Chapter 84 Polar Night [VIP]
It turned out that after the base was built, they planned to force outsiders to enter. This was not only to provide them with protection, but also to supplement the base's scarce manpower.
Of course, if outsiders have developed into external forces and formed an opposition to the authorities, they will be classified as dangerous elements, and the authorities have reason to eliminate them one by one.
Tang Tian put down his chopsticks and paused before asking:
"Mom, sis, do you want to move into the base?"
She wasn't bored outside yet, but perhaps because of the polar night, the surroundings seemed to have become even quieter.
When it’s time to go to bed every day, it’s so quiet that even my heartbeat seems to echo. This regular and low-frequency sound actually makes me feel uncomfortable.
In fact, she could also see that Wei Mingxia also wanted to enter the shelter, at least there was still some fresh air there.
Wei Mingxia smiled and said:
"It depends on your choice. Our current conditions are already better than most people. It's like saying there are gains and losses."
"Yes, and no matter what we choose, our family is together, and that's enough." Tang Yi echoed from the side.
Tang Tian nodded.
If they could reach an agreement, they could prepare to move into the base. Besides, she had already been revealed to everyone, and even Wu Yongming would not be willing to let her go.
But that is not the case now. The base has just been completed, and the internal situation is probably still busy and chaotic. It will take at least some time before it is ready.
After the New Year, the Tang family returned to normal.
Wei Mingxia used her special ability to create a few more balls of sunshine. Tang Tian and Tang Yi were both lifting weights to exercise, and thin beads of sweat gradually seeped out of their foreheads.
"Tiantian, the radio seems to have made contact."
Wei Mingxia had also gradually learned how to use various communication devices, so she quickly informed everyone after discovering the problem.
Tang Tian wiped the sweat off his forehead and went over to answer the call.
But I didn’t expect that the news coming from the other side was Tang Nan’s news.
Previously, it was Tang Tian who took the initiative to look for him, but unexpectedly, it was her this time, and she directly stated her need to trade food.
"Are you back from Area Q?" Tang Tian asked.
Tang Nan responded and said:
"Didn't the Q District director die again last time, and a new one took over? But it's still not peaceful there, so we're thinking of returning to S District. They've even built a base there, and even the subway space is being utilized, but that tunnel has been excluded."
"We're only stationed there for now, but unexpectedly, business has increased. However, we're short on food right now. Tang Tian, if you still have some, I'd be willing to exchange them for our newly found supplies!"
It just so happened that Tang Tian also had a good harvest at the place where she obtained her ingredients. She didn't know if there was anything new on the black market, but Tang Tian felt that this transaction was worth a try.
After agreeing on a time, Tang Tian and Tang Yi headed to the familiar tunnel. Without the wind and sand covering it, the tunnel looked much cleaner.
Because the lights were on, the entrance of the tunnel was even brighter. From time to time, you could see pedestrians coming in and out, and there were a few cars parked nearby.
It seems that without the obstruction of sandstorms, people will go out more during the polar night, and the black market business is indeed much better than before.
However, those electric and gasoline vehicles still require resources, and the owners of these vehicles are probably not from the civilian class in the base.
…
Tang Tian spoke to the person guarding the tunnel entrance, and someone went in to report. A moment later, they met Tang Nan who followed them out.
"Let's go inside and talk."
Tang Nan led them into the deepest part of the tunnel, which was the office area of the base, but it was much smaller.
But on the way, they still saw many stalls on both sides with supplies on them.
There were strangers outside stopping to watch, and some bargaining, with conversations flowing like water in the tunnel, which was unique during a sandstorm.
Occasionally I could hear a few conversations and the name of Changping Base. After all, it integrated the population of two areas, so the base was enlarged and naturally there seemed to be more people.
But as she walked along, Tang Tian discovered that the quantity of a certain commodity seemed to be a little larger.
"This little guy is six years old, he's already sensible and can do a lot of things. Please, we only need ten kilograms of food..."
"Newly trained female slave, as long as she can control her stuttering, she can do anything you want, price is negotiable..."
"I can do any job. There's no one at home. I'm not afraid of anything. As long as I can eat..."
In this rapids, soft waves seem to become the most common thing.
The expressionless goods and the buyer with a playful look on his face not only look in stark contrast, but also make people feel a chill down their spine.
Tang Tian lowered her head and tried not to look. She had no way to stop this from happening, and it was none of her business anyway.
Tang Yi's face was pale and not looking good, but she remained silent and followed all the way.
"Miss Tang, we meet again."
Huh, after a few pleasantries, he said:
"Let's not waste any time. We gathered a lot of supplies during the polar night, but my group... you know, if you want to manage well, no one will listen to you without food."
"I heard from Tang Nan that you have extra food. Are you still interested in trading with me after the previous exchanges? Of course."
Good morning, Tang Tian, and then replied:
"That's great! I've been out during the polar night as well and happened to find some supplies to take back. Do you have any valuables like gold, jade, or anything else? If not, anything else will do."
Long Qing smiled quickly:
"Miss Tang, I don't know. Recently, the upper echelons of the base have been fond of buying slaves to take home. Some people are short of supplies, so they use their valuables from the past to make up for it. We thought you would need them, so we saved some..."
In addition, items such as fuel, generators, lighting tools, and even warm clothing are currently hard currency.
After all, the temperature has been slowly dropping since the polar night.
Tang Tian came to the black market today. Although she managed to light a lamp in the dark tunnel, it was no match for the light-attribute sun ball. The light still felt chilly on her face and body, and it would probably get even colder in the future.
In this kind of weather, Tang Tian specially found a fleece jacket to wear so that she wouldn't feel the cold at night.
Tang Tian was about to take a look at the valuables first, so Tang Nan went to get them.
I originally thought that Long Qing was just talking, but I didn't expect that in the end, she actually dragged over a suitcase about 12 inches long, and after opening it, it was filled with valuables.
"After the bases were merged, all official shelters, big and small, were combined. The wealthy before the apocalypse are still wealthy, and some are reluctant to leave their valuables behind, willing to exchange them for a bite of food."
I stopped wherever I wanted to go to the black market, and met more people than in the entire S District Shelter.
Valuable items are heavier than clothes. Tang Tian estimated that they weigh at least ten kilograms.
She nodded with great satisfaction, and then carefully inquired about Long Qing's request, and went back with Tang Yitantan first.
…
In fact, it was still daytime before the polar night. After Tang Tian returned home, he took out the vehicle and started loading supplies.
Grains, canned pickles and birch sap, some milk powder and honey, and then a batch of vegetable oil and sugar, these will definitely catch the eyes of Long Qing and Tang Nan.
These were all packaged and loaded into the truck. Tang Tian and Tang Yi set off again and returned to the tunnel.
This time, Tang Nan led them to another tunnel entrance, which was closer to the black market management office, so they didn't have to pass by those pedestrians to deliver the goods.
The black market also readily handed over the full box of gold, silver and jewelry, and moved all the supplies in. They were very tactful and did not ask Tang Tian what they wanted to do with these.
Tang Tian winked at Tang Yi, who understood and pretended to put the suitcase in the car, but actually quickly put the suitcase back into the system warehouse.
"By the way, we also found a batch of different types of riot control bombs earlier. Do you want some?"
Tang Nan's lip line is slightly raised:
"It seems like you like these things very much, but they are indeed useful now."
"No, but if there are protective suits, I'd like some more."
She has the ability of a furnace, or even just an attacking ability, so she doesn't really need those things.
But after several rounds of natural disasters, she found that protective clothing was very useful and could be used anytime and anywhere. She didn't need to keep the shield on all the time. Even those she stockpiled were almost used up.
"Okay, I'll go and help you take a look."
Tang Nan said this and went forward. Her shadow was reflected obliquely and thinly on the tunnel wall with orange light. No matter how you looked at it, her condition was better than before, even before the end of the world.
Tang Tian and Tang Yi were waiting in the car, and occasionally they could hear the sounds of buying and selling in front.
Tang Nan came back with something in a short while and asked:
"We're running low on protective suits, but we still have plenty of gas masks in stock. Is that okay?"
In fact, Tang Tian didn't originally think about getting a gas mask, but then she thought of the mutants that might appear during a natural disaster, and who knows which one might be poisonous, so she accepted this batch and prepared to stockpile it.
But even she didn't expect that this action today would bring her great benefits in the future.
Tang Yi was loading things in the back of the car. Tang Tian nodded to Tang Nan and said:
"Next time you have something valuable, please contact me. But I think with such a big business like yours, it probably won't be difficult for you."
Tang Nan was about to respond when the sound at the front of the tunnel suddenly changed, like a climax of a symphony, becoming rapid and even harsh.
Tang Nan's brows sank, and he quickly picked up his weapon and rushed forward.
But before she could run a few steps, a group of people came marching towards her in unison, and their appearance gradually appeared in the dim light.
That is... a uniform and a gun slung across their shoulders?!
The leader shouted loudly:
"We are the official armed forces. Your market is confusing market prices and engaging in illegal trading activities. We are now forcibly disbanding. This will be executed immediately! Please do not resist too much!"
Tang Nan was stunned for a moment, then immediately turned around and asked loudly with a frown and angry look:
"Tang Tian! Did you find them here? Did you do this?!"
…
Tang Tian raised her hands:
"Unfair! I haven't even entered the base. Besides, you knew I wanted those valuables. If you banned me, who would I ask for them? It wouldn't do me any good!"
Tang Nan choked and was unable to answer for a moment. Long Qing's face was gloomy. He just touched his pocket and whispered to him:
"I believe Miss Tang. After all, no one is willing to trade such a good diet for something inedible. If this is a bait and trap, we should have been caught the first time!"
"This armed team only became more active after the base was built, which is consistent with the information on the radio!"
The leader of the team was stunned when he heard someone's name.
He pursed his lips and took a few more steps forward. When he could see the people near the car at the tunnel entrance, he sneered:
"Tang Tian, is that you?"
Tang Tian narrowed her eyes. In fact, she had also thought of this situation. This must be the base starting to crack down on external forces.
Moreover, Shen Boyun and Cheng Jing are also in the armed team, and they might be doing the same thing somewhere right now.
But the person in front of him was not any of them.
Hmm, it looks familiar, but I can't place it.
Tang Tian crossed her arms defensively and replied calmly:
"Sorry, who are you? I forgot."
If you don't know the tone, you might think it's a simple and explicit sarcasm.
Tang Tian had never thought about it this way, but unfortunately when Yan Shuo heard it, it became that kind of situation.
He gritted his teeth. He already had some disdain for the former, and now he was on a mission, so why did he run into her again?
Wu Yongming thought she was the lucky star of the shelter, but he didn't think so!
Seeing Long Qing, Tang Nan and the others groping for weapons, he snorted coldly and asked:
"Tang Tian, you haven't entered the base yet, but Commander Wu and Deputy Commander Yang would still like to welcome you. We are currently cracking down on external forces. Do you intend to collude with them and go against the authorities? You will definitely not be allowed to enter the base if you do that!"
Tang Tian also sneered.
From the tone of the words, I thought that being able to enter the base was really a big deal.
But she didn't really want to help the black market - she didn't want to help the armed team, she didn't want to help either side, she simply didn't want to get involved in this mess.
So she shrugged:
"I didn't say I wanted to help, and I just left right away. You guys continue. I've always been neutral."
This time both parties were silent, except for Tang Nan who curled his lips and sneered.
She had known for a long time that Tang Nan was such a person.
The tunnel suddenly became extremely noisy.
The ultimate goal of the base is to fill the manpower and also to save money, so half of the weapons in the hands of the armed team are rubber bullets.
But the black market is different. They carry real weapons, real swords and real guns, and even real people are willing to risk their lives.
Tang Tian and Tang Yi drove back to a safe area, then took out a telescope and looked out.
The people in the black market must have used riot control bombs. There were flashes from time to time, and there were occasional gunshots. Finally, a small amount of smoke appeared from the tunnel entrance, which was probably the trace of terrorism.
Both sides responded to the attack, but it looked as if neither would gain any advantage. About twenty minutes later, the tunnel returned to peace.
Tang Tian and Tang Yi went forward again and happened to see Long Qing, Tang Nan and others coming out of the tunnel. They looked exhausted and almost sat down on the ground, gasping for breath.
The armed forces must have retreated temporarily.
"It seems we can't stay in this tunnel any longer. We have to go somewhere else."
Long Qing spoke in a deep voice, then looked up at Tang Tian, who was standing by the car. She remained remarkably calm, like someone watching a show. The moonlight shone down from the horizon, casting a light veil over her.
He knew in his heart that Tang Tian would not help him, so he said:
"Ms. Tang, I'm afraid we won't be able to look for valuables soon. We were originally considering whether to enter the base, but more than half of us didn't want to go. Now it seems there's really no need to go."
Tang Tian shook her head:
"It's okay, see you again sometime."
Fortunately, her system has probably passed the pioneering period, and she can actually accumulate gold coins by slowly selling food in the food store.
Long Qing nodded, and after the smoke in the tunnel cleared, he went to clean up the remaining items with others.
Tang Nan also stood up silently, but did not follow immediately. Instead, he looked at Tang Tian deeply and suddenly said:
"Tang Tian, I believe you can definitely survive in this apocalypse!"
Tang Tian smiled in response:
"You too, Second in Command!"
…
"What kind of market is that? Even the armed forces failed?"
A hint of displeasure flashed in Wu Yongming's eyes.
Besides him, there were two other people in the office at this time, namely Yang Gan and Yan Shuo.
Yang Gan replied:
"That's a mobile black market. They collected a large amount of supplies, including some military weapons, before the apocalypse. The armed forces now consist mostly of ordinary people, so they were careless..."
Yan Shuo rolled his eyes and suddenly spoke:
"Commander Wu, Deputy Commander Yang, actually, this time... I saw someone I know there. It seems like they know each other very well. I wonder if there's any connection between them."
Wu Yongming raised his eyebrows and asked, "Who is it?"
Yan Shuo pursed his lips and finally decided to say the name.
"What? How could it be her?" Wu Yongming's expression froze. "Come to think of it, she hasn't even entered the base yet..."
"Commander Wu, haven't you ever considered that she and her family, though clearly weak, were able to obtain so many supplies to exchange with the shelter? It's obvious that there are a lot of supplies on the black market. Tang Tian must have close ties with them!"
As Yan Shuo spoke, he clenched his fists beside his trouser seams.
"The base is actively combating external forces, yet she's getting involved. How can this not be considered opposition to the base? Furthermore, you, the commander, have extended such a gracious invitation, yet she's still unwilling to accept and refuses to give you the slightest bit of respect. Do you intend to maintain your previous opinion?"
"That's enough."
Yang Gan also frowned and interrupted.
"There are only two people in the Tang family, and they have always lived in a residential area. They have never moved with the black market. Even if there is a connection, wouldn't the supplies she sent be real?"
"Besides, the base hasn't been completely stabilized yet. Tang Tian is so cautious that he won't come in right away. Besides, we still need time to move."
"Okay, stop talking."
Wu Yongming rubbed his temples, looking tired, his heart pounding.
"At this time, the black market may have escaped to other places. Let's go to other external forces first. We can talk about this later!"
A gloomy look appeared on Yan Shuo's face, and his clenched fists were still not loosened, but he finally retreated first.
Anyway, Tang Tian will eventually enter the base...
…
After the black market incident, Tang Tian and Tang Yi came back a little late today.
But now it is pitch black everywhere, and my perception of time has become slow.
Tang Tian and Tang Yi can use their dark vision ability when they are outside, so they can see things clearly in front of them without turning on the lights.
But the consequence of coming back late is that after relaxing, you will be so hungry that your chest and back will be sticking to each other.
Fortunately, they now have enough food to fill their stomachs, and Wei Mingxia has already prepared it at home.
But after dinner, Tang Tian suddenly found that a message had come.
Holding a cup of rock sugar and snow pear in her hand, she went to turn on the radio.
The person who brought the news from the other end was Shen Boyun.
"Tang Tian, the armed team found a black market today. Were you there too?"
Since she was discovered, she had to tell everything and report it to her superiors. Tang Tian did not hide anything.
"Why, what did the leader say?"
Tang Tian took a sip of liquid, half-sitting on the chair, and asked calmly:
"Come to think of it, I remember that team leader. Is he related to you?"
Shen Boyun paused for a moment before sighing:
"Based on blood relationship, he's my cousin, and he's also a member of the armed forces. And the higher-ups now know you were there, but... what were you doing there?"
Listening to the tone, Tang Tian understood something in her heart. It was likely that the man had given false information in his report, and Shen Boyun didn't believe it, so he naturally came over to ask.
"I was indeed in the black market at the time, but I was doing legitimate business. I was about to leave when they showed up. I was just watching from the sidelines, not helping either side."
Tang Tian shrugged as she spoke, even though the other party couldn't see it.
But Shen Boyun seemed relieved and chuckled:
"I see. Although I haven't seen it, it does fit your character. I believe you."
Tang Tian was stunned and didn't answer for a moment. The water droplets that seeped out of the wall of the cup due to the temperature kept sliding down, and the palm of her hand felt even colder than before.
The other party was silent for a moment, and then asked in a voice that changed the subject:
"The base has been built. Do you want to move in? Deputy Chief Yang asked me before."
This is probably the best, Tang Tian thought.
Neither Tang Yi nor Wei Mingxia objected to going to the base, and the people there were more popular. In fact, she herself had been wandering around for so long that she occasionally felt a urge to return home.
"Just wait a few days, we have to clean up."
"Okay, then please contact me the night before and I'll find someone to pick you up. We've just entered the base, so there are still some formalities to go through."
Tang Tian agreed and hung up the message.
To be honest, she was a little excited at the thought of going to a new place.
And if the Changping base is not as good as she imagined, or even dangerous, she can still take her family away.
Go to other bases, or simply leave Chuncheng. Other cities must have built bases as well.
Thinking of this, she told the news to Tang Yi and Wei Mingxia, and they decided to start packing their luggage tomorrow.
The next day was still a clear night. Tang Tian took out several suitcases and storage bags from the warehouse and placed the luggage inside.
After all, in the eyes of some people in the base, the Tang family has a lot of supplies with them. If they bring too few things, it will arouse suspicion. It is better to bring more, but the things inside are still of little value.
As for the villa, they also dismantled what could be dismantled and stored everything in the system warehouse. It took them nearly a whole day to finally pack up the villa and their luggage.
Two days later, Tang Tian thought it was almost time, so she contacted Shen Boyun at night. The other party agreed quickly and agreed to meet her at the base gate.
Early the next morning, Tang Tian took the car out of the warehouse and loaded all the luggage. The family of two plus Tan Tan officially left Jiangnan Liyuan where they were living now, and headed towards the base in a mighty manner.
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