Chapter 92: Entering the safe zone
Taking in the interior of the car in one glance, the soldier gives a small nod to Long Zhanye before inquiring. "Where did you come from?"
"From Y Town. We heard there was a safe zone established here so we decided to come. May I ask this older brother, can you let us through?" Resting his elbow on the lowered window, Long Zhanye asks the soldier.
"How many people are there? If you wish to enter, you will need to exchange food. 10kg per person!" The man demands, expression unchanging.
"10kg per person…besides handing over food, are there any other demands?" Quirking an eyebrow, Long Zhanye questions.
Requesting 10kg of food for each person is a lot, especially during the apocalypse where food supplies are extremely precious. However, at present, the safety of the villagers come first. Also, it"s not as though they lack food.
"None. So long as the food is handed over, you may enter. As for your vehicles, there is a car park in the district in exchange for 20kg of food. For rooms within the district, it will be calculated after everyone has settled in." This soldier is rather patient and unhostile, taking the time to explain every requirement to enter this safe zone.
"So people with sufficient food can stay in the rooms, but what about those lacking supplies?"Huo Zaiyuan asks, face expressionless.
"Sleep in tents, or on the ground, we don"t really care. But there is a law we reinforce within this zone and that is no stealing from others. Offenders will be severely punished." The man"s face becomes stern as he informs them of this rule.
"We understand, thank you." Long Zhanye dips his head in acknowledgement, then turns to Huo Zaiyuan. "Little Yuan, go and inform the village chief and ask him to do a headcount. After that, we will hand over the food. Wait until we actually enter the safe zone before we discuss further."
"All right." Huo Zaiyuan exits the car to update the others on the current situation.
Adding together the food taken from the village and everything from the mall"s storeroom, it fills up the entire back compartment of the medium-sized truck. This amount is more than enough to grant everyone entry, with a large portion still remaining. Upon realising there is also a large bulk of seeds amongst the remaining food supplies, they couldn"t be happier. Asking the villagers to yield two big sacks of vegetable and grain seeds as payment for parking, the two soldiers permit them entry.
Finally, the line of vehicles drive into the safe zone, causing everyone"s hearts to calm down after several days of tension.
Afterwards, Huo Zaiyuan consults the village chief regarding the issue of lodging. In Hong w.a.n.gcai"s opinion, food will finish sooner or later, so they have to save whatever they can. Now that they reached the safe zone at last, they temporarily do not have to worry about their personal safety, so there is no point trading food for rooms. Discussing this with the villagers and survivors from the mall, everyone decides to find a place to park the vehicles first, then stay in the trucks as there is plenty of s.p.a.ce within the two containers.
Regarding the issue of male and female staying together, after another group discussion, half the food from the medium-sized truck is moved to the larger one before a lively debate about which gender is a.s.signed to which truck breaks out.
Sitting on the roof of the off-road vehicle, Huo Zaiyuan smiles faintly as he gazes at the busy villagers now sporting bright grins on their faces. Turning his head to look at the entrance of the safe zone, his relieved smile disappears, replaced by a frown.
"Why is little Yuan frowning?" Long Zhanye leisurely heads over, getting up on the roof of the car in a few moves and settling down next to him.
"Giving up food in exchange for entry into the safe zone. This kind of exchange will create a lot of problems in the future."
"Un, I"m aware of it." Eyes travelling to the same spot Huo Zaiyuan is staring at, Long Zhanye nods shallowly in agreement.