The convoy journeyed for over a day, encountering two waves of zombies along the way, and finally reached Kaoshan Farm without any danger.
The term "backing" refers to the Xing'an Mountains north of the farm. These towering mountains are located to the northwest, acting as a natural barrier against the cold winds from the northern Siberian plains. This positioning allows warm and humid air to gather, creating slightly better climate conditions compared to the surrounding areas.
The coal city lies more than 300 kilometers to the east, the ice city 400 kilometers to the south, and the flower city 100 kilometers to the southwest. Despite several nearby county towns, the population is not large due to the inconvenient transportation caused by mountains to the north and northwest.
The Qixing River, originating in the Xing'an Mountains, flows through the farm, nourishing the land. Over several hundred kilometers, most of the area consists of fertile farmland. In the past, there was even a gold mine near the Xing'an Mountains. Ye Fan recalled hearing about gold mining in his childhood, but it gradually disappeared, possibly due to limited reserves. Nevertheless, he decided to try mining, relying on Red Alert's advanced technology.
Ye Fan's motorcade reached Kaoshan Farm, stopping at the edge of the Qixing River. Engineer Luo Jiaxin, accompanied by two new engineers, approached Ye Fan to discuss the strategic placement of the base.
"Sir, I believe the location you've chosen is excellent. The mountains to the north act as a natural barrier, and the Qixing River provides a steady water supply. I suggest building the base at the foot of the Qixing River, allowing it to flow through the base. This ensures a constant supply of drinking water," suggested Engineer Luo Jiaxin.
"Meaning, let the river pass through the base?" Ye Fan inquired.
"Yes, water is essential for survival. We must control the water source to guarantee our survival. This is a fundamental requirement," Luo Jiaxin emphasized.
Ye Fan acknowledged the practicality of Luo Jiaxin's suggestion but realized the extensive work it entailed. Designing a base with a river passing through it transforms it into a small city.
Luo Jiaxin continued outlining his plan, emphasizing the need for Ye Fan to determine his living area within the core of the base. He handed Ye Fan a prepared drawing, recommending a location close to the river for easy access to water and a pleasant view.
The core area, where Ye Fan would reside, would be followed by the Red Alert internal base. Luo Jiaxin advised against opening this part to the public, and it would cover a considerable area. He presented detailed plans, including power plants, military camps, radar stations, tank factories, air command departments, and more.
He also recommended separating these buildings with walls, ensuring the military camps and tank factories were strategically placed to avoid disturbing the soldiers' rest. Luo Jiaxin emphasized the importance of not allowing survivors into the area during times of war.
Regarding the required area for the internal base, Luo Jiaxin explained that it depended on the army's structure. For a battalion, one square kilometer sufficed; for a regiment, at least three square kilometers were necessary. For a brigade, the area would be several times larger, potentially requiring eight or nine square kilometers.
Ye Fan, surveying the surroundings, realized that this location might not be enough for a brigade. With Red Alert units and an increasing number of survivors, the wall's cost alone was an astronomical figure. Even a five-meter-high wall would cost one million gold for a rectangular internal area with a circumference of 10,000 meters.
"Okay, the internal area will be designed for four square kilometers for strengthening the team. We can expand it as the team grows. Ensure the design is reasonable and manageable, with buildings not affecting each other," Ye Fan instructed.
Engineer Luo Jiaxin and his team swiftly got to work on the designs, while Ye Fan pondered the cost of the walls.
"It turns out the wall is the major expense. This base won't be able to win even if the wall alone doesn't cost several million gold," Ye Fan realized.
In his moment of uncertainty, Nana provided a voice prompt, "The engineer's drawing has been completed, and the commander has decided to start base construction. In order to save costs, the material recycling station has been unlocked. Please check it, sir!"