Chapter 1095: Steel on the Edge

Many of the attendees seated behind or beside Xia Qing, unable to see her face, found themselves agreeing with Zhao Baolin’s points.

The leader of the Inspection Team from the Southern Zone chimed in, “I think Minister Zhao is right. The best steel should be used where it’s needed most. Xia Qing’s only been training with guns for a little over a year, yet she’s already a top sniper. If she devoted more time to training, in less than five years she’ll surpass Nie Hong and become Huaguo’s number one sharpshooter!”

The thought of their own base’s sniper snatching the title of Huaguo’s top marksman from Nie Hong of Red One Base made the Southern Zone Inspection Team leader’s blood boil with excitement. He was itching to raise his fist and cheer Xia Qing on.

Farming?

Managing the Planting Center?

Supervising the Test Zone?

Anyone else could handle these things, but when it comes to climbing to the top as Huaguo’s premier sniper, only Xia Qing will do!

Unlike the others who whispered among themselves, Yan Yue and Tan Junjie, sitting right behind Xia Qing, stayed perfectly calm. For them, there was never any doubt which ‘sharp blade’ Xia Qing, their ‘finest steel,’ would choose.

Zhao Baolin, already so petrified by Xia Qing that it felt like his blood had frozen, snapped back a little at the sound of support. He stiffly turned his head, but didn’t dare look Xia Qing in the face again.

She was terrifying. Her smile was even scarier than her poker face.

If they weren’t in the meeting room, if he wasn’t the Base Director, Zhao Baolin felt sure Xia Qing would have snapped his skull like a cracker.

Base Director Qi Zhongye saw the fierce glint in Xia Qing’s toothy smile and found himself liking her even more.

Agriculture Department Director Yang Benming was a bit surprised. He’d overheard office gossip that Xia Qing’s expressionless face was due to untreated poisoning causing facial muscle stiffness.

Seeing Xia Qing smile just then, Yang Benming realized she wasn’t suffering from muscle stiffness—she just liked keeping a straight face.

That made sense. Xia Qing was personally chosen by Fu Tianfeng to be a manager and spokesperson. Even if she’d ever had a minor problem like muscle stiffness, Fu Tianfeng would have cured it ages ago.

Her smile was bloody, ruthless and direct, just like the decisive killers who survived the Calamity Years.

Yang Benming didn’t think Zhao Baolin was just dumb from spending too long in the Inner City. Clearly, he’d been bribed by someone to openly plot against a top evolved sniper who’d clawed her way up from the bottom of the Outer City.

Seeing Zhao Baolin tremble as Xia Qing frightened him, and with both the Base Director and Department Head silent, the Vice Director chairing the meeting finally had to speak up. “Minister Zhao and Captain Peng both care about their colleagues and hope Xia Qing will have better opportunities for growth. The development of her career is something both the Base Director and Department Head care about as well. Of course, Xia Qing surely has her own plans. Director Xia, would you mind sharing your thoughts with everyone here?”

Xia Qing wiped her smile away and answered calmly, “Of course. Thank you all for your concern. My personal passion and ambition has always been to become a capable lord. In two years, I’ve cultivated 14.6 mu of farmland—more than triple the five-year minimum set for territory development. But Minister Zhao is right; juggling multiple roles does split my focus.”

She fixed Zhao Baolin with a blank stare for three seconds, then, just as he started shaking all over, she turned to the Base Director and Department Head. “Once I return, I’ll resign from the Ninth Planting Center and the Hill Fifty Test Zone and devote myself fully to my own territory—expanding more land, planting more grain for the country and the base.”

Buzz—

The moment Xia Qing made her choice known, the meeting room erupted into a commotion. Only Yan Yue and Tan Junjie remained as composed as ever.

It didn’t matter whether Zhao Baolin wanted Xia Qing’s post or her territory, there was no way he’d succeed.

Xia Qing had earned Section Three of the territory fair and square. Unless she gave it up herself, no one could take her land.

What about the other two positions?

Those were appointed directly by Territory Seven’s top dog. If someone had a problem, they could try taking it up with the boss—good luck with that.

I’m done!

Bridge? Connection? Not my problem!

Xia Qing had always seemed easygoing at previous meetings, so Zhao Baolin never expected her to stand her ground this time. Worse, under the bright lights of the meeting room, even his shiny bald head started sweating.

Base Director Qi Zhongye spoke gently, “Xia, it’s admirable that you’ve stayed true to yourself. On top of exceeding your land cultivation goals, you’ve shouldered countless tedious tasks—that really isn’t good for your personal development. When you go back, mention this to Leader of Territory Seven. Ask him to assign a few more people to share the workload. He’s told me before that he has high hopes for you and should agree if you bring it up.”

The crowd was stunned. Cold sweat trickled down Zhao Baolin’s back.

Xia Qing nodded without a trace of emotion. “Thank you for your concern, Base Director.”

Qi Zhongye went on, “If I recall, Leader of Territory Seven put Yue Haiying in charge of recruiting staff for the Ninth Planting Center?”

Hearing that Yue Haiying managed all personnel matters for the Ninth Center, several attendees’ eyes lit up. Did that mean if they got in good with Yue Haiying, they’d get into the Ninth Center?

Xia Qing answered with utmost precision, “Leader of Territory Seven appointed Yue Haiying as Deputy Director of the Ninth Center and put her in charge of recruitment and talent selection. Deputy Director Yue screens the candidates and provides a detailed list, then the final decision belongs to the leader.”

After hearing Xia Qing’s explanation, those bright eyes dimmed again. Truth was, in all of Hui Three Base, the only people who had any sway with the big boss were the Base Director and Xia Qing.

Go through the Base Director? Not a chance.

Try to take Xia Qing’s spot? Even less likely.

Qi Zhongye nodded. “Once you return, discuss this with Leader of Territory Seven. If he agrees, have Yue Haiying pick a few more talented assistants to help you handle daily affairs at the Ninth Center.”

That sounded like a good plan. Xia Qing nodded in agreement.

Director of the Agriculture Department, Yang Benming, who’d been watching Zhao Baolin squirm with hidden delight, took his turn. “Base Director, yesterday the Territory Management Department reported that Leader of Territory Fourteen in Section One of the North lost the ability to act as lord due to excessive Devastation Element caused by injury, making him unable to fulfill his duties. His will states that once this happens, Territory Fourteen becomes unclaimed. Rather than recruiting a new lord, I suggest folding Territory Fourteen into the Ninth Planting Center—it would be far more efficient for development.”

Whoa—

Many in the room who’d secretly been eyeing Territory Fourteen started buzzing again, and the head of the Territory Management Department, Tian Jiawen, stared at the Base Director, terrified he’d agree.

Qi Zhongye didn’t disappoint—he nodded decisively. “That’s a more sensible arrangement. Xia, speak with Leader of Territory Seven as soon as possible, and if he agrees, recruit a few more assistants.”

Everyone else…

Xia Qing gave a quiet nod. “Alright.”

Yan Yue couldn’t help the corner of her mouth quirking up. This was perfect. Before they’d even made a move, they’d already secured Territory Fourteen!

Go back and ask Leader of Territory Seven? There was really no point—the big boss only cared about experiments and good food anyway. In truth, Xia Qing was the one truly running the Ninth Planting Center!