Armed Train in the Apocalypse

”...I thought you had it all figured out.”

”Would you believe me if I said I hadn’t thought about it at all?”

”But I think having three systems for one train is quite creative.”

”There’s no other way, without experience in this area, I have to take it step by step.”

What he desperately needs now is a strategist with a broad vision. Unfortunately, Li Tao died unexpectedly.

Now that He Jie has fully committed to the armed train, some topics can be discussed more deeply.

Regarding the system, he is the only one on the entire train who understands it.

After all, our Captain He was the chief planning officer of the Steel Council in a past life, a bit rash but definitely meticulous.

Lin Jin has always been a lone wolf, and coupled with being young, he can’t offer much as an advisor now.

No need to mention Qu Hang and Mountain Goat.

They’re masters at self-preservation.

Yu Jing is only interested in mechanics.

Professor Ma, Huang Sea, and others have been busy at the school all their lives and lack much management experience.

He Jie rubbed his chin, ”Your idea to separate internal and external isn’t wrong, but dividing internally into core members and the crew is a bit redundant...”

After saying a few words, He Jie felt he wasn’t clear enough, so he squatted on the ground, took a metal buckle, and drew lines on the ground.

While drawing, he explained, ”These two lines divide the entire train into three parts: core members-crew-tactical squads. But to be honest, there isn’t a strict hierarchical relationship within, or any channel for advancement. Even if Lu Xiao and others work hard all their lives, he can’t become the head of the crew. Of course, you opened up the points channel which is nice, but the frightening amount required is as good as nothing.”

All core members have seen the points redemption manual and provided some feedback.

He Jie must have noticed the problem then, but it was a sensitive topic.

Su Huan asked today, so he brought the problem up.

Then He Jie drew a vertical line on the side.

At the top, he wrote ”Train Chief,” then on the left ”Crew,” and on the right ”Armed Corps.”

”You can separate inside and outside, but there shouldn’t be a hierarchical divide internally; combat itself is high-risk labor, without corresponding treatment and status, there will be changes over time.”

”The crew system is good, and it was just changed a few days ago, so try not to adjust it further. Perhaps you can add a Chief Conductor above the Four Great Conductors, plus some deputies, like four principals and four deputies, making eight conductors. Leave some positions open; it’s not necessary to have someone immediately. It’s for the lower ranks to see.”

”Below still use Level 5 crew, making a combined level of seven for internal grading.”

”As for the Armed Corps, I suggest using the existing military rank system directly, the series from captains to lieutenants is quite complete already.”

Su Huan stared at the rain-eroded middle cracks on the ground, as if his chaotic thoughts were split open as well.

His previous division was from front to back, effectively blocking any ascent, making anyone assigned to the crew inherently superior to the tactical squads.

He Jie divided it left and right; on both sides, there is room for advancement.

”But what if I want to keep this task entrustment system?”

He Jie wiped the rainwater off his hair. Unlike Su Huan, he didn’t have the nifty ability to avoid rainwater, so he had to endure it with his strong physique.

”Then separate them.” The metal buckle extended a line alongside the Armed Corps, ”I suggest tightening the qualifications for tactical squads. After all, you need only the elites. Only captains and lieutenants should have the qualification to form tactical squads. For example, a lieutenant can choose one or two followers from the reservists or regulars to form a tactical squad and execute the train’s entrusted missions.”

”Turn the tactical squads into a privilege, a privilege only accessible to high-ranking officers!”

”Instead of directly drawing the backbone to form some special service team.”

Su Huan squinted. He hadn’t thought of this approach before.

If he follows He Jie’s suggestion, it would mean that high-ranking officers have the authority to form personal militias and can undertake missions for the train or personal tasks.

Compared to the Steel Council, there’s a slight difference.

This system doesn’t completely dismantle the Armed Corps as a whole.

In the later stages of the Steel Council in the previous life, all officers operated independently, sometimes even fighting each other secretly.

Su Huan made a definitive decision, ”Okay, but eligibility to form squads should be elevated to the rank of field officer.”

He Jie used the broken metal buckle in his hand to scratch the lines on the ground and stood up to puff out smoke.

”Those are just minor issues...”

Su Huan patted him contently on his muscular shoulder, ”Alright, once you finish screening the personnel, let’s formally implement this system.”

He Jie froze, and the small remaining piece of his cigar fell to the ground, extinguished by the rain.

”I was just casually saying, shouldn’t you consider it more?”

Su Huan waved a hand, and the sound of branches breaking through the air filled the scene, ”There’s no time to think that much, change it if problems arise.”

He Jie scratched his head, ”Really makeshift crew...”

...

An hour later, listening to the gunfire and cannon blasts outside, He Jie’s face looked as black as a pot bottom.

They said there were only two tasks, yet Yu Yue had already gone out with the team to execute cleanup missions within three kilometers of the station as soon as he finished his training.

Su Huan definitely did it on purpose!

The survivors were cluelessly gathered, surrounded by fully armed elite soldiers, each with tightly tied tactical boots and tactical vests filled with magazines. Already a bit anxious, they grew more fearful seeing He Jie’s bear-like strong physique and a face as dark as water, thinking they might be executed.

Children in the crowd began to sob quietly.

Licking Rabbit cautiously glanced at the grim-faced Boss, then at Qu Hang.

The latter leaned against a steel pillar with a sniper rifle, spacing out at the rain threads, like someone without a care.

With no other choice, Licking Rabbit stepped forward cautiously and said loudly, ”Report, personnel from North Area One have assembled.”

”Bang!”

’I just knew it!’ In the instant Licking Rabbit got kicked away, he wailed internally.

He Jie crossed his arms, eyebrows furrowed, and shouted, ”Why are you shouting so loud?! You think I’m deaf?! You scared the kids to tears.”

The originally murmuring crowd of over three hundred instantly fell silent from this shout.

Even the sobs ceased.

He Jie snorted, observing the weak, sick, and disabled in front, and frowned, ”Women and children under sixteen, move aside.”

There was an instant relief in the crowd, over a hundred people moved aside, leaving about two hundred men.

A few distinctly over-sixteen boys tried to sidle up, and the soldiers didn’t stop them.

Many who didn’t dare to move regretted it internally.

He Jie surveyed and was still unsatisfied, ”Anyone over forty-five, step aside.”

This time the number grew, with over half moving aside, leaving roughly a hundred able-bodied men.

A third proportion of able-bodied men wasn’t unusual; the apocalypse had filtered them once.

”The armed train is recruiting reservist soldiers. All selected reservists can become Evolvers, earning points based on battle merits. The highest rank is general, with treatment equivalent to core members. Meals and lodging are provided, as well as equipment. The higher the rank, the better the benefits. You’ve seen the points manual today, haven’t you?”

At first, the crowd was bewildered, but their eyes glowed once they understood.

Especially those ordinary people who weren’t Evolvers.

Someone braved himself to ask, ”Do we also have that kind of injection that can turn you into a powerful Evolver?”

”We do, but it depends on points redemption. The points from battle are absolutely more than what you’d earn from other tasks.”

The crowd started murmuring.

With He Jie’s hearing, he could easily make out their conversations.

They were simply questioning its truth, potential costs, and whether they’d be used as cannon fodder.

No matter their skepticism, He Jie had no intention of explaining anything.

The more you explain this sort of thing, the worse it appears.

Even if the armed train were to recruit cannon fodder, did this group have a choice?

Clearing those who can’t distinguish things early is just right.