Everyone queuing inside the building had a beaming smile on their face.
Nobody expected to have such good fortune as soon as they woke up today—no need to go to work, and a large amount of supplies to collect.
Anyone would laugh at something like this.
After receiving the supplies, many families couldn't help but walk to the open space next to them to examine them closely, occasionally poking the meat inside with their fingers and taking a deep breath of the bloody smell emanating from the bags.
Besides the two types of meat, each family received only dozens or even hundreds of kilograms of dried earthworms as supplies.
These things were vacuum-packed in individual bags; although they were quite heavy, their volume wasn't too large.
Many people were very curious about this product, and quite a few people immediately opened the packaging, took out a small handful, and handed it to their family members around them to taste.
To everyone's surprise, it was surprisingly delicious after tasting it.
"This is so delicious!"
"I can't believe how long it's been since I've had anything this delicious!"
For a moment, many people couldn't help but beam with joy, stuffing one dried earthworm after another into their mouths, chewing and praising it incessantly.
Although these dried earthworms are industrial products, and the flavor is deliberately strong to mask the earthy smell of the earthworms themselves, they are even more intense than spicy strips.
Aside from the Wandering Spacetime, people from other timelines generally couldn't get used to the food.
However, this clearly does not include the Finch Spacetime.
The unique crisp texture of dried earthworms, combined with a variety of specially prepared flavors, instantly awakened the taste buds of many residents.
Previously, this timeline was struggling to make ends meet, so the food was naturally monotonous and bland. The residents hadn't tasted anything so unique in a long time.
This feeling is no less than that of a native Sichuanese who, after eating boiled cabbage with a little salt for fifteen years, suddenly gets to eat authentic Sichuan cuisine.
Many people can't stop eating once they start.
The residents only stopped when their stomachs were full and burps rose and fell like the croaking of frogs. Then, looking around, they saw that everyone's hands were covered in dried earthworm seasoning powder and couldn't help but laugh.
"I haven't eaten this much in ages."
"I'm satisfied, I'm satisfied..."
Patting their bellies, many people chose to reseal the bags they had just opened, and then carried their own supplies home.
As for raw meat that is prone to spoilage, it is sealed and labeled before being sent to the cafeteria's large freezer, which is one of the few electrical appliances in the building.
However, these people have left.
But as soon as the others finished receiving their supplies, their actions were exactly the same as the previous group: they opened the bags, looked inside, smelled them, poked at them, smiled, and took out dried earthworms...
door.
"Comrade, where did these dried earthworms and other supplies come from?"
As Zhou Tao distributed the supplies, he curiously looked at the dried earthworms he was handing out. Apart from the production date and the date not to be eaten, the vacuum bags had no other markings.
In particular, the rice labeled as "supported" and "local" appears to have a noticeable difference in quality.
The rice supplied was of a much higher quality than the local rice produced in their agricultural building.
And support?
Where will the support come from at this time?
Upon hearing Zhou Tao mention this, the clerk shook his head. "The supplies should be in the reserve warehouse. I don't know about dried earthworms; I'm not from the agricultural sector. But I've never heard of us starting to produce dried earthworms before..."
He also found it strange.
He had more information than Zhou Tao and the others, knowing that these dried earthworms were not only being distributed in their city, but all over the country.
But just as he said, no one had ever heard of a dried earthworm industry being launched in China before.
They suddenly produced so many dried earthworms, it's like they appeared out of nowhere.
However, there's no need to tell these ordinary residents this news...
However, the government officials were unaware of this.
After hearing his words, Zhou Tao and Xue Liangping, who was next to him, exchanged a seemingly unintentional glance.
Both sides could understand the meaning in each other's eyes.
These dried earthworms are definitely the work of the Mutual Aid Society!
The Mutual Aid Society was their lucky star.
The first time we met, we only got an apple. Then everyone got an apple, and now they're just handing out supplies.
Looking at the piles of white rice behind him and the bags of dried earthworms of varying sizes in front of him, Zhou Tao's enthusiasm for Xue Liangping work soared.
The distribution of supplies was already fast, but now it's even faster, with the entire building's distribution completed in less than an hour.
Seeing the two people brimming with energy, the clerk happily moved on to the next step.
The residents, who had just brought the supplies home, gathered together again.
The clerk took a document out of his pocket.
"This is a mobilization order, and also the latest assigned task. The reason everyone is stopped working today is related to this mobilization order."
Upon hearing this, everyone present pricked up their ears, not daring to miss a single word.
Seeing this, the clerk turned his attention back to the document and began to read and explain:
"... Due to the latest unfavorable weather forecasts, the entire nation must prepare for a potential ice age. We are now entering the first phase of mobilization."
"The goal of this mobilization is to collect supplies via freight. We will leave the country and travel to other locations to transport a large amount of usable supplies back home."
"All members of all freight detachments, except those who retain the necessary domestic material allocation capabilities, must obey orders and participate in this mobilization. In addition, anyone capable of driving a truck may also voluntarily respond to this mobilization."
As soon as the government official finished speaking, the residents erupted in an uproar.
"So, in order to cope with the crisis, we're going to go abroad to collect supplies and then bring them back?"
"Can people who can't drive go?" Some young people were eager to try, but they were also a little nervous. They had grown up in buildings and most of them had never even been in a car, let alone driven one.
But before they could even open their mouths, a middle-aged man patted his chest and declared, "Those who can't drive, come with me! This experienced driver will teach you newbies how to drive, guaranteed to teach you until you learn!"
Upon hearing this, many people's minds shifted, and they looked around at the people around them.
Are you going or not?
"Damn it, only a coward wouldn't go!"
"I'll go too!"
"Me too!"
Count me in too!
The lights were dim, and among the crowd sitting on the ground, hands were raised in different directions. At first, it was only a few pairs or a dozen, but it quickly spread to dozens or hundreds, and almost everyone in the building had raised their hands.
At this moment, regardless of gender or age, everyone's gaze was equally firm.
One after another, hands, pale and sickly from prolonged indoor living, pierced the darkness like swords, or even stood tall like mountains, supporting the collapsing sky.
The clerk was deeply moved by what he saw, so he said softly, "Everyone, follow my instructions."
"Student, put your hands down."
Many of the arms raised high trembled slightly.
But not a single arm fell.
Everyone held it high.
The clerk sighed and emphasized again, "Students, put your hands down. This is just the first mobilization. There are more important tasks for you to handle next."
"So put it down. Even if you hold it up, you can't fool them."
Only after saying that did some people slowly come to terms with reality and let go.
The civil servant reiterated, "Families with children can only send one person at a time."
Upon hearing this, many families began to discuss it.
Zhou Tao also looked at his wife and children, gesturing for her to put her hand down.
Soon, another group of people put their hands down.
The clerk then raised several more criteria and continued the screening process.
In the end, only fifty people were selected from the building.
The proportion of middle-aged and young people is about half and half, and most of them can drive trucks. Middle-aged people like Zhou Tao have basically participated in the building relocation task fifteen years ago.
The government official gave these people half an hour to go home and pack their belongings, and specifically reminded them that they did not need to bring food.
Watching Zhou Tao and the others go upstairs, the others who weren't selected couldn't help but feel disappointed and confused. Many of them surrounded the government officials, asking when the second round of mobilization would begin.
The clerk repeatedly said he didn't know, and then moved on to the next matter.
"By the way, the higher-ups specifically reminded everyone to pick up the technology from fifteen years ago again."
"Technology from fifteen years ago?"
What does this mean?
Everyone was puzzled for a moment.
The political clerk explained, "It's about reviewing the work skills you had before the solar storm, whether it's programming or scientific research."
"I also brought my computer and equipment with me this time. If you need any help with materials, you can search for and print electronic documents via the wireless network..." xS12
Programming?
Isn't that just a programmer?
There are quite a few programmers in the building.
But with the Ice Age approaching, what use will programming be?
Is it really worth using the wireless network to help everyone find information?
It's important to understand that since the apocalypse, the internet has become something we only use for work.
No one understood, but they kept it in mind and planned to take a look when they had some free time later.
Since the higher-ups specifically reminded us, it must really be effective.
Half an hour later, Zhou Tao and the other mobilization participants left with the government officials.
Following the streetlights, the group quickly arrived at the meeting point.
During this process, they already knew that this was an emergency mission, and they might not have much time to rest before they had to start carrying out the mission as soon as they arrived at the location.
Zhou Tao and the others had no objections to this; they had been mentally prepared for it long ago.
Another hour later, the group walked to the outskirts of the city.
A large shed made of steel pipes and sheet metal came into view, beneath which were rows of gleaming trucks; looking around, it was as if one had entered a forest of trucks.
Above the shed, a simple sign told everyone what this place was.
[Fifth Temporary Parking Lot in Imperial Capital ]
"Most of the trucks in the city should have been collected." Zhou Tao couldn't help but guess as he looked at the scene before him.
Next to him was Xue Liangping, who had been specially brought along. Although this young man couldn't drive, he had been working very hard lately, so Zhou Tao had taken him under his wing.
This was the first time Xue Liangping had ever seen such a scene, and he couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.
The official didn't give everyone much time to marvel; he clapped his hands, signaled for everyone to split into groups, and then got on the bus to head to a specific location.
Since Xue Liangping couldn't drive, Zhou Tao's group consisted of three people: two drivers and one apprentice.
Moreover, the other driver was also a long-time member of the scrap metal transport team, and they all knew each other very well.
After successfully receiving the keys, Zhou Tao started the car and familiarized himself with it for a while before officially setting off, enjoying the cool night breeze as he headed towards the designated location.
The streets were much busier than usual, filled with vehicles participating in the mobilization, even causing traffic jams at one point. It wasn't until midnight that Zhou Tao and his group arrived at the assembly point as required.
A construction site underway.
Thousands of trucks were lined up on a newly paved cement ground, and a construction team was working overnight nearby, continuing to lay cement on the ground.
Moreover, apart from the main road they came from, there was no other way to leave.
Zhou Tao couldn't help but feel puzzled by this situation.
Which country are we going to collect supplies from next?
"There isn't a single road around here. Should we turn back the way we came when we set off later?"
Zhou Tao parked the car and turned off the engine. He looked around and noticed that other drivers were doing the same thing.
After a brief exchange, it was discovered that neither side knew much more about the situation, and everyone could only wait.
This wait lasted for nearly two hours, until 2 a. m., when the sound of Horn began to blare from the very front of the line.
"Everyone, listen to my command: move forward!"
Everyone was jolted awake by this sentence.
Bang bang bang!
The convoy, which had gathered over ten thousand vehicles, started moving, and twenty thousand headlights illuminated the entire area.
Even so, it couldn't illuminate the black wall in front of them...
"Holy shit!"
What the hell is that?
Unbeknownst to Zhou Tao and the others, the driver in the front seat was already extremely surprised.
Because these people witnessed a supernatural scene.
The light from the truck's headlights inexplicably disappeared after reaching a certain distance, leaving them with only pure blackness, like a giant wall.
"Don't be afraid, keep driving forward, it's okay. Keep going, and remember not to stop after you pass, just keep following the road and signs..."
Soldiers in military uniforms stood at the traffic post, signaling to the drivers to keep accelerating forward.
Despite not knowing what had happened, the drivers, trusting the soldiers, accelerated and slowly moved forward, making direct contact with the black wall.
Then,
Then they saw the light...
The blinding light, coming from all directions, stimulated everyone's retinas.
because--
The world turned into daylight in an instant!
"What's going on...?"
It was just 2 a. m.!
How did it turn into daytime after I crossed the black wall?
The drivers simply couldn't understand this.
But before they could think, they immediately heard the familiar voice again.
There, soldiers in the same uniform stood in their posts, sweating profusely in the sunlight, using Horn to direct their troops.
Keep going, don't slow down!
"Hurry up, keep driving, don't worry about your surroundings, we'll explain later. Just keep going, follow the signs, and don't block the lanes..."
The drivers instinctively pressed the accelerator, paying attention to the road signs while also glancing at their rearview mirrors to make sure they hadn't misread the signs.
Those soldiers, they were actually standing in the sunlight?
How come they're standing in the sunlight?