Yu Yue was still preparing dinner for the others, but neither the running range hood nor the clashing tableware made any sound.

The entire carriage was unusually quiet.

Su Huan leaned back on the sofa, attentively observing the middle-aged man in front of him.

Although he was wearing a plain worker's uniform, his demeanor was still present, sitting there steadily, with a focused and sincere expression.

This kind of person is very capable, in his forties or fifties, with his experience and knowledge at their peak. What's more, being in the maritime business, his vision and methods far exceed those of ordinary businessmen.

But what he needed more was various middle and high-level elites, rather than leaders to guide the train's direction in his place.

Therefore, he did not immediately accept the other party.

He was also considering how to deal with the surplus survivors.

Burning bridges after crossing them is absolutely not an option because he was managing a faction, not a lone wolf.

Now it seems the other party has provided a very good solution.

"What do I get out of helping you establish a settlement?"

Wan Hao inwardly broke into a cold sweat, relaxing only upon hearing Su Huan's response.

He said seriously, "The conductor needs workers, presumably, to modify the train or certain things. Coercion is an option, but the effect would surely be poor. If you continuously exchange resources, the loss would be too great; after all, small amounts add up, and even the most basic supplies are a terrifying number."

Su Huan lightly tapped the table, interrupting Wan Hao, "Simply saving some supplies is not enough. To establish a complete settlement, I need to not only provide you with sufficient self-defense capabilities but also find sustainable water sources, food, and more basic infrastructure."

"Why should I spend a huge cost to build a settlement for you?"

Wan Hao nodded slightly, indicating his acknowledgment, and inconspicuously glanced at the "Phase III Plan" document on the table before saying, "I have a couple of ideas. After you, the train conductor, hear them, see if you might give me this opportunity."

"Since you've brought back over two thousand workers, the project is definitely not small, and the target is definitely not just this small platform for now. To show sincerity, I will provide intelligence about a high-speed train manufacturing base one kilometer away. Moreover, I have a friend who works there as a Deputy Technical Director, who might provide you some help."

"Indeed valuable, is this part of the deal?"

"Consider it a token of sincerity for spending your time conversing with me."

Su Huan smiled, having already made a decision in his heart.

"Alright, continue."

"Firstly, assuming your goal is to modify the train, it requires a large number of skilled workers and material supply. If a settlement is established, it can provide stable, customized services for the train long-term, like parts processing, weapon maintenance, etc., avoiding the need to rebuild the basic industrial setup each time."

"Moreover, the settlement would regularly send trained workers to the train to address human resource shortages."

"Secondly, Shun'an is strategically located and can serve as a fixed supply point during the train's journey."

"The settlement can stockpile supplies and scarce evolution materials needed by the train, delivering them when the train returns. Simultaneously, the settlement can become the train's intelligence network. If you don't plan on staying long, the settlement station will become a foothold, gathering intelligence locally for you."

"Thirdly, due to limited space on the train, the settlement can alleviate personnel strain by conducting long-term trials."

"Fourthly, the settlement can become an auxiliary to the armored train, providing support in combat when needed. Even if you don't value our strength, even cannon fodder has a bit of worth, doesn't it?"

"Clap, clap, clap..."

Su Huan clapped his hands, a smile spreading on his face.

Although Wan Hao's reasons were all based on a major premise: that the train would return to Shun'an or frequently operate in the Acid Rain Zone in the future.

This did not affect Su Huan's appreciation for the person in front of him.

He had considered nurturing wings or settlements long ago.

Because whether it's Deep Blue Data or the Mechanical God Cult, such great powers lay out across multiple zones.

Doing so obviously had huge benefits.

But back then, his own train main body wasn't yet settled, let alone having the mind to invest a lot of resources in a settlement.

Thus, the settlement issue was indefinitely postponed.

Bringing it up now seemed a bit early.

But opportunities are often far more important than preparation.

There isn't much prepared for in the apocalypse.

"I can invest in building a settlement, but I'm investing in you, not the settlement. You understand what I mean, right?"

Su Huan narrowed his eyes slightly, speaking nonchalantly.

Wan Hao paused for a moment, then said calmly, "Old Yuan is my brother, I can't ignore him, but the leadership of the settlement must be in my hands."

Su Huan nodded in satisfaction, "That's fine, but this station is too small to build a settlement. I think that high-speed train manufacturing base one kilometer away might be a good choice. What do you think?"

Wan Hao laughed, "The train conductor is impressive!"

The two wished to discuss some details further when Lin Jin came in to report the situation.

Outside, the Iron-Eating Trees were not attacking anyone but were the young men Su Huan had a cordial conversation with in the afternoon, bringing a large amount of [Iron Wood] to seek deeper trading with Su Huan.

"Shall we go take a look together?"

Su Huan was somewhat surprised, standing up, knowing that Director Xu and others had already verified the value of [Iron Wood].

No matter how the train is modified, the more of such material, the better.

While pondering where to acquire more, the source came right up to them.

Wan Hao also got up hastily, "I'll defer to your invitation."

Su Huan casually grabbed the points exchange manual he was reading and threw it to Blastman Giraffe standing guard outside the dining car door, "Go to Car 12, have Xiaozhao print out a few formal versions."

The latter immediately left.

Assault Team Bai Lu followed behind Su Huan on alert.

Currently, neither of them had primary assignments, temporarily acting as bodyguards for Su Huan.

The group ascended the makeshift metal stairs next to the train and onto the cross-shaped metallic high walls.

Despite having witnessed Xiaoba establishing the entire station base firsthand, stepping on it triggered feelings of reflection in Wan Hao's heart.

The disparity between Evolvers is indeed like heaven and earth!

Thinking down this line made one subconsciously extend the thought further: just how strong must the conductor be?

He looked up at the train conductor ahead, broad-shouldered and long-haired, his exposed forearms were solid and strong, resembling those workers who awakened power and speed direction, yet exuding a very strong sense of danger, mixed with a peculiar allure.

Simply...

Dangerous yet captivating.

If not for having children already grown up, Wan Hao might doubt his sexual orientation.

"What do you think the settlement should be called?"

Su Huan suddenly asked from ahead.

Wan Hao pondered, "Let's name it Shun'an Station, Armored Train Platform 1—Shun'an Station."

Su Huan saw Lin Jin approaching from the front, the corners of his mouth turning upward, "Sure."

"Conductor, they are a group of four people and four Iron-Eating Trees. The leader is holding a Law Enforcer S1 tactical pistol."

Lin Jin reported seriously.

"It doesn't matter." Su Huan waved his hand, walking to the watchtower, and naturally placing his hands on the edge, with a kind smile, "I hear you've brought quite a few good things."

The young man, who was initially nervous upon seeing a large number of armed soldiers, relaxed his face, "There was a fight in the grove earlier. I thought it was you guys and came to help. Upon discovering you were fine, I figured I'd make a few more deals before you left too far; the water you gave me during the day fetched a good price."

"A fight?"

Su Huan frowned, He Jie hadn't returned yet.

Hope it's not that fool.

"It was a small-scale skirmish, not far from you, but when I got there, nothing could be seen, must have been survivors randomly running into a moving Iron-Eating Trees group."

Su Huan breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as it wasn't his people, all's good.

"What do you plan on trading for this time?"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.