"Cook the mixed noodles into a paste soup and send it down to top it up first."
Zhang Can took a deep breath and said.
"No, brother, the remaining food is specially left for you."
"Send them all out."
"All right."
Wu Qi replied after a moment's hesitation, then left.
When Xiao Tong saw Zhang Can distribute all the remaining food, his expression eased a little, but he was still very anxious.
Zhang Can continued to sit on the chair for a while, then stood up and walked out of the house.
Xiao Tong and others followed behind him.
There were people lying everywhere outside. Women and children with cracked skin could be seen gnawing on dry tree bark in one hand and drinking water from a jar with a plastic cup in the other.
The whole stomach was swollen.
Not far away, Wu Qi and others had already set up a pot. They boiled water, poured the mixed flour in and stirred it, and the hot noodle soup was ready.
A group of skinny, messy-haired, dirty children were queuing up with bowls in their hands.
None of the older people went up to receive it.
Just then, a dirty little girl received a bowl and hurried towards the old man who was lying against a stone not far away, shouting happily.
"Grandma, there's food."
Unfortunately, no matter how the little girl shouted, the old lady did not respond.
The little girl shook the old lady's hand, but there was still no response, and then she burst into tears.
"Woo woo, grandma, wake up quickly, there's food."
But the old woman remained motionless, with a peaceful expression on her face, fearing that her granddaughter would be worried if she saw her.
"Grandma! Wake up!"
At this moment, the little girl couldn't hold back any longer and burst into tears.
Zhang Can and others saw this scene.
The people around who were dizzy from hunger had expressions of grief on their faces when they saw this scene.
Xiao Tong clenched his hands into fists, his bones creaking, and said to Zhang Can.
"Brother, you see, right? We can't wait like this any longer. Do you really want to go all the way and trust that person?"
"Shut up!"
When Zhang Can saw Xiao Tong questioning Shen Qiu, he immediately became annoyed and scolded him.
"Brother, wake up! How can those high and mighty people remember us?"
Xiao Tong said to Zhang Can.
"My eldest brother told us to wait and he will definitely come back, so wait for me!"
Zhang Can said angrily, he was in a worse mood than anyone else. But as Shen Qiu said, what future would there be if they continued to snatch
"Brother, you can't trust him just because he helped you before! We can't afford to lose. You know, we are risking our lives waiting for him now!"
Xiao Tong roared angrily.
Zhang Can kicked Xiao Tong and yelled angrily.
"Shut up!"
"Okay, I won't say anything if you don't let me. But you have to keep waiting. I can't bear to watch my relatives starve to death one by one. Brothers, come with me if you are willing."
Xiao Tong roared with red eyes.
Suddenly, half of the brothers present gathered around Xiao Tong.
"What are you going to do?"
Zhang Can's face suddenly changed and he yelled at Xiao Tong.
"Nothing, you are willing to wait for death, but we are not. Brothers, follow me to rob those profiteers."
Xiao Tong said this and turned away with nearly half of his brothers.
"Xiao Tong, come back here!"
Zhang Can shouted angrily.
“It’s none of your business!”
Xiao Tong and others left very resolutely, not listening to Zhang Can at all, and walked further and further away.
Wu Qi and others looked at Zhang Can at a loss and asked hesitantly.
"Brother, what should we do? Should we go?"
"No one is allowed to go. If you still recognize me as your big brother, stay here. No one is allowed to run around!"
Zhang Can shouted angrily at Wu Qi and others.
Wu Qi and the others lowered their heads and remained silent.
Zhang Can walked to a stone with a grim face and sat down.
He just sat there quietly, the anger in his heart gradually faded away, replaced by confusion, sadness and pain.
In fact, Zhang Can has been silently bearing various pressures during this period. He knows very well that people starve to death every day.
But he couldn't go back to his old ways. He had promised Shen Qiu that he would not do anything until Shen Qiu came back.
Zhang Can knew very well that if there was anyone who could lead them out of the darkness, it must be Shen Qiu. This opportunity only came once.
But his brother didn't understand.
Time passed little by little, and dusk fell in the blink of an eye.
Zhang Can looked at the setting sun with a sad expression on his face. At this moment, a hand was pressed on Zhang Can's shoulder, and a sigh was heard.
"Alas, the world is full of suffering. Leaving here is a kind of relief. Sorry, I'm late."
Zhang Can was slightly startled, then turned his head to look over.
Seeing Shen Qiu standing behind Zhang Can, he immediately stood up and said excitedly.
"Brother, you are here."
"Um."
Shen Qiu nodded with a heavy expression. He had seen many people starving to death along the way.
He didn't expect the situation to be worse than he imagined.
Zhang Can was smiling happily at this time, and he said to Shen Qiu excitedly.
"I knew you wouldn't ignore us, brother."
"Let's not talk about that. I see that your situation is terrible. Do you have nothing to eat?"
Shen Qiu didn't waste any words and went straight to the point.
"No, I made the last bit of food today, but it was of no use."
Zhang Can shook his head and replied.
"Well, let's buy some food first."
"No, big brother, now a pound of mixed noodles has risen to 200 Alliance Coins."
"Wasn't it 60 when I left?"
When Shen Qiu heard the price, his face suddenly darkened. Not to mention that the maximum price limit of the Red Alliance is 5 Alliance Coins, the increase in the past few days alone is outrageous.
“It has increased.”
Zhang Can was also very angry when he talked about the price.
Just then, Wu Qi ran over with a panicked look on his face and shouted to Zhang Can.
"Brother, something bad has happened."
"What happened?"
Zhang Can's face changed and asked.
"Xiao Tong led his men to rob Zheng Ang's gang of profiteers, but they were caught instead."
Wu Qi said breathlessly.
Zhang Can's face turned dark. He wanted to shout, "Draw your weapons!", but when he saw Shen Qiu standing in front of him, he held it back.
Shen Qiu asked with a frown.
"What's going on?"
"Brother, I'm sorry. I failed to control my subordinates. Seeing so many people starving to death every day, Xiao Tong secretly led his men to rob profiteers, and this is what happened."
Zhang Can explained with his head down.
After hearing this, Shen Qiu pondered for a moment and asked.
"What role does Zheng Ang play?"
"Zheng Ang is the largest grain seller in our area. He controls all grain sales channels and is the lackey of Xu Bin, the biggest local boss in our area."
Zhang Can explained to Shen Qiu.
"How strong is Xu Bin?"
Shen Qiu heard this and asked calmly.