Chapter Thirty: Gathering Resources!

After finishing his words, Chu Xiao departed.

Number One watched Chu Xiao’s retreating figure from a distance, inexplicably sensing a profound melancholy emanating from him, a sorrow so immense it seemed to fuel his resolve to overcome any hardship or setback.

Number One found it difficult to fully grasp the meaning behind Chu Xiao’s earlier words, yet they served as a timely warning. Now, only a desperate, all-or-nothing effort could bring about victory.

With urgency, Number One notified the relevant personnel, devised new measures, and ensured the efficient use of vacant housing and manpower.

An hour later, every news headline was dominated by a single announcement:

“Urgent Notification! All idle residences will be reclaimed and allocated to immigrants still without shelter!”

“Urgent Notification! Anyone currently at home without employment, please report to your local department immediately! We will assign suitable work for you!”

Fan Si received the notice, his smile stretching so wide it nearly reached behind his ears.

“I was just wondering what to do next! I can’t just sit at home forever. Now I’ve got something to do! Off to the department to report!”

Jia Banxiang, upon hearing this, shouted, “Wait for me! I’ll go with you!”

“Let’s go, together!” Fan Si grabbed Jia Banxiang and set off.

When the two arrived at the department, they found a crowd already gathered at the entrance.

“So many people! Let’s hurry and get in line!” Fan Si pulled Jia Banxiang to the end of the queue.

…

The process in Nanjing and Xishan Province was also proceeding smoothly.

At the top-level meeting, Chu Xiao learned of this progress. His eyes flashed with satisfaction, though his face remained expressionless.

“Very good. But this is not the end!”

Number One looked at Chu Xiao, mentally searching for unfinished tasks.

Everyone’s gaze was focused on Chu Xiao, curious about what he would say next.

“How is the collection of resources?” Chu Xiao turned to Li Wang from the Department of Resources and Human Power.

“It’s going well. Every day, tons of supplies are transported in, mainly food, with other resources as supplements,” Li Wang stood and responded.

Chu Xiao nodded slightly. “Good. Not bad.”

---

“This meeting is not merely for this report. More importantly, there is another issue,” Chu Xiao continued.

Hearing this, everyone exchanged glances, wondering what could warrant such a high-level meeting.

Qi Tianli whispered to Wang Zhen, “What do you think it is? Could it be about that matter?”

Wang Zhen shook his head. “Who knows? He hasn’t discussed anything with me recently.”

…

Chu Xiao’s voice drew everyone’s attention back.

“The issue is water. Water is the source of life, indispensable to the human body every single day. Take Mingzhu City as an example—right now, it houses over a hundred million citizens. If we estimate simply, only one liter per person per day, that’s one hundred thousand tons of water required daily. We need a long-term supply system, bringing in water from other places and hiding it well so the Nether King’s troops cannot discover it. If possible, I hope for completion at the fastest pace.”

“The sooner, the better!”

One hundred thousand tons—a staggering figure. No one had calculated it so precisely before. And Chu Xiao was using the bare minimum; in reality, the need would far exceed that.

The gravity of their task was now clear to all. Before the Nether King awakens, there is too much to be done.

It isn’t just about building fortresses or setting up firewalls. Much more is needed. Food and water are the most crucial, but there are countless other necessities.

“As for establishing the supply system, I personally advise against extracting groundwater. Excessive extraction could lead to subsidence and safety hazards.”

“My recommendation is water diversion—bringing in water from elsewhere for our use.”

“In essence, we’ll use pipelines; we already have some infrastructure, so we only need to build upon it.”

“We must also ensure reservoirs are full before the war begins; after the war, it won’t matter.”

Chu Xiao didn’t finish his thought, but he knew that once war broke out, the casualties would be enormous, and recycled water would suffice.

Some truths remained unspoken, but everyone understood.

The losses in war would be tremendous, and impossible to predict.

All their current efforts were aimed at minimizing casualties and securing victory.

Of course, hope for victory was faint; none knew if triumph was possible. Yet, if they gave up now, defeat would be inevitable.

Everyone understood this, though they avoided confronting it directly. Instead, they prepared relentlessly, holding in their hearts a belief in inevitable victory.

---

“The infrastructure should be completed within a few days. Let’s hurry!” the chief declared.

After the meeting, a heavy mood settled over everyone, a heaviness born from the unknown.

“Minister Wang Zhen, please stay behind,” Chu Xiao called.

Wang Zhen glanced at Chu Xiao, puzzled.

“Is there something you need?” he asked.

“I wanted to discuss weapons with you,” Chu Xiao said. He had been considering this for some time but had not taken concrete steps until now.

“Ah!” Wang Zhen was startled, for this was the first time Chu Xiao had approached him since becoming the leader.

The surprise disappeared quickly, replaced by a solemn expression. “Please speak. I will do my utmost to assist you.”

Chu Xiao gestured for Wang Zhen to sit.

“I want to apply the tracking technology from the system to our firearms. What do you think?” Chu Xiao spoke slowly, a rough blueprint already forming in his mind.

If feasible, it would allow them to target the Nether King’s machines with greater precision in battle, saving time and energy.

“Let me think,” Wang Zhen replied, his expression troubled. Such technology had never been applied in real life, though tracking systems were possible. It would just be complicated to manufacture.

After pondering for a long while, Wang Zhen finally spoke, “It’s doable, but it will be troublesome.”

“Excellent!” Chu Xiao showed rare delight. With tracking systems installed in small machine guns, their power would increase a hundredfold.

“Come with me to the armory!”

“Alright.”

Chu Xiao and Wang Zhen went together to the armory.

“Wang Zhi, come here,” Chu Xiao called over the original armory supervisor.

Wang Zhi entered, puzzled, but upon seeing the man beside Chu Xiao, his composure faltered.

Wang Zhen had arrived! Though they seldom met, Wang Zhi knew well—Wang Zhen was a general in the army, a figure of high status.