Cave Refuge

"Alright, alright. I can't win against you. I surrender. Let's figure out what we should bring tonight."

Seeing Dong Tianyu's state, Mr. Thompson decided to cease this topic, knowing that persisting might only make his son become irritated.

"It was just supposed to be a gathering of us oldies to have some drinks, but old Ye insisted on involving our children. Eventually, we thought it unfair to leave our spouses alone at home and decided to extend the invite to our families.

You don't know how green old Li turned when he heard that our simple meet-up changed to a family banquet, and the menu grew from one table of dishes to at least three."

"Is that a good idea? Hosting so many people for a meal at their home, can they handle it?"

Upon hearing Dong Tianyu's question, Mr. Thompson chuckled and responded, "Don't underestimate old Li. Even if the number of guests were to double, old Li can handle it. His son is in charge of logistics in the West City District. Don't forget what I told you earlier outside; the war reserve warehouse beneath People's Square has been unsealed. The Command Post doesn't lack food supplies anymore. They've already made plans to distribute supplies to the streets in the West City District to prevent the Pengcheng officials from forcefully requisitioning them."

Hearing about West City District's anticipatory measures, Dong Tianyu was puzzled, "Why do so? Why not wait for the official allocation?"

Whether in his previous life or currently, Dong Tianyu never involved himself in political affairs, hence he didn't understand the intricacies.

Despite that, he was aware that post-disaster, West City District's survivors may have suffered a lot, but none of them died from hunger.

Therefore, even though Dong Tianyu didn't want to engage directly with government officials, he generally had a good impression of them.

Hearing his son's naive thoughts, Mr. Thompson resignedly chuckled. Not only his son but he himself had had similar naive beliefs before immersing himself in his current social circles.

Despite the frequent calamities, the old saying stands, 'Every man for himself.' As He Shen famously put it, if the officials responsible for the distribution of relief food cannot feed themselves, how can they ensure the food reaches the disaster victims?

So, relief grain is likely to disappear at every stage it passes through. However, in the present disaster-stricken times, with awakened people around, most people are cautious. They fear that driving the underprivileged survivors to desperation might lead to irrational retaliations.

Just like the farmers protesting for wages in the past, initially, for the sake of their families and children, the farmers would only resort to suicidal threats despite the harsh conditions.

But now - you push me to desperation, I won't let you live comfortably either. I would massacre your entire family rather than just killing you.

Consider the olden days when farmers, faced with exorbitant taxes, were forced to sell their lands and eventually become laborers, just surviving.

Others, having lost their surviving lands, chose to rebel, with nothing to lose anymore.

Wait until the chrysanthemums are in full bloom

After my blossom, a hundred flowers will die

The fragrance will drift across Chang'an

Everyone will wear gold armor around town

If I have nothing, then I have nothing to fear.

Sometimes wisdom makes people timid, but at times, it can spark great courage.

Presently, to better embezzle and to not ignite widespread outrage, they facilitate their corruption in a more covert manner.

West City District Command Post dispenses 500 units of supplies from the warehouse, delivers 200 straight to the streets for survivors under their jurisdiction.

The neighborhoods receiving these supplies then distribute around 100 to 150 units to individuals.

The neighborhoods can't be too greedy, given that they share living spaces with other survivors. Even if other people know they are being a little greedy, as long as it's not excessive, people might grumble internally yet not really show it.

If their corruption becomes too blatant, ordinary people struggle to eat, on the brink of starvation while they feast lavishly, then the common people will show them the disastrous outcomes of an ordinary man's wrath.

This very fear of envy from ordinary folks witnessing their lifestyles and harbouring ill thoughts, and acting upon impulsive anger, is why many rich people won't live among ordinary folks.

Of course, the West City District Command Post would not consume all the supplies. They plan to divide the supplies from the war reserve warehouse into three parts.

One part should be immediately distributed, facilitated by neighborhoods to all survivors.

One part should be given upfront to appease Pengcheng authorities.

One part should be reserved and temporarily stored in the warehouse, to be used in dire circumstances only.

The Command Post initially intended to reserve more but feared attracting Pengcheng's greed, so they simply divided it equally.

Mr. Thompson, although having heard from his friend about this plan, was not aware that the West City District Command Post had already reported this plan to the Pengcheng officials and was awaiting their final decision.

If Pengcheng officials agreed, there was no issue. But if they negated this plan, that information would undoubtedly reach ordinary survivors.

Given that Pengville Plaza isn't too far from West City District, it would create quite the spectacle.

Now understanding some of these machinations after Mr. Thompson explained everything to him, Dong Tianyu felt relieved about abstaining from direct contact with the officials. Otherwise, he would be oblivious to being taken advantage of.

"Dad, what should we bring tonight? How about three hams?"

Watching his son pointing to a packaging bag similar to a badminton racket cover, Mr. Thompson thought for a moment and rejected his son's suggestion, although not completely:

"Bringing three hams would be too ostentatious. Such expensive gifts might overshadow the hosts. Let's bring one ham, some sausage, a few canned fruits, and a box of liquor."

Upon saying this, Mr. Thompson paused for a moment in thought and then continued, "Two bottles of liquor should suffice. And we'll add two bottles of homemade liquor, a few vacuum-packed peanuts. These should be of decent quality."

Hearing Mr. Thompson's proposal, Dong Tianyu agreed. Aside from political matters, Mr. Thompson's perception in handling social interactions was pretty sound.

Just as they were packing and preparing to leave with Mrs. Thompson, she entered the room with a bright smile.

"Miller Avery, it's time for dinner. As we discussed this morning," Mrs. Thompson was a year older than Mr. Thompson and at times, when he was in a good mood, he addressed her by her maiden name at home.

Looking at the numerous bags their son was carrying, Mrs. Thompson briefly checked their contents, returned to the warehouse, and brought out a black bag.