Industrial Cthulhu doesn't believe in the end times.

Chapter 40 How old is this child again?

True strategic reserves are like this: enough resources that a small group can store at will, enough to last a lifetime.

A single turn of a tiny gear in the entire industrial chain is worth more than a hundred years of hard work in a small town's handicraft workshop.

In addition to these reserves, the Taimon base also specially renovated a command center and a small-scale scientific laboratory.

The laboratory is equipped with as much basic experimental equipment as possible, so that even if science and technology are unlikely to continue to develop after the cataclysm, the necessary preparations can still be made.

Even if we rely on archaeology to develop technology later, that would be good; someone has to do it.

The command center is equipped with a sizable communication system to ensure that even in the harsh communication environment following a major catastrophe, it can maintain a minimum level of contact with other shelters in the province.

The basic idea behind the Kuafu Project is to use a base-like structure as the central hub and surrounding shelters as the framework.

With ample supplies and facilities gradually being improved, the next task is to select personnel.

Su found Shao Xuezhen, and the two went together to the department in charge of the selection to hold a meeting to discuss the matter.

"For the base's members, we first need a large number of armed forces to ensure that the entire base can smoothly transition to the new phase as soon as possible. In addition, we need technical and research personnel, including those in the fields of production, medical care, construction, communications, and maintenance."

"As for basic education, we'll leave that to the shelters. Our main task, besides ensuring a certain level of research capability, is to restore production as soon as possible."

Su Xun set the tone and conveyed his views to everyone.

"A large number of shelters have been built on the outskirts, which can accommodate almost all the survivors. What we need to do is to coordinate and provide supplies to the various shelters as much as possible after the apocalypse."

Shao Xuezhen nodded, agreeing with his opinion, and added: "Regarding the resettlement of these people's families, I propose a basic solution. First, they cannot be too close, and they cannot be placed inside the base."

“We already know that zombification is random and inevitable, and everyone’s relatives may mutate. This has a high probability of causing emotional breakdowns among the base’s personnel. We need to give them time to adapt and prepare them psychologically.”

"Secondly, they cannot be too far away. They can be placed in nearby shelters. If they are placed too far away, it is very likely to cause comrades who have not seen their families for a long time to suffer mental anguish and excessive worry, which may eventually lead to chaos."

"This approach can be applied to personnel selection at most bases."

The people in the meeting room discussed for a long time before finally making a decision.

"First, there are industrial processing workers. Depending on the type of machine tool, at least ten workers should be reserved for each type. The internal medical and agricultural support teams should each have a scale of more than fifty people. Excluding military personnel, the total number of personnel in each production unit will be at least three thousand and at most five thousand, with priority given to selection from military factories, military hospitals, logistics support and other units."

"For key positions, especially military commanders, select personnel from the known list of survivors whenever possible."

Shao Xuezhen nodded: "I have no more questions. Does Consultant Su have any more?"

"Let's leave it at that for now. We'll add more later if needed."

Due to the unique nature of zombification, the base needs to maintain a safe distance between each member, making it difficult to accommodate more members than it can handle. Being able to accommodate 10,000 people already indicates that the initial modification work has been quite successful.

To truly get this base running at full capacity, we'll need to gather survivors from the surrounding areas after the apocalypse.

With the direction set, the entire department sprang into action. Shao Xuezhen flipped through the documents in his hand and said to Su Xun, "The current material stockpiling work isn't completely finished yet. What are your thoughts?"

Su Xun shook his head. In fact, there were very few things he needed to worry about. After he provided enough information, the national think tank could take all aspects into consideration.

"Just prepare more canned food, as we might lack meat if the situation is worse."

Shao Xuezhen made a note on the document. A moment later, the two received a message that the owner of the Hetu Oracle Bone had agreed to come to the Taimeng Base and was almost there.

The various bases are accepting all members who have been confirmed as survivors on the list, and it has come to the point where they are being fought over, as many key positions require these people to be on duty.

The unique characteristics of ancient artifacts can grant their owners abilities similar to those of superhumans. However, most of these abilities can only be used after the owners have entered the realm of the extraordinary. For people like Su Xun who are already superhumans, these abilities are of little use. But the Hetu Oracle Bone is different.

This item can connect with the secret realm of Mount Tai, and it grants its holder the ability to predict good or bad fortune, albeit vaguely, but it is already very useful.

Its original owner used this item to escape many disasters during the apocalypse. If it weren't for the huge difference in strength, he wouldn't have ended up like that. After his death, many people fought for this treasure. Su Xun also possessed it for a period of time, mainly to study the principles behind it.

Spiritual power involves the deepest levels of the universe and can be linked to spacetime. It hides many unsolved mysteries. This mysterious ability to foresee the future can break through the barriers of time and causality. Its core is definitely not simple and is something that everyone is very curious about.

Shao Xuezhen also wanted to see this national treasure as soon as possible. Although the situation was different now, allowing such a thing to be held by an individual, the necessary attention would still not be lacking.

After waiting for a while, Zheng Yuan walked in with a young girl. The girl was dressed simply, looked nervous, was holding a box in her arms, and was stiff all over, not daring to look around.

"Comrade Tao Yue?"

"Ah, yes, yes, hello, hello!"

The girl nodded repeatedly at Su Xun, completely unaware of Shao Xuezhen standing to the side.

Shao Xuezhen didn't seem to mind. As a director of the industrial sector, he had never had a very high profile among the general public. He looked at the box Tao Yue was holding and asked, "Is this the Hetu oracle bone? Would you mind opening it and taking a look?"

"So convenient!"

Tao Yue never expected that the person she was in contact with would have a national background and bring her to such an important place. Now she was in a daze and in a state of agreeing to whatever anyone said.

The box was opened, revealing a fairly complete tortoise shell, entirely yellow, with cracks swirling on it like a star map, making one worry that it might break at the slightest touch.

The girl's nervousness was evident. After observing her for a while, Su Xun confirmed that it was indeed the one she had received before, and then asked Zheng Yuan to take her to arrange accommodation so she could get some rest.

"How old is this child again?"

"You're in your early twenties, right? Actually, you're about the same age as me." Shao Xuezhen smiled. He often found it interesting that Su Xun treated many people like children and frequently mentioned that he was only in his early twenties.

After the two discussed for a while, Wang Wei arrived.

"Advisor Su, several military commanders have arrived and need to discuss with you the upcoming arrangements for the national armed forces."

(End of this chapter)