Ye Fan did not expect to encounter a large-scale prison break by the enemy once again, but instead, he faced a delegation from a commercial alliance.

The members of this delegation were all forces from the eastern coastal region.

Among them were Yungang Base City located in Loose Province, Quan Ting Base City in Jiangnan Province, and Crescent Island in the southeast sea area.

There were also two countries, Shanshen Country and the Foot Basin Chicken, which were not particularly far from Dawn Island.

Their purpose seemed simple: to demand a unified customs policy and initiate the flow of goods.

This proposal was quite tempting for Ye Fan, as Dawn Island was merely an island and many things needed to be imported in the past.

Although Ye Fan was not entirely dependent on external forces, doing business would certainly be beneficial.

He brought his staff from the general staff to negotiate with them, hoping to achieve favorable results.

As for the Foot Basin Chicken and Shanshen Country, Ye Fan was not interested in doing business with them.

In this post-apocalyptic world, past rules held no referential value; new rules should be established by new powerholders. Ye Fan immediately demanded that forming a commercial alliance was possible, but the Foot Basin Chicken and Shanshen Country had to be excluded.

Thus, under Ye Fan's firm request, the Foot Basin Chicken and Shanshen Country had no choice but to withdraw from the commercial alliance.

Hearing this news, Ye Fan was somewhat surprised.

They just withdrew? Weren't they going to fight for it?

However, it was good that these troublemakers left; Ye Fan did not delve further.

The six negotiations turned into four. At the negotiation table, Ye Fan met other noble members of the Empire.

These were marquises or counts of the Empire, unknown to Ye Fan, and he didn't know if they were conferred by Zheng Jinnan.

Aside from Crescent Island, the other two bases were not yet at the level of base cities; Ye Fan knew of their existence but had no grievances, so he didn't bother with them.

However, that was not the main point; since these people were willing to come, Ye Fan did not refuse.

Among them, someone attempted to lure Ye Fan into becoming a noble of the Empire, but Ye Fan bluntly refused.

He didn't need this kind of empty title now; once he became a noble, wouldn't it mean he was one of them?

The negotiations lasted for two days, with both sides reaching an agreement on many issues.

It even included Ye Fan's proposal to lower the tariffs on his side, as the current Dawn Island, unlike the past Wanguo Island, required many things, thus justifying more favorable tariffs.

Initially, Ye Fan thought this condition wouldn't be accepted, but just after one day, these forces that had advocated fair trade agreed to Ye Fan's unreasonable request.

It wasn't until after signing the commercial alliance contract that Ye Fan felt things went a bit too smoothly.

However, after reviewing the contract multiple times, there was nothing disadvantageous to the Dawn Army, so Ye Fan simply signed it.

The actions of these people were swift; the previously blocked port of Dawn Island was reopened.

This island had many ports, all previously closed, but now they were unblocked, facilitating the quick realization of merchandise exchange.

These people seemed to have anticipated the success of the negotiations, as the trading fleets arrived quickly.

The first wave of transactions proceeded smoothly, with Ye Fan detecting no significant issues.

......

"Ye Fan agreed! Our ships can enter Dawn Island now!"

In Jiangzhou Base City, Zheng Jinnan and James celebrated high-fiving.

A sly smile appeared on Zheng Jinnan's face: "Ye Fan, oh Ye Fan, this kid is really cautious, immediately kicking out Shanshen Country and Foot Basin Chicken. But those two were just decoys; their involvement would be optimal, but even if not, it's fine. Ye Fan would never suspect that the three bases are already in cahoots with us."

James snorted coldly: "Ye Fan is warlike, recklessly disrupting regional balance; it's about time he gets a lesson. But the strategy we devised is indeed effective."

Zheng Jinnan nodded: "The radar on the Dawn Army's side is undoubtedly effective; any ship entering their vicinity would be immediately detected. Only by openly and legitimately passing through can we approach Dawn Island. Ye Fan would never suspect that the problem lies with these ships."

James was a bit impatient: "Duke, when should we act?"

"No rush; Ye Fan is a cautious person, so let's be prudent. Five days from now, have everyone ready to act simultaneously, ensuring the Dawn Army is sent straight to hell."

"Also, this operation must remain absolutely confidential; aside from a few of us and the leaders of those three bases, no one else should know the plan, as the Dawn Army's intelligence infiltrates various fronts extensively."

"Right, right, and it seems like the Dawn Army can intercept electronic messages; telegrams and walkie-talkies won't work."

Zheng Jinnan nodded again: "Good point, here's the plan: I'll send Level 2 Mutants out for communication tasks."

There were quite a few Level 2 Mutants in Jiangzhou, but few in whom Zheng Jinnan had full confidence.

He selected a few trusted aides and assigned them to carry out the communication mission.

One of the mutants is responsible for going to Crescent Island to make contact, this mutant's name is Meng Qinghe.

Meng Qinghe has a girlfriend who is a subordinate of Hua Wushuang, and this girl once followed Hua Wushuang to Dawn City.

Before carrying out the liaison mission, Meng Qinghe went to see his girlfriend.

"Yu'Er, I need to commute to Crescent Island for a few days, so I won't have much time to accompany you. Don't be mad at me."

The girl named Yu'Er is also a Level 2 Mutant, with a keen mind. Upon hearing this, she immediately asked, "What are you going to Crescent Island for?"

"It's nothing major, just delivering some intelligence over there."

"What intelligence is so important?"

"Well... I can't talk about it."

"Are you telling or not? You said you like me the most, yet you're hiding even this little thing from me."

"Yu'Er, this matter is confidential and truly cannot be disclosed, but rest assured, once this mission succeeds, Jiangzhou will be safe and we can celebrate peace in the future."

Yu'Er was somewhat puzzled upon hearing this but seeing that he was resolute in keeping it secret, she did not press further.

After Meng Qinghe left, Yu'Er went to Jiangzhou prison to visit Hua Wushuang.

Hua Wushuang is detained in an individual cell at Jiangzhou Base City's prison. This cell is completely made of metal, with windows of alloy steel as thick as an arm, even a Level 3 Mutant couldn't break it.

Hua Wushuang is imprisoned alone, doesn't need to do anything, has no opportunity to go outside, and nobody troubles her.

Yu'Er frequently visits Hua Wushuang, so she's quite familiar with the process.

Arriving at the cell door, Yu'Er said to the guard, "I want to say a few words privately with Miss. Can you step aside for a moment?"

The guard accompanying her was a bit troubled: "Well... the lord instructed to keep a close watch on Miss Hua."

"We're discussing women's topics. Are you sure you want to eavesdrop? Do you really think Miss being imprisoned means she'll never regain her footing? To advise you, once Miss utters a few soft words, the lord would release her; then, just with her will, who among you do you think could survive?"

The two guards looked at each other and simultaneously retreated a few steps.

Indeed, after all Hua Wushuang is Zheng Jinnan's favorite adopted daughter and the strongest war god in Jiangzhou's heart. This prison probably won't hold her for long.

From practical or emotional perspectives, neither guard wanted to offend Hua Wushuang, so they chose to withdraw.

As the guards walked twenty meters away, Yu'Er approached the cell door, quietly speaking with Hua Wushuang.

"Miss, the lord has sent Meng Qinghe to Crescent Island, claiming that once this mission succeeds, Jiangzhou can rest easy."

Inside the prison, Hua Wushuang, wearing a grey prison uniform, has a supermodel-like sense of alternative fashion despite the dull attire.

Upon hearing Yu'Er's words, Hua Wushuang immediately asked, "Any recent news from Crescent Island?"

"Yes, Crescent Island, and the Yungang Base in Loose Province, Quan Ting Base in Jiangnan Province, now established a commercial alliance with Dawn Island, oh, formerly known as Wanguo Island, now occupied by Ye Fan, they trade among themselves daily."

"Crescent Island doing business with Dawn Island?"

Hua Wushuang was startled for a moment, the information was overwhelming; nobody could quickly grasp the key points, her included.

However, Hua Wushuang realized another layer of meaning within the words.

What could make Zheng Jinnan feel secure?

Undoubtedly, it involves eliminating the Dawn Army or taking out Ye Fan.

Taking out Ye Fan isn't an easy task; if it were, Zheng Jinnan would have done it already.

Hua Wushuang couldn't figure out specifics but sharply realized the matter must be related to the Dawn Army.

Hua Wushuang pondered for a while and quietly instructed Yu'Er, "Find an opportunity to contact Ye Fan and tell him a message: Shuang'Er warns him to be cautious of Crescent Island, can you do it?"

"Rest assured, Miss, I'll certainly do it!"

Yu'Er, ever supportive of Hua Wushuang, is Miss Hua's most trusted sister, and she always obeys Hua Wushuang's word.

She agreed wholeheartedly, left the prison, and soon found a chance to leave Jiangzhou.

The best route from Jiangzhou to Dawn Island is taking a ship at Celestial River; flying is possible too, but if a plane rashly enters Dawn Island's airspace, it might be shot down, thus traveling by ship is safest.

Yu'Er sailed on the river for two days, reaching near Dawn Island on the third day.

At the docks, initially thinking getting onto the island would be taxing, she discovered the Dawn Army removed the restriction requiring introductions for island access.

Thus, Yu'Er mingled with the crowd, boarded the ship, and stepped onto Dawn Island.

Three days had already passed, she needed to find Ye Fan swiftly to brief him on the development.

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