Infinite Ebullience
Chapter 397 - 32: Qualifications of Cannon Fodder

Chapter 397: Chapter 32: Qualifications of Cannon Fodder

Walking on the cement-paved streets, Tang Zheng had built up a well of indignation with nowhere to release it. Even though he sympathized with the women and children who were suffering in the Wasteland World, it didn’t mean that he would similarly tolerate men committing evil deeds. The urban management officer and the peddler may not be good people, but it wasn’t anyone else’s business to teach them a lesson, especially in such a brutal way of massacre.

"We have to teach the Wasteland people a lesson." Tang Zheng knew that always staying low-key wouldn’t do in the Wasteland. It was all about power here. If he were to back down now without making much of a resistance, rest of the Wasteland people would surely pounce like hungry wolves, taking away all his properties.

"Uncle, are we really going to fight?" Lu Fan was also weighing the pros and cons, and he said, "Let’s go find Old Pavel first to understand the power structure of the Broken Steel Council, then go find Sister Shangwu to borrow some soldiers and ask about the council’s attitude towards the different forces in the gathering spot."

Lu Fan was frustrated. These were things that he had planned to figure out in these few days, but Yin Shangwu and Qin Yan wouldn’t let him go out, so he didn’t manage to gather any information.

"The council should also be worried about those forces growing too big. As long as they are given the chance to divide the properties and they need not exert any effort, no one would object." For safety, Tang Zheng still sought out Old Pavel who had earned quite a lot by staying with him these past few days. He was always on standby at home, awaiting his beck and call.

"The Duan Gang Mercenary Corps has about four hundred people, although the number is small, their equipment and combat experience are decent. They are ranked third in power in the gathering area. As for cohesion and loyalty, those are the least valuable. If some leaders die, the rest will definitely disperse." Old Pavel nodded and bowed. He was soaked in cold sweat after learning what Tang Zheng wanted to do, but soon he saw this as an opportunity. He planned to call his acquaintances, grab this chance to rob a fortune, and may be even form a mercenary corps with Tang Zheng and become a minor leader.

Among those who had survived in the Wasteland, there were many brave souls and to seize a chance to climb up in social status, Old Pavel did not wish to let go of this opportunity, he quickly called his son over and whispered a few words of instructions.

"Come with me to the first floor." Tang Zheng did not count on them to assist. They just needed to play a supporting role at the right time. Further, the more people involved, the harder it would be for the council to make things difficult.

"I need fifteen to sixteen-year-old children. I’ll leave it to you, weed out the cunning and cowardly ones." Tang Zheng was sweeping his gaze across the subway station on the first floor. Even though the children were all skin and bones, there were many of them, so it wouldn’t be a problem to pick a team.

"Group leader, you might as well hire young adults. These children eat a lot and are not good for anything, all they have are drawbacks." Old Pavel knew that Tang Zheng wanted loyalty. After all, there were others in the gathering place who had noticed these children but in the end, everyone gave up. The materials were too scarce. They couldn’t afford to keep them.

"Just do as I said, and tell them about my background. I’ll go get some guns and food," Tang Zheng left the subway station and first relayed this situation to Qin Yan and her group, asking them to be cautious.

"So we’re just going to hide here?" Gao Yu thought that Tang Zheng was underestimating him and volunteered to take part in the fighting while the female models sighed in relief as they weren’t prepared for a gunfight.

"It’s time to show them what we’ve got. I reckon the wasteland people can’t wait to get their hands dirty." Dantai Zongqi picked up his rifle and said, "I’ll go with you."

Qin Yan also wanted to join, but Tang Zheng refused her, "Your responsibility is to train them."

Tang Zheng and Dantai took thirty rifles and two backpacks of ammo clips back to the first floor. Old Pavel had already gathered a group of more than a hundred relatively strong teenagers.

Upon seeing Tang Zheng, Old Pavel immediately got up. The children, who were used to going hungry, were very sensible. The innocence in their eyes was long gone, replaced by ruthlessness and savagery, the desperate desire to survive. Anyone but a fool could guess that this man was the employer, so they all tried to quickly rise to their feet, hoping to give a good impression to the group leader.

"You, you and you, you’re eliminated." Tang Zheng harshly cursed at the three slowest children to stand up, tossing the rifles onto the ground with a clanking noise.

Seeing the guns hitting the ground, even though they were a little rusty, all the children were excited. Those represented hope for survival. But they froze when they heard Tang Zheng shouting. Some quickly straightened their bodies while others were looking around to see who was eliminated.

The unlucky guys who were pushed out didn’t react. They were in shock as they looked at Tang Zheng; they didn’t know what "eliminated" meant, but judging from his expression, they could tell they weren’t chosen.

Just as they wanted to plead and grab a chance, seven or eight other boys beat them up and dragged them out of the crowd.

"You don’t resist the group leader’s orders." A tall boy swung his arm and beat the others. His nose was hit and blood splattered, but he continued to fight fanatically.

Tang Zheng had planned to select a few unlucky guys to show his authority. He expected the children might react in a variety of ways, even readying Old Pavel to frighten them away by shooting. But he didn’t expect these kids to be more ferocious than he’d imagined.

Lu Fan was also shaken, then she tried her best to calm herself, not wanting to be underestimated. As for Dantai, he appeared as calm as ever.

"You should have heard of my name." Tang Zheng regretted not having a teaching whip in his hand. But he quickly squashed this evil thought and glared ferociously at each child.

"Yes, group leader." The gathering place wasn’t big. So Tang Zheng’s strange behavior these past few days had been passed through every corner. Children wandering around for food were naturally more sensitive to news.

"Don’t call me Group Leader because two-thirds of you will be eliminated." Two children let out a gasp, promptly called out by Tang Zheng. These two unlucky guys, looking at those three children who had been beaten down, quickly left the team.

"I need loyalty. Do you have it?"

"We do." This time three more who responded slowly were excluded.

"I need you to sacrifice your lives. Are you willing?"

"We are". The children all became well-behaved, their voices resounding, and roar very loudly. Everyone on the first level of the subway station moved their gaze over, curiously looking at them.

"Very good." Tang Zheng took Lu Fan’s backpack off and opened it, scattering all kinds of snacks on the ground. The children’s eyes turned green, fixedly watching.

"Do you want them? If you want them, go and grab them. As long as you have some spoils of war, you can become my subordinate." Tang Zheng finished speaking.

The children didn’t hesitate at all, swarming up like hungry cubs, directly causing a melee. Screams and roars echoed throughout the subway station.

"Uncle, those children who reacted slowly may not necessarily lack loyalty. If anything, these quick speakers seem shifty to me." Lu Fan climbed onto Tang Zheng’s back and whispered a suggestion into his ear.

Tang Zheng didn’t respond, because his first expected subordinate emerged. This young lad hesitated for a moment, didn’t grab the snacks, instead ran towards the pile of guns, picked up a relatively intact AK47, got several ammo clips from the bag, then rushed to Tang Zheng’s side.

Several children seeing his action immediately imitated, some even scrapping over a good gun. Barely a minute later, the firearms and ammo clips have been picked clean. Thirty child soldiers were now standing next to Tang Zheng.

Three of the children with guns loaded their clip, glanced at Tang Zheng, cocked their rifles, and pointed them at those pecking over snacks, shouting loudly, "Stop."

The children didn’t listen at all, still fighting. Even if they couldn’t make the cut, grabbing a bag of snacks was also good.

Old Pavel knew that he couldn’t be outdone by these children, hurriedly grabbed a rifle, not caring about the wasted bullets, and shot at the leg of the kid at the front, destroying it.

"Didn’t you hear the Group Leader’s order?" Old Pavel cursed as he crashed into the fray, using the gun stock to hit those disobedient kids.

Tang Zheng was pleased with this effect, clapped his hands, "Congratulations to those of you with guns, from today onwards you’ll be my direct subordinates, there will be broth to treat you all later, with three meals a day guaranteed to fill your belly."

These children had joyous looks, but nobody cheered because Tang Zheng hadn’t given the word, so they just quietly stood there

"Very good, but don’t be proud. If you make a mistake, many people are waiting to replace you." Tang Zheng looked at the other disappointed children, said, "Those who grabbed snacks are my reservists, but your meals are only a third. Of course, good performance will earn you a promotion."

Old Pavel was shaken to his core, muttering how ruthless Tang Zheng was. Without wasting anything, he had selected a bunch of subordinates. Seeing the reservist children eyeing the armed children like wolves, Old Pavel didn’t think they would rebel. They were probably eager to show their worth.

"Old Pavel, take them to your house for a meal. Dantai, you go get food for them." After giving his orders, Tang Zheng pointed at the injured children. "Come to my house tonight. Each person can get two loaves of black bread."

The children who had been eliminated were initially resentful, but hearing this, gratitude and regret showed on their faces - they were unlucky to be overlooked by such a generous leader.

"Group Leader, you don’t need to care about them. Besides, one loaf of black bread would be enough." The child who spoke was the one who grabbed the gun first and cocked it first. He had completely taken Tang Zheng’s stance, considering the Group Leader’s interests.

"Now you are the Captain, your job is to keep them in line." Tang Zheng waved him away. "Go eat."

"Yes, Group Leader." The child salutes in a peculiar manner, then runs off, maintaining order voluntarily.

"Fanfan, why do I need loyalty from them? They are all cannon fodder, and might die tomorrow. That’s why I need children who are observant, reactive and quick, because they can cope better in war and live longer." Watching the departing sixty-four kids, Tang Zheng stroked Lu Fan’s hair. "With them setting an example, more and more children will want to join me. We can talk about loyalty then."(To be Continued. If you like this work, please come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)