Ch55 Sir, He's the One Carrying the Gun
"Oh, right, Brother. I heard Deng Yang's crew isn't planning to leave."
"Brother, you've got beef with him. Better keep your guard up from now on."
Meng Ci nodded, acknowledging the warning.
After a moment's thought, he went back to grab two packs of hardtack, five sacks of rapeseed, and two bottles of vitamins, handing them to Zhang Mingtian.
Zhang Mingtian hastily waved his hands in refusal.
"I haven't planted the rapeseed you gave me earlier. I planned to plant it once we got there."
"Keep these, Brother."
"We don't know what the situation will be at the refugee settlement. If they confiscate these supplies, it'd be a waste."
Meng Ci forcefully shoved the supplies into Zhang Mingtian's hands. "It's fine. I have more."
"They probably won't confiscate them. Keep them, don't worry."
The book never mentioned the government taking people's belongings. This time should be no different.
"Keep these. Plant them well when you get there."
"If I can't make it here, I'll need your protection."
Zhang Mingtian assured him he would, but before he could finish, several sets of footsteps echoed up the stairs.
"Sir, the armed criminals are on this floor."
"You absolutely must arrest them. You have no idea-ever since we learned they had guns, we've been living in constant fear."
"Brother, this..."
Zhang Mingtian recognized the voice as Deng Yang's-and it seemed he'd brought soldiers with him.
Meng Ci wasn't worried at all. Shaking his head, he said, "It's fine."
"If you have business, leave first. Don't get dragged into this."
He knew Deng Yang wouldn't let this go. Perfect. Once most people had left the building, he'd go meet him.
Soon, several soldiers in uniform, pistols holstered at their waists, ascended the stairs, denying Zhang Mingtian any chance to leave.
Meng Ci recognized one of them as the soldier who'd distributed food earlier-clearly not an imposter sent by Deng Yang.
Meng Ci stood outside the iron
gate, eyeing the lieutenant with one bar and two stars who led the group.
"Hello," the lieutenant said, removing his leather gloves to offer Meng Ci a hand.
"Hello," Meng Ci replied, returning the handshake. He asked, feigning ignorance, "What brings the lieutenant here?"
"My name is Lu Chen. Here is my identification." Lu Chen pulled out his credentials from his pocket and handed them to Meng Ci.
"We received a report alleging illegal firearm possession. Please allow us to conduct a search to prevent public disturbance." Meng Ci glanced at the credentials casually-he couldn't decipher them anyway, nor verify their authenticity.
"Granted." Meng Ci accepted without hesitation.
"But if nothing is found, what penalty will the informant face?"
Lu Chen replied, "For now, only verbal reprimands."
"Alright." Meng Ci shot Deng Yang a regretful glance.
Deng Yang caught the fleeting threat in Meng Ci's eyes and felt a twinge of fear.
But he quickly reminded himself that once they confiscated this man's gun, the outcome was still uncertain. His posture instantly straightened.
"What's going on here?"
A figure approached with clattering footsteps from the stairwell. All eyes turned toward the sound.
Deng Yang, emboldened by the officer's presence, knew Meng Ci and Shen Que dared not touch him. He promptly pointed accusingly: "Him, sir, and him too."
"They're in cahoots, sir. You need to investigate him as well."
Shen Que, his hair dripping wet, strode purposefully toward Meng Ci, one hand carrying a folded rubber dinghy, the other a bundle of firewood.
"What's up?" Shen Que asked Lu Chen, completely ignoring Deng Yang beside him.
Lu Chen repeated the explanation he'd given to Meng Ci earlier.
Shen Que turned to Meng Ci, seeking his opinion.
Meng Ci agreed to the search, but stipulated that Deng Yang couldn't enter the newly built wall.
Lu Chen consented.
Seeing the two men so unflappable, Deng Yang grew anxious they might have moved something.
When Zhang Mingtian appeared, he even had Lu Chen search him as well, just to be safe.
Lu Chen knew perfectly well that no one present could leave the scene.
If someone was indeed hiding firearms and they weren't. confiscated promptly, it could cause unnecessary panic among the residents.
If those two took the weapons to commit acts that disrupted public order and caused unrest, the consequences would be severe.
Lu Chen entered the two men's room and directed the search.
He was quite surprised to see the vegetables Meng Ci had planted on the balcony.
"You know how to grow vegetables?"
Meng Ci shook his head. "Not really."
"I just found some vegetable seeds while out looking for food earlier and thought I'd bring them back to try. I didn't expect them to grow so easily."
Lu Chen nodded, then noticed the two rabbits he was raising.
"Not bad." With meat and vegetables, his life was certainly more comfortable than most.
Meng Ci nodded. "Thanks for the compliment."
"Reporting discovery." A soldier searching Meng Ci's sofa pulled the gun from beneath a cushion.
Lu Chen's expression toward Meng Ci instantly shifted, and he turned to walk over.
Meng Ci remained completely unfazed, showing no fear.
Lu Chen took the pistol, weighed it in his hand, and immediately sensed something was off. "This is a replica gun."
Meng Ci nodded, even finding the leisure to compliment Lu Chen.
"Who knew Lieutenant Lu was so sharp? Just by weighing it in your hand, you knew it was fake."
"That Deng Yang-I even fired a shot right in front of him, and he didn't realize it was fake. He was so scared his legs went weak."
Seeing Meng Ci's nonchalant attitude toward the fake gun, Lu Chen stated, "Even if it's a replica, using it to intimidate others is prohibited.
"Especially one like yours that could pass as real."
"Confiscated!"
Meng Ci pleaded, "Lieutenant Lu, can't you make an exception?"
"You know the downpour could last who knows how long, and it's chaotic out there."
"I'm only carrying this replica for self-defense. I won't break any laws."
Meng Ci held up four fingers in a vow. "If I ever use this replica for illegal activities, may I never taste meat again in this lifetime!"
Lyu Chen considered this, tossed the gun back to Meng Ci, and said, "You'd better remember your words."
Then he led his men out.
Deng Yang noticed Lu Chen's
gloomy expression and Immediately assumed he'd found the gun. He stepped forward to claim credit.
"Sir, I was right! He had a gun!"
"You'd better arrest him according to the law."
Lu Chen halted, waved a hand, and a soldier promptly brought over a bag.
Deng Yang's eyes lit up. Was this a reward for his service?
He rushed forward, holding out both hands to take the bag. "Thank you, Sir! Thank you, Sir!"
"Reporting criminals is my duty."
"No need to be so formal."
But the soldier sidestepped Deng Yang's grasp and instead kicked the bag toward Meng Ci.
Meng Ci accepted it without hesitation-if someone offered, why refuse?
Meng Ci accepted it without hesitation-if someone offered, why refuse?
In the apocalypse, who would turn down extra food?
Deng Yang's face darkened instantly. "Sir, what's the meaning of this?"
Lu Chen shot him a glare. "What do you mean? A replica gun scares you this badly?"