Chapter 1097: A New Home and New Neighbors

The soil layer, quality, and irrigation conditions of Territory Fourteen are just as good as those in Territory Ten. In fact, the total area of Territory Fourteen is 40 mu larger. It’s just that the previous lord neglected everything, so the place became overgrown with wild grass and trees. Clearing it out will take some time before it can be farmed.

Over the next half month, the Ninth Center will send both machines and people to thoroughly clear Territory Fourteen. Fifty mu of fields will be reclaimed and the Shizhong family will get help moving into their new home.

Once the autumn harvest is done in original Territory Ten, Ninth Center staff will help dismantle the greenhouse frames and set them up in the new fields. They’ll also build earthen walls and a greenhouse for them.

Then, they’ll tear down the old western thorn wall in Territory Ten and use its wood to build the new north and south walls for Ten.

When all the demolition and relocation work is finished, the two thousand and six mu of fields from old Territory Ten will officially merge into the Ninth Center.

As for living arrangements, Shizhong’s family had planned to make bricks and build a new house this autumn anyway. Now they can just build it directly in the new territory.

After this exchange, the Ninth Center can simply enclose everything with one wall instead of splitting it in two, making management and farming much easier.

Plus, the Shi family won’t have to worry about new neighbors being ticking time bombs like Yan Meng or Li Si. They can finally farm in peace.

After Xia Qing and her group returned by helicopter, Tan Junjie handed the new land usage certificate to Shizhong’s family. The three of them were still buzzing with excitement. After thanking Xia Qing, they eagerly asked Tan Junjie, “Captain Tan, can we take a look at our new place now?”

As a lord herself, Xia Qing knew exactly why they were so excited. After all, the other lords have explored every inch of their lands this past year. Stepping into a new territory might mean discovering new Green Lantern plants.

Tan Junjie explained, “Once we pack up the old Lord’s belongings and clear out any stragglers in the territory, you can go in. Just so there aren’t any unnecessary conflicts.”

Yan Meng has already been taken away, but Feng Wen, who’s pregnant, is still inside the territory.

Madam Shi grew anxious again. “Captain Tan, when can she leave?”

Tan Junjie filled them in. “I visited Yan Meng in the hospital today. The doctors said he’s got multiple organ failure and serious elemental imbalance. They’re using all kinds of medical equipment to keep him alive, and the daily costs are over thirty thousand credits. He’s already used up everything on his ID. Soon I’ll be collecting his crops and goods to cover his medical bills.”

Yan Meng’s only property in his territory is a broken-down shipping container and half-abandoned fields. Even if they sell the protective tarps from the greenhouse, it’s nowhere near enough to raise thirty thousand credits.

So, at best, he’s got a day or two left.

Su Ming chimed in. “According to Yan Meng’s will, the child in Feng Wen’s belly doesn’t have inheritance rights to the territory. When Yan Meng dies, Feng Wen has just twenty-four hours to leave. If she refuses, the Inspection Team is authorized to enter and forcibly remove her.”

Learning that Feng Wen would be kicked out after Yan Meng’s death didn’t make the Shi family feel sorry for her at all. After all, Feng Wen lived—

Even though she’s heavily pregnant, Feng Wen really isn’t someone to pity.

For months now, Feng Wen has spent loads of time hanging around the wild grass wall bordering Territory Ten, eavesdropping and trying all sorts of tricks to get close to Madam Shi. Digging for information about Xia Qing, she made it so that just talking about the Alliance in their own home forced the Shi family to whisper or even write things down like they were thieves.

After Yan Meng lost it and got sent back to the Safe Zone by the Inspection Team two days ago, Feng Wen panicked. She ran to the thorn wall, begging Madam Shi to take her in, but was refused directly. Later, she tried cozying up to Shi Du while he made his rounds at night, promising she’d do any job if he’d hire her.

But Shi Du isn’t stupid. There’s no way he’d agree.

When Madam Shi heard about this, she was so furious she stood in the territory shouting into a megaphone for ages. She barely slept last night, her head still in a daze. But now that Yan Meng’s at death’s door and Feng Wen’s about to be kicked out, she’s in great spirits.

“Sister Qing just left for a meeting in the Safe Zone and came back with Territory Fourteen! She’s unbelievable!” Shi Du’s admiration for Xia Qing was through the roof.

Territories in Section One of the North are coveted by so many people. When Yan Meng was taken back to the Safe Zone, people called one after another trying to ask him about the new lord. Who’d have guessed Xia Qing would claim it before he even died?

Tan Junjie nodded. Today, Xia Qing was as sharp as a blade. Not just old fogies like Zhao Baolin, but even the inspection team leaders from the south, west and Section One of the North, who had come for the meeting, were left speechless by her.

Especially Peng Zhiyong, head of the southern inspection team, who got so worked up leaving the meeting room he started yelling and pulling people into bets on how soon Xia Qing would dethrone Nie Hong as the top Disaster Year champion.

Tan Junjie wouldn’t bet, of course. He knew Xia Qing couldn’t care less about being the number one sharpshooter. She dashed off to Territory Seven earlier, desperate to get home before dark to watch her Evolved Sheep brawl with the Honey Badger.

“I’ve got Yang Jin, Xu Juan, and some friends in the Agriculture Department watching Zhao Baolin. We’ll soon find out why he came after me today.” After bringing her group up to speed about the meeting, Xia Qing explained her backup plans to her Idol.

“You placed spies in the Agriculture Department?” Zhang San looked surprised.

Xia Qing nodded. “You know them. Zhou Qianpeng in the Territory Management Department, and Li Chang at the Safe Zone Planting Center. Zhou’s a greedy guy, give him a little something and he’ll tell you anything. Li Chang has flat-out hinted she’d love to join our Center, so she’ll volunteer news to me before I even ask.”

Zhang San nodded. “So, you and Yang Jin are really together?”

Xia Qing shook her head. “No, just cooperating.”

Zhang San warned her, “From what I’ve seen, Yang Jin wouldn’t have suggested teaming up if he didn’t like you at least a little.”

Idol offered a friendly reminder, and Xia Qing didn’t hide a thing. “You’re right, he’s interested, but it’s not much. He’s more into his combat team and making money. I think he’s capable, which is why I teamed up with him. Don’t worry, I know where the line is—I won’t get taken advantage of.”

“As if you know your limits!”

Memories of that limping, glove-wearing wolf back in Section Three flashed through Zhang San’s mind, making him add, “Keep the people who know about the medicine and pills you got from me to an absolute minimum.”

“Understood. I’ve never told anyone you helped me make the healing and recovery medicine.”

You never told people? But you sure told plenty of animals! Zhang San shot Xia Qing a look, ready to shoo her out.

Reading the mood, Xia Qing quickly shifted gears. “Once Brother Yue brings the name list, I’ll need your signature so he can handle the paperwork.”

Zhang San couldn’t be bothered, tossing Xia Qing a red stamp carved with his name and a soaring dragon and phoenix.

“Got it—thanks for trusting me, Third Brother. I’ll take care of everything.” Xia Qing went on, “Recruitment and the Ninth Center expansion can rest with Brother Yue and Yue-jie. My focus for the next few days is building the lab and installing the mechanical arm in the chestnut grove.”

Zhang San reminded her, “Don’t forget the Evolved Viola in the Western Evolved Forest.”

“I’ll fly over first thing tomorrow and see how that tiger is doing in case there’s an opportunity for an exchange,” Xia Qing said, then asked carefully, “Third Brother, my spinach in the terraces needs fertilizing. As for the giant wasp droppings in the chestnut grove…”

Zhang San…