The    celebration continued until the middle of the night.

   On the last night in the great desert, if Chu Guang wisely organized a time-limited unboxing event on the official website, those rambunctious little players would not want to be hilarious in the game until dawn.

   These guys really want to live in the "game world"...

   The next day, Chu Guang got up early.

   yawned and opened the curtain. As soon as he stepped out of the tent, he saw Rama wearing the ten-style "Vow" exoskeleton standing at the door.

   This set of exoskeletons was seized from the hands of the Enlightenment Society. The model belongs to the standard equipment of the People's Union Army. Compared with the five-type "light cavalry" used by the police, it emphasizes the defense against rifle bullets and explosive fragments.

   After the alliance repaired it, it repainted it with a layer of cement gray paint, and affixed the identification mark of friend and foe, so it was regarded as the equipment of the alliance.

   In order to get familiar with the use of the exoskeleton as soon as possible, since she received this equipment, she almost wore it to bed.

   Seeing Chu Guang walking out of the tent, Lu Bei, who was guarding the door, immediately stepped forward and gave him a military salute, and reported.

   "My lord, she was standing here at dawn."

  Chu Guang nodded, looked at Rama who was standing at the door, and said softly.

"Is there a problem?"

   imitating Lu Bei's example and sticking his right fist to his chest, Rama bowed his head and said respectfully.

   "You told me last night that my future work would be arranged this morning."

   Seems to be the case.

  Chu Guang originally planned to ask that Captain Adria what was wrong with him last night, but thought that the big nose probably hadn't gotten up yet, so he looked at Rama and said.

   "Since you have put on this armor, you must have made up your mind, so I won't talk nonsense."

   After a pause, Chu Guang continued.

   "Come with me, I'll introduce someone to you."

"Who?"

   "Your future partner."

  Partner?

  Lama was stunned, but saw that Chu Guang had passed by her and walked towards the other side of the camp, so she followed closely.

   The group came to a tent.

   At this moment, the curtain of the tent was lifted, and a fair and beautiful face came into view of Rama.

   It was a dignified woman with long pale blond hair, tied into a high ponytail with a simple headband.

   The first reaction when he saw her, Rama had a thought in his heart, that man and himself were not like people from the same world at all.

   Even if she is only wearing a very ordinary coat and stain-resistant denim trousers, it is difficult to completely conceal the elegance of her gestures.

   A distant concept came to Rama's mind, that person was like the young lady of the big landowner's house, but not so much.

   "Dear Manager... Good morning." Seeing the Manager, Teresa said with a surprised expression on her face, bowing slightly.

   "You too, good morning."

   Greeting briefly, Chu Guang looked at Rama beside him and introduced, "This is the girl I mentioned to you on the phone."

   Hearing this sentence, Teresa's eyes lit up and she looked at the lady wearing the exoskeleton.

   "Are you Ms. Rama?"

  Lama replied with an embarrassed expression.

   "Yes, it's me... May I ask who you are?"

  Teresa curled the corners of her lips and said happily.

   "My name is Teresa, a resident from the Alliance... But it may be strange to say that, from now on this is also one of the recovery areas of the Alliance."

   "She used to be one of the princesses of the Falcon Kingdom, but now she has given up this status and is now a resident of the Alliance."

   Looking at the confused Rama, Chu Guangyan briefly introduced Teresa's past, and then continued.

"At first, she worked as a chores and bookkeeping in a refugee home. After the establishment of the Fallen Leaf City, she followed the expedition to the Lion Kingdom and arrived at the Honey Badger Kingdom. She was responsible for coordinating and managing relief supplies, some post-war reconstruction work, and helping local survivors. "

"According to the evaluation of her former boss, the lord of Fallen Leaf City, Maban, and her former partner, Yad Honey Badger, she has performed well in her work, so I intend to appoint her as the lord of Pioneer City, responsible for handling this Administration and management of settlements.”

  Like several other survivor settlements, the first city lord of Frontier City is still appointed by the Alliance.

  Chuguang needs a candidate who has sufficient management experience and practical experience, has done specific survivor rescue work, and can understand the alliance creed.

   As for identity.

   This has never been an issue in the league.

   His chief of staff was a surrendered Wieland officer at first. The lord of Dawn City was once a serf, and the lord of Dawn City was a refugee who deserted.

   As for Rama, he has no experience in management, and he himself prefers to be a warrior rather than sitting in an office dealing with documents.

   Holding Rama's hands, Teresa stared at the girl's innocent eyes and said in a serious tone.

"I heard your story, and I was deeply moved by your determination to stay for those who have not been saved. I also want to do something for you through my own efforts... Also please borrow your strength in the future. give me!"

   Being watched by those hot eyes, Rama's expression became more and more embarrassed, and his voice hesitated a little.

   "I, I actually just made up my mind to become a fighter. Maybe I'm not very skilled at shooting, maybe it's not as reliable as you think..."

   "Where's the matter?"

   curved the corners of her mouth, Teresa said softly.

   "No one will ever come to the meeting. What matters more than the result is courage and determination. In my opinion, you are the most reliable candidate."

"Before joining the alliance, I was just a vase in the palace. It was not until I met many people that I gradually realized that the meaning of life can be much more worthwhile than the designed part. What you pursue... Compared with me, who has only realized it later, you who dare to take the initiative to stand up and face the savagery in the wasteland are already very strong."

  Lama's tensed expression couldn't help but loosen a little, and the deep-set eyes turned slightly red involuntarily.

  Chu Guang gave Teresa a slightly surprised look.

   I haven't seen each other for a while, this guy has really grown up a lot.

   He has seen some politicians' shadows in her, but some parts are not mature enough.

   Pioneering the city will be a challenge for her.

  The number of survivors in this settlement is not large, but in the future it will accept many survivors from the great desert. There are wastelanders, blue jackets, and even old popsicles from two hundred years ago.

  How to deal with the relationship between different groups, use limited resources to solve the needs of each group, let people unite instead of fighting in contradictions... The problems that need her to solve will be as high as a hill.

   However, Chu Guang is quite confident in this guy.

   Leaving aside her resume, she can basically pass the "dungeon" of Honey Badger City with the debuff of her bloodline, and she has basically graduated from herself.

   It's just that every time he thinks of this, Chu Guang can't help but wonder.

   Lu Bei, who has been with him for so long and is so close, should have gained some knowledge, but it turned out to be the same.

   Apart from admiring himself more than before, this young man has not changed at all.

  Chu Guang doesn't hate this loyal young man. Loyalty is a valuable quality, but unfortunately, he still has a long way to go before he can become an independent pillar.

   Originally, Chu Guang wanted to release him as the corps commander of the Alliance's 3rd Corps, but now it seems that the Guard Corps is more suitable for him.

   Looking back from Teresa's body, Chu Guang looked at Rama.

   "I said that I will explain the specific work to you today."

   "The alliance intends to set up a new corps. This corps is mainly engaged in search and reconnaissance tasks. It is positioned as a special operation. It will be stationed in the great desert for a long time and conduct activities based on the pioneer city."

"You will be the leader of this corps. Your task is not only to search for survivors in the ruins and destroy the mutant tribe, but also to recruit reliable partners from the rescued survivors, teach them how to use weapons, Encourage them to join your cause."

   After a pause, Chu Guang continued.

"Like Teresa said, inexperience is never a problem with me, people never show up... I hope to see an excellent corps commander and a group of experienced soldiers by this time next year. Soldiers."

   The right fist hit his chest, Rama said solemnly.

   "I will definitely live up to your expectations!"

  Chu Guang smiled, looked at the brave girl and nodded, then turned his attention to the tents of the survivors in the distance.

   "Those who choose to stay with you."

   "Just don't live up to their expectations."

  …

   Chu Guang originally planned to ask Rama for his own opinion on what this newly established corps was called, but he himself was at a loss to make up his mind.

  In the end, the troublesome task of naming was thrown back into Chu Guang's hands.

   really didn’t have any good ideas, and he didn’t want to waste time on trivial issues, so he simply opened a polling thread on the forum to solicit players’ opinions.

   What surprised Chu Guang was that the players were enthusiastic about the things he thought was troublesome, and they all came up with ideas for him.

   It’s just that the name is varied.

  What the 11th Space Marine Corps and the Order of the Sisters of Battle have popped up... What do these guys think of the Alliance?

   In the end, Chu Guang picked a name that was more reliable and easier to remember, and simplified it according to the names of other corps in the alliance.

   "...How about the Thorns?"

  The Thorns...

   Repeatedly reciting the name in his mouth, Rama suddenly seemed to have received some kind of inexplicable revelation, or inspiration.

   She pressed her right fist to her chest and said in a solemn voice.

   "Thanks to the manager for the name."

   It seemed that she was very satisfied with the name.

  Chu Guang nodded and said happily.

   "Then it's decided."

  In this way, the Thorns Corps was officially established.

  From the wilderness, they will choose like-minded partners from the rescued survivors.

   Of course, the Thorns Corps, like other NPC Corps, welcomes players who are interested in the Great Desert to join.

  …

   Shortly after Chu Guang explained the specific work of the Thorns Corps to Rama, Captain Adria finally woke up from his deep sleep.

   Shaking her head with a splitting headache, Adria grabbed her own guard and said with spittle stars flying.

   "...Where's Chu Guang? The manager of the alliance...you go and call him and say I have something important to discuss with him!"

   Looking at the officer who had not sobered up yet, the guard said with tears in his eyes.

   "Sir, the alliance's airship is ready to anchor. I saw their manager is next to the pod... If you sleep for a while, you probably won't be able to see him."

   Hearing this, Adria was instantly stunned, and the wine instantly woke up.

   "Retract the anchor?"

   The guard nodded.

   "Well... I heard that they plan to go back to the River Valley Province."

   "Take me there!"

   Looking at Adria who rolled over and got out of bed, the guard was stunned for two seconds, then responded quickly.

"Yes!"

   Not taking care of washing up, Adria put on her coat and went out the door, jogging all the way, and finally found Chu Guang before the Heart of Steel put away the anchor chain.

   This guy drank a lot yesterday, and there was a strong smell of alcohol all over his body, causing Chu Guang to frown and step back.

   It is said that this guy has enough nerves, and he dared to get drunk in the enemy camp before half a month after the ceasefire agreement was signed.

   was busy explaining the work of the new settlement and the corps just now, and he almost forgot about this guy.

"Hiccup—thank you for your hospitality," rubbing her puffy eyes, Adria managed to cheer herself up, in order to make herself look less sloppy, then she cleared her throat vigorously, "Next time I have a chance, I'll treat you to a drink. Two cups."

   Looking at this guy's drunken appearance, Chu Guang teased.

   "You're welcome, as long as you don't feel embarrassed, you can stay here tonight."

   Still feeling embarrassed, Adria coughed dryly with a blushing face, and continued, "I have a proposal."

  Chu Guang: "Speak."

   Adria said quickly.

   "Your camp is so big, and now another group of people has left, so many barracks are empty, why don't you lend us a few?"

The soldiers of the alliance have been expanding the camp before, and many barracks are left there after they are built. The living facilities are not to say how complete they are, but at least they have water and electricity, and it must be more comfortable to live in than the broken tents they carry on their airships. .

  It is November now, and winter has entered the northern hemisphere. Even if this year is a warm winter by convention, it will snow in December at the latest.

   Especially considering the specific heat capacity of sand, the night temperature in the great desert is as low as minus ten degrees, and living in that kind of linen tent might freeze to death…

   Looking at Captain Adria who looked embarrassed, Chu Guang did not embarrass him and asked casually.

"How much do you want?"

   "One hundred rooms..."

   Seeing that Chu Guang's eyes gradually became weird, Adria quickly explained, "Of course, I don't borrow your house for nothing... I will pay! How about paying in dinars?"

   Looking at Adria who hastily explained, Chu Guang couldn't help but laugh.

   If it were replaced by ordinary wastelanders, or a smaller settlement of survivors, these big noses would have already started to grab it, where would they negotiate to pay.

   This look of bargaining really doesn't look like those officers with a nose bridge.

   "Pay? What's the use of me asking for dinars."

   Looking at Captain Adria, who was still trying to win, Chu Guang suddenly moved in his heart and continued, "Let your governor talk to me, I can't tell you."

   Seeing that things were still turning around, Adria, who had just fallen to the bottom, was overjoyed and said immediately.

   "Okay! Just wait for me!"

   "You better hurry up," Chu Guang glanced at the time on the VM and said briefly, "We plan to leave at noon."

  …

Without spending too much time in the Alliance camp, Captain Adria immediately returned to the camp next to the Adjudicator airship, and contacted Governor Cohen, who was waking up from the luxurious 100-square-meter bedroom, through the ship's correspondent, and reported him and Difficulties for all officers.

   In a simple sentence, the fault of the Adjudicator is not small, and it will take a lot of time to repair it completely. If nothing else, more than a thousand people would have to spend the winter in the desert.

  Although food and drink can be brought from the Falcon Kingdom, safety is a problem that can never be solved.

  Especially, the Enlightenment is watching in the dark, and no one can guarantee that the mice in the gutter will be killed.

After listening to the difficulties of Captain Adria, Cohen had no choice but to bite the bullet and send a communication request to Chu Guang, expressing his hope to rent some of the barracks in the camp and provide them to Willan who was stranded in the great desert special people.

   However, after hearing Chu Guang's offer, Cohen couldn't hold back his spray.

   "100 silver coins a day for a room?! Are you crazy?"

   Looking at Cohen in the hologram, Chu Guang said without blushing.

   "The whole Dawn City is at this price. Of course, if you rent it monthly, I can also give you a 10% discount."

  This is certainly not the price of Dawn City.

   Take the Highway Town Hotel in Dawn City as an example, the cheapest room is even less than 10 silver coins a day.

   However, this did not prevent him from taking the falsely reported price and slamming the Willantes hard.

  Chu Guang knew very well that even if he doubled his offer, it would definitely be more cost-effective than building a camp in the desert.

   If nothing else, just talk about a fresh water supply problem, the current situation of the Willante is almost unsolvable.

  If you want to drill a well in the great desert to get water, you must at least drill a well that is 100 meters deep. With the current industrial capacity of the Falcon Kingdom, unless they bring the drilling equipment from the west of the great desert, there is no way.

   pinched his sore brows, Cohen said with a headache.

   "...Where the **** am I going to get your broken coins...Is there a silver mine?"

   "That's not necessary," Chu Guang waved his hand. "Although we use silver coins, we are not on the silver standard. Can you understand?"

   Cohen stared at Chu Guang fiercely and said word by word.

   "What the **** do you want? The big deal is we-"

  Chu Guang coughed lightly and interrupted him.

"The town of Bicester needs fresh water. I plan to rent a water supply section from the nearest embankment in Oasis No. 2, and then build a water pipeline to the town of Bicester to solve the problems of domestic and industrial water for local residents. ... ten years, how about one million silver coins?"

   paused, then he added a sentence.

"Of course, we can actually transfer water from Oasis No. 3, but the cost of 170 kilometers of pipelines is too expensive compared to Oasis No. 2 right next to it. After ten years, we will pay you according to the water consumption. Money, what do you think?"

   This is his design with reference to the Petra Fortress.

  According to the description of several players of the White Bear Knights, the fresh water resources there are purchased from the nearest river embankment, and payment is made according to the water consumption.

   However, Cohen didn't know the market when he first arrived, and he didn't necessarily know the production capacity of a water supply section. Chu Guang didn't talk to him about the water consumption, and rented it directly by time.

   In fact, the "maximum" production capacity of a water supply section can supply one million cubic meters of fresh water a year, which is equivalent to half the water volume of Poyang Lake.

   Ten years is enough for him to build an underground lake out of thin air in the desert.

   As for the remaining energy of the embankment?

   That kind of thing the **** knows.

  The fresh water produced by the river embankment is like the oil buried under the feet of a few big dogs in reality. It is not rare that it is pumped every day. Anyway, it is finished when it can be used.

  In any case, it is also a seawater desalination device powered by nuclear fusion. After all, it can’t be used up in a mere ten years.

   As Chu Guang expected, Cohen's focus was not on how much fresh water a water supply section could produce.

   After staring at Chu Guang for a long time, a most insignificant question suddenly popped out of his mouth.

   "Do I still have to pay for the water pipe repairs?"

  Chu Guang coughed.

   "That's useless."

   Forget about using the faucet in someone else's house, and let others help him fix the water pipe, he can't do that kind of immoral thing.

   Cohen didn't speak for a long time, but he was thinking in his heart.

  Ten years…

   As soon as this agreement was signed, the fresh water supply of Bicester Town was in his hands. If the Alliance wanted to attack him one day, he only needed to twist the water, and the Alliance would definitely be submissive.

   As for renting a water supply section for one million silver coins, he doesn't really care whether the price is expensive or cheap.

  There are at least eight water supply sections on a river bank, and even if one is rented to the Alliance, it will not be a problem, not to mention that it is the asset of the vassal state.

With a reluctant look on   's face, Cohen nodded.

   "Deal! But I have to declare first that the price of renting the campsite and other expenses must also be written in this contract!"

   There is currently no stable trade relationship between the two parties. He doesn't want the alliance to increase the rent of the camp to zero as soon as he agrees.

   That's not to mention one million silver coins, even ten million, or even one hundred million can't stand it.

  Chu Guang smiled and nodded.

   "No problem, but... I also have to warn you before signing the contract."

  Cohen narrowed his eyes at him.

   "What to remind."

   "The Willantes are in our camp and must obey our laws and regulations, including robbery, theft, and..."

Seeing that the big nose's face was not good-looking, Chu Guang saved him a little face, and said in a very soft voice, "And all behaviors that are not allowed in a civilized society are regarded as crimes on the land of the alliance. If it happens In the event of unpleasant things, we will not make excuses because of your nose, and we will punish the perpetrators in accordance with the laws of the alliance."

   "So if you don't want a diplomatic dispute, or even more serious consequences, you'd better spend some time restraining your subordinates."

   Cohen stared at Chu Guang with a dark face.

   "You don't need to say this, I will do it naturally!"

  Chu Guang nodded and said with a smile.

   "That could not have been better."