Chapter 71 - 68: Transporting Cement
Manager Zhou looked up upon hearing the words and quickly responded, "We can help you transport the cement!"
Before he could finish, as if still unsure, he added: "Don't worry, we are professionals."
Li Yu looked at him with amusement and pointed at the workers beside him, then said, "They might be professional, but can you do it? Besides, does moving cement really require professionalism?"
"..."
"Alright, then you do it."
Upon hearing that, Manager Zhou and his people immediately stood up, and Li Yu, seeing this, had them follow Li Tie and others to the cement factory.
Around the corner, several others also drove over in cars.
Manager Zhou opened the warehouse door, and several full-time workers stepped forward to prepare for the loading.
A few part-time workers encountered Manager Zhou's group, instantly resulting in a tense standoff, full of hostility.
Ready to fight, Li Yu fired a shot into the sky.
"Start moving the stuff!" Li Yu shouted loudly!
The part-time workers glared at Manager Zhou's group, still harboring resentment from the days they were confined in a small room and subjected to hardships.
Although they harbored strong resentment toward Manager Zhou and his group, faced with the imposing Li Yu, they dared not resist.
They could only set aside their grievances and obediently start transporting the cement.
Li Yu had Li Haoran bring in the forklift, which greatly sped up the loading process.
Part-time workers, famished, hurriedly swallowed their instant noodles and chugged some water before willingly stepping forward to help. Li Yu saw this and did not stop them.
After saving them and providing them food and drink, it was only normal to contribute some effort.
During that time, a middle-aged man with slightly gray temples approached and looked at Manager Zhou and his people.
He said to Li Yu, "Boss Li, Manager Zhou and his people are not good folks. Previously, Boss Hua and his family were locked out by them, and ended up being bitten by zombies..."
Li Yu turned around, gave him a deep look, and said, "I know."
Then, there was no further discussion.
The man seemed to have more to say, but seeing Li Yu's disinterested demeanor, he remained silent.
Li Yu called over the other few part-time workers, made inquiries, and confirmed that what the man had said about Manager Zhou locking Boss Hua out was true.
...
Grandpa Li Yushi got out of the car,
Seeing Manager Zhou and his people still in the factory, he curiously asked, "Li Yu, who are these people?"
"They are enthusiastic workers, now helping us move stuff," replied Li Yu.
A joyful smile appeared on Li Yushi's face as he said, "We can't let them go uncompensated then. We should give them something in return."
Li Yu nodded in agreement, thinking to himself: Greedy and outrageous, if it weren't for the presence of guns, who knows what they could have done; Boss Hua was harmed by them too, perhaps we ought to give them some bullets...
Li Yu walked over and briefed Uncle about the situation, casting a subtle glance at Manager Zhou's group, "These people caused the death of Boss Hua. Just now in the factory dormitory, I found that those who had helped us build the wall of our base were our people doing odd jobs. When I went there, they had also been confined by Manager Zhou's group..."
Yang Tianlong commented upon hearing this, "They are not good people, why not..." he paused and made a throat-slitting gesture.
Li Hongyuan sighed after hearing this and said, "Boss Hua was a good man; how could his people be so ruthless..."
Li Yu glanced at his father and said, "People naturally seek advantages and shun threats, especially now in this apocalyptic world, Dad, you can't measure contemporary people with the old ideologies."
Li Hongyuan looked up at Li Yu, his expression a mix of sadness, but he nodded and said, "Li Yu, since you're in charge now, we'll do as you say."
Li Yu, looking at Uncle, said, "I think Tianlong is right… After a while..."
After a brief chat with everyone, he let Li Tie and Li Gang keep a close eye on those people, ready to fire at any suspicious movement.
6 large trucks, capable of carrying 180 tons of cement, with each pack weighing around 100 kilograms,
approximately totaling 3600 bags, because trucks can drive right into the factory area, loading was more convenient.
With the help of the forklifts, the speed was even faster.
Manager Zhou and his eight people, along with a few others who had helped Li Yu build the base, totaled 14 people. They handled moving the cement out from the innermost parts.
Yang Tianlong and Uncle operated the forklifts for transportation.
During the loading process, perhaps because Manager Zhou was not used to such hard labor,
he started sweating profusely and gasping for breath, squatting down to rest after just a short while.
But seeing Li Yu watching him, he dared not stop.
On the other hand, the part-time workers, used to heavy labor and endurance, continued working without stopping for an hour after a good meal.
...
Starting from 9 AM, they continued transporting till 1 PM, when finally all the cement was loaded onto the trucks.
Originally, Li Yu thought moving these materials would take a long time, but unexpectedly, with extra help, the process moved much faster.
After the loading was completed, Li Yu looked at those automatically divided into two groups.
Manager Zhou, sweat-soaked, looked to Li Yu ingratiatingly and said, "Boss Li, are you satisfied now?"
Li Yu nodded, then ignored Manager Zhou.
Instead, he turned to the workers who had helped build the base and said, "You have two options: one, like before, you help me build the wall, and I'll provide you food for a day's work. Alternatively, you are free to go wherever you want, and I won't interfere."
The part-time workers were somewhat relieved—though it was the apocalypse, having work that provided food was the greatest luck.
However, not all six were keen to stay.
Among them, the first man who told Li Yu about Manager Zhou causing Boss Hua's death seemed conflicted. He hesitantly said, "I... I probably can't go. I want to go home to check on things."
Upon hearing this, his fellow part-time workers also expressed their desire to check on their homes.
Li Yu pondered for a moment; wanting to check on homes is a natural sentiment and reasonable.
After getting a few addresses, he found they weren't far: two were in the town, while others were in the neighboring village. Without much delay, he agreed to let them visit.
So he said, "Okay, I can take you to check on your homes. We can decide what to do afterward."
The part-time workers were overjoyed, showering praises on Li Yu.
After speaking, Li Yu called Li Tie, arranging for the workers to sit inside the heavy trucks.
The heavy trucks weren't fully packed with cement yet, leaving plenty of space inside.