The World Turned into Zombies, So I Went Back to the Countryside to Farm 36

Chapter 36: Team

Although this was easy to say, it was actually very difficult to accomplish. The first practical problem they faced was the lack of large-scale weapons of mass destruction.

It was obviously impossible to deal with the more than one hundred zombies in the village with just the two bows, some arrows, and their fists and feet. Not to mention that it would be a long and arduous process, the arrows that Jiang Zao had stockpiled before were also gradually decreasing due to frequent consumption during their trips to find supplies. There were always situations where they were chased by zombies and couldn’t retrieve them in time.

Wen Zhao looked at the bottles and cans that Jiang Wuni had collected under the eaves and suddenly had an idea.

“We can make Molotov cocktails. The raw materials are extremely simple: glass bottles, gasoline, alcohol, and cloth strips. Although simple, they are very powerful, and no carbon-based life form is not afraid of fire.” [1]

Jiang Zao knew that Molotov cocktails were a great weapon against tanks in World War II. Hearing her words, her eyes lit up, but she also had a hint of worry.

“We have alcohol stockpiled at home, but I’m afraid there’s not that much. The pharmacy probably has some. Glass bottles are also easy to find. But for gasoline, I’m afraid we have to go to a gas station. The only one in the town is near the highway exit…”

The endless tide of writhing zombies on the highway last time had left a deep shadow in Jiang Zao’s mind.

Wen Zhao naturally knew this situation.

“No need. We just need to find a car, then connect a hose to the fuel tank, and use a plastic bottle to simulate a pump, and we can siphon the gasoline out.”

Li Mi looked at Wen Zhao, then at Jiang Zao, her eyes sparkling. She didn’t understand, but it sounded very impressive.

Ever since Jiang Zao had used a drone to conduct an aerial reconnaissance, the topography of Yuanxi Village had been imprinted in Wen Zhao’s mind.

She used Li Mi’s pencil to sketch on a piece of paper, and in a few strokes, she had outlined the general topography of Yuanxi Village.

“We have the weapons. Now what we lack is an opportunity to wipe out all the zombies in one go.”

Wen Zhao and Jiang Zao exchanged a look. The two of them had thought of a solution in unison: “Zombies are sensitive to sound. We can deliberately create noise to lure them into a trap.”

Wen Zhao pointed to the activity square of the village committee on the topographic map.

“This place is not bad. It’s large and open. And didn’t you say that the villagers also gather here for meetings? Then there must be a loudspeaker.”

She looked at Jiang Zao, who shook her head in disapproval.

“It’s true that it’s large and open, but have you ever thought that if we’re discovered by the zombies when we’re throwing the bombs, we’ll become living targets? We’d better find a place with a wall where we can trap the zombies and wipe them out in one go.”

Jiang Wuni, who had been listening in silence for a long time, finally spoke up, stammering.

“I… I know such a place.”

Three pairs of eyes looked over in unison.

“Where?!”

“Just… the village primary school near the wheat field. When Zao’er was in primary school, I would pick her up and drop her off. There was only one way in and out.”

The faded red flag on the playground of the village primary school was still fluttering in the wind.

A few figures were swaying under the red flag.

The two of them were lying in the wheat field, almost blending in with the surrounding environment.

“Although the wall is not as high as yours, it’s enough. The zombies won’t be able to climb it for a while. A Molotov cocktail thrown down will be enough to give them a hard time.”

Jiang Zao took the binoculars and focused on the iron gate, the only entrance and exit to the village primary school. “We’ll have to leave someone to lock the gate then.”

“I don’t see the broadcast room.”

The village primary school had only three classrooms. Wen Zhao did not see a broadcast room in the binoculars.

Jiang Zao glanced at her. “We used to play music from a stereo when we did exercises. But I saw a loudspeaker on the flagpole, so there must be a control room. We have to find some time to go in and scout, and also to clear out the zombies in the village primary school.”

Seeing that it was getting late, Wen Zhao got up from the wheat field.

“Let’s go. We’ll go back today and discuss the specific action plan when we get back.”

Jiang Wuni was sitting in the main hall, wearing gloves and vigorously scrubbing the pile of junk she had picked up. This was the “task” that Jiang Zao had assigned her before she went out to scout.

She had never dreamed that these “trash” that had been so despised by Jiang Zao in the past would one day become treasures.

Before Jiang Zao went out, she had pointed to the old bottles that she had wanted to throw away countless times when she was tidying up the house and said with certainty.

“These glass bottles will be very useful after they’re washed. Let’s keep them all.”

Thinking of this, Jiang Wuni’s arms seemed to have a little more strength. She was very happy to be able to help.

“Little Mi, there are still some in the kitchen. Bring them all.”

Li Mi was helping her by the side. She acknowledged and quickly ran into the kitchen, even bringing the snakeskin bag for her.

When she ran into the main hall, Wen Zhao and Jiang Zao had just entered. Li Mi greeted them crisply.

“Big Sister Wen, Big Sister Jiang, you’re back!”

Jiang Zao nodded slightly. “We’re back. How are you doing with the bottles?”

Li Mi pointed to the rows of bottles that were drying in the eaves. “Almost done. Just this last snakeskin bag left.”

Wen Zhao put down her basket.

“Then I’ll go make dinner.”

Jiang Zao lifted the wind-blocking curtain of the main hall and glanced at Jiang Wuni, who was washing the glass bottles. She was wiping the sweat from her forehead with her sleeve, her lips pursed as she scrubbed vigorously. Her expression was exceptionally serious, no longer the numb, decadent, and listless look of the past few days.

Jiang Zao lowered the wind-blocking curtain and turned to Wen Zhao.

“I’ll help you.”

Although she said she would help, Wen Zhao had never let her do any work. As soon as Jiang Zao entered the kitchen, she was assigned to the front of the stove to be in charge of the fire, and that was only because she couldn’t manage the heat by herself.

Wen Zhao was wearing an apron. After a clang in front of the stove, she threw the evenly sliced potatoes into the pot.

She brandished the spatula, a hint of sweat on her forehead. She turned to Jiang Zao and said, “High heat.”

Jiang Zao did as she was told and stuffed a large piece of firewood inside, then poked it with the fire poker to make the wood burn more fully.

She was thinking about things as she watched the fire.

“I didn’t expect everyone to be so enthusiastic about my decision. I thought Grandma would disagree.”

Wen Zhao smiled slightly.

“When has Grandma ever really refuted your opinion? She’s just worried about whether you’ll be in danger.”

Jiang Zao thought of the disappointment and confusion in Jiang Wuni’s eyes when she had torn the statue of Guanyin. She gently lowered her eyes.

For so many days, although she had taken care of her daily life and cared about her health as usual, she had never bickered with her or scolded her like before. Jiang Zao was a little unaccustomed to it.

Wen Zhao glanced at her from the corner of her eye while stir-frying, as if she had seen through her thoughts. “Don’t worry. When the zombie matter is settled, everything will be fine in the spring.”

Jiang Zao put another piece of firewood into the stove.

“To be honest, I’m not confident. This is the first time we’ve faced so many zombies head-on…”

“If we’re a team, Jiang Zao, you’re our commander now. A commander can’t be indecisive and hesitant. That’s not good.”

Jiang Zao looked up at her.

“What about you? What were you like when you were a commander?”

“I…”

Wen Zhao was stunned for a moment, as if lost in memories. A burnt smell came from the potatoes in the pot. She brandished the spatula with one hand and quickly scooped a bowl of water and threw it into the pot with the other.

“Jiang Zao, the fire is too big. Quick, quick, reduce the fire!”

***

The group got to work right away.

Jiang Wuni brought out all the old clothes she was reluctant to throw away from the house and cut them into evenly sized cloth strips with a pair of scissors.

Jiang Zao brought out a case of soda from the village’s small shop. “There are no more beer bottles. Will this do?”

Wen Zhao nodded and helped her lift it onto the tricycle.

“It’s a little small, but it should be okay.”

Due to the suddenness of the zombie outbreak, the small shop in the village had not yet been looted. But since it was a remote place, there were not many types of goods. Most of them were snacks and candies that children liked. Li Mi grabbed a handful of lollipops and looked at Jiang Zao eagerly.

“Big sister, can I take this?”

Jiang Zao nodded. “Take it.”

Li Mi cheered and quickly covered her mouth, afraid of attracting zombies. She opened her backpack and stuffed them all in.

Kele also wagged its tail and brought out a ham sausage from the depths of the counter, its little dog face full of flattery.

Jiang Zao shook her head. “Really, we’re just stocking up for the two of them.”

“Jiang Zao, there are still a few bags of seeds here. Do you want them?” Wen Zhao called out.

“Let me see.”

Under the cash box next to the counter were a few packs of vegetable seeds. Jiang Zao took them from Wen Zhao’s hand and looked at them for a few moments.

“Take them. They’re all cabbage seeds. Give them to Jiang Wuni when we get back. We can plant them when spring comes.”

“There’s also an account book here.” Wen Zhao found a frayed notebook from the drawer under the counter.

“Oh, why is your name here? Jiang Zao, on credit—fifty cents.”

Jiang Zao took it and flipped through a few pages. “I probably bought snacks on credit here when I was a child and didn’t have any money. I’ve forgotten about it.”

The old couple had never asked her for it.

Even after she grew up and came home, every time she went to the fields with Jiang Wuni, she would pass by the small shop, and the female owner would just smile and greet her, “Oh, Little Jiang is back. You’ve grown so big.”

Jiang Zao’s gaze moved from the account book to a photo of a family of four hanging on the mud wall. In the black and white photo, the old couple were holding a child, their smiles still the same.

She flipped to the last page of the account book, which read, “My son, I hope you will return.”

Jiang Zao put the account book back in its original place and gently closed the wooden door.

“Let’s go. We’re going back.”

***

Jiang Zao had originally thought of getting gasoline in the village, but she didn’t expect that she still had to go to the town.

Most of the vehicles in the village were hand-held tractors used for farming, which ran on diesel. After testing, Wen Zhao still felt that the ignition point of diesel was too low, and it was not as flammable and explosive as gasoline, which was highly volatile.

Jiang Zao’s car met this requirement, and the fuel tank was large, but if they siphoned the oil, they wouldn’t be able to drive it, so they gave up the idea.

After siphoning from the few households in the village that had gasoline cars and motorcycles, they had only filled a small half of an oil drum, which was far from enough. Wen Zhao had calculated that they needed to make at least two hundred Molotov cocktails, and the more, the better.

Besides gasoline, they also needed to collect as much alcohol and glass bottles as possible.

***

The distorted faces of three or five zombies were reflected in the shop window.

Wen Zhao lay on her stomach, turned her head, and made a “five” with her fingers.

Jiang Zao and Li Mi leaned against the main entrance on the left and right, their expressions grave as they nodded.

Wen Zhao quietly reached in through a crack in the window, and with a crisp “click,” she turned the doorknob.

Two figures, one tall and one short, walked in from the shadows of the entrance.

The zombies turned their heads and roared as they charged over.

Wen Zhao stood up and closed the shop door.

Jiang Zao drew her ice axe from her backpack, spun it in her hand, and smashed it into the head of the zombie that was pouncing on her. Then she kicked it away, and blood splattered everywhere.

“Big sister, be careful!”

Just as Jiang Zao saw a zombie grabbing at her from the side out of the corner of her eye, Li Mi had already stepped on the counter and leaped up, riding on the zombie’s neck. A cold light flashed from the dagger in her hand, and the zombie fell to the ground with a thud.

Wen Zhao grabbed a zombie’s head and smashed it against the corner of the table. Another zombie roared and pounced on her. Wen Zhao swept its legs and tripped it to the ground. She pounced on it, and with a crack, she twisted its neck with her bare hands.

Before she could get up, another zombie rushed out from the inner room and pounced straight at Wen Zhao.

The small dot in her pupils grew larger and larger.

The sound of something cutting through the air came from behind.

The zombie suddenly fell backward, twitched a few times, and then stopped moving. An ice axe was stuck in its forehead.

Jiang Zao walked over and forcefully pulled the ice axe from the zombie’s head. She turned back and said, “Are you okay?”

Wen Zhao wiped her hands on the zombie’s clothes and stood up. “I’m fine. You’ve been practicing your throwing well lately.”

To ensure that everyone could use the Molotov cocktails well, Wen Zhao had used the military’s method of throwing grenades to train them how to throw them accurately and far.

Of course, the number of Molotov cocktails was limited, so they used the stones that were everywhere on the mountain for training.

The training time was every morning when they went out to chop firewood, and this had also become one of their required courses.

“Through actual combat, we’ve learned that a 45-degree angle is the best throwing angle. Too high will make the initial flight speed of the Molotov cocktail too low, and too low will make the flight time of the Molotov cocktail too short, thus failing to reach the ideal landing distance.”

“Maintain your elbow flexion. Your upper and lower arms should be as straight as possible. You can imagine that you’re playing baseball, and you’re swinging the bat out, not throwing it.”

“When you throw, your right leg should be back in a lunge, your body should be leaning back, and your right leg should push off the ground hard. Then use this centrifugal force to send your hips out. When you swing your arm, your body’s center of gravity shifts from the back to the front. This is the correct and perfect throwing posture.”

Jiang Wuni looked at the stone that had been stuffed into her hand.

“My goodness, I’m already this old. Do I have to practice too???”

Wen Zhao patted her shoulder. “Of course, Grandma Jiang. You’re also a member of our team. The qualified distance for throwing a grenade in the army is 30 meters. My requirements for you and Little Mi are not high, 20 meters is enough.”

She turned her head to look at Jiang Zao with a smile.

“As for Jiang Zao, I threw fifty meters when I was in boot camp. People who practice archery should have good arm strength. You don’t want to be outdone by me, do you?”

Jiang Zao was gritting her teeth on the side. In fact, she had been secretly lifting dumbbells every night before bed to practice.

Kele also had its own task: to transport supplies.

It would carry the basket full of stones from a distance to them, and then be responsible for picking up the stones that were thrown.

Just like now, when it was dragging the snakeskin bag full of supplies from the shop to the cart.

Seeing that more zombies were gathering.

Jiang Zao drew her bow from her back and fought as she retreated.

“Go! Back to the parking spot!”

Wen Zhao pushed the cart and ran wildly. Li Mi and Jiang Zao covered her. The group returned to the car without any incident.

The few of them fumbled to lift the things onto the car.

Jiang Zao stepped on the gas.

“Go, to the next place.”