Apocalypse Rebirth: 3000 million won at the beginning

Chapter 2039 Water is more expensive than oil!
A week has passed in the blink of an eye.

It's late August now.

The No. 1 plantation outside the city of Dazhangshu headquarters base has been completed, and the greenhouse has also been built.

After Tao Yiqian completed the handover with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Agriculture officially began planting.

The infrastructure team began construction work on the plantation outside City 2.

Due to a shortage of greenhouse materials, the No. 1 plantation in the oil city is only half-built. The remaining half is waiting for the headquarters to transport the materials before it can continue.

The construction team for the oil city could only build the plantation outside City 2 first.

In addition, the first phase of the wall enclosure between the Big Camphor Tree Base and the edge of the Oil City has been completed, reaching one-third of the way through.

It is expected that the wall will be completed in another month.

The construction of the edge city involves many aspects and is a huge project. Enclosing the city with walls is only the first step, but even this first step will take two and a half months.

The construction of the outer city, including the smart mobile switchboards, ultraviolet lights, patrol towers, and interconnected water and electricity systems on the walls, will take quite some time.

In the North, after the two batches of support personnel arrived, coupled with the propaganda efforts in the North during this period, the population there has exceeded 10,000.

It made the entire North look less empty than before.

Also.

The second batch of electric trucks has already rolled off the production line at the headquarters' vehicle manufacturing plant, and the third batch will be ready to roll off the line in two days.

During this week, Guo Peng and Guifei, who had returned to the headquarters, conducted a selection and recruitment operation for team members. Now, the team is mostly staffed.

During this time, Guo Peng and Guifei, along with their newly recruited team members, became much more familiar with the electric trucks that had just been produced at the car factory.

第三运输车队，除了三百辆电动卡车之外，还给他们配备了4辆装甲车、6辆步兵战车、1辆油罐车、1辆医疗车、1辆维修工程车
These vehicles are standard equipment, and other transport brigades would also have them.

When transporting goods, it's normal for vehicles to break down.

If a vehicle experiences a major breakdown, it will be towed away by another vehicle. If it is a minor breakdown, it will be handed over to a repair vehicle to quickly resolve the problem.

All the trucks in the Third Transport Battalion are electric. The reason for needing tanker trucks is to provide fuel for armored vehicles and infantry fighting vehicles. Both types of vehicles consume an astonishing amount of fuel and have a short range, so they all need the help of tanker trucks.

Buffer city.

Outdoor parking lot.

There are thousands of vehicles of various types parked here, but they occupy less than a third of the parking lot space.

In one of the right corners, two hundred electric trucks are parked.

Guo Peng and Guifei, dressed in transport team uniforms, distributed supplies to the new members of the team.

The imperial concubine looked at the eight hundred people standing in neat rows and said to a woman beside her:
"Wu Lingyu, distribute these team uniforms."

"Okay, Captain." Wu Lingyu nodded, then led a few people to distribute team uniforms to these people.

Wu Lingyu was one of the Imperial Concubine's subordinates when she was the captain of the militia brigade in the Northern Territory. Later, she joined the Second Transport Brigade with the Imperial Concubine and has now come to the Third Transport Brigade as well.

When forming a new brigade, you definitely need subordinates you're used to working with; otherwise, it will be difficult to get things going.

Even though the Imperial Concubine had only been the captain of the militia brigade for a short time, she still had confidants; how much more so Guo Peng?

As one of the earlier members of the Big Camphor Tree faction, Guo Peng had many confidants who had followed him before joining the Big Camphor Tree and remained with him to this day.

People like Niu Shoufu, Gongsun Jing, and Xia Luo are examples.

The imperial concubine looked at Guo Peng and said, "Old Guo, the third batch of electric trucks will arrive the day after tomorrow, and we will start the transportation mission the day after that. Why don't you go up and give a speech to everyone to boost morale?"

Guo Peng coughed and said, "Alright."

He and the Imperial Concubine were both captains of the transport brigade, with no distinction between them as captain and deputy captain. Rather, their relationship was somewhat like that of a political commissar and a regimental commander in the army.

Guo Peng was mainly responsible for combat, while the Imperial Concubine was mainly responsible for matters outside of combat.

But the two can still discuss and decide what to do together.

If the two disagree, they can request instructions from headquarters via radio.

If the situation is urgent and there is no time to wait for feedback, then it depends on what aspect of the work is being carried out. If it involves combat, then Guo Peng will make the final decision.

Guo Peng was previously the captain of the Minwu Brigade, with a fixed number of two hundred men under his command.

Commanding a convoy of 800 people all at once was something he wasn't quite used to.

He took the microphone that Niu Shoufu handed him, tapped it, and it hummed.

"Well, everyone seems to be in good spirits."

"Everyone, we must guard against arrogance and impetuosity, and continue to work hard!"

"And also, welcome everyone to the Third Transport Team!"

"Good luck with this last one!"

In the five-minute interview, Guo Peng uttered 145 different phrases, speaking incoherently and without focus.

However, such morale-boosting speeches are not very meaningful.

It's nothing more than exchanging a few symbolic words and getting to know each other.

The Imperial Concubine, listening nearby, was incredibly embarrassed. She thought Guo Peng was a shrewd and capable man, so why was he so nervous?

He wasn't like this before.

After taking the microphone from Guo Peng, the Imperial Concubine added a few words.

"We'll be starting our mission the day after tomorrow. Everyone, get familiar with the electric truck's performance as soon as possible. Let's all get to know each other these next couple of days, and each team and group should break the ice. I hope we can successfully complete the mission. Meeting adjourned!"

It was too hot, and it wouldn't do for everyone to stand in the sun all the time, so the Imperial Concubine added a few more words and then dismissed everyone.

After the meeting, the Imperial Concubine sought out Guo Peng for a private chat.

Why were you so nervous just now?

Guo Peng's face was a little pale, and he touched his forehead, saying:
"I think I have heatstroke. I was checking vehicles outside this morning, and it was very sunny. I suddenly felt dizzy just now, and I don't even know what I said."

The Imperial Concubine quickly summoned someone to help, "Go to the medical room immediately. If you're not feeling well, just say so. Luckily you didn't faint on the stage. Go to the medical room quickly and get checked out."

Guo Peng struggled to his feet and was helped to the medical room by Niu Shoufu.

The Imperial Concubine watched Guo Peng's departing figure and sighed.

"Men, they're so obsessed with saving face that they suffer for it."

"But this weather..."

She looked up at the sky.

The blazing sun hangs high in the sky, and the heat waves distort the distant scenery, creating a flowing illusion.

Pedestrians hurrying by on their electric scooters had their shirts soaked with sweat.

"Indeed, it's extremely vicious."

northwest.

The first transport convoy travels on the vast Lianhuo Expressway.

They were on the road between the Jiuquan base and the Yumen branch base.

On this trip, they delivered mobile guillotine switches and greenhouse materials to the Zhangye agricultural and pastoral base, along with other daily necessities.

There are four branch bases in the Northwest: Wuyuan Mountain, Zhangye Agricultural and Livestock Base, Jiuquan Base, and Yumen Oilfield.

Along the way, the truck passed through three Northwest branch bases, and more than half of the supplies it brought had been lost. The rest had to be delivered to the Yumen Oilfield in the Northwest.

In the car.

Zuo Ruxue switched the car's internal air circulation to external air circulation, allowing some outside air to come in.

They didn't dare open the windows the whole way, because if they did, all the sand would blow in.

Normally, there is less wind and sand at this time of year.

But for some reason, there have been sandstorms all year round for the past two years.

The cuckoo on the bus looked resentful and complained:

“Sister Ru, this transportation mission in the Northwest is too troublesome. To carry out one transportation mission in the Northwest, we can make two round trips between the Northern Border and the Oil City, or between the Oil City and the headquarters base.”

Zuo Ruxue unscrewed the kettle and smiled:

"There's nothing we can do about it. The Northwest is vast. The headquarters base is about 1,000 kilometers away from the oil city, and the oil city is about 1,000 kilometers away from the northern border. But the farthest oil field in the Northwest, Yumen, is 2000 kilometers away from the oil city." "Moreover, we need to supply these branch bases in the Northwest with materials, which inevitably takes longer."

After saying that, she took two gulps of water and wiped the dead skin off her face.

The sun in the northwest is particularly scorching; even through the glass, it made her face sting.

The outdoor temperature reached an astonishing fifty degrees Celsius.

It only takes three minutes for a person to go out, but when they get back to the car, they feel like they've taken a shower and are covered in sweat.

The heat was beyond description of their feelings.

Several tires even burst from the heat, requiring emergency tire replacements before the car could continue driving.

Fortunately, they did not encounter a single zombie on the way.

Everything was yellow, even the sky was yellow.

The wind, carrying sand, lashed against the car windows.

The trucks were still fully loaded. After leaving the Zhangye and Jiuquan bases, they did not waste the space that had been freed up, but instead helped to carry the supplies needed by the Yumen Oilfield.

The most abundant element is water!
The Zhangye Agricultural and Livestock Sub-base is located in the heart of the Hetao Plain, with access to snowmelt from the Qilian Mountains.

Although the weather is hot, the snowmelt from the mountains will also melt and flow into the rivers, eventually reaching the Zhangye Agricultural and Livestock Sub-base.

As for the Jiuquan branch base, there is also snowmelt water around it. Although the amount of water is not as much as that of the Zhangye agricultural and pastoral base, it will not face the problem of water shortage.

In contrast, the Yumen oilfield is experiencing a severe water shortage.

Previously, they could draw water from the Shuangta Reservoir, which is 8 kilometers away, but after nearly 4 months of drought with no rain, coupled with long hours and high temperatures, the Shuangta Reservoir has long since dried up.

The Yumen Oilfield mainly receives its water supply from the Jiuquan base.

Another thing is that when the transport team comes to pick up oil, they also transport water from the Jiuquan base along the way.

Crunch!

Suddenly the vehicles in front stopped again.

Xiao Hu's voice came through the walkie-talkie, "Engineering vehicle, come over here to change the tire, vehicle number 3, over here, quick."

Another tire blowout.

With Xiao Hu handling things, Zuo Ruxue doesn't need to go out.

She sat in the car, resting her chin on her hand and looking at the sandstorm outside.

I had never felt this strong sense of drifting before, and it suddenly came over me.

Wandering is both freedom and loneliness.

The engineering vehicle quickly changed the tires, and another half hour passed.

They finally arrived at the Yumen Oilfield in Northwest China.

They were received by Fang Yunying, captain of the 37th Detachment of the People's Armed Forces, and Sun Yuan, chief technical officer of Yumen Oilfield.

Sun Yuan was the head of the Yumen Oilfield during the period when the Northwest tycoon was in control.

After being brought under the control of the Big Camphor Tree faction, he stayed here as the technical lead.

"Captain Zuo, Captain Xiao, you've finally arrived! We've been waiting for you like the stars and the moon!" Fang Yunying was overjoyed to see the two of them.

Not only him, but everyone in the North and the Oil City liked the transport convoy very much.

Because that means they can get what they need.

Zuo Ruxue smiled and handed him the list:
"Team Leader, the equipment you requested last time is all on the list, as are some daily necessities brought from headquarters. Send someone to inspect it."

Fang Yunying nodded, looked at one of his subordinates, and handed him the list.

The transport team almost never loads or unloads goods themselves at any location they visit.

They were already exhausted from driving, but with the current shortage of transportation capacity, they haven't had a single day off in two months and are constantly on the go.

If they were to load and unload goods, they would be worked to death.

"Thank you, both captains. Come, come, let me take you to the rest room."

Zuo Ruxue and Xiao Hu exchanged a glance, and then Zuo Ruxue asked:
"Squadron, is this batch of oil okay? How much oil can you take with you?"

Fang Yunying waved his hand and laughed:
"We lack everything here, except oil. How much do you need? We can prepare as much as you need."

Zuo Ruxue immediately said:
"We've added some electric trucks that can carry 15000 tons of oil. Do you have enough storage capacity here?"

“No problem, you can ask Sun Yuan if you don’t believe me!” Fang Yunying pointed to Sun Yuan, who had been silent all along.

When Fang Yunying called on him, Sun Yuan quickly replied, "No problem."

"That's fine then." Zuo Ruxue nodded.

Afterwards, Xiao Hu and Zuo Ruxue followed Fang Yunying into the lounge.

Fang Yunying looked at the two travel-worn men and said:

"Gentlemen, you never stay more than two days after you come here. Why don't you stay a couple more days this time?"

Xiao Hu took a sip of her cold tea and said with a hint of resentment:

"We want to too, but time is tight and the task is heavy. To be honest, we haven't had a single day of rest for two months, a full two months. We're either on the road or on the road every day!"

"Hurry up and have your men unload the water and supplies from the truck, and then quickly move the oil back up. We're heading back first thing tomorrow morning."

The containers for holding water are mainly iron drums, which are produced by the steel plant in the Jiuquan base.

When Xiao Hu and his team arrived at Yumen Oilfield, they brought these iron barrels filled with water. However, once they arrived at Yumen Oilfield, Fang Yunying and his team emptied the water from the iron barrels.

Then the oil was packed into iron drums and transported back to the oil city, the northern border, and the headquarters base of the Great Camphor Tree by the transport team.

"Ah this."

Fang Yunying said awkwardly:
"Your transportation team works really hard."

He then gave a thumbs-up and praised:
"Thanks to your transportation team, we are able to exchange supplies among our several branch bases. Thank you so much!"

Xiao Hu stretched and changed the subject.

"Is everything normal here? I noticed Sun Yuan's expression wasn't good just now."

"Harmful!"

Fang Yunying sighed and said:

"It's all because of this awful weather. His nephew died of acute heatstroke just two days ago."

"Huh?" Zuo Ruxue's eyes flickered. "Where's the doctor? I remember you should have a doctor here too."

Fang Yunying shook his head and said:

"He couldn't be saved. He died too suddenly. His nephew already had some health problems. A couple of days ago, he came out of the oil well drilling site and collapsed after being in the sun for just over ten minutes."
We rushed him to the doctor, but they said he had died suddenly.

This is no way.

To be honest, there's a water shortage here. The Shuangta Reservoir has dried up. If it weren't for the Jiuquan base sending water, we wouldn't be able to stay here; even drinking water would be a major problem!

"I see," Zuo Ruxue nodded, glanced at Fang Yunying's face, and decided to talk to Sun Yuan later to see what he had to say.

Parking area.

Hundreds of workers braved the sun.

Sweating profusely, they unloaded the iron buckets filled with water from the car, then pushed them to the indoor water room on a trolley, pouring the water from the buckets into the pool.

They also know that it's cooler to work after dark, but in the Yumen oilfield, it doesn't get dark until 22 p.m.!
It gets dark slowly, and the days are long!

If we wait until dark to start working, there definitely won't be enough time.

They moved carefully, not daring to waste a single drop of water.

After emptying the water from the iron drums, they loaded them onto a cart and pushed them into the oil depot to be filled with oil.

The process of filling oil bottles was much rougher, and a lot of oil was spilled on the ground. The spilled oil was simply covered with sand and then swept away with a broom.

In the Yumen Oilfield, water is far more precious than oil!

(End of this chapter)