Apocalyptic Hoarding Diary

At this moment, Commander Li had already come over after hearing the noise.

He listened calmly to Qiu Dasheng's story, then shook his head steadily and replied in a completely flat tone:

"Fellow countrymen, I deeply sympathize with your plight. However, our team has its own tasks and arrangements, and we have not received any notification to receive or resettle refugees."

Therefore, we are sorry, we cannot provide the protection and food you have requested. We hope you will make your own way and find an official shelter.

Upon hearing this, Qiu Dasheng and the men behind him immediately changed their expressions. Their pitiful demeanor vanished instantly, replaced by a defiant and arrogant attitude.

"Arrange it ourselves? If we could arrange it ourselves, would we need to ask you for help?!"

"Exactly! They call themselves the people's army, but I think they're just selfish and selfish! They'd rather let someone die than help!"

"Are you just going to stand by and watch us ordinary people starve and freeze to death? How can you live with yourselves?!"

The group started talking at once, using the most offensive language imaginable, and their voices grew louder and louder as they tried to force the group into submission through moral blackmail and foul language.

However, the surrounding soldiers all stood expressionless with their guns at the ready, as if they hadn't heard the shouts and curses, but were just watching them warily to prevent them from taking any rash actions.

Seeing that his shouting was useless, Qiu Dasheng rolled his eyes again and his gaze suddenly swept over Xu Xiaoyan and the other three people who were clearly not soldiers and were standing not far away.

As if he had seized upon some enormous incriminating evidence, he immediately pointed his finger at Xu Xiaoyan and questioned Commander Li in a shrill voice:

"What about them?! What's going on with those four?! Why are they allowed to follow the group???"

"Huh? Are they a privileged class?! Just because we have no connections or background, you treat us differently?!"

This accusation was truly malicious, instantly shifting all the blame onto Xu Xiaoyan and her group.

Before Commander Li could even explain, Xu Xiaoyan's anger flared up instantly.

She took a step forward, a slightly mocking sneer even appearing on her lips, her clear voice ringing out in the night: "Oh, sir, if that's how you see it, then that's how you interpret it."

She paused deliberately, successfully drawing everyone's attention.

"Who told the four of us to each hand over 100 kilograms of grain to the army in advance? That was the trade agreement—exchanging food for their protection. What, are you jealous?"

She spread her hands in feigned helplessness, her tone carrying a sarcastic tone that was infuriating.

"Hey, uncle, I see you guys are having a tough time too, why don't you go and raise some money?"

"One person only needs to pay 100 kilograms of grain to join the army—it's so safe! How about it, consider it?"

Xu Xiaoyan's words left Qiu Dasheng and his group speechless, their mouths agape, frozen in place.

Even some soldiers who knew the situation couldn't help but glance at him sideways, barely suppressing their laughter.

This combination of offense and defense not only made it clear that the four were not "freeloading," but also put the other side in a difficult position by setting conditions that they absolutely could not meet, directly shattering Qiu Dasheng's "privilege theory" and moral blackmail.

Faced with Commander Li's firm refusal and Xu Xiaoyan's veiled retort, Qiu Dasheng and his group were speechless for a moment, their faces turning pale and then red.

They clearly hadn't expected this team to be so unyielding; they'd tried everything, both gentle and forceful, to no avail.

After a brief standoff, Qiu Dasheng steeled himself, tore off the last bit of pretense on his face, and started acting like a rogue.

He stiffened his neck and shouted at Commander Li's back, "I don't care! What grain? I don't have any!"

We're sticking with you! Wherever you go, we'll follow. Let's see what you can do to us!

After saying that, he actually slumped to the ground and lay down, adopting a "dead pig doesn't care about boiling water" attitude.

Seeing this, the dozen or so men, women, and children he brought looked at each other and followed suit, lying down on the spot, closing their eyes and pretending to sleep, trying to force the group to submit in this rascal way.

Commander Li didn't even turn his head completely; he merely glanced coldly at the haphazardly scattered mess on the ground out of the corner of his eye, let out a barely audible snort, and showed no surprise on his face.

He couldn't be bothered to waste words with these people and simply turned around and walked back to the center of the camp.

He beckoned to his adjutant and gave clear and swift instructions, his tone devoid of any emotional fluctuation:

"No need to drive them away, let them follow. Pass down the order that everyone will be on a forced march tomorrow. The mess hall should prepare dry rations that can be eaten on the go. Tomorrow, cook without stopping."

He paused, his gaze sharpening as he looked in the direction of Qiu Dasheng and his group, before continuing:

"Tomorrow's march will be fast and long. Emphasize to the rear guard that their mission is to ensure the safety of the rear of the column."

If these people cannot keep up or encounter any danger on the road, we will not be responsible, and they will bear all consequences themselves.

"In addition," Commander Li added, "inform Xu Xiaoyan and the other four young people in advance so they can be mentally prepared. They have a whole day of walking tomorrow, so please take care of the injured girl."

Tell her brother that if she can't carry it, we can arrange for a soldier to help carry it in turns, and make sure she can keep up with the pace of the group.

His intention was clear: to use high-intensity marches to naturally eliminate this group of lazy mastiffs who only wanted to reap without sowing.

The order was quickly relayed, and when the messenger arrived at Xu Xiaoyan and the others' resting place and conveyed Commander Li's arrangements, all four expressed their complete understanding and support.

After Wang Yuming offered to send soldiers to help carry Weng Nanque, he stepped forward.

He patted Weng Beiyan on the shoulder and said to the messenger, "Please tell Commander Li to thank him for his kindness! As for carrying the southern sparrow, Beiyan and I can take turns doing it!"

"We'll try to solve problems ourselves if the four of us can, so as not to cause trouble for the team!"

Upon hearing this, the soldier who relayed the message smiled approvingly and nodded, saying, "Okay, let me know if you need anything." This sense of self-awareness and responsibility stood in stark contrast to those lying around by the stream, acting like idiots.

Before the morning mist had completely dissipated, the team had already packed their belongings efficiently and silently and swiftly embarked on their journey.

Qiu Dasheng and the others, who had been keeping a close eye on the camp, hurriedly got up from the ground, brushed off the grass clippings, and followed after them with their families.

They tried to stick to the back of the column like glue, but the soldiers responsible for bringing up the rear immediately raised their guns when they got close enough.

Although the gun wasn't pointed directly at him, the cold metallic glint and stern rebuke were enough to intimidate: "Keep your distance! Back off! Any closer and you'll face the consequences!"