Wang Lei returned to the scene where the prisoners lay dead.
More than thirty members of the Vulture Tribe were still lying there. Not far away, there was a rhythmic "thump-thump" sound. A gaunt boy, like an old monk striking a bell, charged at the armored vehicle again and again.
Bruce was clearly not as strong as his Barry had imagined.
He had launched at least a hundred attacks, but apart from a few mud streaks, the armored vehicles were completely unmarked.
"Alright, let him rejoin the team. That's enough of the punishment for now. Everyone get up, don't let him get sunburned."
Wang Lei issued the order.
Soon all the prisoners were called from the ground to a shady spot, and soldiers brought up buckets of water, then put some snow-white salt into them in front of everyone.
Salt grains, like snowflakes, fall into the water and dissolve into it in no time.
The prisoners who witnessed this scene couldn't help but gasp for breath with their chapped lips open, as if they were possessed. Some even stuck out their pale tongues and swirled them around in the dry air, as if they were immersed in a bucket of salt water.
Both water and that snow-white salt are things they can only dream of in their daily lives.
Seeing the expressions on everyone's faces, Wang Lei waved his hand, signaling them. "Line up and get your water!"
Then, a soldier next to the bucket picked up a large ladle and stirred it a couple of times to make sure the salt grains had dissolved, and then tapped the bucket.
After two loud thuds, someone else came up with a large bowl.
"Bring it on!"
The soldier in charge of distributing the water waved to the crowd.
However, the prisoners remained standing still, not daring to move.
They never intended to drink this water.
In the wasteland, prisoners of war rarely receive such treatment.
Prisoners of war usually end up being sold, used as slaves or objects to be exploited for their value as quickly as possible, or worse, turned into food reserves... m.
So this situation of distributing water to them must be hiding a trap to trick them, such as the first person to go up severing an artery, pouring that person's blood into the bucket and mixing it together, and then forcing them to drink it, or something like that.
In the wasteland, such pranks are common.
Nothing good will happen on this land.
Even the rain carries radioactive dust.
Those who get wet will die.
The stalemate continued until Wang Lei personally came down to drag people out; Barry and his younger brother Bruce were the first to be taken to the front.
Each of them was given a bowl, and with long faces, they each filled their bowls with water. Finally, under Wang Lei's staring gaze, they drank it down with a death-defying resolve.
In the brothers' minds, since their main artery hadn't been severed, there was only one possibility left—
The water is highly poisonous!
At this moment.
Zhang Tianyuan also came over and, seeing the two brothers' pained expressions, couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong? Did your illness flare up again?"
Wang Lei turned his head, spread out his hands, and made a blank expression. "I guess they're not used to people being nice to them yet."
Having gone through so many different time periods, Wang Lei Lei's men had come to understand the thought processes of refugees under certain circumstances.
In this situation, they don't need any verbal explanations; they just need to offer real benefits. Regardless of whether the refugees are willing to accept it at first, they will eventually be overjoyed.
Isn't that right?
When Wang Lei turned his head again, the two brothers were already ladling out a second bowl of water with shining eyes.
Seeing how much they were enjoying their drinks, the others were also tempted...
When the two brothers finished their fourth bowl, the other prisoners pushed them aside. The other prisoners took the bowls and handed them to the soldiers distributing water, gazing thirstily at the water in the buckets.
Occasionally, there were instances of people cutting in line and scrambling, but the soldiers responsible for maintaining order nearby would fire warning shots, and immediately no one dared to act impulsively.
The scene was quiet.
Then Smith and Yuri returned.
The two were still wearing the same clothes as before, but they inexplicably seemed much more reserved. Before, they were like a large, clawing crab, completely at ease.
Now, he has put away his pliers and feet, and is hiding in a corner, reflecting on his actions.
The change in their mindset had unconsciously affected their demeanor.
Zhang Tianyuan understood what Connor and Ski meant when he saw this.
The two of them undoubtedly unanimously gave Smith and Yuri a good dressing down.
Although they may have had the same idea before.
But once they realized they'd crossed the line, these two were quicker than lightning to back down and shift the blame.
"Mr. Chairman!" Smith greeted him with a big smile, followed by two staff members pushing a small cart.
"I have just reflected deeply on this, and I believe that they became such evil people because the natural and social environments were too harsh."
"And this is undoubtedly inextricably linked to us, so I must express my apologies to them, and I also want to offer them some compensation in my personal capacity..."
?
A question mark appeared on Zhang Tianyuan's forehead.
Before he could even ask any questions, Smith turned to the prisoners who were drinking water and said, "Gentlemen, I am deeply sorry for your tragic experiences over the years. We bear an unforgivable responsibility for this, and I must make amends. Please tell me what you most desire?"
The captives from the Vulture Tribe were stunned.
Looking at the clear water in the bowl, and then at Smith with his "I'm sorry, you're so rich and stupid" expression, I wondered if I was dreaming.
Why is it that after these people defeated them, they not only didn't sell them off or abuse and enslave them, but instead gave them precious clean water and even helped them fulfill their wishes?
I was taken aback, but I always try to take advantage of any freebies; only a fool wouldn't take something that's free!
A few seconds later, the first person stood up:
"I... I, I..."
Smith smiled and gave him an encouraging look.
"I want a brand new four-wheel drive V8 engine with 340 horsepower!"
"???"
"They also need to be equipped with crossbows!"
"We need nitrogen to accelerate!"
"I want a machine gun, and an endless supply of bullets!"
"I want a tank! A real tank, like these, a real tank with armor on the outside!" the excited man said, pointing to the Mutual Aid Society's black armored vehicle, his mouth practically watering.
This time, it was Smith's turn to be taken aback...
What is all this garbage?!
He meant that he could only offer some food or salt as aid!
They already carried these things with them in the convoy, ready to be used at any time.
But what the hell are they talking about now?
How could he possibly get his hands on these things here?
Suddenly, Yuri, the bald man, stepped forward and said in a deep voice:
"I have these!"