Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies-Chapter 1128: Joint Mining

Chapter 1128: Joint Mining

Zhang Yi glanced at the so-called Yuan ore fragment in Yang Xinxin's hand. He wasn't actually very interested in this thing.

Tianhai City was not lacking in resources. To be precise, his Shelter was not lacking.

Over eighty percent of the entire city's resources were already in his hands. The remaining twenty percent were left for the more than ten thousand people in the three major bases, allowing them to survive.

So even if he obtained this kind of Yuan ore, Zhang Yi had no use for it.

However, he was very interested in the so-called underground area of the Qinling Mountains.

"The Shengjing Region wouldn't be so kind as to let us go over and take a share of the pie."

"They must have encountered a very serious problem, which is why they invited people from the five major regions to go. And they specifically stated they wanted our top combat forces to go. This has some rather obvious ulterior motives, clear for all to see."

Zhang Yi maintained his usual vigilance towards danger.

However, Yang Xinxin, looking down at the Yuan ore in her hand, revealed a thoughtful expression.

Zhu Zheng, of course, understood that Zhang Yi was not the type of person who liked to take risks.

He smiled and persuaded, "Zhang Yi, the significance behind this matter is immense. If that Yuan ore deposit is mined well, the entire Huaxu Kingdom could support a large population, allowing them to survive through this apocalypse."

"Now, this matter is no longer a personal private affair. It has risen to the level of a major issue concerning the future of the Huaxu Kingdom."

Zhu Zheng leaned back in his chair and took a deep breath.

"You are the only Epsilon-level superhuman in my Jiangnan Region. Honestly, I also don't want you to do anything that might be dangerous."

"But, in the face of such a problem, sometimes I feel that personal considerations of pros and cons can be set aside slightly."

"If this matter were placed before me, I would definitely go."

At this point, Zhu Zheng looked at Zhang Yi's calm eyes, smiled self-deprecatingly, and spread his hands. "I know, you must think what I'm saying is very hypocritical right now. But please remember, I, Zhu Zheng, am a soldier, and more importantly, a citizen of the Huaxu Kingdom!"

"In matters of national duty and righteousness, I do not joke."

Zhang Yi looked deeply at Zhu Zheng. In Zhu Zheng's gaze towards him, there was actually a sincere yet helpless plea.

The national duty and righteousness were real.

But the hope of obtaining the Yuan ore, allowing the Jiangnan Region to develop better and protect more people so they could survive, was also real.

For Zhu Zheng, perhaps one couldn't simply use labels like "good person" or "bad person" to evaluate him, but Zhang Yi felt he was indeed a competent regional commander.

And all the efforts Zhu Zheng had made to build up the Jiangnan Region, Zhang Yi had seen with his own eyes.

He lowered his head, picked up the teapot on the table, and poured himself a cup of tea.

To go, or not to go?

Zhang Yi hadn't made up his mind in his heart.

There was a saying among his principles for living.

When prosperous, benefit the world; when poor, maintain personal integrity.

In the past, when he was weak, he could only protect himself, so he had no choice but to live selfishly.

Within the scope of his abilities, he would also place the well-being of those around him in a position second only to his own.

If possible, deep down, he also had the desire to become a national hero, protecting his home and defending his country.

Zhang Yi was weighing how great the risk of this operation was, and whether the risks undertaken matched the potential gains.

And just at that moment, Yang Xinxin beside him suddenly looked at Zhang Yi and said with a gentle smile, "Brother, going to the Shengjing Region is no small matter. I think you don't need to give an answer in a hurry. You can consider it more carefully."

Zhang Yi snapped out of his thoughts and nodded.

He had actually been somewhat affected by that old fellow Zhu Zheng.

Fortunately, Yang Xinxin reminded him.

Zhang Yi then said to Zhu Zheng, "Indeed, I must give this matter careful consideration."

Zhu Zheng nodded.

"Of course, whether to go or not is still your decision. But Zhang Yi, if we successfully obtain a share of the Yuan ore deposit on this trip to the Shengjing Region, you can take half!"

Zhu Zheng was still quite generous.

Don't look at this as just an empty promise for now. Without the guarantee of a major region, Zhang Yi, in his personal capacity, simply couldn't go to Shengjing, let alone get close to the heavily guarded Qinling Mountains.

Deng Shentong also smiled at Zhang Yi and said, "I'll be going on this operation too. If you have any questions you don't understand, you can ask me."

The Deng Family had a very dense network of connections within the Huaxu Kingdom. They also had intricate connections over in Shengjing.

Deng Yuanbo had even said personally that their intelligence regarding the situation in Shengjing was even more detailed than what Zhu Zheng knew.

Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow and said to Deng Shentong, "Alright then, come over later. I happen to have some questions I'd like to have a good chat with you about."

Zhu Zheng quickly said, "Shentong, in that case, you should accompany Zhang Yi for a chat first!"

They had already finished discussing the topics they needed to before Zhang Yi arrived.

Zhang Yi saying this was obviously because he didn't want Zhu Zheng involved on the side. After all, the way young people chat is different, and having an old man around would be uncomfortable.

Deng Shentong stood up. "Alright then, Commander Zhu, we'll take our leave first."

Zhu Zheng nodded with a smile.

Zhang Yi, Yang Xinxin, and Deng Shentong left Zhu Zheng's office.

Zhu Zheng sat on the sofa, his brow deeply furrowed.

"If we could obtain that kind of ore vein, it's not impossible for the Jiangnan Region to restore its former prosperity."

He rubbed the space between his eyebrows forcefully.

"To achieve sustainable development, we must solve the energy problem. After all, our reserves of fossil fuels are dwindling with use and won't last many more years."

...

Zhang Yi, Yang Xinxin, and Deng Shentong left the Operations Command Center and arrived at the villa prepared for Zhang Yi.

Now, this was the most luxurious place in all of Blizzard City, even more high-end than the Deng Estate where the Deng Family resided.

As for Zhu Zheng, being from a military background, he wasn't obsessed with material comforts.

It seemed that to demonstrate his integrity, he lived in a very simple two-story building.

Zhang Yi's assessment of Zhu Zheng as a person was that he was ambitious, capable, not highly demanding of material desires, but passionate about wielding power.

After Zhang Yi arrived at the villa, there were specialized service personnel on standby 24 hours a day.

Even when Zhang Yi wasn't there, they had to be ready for his arrival at any time.

Zhang Yi entered the huge living room. The female attendant was a girl named Zhuzhu, youthful and pretty, with a cheerful and sunny disposition.

She gave off seventy percent of the feeling that Zhou Ke'er did.

It was clear she was someone Zhu Zheng had specially selected for Zhang Yi.

"Sir, welcome home!"

Zhuzhu smiled brightly, prepared slippers for Zhang Yi and the others, and asked if they wanted drinks or had any other service needs.

Zhang Yi asked her to bring some hot drinks and snacks for the three people and one cat, then told her to go outside for now.

Only when there were no other people in the villa did Zhang Yi ask Deng Shentong:

"Tell me, how much do you actually know about the situation over at the Qinling Mountains?"

Author's Note