The first day at the trading market was bustling, but by the second day, the sales had dropped considerably, down to eight hundred thousand.

By the third day, it was directly halved again, down to three hundred and fifty thousand.

After all, the population of Dawn City wasn't large enough, and the funds in the hands of these adventurers were limited. Moreover, most had completed their purchases and left, likely leading to a market gap.

Only when people from other survivor bases arrive and commerce starts to flow, will Dawn City's sales increase.

Some survivor organizations within Divine Dragon Province, seeing Dawn City selling arms, crystal cores, and mutant beast meat, all got in touch with Dawn City through various means, indicating they would be sending people to purchase soon.

Ye Fan learned from some survivors who arrived from various places that there were quite a few sizable survivor organizations within Divine Dragon Province.

Among them, the smaller ones had a few hundred or thousand people, while the larger ones had tens or even hundreds of thousands, with two boasting over thirty thousand people, amounting to several dozen bases.

As for the scattered small groups and adventurer squads, there were even more. After all, Divine Dragon Province was vast, and these people were dispersed across the province, making them not particularly noticeable.

However, only a small portion was in contact with Dawn City. The majority couldn't receive television broadcasts or signal from radio stations, and might not even be aware of these matters.

Despite only a portion being in contact, Ye Fan was still confident that as the weather improved and transportation became easier, he would soon make a lot of money, enough to arm the entire brigade.

Unfortunately, such good days could only be imagined. An unexpected snowstorm utterly changed everything.

As it was already late February, another heavy snow fell upon Divine Dragon Province, drastically dropping the initial twenty-degree temperature to below thirty degrees.

The continuous heavy snow blanketed the mountains and blocked the roads for two consecutive days and nights, with nearly a meter of snow accumulated on the ground, significantly hindering Dawn City's construction efforts.

Luckily, Ye Fan had accumulated some money recently, and had established two thermal power plants in succession, ensuring electricity while providing heating so the survivors within the city wouldn't freeze.

However, the disadvantages brought by the snow were evident: the other survivors who initially planned to come to Dawn City now all backed out.

In this weather, the roads were impassable, and even without zombies, one would freeze to death in the wild.

Other bases lacked the favorable environment and heating of Dawn City. Survival itself was a problem for them, let alone engaging in trade.

A significant number of adventurers who had initially left after buying items returned, and those within the city ceased buying equipment, causing the trading market to stagnate.

.....

Standing by the window of the official residence, Ye Fan looked at the light snow still fluttering after two days, feeling somewhat troubled.

Such weather, with its northwestern winds and light snow, was known as "white hair wind" in the North, also called "smoky bubbles," a weather in which not even ghosts would venture out.

Glancing at the thermometer, the daytime temperature was minus 38 degrees Celsius.

At night, it dropped directly to minus 45 degrees.

While it was certainly safe, with no zombies attacking the city, the market had come to a halt.

Today's turnover was just over ten thousand gold, selling only two crystal cores.

Moreover, judging from this weather, the climate might persist for a while, possibly not warming before mid-March.

"This won't do. Without income, development will be slow, and Guo Zhun over there clearly won't give me much longer."

Ye Fan knew that after the alliance meeting on Guo Zhun's side, he might have to confront him.

By then, if Guo Zhun wished to dominate Divine Dragon Province, eliminating Ye Fan would be a necessary step.

Previously, he had over 2.4 million funds on hand, but after building the power plants and suddenly constructing ten barracks, he was left with just over 1.3 million.

This amount was clearly insufficient to contend with the Liberation Army.

In Ye Fan's mind, only with an additional ten million could he ensure a victory against the Liberation Army, making that his goal.

"Since traders can't come, I have no choice but to go out."

This thought circled in Ye Fan's mind for two days before he finally made up his mind.

He opened the vehicle page and produced two more Night Hawk helicopters.

These were transport helicopters he intended to use to load goods, then head to all the bases looking to purchase supplies and sell the goods.

He already had two of these aircraft, both upgraded to three-star, but those were for carrying people, and more transport capacity was needed.

One hundred thousand gold was quickly spent, and two new helicopters appeared.

Ye Fan called Zhuge Yunxue to load the prepared goods onto the aircraft with her people.

Box by box, bullets, shells, grenades, pistols, rifles, machine guns, rocket launchers, flamethrowers, night vision goggles — whatever could be loaded was loaded.

Mutant beast meat was also packed in many bags, loaded onto the aircraft, as there was no concern about spoilage in this cold weather.

As for crystal cores, Ye Fan carried them with him, packing them into the commander's knapsack.

In no time, all items were loaded onto the helicopter, and the personnel of the Guard Company assembled.

The soldiers wore thick cotton clothes, goggles, and had hand warmers inside their clothes for effective warmth.

Ye Fan was also fully equipped and came to the courtyard of the official residence.

The four Night Hawk helicopters were lined up and parked in the courtyard, their black bodies looking impressive.

Ye Fan asked Zhuge Yunxue beside him, "Have you gotten in touch with the other survivors?"

"I contacted a few bases, all quite large within the province, and they said if we're willing to deliver, they'll accept the goods."

Ye Fan nodded. This kind of talk is likely reliable, but it's always wise to stay cautious.

Due to the Liberation Army's situation these days, many people in the province want to defect over, while he himself doesn't get along with the Liberation Army. Such matters can't be hidden.

It's possible someone will foolishly try to please Guo Zhun by making a move against him.

Ye Fan looked at the procurement list once more and even saw Hai Shan Wei's Rikov's name.

"Hai Shan Wei, procuring one hundred heavy machine guns, two hundred portable anti-aircraft missiles, three thousand night vision devices, various uniforms and helmets, various light and heavy machine gun ammunition, ten tons of Mutant Beast Meat....."

Looking at this list, Ye Fan doubted whether Rikov really had that much money.

But this is the biggest order; if completed, he could earn several million in one go.

There's also Li Yuntian from Oil City. The Storm Army had one plane shot down by him earlier, which strained relations, yet they too humbled themselves to procure, and quite a lot.

But in such places, unless absolutely necessary, he wouldn't easily venture there.

Thinking it over, Ye Fan said, "Let's not rush with those big bases. Now that we have spy satellites, let's visit all large bases within the province and strive to sell more goods."

Zhuge Yunxue nodded, "The commander is right. Many bases have communication difficulties. They may have heard our broadcast but couldn't respond. We should reach out to them, whether to gather funds or take in survivors, we should go see."

Ye Fan nodded and stood to board the airplane first. Behind him, Xiaotian followed closely, and Dark Clouds folded its wings to squeeze into the cabin.

Then came Zhuge Yunxue, sniper Zhao Ming, and Magnetic Storm Infantry Udyr, all accompanying Ye Fan as elite forces.

Also, He Xiaoting, now the deputy director of the field hospital, specially returned to Ye Fan's side as the medic.

And then the Guard Company's troops, mostly Three-Star special forces soldiers, ensuring the strongest combat power is part of the Guard Company.

The Guard Company differs from other companies, having five platoons, each with twenty-four people, plus Zhuge Yunxue and a couple of cooks, totaling one hundred thirty people.

All boarded the first and second aircraft, while the other two were for cargo.

As Ye Fan gave the order to depart, the four helicopters began stirring massive air currents, snowstorm unwinding across the official yard.

One by one, the helicopters consecutively took off, leaving Dawn City.

Once the aircraft reached several hundred meters high, they headed towards Lin City to the northwest first.

.......

As Ye Fan's helicopter took off, within no time, someone communicated the news of his departure.

Dawn City now boasted a population of over two hundred thirty thousand, making comprehensive monitoring impossible. This individual employed carrier pigeons instead—primitive yet discreet.

By dusk, Guo Zhun in Ice City received news of Ye Fan's departure from Dawn City.

Instantly, Guo Zhun was thrilled. To him, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

In Dawn City, Ye Fan faced no fear whatsoever; no one posed a threat to him.

Even when Guo Zhun amassed fifty fighter jets, he dared not recklessly challenge Dawn City.

However, now that Ye Fan had left his safe haven, the situation was no longer under his control.

He decided to act, aiming to eliminate Ye Fan. Doing so would allow him to unify Divine Dragon Province unimpeded.

Once the entire province was unified, he would be able to contact a large base city he desired openly.

That city was reportedly massive, led by domestic nobility.

As long as Guo Zhun unified the province, he could earn a noble title.

The only obstacle was Ye Fan.

"Have we determined where Ye Fan went?"

His subordinate replied, "Only knowing the four helicopters went northwest. Specific location is unknown, but judging from recent broadcasts and TV content, he's likely selling equipment."

"Hmph! That money-grubber, what's even the point if he doesn't sell for one day? I truly don't understand why he foolishly wants so much gold and silver jewelry."

His subordinate strategist chuckled, "Leader, it's called dying for money, like birds dying for food. This benefits us, doesn't it?"

Guo Zhun nodded, "Correct. Nonetheless, even if he's left the base, for us to succeed, we must track his movements. Issue orders accordingly; have scouts prepared throughout the province. Anytime Ye Fan arrives at a base, immediately report to me. Once I track his movements multiple times, I can anticipate his next steps and lay plans ahead."

"Alright, I'll go instruct them now."

His subordinate strategist promptly went to arrange it, with Guo Zhun long rooted in Ice City and deeply entrenched in Divine Dragon Province without suffering continuous zombie city attacks like Ye Fan. This gave him ample time to place personnel, including within Dawn City, where many of his men were lurking.

He stood in his bedroom, in front of a large map.

Not only covering the entire Divine Dragon Province but also surrounding areas; Hai Shan Wei was clearly marked.

Numerous locations on the map were marked with red dots.

Each red dot represented a survivor base, complete with his planted agents.

Using these clues, he intended to deduce Ye Fan's route.

Once he accurately mapped the route, an air force could be dispatched for a decisive strike against Ye Fan, leaving Dawn City!

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