69: Chapter 69 150 Smoothbore Cannon

Lin Li didn't bother with them; as long as they didn't cause a massive biochemical crisis, it was fine.

Having handled those matters, he turned his gaze back to the B3 level.

"73," Lin Li asked, "How is the setup of the heavy weapons production line on that large open space on the B3 level coming along?"

"The basic architecture has been completed, Creator." 73's red light flashed. "As soon as you confirm the specific manufacturing blueprints, I can generate the production templates and begin formal manufacturing at any time."

Lin Li rubbed his chin, lost in thought.

Large-scale artillery was definitely out of the question. Even if they were somehow cobbled together, the elevator space for the third basement level was limited, making it impossible to transport them to the surface.

"What about rocket launchers? Can we build something like the Katyusha that can saturate a large area?" Lin Li's eyes sparkled.

"I do not recommend manufacturing rockets."

73 immediately poured cold water on the idea.

"Rockets may seem impressive, but in the absence of high-precision guidance systems, their dispersion area is too large and their hit rate is extremely low. Furthermore, manufacturing solid propellants is a significant waste of our precious gunpowder reserves. On the wasteland, this is an extremely cost-ineffective method of fire projection."

Lin Li nodded. The Niuma Squad had already started hand-crafting RPGs, so it would be better for the heavy weaponry production line to produce something else.

"Then what about small-caliber field guns? The kind that can be disassembled and transported up via the elevator?"

"That is a very rational choice."

73 projected a blueprint.

"There is a 150mm smoothbore towed field gun in the database. It has a simple structure and immense power, making it very suitable for our current industrial level."

"Let's build that!"

Lin Li slapped his thigh, extremely satisfied.

"Now in our Shelter, we have Logging Guns for light weapons, and 100mm Mortars and this 150mm field gun for heavy firepower. With this firepower configuration, we can stand tall even against Orks."

"And those players even managed to build a plane!"

Lin Li imagined the scene.

"Planes providing visual calibration from high altitude, and ground artillery clusters providing saturation bombardment! Combined arms with infantry, artillery, and air-ground integration! Anyone who uses this tactic knows how effective it is!"

"In the future, we'll move towards over-the-horizon and unmanned operations. The future is bright!"

After arranging the weapons production line on the third basement level, Lin Li leaned back in his chair and started thinking of other ideas.

Players were indeed the best fearless shock troops on the wasteland. As long as they were given enough points and experience, they would even dare to take a few bites out of a Greater Daemon of Khorne.

But The Fourth Calamity also had a fatal flaw—they were too undisciplined.

No matter how serious the occasion, these guys always acted in a casual and irreverent manner.

Even when Lin Li wore his cool Power Armor to hold a meeting for them, there were always a few people at the bottom making faces at each other, doing backflips on the spot, or even touching him all over. There was no discipline to speak of.

"If one day a big shot from another faction actually comes to the camp as a guest, or if we need to put on a show for negotiations, relying on these scurrying monkeys will definitely lose all face for the Shelter."

Lin Li rubbed his chin and pondered.

Besides the players, the only capable fighter among the natives under his command was Ironhead.

But Ironhead was a complete simpleton whose mind was only filled with locker room battles; he couldn't learn how to use complex firearms at all.

"It's time to raise a fully professional Standing Guard from the locals. The initial number doesn't need to be too large—a hundred people will do."

Lin Li made up his mind.

This guard wouldn't need to risk their lives like the players. Their primary role would be to maintain daily public order, serve as a ceremonial guard for appearances, and act as the camp's last line of defense in critical moments.

As for training, there were hidden talents among the player base. Finding a few veteran players with military backgrounds to serve as instructors would surely whip these natives into shape.

...

Early the next morning.

Inside a row of newly completed red-brick barracks on the east side of the Shelter.

Sunlight streamed through the simple glass windows, casting light onto the rough concrete floor.

Pointy Ears suddenly snapped his eyes open and sat up from his wooden bed covered in hay.

He took a long breath, feeling the dry, warm air around him. It still felt like a dream.

Pointy Ears was among the first batch of mine slaves brought out from the Mountain Tribe.

He got the name because his ears were pointier than average.

Once, he thought he would spend his entire life in those dark mine tunnels, not only enduring the whip and hunger every day but also being responsible for receiving personnel returning from missions in the hall.

When encountering soldiers who had failed their hunts and were in a foul mood, he would often become a punching bag, left covered in bruises.

But since coming here, everything had changed.

No more mining, no more beatings.

Every day, he only had to do simple physical labor like moving bricks and mixing mud at the brick factory to earn enough food to fill his belly.

Pointy Ears and his companions lined up to wash at the trough. He cupped some clear water and splashed it on his face, silently reciting his daily morning ritual in his heart:

"Praise Lord Liming."

After washing, Pointy Ears took an iron bowl and went to the public canteen.

He received a bowl of steaming starch gruel, which even had a spoonful of rich gravy poured over it.

He found a seat and pulled out two very smoothly polished small wooden sticks from his shirt.

He had now learned how to use chopsticks and was among the first group of miners to master this skill.

This made him feel very proud.

While he was hunched over, devouring his breakfast, a commotion came from outside the canteen.

Many tall, strong warriors were coming out in groups from the heavy iron door leading underground.

Pointy Ears watched these people with eyes full of admiration.

In their eyes, these subordinates of Lord Liming were simply omnipotent.

Not only could they build steel monsters that ran fast on the ground, but they could also build giant wooden birds that could fly.

Even more, they were fearless of death, wiping out those ferocious green monsters without leaving a trace.

Not only that, but these warriors were also very generous and friendly.

The jacket Pointy Ears was currently wearing, sewn from mutant beast hide, had been made for them by a skillful female warrior. He swore he would repay her in the future.

To better integrate into this place, Pointy Ears had even secretly learned some high-frequency vocabulary these warriors usually used when communicating.

"Holy crap, this gravy is so fragrant."

While eating, Pointy Ears muttered in a low voice, imitating the players' tone.

"Damn, there's definitely going to be a lot of work at the brick factory today. 666."

Although he didn't fully understand the deep meaning of these words, as long as he shouted them when he was excited, he felt closer to those powerful warriors.

After finishing his meal, Pointy Ears walked out of the canteen.

He saw a dozen warriors wearing safety ropes, busy at the top of the tall concrete watchtower in the center of the camp.

They were welding an exceptionally large metal antenna.

"I heard that's called a Signal Tower."

His companion nearby whispered.

"With that, the warriors can talk to each other even from far away."

The Shelter was undergoing rapid changes every day.

All sorts of incomprehensible electronic equipment, roaring large vehicles, and weapons that caused violent explosions opened the eyes of these slaves who once only knew how to dig for stones.

According to Lord Liming's rules, working could earn Contribution Points.

Contribution Points could be exchanged for extra food in the camp or even used to rent better housing.

Working a day at the brick factory earned 10 Contribution Points.

To save these precious points, most miners only ate the basic rations provided for free by the camp once a day.

But Pointy Ears didn't do that.

He unhesitatingly exchanged all the Contribution Points he earned every day for extra meat and carbohydrates.

He ate three meals a day, eating until his belly was round every time.

Because he had his own ideas.

He didn't want to be a mud-mixing laborer for the rest of his life.

He wanted to grow muscles and become as strong and brave as those warriors.

He longed for the day when he could pick up a weapon and kill those green monsters for Lord Liming, who had given him a new life.

Just as Pointy Ears scraped the last bit of gruel clean and prepared to report to the brick factory.

A back as majestic as an iron tower appeared in the open space.

It was Big Brother Ironhead.

Ironhead held his signature axe and shouted at the top of his lungs in a booming voice:

"All able-bodied young men! Gather at the camp gate immediately! My Lord has something to say!"

Pointy Ears shuddered, immediately dropped his iron bowl, and ran quickly toward the gate.

By the time he arrived, the open space in front of the gate was already crowded with people.

There were not only the old miners from his batch but also the remnants of the Mountain Tribe who had later been incorporated along with Black Rat, and even the nomads who had just fled here yesterday.

Hundreds of people were gathered in a dense crowd.

A heavy and oppressive sound of metal footsteps came from inside the camp.

The crowd instinctively parted to both sides.

Lin Li, wearing his majestic red athletic-type Power Armor with his helmet tucked under his arm, strode onto the high platform in front of everyone.

The dark gold pistol reflected a cold light under the sun.

He looked down at this group of wasteland survivors whose faces were filled with awe.

"My people."

Lin Li's voice spread throughout the area via the amplification equipment.

"Among you are slaves who suffered oppression in the mines and refugees who lost their homes in the wilderness. I have given you food and a safe Shelter."

"But this world never pities the weak."

Lin Li's tone shifted, becoming cold and murderous.

"Those Orks, those wasteland raiders, and even those greedy tax officials from Coastal City could come at any time to take away everything you have now!"

"My warriors are fighting on the front lines, and the interior of the camp also needs an indestructible shield!"

Lin Li gripped his halberd and slammed it heavily onto the concrete ground, letting out a deafening thud.

"Today, I will recruit one hundred Standing Guard soldiers from among you!"

"Join the guard, and you will have meat for every meal. You will wear sturdy armor and take up lethal weapons! Your families will receive the highest level of living treatment in the camp!"

An uncontrollable commotion instantly erupted in the crowd.

Raging fires ignited in the men's eyes.

"But I have only one requirement for you."

Lin Li looked around the crowd, his voice as cold as ice.

"Absolute loyalty! Even if I tell you to charge a mountain with spears, you must not take a single step back! If you are afraid of death, leave now!"

Not a single person retreated.

On this wasteland where lives were cheap, there were too many people willing to risk their lives for a full meal, let alone such generous treatment.

"Ironhead, start picking people."

The recruitment process was simple.

Ironhead walked down from the high platform and moved through the crowd.

He only looked at their physique.

When Ironhead reached Pointy Ears, he stopped.

The period of reckless, frantic eating had caused Pointy Ears' originally shriveled body to develop firm muscular outlines.

Among this group of chronically malnourished miners, he appeared exceptionally upright.

Pointy Ears puffed out his chest as hard as he could, his hands pressed tightly against his trouser seams, a wolf-like ferocity in his eyes.

Ironhead reached out his fan-sized palm and slapped Pointy Ears heavily on his sturdy shoulders twice.

"You, go stand over there!" Ironhead pointed below the platform.

Pointy Ears trembled with excitement.

He bit his lip hard, strode out of the line, and stood in the selected group.

"Holy crap, I was chosen! Long live Lord Liming!" Pointy Ears shouted frantically in his heart.

In less than half an hour, one hundred strong, fierce-eyed natives had been selected.

Lin Li looked at the embryonic team below the stage and nodded with satisfaction.

As long as they were strictly trained, this would definitely be a defensive force not to be underestimated.

Although there were only a hundred people for now, Lin Li believed it would surely grow in the future.