Rotting Land: Survive-Chapter 336 - 335: First Supply Exchange (Part 2)

"Let’s all consider switching perspectives for a moment. If it were you, having just forcibly taken over the gymnasium, would you rashly turn against the former controller?"

His gaze swept across the crowd. After a pause lasting several seconds, Tang Xiaoquan decisively continued, "If it were me, I certainly wouldn’t! Why do I say this? Because I’m very aware of what I’ve done in the past. Although I have a gun, there’s no guarantee that the 200 residents in the base won’t develop a rebellious mindset out of fear for their future. At this point, if the outside controller were to rally support, it would likely lead to a situation of internal and external strife."

"But Scar has a gun in his hand, even if he’s at a numerical disadvantage, he has no reason to fear them!" Wang Qiang seized the moment to interject, obviously not persuaded by Tang Xiaoquan’s analysis.

"Hmm!" Tang Xiaoquan gave a slight nod, confirming with an unchanged expression, "Under normal circumstances, you’re not wrong, Qiang, but..."

He changed his tone: "Don’t forget, all of this is happening under one precondition, which is that the gymnasium has just been taken over."

"This is where we have to analyze the psychology behind Scar’s takeover of the gymnasium. Why did he risk so much to seize it?"

"Shit, do we even need to ask? It’s just to satisfy his own selfish desires. Didn’t you see how that guy used to act all high and mighty in the base? Man, he really thinks he’s the leader now!" Wang Qiang responded with disdain.

Tang Xiaoquan nodded again, clearly pleased with Wang Qiang’s "collaboration." He immediately spoke up in praise, "Exactly, Qiang! Scar just craves that feeling of being above everyone else. So someone like him would never massacre the base’s residents unless absolutely necessary. Especially on the day the base was seized, he might rely on his firepower to wipe out resisters, but the end result would only be mutually assured destruction."

"If things were to end that way, all of Scar’s past efforts and planning would be wasted. Not only would he not experience ’mass admiration,’ but he’d also be chased around by zombies drawn in by the slaughter."

"So Scar didn’t turn against us; instead, he cleverly adopted a ’soft approach,’ because he very well knew that the residents’ emotions in the base were easily incited. However, as long as he could appease the instigating leader, then both the residents and the base would be preserved. Isn’t this what you’d call a win-win strategy?"

It was rare, but Wang Qiang nodded in agreement this time, surprisingly without further rebuttal. Still, since Scar is ’swallowing his pride’ for his ’grand ambitions,’ why do you emphasize minimizing the number of people going tomorrow?

To this question, Tang Xiaoquan calmly explained as usual, "Three days, that’s the preparation time Scar has given us. But in my view, given Scar’s character, there’s no reason for him to be so considerate of us. So, I think he’s using these three days to consolidate his power and take the opportunity to observe the residents’ reactions in the base. To put it bluntly, he’s giving himself a buffer. If during this time the residents don’t show overly radical actions, then he might not be able to resist the urge to plot against us."

"Makes sense!" Wang Zhongyu sincerely acknowledged, his expression becoming serious, "This trip indeed seems extremely dangerous. I know the residents of the base too well. Although they deeply resent Scar’s vile deeds, they’re used to enduring their lot and have had their sharpness dulled by a dull routine. Moreover, given that Scar now holds the power, ha, I believe the likelihood of them rising in revolt is almost zero!"

Wang Zhongyu’s words were like a bucket of cold water poured over everyone’s hearts.

Even though they were unwilling to accept this fact, but...

"So what’s your specific plan of action?" Xu Renjie, maintaining his indifferent expression, lifted his brow and subtly glanced at Tang Xiaoquan, sitting diagonally across, his gaze carrying a hint of expectation and appreciation unlike before.

Of course, Tang Xiaoquan was oblivious to all of this. After sipping a glass of water, he continued, "Here’s what I think: Tomorrow, Commander Xu, you absolutely must go. If Scar doesn’t see you, he’ll certainly overthink it or even suspect us of making a move."

"Secondly, Wang Zhongyu, if you’re willing, I’d like you to drive the car, because critical moments might require your driving skills to save those partaking in the mission."

"That’s no problem. I, Wang Zhongyu, might be a bit talkative, but I love excitement!" Without much consideration, Wang Zhongyu readily accepted Tang Xiaoquan’s request.

"That’s great! Lastly, take two soldiers along to boost our presence."

"In my opinion, that should be about right, but..."

Scratching his head hesitantly and weighing his options for a few seconds, Tang Xiaoquan finally spoke up, "However, I have an impertinent request. If Commander Xu doesn’t mind me being useless or dragging us down, I’d like to join this delivery mission."

"No way! Quan, what chaos are you trying to create! I acknowledge your smarts, but as you said, Scar might act at any time, and I don’t agree with you going! Even if someone were to go, it should be me, Wang Qiang!"

"Yes, I also think it’s inappropriate for you, Xiao Tang, to go. Commander Xu and the others have been trained, but you, no, no!"

One after another, Wu Chao, Wen Quanxin, and Zhao Yunhai all expressed their disapproval, each unwilling to let Tang Xiaoquan take that risk.

However...

Xu Renjie seemed to have a different plan in mind. As usual, he sat on his stool without showing any emotion, his fingers rhythmically tapping the table. After a brief pause, he calmly said, "Xiao Tang, I don’t see you as a burden, nor do I think you’re useless. But you’ve heard what the others said, so I wonder, do you have anything you’d like to add?"

At this point, Tang Xiaoquan realized that Xu Renjie was intentionally testing him, so he dared not slack off. After pondering for several seconds, he quickly responded, "I acknowledge the immense risk involved in this action, but as the saying goes, ’Fortune favors the bold.’ Precisely because there’s risk, we must have the courage to charge forward. I believe that even if Scar wants to make a move on us, seeing that we only have a few people, he’ll have to weigh his options carefully. So, barring any unforeseen circumstances, tomorrow’s venture will mostly be a game of strategy, about who can gauge whose intentions better. My presence can serve as a lubricant, at least easing the tension during critical moments. Additionally, I wish to be on site to observe if there are any changes in Scar’s behavior after three days, to gather information for future actions."

"That’s the reason I request to participate in this mission, and I hope Commander Xu will allow it!"