novelraw Chapter 747: The Rules
Chapter 747: The Rules
The tunnel became eerily quiet for a moment, as if everyone had been shocked by the sudden news. However, what followed was a wave of skepticism.
"Huh?"
"Is that even true?"
"Just because you say your family dug it doesn’t make it yours..."
"A check with big data will reveal the truth."
The one good thing about the apocalypse was that it was no longer easy to counterfeit or plagiarize. When the cost of faking something exceeded the cost of the genuine article, there was simply no point in doing it anymore. Of course, there was also the most important reason: everything had a digital certificate.
People reluctantly brought out their phones and expended 2% of their battery to check the official website. They found that the ownership of this tunnel was indeed Jing Shu’s, complete with an attached electronic photo. The light shone on Jing Shu’s face, and Chu Xixi compared it up and down before drawing a sharp breath, "Hiss~ It really is hers... and not only that..."
"What else?"
Chu Xixi continued, "Thousands of tunnels, all dug by her... not just this one; the whole string of connected tunnels belongs to her."
So, the people in the tunnel truly erupted. They had thought, at worst, they could just live in a farther tunnel, but now there was no hope for that.
Sanliang was also shocked. He had known there were many tunnels along the way but had no idea that they were all dug by Miss Jing Shu. That was incredibly impressive... How massive an undertaking must that have been? And how on earth did she do it? It didn’t seem like it was done with digging machines, but more like... gnawed out by some kind of creature.
Jing Shu nodded, satisfied. It seemed that these people recognized her identity. Then she deliberately asked Sanliang, "Captain Sanliang, what crime is it to trespass into someone’s home and damage their property?"
Sanliang cleared his throat and shouted, "According to the new laws of the apocalypse, if someone intrudes onto private property, the owner has the right to take any self-defense actions against the intruders, and their life or death is inconsequential." Seeing the people immediately shrink down like quails, Sanliang reminded them, "Even if they are killed, there are no consequences."
Frightened, the crowd immediately retreated several steps.
Jing Shu felt that the groundwork had been laid well enough; scaring them should suffice. The main thing was to ensure that these people would peacefully make way for the migrating groups. Otherwise, who knew how long they’d be delayed on an already slow journey?
Just as she was about to conclude, several elder women burst forth. They hadn’t even reached Jing Shu before they fell to the ground and cried, "Miss, please have mercy. You’re so wealthy, with hundreds and hundreds of tunnels. Just spare one or two for us poor souls to sleep in. It’s a simple gesture for you, but for us, it’s like having a second chance at life."
"Please, I’ll be grateful to your ancestors for eighteen generations."
"Yes, please show us some kindness, wealthy lady."
"We’re really pitiful."
Jing Shu’s face suddenly turned cold. Were they resorting to emotional blackmail after their shameful behavior failed? She hated being morally coerced. She said, "Is there a lot of money in the Township Government Building? Can’t you live there? Not only is there money, but it’s also warm. Why don’t you go rob the Township Government? The bank has even more money; why don’t you beg it to have pity on you?"
Someone whispered, "But that’s illegal."
"If you can beg the bank to feel sorry for you and give you a free place to stay, then so can I. Not only can I give you that, but I can also give you Virtual Coins," Jing Shu said, and then continued, "Alright, it’s not impossible for you to live here, but I have three conditions."
"First: Those who stay in the tunnels must pay a management fee of 1 Virtual Coin per person per month. Those unwilling to pay can choose not to stay."
Alright, 1 Virtual Coin was already very little, almost the same as getting something for free, and most people silently accepted it.
"Second, any vehicle or person passing through from Wu City must tidy up their belongings and clear a lane for passing vehicles and pedestrians to use."
"Third, everyone must maintain cleanliness; indiscriminate urination and defecation are not allowed. I will select property managers. Each will be paid 30 Virtual Coins a month, with the funds drawn from the collected management fees. They will be responsible for digging latrines, managing sanitation, and coordinating with migrating teams passing through. If the teams behind you complain about the smell, then..."
"I have no objections to the first two points, but do we really have to manage... uh, defecation too?"
"In such cold weather, why bother digging a latrine pit? We just take care of it anywhere nearby..."
Seeing everyone’s aversion to digging toilets and cleaning out latrines, Jing Shu said, "A latrine pit is 50 Virtual Coins, and the Wucheng Team will pay for it. You can split the money once you get it."
"Hey, rest assured, we will definitely maintain the cleanliness of the tunnel."
"It’s not about the money; the main thing is that we are clean people."
Even those elder women stopped crying, already mulling over how much money could be made from these latrines. The quick-witted ones among them were already thinking: since the Wucheng Team was buying, and with so many people in Xinlan City, couldn’t they buy the waste at a low price and resell it?
Subsequently, Jing Shu selected ten of the most willing and enthusiastic individuals to be property managers; after all, they could make 30 Virtual Coins a month. At this point, everyone was actively tidying up their belongings and clearing the road for the passing caravan.
The scene resembled that of India when a train passes by, where vendors and pedestrians hastily tidy up their goods. Indeed, when Sanliang led the caravan past, it was just such a scene. People on both sides stared at the caravan with envy, while those in the caravan watched the people on the sides with a sigh.
Grandma Jing especially couldn’t bear to see this, muttering, "When will this ever end? It’s even worse than the disaster years we had."
When Hulk passed by, these people completely lost their nerve, fearing that these creatures might eat them without a second thought...
Sanliang’s voice came through the walkie-talkie. It turned out that because the tunnels were occupied, the caravan had decided to stay overnight in Xinlan City, offering the other tunnels to the civilians who were walking behind them.
"Xinlan is the first large city we’ve come across in so many days. Whatever we’re lacking, we can replenish here. Tonight, we’ll stay at the hostel over there. Accommodation is 20 Virtual Coins per room, hot water is 1 Virtual Coin per kettle, and then we’ll gather tomorrow morning at nine to continue traveling."
Despite the caravan carrying all their belongings, they really did need some daily necessities, especially hot water, which they only boiled once they arrived at a place. This meant that only Jiang Jiang had enough to drink, but as for washing and taking baths, that was out of the question—conditions were indeed very tough.
Of course, that didn’t include Jing Shu’s family, who managed to take a hot water bath every now and then.
Three miles out of the tunnel was Xinlan. The snowfall was not as heavy as in Wu City, but unfortunately, it had not been cleared. The wheels crunched and slipped on the packed snow, making the journey exceptionally difficult. Yet even so, spirits were high because after being confined for half a month, today they could finally sleep in a house.
Xinlan is an ancient and time-worn city, now lying in ruins. Under the bleak weather, one could only make out specks of light and a lifeless atmosphere.
They arrived at the hostel, which was located in a large building by the Yellow River.
"Look, it’s the Yellow River!" Jing Shu said, pointing at the distant, hazy expanse.
"Where? Stop the car, stop the car." Mr. Jing was very excited, and Jing Shu’s family were also somewhat thrilled.