Chapter 160 - 152: He Is a Murderer

Chapter 160: Chapter 152: He Is a Murderer

In the main hall.

The crew members were all seated together, and they were a sizable group.

There were 17 crew members who had survived on the ship originally. Another 16 crew members had jumped aboard from outside. Now, they were all sitting together, forming a faction of 33 people.

The majority were men—25 men and 8 women. Most of them, both male and female, were physically fit.

They were all familiar with each other, and this was their home turf.

Seated at the very front were Chen Guangzong and Cai Hong, representing the voices of the 33 crew members of the Royal Caribbean International Cruise.

Cai Hong felt that they had the ability and the right to proactively manage the people on this cruise ship. This way, they wouldn’t be ordered around by others, and no small-time nobody would dare to put on airs in front of them.

Last night, he had even convinced Chen Guangzong to support him and had obtained a piece of very favorable news!

The rescue operation had saved a total of 108 people.

Besides the 33 crew members, there were 75 other people on board.

Yu Dong and Officer Wang also had their own small groups.

Yu Dong’s side had 13 people, while Officer Wang’s had 9, though many from Yu Dong’s group hadn’t arrived yet...

The other 53 people were just onlookers, and four of them were locked up and couldn’t attend.

After Cai Hong finished speaking, everyone else received a copy of the "Cruise Ship Rules and Regulations (Temporary)" and read through it.

The contents included, but were not limited to: prohibiting others from entering the warehouse; requiring approval from Cai Hong and Chen Guangzong for anything beyond the basic daily food supply; strictly limiting electricity use in rooms, with power only supplied at night; and requiring everyone to report to the third-floor hall every morning to receive their daily work assignments from Cai Hong... among other regulations.

In short, it would allow everyone to survive, but a quality life was out of the question. Moreover, everyone had to obey the management of the ship’s leadership.

After reading it, the crowd broke into discussion. Some were unhappy, some were resigned to it, and others felt it was reasonable.

After reading it, Sun Shan said to his four work buddies, "No way. These guys on the crew are real bastards. We get to enjoy nothing. This is worse than being at work. Let’s see what Yu Dong has to say."

"Awesome, Brother Sun. You always see things so clearly."

Lin Cong, the "gold medal salesperson," felt no pressure at all after reading it.

"We’re talking about managing over 100 people. It’s normal for the rules to be a bit strict. Otherwise, if everyone eats and uses whatever they want, the stores will run out. As long as the workday isn’t more than 12 hours, I think it’s fine."

Tian Hui, the HR specialist, thought, ’This plan isn’t bad. Looks like there’s a fellow HR professional on board...’

Jiang Cheng, on the other hand, was baffled. "Why... why do they get to announce this? I think Yu Dong is right. Who gave them this power? Shouldn’t we all discuss this together? They’re just some employees on the ship. Why are they acting like they built the damn thing themselves?"

While everyone was in a chaotic buzz, Officer Wang finished his apple, tossed the core into a trash can, and spoke with a cold gaze:

"Third Officer Cai, Captain Chen, you two are certainly putting on a grand display of authority. We had a bit of chaos just yesterday, and today you’re already trying to manage the police? If the army were quartered on this ship, would they have to listen to your orders too? Don’t you know your place!"

The moment Wang Dingbei spoke, an oppressive aura filled the air!

Chen Guangzong’s hand trembled involuntarily. It was an instinctive fear of the police.

Cai Hong had anticipated this. "Officer Wang, you misunderstand. These are management regulations for the general populace; they certainly don’t apply to our police comrades. The police need to maintain order and clear out zombies, so of course you’ll receive special treatment. We will do our utmost to provide logistical support. Just say the word if you need anything!"

With that, he had elevated Wang Dingbei and the other police officers and firefighters to the status of a privileged group.

"Is that so..."

A flicker of change appeared in Wang Dingbei’s eyes.

Yu Dong, however, asked with great interest, "Then what about our people? We went to great lengths to save you. Shouldn’t we also receive ’special treatment’?"

Cai Hong looked at Yu Dong, the corner of his mouth twitching with disdain.

"You’ve already occupied the four best suites on this ship. They have the best facilities, views, and security. I believe... that’s more than enough to respect your contributions. As for everything else, I’ll have to ask you to follow the rules and regulations. We can’t just let so many of you eat and drink for free, can we? That wouldn’t be fair to the others, don’t you think?"

Yu Dong sighed, feeling a bit bored. People like Cai Hong... utterly incapable of gratitude, with a pitifully narrow worldview. On the same level as Zhao Yun.

"Cai Hong, let’s not even discuss the rationality of these ’off-the-cuff rules’ of yours. Let’s just talk about you... It seems you haven’t figured out your own place. We went through all this effort, saving people and securing the cruise ship, to preserve a spark of hope for Yanhai City’s fight against the zombies. It wasn’t so you could come here and cosplay as some iron-fisted captain. I think your most urgent priority right now is to get off this ship and see a zombie with your own eyes."

"If you won’t cooperate, then I have nothing more to say. I’ll have to temporarily cut off supplies to your Celestial Suites. I hope you can understand... this is all for the good of everyone."

He controlled the ship, which meant he controlled the greatest resources. That was his power!

Hearing this, Zhao Youcai gave a cold laugh and questioned Chen Guangzong, "Captain Chen, your subordinate here... what do you make of what he just said?"

Two drops of cold sweat trickled down Chen Guangzong’s forehead, but then he recalled what Cai Hong had said last night and thought of the many crew members behind him, and he found his courage again.

"What Cai Hong said represents all of us. As the captain and third officer of this cruise ship, we are responsible for its long-term operation."

"Good, good. How brave of you, Captain Chen. You should have been this brave sooner..." Zhao Youcai’s gaze toward Chen Guangzong was filled with killing intent.

After killing for the first time, Zhao Youcai had discovered he wasn’t afraid of such things. The killing intent in his eyes was now completely undisguised.

Chen Guangzong’s expression changed slightly, and he wanted to say something to smooth things over.

Just then, Cai Hong stepped forward and snapped, "Enough! Zhao Youcai! After killing our first officer, now you dare to threaten our captain?"

Murder!?

The crowd erupted in an uproar, and all eyes turned to Zhao Youcai.

Wang Dingbei and his men’s expressions hardened, and they turned their heads with grim faces.

Cai Hong stood up, pointed at Zhao Youcai, and shouted:

"Hmph! Zhao Youcai stabbed our First Officer, Xu David, to death right in front of Captain Chen! It happened in the captain’s office on the top deck. He even threatened Captain Chen not to say a word... Officer Wang, if you don’t believe me, you can take your men to see for yourselves. Even if the body has been disposed of, there are still signs of a struggle and bloodstains! Once you officers see it, you’ll understand... This Zhao Youcai is a murderer! I ask the police officers to arrest him immediately!"

At that, everyone’s attention was riveted.

He actually killed someone!

Their gazes toward Zhao Youcai, Yu Dong, and the others were filled with terror.

At that moment, Wang Dingbei and Jing Yanwei also slowly approached Yu Dong’s group, their eyes fixed on Yu Dong.

"What he said... I expect an explanation from you."

Seeing this, Cai Hong’s lips curled into a slight smirk.

This was his trump card!

First, win over Wang Dingbei and his people, then use the police officer’s status as a law enforcer to deal a fatal blow to Yu Dong’s team!

Support one side to strike another, and completely solidify their leadership position on the ship.

He had been talking to every crew member late into the night, all in preparation for this morning’s surprise attack.

Catch Yu Dong’s group completely off guard and dismantle their team.

Once Zhao Youcai was dealt with, Yu Dong’s prestige would plummet. And then... wouldn’t all the beautiful women in Yu Dong’s group be his for the taking?

As long as he controlled the power, he would possess the ultimate sexual resources.

With such a chain of moves, Cai Hong couldn’t see how he could possibly lose.