it sent a shock through one's heart.

Cheng Ye stood aside unable to interject, quietly listening to the four converse, only then learning that the three district elders had actually all been Ding Yishan's soldiers.

"Old Ding also served in the Pioneer Corps?"

Cheng Ye was slightly astonished, then immediately understood.

Looking at the past with today's perspective, it was indeed difficult to understand inspectors serving in the Pioneer Corps.

But in the present context, it was actually like external contracting, also an important part of inspectors climbing up and proving their abilities.

It's just that times had changed, and the positions requiring inspector appointments were also changing.

Unless another great pioneering era began, inspectors would probably have few opportunities to lead troops.

After the pleasantries.

Ding Yishan stepped into the interrogation room, his gaze meeting the embarrassed faces of Mu Shuang and Jiang Chuan.

"Ah Chuan, convinced now?"

"Convinced!" Jiang Chuan immediately nodded, "I guarantee to you, I'll never mention going to the wasteland again."

"What about Little Shuang?"

"Convinced!" Mu Shuang also quickly nodded, "I guarantee to complete missions and not mess around anymore."

"Good. I couldn't handle you two, but Inspector Cheng treats them one at a time perfectly."

Ding Yishan's tone held no blame, instead showing satisfaction, as if some objective had been achieved.

"Little Shuang, follow Inspector Cheng from now on."

"Yes, Station Chief."

As the words fell.

Jiang Chuan quickly walked out of the interrogation room, following behind Ding Yishan.

"Inspector Cheng, Mu Shuang is the personal bodyguard I've arranged for you. Let her be responsible for your security work, no problem right?"

"No problem, thank you so much, Station Chief!" Cheng Ye cupped his hands in thanks.

"Good."

After a few simple exchanges, Ding Yishan left with Jiang Chuan.

Cheng Ye escorted them all the way to the B7 District street entrance, watching their figures disappear before finally breathing a sigh of relief.

A newborn calf doesn't fear tigers, why were people you first encountered easiest to improve cooperation with?

In his current situation, he was the perfect example.

The more he interacted with Ding Yishan, the more he felt like walking on thin ice, afraid that some word wasn't understood or answered correctly. Invisible pressure always lurked in the shadows, making him act with tied hands and feet.

After getting more familiar in the future, where would he dare to open windows and let the inspection station chief take off his clothes to blow in the cold wind?

Fortunately, judging by the current situation, everything was progressing in the expected direction.

With the contracting matter settled, he could finally stop worrying and let loose to make big moves!

Cheng Ye returned to the mall and asked the three district elders about Ding Yishan's past.

Sure enough, Ding Yishan had indeed been a Commander in the Pioneer Corps, and the three had truly been his soldiers.

It's just that during Ding Yishan's four years in office, these Team Leaders' direct contact was with Squad Leaders, opportunities to speak with the Commander were extremely rare.

That solemn salute just now, rather than nostalgia, was more like using old identities to "complain of hardship."

"Elder Song, in future situations like this, you three should rest."

Cheng Ye picked up his enamel cup and drank some warm water, his tone calm but instructive, "Whether Station Chief Ding remembers old relationships is another matter. In this era, development depends on methods and brains, the old ways don't work anymore."

"We didn't think much of it." Elder Song chuckled and waved his hand, hearing the meaning in the words, "After all, it's contributing effort, if the old identity can help the community a little, that's something."

Having said this, the three stopped mentioning it and turned to discuss the reward they'd applied for with Ding Yishan.

The end of the great pioneering era came too suddenly, as if overnight, all sanctuary cities tacitly contracted their Pioneer Corps back to their bases for intensive development.

Happiness City's nearly 400,000 pioneers were disbanded with a crash, with meritorious retired veterans everywhere waiting for assignment.

But the buffer zone and industrial zone only had so many positions, how could they absorb so many?

Some became industrial zone workers, at least having jobs to make ends meet after training.

But those like the three district elders, too old, full of injuries and ailments, minds not so sharp anymore, became problems.

What to do?

No solution.

This caused several disturbances back then, scaring the big shots of the buffer zone from ever setting foot in the lower communities again, afraid of being pestered by these veterans demanding treatment and recognition.

Now that Ding Yishan had come, the three naturally wouldn't miss the opportunity.

But they knew their limits. Having Inspector Cheng pay attention to the community was already a great fortune, they didn't dare make excessive demands, only mentioning the community's desire to form a militia.

Ding Yishan was straightforward, making the decision on the spot that the Security Department would allocate positions to the community later.

A full 30 militia positions, all to be recorded in the buffer zone's organizational files.

Each militia position could support 7 auxiliaries, forming a duty squad.

30 positions meant a force of 240 people.

Although these militiamen's pay and benefits had to be handled by the community itself, more like auxiliary duty, in the buffer zone, the weight of "official position" was significant.

Take this period, for instance, Cheng Ye leading community people around catching others made quite a commotion.

They only got away with it because nobody took it seriously or investigated, otherwise they would have been swept up for "disturbing order" long ago.

The authority to maintain order, how could a trainee inspector casually grant that?

Cheng Ye might not have noticed this, or perhaps didn't understand buffer zone protocols.

But the three district elders had worried about it for a full week. Now with these 30 positions, following Cheng Ye's actions in the buffer zone finally had legitimate authority, no longer fearing interference from other departments.

At least they had some modest law enforcement power.

"Don't worry, even if someone comes investigating, I have ways to handle it."

Cheng Ye nodded slightly after hearing this.

In others' eyes, he was an ordinary trainee inspector, but in reality he was working for the elders.

Anyone who dared to touch B7 District would be giving the elders grief.

At that time, contacting the Works Department and reporting to the Idealist faction, some patrol authority would just be going with the flow.

But having legitimate official positions was ultimately more convenient, making everything above board.

After drinking some warm water, Cheng Ye waved his hand, and Wu Rui immediately brought his people over.

After touring the mall, several people were amazed.

The mall looked shabby from outside, but inside was orderly and organized, hard to match with the information they'd received previously.

"Inspector Cheng!" Wu Rui bowed slightly. Even lowering his posture, the intimidating sharpness on him remained undiminished.

Cheng Ye couldn't help but glance at the cooperation level, surprisingly 81%.

This was the highest resident cooperation level he'd encountered since activating the collector.

And the four squad leaders behind Wu Rui all had cooperation levels above 60%, especially Dai Zun, whose resident cooperation reached 92%, showing the loyalty of these elites.

"Captain Wu, did the higher-ups arrange accommodation for you?"

"Uh..." Wu Rui paused, scratching his head honestly, "No."

"Then you..."

"The Crusader Corps has its own base." Wu Rui explained in his booming voice, "Usually either resting at base or out on missions. Only in winter do we return to buffer zone quarters, but even then we stay within the base, rarely coming out."

"Are your families also at the base?"

"Yes." Wu Rui nodded, his eyes softening, "Wives, children, and elderly all work in corps logistics, considered a benefit that lets us have no worries. Besides, the base is the safest place outside the inner city, we can feel secure on missions."

"I see." Cheng Ye understood. The corps benefits were indeed good, no wonder morale was solid.

Though this was the "peaceful era" of the wasteland with no large-scale friction between forces, infected bodies and mutant beasts remained huge threats.

As long as population kept moving, these "wild monsters" would continuously appear, requiring regular corps cleanup.

It both trained troops and kept threats outside Happiness City.

"Elder Zhou, is there still space at the market?"

"Yes! Yes!" Elder Zhou quickly responded, "I'll have people clear stalls right away, though the environment is simple."

But Wu Rui shook his head repeatedly, "Inspector Cheng, we can sleep in tents, just camp in the open space around your residential area. Protecting your safety is the primary mission, no need to specially find places."

"It's fine, my residential area is very safe." Cheng Ye said, looking toward the right side of the reception area where Mu Shuang was setting her own bones against the wall, grimacing in pain. Seeing him look over, she immediately raised her head, "I'll personally protect Inspector Cheng, don't worry, absolutely foolproof!"

"That works then." Wu Rui seemed to know Mu Shuang's background and didn't insist further.

With personnel and accommodation arranged, Cheng Ye suddenly realized a problem.

Rallying hearts required more than just cohesive goals, there had to be solid material foundation before people would risk their lives.

Like the Crusader Corps, they housed Wu Rui and others' families, provided adequate compensation and clear objectives, only then could they raise such elite forces.

If he wanted to build his own team in the future, he'd first need to find ways to get more resources and improve material conditions.

He couldn't just recruit people and bring them to the marketplace, right?

"Captain Wu, have the brothers rest first. Later I'll have Second Dragon familiarize you with the surrounding patrol routes." Cheng Ye said.

"Yes!" Wu Rui crisply agreed and went to make arrangements.

Cheng Ye looked at Mu Shuang still struggling with her bones, raising his chin, "Enough fussing around, come here."

Mu Shuang straightened up, rubbing her shoulder as she walked over, "What?"

"Go to the medical station later and get a couple shots. Medical fees on me."

Cheng Ye grinned, "Hope you don't hold grudges, I really didn't know your identity then, I promise."

This sounded somewhat like covering up, but the honesty in his eyes made Mu Shuang pause, then nod.

Since she was about to go out to the wasteland to protect Cheng Ye's safety, she indeed needed to recover from injuries quickly.

Cheng Ye took out his communicator and dialed Wei Zhou's number.

Medical reform was already imminent, if not for satellite city construction delays, it would have been rolled out already.

But even so, it would still unfold within two weeks to a month, gradually dismantling medical stations.

Hearing that Cheng Ye wanted to arrange treatment for someone, Wei Zhou immediately agreed.

"Alright, just mention my name."

After sending Mu Shuang away too, Cheng Ye called out and hurried back to the convenience store.

The power of the collector was beyond ordinary imagination.

With sufficient energy, the speed of strength improvement could overturn perception.

In just over a month, he'd transformed from a weak ordinary person to an expert who could contend with Dao Embryo Realm.

Of course, so-called Dao Embryo Realm would still be finished with a shot to the heart.

Even a Unity of Heaven and Man expert would perish from a Thunder-1 shot.

But combat power was never calculated that way. Stronger physical qualities meant he could use guns to create more terrifying destruction.

An adult with a gun versus a child with a gun, could they be the same?

The panel opened.

The bright red representing 'Perfect' level Hundred Weapons Born flickered slightly.

As Cheng Ye's thought moved, the next second it jumped into the skill column!