203: House arrest

Tian Ming wanted many things, whether it was technology, technical personnel, or weapon samples; he wanted them all. But as the leader of a Shelter, Tian Ming wouldn't be foolish enough to directly provoke Life Origins Company.

Zheng Haoyu had told him that the consortium behind Life Origins was the top family on this planet, and their technology companies covered almost all visible technologies in this world.

Tian Ming was ready to stabilize these people first. Now that the world order had collapsed, if he angered them, a wave of saturation strikes could destroy the Shelter he had worked so hard on for half a year.

Turning hostile was absolutely out of the question. Before turning hostile, the entire Shelter's defense system had to be built. At least, he needed to possess the power to protect himself.

Wang Ze cautiously observed Tian Ming's expression and tentatively asked, "Mr. Lu, you want all kinds of technology, don't you? Even if we give it to you, with your Shelter's current conditions, you can't produce it."

A faint smile appeared on Tian Ming's lips. He lightly tapped the table with his fingers. As long as it was technologically feasible, there was nothing he couldn't produce. Of course, the information Wang Ze obtained might have a slight flaw; he only knew that he was very strong in combat, but he didn't know that he could create anything by hand.

After a moment, he looked up, meeting Wang Ze's eyes, and said, "You first get us a few sets of reliable energy system-related technologies to test the waters, to show me the sincerity of your Life Origins Company."

Wang Ze was stunned, thinking Tian Ming was joking. The direction of cooperation hadn't even been finalized, yet he was already asking for things and technology. How could that be reasonable?

"Mr. Lu, you might have misunderstood our intention. Cooperation is always mutually beneficial. We can first establish communication channels, then discuss the relevant details of cooperation. Finally, we can provide you with certain assistance on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. We have a spirit of contract, and this is also the fundamental reason why Life Origins can become a multinational company."

Tian Ming's lips curled into a disdainful smile: "I don't care anyway. There's no third-party supervision for our cooperation. So, details or communication channels, none of that matters. What I want are tangible things. If not things, then technical drawings, data, or even a few of your high-end talents would work."

When Wang Ze heard this, he was already cursing Tian Ming for being shameless in his heart.

"Mr. Lu, we will report your request to our superiors. At the same time, we will provide you with some basic survival supplies to express our sincerity. As for high-end talents and core technology data, that requires a decision from the company's senior management."

Tian Ming said indifferently, "Alright, then you can send your subordinates back on our helicopter to consult your superiors. We can wait here. I'll treat you well with good food and drink. What do you think?"

As soon as Tian Ming finished speaking, the Special Operations Group personnel surrounded Wang Ze and the dozen or so people he brought.

Wang Ze's face darkened. He hadn't expected Tian Ming to be so bold as to detain them.

But at this moment, he didn't dare to get angry easily, after all, his life was still in their hands. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down: "Mr. Lu, what is the meaning of this?"

Tian Ming said with a smile on his face, "It means nothing. It's a joy to have friends come from afar, so I'm preparing a little something. Let our subordinates handle the message delivery. Since Mr. Wang has come, why not stay a few more days? It's not too late to leave after things are settled."

"Mr. Lu, are you trying to put us under house arrest?"

"Don't say that. Our Shelter has a lot of good food, and even rat meat. I'll have someone prepare a table of good dishes tonight for you to have a few drinks. I don't really like drinking, so I won't join you. I think you'll give me this face, won't you?"

Before Wang Ze arrived, he had already anticipated many possibilities. But no matter how much he calculated, he never expected Tian Ming to pull this move.

Tian Ming wouldn't give him the right to refuse. Instead, he stood up directly and said, "Then it's settled. You choose two people."

Saying that, he glanced at Ji Ruping beside him and instructed, "Ji Ruping, arrange a helicopter escort to the harbor, and let them take the message back. Old Brother Wang Ze will stay here; we'll treat him well with good food and drink."

Ji Ruping naturally understood her boss's plan. Although Wang Ze was only a regional manager, he was still a leader. Keeping him would make Life Origins Company apprehensive.

Tian Ming wouldn't do a losing business. If there were benefits, he would seize them first. As for whether the other party would retaliate, Tian Ming had a clear idea, at least, there was still an Anti-Zombie Alliance.

Tian Ming didn't need to worry about the entangled interests; what he had to do was to gain enough benefits first.

Wang Ze felt helpless in his heart. At this moment, he had no other choice. He could only force a smile and accept Tian Ming's arrangements.

Tian Ming didn't care and said to Wang Ze with a smile, "Old Brother Wang, you two discuss it thoroughly first. I'll leave this place to you for now. I'll go arrange the hospitality matters for the Shelter."

As Tian Ming spoke, he gave a meaningful look to Meng Xian, who was also listening in.

Meng Xian understood and immediately followed Tian Ming out. The two left the conference room and went into Tian Ming's office.

As soon as Tian Ming sat down, Meng Xian couldn't help but ask out of curiosity, "Boss, detaining them here will probably displease Life Origins Company. The consortium behind them owns all sorts of industries, and they even deal in firearms."

Tian Ming said indifferently, "It's fine, they won't turn hostile. Zheng Haoyu told me some things about the consortium behind them. At the end of the day, they are just a bunch of profit-seeking merchants. We lack talent and technology; they have talent and technology. If they want me to do experiments, they'll have to pay a deposit first."

Meng Xian was startled and quickly said, "Boss, please don't agree. They have been researching biological mutations for so long. They definitely have ways to deal with Ability Users. If you go, it will be very dangerous."

Tian Ming looked at Meng Xian and couldn't help but laugh. Everyone in the Shelter understood that everything they had now was given by Tian Ming. If he was threatened, it meant the Shelter was threatened, so Meng Xian's concern was very normal.

Tian Ming waved his hand and said, "I'm not an idiot; how could I not know? I will absolutely not do anything I'm not confident about."

Meng Xian breathed a sigh of relief and said, "That's good, Boss. After detaining these people, what should we do next?"