Rotting Land: Survive

To rescue or not to rescue, this is a very easy question to answer, but in the apocalypse, it becomes exceptionally complex.

Tang Xiaoquan looked at Old Xu, then at Old Lin, and finally at Derek who was puzzled, and said earnestly, "Little Derek, although what you said is not wrong, the question is... have you carefully considered it? After rescuing those people, how will you settle them? How will you solve the food problem? You know that once you rescue them, it means you have to be responsible for them; you have to handle all their necessities of life. Can you do that?"

"I..." Of course, Derek couldn’t do it, he admitted that his ability was limited, but looking at the survivors in front of him: "You have a place to live, you have a safe haven, as for food and drink, if we all work hard together, we can solve it, you..."

"Yes! We do have a safe place, and we have the ability to solve food and drink, but do you know what we have been through? Do you know why we survived?"

"This... I don’t know."

"It’s not your fault that you don’t know, I can only tell you, in this world, there’s nothing you can get easily. It was like this in the past, and it is the same now. Our team has survived until now, and every member considers the team as family. We are not exclusionary, but we are also not a nursery. New members we take in are tested and contribute to the team’s development. For example, you, Derek, you saved Zhao Lina, your conduct has already earned our recognition. And as for your ability, it is undeniable. So whether it’s you or your girlfriend, if you want to join our team, we would welcome you warmly, as for others..."

Tang Xiaoquan timely stopped, he didn’t continue.

Because through what he just said, he had already conveyed what he wanted to express.

First, not everyone can join our team, this is to tell Derek that after joining the team, he needs to learn gratitude and integrate with the team.

Second, you Derek are qualified to enter the team, this is to eliminate Derek’s concerns about the future, allowing him to act freely in the upcoming actions, without worries.

Third, this is for Old Xu and others to hear, Tang Xiaoquan wants everyone to understand that the team must be selective.

Kindness also has its limits, otherwise, if exceeded, kindness may turn into a tragedy.

The original good intentions might become the root of harm to the team.

"But those are living people, even if you don’t let them join the team, you can rescue them and let them fend for themselves." Derek continues to argue for the students.

Tang Xiaoquan rubbed his forehead and said rather helplessly, "Little Derek, you have a good heart, but the students have been holed up in the school for half a year, do they know how to cope with the outside world? Can their battered spirits withstand the current world?"

In fact, from Tang Xiaoquan’s perspective, death might be a relief for those trapped students.

Because given their physical condition, even if they were brought out, it would only be moving them from one hellhole to another.

Everything that needed to be said was said, the explanations and warnings that needed to be given were given, Tang Xiaoquan knew the final decision would still rest with Old Xu.

After all, the person undertaking the rescue mission at the school was the man in front of him.

Old Xu listened carefully to the young man’s words, his debate with Derek was indeed the core of his inner struggle.

As a soldier, Xu Renjie has the responsibility to rescue civilians from crises.

But as a team leader, he has to consider the survival and future of the entire team.

And based on these two aspects, clearly neither rescuing nor not rescuing was a reliable choice for Old Xu, in the end he could only adopt a compromise approach: "Regarding the rescue issue, I have three points: First, we must not abandon our inherent nature, we should still save those who deserve saving; Second, judge based on the situation, if they really can’t leave, then abandon them. Third, selection of those who stay or leave will be collectively decided after rescue."

Old Xu’s neutral and democratic approach was unanimously approved by everyone, and Derek also expressed his agreement with a glance, which marked the beginning of his entry into the team.

"Alright! Let’s put the rescue issue aside for now, do you have any other thoughts, Little Tang?"

Since the first challenge raised by the young man was so important, Xu Renjie hoped he could provide more insights.

"Uh..." After organizing his thoughts again, Tang Xiaoquan continued: "This time our operation requires internal and external coordination, Old Xu, although your map marked the specific action route, how do we contact each other?"

With a slight frown, Old Xu glanced at Derek: "Little Derek, do the Japanese students have hand-held radios?"

With a quick turn of his eyes, Derek nodded: "Yes, in the early days before the school was occupied, the Japanese students had them, but since then they haven’t been seen, maybe they’re out of power."

"Then where are the hand-held radios?"

"Um... probably in Watanabe’s possession, he is the leader among those beasts, key resources are kept by him in his room. Just like that gun."

Upon hearing this, Old Xu responded lightly: "Hmm, the gun and hand-held radios were probably picked up from the police officers. Since there are hand-held radios, then it’s simple. I will sneak into Watanabe’s room, force him to hand over the radios, then we’ll contact you."

"No!" Tang Xiaoquan immediately rejected Old Xu’s idea, his sudden protest puzzled Old Lin and the others.

"Little Tang, I think Old Xu’s approach is quite good, what’s wrong with it?"

Tang Xiaoquan met Lin Junfu’s gaze: "Old Lin, Old Xu’s approach is indeed feasible, I also believe Old Xu has the capability to achieve it. But it is too risky, first, the infiltration process cannot be guaranteed to be a hundred percent successful. Second, once we obtain the hand-held radios, power supply becomes a problem. Lastly, although Old Xu observed that the Japanese students’ night-time vigilance is insufficient, it was only for one night. So considering these three points, the uncertainty is too high, any one of them could lead to failure of the operation. I think everyone should be aware, this time we are not saving one or two people, if the Japanese students detect abnormalities and take extreme measures, using the remaining students as hostages, Old Xu, Old Lin, would you abandon them?"

Acquainted with the personalities of Old Xu and Old Lin, Tang Xiaoquan knew that if confronted with the above situation, Xu and Lin would certainly compromise.

But in such an environment, compromise means death.

By then, it would be hard to recognize, instead it would cost the lives of Old Xu and Lei Tong, which is something Tang Xiaoquan absolutely doesn’t want to happen.

Besides, this time out, he had promised Zhao Yunhai to take good care of his girl and bring her back to him.

So regardless, Old Xu’s "sneaky" plan must not be approved.

In this regard, Old Xu is not a stubborn person, after hearing Tang Xiaoquan’s concerns, he eventually gave a positive opinion. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote, your support gives me the greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)