Chapter 341 - 232: Emergency Assembly

Chapter 341: Chapter 232: Emergency Assembly

Zhao Wendong and Lin Zhiyin exchanged a look. She shook her head, indicating that she didn’t know what was going on either. Zhao Wendong said nothing more as the group hurried to the Dragon King Pond team headquarters. The other three members of the team committee had already arrived, along with Li Dawei and several other production team leaders from other brigades whom Zhao Wendong vaguely recognized. The entire room was thick with a smoky haze; it was impossible to tell how many pipes of dry tobacco the men had smoked.

"Brother Dong is back!"

Upon seeing Zhao Wendong, Li Dawei shot to his feet and cried out, his face filled with an irrepressible excitement, as if he were welcoming a long-lost relative. The others all rose as well.

"Alright, Wendong is back. Let’s start the meeting. I’ll go over the situation again."

Yang Wenxue didn’t even give them time for pleasantries, impatiently launching into his explanation. Most of the people present already knew what had happened; this was mainly for Zhao Wendong’s benefit.

"Over the past ten-odd days, during the New Year holiday, several production teams in our Commune have been attacked by a Wolf Pack. Because it was the New Year, everyone assumed they were isolated incidents. But after meeting today, we realized that’s not the case. A Wolf Pack has been viciously attacking the production teams near the mountains."

"As of now, our count shows that five people have been killed and four more have been injured. I came with my men to find you right away, Wendong. We need your help with this."

"Why me?"

Zhao Wendong didn’t immediately puff out his chest and agree. Instead, he looked back at Yang Wenxue and posed the question. Yang Wenxue paused, then said with some embarrassment, "First, the production teams have no grain. Second, their militias aren’t skilled enough. Third, they lack good leadership. Right now, our only choice is to ask you at Dragon King Pond for help. We need you, Wendong, to organize a party to go into the mountains, eliminate the Wolf Pack, and remove this threat."

"Uncle Weiguo, Third Master, what are your thoughts?"

Zhao Wendong still didn’t commit, asking the other members of the team committee directly instead. ’To be honest, this isn’t something I’m particularly eager to get involved in. First, Dragon King Pond hasn’t been attacked. Second, even if people aren’t being eaten by wolves, there are all sorts of accidents and people starving to death in a disaster year. It’s not as if I, Zhao Wendong, can manage all of that.’

"We’ll follow your lead."

Zhao Weiguo stated the committee’s stance simply and directly. Yang Wenxue wasn’t the least bit offended. After all, wasn’t he here begging for Zhao Wendong to take action?

"Secretary Yang, you know this is a disaster year. Food is tight for everyone. Our village has just enough grain to barely survive, and even then, no household is eating its fill. As for hunting wolves in the mountains... setting aside the danger, just finding them could take more than a few days."

Yang Wenxue held up a hand, cutting Zhao Wendong off. "Wendong, say no more. We understand all that. That’s why we discussed this on our way here. All expenses and supplies will be covered by these production teams and the Commune. After the autumn harvest, we’ll repay your production team three times over. Furthermore, if Dragon King Pond needs supplies or manpower in the future, our Commune and these production teams guarantee our full support."

Hearing the terms Yang Wenxue offered, Zhao Wendong couldn’t help but nod. ’They must be truly desperate. The offer is very tempting.’ He looked up at Zhao Weiguo and the others, saw them giving slight nods, and made his decision.

"First, tell me about this Wolf Pack."

The moment Zhao Wendong finished speaking, the production team leaders all started talking at once.

"Those wolves are cunning! The moment we bring out guns, they run. And they only snatch commune members who are alone."

"There’s always a howl that sounds like it’s giving commands."

"That’s right, someone saw a white wolf."

Zhao Wendong shot to his feet, his expression turning grim as he looked at the man who had just spoken.

"What? Are you sure you saw a White Wolf?"

"Yeah, that’s what the commune members said. A pure white coat, howling nonstop. Seems like it’s the leader of the pack."

Hearing their description, Zhao Wendong understood. ’No wonder I could never find a trace of the White Wolf King or its pack again,’ he thought. ’It came down from the mountains and started attacking human villages. I killed more than ten of its subordinates, but this disaster still came after all.’

"How many wolves are there?"

"Over twenty."

"More than thirty."

The numbers varied, but no one estimated fewer than twenty. Zhao Wendong did a quick calculation. ’The White Wolf King must have conquered another pack,’ he surmised. ’So all the wolves in this area are probably under its command now.’

"Alright, we’ll take the job. We head into the mountains tomorrow. Aunt Xiufen, have the public mess hall start preparing rations tonight, and arrange for breakfast tomorrow morning. Third Master, go to the warehouse and get our grain. Uncle Weiguo, you arrange for supplies, especially torches and extra cotton clothes and quilts!"

Everyone nodded in acceptance of Zhao Wendong’s arrangements. No one, not even Zhao Weiguo, had any objections to his decisions. They all knew that while Zhao Wendong was nominally the Civilian Militia Captain, he was, in fact, the true leader of Dragon King Pond.

Zhao Wendong then looked at his wife, Lin Zhiyin, a hint of apology in his eyes.

"Zhiyin, if I’m not back by the twelfth of the first month, please go to the county and accept the award in my place. Remember to ask for plenty of perks. If they won’t give them to you personally, get them for the production team."

"Okay, I understand."

Lin Zhiyin wanted to laugh, but she was also worried about him. In the end, she just nodded without saying anything more.

"Third Master, rally the men."

Zhao Wendong pointed to the broadcast microphone and the small generator next to it.

Soon, the broadcast system of Dragon King Pond crackled to life. Third Master Zhao’s voice came through the loudspeakers, exceptionally solemn and serious.

"All militia members, attention! Report to the team headquarters immediately for a meeting!"

Within fifteen minutes of the broadcast, all forty-seven members of the Dragon King Pond militia had arrived, packing the team headquarters to the rafters.

Zhao Wendong wasted no time on pleasantries. He announced directly: "We assemble at the public mess hall before dawn tomorrow. Bring your weapons and ammunition. Pack your own clothes and gear. We’re heading into the mountains to hunt a Wolf Pack. Our return is uncertain, so get your family affairs in order."

"Any questions?"

"No!"

The militiamen roared in unison. No one questioned Zhao Wendong’s orders, no one asked why they had to go into the mountains in the ice and snow, and no one asked what was in it for them. The people of Dragon King Pond, especially the militia, had absolute trust and faith in Zhao Wendong.

"Good. Go back and prepare. Get some rest tonight and build up your energy."

"Yes, sir!"

After the militia had dispersed, Li Dawei shook his head, clicking his tongue in amazement.

"Brother Dong, that’s incredible! With that kind of fighting spirit, I thought the PLA had arrived!"

’That reminded Zhao Wendong of something. In his past life, it was the PLA who eventually came and wiped out the wolf menace. It seemed his presence this time had changed the course of history again. The longer he was reborn, the more his influence seemed to spread beyond just his family.’

"Secretary Yang, did you not report this and request support from the military district?"

"We did. We reported it before we came here today. But because the Wolf Pack’s movements are hard to track, the military district said they can’t provide support for now—not unless we can pinpoint the pack’s location."

Zhao Wendong nodded and said nothing more. ’He couldn’t remember the exact details from his past life, but he was certain the situation had gotten much worse back then. Too many people had been attacked and killed by the Wolf Pack, and the Commune didn’t have a capable group like Dragon King Pond to rely on, which was why they eventually had to wait for the PLA. But now, with him and the Dragon King Pond militia, Yang Wenxue’s first choice for help wasn’t to wait for the military.’

"Alright. I’ll do my best."

Seeing Zhao Wendong agree so decisively, Yang Wenxue was visibly moved. He grabbed Zhao Wendong’s hand and shook it. "Brother Dong, on behalf of the commune members who have been killed, injured, or are living in fear, thank you!"

Zhao Wendong nodded. His eyes met Lin Zhiyin’s. She forced a smile for him. Though reluctant to see him go and worried for his safety, Lin Zhiyin supported every one of his decisions.