70: Mountaintop Village Division

"Received, Lord Pan. Let's start the discussion." Qin Zhong pointed to his head, indicating that all key points would be remembered.

"Excellent! Our Dawn Base just won a great victory. It will inevitably attract the attention of other forces. Therefore, we now need to strengthen the defensive capabilities of Dawn Base. How many people can Mountaintop Stronghold spare to come down the mountain with us?" Pan Han posed the first question.

"Reporting, my Lord, I can lead 100 people down the mountain." Reich replied to Pan Han after a brief thought.

"Very good! We have enough space for them there."

"My Lord, if Mountaintop Stronghold is to be a second base, shouldn't we strengthen the connection between the two bases?" Wei Monk asked.

"Exactly, you are very right." Pan Han and Qin Zhong nodded in unison.

"It seems you have a lot of ideas, Heshang, continue."

Wei Monk scratched his head sheepishly, organized his thoughts, and slowly began:

"First, we need to set up a radio station between us to maintain constant contact. If one side encounters an enemy, the other can quickly receive the message."

Everyone listened and nodded in agreement.

"Do we have the resources for a radio station?" Pan Han turned to ask Qin Zhong.

"We have some surplus. For now, it seems sufficient." Qin Zhong replied.

"Hmm, very good, Heshang, continue."

"Secondly, Mountaintop Stronghold will send people down the mountain, and we also need to send people up the mountain. Both sides should get to know each other."

At this moment, Ma Ji, who had been silent, spoke up: "Gentlemen, it's excellent to have people get to know each other. However, we have many women here, and we hope Lord Pan won't send over people with bad habits."

It seemed Ma Ji understood the apocalypse!

In this world, a few cockroach crackers could buy a woman. She had seen too many such things.

"Please rest assured about this matter. Our Lord Pan despises such things the most, and we don't have such people at Dawn Base." Qin Zhong understood Ma Ji's concerns and vouched for it himself.

"Haha, Ma Ji, please rest assured, with me here, such things will not happen again!" Pan Han also gave her peace of mind.

"Lord Pan, for now, we still trust Wei Monk more."

Ma Ji gradually recovered from her initial shock, with calmness and rationality regaining control of her mind.

"No problem, then let Heshang bring some people over." Pan Han nodded in agreement.

In fact, he was just doing a favor. Now was the time when Wei Monk was in high spirits and actively showing his capabilities. Even if Ma Ji hadn't said anything, he had originally intended for Wei Monk to come over.

"Third, we need to formulate support strategies for the two bases in advance. For example, we can establish danger levels beforehand. Level three is a normal threat, level two is an urgent threat, and level one is a major threat. Different levels correspond to different support strategies." Wei Monk licked his lips and continued.

Pan Han looked at him with satisfaction, feeling that the kid was becoming more and more sensible, so he casually handed him another cigarette.

Heshang happily took the cigarette and then continued.

"Finally, there's the patrol system. Our two locations are neither too far nor too close. Since we've merged and have enough manpower, we need frequent patrols."

"I didn't realize it, Heshang, you're quite brave and resourceful!"

After hearing Heshang's points, Qin Zhong couldn't help but feel he was a talent with potential.

"Hehe, thank you, Qin Laoda."

"Good, then Qin Laoda, you will oversee the detailed planning for these four points. Reich, do you have any opinions?" Pan Han handed Reich another cigarette.

"Thank you, my Lord! I have no objections. Wei Monk had already demonstrated his abilities when he was with us. What he said is naturally fine. It's just..." Reich stammered, getting stuck.

"Now that we are one team, just speak freely. Don't have any reservations when we're discussing things." Pan Han patted him on the shoulder.

"Hmm, we are currently in urgent need of bricks, cement, and similar items. The beast tide earlier hit us pretty hard. Ordinary wood can't stop them. It would be best if we also had some tools for building city walls."

"Qin Laoda, how much did we have left after building our wall?"

"We still have about 300,000 bricks and a corresponding amount of cement. The mixing trucks and everything are still there."

"Good, bring it all over tomorrow."

"Understood! I'll go with Wei Monk again tomorrow."

"Lord Pan, this is truly a timely help! Dawn Base actually has so many building materials." Reich was somewhat incredulous.

"This is nothing. When you go tomorrow, you'll see."

Everyone discussed for over an hour, and all matters were basically finalized.

Pan Han decided not to return tonight and would rest at Mountaintop Stronghold, asking Wei Monk to stay with him. Qin Zhong, meanwhile, would return with the news and prepare supplies and accommodation.

Reich and Ma Ji naturally welcomed them. They quickly sent people to prepare a separate room for Pan Han.

Qin Zhong also didn't waste time. After bidding farewell to everyone, he drove down the mountain himself.

"Reich, lead me on a tour of Mountaintop Stronghold." This was Pan Han's first command to Reich.

"Yes, my Lord. Please follow me. Ma Ji, you go oversee dinner and the Lord's room."

"Okay, Reich, my Lord, I'll go ahead."

Mountaintop Stronghold covered an area of over ten thousand square meters and had more than 40 rooms. It was divided into a residential area, food storage area, weapons storage area, and also had a separate reservoir.

"My Lord, these are the houses where we live. They are basically two-story wooden buildings, with ten rooms on each floor, and each room can accommodate about 10 people."

"Hmm, the living conditions are still quite difficult!" Pan Han walked with his hands behind his back, occasionally pointing, looking very much like a leader on an inspection tour.

"Hehe, yes! Compared to living in villas at Dawn Base, it's indeed quite a bit worse." Reich suddenly remembered something called flattery and quickly put it to use.

"This is our water source."

Reich led Pan Han to a small stream. This stream extended from the mountain gorge, with a low water volume, and the water quality appeared relatively turbid.

"Is it enough for your 500 people?"

"Barely, that's why we built a reservoir."

"Heshang, discuss with Ma Ji later and calculate how much drinking water each person needs per month. We'll send it to them regularly. For daily use, just use this stream for now." Pan Han remembered that Dawn Base had a well that was still in use, so sharing some with this side shouldn't be a problem.

"Thank you, Lord Pan!"

Just then, a group of children suddenly ran over, chirping and surrounding Reich.

Pan Han saw that they were indeed all children around ten years old, but each one was sallow and emaciated, with stunted limbs, clearly suffering from malnutrition.

"These must be children who were born a few years before the apocalypse." Pan Han was also very fond of children.

"Yes, at that time, over thirty children were born in the village. Unfortunately, only a dozen are left now. Sigh!" Reich couldn't help but sigh, thinking of the children who had died.

"Heshang, make a note: ensure the children's nutrition from now on. Humans can no longer reproduce, so these are all our hope!" Pan Han said solemnly.

Wei Monk and Reich stood at attention together after hearing him: "Rest assured, my Lord!"

Pan Han nodded and continued to stroll with Reich.

At this moment, Ma Ji approached: "My Lord, your room is ready. However, the conditions are difficult, please don't mind."