"Old Li! Have a seat first!"
The Town Chief waved his hand at Engineer Li.
"Um, Executive Officer, let me explain. The town currently has over 3600 people, and the daily consumption of domestic water alone is 10 tons! Every step of metal smelting also requires a large amount of water. Although we will recycle this industrial water as much as possible, generally speaking, producing one ton of alloy consumes 7 tons of 'new water'. Thirty tons of alloy a month means 210 tons of water..."
So that's how it is.
He learned something new again, Lu Yuan sighed in his heart.
This is different from the P-game "Stellaris", where as long as there is electricity, ore, and industrial zones, alloys can be continuously produced.
He did a quick mental calculation and said, "When we captured the Stormwind Gang's branch camp before, we took over a total of 500 tons of fresh water. Take 300 tons to use first; that should meet your needs for a month, right?"
"Yes..." The Town Chief's tone was cautious, "But electricity and food, and other supplies..."
"Other supplies will also be resolved."
Lu Yuan smiled slightly.
"I will draft a new cooperation agreement as soon as possible. Under the framework of the new agreement, Cangyuan will provide comprehensive assistance to Red Iron Town, helping you establish power stations, farms, water treatment centers, and light industries. Oh, right, the houses that were damaged before can also be repaired along the way."
What?!
The Town Chief suspected he had misheard, and his staff were also deeply shocked.
In the post-apocalyptic era, could there actually be such a great thing?
"But, Executive Officer, what is the price?" The Town Chief asked cautiously.
Lu Yuan gave him a meaningful look.
"The specific terms are still under consideration. In short, let's get the construction started first; this cannot be delayed. Correspondingly, you have to promise me two things first."
The Town Chief almost stood up.
"We are all ears."
Lu Yuan: "First, during the construction process, Red Iron Town must also provide personnel. I will tell the workers exactly what needs to be done, and you will pay them wages no less than their previous positions."
"Second, I want to establish a branch camp in the mining area. On your side, there should also be 'Mech Guardians' underground, right?"
"Yes!" The Town Chief replied, "The ore quality in some underground areas is very good, but because of the Mech Guardians, we have never dared to go deep."
"Okay, Cangyuan's people will clear the obstacles."
Lu Yuan's tone was light and casual.
According to his estimate, the players would be able to take down this new instance within a few weeks.
"So, when will the construction begin?" The Town Chief asked.
"How about now?"
"Now?"
Lu Yuan led everyone outside. The players wearing exoskeletons had already unloaded the goods from the heavy-duty trucks.
"These are... solar panels?"
Engineer Li recognized the goods.
Jubian: "Yes, exactly. Have you seen them before?"
Engineer Li: "Hmm... I've seen them in Oasis City. They can produce this kind of high-grade goods on a small scale, but the technology transfer is strictly prohibited. As you know, City Lord Cole doesn't want us to acquire the ability to generate electricity..."
"Call a few more people over," Lu Yuan said to the Town Chief. "Caoyuan will take them up the mountain, pick a terrain that is not easily attacked, and assemble the solar panels. This equipment is enough to provide one-third of the town's electricity consumption, and there will be more later."
"Okay, I'll go now!" The Town Chief quickly bowed in thanks.
"In addition, I also need a sufficiently large underground cave hall to place agricultural production units."
Agricultural production units are very fragile and are best protected by sturdy fortifications.
"Agricultural, units... What is that?"
The Town Chief didn't understand.
"Simply put, it's a bungalow used for growing crops," Lu Yuan explained. "One mu of land is enough to feed 200 strong young people."
The panels in the airdrop pod can be assembled into 6 standard units. Keeping 3 in the camp is enough, and 3 were brought to Red Iron Town this time.
The town needs at least 20 agricultural production units to solve the problem of food and clothing. In terms of crop yield alone, 3 is just a drop in the bucket. The key is to let the residents know that they will soon be able to eat what they grow themselves, which can boost morale.
The Town Chief and Engineer Li looked at each other.
People cannot imagine things beyond common sense. How could a house grow crops to feed 200 big guys?
However, since the Executive Officer said it, it should be fine.
Lu Yuan: "Later, my Engineers will connect with you regarding the sewage purification system and house repair issues. Does the town have sewers now?"
The Town Chief shook his head somewhat sheepishly.
"No, sir. Domestic water is severely insufficient in the Desert. Flush toilets and sewers can only be afforded in Oasis City..."
"Then you need to call more people to dig. A centralized water cycle purification system must be used with sewers."
"Okay!"
"In addition, about 20 mining robots will be sent later. They are still gifts, please accept them."
Hearing this, Wo Yao Chi Dan Ta really couldn't understand.
Huh?
Another free gift?
In her opinion, mining robots are Cangyuan's most competitive and highest value-added commodity. Giving away 4 last time to show goodwill was almost enough, so why give more this time? And 20 at once?
The players didn't say anything, but judging from their expressions, many people had the same question as her.
In short, although there were many questions in their minds, the assistance and construction action officially began.
With the assistance of the Red Iron Town workers, the players quickly built a solar power station and temporarily returned to the camp.
Starting tomorrow, large-scale construction will begin.
Lu Yuan, who returned to the camp, did not sit idle but continued to think about the development strategy for the next period.
The number of players can be increased later, but this is not as simple as issuing a beta test spot online. It also requires the production of corresponding hibernation pods, combat suits, personal digital equipment, and weapons and ammunition.
If the number of players is increased while carrying out assistance and construction, the industrial capacity may never be able to grow rapidly.
After careful consideration, he made a decision.
For the next two weeks, the recruitment of new beta players will be suspended, and production will be expanded with full effort.
Of the three large 3D printers, one was given to Jubian as previously decided.
Building a nuclear missile defense system is more important than anything else.
The remaining two will produce small 3D printers day and night. The small 3D printers produced should not be left idle but used to make Mechanical Hive production lines.
Mechanical Hive production lines are used to produce civilian goods with lower precision and strength requirements, such as various building materials used to support Red Iron Town, until the reserves of metal and petrochemical raw materials are consumed to below 40%.
Replicate production materials with production materials, and achieve an exponential surge in capacity within the limits of resource endowment!
According to Lu Yuan's estimation, after two weeks, he will have 12 small 3D printers and 3 to 4 Mechanical Hive production lines.
A manufacturing center is steadily developing!












