Wang Chong, from Building 21

The negotiation was nothing more than a façade—a staged ambush disguised as diplomacy. As I observed from my vantage point, it became clear that the building owners had no intention of resolving this peacefully. Their smugness was palpable, bolstered by the sheer number of people they had gathered in the square.

Wang Chong, from Building 21, sneered. "See? We've already scared Jangi into hiding. He's probably gone back to change his diapers."

Chen Lingu, growing impatient, snapped, "Enough with the theatrics. Let's get Jangi out here to agree to the terms. Once he accepts, it's over."

Wang Tien Fang, from Building 26, stepped forward, his voice booming. "Where's Jangi? Bring him out now! If he keeps us waiting any longer, he's going to regret it."

Uncle Yu, calm yet firm, stood his ground. "Our boss is upstairs, waiting for you. Weren't all the building owners supposed to come for the negotiation?"

Adjusting his glasses with deliberate precision, Lien from Building 18 clarified, "We've already discussed it. The five of us will represent everyone."

Uncle Yu nodded, his expression unreadable. "Fine, but only the five building owners are allowed in, and you must consent to a search."

Chen Lingu and Wang Chong laughed mockingly. "Who does Jangi think he is, making demands at a time like this? We could wipe all of you out right now," Wang Chong taunted.

Their arrogance was insufferable, and I decided I'd heard enough. Calling Uncle Yu, I issued a single, precise order. "Have everyone retreat 20 meters."

Although puzzled, Uncle Yu complied without hesitation, leading our group back. The opposing side jeered at the sight. Wang Chong bellowed, "Don't play games with us, Jangi! Even with so few of you, our saliva alone could drown you!"

They had no idea what was coming.

From my concealed position, I blew a sharp whistle that pierced the tense air. "Here's an appetizer for you," I muttered, pulling the pin from a hand grenade. With a calculated throw, the explosive sailed through the air, landing directly in their midst.

BOOM!

The explosion shook the square, sending the building owners scattering in panic. Chaos erupted as smoke and debris filled the air. Screams echoed, and the crowd that had gathered to intimidate us now fled in every direction, terrified and disoriented.

Using the confusion to my advantage, I set up my sniper rifle, each movement precise and measured. From my elevated position, I picked off the fleeing building owners one by one. My shots were unerring, every pull of the trigger accompanied by the sharp report of the rifle.

The balance of power had shifted in an instant. What was once a unified threat had crumbled into disarray. The residents, seeing their leaders fall, were paralyzed with fear, their bravery evaporating. A headless dragon is no dragon at all.

As the grenade exploded, pandemonium broke out in the crowd. The blast made a huge 10-meter-wide crater, its rim torn apart with wreckage. Smoke curled and dissipated to show bodies lying lifeless in the square. The air was thick with terror as Uncle Yu advanced, clutching a phone that broadcast my voice.

"Think you're so great just because you've got numbers?" I said, my voice cold. "I've got 200 more boxes of grenades like this. Let's see how long you can hold out against me."

The crowd stood still, shrouded by shock. They were unable to understand where I had obtained such weapons, or what additional heavy firepower I may have. Wang Chong's eyes turned cold as he addressed the phone. "Jangi, we are here to negotiate. What you are doing is totally unacceptable."

I sneered. "Do you have to bring over a thousand people for a negotiation? Is this what you call sincerity?" I looked at my watch and went on coldly, "Less than five minutes left for the negotiation. If I don't see you within five minutes, we're finished discussing. We'll settle this by action instead.

A panic erupted. The mob knew that their chances of survival would decrease dramatically if they were to pursue the fight further. They rushed to the 13th floor in desperation.

From my position on the 13th floor, I saw them flee below like ants. "Well, after all," I grumbled, "I have only 20 boxes of grenades. Better to hold them in reserve." I waited with calculated cool for Wang Chong, Wang Tien Fang, and the others to show up. In a matter of minutes, the five representatives tumbled into the room, shaken and panting.

Glancing them over, I couldn't conceal my disappointment. I'd envisioned getting all the building owners in one place for a decisive blow, but now I was down to only five. A full sweep would have to wait—I had a second plan in reserve.

After sitting down, Lien resumed repeating their previous offer. "Mr. Jangi, we ask for materials for our laborers, and they'll give work in return. If you don't comply, the community will rally against your construction."

Not interested in their requests, I drew my pistol and banged it on the table. The sharp report startled all five representatives, their faces as white as snow with terror. Wang Chong stuttered, "Jangi, what is the meaning of this? Even if you kill us, the community won't let you go."

I smiled weakly, my voice heavy with sarcasm. "Relax, gentlemen. Why are you so jumpy? The handgun was merely in the way. I figured I'd give it some air. Now, let's pick up on this conversation."

Sitting up straight, I went on, "First of all, your ultimatum is ridiculous. Nobody can be held responsible for providing an entire community in this neighborhood. And secondly, if you've been able to maintain order among the occupants of your buildings during these bad times, you must be doing it for purposes other than charity. Don't pretend that you're selflessly going without food for the benefit of your neighbors.

Slapping the table, I went on, "Here are my conditions. If you refuse them, we have war. I'll supply food, but only for 10 people per building. Who receives this food and how it is distributed is up to you. Work it out among your own buildings."

Helplessly gesturing, I added, "To supply food for 300 people a day is already the limit I can cope with.

Chen Lingu seethed with rage, her voice escalating. "Unacceptable! Do you think we're beggars? Ten lots of supplies is not nearly enough. I have 76 survivors in my building alone, and more than 20 of my staff. How do you expect us to split this?"

Slamming the gun down on the table once more, I snarled, "It appears there's no negotiation. Let the war start."

Wang Tien Fang stepped in immediately. "Don't listen to her rubbish! She doesn't speak for all of us. But feeding just 10 people per building isn't sufficient."

Wang Chong joined in, "He's right. That won't be enough to tell the other building owners. Can't we include a bit more?"

Loading my gun, I barked, "Do you think I'm a saint? I'm already feeding 300 people a day, and you're still complaining?"

Lien tried to intervene. "Jangi, don't act rashly. Let's talk about other conditions."

Turning a deaf ear, I put my foot on the table and spoke to them icily. "Let's discuss sustainability. Scavenging for supplies won't last indefinitely. No one knows how long this snow continues to fall." I threw a bag of seeds down on the table and said, "If we wish to have stable food supplies, we need to begin planting crops."

The room went dead silent as Chen Lingu gawked at me in disbelief. "Plant crops? You have lost your mind? It is -80 outside, and it is meters of snow. Anything cannot be grown in that type of environment."

I smiled weakly. "Then dig in the snow. There's earth under it. If you want lasting development, get to work with your own hands. Supplies will run out sooner or later, even if I provided you a thousand snowmobiles. Why not start today and learn from our forebears?"

Sensing their amazed faces, I closed with, "Show me something concrete in your farm work, and I'll give you more supplies—tobacco, attire, and medical kits.

Wang Chong and Wang Tien Fang beamed with joy. "Brother Jangi," cried Wang Chong, "Can you arrange cigarettes too?"

I pulled out a pack from my pocket. "Want to give one a try?"

Their faces beamed with unadulterated happiness as each lit a cigarette. "As long as we receive cigarettes every day," they declared, "We'll accept any terms.

Lien sighed in frustration, his companions echoing his dismay. The two fools had been bought off so easily. Trying to regain control, Lien began negotiating for additional terms, but Wang Chong interrupted him.

"What's there to discuss? Jangi's terms are good enough. We'll do as he says."

"Brother Jangi has shown us great respect," Wang Tien Fang added. "We should consider his difficulties too."

Lien went white with incredulity. "It's not godlike opponents you have to fear—but pigheaded teammates.