"Thank you for your guidance, leader. I will do my best to live up to your expectations." Zhang Qiang was a little excited when he heard the "leader" in front of him say that he would recommend him to the higher authorities.

After all these years, he's finally about to turn his life around.

At this moment, he was extremely grateful for the "timely" arrival of the extreme cold disaster. Although the extreme cold disaster was a calamity for the entire planet, what did it have to do with him? As long as he climbed up in the future, he could still live a life of comfort and enjoy the company of beautiful women.

Thinking of the extravagant and decadent days to come, Zhang Qiang couldn't help but feel an indescribable surge of fervor and anticipation.

He seemed to see himself standing at the pinnacle of power, surrounded by endless prosperity and praise. Those who once looked down on him could now only look up at his back.

Lei Tao had no idea that his casual remark would lead Zhang Qiang to so many associations, but seeing the barely suppressed joy on Zhang Qiang's face, he pressed his advantage and said with a smile, "This awful weather is really unbearable. Brothers, you've worked so hard for so long, you must be tired. Let's all go to the factory to rest for a bit, so you don't catch a cold."

"Well... I appreciate the leader's kindness on behalf of the brothers, but..." Zhang Qiang said, looking at the laborers digging snow in the snow pit with a troubled expression.

"It's alright. Since the higher-ups sent us to provide support, we can't just do nothing, can we?" Lei Tao laughed. "Let the brothers go. We'll keep an eye on the construction site."

As he spoke, he waved to the three trucks and shouted, "Brothers, get off here. Let the 'joint defense team' brothers rest first. We'll keep an eye on the construction site for them."

Those on the train understood, concealed their pistols, and jumped off the train one by one in an orderly fashion from the back of the open carriage.

Seeing that Lei Tao had brought so many people, Zhang Qiang felt a sense of unease, and thought to himself, "When did these bastards become so easy to talk to? They're actually considering the feelings of us low-level 'joint defense team' members?"

"Damn, is this sixth brother trying to win people over, sideline me, and take over this industrial park?"

Thinking of this, Zhang Qiang instantly sobered up. Lei Tao's promises sounded very appealing, but only if he still had control of the "joint defense brigade" by then; otherwise, it would all be empty talk.

"What? Is there a problem?" Lei Tao's heart skipped a beat when he saw the change in Zhang Qiang's expression. He thought that the other party had noticed something fishy, ​​so he asked tentatively.

Although Zhang Qiang was already wary of Lei Tao, most of his "joint defense team members" heard Lei Tao's shout. In this freezing weather, standing outside for a long time was indeed unbearable.

If he refuses Lei Tao at this moment, his team members will inevitably harbor resentment towards him. However, if he agrees to Lei Tao's request, his team members will only feel grateful to Lei Tao.

No matter which option you choose, the other party will achieve their goal.

"That bastard, this is a conspiracy!" Zhang Qiang cursed inwardly. For the time being, he really couldn't think of a reasonable solution.

"Brother Qiang, since the leader has said so, let the brothers take a break!" The man in the melon-shaped hat, who had long harbored resentment towards Zhang Qiang, saw Zhang Qiang's current predicament and said sarcastically, "Brother Qiang, you've been sitting in the shed warming yourself by the fire, so you have no idea what it feels like to be outside for more than 10 hours. It's really cold! The brothers really can't take it anymore!"

The man in the melon-shaped hat did this partly to disgust Zhang Qiang, and partly to curry favor with the new "leader".

"Hmph! Zhang Qiang, you told me to speak well in front of the 'leader' and make the 'leader' happy, and I have indeed done so, and done it very well." The man in the melon-shaped hat sneered inwardly.

He wasn't worried about Zhang Qiang retaliating against him later. After Zhang Qiang's reminder, he realized that it was unwise for them to go against their superiors with their meager strength. Zhang Qiang understood this better than he did. As long as he could gain the "leader's" favor, Zhang Qiang was nothing!

Hearing the sarcastic mockery from the man in the melon-shaped hat, Zhang Qiang's face darkened. He never expected that this melon-faced man would dare to "stab" him in the back at this time.

At this moment, he was filled with boundless rage, but when he saw the obviously strange looks on his team members' faces, he instantly calmed down.

He knew he had already lost this round.

Now all he can do is follow Lei Tao's suggestion and have the "joint defense team members" rest, so that he can minimize the loss of his reputation among his subordinates.

However, he was still unwilling to accept that Lei Tao had given him such a "baptism of fire" right from the start.

He glanced around at the group of members behind Lei Tao, and suddenly his eyes lit up; he already had a plan in mind.

Zhang Qiang's face quickly returned to normal, a hint of cunning in his smile: "Boss, you're right. The brothers have indeed worked hard and deserve a rest. So, I'll leave the construction site to you for now?"

"Okay, go ahead and rest well so we can continue fighting." Lei Tao continued with a kind smile as he spoke to Zhang Qiang.

"Brothers, let's head back now! I have some firewood; let's take it into the factory to warm up," Zhang Qiang called to the "joint defense team members."

"Haha~ Thank you, leader! Thank you, Captain Zhang!" the crowd shouted excitedly.

Immediately afterwards, a group of people carrying various knives and weapons walked arm in arm toward a cleared factory building.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!