Lin Cheng Base.
The team had been gone for a week. During this week, Jin Wenye, Shen Qian, and others had been working non-stop, with no free time at all.
Although the mass attack by aliens was just a hypothesis, they dared not take any chances. Besides arranging everything in the base and accelerating weapon manufacturing, and having combat personnel intensify their training, they also tried their best to disseminate information.
007 would only alert them when aliens truly appeared, but at Jin Wenye's request, he also helped spread some news. Unfortunately, communication in most areas was completely paralyzed, and much of the information would not reach many people even if it was spread. What made him most desperate was that not only other bases, but even many people in their own base did not believe this matter.
The batch of grain crops they had planted had not yet matured, and delaying the harvest would cause losses. As far as they were concerned, Lin Cheng Base was full of experts, and even if aliens appeared, it would not have much impact.
Thus, they delayed day by day. The reinforcement and heightening of the city walls were difficult construction projects, and the progress was slow. They could not be completed in half a month. For safety, everyone had to rush the work day and night.
This caused widespread discontent among many people below, who were on the verge of striking.
During another meeting, Shen Qian voiced his dissatisfaction: "Have you guys noticed we've raised a bunch of grown babies? They don't listen when you tell them, and when danger truly comes, they complain that we don't protect them well. Damn it, it's so annoying!"
He had wanted to say this for a long time. Some people in the base had lived too comfortable a life and had almost forgotten that this was a doomsday full of dangers. They lived under the protection of the base, and the relatively fair system of Lin Cheng Base allowed them to avoid becoming slaves to ability users.
Yet, such treatment had made them increasingly presumptuous.
Others had nothing to say, especially the soldiers. Although the significance of the country had ceased to exist, their deeply ingrained belief in serving the people for decades would not change. Even if the actions of ordinary people brought them danger, they would still save those people.
Jin Wenye also felt quite helpless about this. "I will give a broadcast speech tomorrow noon, urging them to come back quickly. We can't do anything about those who are unwilling to return. At critical moments, we will act for the benefit of the majority."
At this moment, Jin Wenye would never have imagined that this sentence would almost cost the lives of the two people he loved most.
"Sang Jue's side has sent word that they have picked up the person and are now preparing to cross the river. They should be back within a week."
Others stood up to report on their department's work: "The reinforcement of the city walls in the East District has been progressing slowly. In the past two days, many people have gone on strike, which has caused great trouble to our work progress. They do not believe that a large number of aliens will invade. Some people not only refuse to work themselves but also instigate others to stop working."
"Because of the plan to go out of the city to farm, many people from other places took the opportunity to sneak into Lin Cheng, reselling the base's water and medicine. Some people have even opened brothels, gambling dens, nightclubs, and other establishments. The most serious is in the West District."
Jin Wenye's expression turned grim. He said with a dark face, "Control all those who spread negative remarks and make an example of them when necessary. As for those who secretly resell base supplies to other places, arrest a group of them as a warning. Those establishments in the West District must be cleared out within three days. If anyone resists, kill them. No one is allowed to do anything detrimental to the base. This crisis may be the greatest one in history. Please be vigilant, everyone!"
"Yes!"
"If there's nothing else, everyone can get back to work."
The people in the conference room gradually stood up and left.
Jin Wenye noticed a young man in the back row who had not left. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was someone from the Sang family.
"Do you have something else?"
"Brother-in-law," the man said with a fawning smile, "Are you really going to shut all of those down? I don't think it's necessary."
Jin Wenye did not want to get close to him, but now Lin Wan had a good relationship with several women in the Sang family. The young people of the Sang family, led by Sang Jue, all held grassroots management positions in the base. Shen Qian had even had a child with the adopted daughter of the Sang family who had replaced Lin Wan's identity. They were now as sweet as honey, so he had to consider them a little. "What do you want to say?"
The man smiled and said, "I just think those things are a little bit of fun for everyone after they've been busy. Everyone is tense now, and it's okay to relax once in a while..."
"Are you running one of them?" Jin Wenye got straight to the point.
The man's smile was somewhat subtle.
Anger gradually appeared in Jin Wenye's eyes. "Get rid of them by the end of today, or don't blame me for being ruthless! If you ever set up something like this again, I'll deal with you."
The man's smile completely froze. Jin Wenye gave him a look of "you're on your own" and then left the conference room.
The man stared at Jin Wenye's retreating back, feeling unconvinced. However, Jin Wenye was the highest manager of the base and a high-level ability user. He couldn't defeat him, and his backing was also inferior. He could only resentfully spit at him before leaving.
The next day at noon, Jin Wenye gave a speech in the broadcasting room.
After a customary greeting, he got to the point.
"Regarding the possibility of a large-scale alien invasion in a week, the base has broadcast this several times, but some people do not believe it and do not take it seriously. I would like to remind everyone that Mr. Shen has left temporarily, and without his defense, you all know what kind of attack we will face. Within three days, please make all necessary preparations according to the requirements. Anyone who does not comply with the temporary regulations will be directly expelled from the base. For the benefit of the majority, please cooperate with the implementation of the new regulations..."
He explained several temporary regulations to others, including the base gates closing after three days, and no one being allowed to go outside. To ensure basic rights, everyone's rations would be distributed by the base. All "newcomers" would either leave within three days or be gathered in a specific location. If they were found to be in violation, they would be directly expelled.
An hour after the announcement, Jin Wenye closed the equipment and came out of the broadcasting room. He saw a little dumpling squatting at the door waiting for him, with a young man and woman standing beside him.
"Daddy!"
The child, seeing him come out, immediately pounced on him excitedly. Jin Wenye squatted down and picked him up. The child was plump and soft, like a little tangyuan, incredibly cute.
"Why did you come out? Where's Mommy?"
"Mommy is at home," he pointed to the two young people. "Brother and sister brought me."
Jin Wenye looked over. The girl nodded slightly. "Mr. Jin, Madam came to deliver provisions to the kitchen, and the young master wanted to find you, so Madam asked us to bring him."
Jin Wenye nodded. "You can go back. He's with me."
"Yes."
The two left. Jin Wenye hugged the child and chatted about things at home. The child clearly didn't understand and spoke illogically, saying strange things.
"Did you listen to Mommy?"
"Yes, baby is good!"
"Baby is so good, where do you want to play?"
"I want to see sister!"
"Okay, I'll take you to see sister."
"..."