Zhang Yi killed over a dozen people in one go.
By the way, have you ever played that game where you smash tadpoles?
In the spring, there are always lots of tadpoles in the creek, swimming around in groups.
If you throw a stone into the water, the tadpole group will scatter in a split second, and it's very interesting to watch.
When Zhang Yi was killing people, it felt pretty much the same as smashing tadpoles.
He spotted groups of people, picked out the most obvious ones to kill, and then the rest of them, terrified, ran away in a panic.
The surviving residents could only watch as their neighbors died.
Their bodies were splattered with blood and brain matter, and the terror they felt was immense.
It completely shattered their will to resist.
Once Zhang Yi saw they were thoroughly frightened, he slowly put away his sniper rifle.
Then he turned around, facing the five people who were still stunned.
He simply said, "Have you all made up your minds?"
Even the usually ruthless Wang Qiang and Huang Tianfang felt their legs trembling at this moment.
It was the natural fear humans had towards firearms.
Wang Qiang swallowed hard and then raised his hand. "I agree to the two terms you proposed."
Huang Tianfang quickly chimed in, "I have no objections either!"
Then came Zhang Yunián and Chen Lingyu. Neither of them said anything, likely unsure of what to say, so they just raised their hands to indicate agreement.
Li Jian, seeing the other four had compromised, bitterly raised his right hand.
"I agree too."
Zhang Yi's lips curved into a faint smile.
"Alright, starting today, you'll begin working. Tomorrow afternoon, I'll notify you to come pick up your rations."
"And remember, work hard! I'll be watching you, don't try anything funny."
They all nodded in agreement.
Zhang Yi waved them off.
"You can go now."
Li Jian, dejected, was the first to leave the negotiation room, followed by Zhang Yunián.
Chen Lingyu walked awkwardly, her legs tightly pressed together, as if afraid something might leak out.
Wang Qiang and Huang Tianfang, however, lingered, not in any hurry to leave.
"Zhang... Zhang Yi, can I have that pack of cigarettes? After all, we're comrades now!" Wang Qiang pointed to the cigarettes in Zhang Yi's hand, his eyes filled with longing.
Huang Tianfang, eager, worried Wang Qiang might get all of it, quickly added, "Wang Qiang, don't think you're getting all of it!"
He turned to Zhang Yi with a flattering smile. "Zhang Yi, it's been a while since I had a cigarette. Can you give me some?"
Zhang Yi glanced at them, picked up the half-empty pack of cigarettes, and tossed it onto the floor. "You guys can divide it yourself."
Both men scrambled for the cigarettes like hungry dogs.
Two grown men, fighting over a half-pack of cigarettes, completely abandoning their image.
"Wang Qiang, you little brat, daring to fight me for it!"
"Old Huang, don't push your luck. Let go of it! It's mine!"
In the end, the cigarette pack was torn apart, and each of them snatched a few cigarettes, glaring at each other as they left the negotiation building.
The crisis in Building 25 had been temporarily resolved.
Zhang Yi put away the sniper rifle, sitting in his chair with an expression of complete indifference.
Because the result today wasn't exactly ideal.
He had originally hoped to wipe out all the building leaders from the other 29 buildings in one go.
However, that was more of an ideal scenario.
Now, this outcome wasn't bad either. On the surface, he had reached a cooperation with them, and he could let them fight among themselves before seizing the right opportunity to strike.
Zhang Yi wasn't in a rush.
With sufficient supplies and a favorable living environment, he always stood at the pinnacle of time.
After the five building managers left, the residents of Building 25 breathed a sigh of relief and quickly came to ask Zhang Yi about the outcome of the meeting.
Zhang Yi told them, "Under my show of force, they've compromised. I'll need to provide them with 300 rations to maintain peace."
"And, everyone must participate in labor. We'll develop the land and start agriculture to sustain ourselves in the long term."
The neighbors were left speechless.
"300 rations? Can we actually do that?"
"And if we give them the food, what will we do?"
None of them understood why Zhang Yi would make such a request.
After all, when Zhang Yi made the decision, he didn't consult with them at all.
Zhang Yi explained calmly, "What's your alternative? Do you really want to fight against thousands of people from the whole neighborhood?"
He sneered and said, "I don't mind. No matter how many they are, I'm not afraid, but can you all withstand it?"
The neighbors exchanged glances, and none of them had the courage to speak.
The entire combat power of Building 25 was 99% in Zhang Yi's hands.
Zhang Yi had overwhelming firepower and an almost impenetrable fortress. If they left, regardless of whether they helped or not, he could still live well.
But what about them? Wouldn't they just be slaughtered by the furious neighborhood owners and turned into skewers?
Zhang Yi said indifferently, "Don't worry too much. I'll try my best to find food. No matter what, I won't let you starve."
The neighbors looked up, their eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and disbelief, tears sparkling.
"Zhang Yi, you…"
A woman choked up, "You really... I'm crying."
"Zhang Yi, you're taking the entire burden of Building 25 onto your shoulders! I'm truly grateful!"
"Zhang Yi, we were right to trust you. You're a leader we truly respect!"
The neighbors, teary-eyed, were overwhelmed with emotion.
The pressure of food gathering was entirely on Zhang Yi's shoulders!
Zhang Yi sighed softly, his tone becoming gentler.
His gaze slowly swept over everyone, and his voice grew serious and profound.
"Everyone, stop crying. I know you've had your doubts about me in the past, thinking I was a bad person."
"But no matter what you think of me, I genuinely hope that everyone can live well! Not just me, Zhang Yi, but every single one of you!"
Jiang Lei wiped his tears and said loudly, "Big Brother Zhang! Don't worry, we'll never forget your kindness! We'll never disappoint you!"
The other neighbors nodded and whispered.
"Actually, thinking back, Zhang Yi may have killed 70 or 80 people, but those were all people who deserved it. He never attacked anyone first!"
"Zhang Yi was just defending himself, and he's actually been very kind to us. Maybe we've misunderstood him in the past! He's really a good person!"
"From now on, I'll support Zhang Yi with everything I have, and back all his decisions!"
"Zhang Yi's favor will never be repaid in this lifetime!"