Chapter 153: Guns

Zhang Xiao Qiang was instantly depressed, and he couldn’t bring himself to bother about her anymore. He just began to keep the rest of the boxes quietly. He did not know if he was angry at her for not being on similar wavelengths, or that he just didn’t understand women.

Against people like Brother Long and his men, Zhang Xiao Qiang was full of moves and ways about it. However, with regards to the women by his side, he was so helpless. Forget about Yang Ke’er that naive lass, she was young and lacked any independent thought. At most, she would just blatantly show her jealousy. That was why he liked her.

Yuan Yi was different. In front of him, she was warm and docile, and would not disobey his every word. She wouldn’t take the initiative to talk to him, and she only cried on their first night about whether he minded her or not. After that, she was just like a shadow behind him. Whatever he wanted to say, each time he saw her peaceful gaze, he couldn’t bring himself to say anything. He knew she would listen, but not give her own opinions.

Su Qian? The moment he thought about her, he would get pissed. Initially, he had a favourable impression of her, however, the longer they interacted, the more he felt her hidden ambitions. That one time, she had even ran, and not bother about his life or safety. After that, she had still acted all scared. He didn’t understand, he wasn’t bad to her, even if she wanted to leave, she could at least discuss it with him. Why did she choose the moment when he was weakened?

As for Shangguan Qiao Yun? Forget about it, each day would be something new, he couldn’t muster the energy to try and understand them. He might as well take a knife and slash his own neck, the pain would be lesser.

Shangguan Qiao Yun was an astute person, when she saw Zhang Xiao Qiang busy, she immediately went forward to help.

On the way back to the chicken farm, they drove all the way right up to the building. Zhang Xiao Qiang shouted himself hoarse, and Three and Frank came running out, looking at him respectfully. Zhang Xiao Qiang pointed to the car: “Transport them all.”

3 long chests, 10 old-fashioned ammunition boxes, and a few old military uniforms were all placed neatly in the living room. Zhang Xiao Qiang went up to one of the wooden boxes and kicked it open, revealing 5 M1 rifles, the grease already dried and caked. When everyone saw the guns in the crates, their mouths turned dry. After all, they knew the importance of having a gun versus no guns. In the past, due to the lack of guns, they couldn’t do much. Now, with these guns, everyone could wield one.

Zhang Xiao Qiang tore off the cover of the ammunition box, revealing the bullets stacked neatly, without so much of a single scratch on everyone of them. The 3 crates had 15 rifles, 10 M1s, 5 M1 carbines, and the 10 ammunition boxes had rifle bullets in 7 of them, and 7.62mm carbine bombs in the other 3. Zhang Xiao Qiang grabbed an M1, and held it in his hands, testing it out. The 9-jin weight of it was just nice, its red handle smooth as well. It could hold 8 rounds, and was about 1.1m; its barrel length 610mm; its muzzle velocity 865m/s and its weight when empty, 4.37kg. Its effective range was about 730m, and using it to hit zombies from afar would be good. Even if they got close, sharp knives were better than steel beams.

“Go distribute them, as well as the uniforms and the rest of them. Bullets have to be handle by yourselves. Only when going out for missions will you be allowed to distribute the bullets. If anyway dare hide a bullet? You know what you have to do?”

Zhang Xiao Qiang’s words were over, and Three and Frank immediately saluted, as though they were in the army. He Wen Bin could not sit long, and after making a passing remark, he decided to head back to rest. Zhang Xiao Qiang then told Three to summon the combat team.

A total of 11 men stood carefully in a row, their bodies decked in the World War 2 uniforms. Three and Frank stood behind Zhang Xiao Qiang, wearing their uniforms. Their equipment was slightly different in that they had an additional 1911A1 and three magazines. Seeing the men with their chests stuck out, decked in military uniform, and the same resolution on all their faces, Zhang Xiao Qiang felt somewhat back in the army. He turned to Frank and Three to signal.

Three and Frank hurried forwards to open up the other 3 crates, and the 15 guns gleamed in the sunlight. The combat team were all attracted by the weapons, and could not help but feel excited about their first expedition. In the past, they had to rely on melee weapons, and could fall prey to the zombies anytime. With guns, who would be afraid now?

From the rifles, although their damage was strong, they only had 8 bullets. After finishing, they had to reload. As for the carbine, it was different, although the penetrative power might not be as powerful, they had more than twice the amount of bullets, and were faster to reload. As most of them were afraid of the zombies getting too close, having more bullets for close-range was better. The firepower might not be powerful, but they were still better than handguns.

One by one, they came up to receive the guns, playing around and admiring them.

“Hold up… give him this.”

The person who had come up was the first to defect to Zhang Xiao Qiang. Zhang Xiao Qiang neither disliked nor liked him, just because he had followed along on the expedition yesterday, and was the first to act against Vulture, Zhang Xiao Qiang would naturally hold him higher in regard. He took out a carbine and passed it to the man, whose entire face had flushed red from the gratitude and excitement. Zhang Xiao Qiang had personally handed him a gun, this was face! He was naturally excited!

10 rifles, plus 1 carbine. 11 of the men had their own weapons. Zhang Xiao Qiang gave Three, Frank and Lu Ren Yi each one, and the last he kept for himself. Each person could take 30 rounds of bullets. Zhang Xiao Qiang then went towards Yang Ke’er’s room, where she was leaning against the cushions watching her movie, while Yuan Yi was sleeping due to her injuries. Shangguan Qiao Yun was handling her gun, practising with it as well as taking care of it.

Zhang Xiao Qiang handed the carbine to her, looking at her in the eye: “From now on, you’re the firearms support, if you don’t hit those you’re supposed to, hmph…”

Shangguan Qiao Yun received it, looked at Zhang Xiao Qiang pitifully. She had not touched guns before, and who knew how her aim was? Now, he just dumped this large responsibility on her shoulders, how could she not feel anxious.

On the road, the surface was not even, and the Land Rover would hit some bumps once in awhile. The people inside would shake together with the vehicle. Zhang Xiao Qiang allowed himself to lean on the person next time to him from the swaying of the vehicle. After he laid down, he didn’t get up. Shangguan Qiao Yun’s body was too soft and tender. It was more comfortable than a sofa. He laid down and smelled her scent, looking at her as her face slowly turned red. Zhang Xiao Qiang fought hard to remember the objective of today’s exercise. The combat team had undergone a week of intensive training, and could be used. Yang Ke’er and Yuan Yi had somewhat recovered, but were still unable to exert too much strength. Zhang Xiao Qiang thus brought Three and 6 of the men in the combat team, and 5 of the combat support team to go and clean out the hot spring inn.

The men in the combat team were not fearful, they had guns, furthermore, Zhang Xiao Qiang handed each of them a shield. As long as they were alert, nothing would happen. Even if there was a boss, Brother Cockroach was there! Who would fear with him there? When the combat support team heard that they had to go along, there were one or two who cried as though their parents had died. If they dared to head out, they wouldn’t have to eat chicken feed anymore. Although there were rations for everyone now, but in their hearts, they saw how the unlucky chap had been devoured by the zombie. At the same time, they couldn’t not go, for fear of Zhang Xiao Qiang feeding them to the zombies. It was truly a tough position to be in. To them, if they go, it wasn’t likely that they’ll die, but if they didn’t go, Zhang Xiao Qiang would feed them to the zombies. Therefore, in the end, they chose to go.

Zhang Xiao Qiang lazed around on Shangguan Qiao Yun’s lap, but could feel the Land Rover slowing down. He got up reluctantly, and exited the vehicle. Three and the rest of the men stood together, waiting for instructions. Zhang Xiao Qiang raised his binoculars and looked towards the hot spring inn.