The room was filled with tension when Xu Dekai's palm slapped the table, startling everyone present.
"Who the hell is this person, acting like an ambitious schemer? All they talk about is the damn organization. Stop using the collective as a shield!" His sister, Zhenzi, tugged at her older brother.
"Don't be afraid. What can he do? He's just another official." Xu Dekai dismissed it. "In my view, the real loss lies in the collective interest with thousands not finding their loved ones. That's the greatest loss for the community, and that's the current priority."
"Well said!" Old Wei chimed in. "Everyone here today, those who came and stayed, are determined to search and rescue. We won't judge or demand anything from the base's decisions, but we'll rescue on our own terms."
"Absolutely, before, we lacked manpower. Now that you're here, we can organize ourselves, venture into the forest, explore," Aunt Zhao added.
"And we need to act quickly," an elderly man spoke up. "My concern is, they might still be alive, there might be survivors. But without weapons, tools, they can't cross that dangerous forest and swamp. Under-dressed, unarmed, they face immense difficulties."
"Valid point!"
"Absolutely!"
With everyone gathered, Old Wei arranged for the thousand frail and young members to stay in the mountain cave. Meanwhile, some appointed leaders started night meetings. Once they got acquainted, they discussed how to proceed with the rescue.
"We can plan it this way, divided into three teams. Xu Dekai, Wei Youran, Liu Moran, you'll lead the advance team, responsible for scouting and marking dangers. The main search and rescue personnel will split into two teams, advancing on each side. Zhenzi, you'll lead the supply team, bringing up the rear. Additionally, Su Pei, you'll take a few girls, ride on the beetle, and handle communication between the teams." After comprehensive consideration, Old Wei began laying out the plan.
"No problem!"
"No problem!"
In unison, everyone agreed.
"Alright, no time to waste. Rest well tonight. Tomorrow morning, we set out!"
Old Wei took on the role of organizing the rescue effort. Xu Dekai and his close friends took on the role of pioneers. Among them was Wei Youran, Old Wei's son. Young men were scarce.
Old Wei didn't blame those who didn't come. They had families, homes, and plenty of work at the base. Their reluctance to join the risky endeavor was understandable. Moreover, this wasn't the base's decision; Xu Dekai and his group "defected" and took a substantial amount of equipment, all of which was originally supplied by the base.
The elderly and children would remain behind. Almost all those available to go were women. Around six to seven hundred individuals, aside from those left at the base, were embarking on a journey to an unknown region. They would face danger and fear, all for the tiniest chance of survival.
Among the search and rescue team, except for Xu Dekai and his dozens of male friends leading the advance, all the others were women. They would be fully armed, seeking and rescuing their own brothers, sons, and fathers.
"The night sky is so beautiful. After enduring so much, nothing is more important than reunification in their eyes," Zhenzi leaned against her brother.
"Yeah, we've reunited, but they haven't. So, we must help them."
"Brother, do you think Xiao Guang and the others..."
"They're alive, for sure, waiting for us!"
"Yeah."
"That kid's a hero, but he's still just human. No one can do it alone."
"Yeah," Zhenzi suddenly changed her tone, "Brother, you're a hero too!"
"Oh, what? Me? Am I also a hero?" Xu Dekai was taken aback for a moment. "You're way off. If you're talking about the time when I led everyone to survive in the trees, at best, I'm just a big guy who can take on a few people!"
"Fool! You're really clueless. No wonder you can't find a girlfriend. Well, I'm not worried now. I'm afraid there are too many girls who like you, and that's going to give you a headache."
"Huh? Many girls like me? That's impossible. I'm just a calligrapher, and now I'm the least useful kind. How could anyone like me?" It's hard to imagine that Xu Dekai, who stands tall and robust, is actually a calligrapher and painter. He used to give lectures to kids, do murals for families in the town, and the research institute hired him to add personalized graphics to the town's uniform decorations.
"Fool!" Zhenzi proudly hooked her arm around her brother's strong one. She wasn't afraid of people misunderstanding and thinking she was his girlfriend, delaying her brother. She introduced him to everyone as her brother, loudly shouting "brother." Everyone knew they were siblings.
The elderly, weak, and young, though seemingly cared for, were always a group that needed care. Their pillars, those men, were missing, disappeared for the survival of the group, their fate unknown. Yet, the spokesperson of this group, using the greater good as a means to suppress them, hoped they would prioritize the collective's interests. It was utterly hypocritical and shameless. The phrase "lack of manpower" had wounded many hearts.
Zhenzi felt proud when her brother stood up, speaking up for the women and children who were seeking rescue. When he said, "I'll go," it didn't just bring gratitude; it garnered respectful gazes. It was a gaze of willingness to follow.
"Spring breeze, Carries our parting. Summer rain, Soaks the lonely eaves. Autumn leaves, Receive your postcard. Winter snow, A year flashes by. Thinking of you for 365 days, ..."
In the night, someone gently began to sing a folk song. Every effort was made because they didn't want to merely see each other in their dreams.
"Uncle Wei, don't worry, I can take care of myself." Su Pei reassured Old Wei.
"Be cautious while flying around. Don't get injured and wait until your dad finds out. He'll definitely be heartbroken."
"I understand."
Old Wei looked at the lowered Su Pei and couldn't resist reaching out to pat her head. "Good girl, don't worry. They're all alive for sure. Maybe we'll have a victorious reunion midway."
"Yeah."
"Bows, arrows, medicinal powder, are they all prepared?"
"All prepared."
"Are you sure they're all prepared? I see you've brought only eggs and vegetables. Nothing else?"
"I just like these!"
"Hehe!" Old Wei didn't expose her; he thought maybe Su Pei liked them. After a year of eating dried fish, who knows how Su Pei is doing now.
As dawn was breaking, the departing individuals were all ready. The elderly and children seeing them off stood silently.
"No matter what happens, two months from now, you must return. If anything delays you, send someone to let us know you're safe!" Old Wei sincerely reminded.
The departing expedition received the most heartfelt blessings!
"Stay safe, and don't forget, there are people waiting for you here."
"Mom, goodbye."
"When you find your brother, remember to give him this."
"..."
"Look, what's that!" Some keen-eyed individuals pointed at a distant row of green figures leaping forward.
Receiving the signal, Su Pei immediately mounted Dou Dou and flew over to take a look.
"Grasshoppers?"
"Somebody's riding grasshoppers over here?"
"Someone can control insects?"
"Wait a moment, they're about to arrive." Su Pei returned with a puzzled expression. "There are a total of twelve, with people on them."
"This is incredible. People can control insects too. With this, we'll have more and more assistance," Xu Dekai exclaimed excitedly.
Old Wei squinted his eyes, feeling a myriad of emotions. Regardless, this was good news.
Not long after, under the curious gazes of the crowd, a group of hopping green figures arrived before them.
The leader of the group, a grasshopper, leaped down, and a tall boy walked up to the crowd. "Excuse me, who is Uncle Wei?"
"I am." Old Wei stepped out from the crowd.
"Uncle Wei, I'm Han Tiao. I come from the eastern mountain village base. This is a letter from Uncle Ma, who's in charge of the mountain village base."
The mountain village base, a rural settlement founded by many sorrowful people, never prominent, but quietly healing the scars of time. It was quite an accomplishment from a biological perspective.
With a sense of curiosity, Old Wei opened the letter.
"Old Wei, greetings!
In the blink of an eye, a year has passed. Throughout the year, I've often heard of the glorious achievements of the base's construction, and also the situation of your rescue efforts. It's heartening. We've always called ourselves a haven while considering your place a refuge. Over the past year, your ability to help so many people, to instill hope in them, truly makes me happy for you.
In recent days, we've learned about Xiao Guang's news. I've also observed the base's recent handling methods. Boldly speculating, given the current distribution of power within the base, the possibility of sending out manpower for exploration and rescue is highly unlikely. But with your character, you won't give up no matter what. So, what you lack most now is manpower.
During this year, we've been immersed in the isolated grief, still believing that there are things in the world worth our efforts, worth fighting for and protecting. As a result, through numerous experiments, we've selected generations of grasshoppers that are close to humans, and we've bred twelve that can be controlled. We believe they can be of assistance to you!
Furthermore, the leading person, Xiao Han, is the son of an old friend of mine. Ever since my friend passed away, he regards me as his father."
After reading the letter, Old Wei's heart suddenly became clear. Then, he saw that Xu Dekai and the others had already bonded with the group brought by Han Tiao. The arrival of reinforcements before departure further strengthened everyone's confidence. These grasshoppers weren't afraid of humans; everyone could learn to control them. It seemed like this approach could be a good solution. Maybe they should consider it from a biological and genetic perspective. Although it would take some time and might not be as widespread as Xiao Guang's control, it could still be a good solution to an otherwise insoluble manpower problem.
As Old Wei's thoughts began to drift, Han Tiao approached with a cheerful demeanor. "Uncle Wei, have we arrived in time?"
"Yes, you're not late. You've arrived right on time," Old Wei replied. "Are all of you prepared?"
"We're all ready!" The resounding reply echoed through the mountain peaks.
"Alright, let's go!"