Apocalypse: After Being Reborn, I Stocked Up on All Supplies-Chapter 188 - : Military City
Chapter 188 -188: Military City
Jiang Yan pulled out a telescope from her backpack and looked in the direction pointed out by Brother Song.
Through the greyish-black haze, layers of black mountains and sparsely scattered buildings appeared in the scope.
At a glance, everything was withered, leaving only black and grey behind.
It was like entering a black magical world, oppressive yet feeling somewhat surreal.
As the scope’s view shifted, Jiang Yan also saw fully armed soldiers dressed in Protective Clothing, wearing gas masks, and carrying guns.
Behind them stood barricades of yellow and black, the same height as their shoulders, surrounded by sharp barbs.
Further inside was a four-lane road leading into the city.
Only now, there were no cars on the road, just two guardhouses converted from shipping containers.
Personnel sat inside, seemingly registering and inspecting those entering Xiangcheng.
There were also armed soldiers on guard duty there.
The view deeper inside was unclear.
Overall, it looked like a well-sized base, heavily guarded by troops.
Jiang Yan withdrew her gaze to look outside the barricades, where not only the burly patrolling soldiers but also people who had just come ashore and were displaced were squeezed together.
Most people wore oddly shaped, improvised clothing, as if they’d piled on every garment they could wear.
Many were shivering, with some blowing out puffs of white fog, frantically rubbing their hands and stomping their feet.
There were also clusters of scrawny children with dark, ruddy cheeks.
Some looked bewildered, toddling along beside their parents.
A few stared intently at those who had just come ashore.
As soon as they spotted someone with a lot of luggage, they would quickly run over and cling to their legs.
Due to the cold, these children all had two grey-black snot trails frozen under their noses.
Jiang Yan handed the telescope to Brother Song beside her, “This place, their defense and armed forces are so strong?”
“Yes,” Brother Song pondered for a second, “Xiangcheng isn’t large, but due to its special geographical location, it’s not only a commercial hub and the Coal Mine Capital but also one of the only two military cities in our country. So seeing so many soldiers is to be expected.”
“One of the only two military cities?” Su Dai joined the conversation with a curious face.
Sun Jingtao, who was also holding a telescope, quickly finished his observation and passed it to Ye Qing, “Yes, the other is in the borderlands.”
“A military city, that means there are many troops stationed there, right? Honey, does that mean we’re safe now?!” Su Dai was somewhat excited.
From childhood, what gave her the greatest sense of security were soldiers.
She remembered when she faced the flood disaster in her hometown, it was the then not-yet-discharged Sun Jingtao who single-handedly steered a submachine gun through the floodwaters and bravely rescued her.
It was because of this that Su Dai fell in love at first sight with Sun Jingtao, who was still a tender young man at the time, and promised her heart to him.
Eventually, after years of a romantic relationship, the two of them came together.
Hearing Su Dai’s words, Sun Jingtao nodded and “uh-huh” in agreement.
Brother Song knitted his brows but said nothing.
Ye Qing took notice of the term “Coal Mine Capital” from Brother Song’s mouth and mentioned, “So, is this haze caused by coal ash?”
Brother Song shook his head, “It shouldn’t be. If it was, the people onshore would have collected it for heating by now.”
After speaking, he turned around, looked at the group with a grave expression, and said:
“This seems to be a newly constructed small base. Although there are troops stationed, the ultimate control isn’t clear. So once we land, remember to be cautious in your speech and conduct.
Also, there seems to be a registration office. It would be best for everyone to use easy-to-remember fake names when registering.”
What he said were basically the common sense of traveling abroad these days; the rest understood.
However, everyone still nodded seriously.
The previously confiscated submachine guns obviously could not be so brazenly carried in.
Ye Qing already voluntarily started dismantling the guns for everyone.
Soon, everyone concealed their weapons in their bags.
Fortunately, Jiang Yan had observed earlier that those entering the base didn’t need to open their luggage for inspection during registration.
“And the two of you, unless it’s a special situation, try not to expose yourselves,” he advised, his gaze specifically on Jiang Yan and Su Dai.
In the apocalypse, women faced more crises and dangers than men.
Moreover, both of them were impeccable in looks and figure.
“Thank you for the reminder, Brother Song. Also, is there anything about this place that we don’t understand?” Seeing his sudden and unusual reminder, Sun Jingtao couldn’t help but ask.
Brother Song remained silent for a second before saying, “Remember I mentioned the five private bases, Flame Base and Yaoben Base?”
“I remember,” Sun Jingtao nodded and added, “One is in the north, and the other is in the east.”
Once he finished speaking, Sun Jingtao realized, “You mean to say, it’s very possible, aside from official power, there might be branch forces from those two bases or other third-party forces here?”
Brother Song: “That possibility can’t be ruled out.”
“If Yaoben’s here, then we’ve found our headquarters. No need to be afraid!” Upon hearing this, Kong Wu laughed, standing tall and thumping his chest with pride.
A shower of black ash fell from his chest with his movements.
Jiang Yan laughed, “Your base should really give you an award for the Most Loyal Base Citizen of the Year or the Best Reputation Guardian Base Citizen of the Year.”
The corners of Kong Wu’s lips curved up in pride, “Of course!”
“Speaking of base citizens, sigh, before the apocalypse, I had invested in a bunch of mutual funds, all green and thriving. Luckily, now it’s all just numbers, out of sight, out of mind,” Su Dai sighed next to him.
Sun Jingtao: “…” The conversation was on track; how did it veer off again?
“Brother Song, the official power and the private base forces, what’s the current distribution of power like? Do you know?”
“I don’t know.”
“…”
“Alright, we’re ready, so let’s set off. Once we line up to go ashore, let’s not chat anymore, everyone.” Brother Song didn’t seem interested in discussing further along Sun Jingtao’s line of questioning, and just picked up the oar to continue rowing.
He seemed to know something but also seemed wary of many things.
Often, he was cryptic and made it like a guessing game for everyone.
Since he wasn’t willing to speak directly, the rest didn’t press on.
Sun Jingtao could only pick up another oar and sit on the opposite side.
Jiang Yan and Ye Qing exchanged a glance without speaking.
Not far ahead, near the shore, floated many lane dividers one would find in a swimming pool, designed to section off areas.
They varied in size, seemingly prepared for different boat types.
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On top of the buoys was a wooden floating bridge.
Seeing this, everyone rowed towards the section where some submachine gunboats were lined up.
Ahead there were already a dozen or so submachine gunboats waiting to dock.
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ps. All cities and places mentioned in the text are fictional, please do not take them as real.
