Chapter Nineteen: To Stay or to Leave

Along the way, Liu Chang and his companions skirted countless terrifying creatures and avoided groups of people, finally arriving at the southern outskirts of Kaifeng.

Here, a sizeable military force was stationed. Given Kaifeng’s proximity to Zhengzhou and its position at the heart of the Central Plains, it was no surprise that the city hosted a substantial garrison.

Unlike other areas of Kaifeng, the military district was already teeming with people—clearly, fools were always in the minority. Just as Liu Chang’s group had sought out the military for help, so had many others.

These days, with food in short supply and vehicles unable to traverse the land—grass waist-high, visibility limited to three meters, and the ground riddled with pits—human mobility was severely restricted. Monsters roamed everywhere, and food was scarce. Yet, for all that, the military’s presence here offered a rare sense of security.

A vast crowd had gathered, and though limited sight lines prevented anyone from seeing just how many people were present, the sheer density of humanity suggested no fewer than a hundred thousand had congregated.

“All residents, attention! All residents, attention!” As soon as Liu Chang arrived, he saw a man standing atop a jeep, shouting into a loudspeaker.

“Everyone who has come here, please do not cause a commotion or push—avoid injury at all costs!” The military jeep’s high chassis and open roof made it easy for the man to address the crowd as the driver slowly maneuvered forward.

As the vehicle passed Liu Chang’s group, they all pricked up their ears, quietly listening for what this leader would say.

“Everyone, quiet down, please!” the loudspeaker blared, the man striving to be heard by all. “You’ve all seen the situation. You all understand what’s happening. So, please, don’t jostle or fight; you know what injuries could lead to. I’ll keep this brief and address the two or three questions that matter most to everyone.”

“First, the question of where to go.” The soldier with the loudspeaker spoke with calm efficiency, clearly selected for this task. At this, the crowd fell silent, each person straining to catch his words.

“As for our future movements, the army plans to split into two groups. The first will remain here, constructing temporary defenses to create a relatively safe place to live.”

“The second group will move to the provincial capital, Zhengzhou, to join the main force. Some may even head north to the capital for help. You may choose where to go. Those wishing to stay, move south into the military zone. Those wishing to leave, remain where you are.”

He took a breath, then continued, “The second issue is food. Supplies are short, and the military is no exception. We hope everyone can fend for themselves as much as possible; our rations are truly limited!”

No sooner had he finished speaking than the crowd erupted, their faces filled with outrage.

“Why can’t you give us food? Isn’t it said that even if we stopped farming, China’s stores would feed everyone for three years?” people shouted.

“That’s right! The grain was grown by us farmers in the suburbs. What has it got to do with you? We pay taxes to support you. If anyone goes hungry, it should be you, not us!”

“Why can’t we have food? Are you worse than the monsters outside?”

The noise grew, but no one dared rush the jeep—military authority still held sway. Though no one laid hands on the soldiers, the crowd voiced their dissatisfaction loudly.

The man atop the jeep watched the commotion silently. After the first wave of anger subsided, he spoke up, “Everyone, please, calm down and listen to me. Just listen for a moment.”

He repeated himself twice before the crowd quieted enough for him to continue.

“About the food situation, let me explain—our grain depots are no longer edible. If you don’t believe me, you can go see for yourselves. The wheat and rice are infested and moldy; the air in the warehouses is foul. Eating any of it would be deadly.”

This explanation was persuasive, and indeed, the crowd’s anger quickly subsided.

“So, we ourselves have no food left, except for some military rations—compressed biscuits and instant noodles—and even those are limited. In the days ahead, we hope everyone can manage as much as possible on their own.”

With that, the soldier patted the driver, and the two left to deliver their message elsewhere.

Liu Chang and his companions remained behind, pondering their future.

“Do you want to leave or stay?” Li Qingshui whispered once the crowd had settled.

“I don’t want to leave,” Liu Chang replied. “The whole world is the same now—what difference does it make where you go? At least I know this place a little. Besides, I want to check on my mother from time to time. What about you?”

“I’d like to go north with the army and see what they know, but honestly, I don’t think I’d survive the journey. So, I’ll stay.” Li Qingshui offered a self-mocking smile.

“I want to stay too. I don’t think I’d make it out alive.” The fat boy, who once boasted at school that he could survive even if all his classmates turned into zombies, now looked at the red mist and grass at his feet with fear in his eyes. “If it weren’t for you all, I wouldn’t have had the courage to make it out of the city center. I’d have died on the way. So, I’ll stay.”

“I’ll stay as well,” murmured Zhu Lin, who had quietly followed the group all along.

“And you?” Liu Chang looked down at the little girl.

“I’ll go wherever you go,” she replied with a faint smile, the scar on her face softening.

“Very well. Since we’ve all decided to stay, let’s wait here and discuss our plans for the future.”

“Our plan is simple: survive.” Li Qingshui smiled. “The biggest problems are: one, food shortages; two, a safe place to live.”

“As for shelter, didn’t that man say the military will set aside an area for us?” Liu Chang nodded thoughtfully. “Even without mechanized equipment, living inside the military district should be relatively safe.”

“That leaves only one problem.”

“How to get food!” they all answered at once.