Chapter 796: Building the Ninth Planting Center

She might not have the ability to sense human emotions, but Xia Qing trusted her instincts. Since Yan Long stayed quiet, Xia Qing kept silent too. Only after leaving Territory Seven and getting back in the truck did she finally message her Idol before heading home.

As for what happens next, it’ll depend on the choices Idol and Zhang Shi make.

“Everyone!” Tang Huai’s excited voice rang out in the new Lords’ channel. “Just now, Captain Zeng got on the 11-18 Lords’ channel and called out Yan Meng, asking him to cooperate with an investigation!”

With the Lords’ channel now encrypted, people were much more relaxed when they spoke. Zhao Ze immediately asked, “Is this about the Devastation Snake?”

“Of course it is. That Liao Chen in his territory—who the hell knows how he got his hands on a nest of Devastation Snakes? He’s the one behind our whole Devastation Rain Devastation Snake crisis!”

Qi Fu was stumped. “But why? What does he gain by doing that?”

“He’s definitely after our X-2!” Wen Nengjie grumbled. “Some people just can’t stand to see us doing well!”

It wasn’t just about X-2. The real aim was to let Chai Shuling lead a team into Section One of the North during the Devastation Rain, officially taking over command on site—then use the search for Devastation Snakes as a chance to get into Section Three and hunt for Pure Spring Water.

Because they thought Xia Qing had already rushed to Hill Fifty for reinforcements and wasn’t in her territory.

Xia Qing tightened her grip on the steering wheel, eyes locked straight ahead. She felt the pressure. With Idol keeping things in check, Fire Phoenix wouldn’t dare move against her openly for now, but she couldn’t always count on Idol’s protection. She had to get stronger, fast.

She needed to be powerful enough that even if her Spring Water and quadruple evolution abilities were exposed, no one would dare lay a hand on her or Section Three.

This strength wasn’t just about her own combat skills. It meant having resources that no one could snatch away, and the backing of the Alliance. Outside, she needed good relations with the Base officials, the Azure Dragon Squad and the Squad Alliance they represented, and Tang Zhengbo’s Hui Three Trading Company. As long as those three never united fully, no one could take the Spring Water from her.

And then there were the Northern and Western Wolf Packs. Her alliance with the wolves had to hold. That was both her fallback and her shield.

Once back in her territory, Xia Qing grabbed lunch while she flipped through the documents from Base about the founding of the Ninth Planting Center—the appointment of Zhang San as director, management protocols and the crop plans Zhang San had drawn up.

Idol required that before July 10, all wasteland in Territory Nine be reclaimed and 200 greenhouses built, covering a total of 300 mu, for planting rice, corn and other grains. By October 10, 50 brick-walled solar greenhouses had to be built for winter vegetable cultivation.

The first shipment of building materials—metal frames, insect nets, rain covers and parts for the 200 greenhouses—would arrive at the Ninth Planting Center on the 15th of next month, with a second batch due mid-August.

So Xia Qing had to finish recruiting staff for the Ninth Planting Center and prepping 300 mu of farmland before June 15.

Today was already May 17! As of now, the whole Ninth Planting Center only had three people: Xia Qing, Zhang Tao and Yue Haiying.

Recruitment had to start immediately.

Talking about recruiting, Xia Qing realized that the supply list had completely missed the materials for building staff dorms. She needed to apply to the Base’s Planting Division for that right away.

But first, she had to figure out exactly how many workers they’d need.

After lunch, Xia Qing got in touch with Yue Haiying, who was HR manager for the Ninth Planting Center. She also called Kuang Qingwei, Zhao Ze and the Tang Brothers for a meeting in Territory Nine.

The moment Tang Huai heard Yue Haiying had become the HR chief he started howling, “Sister Qing, I want a job too!”

Xia Qing asked calmly, “What position can you do?”

Tang Huai’s eyes sparkled. “What positions are available?”

She glanced at Yue Haiying. Since before the Devastation Rain, Yue Haiying had already started recruiting for the Ninth Planting Center—he should know exactly what jobs were open.

Yue Haiying immediately unfolded a sheet of paper and started reading. “Based on staffing at Planting Centers in the Safe Zone, we need to set up these departments: Center Office, Agricultural Crops Division, Tech Department, Warehouse, Maintenance, Medical, Security—a total of seven. The specific jobs for each are listed on this sheet.”

He handed the hand-drawn organizational chart to Xia Qing with both hands.

As soon as she took it, Tang Huai picked out his job. “I can be the Office Director. I’m good at that.”

The crowd… was speechless.

Tang Heng smiled. “Brother Yue, did you get the job descriptions for the main positions at the Planting Center?”

“Sure did. There’s way too much to print, so I made an electronic copy.” Yue Haiying pulled out a well-worn laptop to show everyone.

Tang Heng checked the qualifications for Office Director and told his brother, “You need at least an associate degree in management and three years of relevant work experience.”

Tang Huai, who majored in archaeology, wilted on the spot.

Zhao Ze chuckled to himself. He qualified, but he had zero interest in taking a job at the Ninth Center. He was already swamped with work on his own territory.

While Tang Huai pored over the openings with the laptop, Xia Qing explained the initial construction tasks for the Ninth Planting Center. She asked, “Brother Yue, have you already contacted candidates for these positions?”

“I have.” Yue Haiying pulled a second sheet from his pocket and handed it over. “These are the shortlisted candidates. I’ve already reached out, and they’re willing to come. We’re up to 80 people now.”

Xia Qing unfolded the list for a look.

Wow.

Besides retired combat soldiers, there were military hospital doctors and nurses, military equipment repair techs, admin managers, accountants, PR clerks, barracks maintenance, supply storage, purchasing, quality control, logistics—every level from beginner to expert was covered.

Yue Haiying explained, “All of them meet the job requirements, but most have disabilities, so they can’t compete for posts in the Safe Zone. Still, there’s nothing wrong with their abilities.”

“That’s fine. Brother Yue, let them come for interviews in the next couple days. If they pass, they can stay in the territory. Pay and benefits will follow the Safe Zone Planting Center standards.” Then Xia Qing turned to Kuang Qingwei and Tang Huai. “Qing, Huai—the houses in Territory Nine are about to be built fast. Before construction is finished, can we rent your staff dorms for a while?”

Kuang Qingwei’s territory used to have over 60 workers, but after the invasion earlier this year he let most go. Now fewer than ten remain, leaving lots of empty rooms. Tang Huai’s land, once crowded with refugees, also had plenty of vacant houses.

“No problem, stay as long as you want, no rent.” Kuang Qingwei agreed without a second thought. Like most folks, he had high trust in retired soldiers.

“Same here,” Tang Huai spoke up energetically.

Xia Qing shook her head. “Business is business. I can request funding from Base for this, so I’ll need your help, Qing. Can you team up with Brother Yue and Zhao today to tally up exactly what materials are needed for new dorms? Then organize it all into a report for me to send to the Planting Division so they can allocate supplies.”

The three nodded right away.

Xia Qing also consulted Tang Heng. “Neither Yue nor I have experience running a Planting Center. We’ll need your oversight—let us know if there’s something we’ve missed.”

Tang Heng nodded immediately. “You got it.”

Tang Huai looked at Xia Qing with a pleading gaze. What about me? What can I do?

With a straight face, Xia Qing told him, “I’ll need your help too, Huai—keep an eye out for anything we might have overlooked.”

What Xia Qing didn’t expect was that not long after the announcement went out in the Safe Zone about the Ninth Planting Center, Zhong Tao actually called her looking for a job.