25: The base has begun to take shape

At Pan Han's suggestion, they bought another 100 anti-personnel landmines, spending 10 boxes of canned luncheon meat.

Cheng Xiao thought that was enough; buying more would draw unwanted attention.

So, the two of them drove the electric cart, put the equipment back in the truck, and immediately returned to Z City base.

"The supplies in the trunk weren't used. When we get back to base, you all move them out. They'll be just right for the slaves."

"Understood, Lord Pan."

The return journey was smooth, encountering only a few scattered zombies. Pan Han handled them all with his machine gun.

Pan Han thought to himself, 'I'm a man who's fired a machine gun now!'

Upon returning to the base, Qin Laoda's two teams also happened to arrive.

Qin Zhong handed Pan Han a box containing about 10 kilograms of gold.

Old Wu and Old Liu brought back over 30 slaves, all men, though they looked very weak.

"Lord Pan, Qin Laoda, we bought a bit more this time," Old Wu reported to them.

"No problem, we have enough to eat. I brought a lot this time, so you can arrange for the slaves to move it," Pan Han said.

"Understood, Lord Pan. Before moving, I'd like to report that these slaves were exchanged for 10 boxes of canned luncheon meat each."

"Mm, Cheng Xiao, you keep the accounts. We have more people now, so daily consumption needs to be recorded. If supplies run low, tell me 5 days in advance."

"Understood, Lord!"

After giving his instructions, Pan Han took the gold upstairs. After entering the room, he stored it in his space.

He also took out 8 bottles of cola and brought them downstairs, giving one bottle to each of the other 7 people.

Everyone nodded in thanks.

"Let's have a quick meeting," Pan Han said.

"Understood, Lord, I was just about to report to you," Qin Zhong said.

"Currently, our base has Lord Pan, the 7 of us, and 32 slaves, making exactly 40 people," Qin Zhong wasted no time and immediately began his report.

"The surrounding dozen or so villas have been cleared. We've temporarily opened 3 for the slaves to live in."

"How do we ensure the loyalty and safety of these slaves? Are they reliable?" Pan Han asked.

"They've already been fitted with explosive collars. If they don't behave, one button from us and their heads will explode instantly," Qin Zhong showed off the remote control in his hand.

"Did they all wear them voluntarily?"

"They were all quite cooperative. Mainly, it's because we give them food, and they can survive."

"Good, continue."

"Regarding supplies, calculating for 40 people per day, we need at least 32 kilograms of food and an indeterminate amount of water. Our current stock and the truckload from just now are enough for 500 days."

"Mm, but we need to use some food to exchange for other supplies. So let's calculate for 100 days first," Pan Han said.

"Right, Lord Pan's consideration is very thorough."

"Next, we need to arrange for these slaves to build a wall. I just calculated, we need about one kilometer of wall to enclose the area. If we use nearby wood to make a wooden wall, it might take 2 months to complete."

"A wooden wall isn't safe, is it? Are there other options?"

"It's best to build walls with bricks and concrete. It's just that the materials and workload are too great."

"Can't we exchange for them?"

"There's nothing readily available. No one specializes in making these now. Major factions build their own walls, and smaller factions don't need them."

"Alright, bricks, cement, and tools, I'll figure out a way."

"Understood, Lord Pan."

"Also, there's the watchtower. It needs to be expanded, and machine guns and landmines need to be coordinated. This task is given to Old Wu," Qin Zhong said.

"Received!" Old Wu said.

"You should set aside a separate plot of land to turn into a greenhouse in the future. We need to grow our own food," Pan Han said.

"Ah? Lord Pan, not only is our land not suitable, but we also don't have seeds. All plants have mutated, and pre-apocalypse grains probably can't be grown," Cheng Xiao asked, puzzled.

"You don't need to worry about that either. I'll find nutrient soil and seeds. Relying on me to find supplies all the time isn't realistic; we need to be self-sufficient."

Everyone looked at Pan Han, their eyes shining.

"With so many supplies, is our safety guaranteed?" Pan Han ignored them and continued to ask.

"Canned luncheon meat has already entered the market. It shouldn't be long before someone comes looking for us."

"We still need a certain degree of self-protection. Can the slaves be armed?"

"Some of them have fired guns before. We can find time to train them all. As long as we feed them, they'll fight for us. You can rest assured about that," Old Wu said.

"Good, this task is given to Cheng Xiao."

"Received!" Cheng Xiao said, standing at attention.

"Before we become strong, someone might come looking for trouble, asking for protection fees or something. When that happens, don't fight them head-on; we need to stall until we develop," Qin Zhong said to everyone seriously.

"Mm, Qin Laoda is right. Z City still has 3 factions. Currently, besides the Iron Gang, we can't beat the other two if they come. We can appropriately give them some supplies in exchange for protection," Pan Han set the tone for this matter.

When doing things, one must distinguish between primary and secondary contradictions. Different problems should be solved at different times. Blindly pushing forward will certainly not work.

"For the next 2 days, don't rush to work. Eat your fill so you have the strength to work."

"Understood, Lord Pan. Tomorrow, I'll take Second Sister to trade for some medicine. We won't go out after that."

...

Everyone discussed together and quickly decided on the development strategy, each receiving their tasks and going their separate ways.

Pan Han took Cheng Xiao to see the slaves.

The 32 slaves were all staying in one villa.

Cheng Xiao brought them out and gathered them in an open space. The slaves looked dazed, some even nervous, huddling together in ragged clothes.

Pan Han walked up to them, scrutinizing each one.

Looking at this group of beings, who could still be called human, Pan Han recalled photographs from the Qing Dynasty. People back then were not much different from now.

They were at the very bottom of the apocalypse, without dignity, without hope, selling their bodies, their labor, and their souls every day just for a mouthful of food.

Pan Han cleared his throat and said to the slaves, "Everyone, I am the owner of this base. I don't know what your situation was before, but starting today, you are saved."

Upon hearing that Pan Han was the owner, everyone perked up and straightened their bodies slightly.

"To put it simply, I'm here to do only three things! Hope, hope, and more damn hope!"

The slaves looked bewildered after hearing this, not understanding what Pan Han was getting at.

"Here, being fed is merely the minimum standard. I want everyone to return to their pre-apocalypse lives."

The slaves were somewhat disbelieving after hearing this. Be fed here? And return to pre-apocalypse life?

Isn't this some kind of sci-fi novel?

"What you need to do is very simple: obey me completely. Whatever I tell you to do, you execute it with all your might."

"Lord, is it true that we can be fed?" a slightly stronger man dared to ask.

"Very good. Your question is excellent, but I'm going to show you through action what it means to be fed!"

After Pan Han finished speaking, he leaned close to Cheng Xiao's ear and told her about the meals for the next 2 days.

"Lord, as long as everyone can be fed, our lives are yours," the strong man said.

"What's your name?" Pan Han looked at the strong man, feeling that he might be a small leader.

"Reporting to Lord, my name is Wei Yong, and they all call me Wei Monk."

Well, that name sounds familiar!

Pan Han smiled slightly and said to Wei Monk, "Very good. I'll give you a week's observation period. If you pass, you'll be a squad leader."

After speaking, Pan Han nodded at Cheng Xiao, telling her to make a note of it.

"Thank you, Lord!" Wei Monk did not stand on ceremony.