Armed Train in the Apocalypse

Su Huan squinted his eyes.

The talent from the Four Majors is difficult to extract now, so the only option left is Zhijin.

And as for zombie materials, there’s no need to mention.

Everyone realized this problem too, but they fell silent in unison, looking towards the contemplating Su Huan.

Su Huan pondered, ”The Four Majors have already started clearing up Zhijin, and there will be a constant flow of materials transported back to the Scavenger Market, so there’s no worry about materials for the time being. Just finalize the Phase Three transformation plan and proceed steadily.”

The armed train doesn’t lack the ability to clear Zhijin, but he doesn’t have any forces there that need support, nor does he plan to establish a station. Clearing it would be like making a dowry for Black Kite.

As for the so-called Four Majors, in front of the train and Black Kite, they are no different from the scavengers outside who struggle to survive.

Suppose the Storm Zone is a chessboard, Zhijin has already been surrounded by Black Kite’s chess pieces.

Jinfeng, Fuyuan, Black Star... these small forces are like solitary chess pieces standing on others’ territories, only when they explore outward do they realize that they are encircled by the Iron Wall built by Black Kite.

If lucky, they might carve out a breath of life.

If unlucky, when Black Kite circles back on the big map, it’s all cleaned up.

He’s not interested in helping Black Kite clear out territory.

Besides, projecting his own thoughts onto others, Black Kite might stab them in the back. Facing five million zombies plus Black Kite’s ambush, even the train risks being overturned.

Moreover, skipping Zhijin, Jinfeng Province will have even more zombies, materials will always be in abundance.

The most troublesome is talent, which will only become scarcer as the apocalypse intensifies. The remaining ones will be divided by farsighted forces, just like Zhijin.

...

Seeing that Su Huan was still thinking, Shu Wei stepped forward and said.

”Then let’s adjourn the meeting for now, I’ll compile everyone’s thoughts this afternoon, and all departments will meet again tonight.”

”Department chiefs and supervisors should submit a preliminary summary of materials needed for reconstruction and upgrades to me.”

”Crew Chief Hu will be responsible for the engineering team, Old Jiang will assist.”

”Regarding the basic materials needed by the manufacturing group, let’s have...”

Shu Wei’s gaze searched around and landed on Su Reya, who was leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, ”The procurement still needs to be handled by your logistics team.”

Su Reya shrugged, agreeing without surprise.

Previously, her father in Black Kite was over her, now on the train, she still has to be overshadowed.

She has no hope of standing out, so it shall be.

Seeing Su Huan still in thought, everyone silently left quickly.

Everyone has a pile of work on their hands, naturally no time to waste here.

”What should I do then?”

Su Huan lazily yawned.

In Shu Wei’s eyes flickered a thoughtful expression. The tablet flipped on his cold white fingers, ”There’s a lot to do right now, but not much requiring your personal involvement. There will be personnel adjustment documents tonight, but I hope you can visit the laboratory and carriages more often.”

”Why?”

”Crew Chief Hu once mentioned an interesting phenomenon, that the laboratories and workshops you visit tend to have increased output in the following three days...”

Su Huan was slightly surprised, ”My effect is that significant?”

”You underestimate your prestige on the train, the lower-level crew also hope their merits and achievements can be seen by you.”

”You can start with the bullet workshop, maybe it will inspire some ideas for train currency.”

”Alright, as long as it’s not recharging.”

...

”Clang, clang, clang...”

The rhythmic knocking echoed continuously in the bullet workshop.

To save space, many automated machines were dismantled, replaced by manual labor.

The workers here primarily came from the families of major laboratory researchers, mixed with some soldiers’ families.

The boss squatted next to a machine in the corner, instructing a thirteen-year-old boy on how to cut a full copper plate into round copper pieces suitable for making bullet casings.

”You can slow down, but make sure to concentrate, don’t let this thing catch your hand, or else...” The boss stepped on a pedal, and a coin-sized hole immediately appeared on the hard brass plate.

The boy pursed his lips and carefully nodded.

The boss wanted to demonstrate a few more times, but a glimpse of black flashed in the corner of his eye. He instructed the two women nearby to take care of the boy, then hurriedly went to the black shadow.

The train conductor, with hands in his pockets, maneuvered through the massive machinery like a ghost.

The busy crew inexplicably felt a pang of unease, looking around but seeing nothing.

Muttering ”seeing ghosts” they continued with their tasks.

Su Huan stood beside a basin of freshly pressed bullet casings, randomly picking one up and squeezing it between his index finger and thumb. The brass instantly turned a fiery orange-red, becoming faintly transparent. He tossed it back into the basket, where it made a slight sizzling sound.

”Conductor.”

The boss stood respectfully behind Su Huan.

By now, that little resentment the boss harbored about being tricked onto the train had long vanished.

As the armed train grew stronger, he held deeper reverence for Su Huan.

Su Huan casually placed a hand on the boss’s shoulder, clucking with a sigh, ”Boss, there’s already a huge barrier between you and me...”

The boss hesitated and faltered, his lips moved, clearly stating, ”It seems like ’a pathetic thick barrier’.”

Su Huan paused, ”You even read literature?”

The boss’s eyes below heavy eyebrows gleamed with a hint of cunning and confidence, ”Reading gun magazines wasn’t enough, and there weren’t many books on the train, so I just picked a few to pass the time, and it also helps in teaching the kids.”