Chapter 802: Establishing Authority! (Wishing Book Friends a Happy New Year's Day)

Zhao Linfeng saw everyone agreeing and couldn’t help but smile.

“Great, the Southern Alliance is established today, but a group without a leader is chaotic. I need you all to nominate someone as the Alliance Leader to lead us in defeating the zombie horde! Self-nomination is also welcome; any brothers willing to take this on? Of course, ladies are welcome too!”

With that, he gave a polite smile to Liu Shanshan.

Liu Shanshan squinted, not being the delicate type, and responded bluntly to the teasing: “I can’t handle so many stinky guys. Whoever you like, pick them!”

“Such a big operation, who can manage it? I don’t have that capability!”

“If I had the skills, I’d be merging myself…”

“My shelter only has a hundred people, now gathering together to over a thousand. Xiaozhao, why don’t you take charge? With the Iron Wall Safety Camp having more people, you also have relatively more experience.”

Bai Baoliang suggested Zhao Linfeng, looking like he was discussing the matter objectively.

“You act, I act, everyone acts, you guys continue acting. Anyway, I’ve thrown off the burden, no opinion on who leads, it anyway won’t be me. I’m off to inform my brothers, goodbye!”

Su Yanxing from Dawn, while cleaning his ears, stood up, taking his two life-and-death brothers with him out of the hall.

He couldn’t stand it anymore, with 400-500 thousand zombies pressing from the south, yet the leaders in the main camp weren’t hurriedly discussing strategies, and were more concerned with power consolidation. While merging is indeed beneficial for fighting the horde, the blatant approach is distasteful.

The people present silently watched Su Yanxing and his two companions head to the conference room door, no one spoke, no one stopped them, but no one followed suit. Perhaps one is noble, uninterested in power; others have their own calculations.

“Oh, sorry, almost forgot. I bet the crown of this new leader will get placed on your head, Alliance Leader Zhao — congratulations in advance.”

At the door, Su Yanxing turned around, gave a formal bow to Zhao Linfeng, a final show of decorum.

Zhao Linfeng had no anger towards such underhanded praise, he also bowed in return, collected and accepting: “Thank you for the support.”

Bang, the conference room door shut, atmosphere turned subtle.

After Bai Baoliang nominated Zhao Linfeng as the leader, no one spoke again, their attitude neither supportive nor opposing, just dragging on.

“I propose Brother Zhao as the leader of the Southern Alliance, because it seems none of you have the urge to step forward, so what’s the point of the hesitation, right?”

Ding Wei suddenly spoke, bluntly revealing the hidden thoughts after clearing the fog.

This is his opportunity; grasping it could ascend him to a higher position. With a new alliance of over a thousand people, leading a department alone would be more prestigious than the Absolute Justice leader!

Cough, cough.

The room echoed with coughs and throat-clearing sounds, obviously trying to mask the awkwardness.

“I think this brother made a valid point, why are we hesitating? Old Fan, do you want to become the leader? Or is it you, Brother Jiang? What about you, Shanshan?”

The leader of Steel Guard stood up, pointing each person out, and seeing no one answering, shrugged hands: “Frankly, I am somewhat reluctant to let Elder Zhao become this leader, but I am aware of my limits, so that’s it!”

Zhao Linfeng saw the timing was ripe, returned to his seat, lit a cigarette: “Folks, I know relinquishing control suddenly feels uncomfortable. I’ll take on this burden temporarily as a leader! During our resistance against the north-advancing zombies, I hope for everyone’s full support, managing your own teams. Once we’ve passed this hard part, we’ll reevaluate who is best suited as the leader, how about that?”

Zhao Linfeng wants to be the leader, but he genuinely aims to solve the zombie problem as well, knowing that unresolved risks would hinder stable camp development, and compromise his leadership!

“That sounds quite good.”

“Let’s do it this way; you should manage well.”

“Congratulations, Alliance Leader Zhao.”

The stance has been set sufficiently, not descending would feel pointless. Everyone nodded, agreeing to Zhao Linfeng’s suggestion.

“Alright, since everyone already accepted me as interim leader, handling the northward zombie horde falls on my shoulders — now, we need to discuss the first matter!”

Zhao Linfeng gave no time to breathe, slamming a hand on the conference table, his expression serious.

Upon hearing this, everyone stopped being carefree, sat straight; mergers, naming, leader election were all playful. Zombie dealing is serious business.

“Folks, with our ten-unit merger into the Southern Alliance, total population reaches beyond 1400, combatants over 300 — we’re indeed strong, with no logistical worries, but why is it only us facing this zombie horde, just because we’re closest to it?”

When asking, several faces showed complex expressions. Point one: Zhao Linfeng can precisely assess each force’s population and combatants, indicating some calculations…

But since agreeing to merge, prior matters were disregarded.

Everyone had thought of relocation, but wherever one goes, if local zombies aren’t cleared, outcome remains the same.

Either face zombies, or face local forces already clear-and-strong…

“Elder Zhao, from your words, do you plan to lead us in relocation?”

Steel Guard’s former leader furrowed brows and asked.

The south initially wasn’t just them, other survivor organizations existed, opting for distant relocation to avoid zombies. Since these individuals stayed, they decided to solve the issue and continue rooting in Qin City.

“I’m not suggesting relocation, but why must only our Southern Alliance bear this clear calamity of Qin City? Lu County, north Qin City, Qing County, and Mountain and Sea District, why should they sit back carefree behind us?”

Angry and pounding the table, Zhao Linfeng with more emotion.

Beyond the gathered former leaders, their core members frowned too, having considered — yet never discussed or resolved — the issue, now demanded a result.

“Alliance Leader Zhao seems to mean we should contact other survivor camps for joint resistance against zombies?”

Liu Shanshan spoke, no longer crossing her legs, back to regular sitting.

“Exactly!” Zhao Linfeng slammed the table again, stood: “Others combined are no fewer than us, no reason to hide and not contribute — either leave, or cooperate! We need to contact all sides; this matter…”

With those words, Zhao Linfeng glanced, directly at Ding Wei sitting replacing Han Siyuan beside the conference table!

“Younger Brother Ding, you’re ambitious, I’m willing to place you in a key role in the Southern Alliance, but you’re fresh without achievements or battle records, wouldn’t moving with Younger Brother Huo and contacting survivors in Qin City, Qing County, and Mountain and Sea District be better?”

Water Bear leader Huo Jinggang lifted eyelids, didn’t immediately respond, calmly looking at an apparently surprised Ding Wei.

“I…” Ding Wei felt the teasing gazes around, face darkened: “Firstly, I don’t decline this task, but Alliance Leader Zhao, are you sure I’m suitable? I just clarified, I have significant misunderstandings with Qin City Survivor Alliance, Apocalypse Corps in the north. If I negotiate, I fear effort would be ineffective!”

This was blatant targeting; Ding Wei didn’t expect timely help for Zhao Linfeng, but was now being used for establishing authority.

Moreover, it’s claimed to aid him in gaining merits for future rightful senior role in Southern Alliance…

Ding Wei boiled with anger, tempted to stab Zhao Linfeng twice!

Why including the Water Bear leader is clear; it’s the smallest group, easiest to squeeze.