After lunch, before the Logistics and Supply Section had sent anyone, Liu Yiwu arrived in person.

The Command's second-in-command coming out to the camp himself — Shen Cong found it both gratifying and concerning in equal measure. Gratifying because it confirmed the Six-Horned Dragon kill had produced the intended strategic impact. Concerning because Liu Yiwu was, by any measure, a formidable operator.

"On the question of your military status — my personal preference remains that you retain your rank and serve formally. Since you've made clear that's not what you want, I'm prepared to consider a compromise." Liu Yiwu had arranged the conversation privately.

"What kind of compromise?"

"You've seen how the camps work — companies and independents, semi-autonomous, living outside the formal structure. Since that's the life you want, and since I can't persuade you otherwise and can't responsibly ignore you, there's a middle path. You retain your military rank, you're formally integrated into the operational order, and you serve the Command in the role of camp administrator. You continue living more or less as you do now. How does that sound?"

"What's the actual difference?"

"The 31st Group Army is relocating its garrison to Pizhou City. Xinyi City will be designated as a camp — positioned between the Linyi City and Luoma Lake radiation center zones, it will develop quickly. We need a capable figure anchoring it, maintaining order and stability. I believe you're suited to that responsibility."

"Xinyi City." Shen Cong raised an eyebrow. Administrator like Sun Kai — that was a reasonable cover identity. He shook his head anyway. "I don't know how to manage anything. I have no interest in managing anything."

"You'd be a figurehead. We'd have dedicated staff handling day-to-day camp administration. Your actual obligation would be to intervene when significant disputes or conflicts arise that require force to resolve. Otherwise, your time is your own — as long as you stay within the Command's basic regulations, you operate exactly as you would running a company or working as an independent. In practice, the difference is minimal."

Liu Yiwu's soft approach, reduced to…