Luo couldn't help but inwardly sneer at this scene: spineless bunch.
They only return to calm after they've been shouted at and threatened.
Xiao Liu and Xiao Ding at the door also heard Captain Luo's words. They knew exactly how much food there was.
They estimated roughly that, with 25 pounds per person and 700 people, that made 17,500 pounds, or 8.75 tons.
The rest was just over 1 ton, less than 2,500 pounds.
There were around forty people in their group, including Old Bi and the others. On average, each person could get about 62.5 pounds.
That was the unhusked rice. Usually, the hulling rate of rice is about 70% to 80%.
After all their hard work, they could only get less than 45 pounds of rice.
Of course, in this post-apocalyptic world, not only could they eat rice, but also the crushed rice husks.
Xiao Liu and Xiao Ding, among others, felt somewhat resentful.
The Survivors had just complained about unfairness, but now they felt the true injustice.
They get more than 20 pounds of food for doing nothing.
Xiao Liu and Xiao Ding approached Luo to try to reason with him.
Luo frowned deeply and said, "Carry out the orders. Brothers, we will have more in the future."
Xiao Ding and Xiao Liu remembered there was still some food left at the Big Camphor Tree Base, so they calmed down.
Currently, besides Luo, Xiao Shi, and Old Ye, they were the only two who knew about the remaining food at the Big Camphor Tree Base.
And Luo had forbidden them from telling anyone else.
Therefore, no one else was aware of the additional food.
As for other personnel like Old Yi from the security squad, their loyalty to Old Ye was highest, and they would firmly carry out his orders.
Knowing it was Old Ye's command, they didn't have too many objections.
Besides, the food wasn't found by them. Even though they felt it was too generous to give so much to these people,
they didn't complain too much either.
The civilians lined up, each holding various containers, ready to receive their share.
But there were quarrels in the queue. Some, taking advantage of their youth and strength, cut in line, and some minor conflicts broke out.
Seeing the commotion, Luo had a few men maintain order and then shouted, "If you keep arguing, none of you will get anything!"
The queue quickly resumed order.
Indeed, these people only listen when dealt with forcefully.
Luo ranted inwardly again.
Seeing the people finally quieting down and lining up, Luo assigned four people to distribute the food, weighing and handing it out to each person.
Those who received their food, as if afraid Luo and his people would change their minds, clamored to leave the base.
Luo, seeing their behavior, gestured grandly for Xiao Liu and Xiao Ding to open the gates and let these people out.
Their anxiety stemmed from earlier, when some people who snatched food were forced at gunpoint by Captain Luo to return it.
Now that they had the food, their plan was clear: run as far as they could.
When they ran out of food, they would come back to see the situation and ask for more.
As the heap of food steadily diminished, the long line of people gradually shortened.
Ninety percent had left; less than ten percent stayed.
Luo felt somewhat relieved seeing those who stayed. At least they weren't as disgraceful as those who just took the food and ran.
Luo conveyed the departure of these civilians to Old Ye. Old Ye's response was simple: "They were originally outside the base. Those who want to leave can leave; those who stay won't be driven away."
Gradually, the food was given to the civilians, and time slowly passed.
Two hours later, what was once a mountain of food had now diminished to a small mound.
Seeing the food reduced to less than a tenth of its original volume, Captain Luo's heart felt like it was bleeding.
Their side managed the food distribution through a centralized system.
Everyone shared meals and living space.
Therefore, Luo had Xiao Liu and the others tidy up the remaining food and store it away.
The base also had machines for husking the rice.
Xiao Liu brought out the husking machine and began processing the rice.
But just then, those who had stayed rushed over at the sight of the husking machine, insisting on using it.
Xiao Liu sought Captain Luo's opinion and, despite great reluctance, they had given out the food, so there was little harm in letting them use the machine.
So, after Xiao Liu and his group finished using it,
they temporarily allowed these people to use the husking machine.
The machine worked quickly. Once some had finished husking, they picked up the chaff from the ground and carried it away.
Leaving meant leaving the base.
Seeing this unfold, Luo, who had just thought that those who stayed had some conscience, now realized they had stayed only to use the husking machine.
Luo had just been thinking about Old Ye's words, to do what needed to be done, that the masses have clear eyesight.
That if they offered sincerity, surely some people would understand and follow them.
But reality harshly slapped him in the face.
The husking machine, which had been buzzing, now came to a halt.
Looking at the rather desolate base, now with fewer than twenty people left, Luo fell deep into thought.