Chen Hai nodded slightly, accepting the assessment readily, and then stated his core demand in a firm tone:

"So, Lord Li Yu, we can talk."

"Chen and his brothers are willing to cooperate with the handover, accept the city lord's leadership, and continue to serve the new city."

"There is only one condition..."

Ma Yuanbai, who was standing next to Li Yu, suddenly stepped forward and said, "Director Chen Hai, you are now a prisoner. What right do you have to negotiate with us?"

Chen Hai answered confidently:

"I know the white fog, terrain, and activity patterns of strange beasts around Kangcheng by heart, and even the strange ghosts that may appear."

"We'll patrol and guard this defensive line outside Kangcheng, saving you at least a month of adjustment time."

"Exploring unknown territories always comes at a price..."

Chen Hai straightened his back, exuding the confidence and responsibility of a veteran border guard:

"I, Chen, have no other skills, except for dealing with this strange white mist in this city for more than ten years. I am confident that this experience can still come in handy."

"Whether to defend or attack, to use or kill, is entirely up to the city lord."

He paused, then presented the condition he hadn't finished stating earlier:

"But if Li Yu can accept us and retain our original rank and benefits, I, Chen Hai, will definitely lead people to do everything in my power to help the city lord!"

Chen Hai's words were clear and powerful, without the slightest hint of humble pleading, only a sober exchange of interests and a statement of value.

He was using what he and his old subordinates had only—a deep understanding of Kangcheng's environment and experience in border defense—to gain a foothold and ensure their safety under the new order.

Li Yu's gaze lingered on Chen Hai's composed face for a moment. The conditions he proposed were surprisingly simple and down-to-earth, and could even be said to have almost no barriers.

After a moment of silence, Li Yu spoke with the force of a final decision:

"Chen Hai, I can agree to your conditions, but the specific treatment and rules will depend on the new city."

This straightforward affirmation eased Chen Hai's tense nerves slightly.

As long as they can be brought under Li Yu's command, the specific treatment is actually not important. He said this only to leave himself some room for compromise.

"Thank you, City Lord. My treatment will naturally depend on the new city." Chen Hai was not worried that Li Yu would go back on her word.

Now that Li Yu has agreed, it's time for him to make his stance clear.

Chen Hai immediately took a deep breath, stood with his heels together, gave Li Yu a proper bow, and solemnly said in a loud voice:

"Chen Hai, former director of the Kangcheng Thunder Bureau, is willing to bring his subordinates to submit to Lord Li Yucheng and await his orders."

The trusted men around him suddenly looked up: "Director Chen?!"

Chen Hai turned to his ashen-faced subordinates, his voice suddenly becoming stern:

"What are you all doing! Are you rebelling? Do you think you have a chance of survival if you resist?"

"Once the Central Plains authorities hold you accountable, who will protect you?"

He then patted his chest and assured them, his eyes shining with an astonishing light:

"By following City Lord Li Yu, we can at least stay in Kangcheng, which doesn't count as betraying Zhongzhou!"

Chen Hai's words were like a bucket of cold water, waking up all the imprisoned people.

Yes, without Kangcheng, they are worthless and would only be discarded pawns.

The subordinates exchanged glances, and finally one of them gritted his teeth and said, "Your subordinate is willing to comply!"

Immediately afterward, Chen Hai spoke again, his voice not loud but clearly drowning out the gasps of his subordinates:

"Please give the order, Lord City Lord!"

Looking at the resolute determination in Chen Hai's eyes, and then glancing at his increasingly hesitant subordinates, Li Yu suddenly asked, "Aren't you afraid I'll lie to you?"

"I'm afraid." Chen Hai smiled, a self-deprecating yet clear-headed laugh:

"But I'm more afraid of being a scapegoat. If we follow the new city lord, at least we can continue to defend our territory."

Li Yu was taken aback, not expecting Chen Hai to surrender so easily, even willing to give up all his demands.

Ma Yuanbai, watching from the side, was also astonished, thinking to himself, 'This old fox... is more pragmatic than I thought.'

Looking at the subjugated Chen Hai and the others, Li Yu then spoke, loudly issuing the first integration order:

"The personnel of the former Kangcheng Thunder Bureau branch were reorganized into the 'Guard Battalion', under the Fifth Battalion of the Seventh Regiment, with Chen Hai as the battalion commander."

"The garrison battalion!" A glint flashed in Chen Hai's eyes.

The significance of the designation "Guardian" far exceeded expectations, meaning that they were not discarded pawns marginalized by Li Yu, but rather likely to continue to shoulder the important responsibility of guarding Kangcheng.

Li Yu's trust and magnanimity dispelled the last trace of resentment in Chen Hai's heart.

Chen Hai immediately saluted again, his voice filled with unprecedented firmness:

"Battalion Commander Chen Hai, obeys!"

Immediately afterwards, Chen Hai turned his head and glanced at his trusted subordinates beside him.

After the initial tremor, they reacted quickly.

The men who had just been shouting about fighting to the death also showed a resolute look in their eyes. They all stepped forward abruptly, gave Li Yu and Ma Yuanbai a standard military salute, and hissed:

"Yes, sir!"

"Yes, sir!"

The voices were unified and unanimous, all readily pledging allegiance to the new city lord under Chen Hai.

Ma Yuanbai watched this scene quietly from the side, his opinion of Chen Hai rising even higher.

His gaze towards Chen Hai also held a hint of admiration, and he thought to himself:

"Well done, Chen Hai. He negotiates with neither servility nor arrogance, knowing how to exchange value for survival, and also how to use appropriate threats to appease his former subordinates."

'The core members of the Thunder Bureau managed to persuade Li Yu to defect to their Seventh Regiment with almost no casualties, forming their own Fifth Battalion. This deal was incredibly worthwhile.'

This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!