#188 - Chapter 188 Training Ends
"Mayor Zuo, what brings you here to see me today?" Zongzhen Yue got straight to the point, not wanting to exchange pleasantries with him.
"Commander Zong, I'm still here regarding the Red Lotus Sect," Zuo Wenshan replied.
"Mayor Zuo, I already made it clear to you last time that I will not interfere with the Red Lotus Sect," Zongzhen Yue said.
"Commander Zong, you may not be aware, but the Red Lotus Sect openly came to the settlement this morning to distribute leaflets, trying to entice ordinary people to believe in them. If we don't suppress them, I'm afraid that over time, people's hearts will become restless!" Zuo Wenshan said urgently.
"Mayor Zuo, this is an internal matter for your settlement. I think you should look for the reasons and solutions internally," Commander Zong said, refusing.
"Commander Zong's meaning is that you plan to completely ignore the affairs of the settlement from now on?" Zuo Wenshan's tone turned cold.
"That's right!" Commander Zong replied.
"Is this your intention, or the intention of the council?" Zuo Wenshan continued to ask.
"Whether it's me or the council, the intention is the same," Commander Zong didn't leave any room for maneuver.
"So, no matter what decisions we make in the Suiyang Settlement in the future, the military region and the council will not interfere?" Zuo Wenshan confirmed again.
"Yes!" Zongzhen Yue replied.
"Ah! Very well! Commander Zong, since that's the case, then I'll take my leave!" Seeing Zongzhen Yue's firm attitude, Zuo Wenshan prepared to leave.
"Mayor Zuo, take care!" Zongzhen Yue directly saw him off.
… …
Binjiang City Underground Base.
"Assemble!"
Upon hearing the order to assemble, the trainees quickly arrived at the base's main hall and lined up.
"Everyone, as of today, you have completed three months of training. It's time for you to leave," Dongfang Chen said.
No one spoke.
"After these three months of training, I believe you have mastered basic survival skills. As long as you're not too stupid, I believe you can live well in this apocalyptic world."
"I can clearly tell you that I have a purpose in training you. However, I don't like to force others, after all, forced fruit is not sweet. Now I'm giving you a chance to choose, and this will be your last chance to choose."
"Now listen to my order: those who are unwilling to obey orders and unwilling to take risks to carry out missions, take one step forward," Dongfang Chen said.
The trainees looked at each other, but no one stepped forward.
"How about this? All members of the ordinary group, turn around!" Dongfang Chen shouted again.
The ordinary group consisted of 156 people, excluding the 30 people from the Southwest Military Region's directed training program and the 54 people specially selected by the base to form the Special Operations Team.
These 156 people turned around in unison.
"Listen to my command: those who are willing to join the base, willing to carry out the base's missions, and even willing to sacrifice their lives for it, take one step forward!" Dongfang Chen shouted loudly.
This time, more than half of the people stepped forward.
"Good, the trainees who stepped forward, step out of the line, the rest of you, reform the ranks."
"You line up over there," Dongfang Chen said, pointing to another open space.
The trainees who were willing to join the base quickly reached the open space and stood in formation.
"Count off!"
"1, 2, … … , 93, 94."
A total of 94 ordinary trainees were willing to join the base.
There were still 62 people who had not expressed their position.
But not expressing a position was the best attitude.
These 62 people lowered their heads in shame.
"I said just now that I don't like to force others. You have the freedom to choose, and I respect your choice. There's nothing to be embarrassed about, you don't need to lower your heads."
"Later, I will arrange for a plane to send you away. I hope that after you return to your hometown, you can use your strength to protect the peace of your area."
"I'm sorry to say that before you leave, you have to return all the equipment. Of course, it's not that I'm stingy and unwilling to part with these things. But without the protection of the base, you can't hold on to these things. Perhaps, after people find out, it will bring danger to you. The so-called 'a common man is innocent, but he is guilty of possessing a treasure,' is the principle."
No one spoke.
"Alright, I'll give you 10 minutes to pack your things. In 10 minutes, everyone must gather in the transportation area. The plane will send you back to your respective settlements one by one. Dismissed!" Dongfang Chen said.
These 62 people quickly left the hall and returned to the rest area to pack their things.
It wasn't that Dongfang Chen was anxious to let them go, but that the next arrangement was not suitable for those who planned to quit to know. Therefore, sending them away early was the best choice.
The others did not receive Dongfang Chen's order and could only wait in place.
10 minutes later, 10 planes took off one after another and left the base.
After the plane took off, Dongfang Chen began the next step of the arrangement.
The remaining 178 people were structured as follows:
Ordinary Trainees: 94 people;
Southwest Military Region Directed Training: 30 people;
Base Special Operations Team Reserve Trainees: 54 people.
"Next, I will play a video for everyone."
Dongfang Chen issued an instruction to Xiaolin, and an animated video of the ecological crisis began playing on the hall's large screen.
