Chapter 369 - 369: Ambush (4)
There are more than ten kilometers from here to Wild Wolf Town, without a vehicle, it would take at least four to five hours to walk.
By the time those fleeing civilians returned to Wild Wolf Town, it would be five to six hours later when the new troops arrived.
These civilians were obedient, following Zhao Yu’s instructions to turn the vehicles around and start driving to the base.
When Zhao Yu got back and saw the long line of cars in front, he still felt like he was dreaming.
‘This is easy that I thought…’
But he understood that a normal warfare between two armies wouldn’t be this easy.
Thinking back to the last time he was ambushed, this total victory didn’t seem like much.
After all, he was almost annihilated by the enemy last time.
When passing through the misleading section of the road, Zhao Yu left two soldiers to handle the aftermath and prevent being tracked.
On the way back, Zhao Yu was worried about being chased by the new army and kept looking back from time to time.
Although he knew that it would take hours for the other side to find out their goods had been stolen, he was still extremely tense about it.
Fortunately, the journey back to the base was smooth and safe.
After a brief rest, Zhao Yu arranged jobs for the fifty prisoners to unload the goods from dozens of vehicles and keep them in an empty building next door.
‘Will they kill us?’
‘I don’t know…’
‘These people look like they’re from a big organization…’
‘They’re all in military uniforms…’
The prisoners gathered together, nervously chatting.
At this moment, a soldier walked towards them.
‘Everyone, line up, it’s time to eat!’
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Being fed meant that they wouldn’t be killed for the time being.
When the group lined up and walked towards the dining area, they were shocked.”
“White rice!”
“There’s more food!”
The people at the front of the line stared at the fragrant food in the big pot and drooled.
“Sir, is this for us to eat?” Someone asked in disbelief.
“Can’t you eat these in Wild Wolf Town?” Zhao Yu asked casually.
The few of them looked at each other.” What we usually eat the most is dry expired foods…”
“It’s dry and hard, and there’s a rancid smell…”
“Is this really for us?”
someone asked nervously.
“Everyone gets one, grab a bowl or a plate and line up for your meal.”
On the way back, he had been pondering how to deal with these prisoners.
Releasing them was definitely not an option, at least not until Wild Wolf Town was conquered.
So, they had to be kept and fed, which was convenient as there were various menial tasks for them to do.
Therefore, after receiving 50 technology points as a daily task reward, Zhao Yu extravagantly spent 25 of those points to train 5 cooks.
Although few in number, these cooks were adept at preparing large-scale meals, easily managing to cook enough for a hundred people.
Soon, the first in line, a thin and gaunt man received his meal – a bowl of porridge, a fast-food tray with a portion of rice and three dishes.
The gaunt man swallowed a mouthful of saliva and hurriedly took a sip of the porridge without even moving away.
“How is it?!”
“There’s no sand!” exclaimed the gaunt man, tears streaming down his face.
“Quick, quick, move aside, it’s my turn now!” the second man in line said hastily.
Zhao Yu pointed to an open space guarded by soldiers and said to the gaunt man, “Don’t block the way here, go over there to enjoy your meal!”
From their reactions, it seemed that life in Wild Wolf Town had not been easy for these normal people.
Zhao Yu took the opportunity to inquire about the situation in Wild Wolf Town.
“Gun Manufacturing line?!”
Zhao Yu was quite shocked to heard it. He hadn’t expected that Wild Wolf Town actually had a gun manufacturing industry.
“Not complete guns, just the barrels…”
A clever man scratched his head and said, “The barrels we make are taken to Black Rock City for sale…”
Zhao Yu understood the situation well now.
The weapon production line was definitely in Black Rock City. Factory line for weapons in the city would mean paying wages, and not a small amount at that.
On the other hand, by outsourcing the production of these weapon parts to these small towns, the cost was much lower.
According to their description, they were obligated to work in the town as a form of compulsory labor, a requirement to stay in the town. They worked at least 16 hours a day without wages, but even the food provided was minimal just two meals a day with porridge often containing sand.
“Why don’t you all leave?!” Zhao Yu asked.
“Leave…” The gaunt man seemed bewildered, as if he had never considered this possibility.
Initially, Zhao Yu had been worried about the possibility of the prisoners revolting.
But after a brief exchange, he realized that his concerns were unfounded.
These prisoners were all thin as sticks, malnourished, with a numbness in their eyes, seemingly having lost any thought of resistance.
“Sir, when do we start working?!”
After having a full meal, they all seemed eager to start working.
Zhao Yu turned to look at the prisoners.
They ate ravenously, as if afraid that someone might snatch their food away if they ate too slow..