"Master, we're almost there."

"Yes, I see it. How nostalgic..."

Sha Qingsui gazed at the West Fortress rising gradually from the distance. The wind and sand swept across it, making it resemble a steel jungle. Under the sunlight, the air itself seemed to distort due to the heat.

Hu Jinglin sat next to him, and a group of government officials and soldiers from the Sandcastle were brought in from the back of the car to escort them.

"I originally planned to retire after stepping down, focus on trading, and then find a quiet town to live in seclusion. Who knew things would turn out like this..."

Sha Qingsui's expression was complicated. He had been forcibly transferred here by Qin Che with a telegram.

Someone like Sha Qingsui is not someone I can let live in seclusion. He is exceptionally capable and has many years of governing experience. It would be most appropriate for him to take over as the leader of Xibao.

Moreover, it was impossible for Sha Qingsui not to be tempted.

After all, this was the city of his mortal enemy, Yuan Lin, which he had now inherited.

Rather than returning to seclusion, he'd rather go straight to West Castle, stand beside Yuan Lin's tombstone, and laugh at him to his heart's content...

Hu Jinglin said, "Sir, this is also a sign of Mr. Qin's trust in you."

Sha Qingsui smiled and said, "He is now a high-ranking member of the Elder Council. I understand what he wants to do... build his own team in Sand Castle and West Castle, and use it as the engine of his power machine to advance step by step and win more chips."

Hu Jinglin: "In my opinion, this is quite good, sir. After all, this is Yuanlin's city...you..."

Sha Qingsui: "He knew this, which is why he deliberately asked me to come. He understood that this way I wouldn't be able to refuse, and to be honest, I was indeed tempted."

Hu Jinglin smiled slightly, lowered his head, and said no more.

Those events from back then have long since faded away with Yuan Lin's death.

But in Hu Jinglin's eyes, it wasn't like that. The master should want to see the grave of that woman from back then, the woman he loved most.

“Mr. Qin is currently in the Southwest region and has just taken over the government and business enterprises in the old city. Next, he will probably focus on Zibao and Boiler City and bring them into our team as well,” Hu Jinglin said.

Sha Qingsui: "He has quite the ambition."

"Mr. Qin is extraordinary after all; he has his pride and ambitions."

Sha Qingsui shook his head: "But in this way, this poor desert will no longer be able to avoid a full-scale war."

...

As the convoy entered the city, Cai Dong personally led troops to meet them and welcomed Sha Qingsui, Hu Jinglin, and others into the government residence.

Li Mi and Lina personally greeted them.

"Leader Sha, I have long admired your name."

Sha Qingsui laughed and said, "You must be Li Mi, right? The only informant the Intelligence Department planted in Wall One."

Li Mi nodded slightly and smiled, "I am now Master Qin's secretary."

Sha Qingsui chuckled: "The affairs of Xibao are complicated and difficult to handle. Because it is close to Wall No. 1 and is the throat of the western border, we have to take the initiative to take responsibility for many things. You have worked hard."

Li Mi laughed and said, "It's not hard work at all. Now, the area around the Western Boundary is even more prosperous than when Yuan Lin was in office, thanks to your reputation as a superhuman."

Lina said, "You will now be taking over our responsibilities. Congratulations, Leader Sha."

Sha Qingsui gave a bitter smile and could only say, "No matter where we are, we are all people who are subject to control... Sigh."

Lina said, "After we finish the handover, Li Mi and I will go to the old city in the southwest to continue to stay by Mr. Qin's side. But before that, there is something very important that I need to tell you in advance."

"Yes, please go ahead."

Lina frowned and said, "The city council is holding an elders' meeting. Elder No. 4 Su Pei, along with Chu Qin and Lu Qingzhou from the Dong Party, submitted a report with more than a hundred signatories, wanting to refuse foreign arms market competition within the walls. The Su Party is presiding over the meeting and is trying to promote an import review policy for new weapons."

"Leader Sha, I believe you should know what this means."

Sha Qingsui frowned.

Before he came, he had already read many documents and done his own research and investigation.

Knowing that Qin Che's goal was to establish a company in West Castle, backed by the West Castle government and the Council of Elders of the First Wall, to replace the Forest Group and become a pivotal figure, such a company would be Qin Che's bargaining chip and weapon in the First Wall.

The company will establish two projects: one is to build the industrial chain of Crocodile-10, carry out multi-level work including diplomacy and trade, and technological upgrading; the other is to promote and spread synthetic starch. Using this as leverage, the company will launch a powerful attack to promote food policy reform in the city council, while simultaneously liquidating existing vested interest groups and redistributing the pie.

Yeah, they're incredibly ambitious.

Sha Qingsui was genuinely surprised when she heard about this.

He not only wanted to replace a forest group, but also wanted to strip the city council of some of its power.

Of course, it's not hard to imagine that even Yuan Lin couldn't achieve Qin Che's level of vision; after all, he was just a mortal.

Qin Che, however, was an extraordinary being.

He has the power and status to negotiate 'fairly' with the city council.

"The report submitted by the city council and the bills that are being discussed and pushed forward are all aimed at Mr. Qin. If the Crocodile-10 cannot enter the wall, there will be no fertile ground to compete with guns such as the Golden Eagle and Rapid Fire. This part is the most difficult to crack."

Li Mi frowned and said, "Now that you are cooperating with the Fu Party, the Fu Party is reciprocating and maintaining close ties with you. This has been noticed by the Yin Party and the Su Party. They will not allow us to develop and grow unchecked. If the new weapons cannot enter the country, it will be difficult to open up the market not only in Wall One, but also in the entire western desert."

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