Apocalypse: the Most Ruthless Person

Along the way, Zhang Su noticed carefully that in the previously zombie-free fields, a few zombies were now sparsely appearing, likely having emerged from nearby villages. The fact that they only appeared after an unusual snowfall suggests the snow was anything but ordinary.

As he contemplated this, the car was just passing by United Village, where a sentry stationed in a building in Beita Town waved at Zhang Su.

“Oh right!” Zhang Su suddenly remembered something and picked up the radio: “Wang Longzhong, Wang Longzhong.”

“Younger Brother Zhang, are you coming to us?”

Obviously, Wang Longzhong had received the message beforehand and knew Zhang Su was nearby.

“No!” Zhang Su said, “Recently, zombies have been acting unusually, becoming stronger than before. You should arrange more people to keep an eye on the quarry pit. There are too many zombies there, posing a potential threat. But even if you plan to clear them, don’t you dare set them on fire!”

“Got it, acknowledged. I’ll arrange people to watch over it right away.”

Wang Longzhong was obediently following instructions, but he didn’t plan to deal with the zombies in the quarry since they would be leaving in a few days. With the quarry several kilometers away, he figured it was better to just let it be…

Soon, the car arrived at the entrance of West Camp Village.

“Damn, looks like they’re preparing to run!”

Zhao Dezhu smirked at the desolate village.

Previously, the village had a thick atmosphere of life. In just two days, it was clear everyone was preparing to leave.

“That old guy isn’t being honest. He’s probably planning to leave in the next few days; otherwise, he wouldn’t be in such a hurry to trade with us. Even from Celestial Horse Island, I can hear his calculations!”

Zhang Su saw Ma Changshou and a few villagers walking out, and with a faint smile, whispered to the people around him before opening the car door and jumping out.

He wasn’t surprised by West Camp Village’s decision, nor did he intend to stop them. There was no animosity between them, and their few trade interactions had been pleasant. Whether West Camp Village would be a friend or foe after joining the Cyan Dragon Corps…

Zhang Su thought having acquaintances join the Cyan Dragon Corps wasn’t necessarily a bad thing!

“Hahaha, Boss Zhang!”

Ma Changshou walked over with a happy stride, kicking up a trail of dust, and greeted Guo Dachao as well, having charged him tolls before, they were somewhat acquainted.

“I wasn’t sure if you wanted pigs or sheep, so I didn’t bring any livestock with me. But rest assured, they’re all ready and can be transported anytime. Now, about the medicine…?”

“Here, take a look.”

Zhang Su handed over the prepared supply to Ma Changshou and said, “We raided a pharmacy in the city, and this is all the stock we got. Give me a satisfactory price.”

As Ma Changshou carefully inspected the medicine, Zhang Su wasn’t in a hurry, allowing him to get what he wanted before discussing the price, rather than negotiating while it’s still in his hands.

Because with the medicine in Ma Changshou’s possession, it already felt like he owned it. Failing to reach a deal would mean losing it, but if Zhang Su held it and they struck a deal, it would mean gaining something.

People tend to care more about losing what they already have than gaining something new.

“Haha, Boss Zhang, I told you guys from the city have skills, completely clearing out a pharmacy. Look at this, it’s impressive!”

Clutching the plastic bag tightly, Ma Changshou said, “For these medicines, I’m offering twenty sheep, both male and female, and six pigs, including two sows that can reproduce, two pigs ready for slaughter, and two piglets. This basically exhausts all the livestock from West Camp, is that sincere enough?”

Zhang Su was slightly taken aback, showing no expression, as Ma Changshou’s generosity was indeed unexpected and full of sincerity.

“Hmm…” Zhang Su rolled his eyes and said, “Village Chief Ma, truth be told, your offer is decent, but not high. Medicine is something money can’t buy in the future, and even if industrial production resumes, it will take a long time to start producing pharmaceuticals again!”

“Of course, of course. So Boss Zhang, do you have any other requests?”

Knowing Zhang Su’s personality, Ma Changshou was prepared not to compromise directly, especially since he planned on leaving soon and wasn’t losing much by trading away things they couldn’t take.

“Weld a sheep pen, burn up that darn welding machine. Didn’t you say you have some here? Give me a few units.”

Zhang Su nodded towards the village, his demeanor casual, as if he was discussing cabbage instead of a welding machine.

“Well…”

Ma Changshou looked a bit troubled, rubbing his dark cheeks, “We do have a welding machine, but only one. Old Scar, you tell Boss Zhang the situation.”

The person called Old Scar said, “I’m the welder for the village, and that welding machine is mine. I bought it for over five thousand before, a RuiLing, both cutting and welding use…”

“That’s the one, Brother Su, just get that one!”

Guo Dachao nudged the back of Zhang Su, whispering.

“Alright, let’s take this welding machine then. And, maybe grab some consumables, that okay, Village Chief Ma?”

Zhang Su waved grandly, showing generosity.

“Um…” Ma Changshou looked at Old Scar: “Old Scar, it’s your thing, you decide.”

Old Scar obviously wasn’t good with words, frowning for a while before shaking his head, “I can only lend it to you, when I come, uh, I’ll still need it for future use!”

Zhang Su found it amusing to see Ma Changshou’s slightly anxious look, aware that his anxiety wasn’t simply about Old Scar not wanting to lend the welding machine, but nearly letting the cat out of the bag!

“Lend it… Sure, we’ll use it quickly and try to return it before you leave!”

Ma Changshou suddenly deflated, understanding the mix of truth and falsehood in his own words, feeling awkward.

“Well, alright then, Boss Zhang, shall we pick the livestock?”

“I can’t fit so many pigs and sheep in my car, aren’t you going to send me two vehicles?”

“Sure, the village has a few tricycles, all extended beds, carrying twenty sheep is no problem, sending two is easy… huh?”

As Ma Changshou was walking with Zhang Su, his peripheral vision caught the sentry on the bridge waving a flag, stopping in his tracks quickly telling Zhang Su, “Wait a moment!”

Zhang Su followed Ma Changshou’s gaze and, with his keen eyesight, easily saw what was happening in the distance.

A large Jinbei van was slowly driving towards the bridge from afar.

“Ha, Village Chief Ma, business is coming!”

“Yes indeed, after this little brother, only one more vehicle passed by here, and three people crossed the river. No one else has come. Boss Zhang, are you interested in checking it out? Now, any passerby might offer the last chance to collect tolls!”

Ma Changshou’s words carried a hint of reluctance, as this type of business was easy to conduct, thriving on preying on the weak and yielding immense profits.

“Then let’s go have a look. Last time we paid the protection fee, now I’ll switch perspectives and see, haha!”

Zhang Su signaled Guo Dachao and Zhao Dezhu to watch the car, then walked with Zheng Xinyu and Ma Changshou towards the bridge.

“Oh, oh, being the bad guy, how interesting!”

Zheng Xinyu grinned wickedly, having brought neither the steel rod nor the baseball bat that had accompanied her through thick and thin for the trade, perched on her shoulders, arms resting on it, embodying the look of a defiant girl.

“Hehe, little beauty, we’re not being bad guys here. In academic terms, it’s a fair value exchange!”

Ma Changshou chuckled.

The bridge had provided numerous supplies for the survivors of nearby villages. To be exact, even without crops or livestock, the residents of West Camp Village could have survived till now solely on tolls, although the future would be difficult!

“Hmm?”

As they were heading onto the bridge, Zhang Su slightly frowned at the person getting off the large van.

Ma Changshou heard Zhang Su’s sound of suspicion, his heart skipping a beat, asking, “Boss Zhang, don’t tell me you recognize them again?”

“Looks somewhat like a friend I met before, but I’m not sure!”

Zhang Su replied ambiguously, then quickened his pace towards the bridge.