Chapter 334: Everyone Must Contribute

At dusk, Tianma Yu welcomed its busiest moment since the disaster, and to gather everyone together, the banquet was ultimately held in the parking lot!

Three bonfires burned fiercely, surrounding nine tables and dispelling the surrounding cold while casting a glow of light.

Before the disaster, bonfire fuel would have been tree trunks and firewood, but now the primary fuel was zombie corpses—a unique atmosphere that made everyone truly feel the apocalypse was right beside them.

It's not that coal is too expensive—it's that zombie corpses offer better value!

Nine tables each had different styles of hot pot stoves; the ingredients were simple, mostly vegetables, with little meat, but there was a batch of hot pot dumplings brought over from Kuanzhuang, said to have been found in a small food processing workshop—perhaps unhealthy, but delicious enough. Besides that, the staple was noodles.

To ensure everyone could eat their fill, a full fifty-pound sack of flour was used, providing one pound of hand-rolled noodles per person; the noodles were boiled in piping hot, spicy broth along with other ingredients, leaving everyone eating noisily and praising the meal—no one claimed to be full, but no one was hungry either.

Across the vast land north of Qincheng, thirty kilometers south, fifty kilometers north, at least fifteen kilometers east, and four or five kilometers west beyond the hills—only Tianma Yu buzzed with life; whether anyone remained elsewhere was uncertain.

On this bitterly cold night, a hundred or so people sat in the spacious parking lot, bathed in bonfire light, steam rising, clinking cups of hot water, roadblocks of spiked barriers at the mountain gate, patrols carrying rifles on their backs, and a massive zombie confined in a corner—the apocalypse's atmosphere was fully realized.

Zhang Su didn't know the conditions of other survivor camps, but he was certain his Tianma Yu was far from lacking.

"Comrades, I propose a toast!"

After several rounds of food and wine, Zhang Su seized the moment to announce to all the measures for the camp's future development.

Some measures would have been wildly unreasonable—or even rights-violating—in the old world, but under the apocalypse, with survival as the paramount priority, they were no longer issues; compared to the days of constant peril, they even seemed quite good.

"Whether you're from United Village, Xidaying Village, or Kuanzhuang—if you've survived the apocalypse, you're capable. Those with ability must contribute to the camp. Now, I will appoint those with outstanding ability to positions!"

Hearing this, many unconsciously put down their chopsticks—they'd eaten enough—and strained their ears to catch the important news.

"First, Wang Longzhong: Old Wang is steady, hardworking, and diligent. I appoint him Deputy Director of Logistics, to assist Zhong Xiaoshanjian in her duties!"

Wang Longzhong, hearing his name called first, snapped to attention and shouted loudly: "I guarantee the mission will be accomplished!"

"Don't be so formal. Next, Yang Liehuo: upright, loyal, and principled. I appoint you Captain of the Reserve Team, responsible for training and ideological work among your members!"

Most of Kuanzhuang's people sat toward the back; Yang Liehuo, startled to hear his name, jumped up immediately. When he realized he'd been named Reserve Team Captain, his face showed utter shock—he froze, unable to respond.

"Old Huo?"

Zhang Su called out to Yang Liehuo, who stood there dazed.

"Grandpa Huo!"

Su Xiaoya sat beside Yang Liehuo; seeing him frowning, oblivious, she tugged his sleeve urgently.

"Ah, oh. Uh… Brother Zhang, I'm not very capable, my skills are average—I'm afraid I can't handle this."

Yang Liehuo wanted the position—it would make it easier for people from Kuanzhuang to join the Reserve Team—but he also feared that, precisely because of this, he'd be accused of favoritism and make mistakes. So he chose to refuse.

Hearing Yang Liehuo refuse, the young women and married girls from Kuanzhuang grew disappointed; most couldn't think as far ahead as he did—they only knew it was better if one of their own held power. Only a few understood his reasons.

Zhang Su raised his hand and said: "This isn't the old world—we don't play games. If you're capable, you work. If you think you can't handle it, that's fine—I'll assign you two deputy captains!"

He pointed his hand and said: "Lu Lei, Pan Guoliang!"

"Yes!"

"Wha—what?"

The tone of their replies revealed their differences…

Pan Guoliang shot up as if springs were under his seat, while Lu Lei rose slowly, face twisted in disbelief, pointing at his own nose.

"You two are deputy captains of the Reserve Team. Support Yang Liehuo's work. Any problems?"

"No problems!"

"No problems…"

Pan Guoliang answered with full-throated vigor, his voice ringing to every ear; Lu Lei's reply was weak and flat, as if he resented it deeply.

Those unfamiliar with Lu Lei thought nothing of it, but Tianma Yu's core members were puzzled by Zhang Su's decision—why assign this effeminate man to deputy captain of the Reserve Team?

Zhang Su's decisions were not open to interference; this was the result of careful thought with Yu Wen. Lu Lei appeared effeminate, but during every training session, he gave his all, and his growth rate ranked among the highest of everyone.

He merely had a different self-identity and orientation; in every other respect, he was reliable, enthusiastic, and got along well with both men and women—perfectly suited for this role.

Appointments continued. Zhang Su pointed to Ma Changshou, who had deliberately not sat with the Xidaying Village group.

"Next, Ma Changshou: knowledgeable, diligent, and practical. I appoint you Agricultural and Livestock Technical Advisor for Tianma Yu, responsible for guiding cultivation and breeding efforts within the camp!"

Ma Changshou had been waiting for this moment. He stood with a smile, bowed to the crowd, and said cheerfully: "I'm hardly knowledgeable—I merely know a little. Thank you, Brother Zhang, for your trust—I'll give it my all!"

The Xidaying Village people had watched as members from United Village, Kuanzhuang, and even the Qinglong Corps received appointments—while their own village was left out. They felt deeply disappointed, recalling how their lack of talent had once led them into hardship, and they feared repeating the same mistake.

Just as they were gloomy, they heard Ma Changshou appointed as Technical Advisor. Whether the position was big or small, having one was enough—everyone felt joy.

"Come on, let's give a round of applause for these comrades!"

Zhang Su led the applause, and soon the clapping echoed between the tables.

(End of chapter)