Chapter 708: Seeds of Alliance

The reason Xia Qing brought these two along was because the alliance members had chosen them after some serious discussion.

Strength doesn’t always mean being an Evolved fighter. The Tang family’s father and daughter were living proof of that.

Tang Zhengbo and Tang Ning held the reins of the Tang family. Before the calamity, they ran a company with over ten thousand people. Afterward, they weathered countless storms but still managed to keep six hotels in the Hui Three Safe Zone, and in the prized Inner City, they owned a farm spanning fifteen acres.

Everyone knew Tang Zhengbo was one of the founding members of Sufeng Squad. Yet after Tang Zhengsu and most of Sufeng’s core fighters were wiped out, and Tang Zhengrong was captured, Tang Zhengbo not only escaped unscathed but also managed to reclaim most of the property his brothers had seized, even hiring over fifty Evolved fighters who’d left Sufeng Squad to strengthen the Tang Group.

Now that the Safe Zone was mostly stable again, the Tang family headed straight to Section One of the North, searching for new opportunities.

Xia Qing, very aware of her own limits, chose to face them as a team—this negotiation was a group effort.

“Director Tang, President Tang, welcome! Please allow me to reintroduce myself: I’m Zhou Zhaoping, secretary of the Alliance and acting agent of Territory Eight.” After Xia Qing opened the door and invited the Tang family in, Zhou Zhaoping stepped forward before Xia Qing could finish her introduction, shaking hands and exchanging warm greetings with Tang Zhengbo and Tang Ning.

Kuang Qingwei, dressed in a brand new Second-Class Field Suit, hurried to follow. “Director Tang, President Tang, hello! I’m Kuang Qingwei, the Alliance’s Head of Commerce and Lord of Section Six. Brother Huai, Brother Heng, please come on in.”

Tang Huai raised an eyebrow at Xia Qing, a hint of mischief in his eyes: Nice, you’ve really rolled out the red carpet for us.

Xia Qing kept a calm face: “Of course. If I didn’t, would I dare open the door and let you inside?”

Tang Huai glanced around, his eyes returning to Xia Qing: “So, where’s your crazy sheep?”

Xia Qing nodded toward Home: “At home.”

Seeing his brother and Xia Qing exchanging meaningful glances, Tang Heng shot his sister a look, waggling his brows: See? Told you my brother was interested in Xia Qing!

Tang Ning, who somehow made her Level-Three Protective Suit look like a business outfit, pretended not to notice Tang Huai acting like a puppy. She smiled at Xia Qing and said, “Miss Xia, your choice of farmland is perfect—wind-protected, sunny, and safe. The placement of cameras is also spot-on.”

If you’re going to compliment someone, don’t do it vaguely. Point out what matters most to them—that’s how you show true sincerity. Tang Ning’s praise checked every box.

Xia Qing took the compliment gracefully, smiling back. “Just call me Xia Qing, President Tang. It took me half a day to decide on that plot. The meeting room is just by the field. This way, please.”

Tang Huai corrected her, smirking. “President Tang sounds way too formal. Let’s stick to the customs of our territories. You’re a bit younger, Xia Qing, so call my sister ‘Sis’ too.”

Xia Qing went with the flow. “Sis Ning, this way.”

As the group walked toward the meeting room near the fields, Zhou Zhaoping and Tang Zhengbo shared a laugh, Kuang Qingwei chatted happily with Tang Heng, and Xia Qing got along well with Tang Ning.

And Tang Huai? He was just tagging along, darting about here and there.

The meeting room in Section Three featured a long rectangular table that could seat over a dozen people for a meal, so even with everyone inside, it didn’t feel cramped.

Kuang Qingwei invited everyone to sit and served tea. After Tang Zhengbo praised the water and the tea, the negotiations officially began.

An hour and a half later, the Lords’ Alliance welcomed two new members: Lord Twelve of Territory Twelve, Tang Huai, and Territory Twelve’s agent, Tang Heng.

The Alliance and the Tang Group also reached a preliminary agreement on purchasing territory farm products and selling high-quality crop seeds. The details would be worked out between Tang Ning and Kuang Qingwei for each project as needed.

Once the meeting wrapped up and everyone had toured Xia Qing’s fields, the Tang family left Section Three, passed through Territory Two, and headed home to Territory Twelve.

Tang Ning, who was visiting the territories for the first time, took a look around Territory Two and Twelve. She barely got to her office before starting in on her younger brother, Tang Huai:

“The workers in Territory Two aren’t organized at all. Everyone just pretends to be busy, but the weeds in the wheat field are taller than the sprouts. That means you’re not managing things. If you can’t handle it, step aside. I’ll send Ye Ping here, add her to the Alliance group, and you can go back to the Safe Zone to raise insects and feed chickens.”

Ye Ping managed the Tang family’s farm and was known for being highly capable.

While Tang Huai took his scolding, Tang Zhengbo happily made tea, and Tang Heng made funny faces at his brother.

Finally in the Alliance, Tang Huai blurted out, “I’m on it, I’ll do a good job!”

Tang Ning kept a straight face, but her eyes sparkled with laughter. “Actions, not words. I’ll give you two more months. If you can’t come up with a summer wheat report that shows actual profit, you’re out.”

“Deal. I promise not to lose money.” Tang Huai grinned and nudged Tang Ning toward the table. “Sis, all this talking must be tiring. Have some tea—Dad already poured you a cup.”

Tang Ning took a sip, shaking her head with a smile. “Dad called it right again.”

When Xia Qing said she’d bring the Alliance secretary and Head of Commerce to negotiate, Tang Zhengbo guessed, “Zhang San and Xin Yu must’ve joined the Alliance. The secretary is Zhou Zhaoping, commerce is Kuang Qingwei.”

Tang Heng also sat down with his tea. “I told you, Sis—Xia Qing is calm and fair, and she knows how to pick the right people. She’s really talented.”

Tang Ning nodded. “You can tell she’s someone with strong principles. Both of you must follow the Alliance’s rules, or you’ll get kicked out. If that happens, the family will suffer big losses. Right, Dad?”

Tang Zhengbo poured his daughter more tea. “That’s right. If things go south, not only our ties with the Alliance, but also with Territory Seven and even Azure Dragon Squad will take a hit. Xia Qing is Luo Pei’s favorite apprentice, and Zhang San joining the Alliance shows how much he values her.”

“Why does Zhang San value Xia Qing so much?” Tang Ning was genuinely curious. As she asked, she glanced at her clueless little brother—Tang Huai.

Everyone in the family understood that look: Was Zhang San interested in Xia Qing because she was a special Evolved fighter valuable to his research?

“Nope.”

Tang Huai replied with certainty. “He values Xia Qing for two reasons. First, she has strong ties with the Northern Wolf Pack, so through her, he can study the ecology of the Northern Evolved Forest. Second, they just get along—Zhang San thinks she’s the best.”

And honestly, you wouldn’t believe how smooth Xia Qing is in private. The other day, Tang Huai overheard her at the Northern Barrier—she talked that crazy sheep into a daze. Still, he couldn’t bring himself to share that story.

Tang Heng winked at his dad and sister, motioning them to check out their brother.

Tang Huai snapped back to reality, squirming under his sister’s gaze. “Sis, what’s that look for?”

Tang Ning warned her brother, “Xia Qing already has a boyfriend. Don’t do anything stupid.”

“No, I—no, that’s not it! I don’t like her like that!” Tang Huai sputtered, then muttered, “I just…really admire her. I’m sort of jealous, too.”

Tang Zhengbo looked at his eldest, his tone gentle. “Ah Huai, manage Territory Two properly. If you can earn enough Credits for walls this year, next spring we’ll build the fence and get two dogs to guard the land. Sound good?”

Tang Huai’s eyes went red in a flash. “Dad, it’s too dangerous out here. I don’t want dogs. When I get a chance, I’ll wander the Evolved Forest—maybe I’ll get lucky and bring home a wolf, just like Xia Qing.”

Tang Zhengbo just smiled…