32: Two arsonists

Entering the armory, everyone was stunned. This was a light weapons armory, and the cave walls were covered with all kinds of firearms: assault rifles, pistols, grenade launchers, and various light and heavy weapons.

Qiu Wuhui’s eyes widened, and he quickly ran forward, looking around.

The armory was lit by a cold light source, a type of excited white fluorescent light, powered by a separate phase generator.

Tian Ming spoke up, “What are you all staring at? Start moving!”

Only then did everyone react and begin moving the weapons. Director Han and Qiu Wuhui, meanwhile, guided them.

After all, they were clearer on which weapons were better and which were unnecessary.

Under the guidance of Director Han and Qiu Wuhui, the weapons were moved in an orderly fashion. They first moved all the necessary weapons and ammunition to the entrance.

Tian Ming, on the other hand, collected samples of these weapons, including the weapon bodies, ammunition, and so on.

Even if he didn't come here again in the future, he could directly serve as the Shelter's armory, providing ammunition support for everyone.

After three hours of work, everyone munched on some biscuits for lunch before loading the weapons and ammunition onto the vehicles.

Qiu Wuhui, however, was holding a stylish sniper rifle, unable to put it down.

At this point, everyone felt more confident. With these items, whether it was for collecting materials or for the Shelter's defense, they felt fully assured.

The group returned fully loaded, the vehicles speeding along the road, but Tian Ming was frowning.

Director Han noticed Tian Ming’s unease and asked, “What’s wrong? With so many weapons, the base’s defense will be greatly strengthened.”

Tian Ming, however, frowned and said, “Weapons are useful against zombies, but even more useful against ordinary people. I’m thinking about how to manage these things. If patrols in the shelter are heavily armed, it’s inevitable that they might lose control of their emotions and cause casualties.”

Tian Ming’s concern was not without reason. Director Han listened and fell into deep thought as well.

Indeed, these people had not undergone any training, and once abused, it could lead to unpredictable consequences.

Director Han suggested, “Then let’s establish a dedicated agency to manage these things. After firearms are issued, ammunition will be controlled. Ammunition will only be issued when leaving the Shelter to collect materials. Upon returning, any remaining ammunition must be handed in.”

Tian Ming turned to look at Director Han and asked, “How did you manage it before?”

Director Han smiled calmly and said, “That was very strict, but that system isn’t quite suitable. We can simplify the rules to ensure safety within the shelter.”

Upon returning to the shelter, Tian Ming immediately found a large room on the first floor of the Central Building and had people move the weapons and ammunition they had transported there.

For this room, the walls were directly replaced with a composite of carbon fiber, fiberglass, and steel plates. The remaining materials were all moved into the new warehouse.

Although those people's eyes lit up at the sight of the firearms, no one dared to act recklessly with Tian Ming present.

After some bustling, the items were finally settled. Tian Ming said to Director Han, “In the Central Building, have Gouzi prepare a room for both you and Qiu Wuhui. From now on, the weapons will be under your management, primarily yours.”

Director Han did not decline, nodding and saying, “Understood. I will never allow any mishap in the armory.”

“Qiu Wuhui needs some attention. He’s not as steady as you. He needs more training. The Patrol Security Group and Materials Group members need to be expanded. You don’t have to go out when collecting materials; let Qiu Wuhui lead the team. You stay at the Shelter and conduct military training for these people!”

Director Han asked somewhat surprised, “Are you saying everyone in the Shelter needs military training?”

Tian Ming nodded and said, “Yes, in batches. It might be a bit tough during this period. We don’t know when the zombie attack will come, but it’s better to be prepared. At least let the people in the Shelter have some knowledge of weapon usage and gain some self-preservation abilities.”

Tian Ming didn't know that his decision would make the Shelter stronger and stronger, to the point where later, Shelters that couldn't hold on in the surrounding areas would come to seek refuge.

Tian Ming paused, then continued, “During training, if you find good candidates, promote them first to supplement the Guard Patrol Group and the Materials Collection Group.”

Director Han nodded and said, “Alright!”

The Shelter's armory issue was mostly resolved. Currently, there should be nothing to worry about regarding the Shelter's self-defense capabilities.

After everyone moved into the collective dormitory, distributing materials also became much more convenient.

Just then, a thick plume of smoke rose from the northern dormitory building, soaring into the sky. Tian Ming hadn't even had a chance to rest when he somewhat helplessly picked up his walkie-talkie.

“Gouzi, what happened at the dormitory building?”

Gouzi’s voice came through the walkie-talkie: “Boss, in the female dormitory building, two hotheads were cooking with an alcohol stove in their dorm, and they knocked it over. The whole room is on fire, and they even stored some dry branches in the dorm.”

Tian Ming was speechless. These people really couldn’t stay out of trouble, causing him problems again and again.

“Alright, I’m coming to put out the fire.”

The dormitory building was too far from the river; distant water couldn't quench a nearby fire.

When he arrived in front of the dormitory building, black smoke was billowing out of a doorway, but the fire wasn't too big; after all, there wasn't much in the dormitory to burn.

Tian Ming went upstairs. The two women who had been cooking in the dorm were in their thirties, their faces Gray fluffy, huddled in the corridor, dressed only in thin clothes, shivering.

Aunt Lin, the dorm supervisor, had just started her first day on the job and encountered this kind of incident. Her blood pressure shot up in anger, and she started cursing at the two women.

“Don’t we have hot water? There’s a central place for heating water. Are you two starving ghosts, cooking noodles in the dorm? Why didn’t you burn yourselves to death?”

Tian Ming looked at the two women, shook his head helplessly, and then said to Aunt Lin, “Stop scolding. We’ll deal with you two after the fire is out.”

Tian Ming raised his hand, and the air in the entire room was confined; the oxygen was directly extracted by Tian Ming.

Without oxygen, the fire instantly died out. However, due to the alcohol, most of the things in the dorm were burned, leaving only the iron frames of the two beds.

Gouzi and his men appeared downstairs at the dormitory building, sweating profusely. They were out of breath, twenty-something people, having fetched water from the river.

Gouzi and his men were late; the fire had already been extinguished by Tian Ming.

Tian Ming looked at the mess in the dormitory, his brows tightly furrowed, and the two women immediately started crying loudly in fear.

“Aunt Lin, come here!” Tian Ming said.

Aunt Lin shuddered in fear, thinking, 'It's over. I just became the base's Dama, and I ran into these two arsonists. I'm definitely going to be in big trouble.'

Aunt Lin approached with her head down and said, “Boss, this really can’t be blamed on me. I saw the door closed, and I thought no one was in the dorm, so I didn’t go in to check.”

“Poor supervision. You’re fined one day’s worth of materials!” Tian Ming said coldly.

Aunt Lin didn't dare to refute. She turned her head and glared fiercely at the two women.

The two women shivered even more in fear when they saw Aunt Lin’s fierce gaze. They knew in their hearts that they had caused too much trouble this time.

At this moment, Tian Ming’s gaze fell on the two women. The two women crawled over on their hands and knees; they were extremely scared.

“Boss, we didn’t do it on purpose, not on purpose. You can punish us however you want; we accept the punishment.”