Doomsday police, please show your god/demon ID card.

One week later.

Inside a residential building in the Dongcheng security zone.

"One two one!"

"One two one!"

"..."

Loud slogans pierced through the thin mist and rang out outside the window right on time.

Wu Zheng pushed open the window, and cool air rushed in.

Downstairs, a group of reserve police officers in uniform ran past, chanting slogans and marching in unison.

This wasn't the first time he'd seen this scene since returning to the safe zone.

In the distance, construction of the wall has already begun. The long arm of the crane slowly lifts a huge steel plate, and the sounds of metal clanging and workers shouting can be heard from below.

Further away, in an open field.

Some people had already set up makeshift stalls using planks and canvas. Some people lifted the cloth covering the stalls to reveal canned goods, biscuits, and even a few faded old clothes.

The idea of ​​bartering quietly emerged in the cracks of the established order.

"Dad! Hurry up, we're going to be late!" His daughter's urging voice came from behind him.

Wu Zheng withdrew his gaze, turned around, and smiled.

"Okay, Dad's here."

He watched as his daughter put on her brand-new little schoolbag, which was issued by the base and contained a few old textbooks and a pencil.

……

at the same time.

A community supermarket five kilometers outside the safe zone.

"Watch out! To the left!"

A police officer growled and leaned to the right, narrowly dodging a zombie's claws.

Flames shot from the muzzle of the rifle in his hand.

Da da da!

Three short bursts of fire accurately struck the head of another zombie that rushed out from behind the shelf.

Black blood and brain matter exploded.

"Brother Li, well done!" A young man behind him swallowed hard, gripping his gun tightly.

The police officer, referred to as Brother Li, remained silent.

He skillfully removed the empty magazine, pulled a new one from his waist, and clicked it into place.

His gaze swept quickly across the dusty and bloodstained shelves.

"Stop talking nonsense and stay alert! Today's mission is to clear this place out completely, leave no one behind!"

There was a certain urgency in his eyes.

His name is Li Mo. Back then, he witnessed Tang Long and his gang setting the vines of the entire building ablaze with flames at the foot of the municipal government building.

After arriving at the base, his daughter went to school, and his wife was assigned to the logistics laundry team. He made up his mind and joined the guard team.

The security detail is the most dangerous, but also the best paid.

Especially after Captain Tang announced the promotion criteria for "100-man kill", the entire security team was like they had been injected with chicken blood.

The squad leader of the operation has independent command authority and can lead the team alone!

His status was second only to core members such as Wang Hu and Liu Qiang.

No one can resist this temptation.

From the corner, a dark figure suddenly darted out from under the cashier.

Li Mo's reaction was incredibly fast; he instantly turned the gun around.

boom!

Another order point has been added to the account.

He stuck out his tongue and licked his chapped lips, silently calculating in his mind.

Seventy-three... twenty-seven short.

……

The police station, fourth-floor conference room.

Tang Long sat in the main seat, surrounded by core group members such as Wang Hu and Liu Qiang.

"When there are too many people, things get complicated," Liu Qiang said first, his voice deep.

"During my patrol, I discovered three cases of smuggled supplies and two small-scale brawls."

"What's more troublesome is that some people have started to band together and form small groups."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "In addition, the housing problem is also very serious."

"I've surveyed the area; the residential buildings within the safe zone are all seven-story low-rises, and there aren't enough rooms for everyone!"

"There are several high-rise buildings on the outskirts with intact structures, and they are all super high-rises, which is enough to solve all the current housing problems."

"But those buildings are all outside the wall. We need to organize people to clear the zombies inside the buildings and reinforce the entrances! We also need to wait for the expanded wall to be completed, otherwise no one will dare to go there and we won't be able to manage it effectively."

Zhang Wennian took off his glasses and rubbed his nose vigorously: "The medical pressure here is also very high. Even Dr. Su has been sleeping for three days straight."

"Among the newcomers, more than 70% suffer from long-term malnutrition and various injuries, and the consumption of medicines is ten times that of before."

"I need at least five more assistants with basic medical knowledge, and a relatively independent isolation observation area. Some of the patients' symptoms... I'm not sure if they are just ordinary injuries or illnesses."

Wang Hu said in a gruff voice, "The security team is short-handed!"

"There are nearly three thousand people in the base now, and we can't possibly keep an eye on them with just a few dozen people."

"I suggest that we select a group of physically fit young men from the new recruits to expand the security force, to at least two hundred people."

"I agree." Luo Yongchao nodded. "We don't lack weapons, what we lack are people who know how to use guns! I can be responsible for training them. Anyway, I was an instructor before, so I'm familiar with them."

Tang Long remained silent, simply listening.

Accommodation, medical care, sanitation, management... these are all inevitable growing pains brought about by the expansion of settlements.

He looked at Zhao Fan, who hadn't said a word.

"What about you? Any thoughts?"

Zhao Fan stood up and took out a document.

"Team Leader Tang, everyone, this is a management regulation I've drafted based on the current situation. I think we must establish a clear set of rules and a hierarchical system as soon as possible."

……

Half an hour later, in front of the bulletin board outside the police station.

This place has become a daily check-in point for all residents of the safe zone. Whenever there is any new information from above, it will be announced here.

Under the protection of two police officers, Zhao Fan squeezed to the front and pasted a large white sheet of paper covered with writing on it.

Temporary Management Regulations for the Dongcheng Order Zone

The title was written in bold black letters, making it particularly eye-catching.

Everyone craned their necks, trying hard to see what was on it.

The content is not complicated.

Effective immediately, all residents within the safe zone will be divided into three categories: combat personnel, technicians, and ordinary laborers.

Combat personnel, i.e., members of the guard, enjoy the highest priority in supplies, including the best food and separate dormitories.

Technical personnel, including doctors, engineers, and researchers, are given priority in material rations.

Responsible for maintaining and developing the base's key functions.

The rest were all classified as ordinary laborers.

They were responsible for all the physical labor, including infrastructure construction, logistical support, and agricultural production at the base.

Each category also includes more detailed explanations of job positions and contribution points.

There's another line at the very bottom, circled in red for special explanation.

[From the date of promulgation of these regulations, the base will no longer provide free food; all supplies will be distributed according to labor contributions.]

The moment this rule was announced, a huge uproar erupted from the crowd.

"What? You're not giving us food anymore?"

"How am I supposed to live like this? I'm old, I don't know how to do anything, won't I starve to death?"

"Why do soldiers get to eat and live well?"

Discussions, doubts, and complaints mingled together.

Just then, Zhao Fan picked up a large tin megaphone and turned it on.

"Quiet!"

A piercing crackling sound of electricity erupted, instantly drowning out everyone else's voices.

"From day one, the base has made it clear that there are no idlers here! Everyone must earn their wages through labor!"

"We were offering free food before because we suddenly needed more staff and didn't have enough jobs to fill! Now, we have jobs!"

He paused, then pointed to the wall under construction not far away.

"A wall construction team is recruiting construction workers and laborers. Eight hours a day, two meals provided, and extra bonuses for good performance!"

He then pointed in another direction.

"The security force is recruiting new members! Requirements: good health, courage, and fearlessness! Excellent benefits! If you want to be a high-achiever, sign up!"

"Medical stations and research labs are all open to individuals with relevant skills or a willingness to learn! Excellent compensation and benefits!"

"In addition, the base plans to develop the surrounding agricultural reclamation area! Those with farming experience and willing to take the lead in organizing can apply! The output will be purchased by the base and exchanged for contribution points!"

Zhao Fan's voice echoed across the square.

The commotion in the crowd gradually subsided.

Most people wore thoughtful expressions.

The new rules mean the end of the free lunch.

But it also means that a new way of life, where one can change their destiny through hard work, has begun.