Apocalypse Survival: Starting with a Shelter

After reviewing the previous night's progress reports, Su Wu took a moment to browse the official satellite network's chat channels. The large-scale operations carried out by the official shelter and Su Wu's faction the night before had drawn widespread attention.

Some observant shelters had already started imitating their actions, reinforcing their own shelters in preparation for potential flooding. While they might not have access to inside information, they understood one thing: following the lead of major players rarely went wrong.

In the private group chat for Jianghe City's largest shelters, the tone was even more unified. Many began ramping up material exchanges and embarking on large-scale floodproofing projects. These shelters, backed by professional support teams, were adept at analyzing the implications of Su Wu's and the official shelter's actions. Combined with their informal connections to the official shelter, they had no trouble uncovering the truth.

While reading the chat logs, Su Wu noticed that several leaders of large shelters and even mid-sized and small ones had privately messaged him. Many were seeking trade opportunities: material exchanges, equipment repairs, or custom manufacturing.

Not admitting it outright, Su Wu's dominance had become undeniable. After annexing the Jingyuan and Zhou Xiwu shelters, his faction was now leagues ahead of all others in Jianghe City, except the official shelter.

In matters of trade, Su Wu was now a key player no one could bypass. Su Wu didn't reject these requests. With the threat of ambushes no longer a concern, expanding trade was an excellent opportunity to stockpile resources. The current environment, despite the heavy rain, was as good as it was likely to get. Before flooding worsened, trading would only become more difficult and costly.

Delegating trade management to Chen Xin, Su Wu exited the network and turned his focus inward. While preparing for external threats like torrential rains and floods was critical, Su Wu understood that internal stability was just as essential. Mismanagement could lead to unrest, jeopardizing everything.

Su Wu now controlled two large shelters, two medium-sized shelters, and two small shelters. The two small shelters no longer housed any residents. One shelter had been repurposed as an outpost, equipped with two geothermal generators, a small high-temperature furnace, a communications tower, and a budding hydroponic farm. This facility provided a reliable supply of energy, industrial output, communication capabilities, and agricultural produce—requiring no further investment to yield consistent returns.

The other small shelter, still relatively untouched since its acquisition, had been designated for vegetable cultivation. It would focus on producing fruits and vegetables, although its development timeline remained uncertain, pending Su Wu's decision on resource allocation.

The two large and two medium shelters presented more complex challenges. With a combined population of nearly 380,000, these shelters operated under the centralized management of Su Wu's AI system. Currently, food distribution and work assignments were handled uniformly and efficiently. However, this approach lacked nuance and left room for improvement.

Su Wu decided to address the mess head-on, starting with a crucial first step: establishing a unified currency. A stable currency would clarify rewards and penalties, incentivizing productivity and unleashing the full potential of the shelters' vast populations. For simplicity, Su Wu adopted the official shelter's contribution point system as his model.

With every resident already equipped with either a smartphone or electronic wristband for AI oversight, Su Wu could easily implement digital personal accounts. Transactions would be conducted through online transfers, eliminating the need for physical currency altogether.

Next, Su Wu turned his attention to basic necessities like food, water, electricity, and air purification. To maximize efficiency, the shelters relied on unconventional staples: mushrooms, chives, algae, rats, and earthworms. While unappetizing, these items were essential to feed the massive population. Su Wu saw no immediate reason to alter this setup.

However, he introduced a key improvement: expanding existing food processing facilities. By processing mushrooms, earthworms, and other staples alongside the existing grain reserves, the food could be transformed into palatable prepared meals. These meals would then be distributed directly to residents, sparing them the trouble of cooking and improving overall morale.

After reorganizing food production, Su Wu noticed that the shelters still had substantial unused space. He allocated half of it to new agricultural and livestock areas, focusing on vegetable gardens and chicken farms. Chickens, rather than rats or earthworms, were chosen as the primary source of animal protein. As the cheapest form of meat in pre-apocalyptic times, they were a natural fit for Su Wu's plan to restore a semblance of normalcy.

Half of the output from these new facilities would be used for trade, while the other half would be added to the processed food supply. This gradual improvement in meal quality was a small but meaningful gesture of goodwill toward Su Wu's citizens.

With the broad strokes in place, Su Wu shifted to finer details. Professionals and scholars among the population were reassigned to roles that better suited their expertise. These individuals received higher compensation to reflect their contributions.

A new schooling system was established for children under 12, preserving the fundamentals of pre-apocalyptic education. A basic medical system was implemented, offering limited access to healthcare for all citizens.

By the time Su Wu had completed his plans, the foundations of a stable and prosperous society were beginning to take shape. His faction, once a loose collection of shelters, was rapidly transforming into a cohesive force with clear goals and effective governance.

Now, with internal affairs stabilized, Su Wu could turn his attention back to the challenges awaiting him beyond the shelter walls.

--Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there 

patreon.com/LegendaryTL

Thanks!