Apocalypse Rebirth: 3000 million won at the beginning

The helicopter returned from the southern Tibetan valley.

Bi Tianxing sat in the lead helicopter, looking through the porthole at the valley below that was gradually receding into the distance.

The mountain walls on both sides of the valley begin to narrow, squeezing the river into a long, narrow crevice.

The Jinsha Gang members have been loaded onto trucks and are on their way back to the Fanyuan Sanshou branch base.

He used a radio to contact Ju Tianrui, who remained at the San Shou branch base in Fan Yuan.

"Director Ju, the Jinsha Gang has been incorporated. The gang leader, Nima, is very cooperative, and things are going much more smoothly than expected."

Ju Tianrui's voice came from the other end of the radio.

"It's over with Commander Luo too. Black Wind Stronghold was completely wiped out, and Losang was killed on the spot."

Bi Tianxing remained silent for a moment.

Where is the Black Flag Gang?

"Deng Fang is still on his way and is expected to arrive at the Sanjiang branch base this evening to meet up with Zhang Hutou. We should have results by tomorrow."

Bi Tianxing leaned back in his seat, his gaze fixed on the receding mountain ridge outside the window.

"So now it seems that we've removed the two biggest obstacles in the snow area."

"However, is there a detailed plan for dealing with these prisoners?"

Ju Tianrui's voice came again:

"We'll talk about it when you get back. Liu Ding is already working on the plan."

Communication is interrupted.

Bi Tianxing closed his eyes.

The helicopter continued flying towards the Fanyuan Sanshou branch base.

An hour later, the helicopter landed on the helipad of the Fanyuan Sanshou branch base.

Bi Tianxing jumped out of the cabin and strode towards the command post.

Ju Tianrui and Liu Ding were already waiting there.

A map was spread out on the table, marked with three red circles.

Two have been crossed out, and one is still left.

"Are the Jinsha Gang members already on their way?" Ju Tianrui asked.

Bi Tianxing nodded.

"Nima cooperated very well and didn't resist. Hundreds of people were all put on trucks and are being sent this way."

Ju Tianrui didn't ask any more questions, walked to the table, and stood in front of the map.

He patted the area marked as a snow zone on the map.

"Black Wind Stronghold, Golden Sands Gang, and Black Flag Gang—two of the three major gangs have been rounded up today."

By tomorrow, we should be able to take down all three of these typical cases!
But these aren't the only three villages in the snowy area; there are dozens of bandit gangs behind them!

He looked up and glanced at Bi Tianxing and Liu Ding:
"Once these three strongholds are dealt with, the news will probably spread very quickly, and some of the other strongholds may surrender on their own initiative."

"We need to come up with a unified set of rules, otherwise each village will be different, and it will only make things more chaotic."

Bi Tianxing sat down at the table, rubbed his temples, and asked:
"Then how do you suggest setting the rules?"

Ju Tianrui glanced at Liu Ding and said:
"You're the staff officer, so tell me your thoughts."

Liu Ding took a notebook out of his pocket, opened it to a page, and cleared his throat.

"I think we can't generalize. If we categorize them by the attitude of the bandits towards our big camphor tree, there are only three types."

"The first type, those who surrender voluntarily, are usable, collectable, and divisible."

"The second option is to fight to the bitter end, kill the leaders, purge the core members, and disperse the remaining followers."

"The third type is unimportant, and the past is not investigated; it is included as needed."

After listening, Bi Tianxing frowned and asked:

"What are the specific arrangements for those who surrendered?"

Liu Ding was confident and said:
"First, we screen them. Once the surrendered people arrive, the first step is to register them, investigate their basic information, and establish a database. At the same time, we separate the leaders and key members to prevent collusion."

He raised his second finger and continued:
"The second step is to classify and handle cases according to their identities and the severity of their crimes."

The leaders and key members were formally tried at the San Shou branch base, presided over by a temporary court.

The ringleader was executed, while the others were dealt with according to the severity of their crimes, with decisions made on whether they would undergo long-term labor reform or be placed on file for observation.

Ordinary members first undergo more than a week of intensive training, with instructors sent by the Ministry of Education explaining the rules, point system, and labor discipline of the Big Camphor Tree every day. After passing the assessment, they are assigned to reserve forces or labor teams and distributed to places requiring a large labor force, such as railway construction sites, mining areas, and warehouses.

After listening, Ju Tianrui asked again:
"What about the observation period? How long is the observation period you just mentioned, and how will it be conducted?"

Liu Ding turned to the next page of his notebook and quickly answered:

“For these mountain bandits, the probationary period for forced labor is necessary.”

"Ordinary members are generally assessed for three to six months on their work attitude and discipline. Those who pass the assessment without any problems can be converted into regular residents."

“The core members of the bandits have been in their positions for more than one year, but if they perform well, the time limit can be gradually shortened.”

“The leaders are held in separate custody and dealt with separately; they are generally not included in the labor reform program.”

"During the observation period, they can participate in physical labor such as railway construction, mining, and material handling under supervision in exchange for basic food rations and housing rights. Those who perform well can be released early, while those who perform poorly will have their observation period extended."

Bi Tianxing took a sip of water, stood up, and asked:

"Is there a specific plan for integrating them into the resettlement process?"

Liu Ding himself came from a staff officer background, and his attention to detail was very thorough.

He answered without hesitation:
"After the observation period, they can choose to be integrated into the camphor tree system."

"At railway construction sites, workers or auxiliary workers are paid by the day."

Mines or smelters are suitable for surrendered soldiers with mining experience.

Agricultural and pastoral areas are suitable for surrendered soldiers who were originally herders or farmers to be resettled in nearby planting areas or pastures.

The logistics transport team is suitable for surrendered soldiers with experience in driving, repairing, or carrying loads, who can participate in material transport tasks as temporary workers.

Ju Tianrui thought for a moment and asked.

"What about those who are unwilling to surrender?"

Orange replied:
"If the stronghold resolutely resists, we will launch a devastating attack to completely wipe it out and leave no future troubles."

However, if ordinary members voluntarily lay down their weapons, the surrender process can still begin.

Bi Tianxing leaned back in his chair and tapped his fingers lightly twice on the edge of the table.

"With this kind of process, we should be able to manage most people."

Ju Tianrui nodded, thinking the plan was good.

He looked at Liu Ding and asked:

"What about them? The Jinsha Gang surrendered voluntarily this time."

Orange replied:
"I'll say it again, follow the procedure I just mentioned: register first, then investigate. According to the procedure, he should be classified as a leader."

If Nima has not committed any particularly egregious acts of wrongdoing in the past, he can be placed under observation.

Let him work at the mine for a while first. If he performs well after the observation period, we'll consider further arrangements.

Ju Tianrui nodded and said:
"Row."

"Then let's proceed according to this procedure."

"Also, Liuding, I think we can add that idea you mentioned about Level 7 personnel."

"Tell Lao Bi what your level seven personnel think."

Upon hearing this, Bi Tianxing immediately became interested.

To date, the entire camphor tree's grading system has only six levels.

The lowest level is level six.

Seeing Bi Tianxing looking at him, Liu Ding quickly said:

"My idea is that if these surrendered bandits have not committed any evil deeds and have performed well after the observation period, we can add a level 7 personnel status to the existing level 6 personnel in Dazhangshu."

They are at the lowest level, with almost no benefits. They only have a title, which serves as a symbol of a fresh start and a better integration into the Big Camphor Tree system.

If they perform even better in the future, they can be promoted to level six, with the highest limit being level four.

They can only rise to level four at most, so even if they rebel later, their low rank and limited power mean they can't do much.

If it's not suitable, then stay at level seven.

This method can also be used to deal with subsequent surrenders by bandits.

Bi Tianxing clicked his tongue and said:

"That's a good idea, but it involves the issue of hierarchy, so I'm afraid we'll have to apply to higher-ups. That's a big deal."

Ju Tianrui nodded.

"Yes, so let me ask you what you think. What do you think? If you also think it's a good idea, we can jointly apply to headquarters for this proposal."

Bi Tianxing stood up and stretched his shoulders.

"I think it's great, there's no problem with a joint brand."

A smile appeared on Ju Tianrui's face after hearing his answer:

"Row."

Although Bi Tianxing's rank was not as high as his own, Bi Tianxing was the chief helicopter captain of Dazhangshu, in charge of all helicopters.

Moreover, Bi Tianxing joined the Big Camphor Tree earlier than him and was a first-level core member.

Although he did not join the management committee of Dazhangshu, he was a powerful figure in the military department.

With Bi Tianxing's joint support and Ju Tianrui's suggestion, the probability of headquarters approving the proposal has increased significantly. Bi Tianxing cracked his neck and asked:
"Is there anything else?"

"It's gone."

"Then I'll head out first."

He turned and walked out of the command post, his footsteps fading into the distance in the corridor.

Ju Tianrui stood in front of the map, looking at the location of the Black Flag Gang marked on it.

After a moment, he said to Liu Ding:
"Staff Officer Liu, prepare the follow-up handling plan and arrange it as soon as possible."

There's been a lot going on lately, so we need to establish some rules so that others will know how to proceed.

“Okay,” Liu Ding nodded in reply.

That afternoon.

The convoy transporting the prisoners of the Golden Sands Gang arrived outside the city of the San Shou branch base of Fan Yuan.

More than twenty freight trucks lined up along the dirt road and parked on the reinforced open space.

The bandits were crammed together in the back of the wagon.

They were all bound by ropes at the wrists, their hands gripping the iron railings at the edge of the truck bed.

The mountain road was rugged, and after three or four hours of swaying, they were quite shaken.

Wang Xing got out of the first armored vehicle, walked to the back, and shouted into the truck bed through a megaphone:

"Everyone get off the bus and line up."

One after another, the bandits jumped down.

Nima walked at the front, his hands bound by ropes. He glanced at the members of the militia brigade lined up not far away, then at the high wall in the distance, lowered his head, and followed the group forward.

The bandits around them were a little nervous because they didn't know how the big camphor tree would deal with them.

The bandits lined up and came to the open space, where armed men stood in neat rows on both sides, staring intently at them.

Several staff members brought over some tables and chairs and placed them on the open ground.

On the table were a computer, a webcam, several stacks of registration forms, and a few pens.

The staff sat down and began registering the information of the surrendered bandits one by one.

"Name?"

"Damn it."

"Place of origin?"

"Western Tibet".

"How long have you been a bandit?"

Nima thought about it.

"Six or seven years, I think."

"Have you ever killed anyone?"

Nima paused for a moment, then replied with a change in expression:

"No."

The staff member glanced at him, clearly not believing him.

It's okay not to tell the truth; we'll be reporting each other later.

The staff member put a question mark on the form and then asked him for some other basic information.

Finally, I took another picture of him.

After everything was done, the staff asked Nima to wait on the right.

When Nima walked to the right, he looked at the brothers who were queuing up to register behind him.

The third brother, Bu Cai, was in the middle of the line. His brows were furrowed, his lips were pursed into a thin line, and his complexion was terrible.

The registration process took nearly two hours.

Then there was a three-hour period of mutual accusations.

The detailed information about these bandits has been improved.

By the time the last bandit had registered, it was completely dark.

The staff saved the spreadsheet on the computer.

The paper registration forms have also been organized and are tucked into a folder.

Then he shouted at the bandits who were standing in rows.

"The reprimand will begin tomorrow. We will arrange accommodations today and gather here early tomorrow morning. The reprimand will officially begin tomorrow."

That night, Nima was taken to temporary accommodation.

It was a row of simple rooms converted from old warehouses, with whitewashed walls, cement floors, and wooden plank beds, where dozens of people slept in one room.

Nima walked to the window and looked outside.

Outside the window, a dozen or so members of the militia brigade were patrolling.

Outside the courtyard, six armed guards were watching their row of rooms.

The security was tight.

The admonition officially began early the next morning.

Several instructors stood at the front of the open space, with several folding tables and a blackboard in front of them.

The blackboard had several large characters written on it: "The Laws of the Great Camphor Tree".

Nima sat in the corner of the first row, holding a blade of grass in his hand, listening to the lecture with his head down.

The instructor explained everything in detail, from how to use the points number card and the points standards for each job, to the rules for entering and leaving the city of Dazhangshu and the hygiene requirements for public areas, explaining each point one by one.

On the third day of the reprimand, a young bandit was publicly criticized by the instructor for not paying attention.

The young bandit's face turned bright red. He stood at the front of the group with his head down, but dared not resist.

The instructor didn't waste any words with him, but let him return to the team and continue the lesson.

That noon, the young bandit had no lunch and went hungry.

The reprimand lasted for five days.

Nima arrives on time every day, listens quietly, and occasionally raises his hand to ask a question or two about points redemption.

The instructor saw that he was honest and proactive, and had a good impression of him.

Two days later, the resettlement notice came down.

Nima was assigned to a mine near the Anding branch base, where he was responsible for ore mining and infrastructure work.

Bucai was assigned to the railway construction site, where he was responsible for moving steel rails and rubble.

The remaining members were assigned to places such as mines and railway construction sites according to their respective registration information.

Nima was assigned to the mine transport team, responsible for loading crushed ore onto trucks and then transporting it back to the sub-base.

That day, holding the allocation slip, he knew that he would most likely survive.

the other side.

Southeast of the snow area.

In a small mountain stronghold hidden in a dense forest, more than thirty bandits dressed in tattered Tibetan robes sat around a campfire.

A pot sat in the center of the fire, cooking barley porridge, with steam rising slowly.

A man with old knife scars on his face reached into the pot of porridge, stirred it, picked up a wooden spoon, scooped up a spoonful, tasted it, put the spoon down, and asked his subordinate beside him:
"Any new information from the Black Flag Gang?"

The subordinate's face turned somewhat grim, and he said:

"I heard from the Black Flag Gang members who escaped that the village was wiped out and the leader, Pubu, is dead."

Scarface was silent for a moment, then asked:

"What about Black Wind Village? It's said that the people from Big Camphor Tree have also set their sights on this village."

"They were wiped out too, with only a small number escaping." The subordinate sighed.

Scarface put down the wooden spoon and didn't ask any more questions, his eyes unusually calm.

He got up and walked to the edge of the village, glancing through the shadows of the trees at the distant, hazy mountain horizon.

After a while, he returned to the group.

He solemnly addressed the crowd:

"Brothers, the big camphor tree is going to clear out the bandits in the snowy area. The Black Flag Gang in eastern Tibet has been wiped out."

If the big camphor tree targets us, we're doomed.

The young man crouching beside the fire behind him looked up and asked in alarm:

"Boss, what do we do now?"

Scarface looked at the distant mountain horizon and said heavily:

"Let's wait and see how the big camphor tree treats those who surrendered."

"If the outcome is acceptable, we'll go and surrender."

Things are different now. Robbery is no longer an option, so we have to find another way to make a living.

After saying this, he turned and walked back to the fire.

Ignoring his subordinates' chatter, he sat down again, picked up the bowl of barley porridge that had cooled down, and slowly took a sip.

(End of this chapter)