Apocalypse: The Primordial Pearl Recognizes Its Master, Starting with Infinite Space

After the four were seated, Chang Chengye gestured for Han Xiaoyang to briefly recount the movements of the Shanshui Garden team and the situation he had observed.

No sooner had Han Xiaoyang finished speaking than Chang Hao, who had been holding back his excitement, couldn't contain himself any longer and blurted out, "Dad! What's there to hesitate about? Let's do it!"

"Didn't the military just send over a lot of rocket launchers, heavy machine guns, and ammunition? Let's pick a few teams that are far away and look easy to take down, concentrate our superior forces, and wipe out one or two of them with lightning speed!"

"This will weaken their strength while greatly boosting our morale! It's like 'better to cut off one finger than injure all ten!'"

He waved his arms as he spoke, giving off a rather imposing and assertive air.

A fierce glint flashed in Wang Gang's eyes. He harbored the deepest hatred for Shanshui Garden, and upon hearing this, he immediately echoed in a deep voice:

"Young Master Chang is right. The enemy's overall strength is indeed superior to ours at present. We should seize the opportunity of their dispersed advance, utilize our firepower and local numerical superiority to eliminate their manpower and close the gap. I am willing to lead the vanguard!"

Seeing that Chang Chengye did not object, Han Xiaoyang added a sinister plot: "According to observation, the flank of one of their teams is near a large shopping mall."

"There were many people in there before the apocalypse, so there must be quite a few zombies trapped inside now. We can send a team of speed-based superhumans to make some noise and lure the horde of zombies out of the mall."

"Blow up on, or at least slow down, the neighboring Shanshui Garden team that might be rushing to help, to give us more time."

Chang Chengye's gaze swept over the three men with different expressions—Wang Gang, eager to prove his son; Wang Gang, filled with hatred; and Han Xiaoyang, skilled in underhanded tactics.

He tapped his fingers slowly on the table, not immediately expressing his opinion, but instead turning his gaze to Zhang Hui, who had been silent since entering, simply listening to the report.

"Zhang Hui," Chang Chengye began, his voice unreadable, "what do you think? Is this plan feasible? Where are the risks?"

All eyes immediately turned to the secretary, who was known for her intelligence and resourcefulness.

Zhang Hui pushed up his glasses, his eyes behind the lenses calm and expressionless, but his mind was racing—he had to provide a seemingly reasonable analysis, but he couldn't let the plan succeed so easily, and he couldn't expose his connection with Lin Chen.

After pondering for a long time, he glanced at the map and slowly said:

"The plan is on the right track, and it is feasible to launch a localized surprise attack using firepower."

A smug look appeared on Chang Hao's face.

Then, Zhang Hui changed the subject, "But there are still three risks to be aware of: First, the timeliness of intelligence—has the enemy's formation changed during this period?"

"Secondly, how fast will the enemy's reinforcements arrive? And how can Captain Han guarantee the accuracy and timeliness of pulling the horde of zombies? How long will it take our team to eliminate them?"

"Third, and the biggest variable—Lin Chen himself. Where is he? If our main force launches an attack, how long will it take him to reach the battlefield? If he attacks the shelter directly or launches a counterattack, how will we respond? With his combat strength, I think there are few of us here who can match him."

He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear. Lin Chen was the biggest variable in this plan.

Chang Hao was somewhat displeased after hearing this: "So, Secretary Zhang means we're just going to watch them gradually clear out our way, until they reach our doorstep?"

Wang Gang's face was also grim: "Just because there's a risk, does that mean we should do nothing?"

Chang Chengye raised his hand to stop him, then looked at Zhang Hui: "So what suggestions do you have?"

He knew that Zhang Hui's question was correct, and that it was important to speak freely at times like these.

Zhang Hui also knew that he had to come up with a feasible plan that would satisfy Chang Chengye's desire to strike at his opponents, buy Lin Chen time and a warning, and at the same time, avoid appearing passive or suspicious.

"Change the 'annihilation campaign' to a 'harassment campaign'." Zhang Hui traced a line across the map. "Form multiple elite squads, equipped with heavy firepower, and set up ambushes at narrow intersections and high-rise windows. The goal isn't complete annihilation, but a surprise attack followed by a swift withdrawal. Simultaneously, use hordes of zombies to harass the enemy, slow their advance, and deplete their resources."

"There are four advantages to doing this: First, it diversifies risk and keeps losses under control. Second, it applies continuous pressure, exhausting and harassing the enemy. Third, it tests the enemy's support response speed and reveals more of their weaknesses; more importantly, it may force Lin Chen to show himself or expose his movement patterns."

Finally, he looked at Chang Chengye and said in a deep voice, "Accumulate advantages with small victories to lull the opponent into complacency. When they are exhausted or you find their weakness—" He emphasized the location of the Mountain and Water Garden on the map, "then deliver a thunderous blow."

The room fell silent.

Chang Hao frowned in thought, while Wang Gang weighed whether this "slicing flesh with a knife" approach was enough to vent his anger.

Han Xiaoyang felt that the plan was more meticulous and more in line with Chang Chengye's consistent style of being both cautious and ruthless.

He looked at Zhang Hui with a complicated expression, thinking to himself, "No wonder he's Mayor Chang's trusted secretary."

Chang Chengye tapped his fingers on the table again, this time with an extremely slow rhythm.

He stared at the map, seemingly weighing his options.

After a long silence, he slowly said, "Do as Zhang Hui says. Han Xiaoyang, you refine the selection of harassment points and the retreat route. Wang Gang, your men are familiar with street fighting. The main harassment force will be composed of elite troops drawn from your own forces. Remember, strike and leave immediately; no greed for credit!"

He glared at his son. "Chang Hao, you are in charge of coordinating supplies and monitoring the overall situation. You are not allowed to act without my orders! Also, during this special period, be sure to strengthen the base's defenses."

Finally, turning to Zhang Hui, he said, "Xiao Zhang, you're in charge of overall intelligence assessment. I need to see a detailed report after each operation."

"Yes!" the crowd replied and then left.

Just as Zhang Hui was about to leave the room, Chang Chengye called out to him, "Xiao Zhang, stay for a moment."

Zhang Hui's heart tightened: "Did I give myself away in some way?"

But at this moment, he dared not reveal anything and could only bite the bullet and sit down again.

Chang Chengye took out two cigarettes and handed one to Zhang Hui. Zhang Hui quickly took it with both hands, took out a lighter, lit Chang Chengye's cigarette first, and then lit his own.

Chang Chengye took a deep drag, exhaled a smoke ring, and said, "Xiao Zhang, I apologize to you. Chang Hao's mother passed away early, and I spoiled him rotten."

Zhang Hui hadn't yet realized what it meant; he was just wondering if he had given himself away somewhere.

Chang Chengye paused for a moment before continuing, "I already know about your sister's situation. As for Chang Hao, I've already scolded him. Let's leave it at that. You continue to handle your work well, and I'll ensure your mother and sister are safe."

Zhang Hui lowered his head, concealing the complex glint that flashed in his eyes.

Chang Chengye was indeed quite good to him, but his doting on Chang Hao was even more deeply ingrained. How long could his promise last?

Which of the women he introduced to Chang Hao didn't come back covered in bruises, crying to him about Chang Hao's perversion? How could he bear to let his sister be tortured like this?

Zhang Hui lowered his head and replied, trying to hide his expression: "Mayor Chang, you flatter me. I will definitely do my job well."

Chang Chengye smiled and nodded: "Yes, I believe you. Go ahead!"

"Yes."

Zhang Hui then left Chang Chengye's office.