Apocalyptic Hoarding Diary

He said he had to go back to his unit for training at other times. This statement was made very casually, but it contained a lot of information.

He wasn't there specifically to be a "housekeeper" for these fifty people; he had his own responsibilities, his own training tasks, and his own identity as a soldier.

These fifty people were just the "people he was assigned to manage," an extra task he needed to take care of between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.

The rest of the time, he was in the army, on the training field, doing what he was really supposed to be doing.

This means that there is no one on-site to manage the eleven hours between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.

No one will be watching them, no one will tell them what to do or not to do, and no one will appear immediately when they encounter problems.

In a sense, they are free, or rather, they are free to be left on this mountaintop and rely solely on themselves.

The statement that anyone who is absent at roll call time will be forcibly relocated is more severe than any of the previous statements, and everyone understood the unspoken implication.

That other place must not be a good place at all; it's probably a more miserable, more remote, and less cared-for place.

Sergeant Wu made no threats or intimidation; he was simply stating a consequence. But it was precisely because of this that it sent chills down people's spines.

Xu Xiaoyan stood in the middle to back of the group, with the hood of her windproof jacket pulled down over her head and the brim drawn low, revealing only half of her face.

She didn't think she was the type to accumulate three absences, but she knew that not everyone could do that.

No one in the group spoke.

Sergeant Wu stood there, silent for a few seconds, making sure everyone heard him, then turned around, said "Keep up close," and started walking.

The group started from the foot of the mountain and climbed up a narrow path carved out by the rain. On both sides were dense bushes and weeds, which had turned black from the rain.

The higher we went, the cooler the air became, and the soil under our feet changed from sticky mud to soft, humus-rich woodland soil. The path became narrower and narrower, and the line of people stretched out longer and longer.

Sergeant Wu led the fifty men for about an hour and a half before finally reaching the assigned hilltop.

Xu Xiaoyan checked the time; her watch showed 1 p.m.

She originally thought that Sergeant Wu would leave once he led the team to the foot of the mountain.

After all, he made it very clear on the hillside that he was only responsible for roll call at 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., and that he would be going back to the unit for training at other times.

It's already 1 p.m., and he should leave these people here and go back to report for duty.

Upon arriving at their destination, Sergeant Wu explained that it was the first day, so he would stay until 6 p.m. before leaving.

Many people secretly breathed a sigh of relief; for this hastily assembled team, the first day was the most difficult.

I don't know where to live, where to start, or what I should or shouldn't do.

Having a person in military uniform present means they can at least answer the most crucial questions at the most critical moment.

"Everyone will receive an advance pack of compressed biscuits tonight to stave off hunger. We'll start logging tomorrow morning. Don't worry about tools; someone will deliver them."

After Wu finished speaking, he moved on to the next item on the agenda without pausing.

He speaks slowly, but his speech is very dense with information and contains absolutely no nonsense.

Each sentence is an instruction, and each instruction is related to the hunger of these fifty people tonight and their livelihood tomorrow.

"This operation is expected to take at least six months on this mountain, so it would be best if everyone found a place to stay tonight."

I saw that some people brought tents, so they camped on the mountaintop. As for those without tents, they need to make their own arrangements.

When Sergeant Wu uttered the number "six months," a low gasp of surprise rippled through the crowd.

From the moment they were assigned to this mountain, everyone knew in their hearts that this could not be a short stay of three days and two nights.

Those who brought tents can get a good night's sleep tonight.

Those who didn't bring tents should either find tree hollows, rock crevices, or build a makeshift shelter with a waterproof tarpaulin, or negotiate with those who have tents to squeeze in together.

Sergeant Wu continued, "Each person should cut down at least five logs that are at least 20 centimeters thick and at least three meters long every day."

Those who complete the task can redeem a pack of compressed biscuits. The more you do, the more you earn. It is recommended to complete the task in a team.

Xu Xiaoyan silently measured the size in her mind. One person would cut the dough, and another would carry it from the top of the mountain to the bottom, in exchange for a pack of compressed biscuits.

This is not punishment, but the most basic guarantee of life. At the same time, it is also a survival formula that is precise down to the calorie and has almost no surplus value.

The more you work, the more you earn, which means you can cut down ten or fifteen trees and exchange them for two or three packs of compressed biscuits. You can save the excess or exchange it for other things at the trading point.

Teaming up means you can cooperate with others, divide the work, some people chop, some people move, but it also means a multiplied increase in workload.

These fifty people are not independent individuals, but a temporary collective of labor that can be organized and mobilized.

Some people are asking if we can start tonight?

A voice came from the front of the line. It wasn't loud, but it asked the question that many people were thinking about.

If they can cut down trees tonight and exchange them for compressed biscuits tonight, then they won't need to "advance" their payments.

They can earn food through their own labor without owing anyone anything, which is a very noble idea.

Sergeant Wu sighed and said that the tools could only be rented tomorrow. Without the tools, the efficiency would be low and the losses would outweigh the gains.

Seemingly remembering something, Sergeant Wu added, "To prevent the lessee from running away with the logging tools and causing unnecessary losses, the lessee needs to provide goods of equivalent value in exchange."

The exchange point is located at the intersection of six mountain peaks, which is trading point number 23. Everyone can trade freely there.

After Sergeant Wu finished speaking, he stood there without saying anything more.

Some people started heading up the mountain to find the best spot to pitch their tents.

Some people stood still, looking blankly at the surrounding woods, unsure of which direction to take the first step.

People gathered in twos and threes, quietly discussing the possibility of "forming a team," testing each other's physical strength and sincerity.

Xu Xiaoyan didn't rush to move. She stood where the group had dispersed, took off her backpack, and stretched her shoulders, which were numb from the straps.

Then he looked up, walked up the hillside, and glanced towards the mountaintop.

The trees are so dense that you can't see the top of the mountain, but judging from the terrain, the slope isn't too steep.

The vegetation is mainly composed of pine trees and miscellaneous trees, and the ground is covered with a thick layer of pine needles and fallen leaves, making it soft and spongy to walk on.

If you enjoy stories about surviving the apocalypse by stockpiling supplies, please bookmark: Apocalypse Stockpiling Survival Story