Chapter 336 Utopia Hidden in the Tunnel (1/2)

It took about 10 minutes for Lu Bei to report the whole day's work to Chu Guang.

"...Led by the gatekeeper named Tris, we entered Camp 101 and were received by local survivors."

"It was a camp hidden deep in a subway tunnel. There were about two to three hundred people living there. The local survivors lived in square barracks. Greenhouse plantations, generators and water purifiers were scattered around the camp. There is also a biogas digester.”

"The situation there is completely different from that of Hope Town. They are completely self-sufficient in materials and use scientific methods to manage everything in an orderly manner."

"That Tris took me to visit their greenhouse plantation. There are many hydroponic boxes there, which grow rice, potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers... and carbon sequestration devices or something. They use part of the carbon dioxide to synthesize starch. , glucose, and balance the carbon dioxide content in the air.”

"In short, the situation there is quite surprising. The locals call themselves 'sheltered people', but they are not residents of the shelter, but wastelanders who are helped by the residents of the shelter."

"The gate of Vault 101 is in the deepest part of the camp. The residents of the Vault taught them knowledge, and their task is to report the situation outside to the residents of the Vault."

"According to them, their camp was originally located on the surface. Later, in order to escape the war, the residents of the shelter lent them the material transfer area at the door, and then the current camp was established."

"While talking to them, I could sense that they had a deep affection for the residents of the shelter. Vault 101 was like a sacred place to them, and the residents who lived there were even more like teacher."

After listening to Lu Bei's report, Chu Guang looked at the notes he jotted down in his hand and pondered for a long time, then nodded thoughtfully.

"...That's it."

He probably understood.

To put it simply, Camp 101 is equivalent to the "spokesperson" supported by Shelter 101 on the surface.

These spokespeople were enlightened by the residents of the shelter and acquired knowledge that was not available in the wasteland, and even some production methods and tools from the pre-war era.

While enjoying the convenience brought by the achievements of pre-war civilization, they also shoulder the obligation of "looking after the gate" of the refuge.

I have to say this is a smart move.

As far as the shelters Chu Guang has encountered so far, whether they are No. 117 or No. 401, they have all been defeated by the reserve and arrogance of civilized people.

In contrast, the Blue Jackets in Vault 101 adopted a more cautious strategy - selecting worthy people for training, enlightening the ignorant wastelanders, teaching them to use tableware and books, and allowing them to Study mathematics and physics and see the world from a rational perspective.

This not only ensures their education rate and professional skill level, but also ensures that they have a world view, values, and ideology close to their own.

In this way, the residents of Vault 101 can collect the intelligence and resources they need at a negligible cost, and avoid the trouble that may be caused by direct contact with local survivors.

Camp 101 is the seeds they sow on the surface, and it is also the buffer zone between them and the wasteland.

If they fail, they can retreat underground at any time, set the time to 20, 50 or even 100 years and start over again.

Once successful, this seed grows into a towering tree and establishes a stable and enlightened regime in the wasteland...

Their historical mission has been completed.

"...I have not seen the residents of Vault 101," Lu Bei said carefully, putting this sentence at the end, "The elders of Camp 101 told me that before confirming that the world outside the door is safe, they The residents of the shelter will not be advised to open the door. Even if I try to explain to them... that we have driven away the predators, they just don't believe me."

"Later, at my insistence, they took me to the gate of Shelter 101. The residents there did not listen to my explanation at all and asked me to communicate with the people in Camp 101."

When he said this, Lu Bei felt very depressed.

He felt like he was a ball, being kicked around by people on both sides.

These people are so ungrateful!

Upon hearing the young man's complaint, Chu Guang immediately guessed what he was thinking and said with a smile.

"They're not worried about predators, they're worried about us."

Lu Bei was stunned for a moment.

"Worried about...us? But why should they worry about us?"

Chu Guang said patiently.

"Predators can also wear blue coats and even bring our VM. The vital signs monitor itself is not a particularly advanced thing, nor is it exclusive to the shelter."

“In the first contact, they can only judge through intuition whether we have good intentions, but in the end they still need to use their eyes to confirm whether what we claim is consistent with what we are doing.”

"The world is not black and white. Those who drive away predators may not necessarily be righteous partners, but may also be another group of predators. It is reasonable for them to be vigilant."

"So, before you set off, I repeatedly remind you to be cautious before expressing our intentions. Don't rush the other party to make a decision. Give the other party a little more patience. If they are hesitant, you can suggest that the other party come to our place to have a look. ”

Lu Bei on the other end of the phone pondered for a while and said thoughtfully.

"I see, so we should invite them to send some representatives to our settlement to take a look."

Children can be taught.

Very satisfied to see that this young man had enlightened himself, Chu Guang smiled and nodded.

"Invite a few more people over. Remember this is not a request, but an invitation. We need electrical engineers here, as well as water conservancy engineers."

"You can even tell them that I plan to build a dam on the west and southwest sides of the Fourth New District to divert the overflowing lake water northward into the Tianshui tributary to irrigate the nearby land... This will be a long-term project. We Need their help."

Painting is also part of the art of management, and the new alliance needs to find common interests with local survivors.

Although the water conservancy project is not the first priority in the construction work of Dawn City, with the expansion of the settlement area, this matter will be done sooner or later in the future.

Lu Bei said excitedly.

"I see!"

Chu Guang nodded approvingly.

"Go ahead if you understand."

Chu Guang has always been satisfied with this diligent and loyal young man, and has been deliberately cultivating him.

For example, the reason why this task was given to him was for cultivation.

As for ability and origin, these have never been issues. Chu Guang doesn't believe in the theory of blood at all.

Once a person reaches that position, he will naturally grow.

The core members of the new alliance, the ones who really carry the aura, are actually Yin Fang, Heya, and old Charlie. Most of the others were born in the wasteland.

Like Luca, he was just a farming serf at the beginning and knew nothing about logistics management, but now he can still take care of the work assigned to him in an orderly manner.

And Shuyu, who Chu Guang sent to Boulder City, was just a refugee at first.

In fact, the same goes for Chu Guang himself. In the Alpha0.1 version, he didn't even have a dog at the beginning, and he was almost eaten by a dog. But now he has everything.

After hanging up the phone, Chu Guang was too lazy to go out for dinner. He dug out a box of canned braised pork from his luggage and started browsing the forum on VM while eating steamed buns for dinner.

Today's official website is as lively as ever.

Coincidentally, while he was eating dinner, his little players were also eating.

But because of the time difference, they had breakfast.

Tails: "Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo close for ya, why do you have to eat this again in real life! QAQ"

Sisi: "Isn't this a matter of course..."

Tails: "I'm so angry! Why don't you develop a culture chamber that you can lie down in and don't have to worry about anything! It's so troublesome to eat, brush your teeth, take a bath and go to the toilet! (ノ｀Д)ノ"

Sisi: "Uh, you mean the intubation type... I'd better forget it."

Tail:"?"

Aoao Sesame Paste: "That's it, even if there is that kind of training cabin, the anti-addiction system cannot be allowed to be online 24 hours a day. (˘•ω•˘)"

Roshan Big Momo: "Aha...hahaha..."

"..."

This addiction is too great.

Looking at the discussion in the post, Chu Guang was dumbfounded and didn't know how to complain.

He has no control over the equipment of the morphogenesis field, the cultivation chamber... maybe there is one, but it doesn't really matter whether it is there or not. The helmet is enough. If you wake up after peeing, just go to the toilet and come back. Find a place out of the way. Lying down and logging off is a basic activity for players.

Although the training cabin allows players to focus more on the game world, he still hopes that his little players can eat well and live well in reality.

Even if it is the only fully immersive virtual reality game in the world, it cannot rest on its laurels.

After closing the post, Chu Guang continued to browse the forum.

The topic that most players are paying attention to is tonight's expansion pack settlement and the reward pool of the lottery. Some players are also focusing on the newly unlocked new map of Xizhou City.

For example, Brother Fang.

Just like when he went to Boulder City before, Fang Chang immediately conducted a detailed investigation of the situation there after arriving at Camp 101, and updated the summarized information on the official website without reservation.

"Shock! A high-tech town hidden in a tunnel! Insights from Camp 101! 》

Seeing this line of title, Chu Guang immediately clicked in.

It's embarrassing to say that, as a game planner, he was the last person to know the relevant information about the new map.

Unlike other games, it is always the dog mastermind who reveals inside information to the powerful players.

Like Lu Bei, Fang Chang first gave a detailed explanation of the background of Camp 101 using a translator and his own understanding.

However, unlike Lu Bei, Fang Chang narrates from the player's perspective. Not only is the narrative style different, but the focus is also different.

"...The technical level of Camp 101 is very high. In terms of setting, they are a group of wastelanders who have received shelter education. They have the characteristics of both blue jackets and wastelanders. I even suspect that they themselves are blue jackets and wastelanders. A native half-breed."

"According to their own account, the residents of Vault 101 will only send a small number of people out of the door when needed. Sometimes it is to collect resources, sometimes to collect samples from the wasteland, or to collect data, but Usually they don’t stay long.”

"They don't have currency, or even the concept of property. Instead, they have various points, and a person's living standard is determined based on the type of occupation and contribution to the position."

"For example, ordinary employees can enjoy the living rations of a standard unit, and employees engaged in technical work can enjoy certain consumer goods on the basis of the living rations of a standard unit. In addition, there will be regular KPI assessments to determine the proportion of additional rations. …”

"Of course, the above is all information I summarized based on plot dialogue, and may not be accurate. Compared to Hope Town, this place is more like a paradise composed of a group of 'lucky few'."

"There is a lot of special technology here. They can make drones very small and turn carbon dioxide into food. It is not clear how they do it, but one thing is for sure. Since there is no currency, I’m afraid Camp 101 won’t be able to trade as freely as in Boulder City.”

"But this does not mean that they do not have trading needs, such as energy, food and fresh water, which are very precious locally. Although we also need these things, we can use part of the surplus to exchange with them."

"I speculate that the deal with Camp 101 may be carried out in a more official form. For example, professional players who run factories can hire highly educated engineers from Camp 101 to produce products on a large scale that were not available before the new alliance. Then For example, maybe they will open a new NPC store here and exchange resources with us for high-tech products.”

Mole on the run in the canyon: "So that means Camp 101 is not a map for players?"

Fang Chang: "It can be said that the main reason is that there are no shops on this map."

Night 10: "Brother Fang is very disappointed. There are no bars here with less clothes. (Funny)"

Fang Chang: "Ganggun, when the hell did I go to a bar like that?"

Makabazi: "Hahahaha! It's exposed, brother!"

Teng Teng: "You guys are so dirty. |･ω･`)"

Mole on the run in the canyon: "What about the mission? Don't interrupt! Are there any missions in the new map?"

Fang Chang: "I didn't see it. The VM signal here is very poor...and it's generally impossible to trigger missions on newly unlocked maps, right?"

Kuangfeng: "But one thing to say is that the cultural level of the people here is really extraordinary. They even have their own school. I took a curious look and they actually teach advanced mathematics."

Trash Picking Level 99: "What the hell?! Even the university has one?"

Ye Shi: "Pfft, you're too boring."

Kuangfeng: "No, I'm just curious... and what surprised me even more is that the students in the class are all relatively young. Generally, unless they are special talents, we don't recommend early exposure to too professional content."

Crow Crow: "You're too young...how young is that? 0.0"

Kuangfeng: "About 12 years old."

Ye Shi: "What the hell!?"

Thunder Dharma King Professor Yang: “Awesome!”

Lao Bai: "Twelve years old...I forgot whether I was in the first grade of junior high school or the sixth grade at that time. (Laughing and crying)"

Irena: "I studied advanced mathematics at the age of 12. What should I study at the age of 16? Building rockets? (Funny)"

Elf King Fugui: "If I give them high-level math homework, will it count as a free use of the developer's computing power? (Funny)"

Ye Shi: "Hello SAO. (Funny)"

Ya'er, I want to go to the toilet and asked: "6666! x-on:Ward's athlete's foot, who is Levin, hahaha, the paper is in place!"

A group of engineering and science players called themselves experts.

Some cloud players from the Department of Mathematics said that there is no need to let middlemen make the difference. They can directly post their assignments on the forum. Each question is one silver coin, the price is fair, and no one can be deceived.

After they save enough silver coins, they plan to transfer the thesis topic into the game and directly let NPC "write it" for them.

After scrolling to the bottom of the post, Chu Guang couldn't help but sigh. His little players are really talented. They can do things like asking NPCs to help write homework and papers.

Look at your little potential, you are so reserved in your dreams.

If there is such an awesome game, why would you write a paper for it? Wouldn’t it be nice to just copy the solid-state hydrogen technology back?

However, it can be seen that the governments of various countries have not disclosed the "true identity" of the operators of "Wasteland OL", and even deliberately concealed relevant clues.

After all, the announcement of such unbelievable things as "extraterrestrial civilization" has no benefit except causing unnecessary panic. On the contrary, it may stimulate an unknown existence.

However, the cautious attitude of official agencies in various countries has helped Chu Guang a lot.

Even if there are people on the forum who tell very scary "ghost stories" all the time, such as "Wasteland OL" is actually a real world, everyone will just laugh when they hear it and don't take it seriously at all.

What about the double-slit interference experiment and measuring the gravitational constant? These are experiments that can be done by everyone. They are too childish. Experiments that are slightly more complicated are less popular at best.

Not to mention that "Wasteland OL" stated in its "announcement" that this game is based on the dream system and is constructed by the player's subconscious and cognition.

Everything the player sees in the game is what the player subconsciously thinks he can see.

Logically speaking, the person in the box can imagine the world outside the box at will, but it is impossible to use the rules in the box to prove the existence of the world outside the box.

The only way to prove that the world outside the box exists is to open the box.

Of course Chu Guang would not do this.

Whether it is the first-hand truth or the second-hand truth, knowing too much is not a good thing.

But when the situation allows, he will try to open the second-hand truth and use a relatively gentle way to help his players get more benefits in reality.

This is not just about money and honor.

It can even be status.

After turning the post from the beginning, Chu Guang thought about it and made a judgment.

"... Mr. Fang's suggestion makes sense. The social situation of Camp 101 is closer to a miniature utopia. Communication with it should be conducted in a more official form."

"But not only should we introduce technical jobs, but we should also introduce some educational talents as much as possible."

Combining the "investigation reports" of Lu Bei and Mr. Fang, the new alliance's investigation of Camp 101 is already very comprehensive.

The only thing that confuses Chu Guang is how this "small and beautiful" utopian society exists in the wasteland.

But this is not the point.

The point is that there are many technologies worth introducing there, which is exactly what the new alliance needs.

Chu Guang said as his index finger swiped across the VM screen.

"Xiao Qi, sort out the clues on the memo for me and update the information about Camp 101 in the official website database."

"Okay, Master!" Xiao Qi's enthusiastic answer came to my ears.

Chu Guang nodded, glanced at the time, and saw that it was almost 8 o'clock, so he continued.

"By the way, there is also the settlement of the expansion pack. Have you finished it?"

"Uh..."

The enthusiastic voice suddenly became a little subtle.

"Xiao Qi has finished it... But Master, are you sure it's really okay?"

Chu Guang was slightly stunned.

"What do you mean..."

Xiao Qi did not answer, and silently sent the settlement form.

Seeing the eye-catching string of numbers on the form, Chu Guang almost choked on his own saliva.

"One hundred million?! Are you sure you didn't count an extra zero?!"

Xiao Qi said aggrievedly.

"How is it possible... and Master, the reward settlement of the previous battles also includes points. This war has lasted for so long, and the average score of players is almost up to 40,000..."

Chu Guang said anxiously.

"That's only..." He stopped talking halfway. This battle has been going on for two months, and new players are joining the game every day. The number of players is no longer the 1,600 at the beginning. Now the number of players in the server is close to 3,000. And not only the frontline players can get points, but also the players engaged in production work in the rear can get points. A line of words popped up on the screen. [QAQ] Chu Guang: "..." Xiao Qi whispered: "How about... diluting the reward pool?" According to past practice, the value of each point is 0.05 silver coins. 100 points are drawn once, some people can get an exoskeleton worth 2,000 silver coins, and some people can only get a discount coupon or a lollipop. If the total number of points is 100 million, in order to ensure the explosion rate, the total cost of the reward pool must be guaranteed to be 5 million silver coins. If it is lower than this number, the explosion rate will be diluted. Originally, Chu Guang expected that the total points issued after the expansion pack was over should be around 20 million, and the cost of the reward pool could be controlled at 1 million silver coins.

Unexpectedly, it increased fivefold.

"I neglected it... This battle is too expensive." Chu Guang looked at the system interface with a look of laughter and tears. He opened the system interface and took a look at the points he had saved.

From the end of the last wave to now, except for occasionally drawing a primary or intermediate blind box, most of his points were left unused, and he has only saved about 1,500 points so far.

15 advanced blind boxes...

I wanted to save enough to draw 20 at a time, but now it seems that I can't save it.

I hope I can get something good.

Otherwise, he has to find a way to get leeks again...

...

At the same time, in the management center of Camp 101, the air purifier made a humming sound.

The gray-haired old man sat in a chair, slightly closed his eyes and fell into deep thought, as if he was asleep.

His name is Horn, and he is the mayor of Camp 101. He is responsible for all matters in the camp and the appointment of various officers.

Half an hour ago, the representatives sent by the New Alliance invited them to visit the settlement.

Camp 101 does not have an officer specifically responsible for foreign affairs. The biggest force they encountered before was the Bone Chewing Tribe.

As for survivor communities with dozens or hundreds of people like the "Good Weather Cooperative" and "Happy Home", they don't need to deliberately contact each other.

The tradition of Camp 101 is to let experts take charge of specific issues. However, what bothers Horn is that he can't find anyone to discuss this issue with, so he can only call all the officers over.

Slowly opening his eyes, he glanced around at the many officers present.

"What do you think?"

Seeing the mayor looking at him, the education officer hesitated for a moment and answered in an uncertain tone.

"He is a very polite child."

This sentence was recognized by many people.

Although the four bodyguards were a little curious and even accidentally broke into their classroom, the representative Lu Bei was indeed very polite.

This is also what confuses them the most.

Those who are most like the residents of the shelter are behaving beyond their common sense.

Horn sighed softly.

"I'm not asking you what you think of that kid. What I want to ask is what you think of the New Alliance."

The security officer thought for a moment and said.

"They are very powerful. It only took two months to end the war."

When the war was going on outside, Camp 101 was not completely unaware. They had been secretly spying on the screen.

Including using cameras installed on the surface and releasing short-range drones.

The weapons of the New Alliance are not of high technological content, but they are sufficient in number.

The overwhelming firepower and continuous air strikes helped them win the war.

If he were asked to evaluate, he would have only one opinion.

This survivor is very powerful!

The production officer whispered, "...but they use child labor, that child should be a soldier."

Education officer: "Most of the survivors outside are like this. After all, their average life expectancy is only 35 years old. We can't ask them to be like us and take up key positions after the age of 40."

Tris, who was standing aside, suddenly said, "Maybe the other party just sent a young man here to express goodwill."

Although he is not an officer, as a "gatekeeper", his status in Camp 101 is not low.

That Lu Bei gave him a good first impression.

Generally, the awakened people in the wasteland would like to jump their noses to the sky, but the young man was very polite.

The other party did not send an aggressive representative to show them hegemony, which at least shows that they have the idea of ​​getting along in a friendly manner.

This sentence was recognized by many people present.

"I think we should go to their settlements, not just in Dawn City, but also to their capital... the place called Dawn City."

"Indeed, it would be best if we could meet their managers. Shelters are different from shelters..."

Horn pondered for a long time and said.

"I think so too. We can't be isolated from the world forever, and we can't hide underground forever... Besides, they have expanded their territory to our doorstep."

Everyone whispered.

At this time, the education officer spoke.

"But the question is... who should we send?"

Horn thought for a moment and said slowly.

"They sent a child here, so let's send one too."

The security officer hesitated and said, "Is this... too dangerous?"

"Of course, it's impossible to send only one person for this kind of thing. Industry, economy, population... we have too little information, and there are too many things to investigate."

The production officer nodded.

"My suggestion is that we should send at least two or three experts."

The security officer frowned.

"But what about safety? There are more dangers outside than just predators... Don't forget how much we paid to collect samples from the nearby forest."

There are not enough people...

Horn leaned back in his chair, thinking for a long time, and made a decision, pressing his index finger lightly between his brows.

"I will ask my master to arrange a bodyguard for him."