A steady stream of people passed by the armory. When they saw the heavy and heavy machine guns that were waiting to be modified, everyone's heart was filled with confidence. No one doubted that with these things, they would be able to obtain the greatest guarantee of safety.
Zhang Xiaoqiang and Zhang Huai An sat on the table outside the armory, looking at the map and thinking hard. The road ahead was not smooth, although they had cleared the zombies along the way, after such a long time, there would always be large groups of zombies migrating over. The platoon that was sent out had to return to replenish their ammunition after killing close to ten thousand zombies.
It was not easy to stop the sea of zombies. Although they were in a good place, with a towering mountain on one side and a large lake on the other, the area was too wide, allowing the zombies to easily gather in large numbers. They did not have enough manpower to extend the line of defense to the lake.
There was also the Great Blackbird. The Great Blackbird did not escape as Zhang Xiaoqiang had expected, instead it circled around the convoy, and from time to time it would rush down to probe, forcing Zhang Xiaoqiang to set up defensive positions along the way. Even so, many people were still captured by the Great Blackbird. The Great Blackbird was more cunning than before, it would not descend to the ground no matter what, causing the troops on the ground to be helpless.
"What's the status of those vehicles?
How many can be used? "
Zhang Xiaoqiang looked at the map, frowned and asked Zhang Huai An.
"Many of them have become scrap metal, only about three hundred can be reused, of which about fifty can be repaired, the rest can only be used as trailers …"
Zhang Xiaoqiang nodded, it was better than he had expected. Among the seventy thousand survivors, about thirty thousand were women, but less than half of them could get on the vehicles. The rest were all men, including his troops and logistics personnel, there were about ninety thousand. There was still a large amount of weapons that needed to be transported, especially the cannons and shells. Other than leaving some to block the zombies, he planned to transport the rest to the base to strengthen the defense of the base.
"Remove all the engines of the trucks that can't move. I only want their wheels and shells. Let all the women get on the trucks and speed up the delivery.
Cancel the reinforcements plan and use all the vehicles to clear out the zombies in front of us. After clearing the route, transport 3000 people to a place 20km away from the ferry to set up a defensive position. We will fight the zombies here and try to send everyone over to Jiang Chong.
Also, inform Huang Quan and let him be in charge of the clean-up work at the front. Only about one company of troops can be deployed for the battle at the back, and it can only be an infantry company. The mobility unit must go to the front with the other units to prepare … "
When Zhang Huai'an heard Zhang Xiaoqiang's latest order, he hesitantly asked,
"Zhang Xiaoqiang, you're asking the troops behind us to fight for at least five to seven days. Isn't that a little too little?"
Zhang Xiaoqiang looked at the highway lines on the map and shook his head.
"It's not too little. I'll personally command them. I want to see, after a few attacks, if the zombies are still as unstoppable as before …"
The Jiefang vehicles had good engine stability, a safe and reliable brake system, a sturdy structure, and a long lifespan. Although they had been left in the armory for so many years, after an inventory, they still managed to find 53 vehicles that could run. Wang Le brought some people to do some simple maintenance on these vehicles. These trucks that could carry up to four tons could still run like a tiger on the road.
The 53 trucks carried 600 soldiers, over a million rifle bullets and three hundred thousand machine gun bullets. They were also towing 10 quadruple anti-aircraft machine guns and eight double anti-aircraft machine guns.
Zhang Xiaoqiang was determined to personally lead the troops, but because of the Great Blackbird's harassment, he only brought 600 people. Adding the troops behind them, they had about 800 people.
As for the anti-aircraft machine guns behind them, Zhang Xiaoqiang had no confidence in them. These things were completely different from the machine guns found in Wang Le's old factory. Due to the lack of maintenance, the lifespan of these weapons was greatly reduced. In addition to the lack of spare parts, Zhang Xiaoqiang only hoped that they could use up all the ammunition they brought this time.
When the convoy reached the center, Zhang Xiaoqiang's military vehicle was stopped by a group of female soldiers. If it was in the past, Zhang Xiaoqiang would have long been angry and reprimanded them. But he felt sorry for Mu Peipei. Feeling guilty, he stopped the vehicle and let the main force meet up with Feng Kun first.
"Report, our Battalion Commander invites you over …"
The female soldier who reported to Zhang Xiaoqiang was not old, about seventeen or eighteen years old. She appeared very mature, less lively, and more experienced. Her skin was rosy, but not white. It was the kind of black with a hint of red. At the side of her face, there were some traces of molting. Looking at this female soldier whose eyes were filled with determination, Zhang Xiaoqiang nodded slowly.
With the female soldier leading the way, Zhang Xiaoqiang was brought to the side of Mu Peipei's tent. The air here was still filled with the fragrance of meat. Looking at the cheerful faces of the female soldiers, Zhang Xiaoqiang knew that the meat that was delivered earlier had made them very happy.
After entering the tent, Mu Peipei was wearing a combat uniform, sitting at the table and looking at Zhang Xiaoqiang. When she first saw Zhang Xiaoqiang, the first thing that flashed in Mu Peipei's eyes was a trace of anger. Although Zhang Xiaoqiang felt guilty, he still looked at Mu Peipei. He stared at Mu Peipei's beautiful big eyes without blinking, silently waiting for Mu Peipei to take the initiative to speak.
Mu Peipei's eyes were unpredictable. Sometimes angry, sometimes helpless, and even some unwillingness and disgust. However, Zhang Xiaoqiang was no longer the little otaku of the past. After several battles, his heart had been tempered like iron and stone. It was impossible for Mu Peipei to pressure Zhang Xiaoqiang.
"I heard that you are transferring troops?"
Mu Peipei controlled her emotions and spoke in a business-like tone. Her words were filled with coldness and estrangement. Zhang Xiaoqiang did not mind and nodded, "I did not transfer your female battalion. They are now only responsible for maintaining the order of the troops. There are some obstacles in the front, but I believe that they will be cleared soon. As long as the troops in the back can delay the zombies and cross the river, everyone will be safe."
Mu Peipei frowned. If it was before, Mu Peipei could not wait for Zhang Xiaoqiang to place the female battalion in the safest place. But now it was different. Zhang Xiaoqiang's strong performance in front of her made her realize that if she was not strong, she would still be a man's appendage. Mu Peipei yearned to be free and live a free life. Before that, she must be strong.
"Do the words you said the day before still count?"
Mu Peipei suddenly asked. Zhang Xiaoqiang was stunned. He then remembered that he had said that he wanted to expand Mu Peipei's female battalion. At that time, Mu Peipei did not take it seriously, but now she took the initiative to bring it up. He did not know what she was thinking.
"Why are you suddenly asking about this?
If you want to expand, then expand. But I do not have any extra rifles for you. When we return to the base, I can give you more. "
Zhang Xiaoqiang did not linger on this matter. He could never understand what a woman's true thoughts were. Anyway, there was a serious lack of firearms. Zhang Xiaoqiang was also preparing to expand the army to 8000. Mu Peipei's female soldiers could only wait until they returned to the base to give them Garand rifles or Type 53 rifles.
"I don't want rifles. Give me three anti-aircraft machine guns, 12 mortars, and a portion of light and heavy machine guns. I will expand into a machine gun battalion."