Seven o'clock in the evening.
The night is deep.
Next to the towering steel fortress, a heavy truck stopped steadily.
Compared with the driver who jumped off the car, the size of this car can be described as majestic. However, if it is put together with the steel platform and tracks beside it, the majestic figure seems a little small.
From a distance, it looks like a small insect crawling on the edge of the shoe.
The driver who got off the car used a tablet to operate the automatic loading and unloading platform to unload cubic metal blocks from the truck.
These metal blocks are all pressed from recycled garbage. The specifications are all cubes with a length, width and height of one meter each, and the density ranges from 6 to 7g/m3.
There are car doors, engine hoods, and various metal parts inside, all of which are firmly pressed together, and it is difficult to tell what they looked like before.
It must be said that the residents of the shelter are really capable. Not only are they physically strong, but they are also very enthusiastic about work. They almost scraped off everything that can be recycled.
The only complaint is that they seem to have stuffed in the non-recyclable stuff...
But it's not a big deal.
These metal blocks will be sent to a special processing workshop later, running from one module to another, going through a series of automated production processes, and finally becoming what they need.
Unusable waste will be automatically removed from the production line during the production process.
The engineer wearing a thick protective suit and a hard hat unfolded the flexible screen of the tablet computer and walked towards Li De who was standing next to the temporary warehouse.
"Today's collection volume is a total of 112 tons of scrap steel. I will send them to the production line later, and tomorrow we can start the track replacement operation."
Li De: "How much steel do we need in total? I mean, that kind of garbage."
Engineer: "At least 3,000 tons... maybe 5,000 tons."
Li De frowned.
"Why is the error so big?"
The engineer said helplessly.
"There's no way. The quality of the steel in those civilian vehicles is too poor. It's probably to save cost and weight. A lot of non-recyclable carbon-based copolymers are filled in them. In addition to the oxidized parts, basically one ton of scrap steel can be recycled 400 kilograms. It's very optimistic."
"In addition, I have to say that we need not only steel, but also rare metals... I don't expect to get titanium or uranium in this damn place, but tungsten is the bottom line. Otherwise, we can only advance 500 kilometers to the west and have to break down again."
Tracks and wheels are the hardest hit areas of wear and tear.
Not to mention mechanical structures such as bearings and drive wheels. Even if they are not as severely worn as tracks, regular replacement is necessary.
In fact, in theory, the recycling value of abandoned vehicles in underground garages that are not soaked in water is relatively high, and the recycling rate can reach about 40% or even 50%.
If it is those abandoned vehicles exposed in the wilderness or on uninhabited roads, the recycling rate may be as low as 30%.
After all, rainwater is weakly acidic under natural conditions. Even if the acidity of carbonic acid is weak, two centuries of "pickling" will cause damage even if the material technology is advanced.
Moreover, pickling is more deadly than oxidation. Oxidation is just rusting, and the frame may collapse, but the metal elements are still there and will not run away. If it is pickling, the ionized cations will be brought into the soil by rainwater, and then they will really be lost.
Li De frowned even more tightly, thinking carefully about what the engineer said to him.
Anchor again after 500 kilometers...
According to the route they planned on the map, they may not be able to get out of the river valley province after 500 kilometers.
If they anchor in the wilderness, they will be really finished.
"I understand the situation. I will ask the Marine Division to send a search team to focus on searching for rare metal materials in this area."
The engineer shook his head and said.
"It's hard to expect to find it in this area. I suggest looking for it near the Fifth Ring Road in Qingquan City. A basic common sense is that the more densely populated the civilization activities are, the higher the macro-utilization rate of rare metals is. Especially those maglev vehicles, whether it is the magnetic generation device on the vehicle, or the high-rise buildings along the way and the maglev roadbed buried under the highway, they all contain what we need... These cannot be found in the suburbs without a three-dimensional road network."
"Also, the work of finding controlled fusion fuel rods must be started quickly. The fuel rod we are currently using only has 8% of fusion fuel left. Even if our tracks don't break down, I'm afraid we have to find a place to stop and solve this problem."
Li De: "How long will the remaining energy last?"
Engineer: "It will last us a long time, but you know, we can't stay here forever."
If it's just that little production consumption, this 8% of energy will be enough for them to use until next year.
But as his engineer said, they can't stay here forever.
The most energy-consuming part of this land fortress is not the production workshops on it, but its four engines.
Pushing a fortress weighing tens of thousands of tons to move forward steadily on land, if converted into a diesel engine, it is estimated that at least a few tons of oil are needed for one kilometer, which is equivalent to 1~2 armored divisions marching on off-road terrain.
Li De: "The contact point of Shelter No. 404 has just been built, and their people are helping us find a guide. We should be able to set off within two days at the earliest, and there shouldn't be any big problems."
The engineer sighed.
"I hope so. In fact, compared with the collection work, recycling nuclear fuel rods is not so urgent. As long as we can find them before departure, it will be fine. Speaking of this, I have to praise those blue coats. Their work efficiency is beyond my expectations. What benefits did you promise them? I think they are working as hard as if they were on drugs."
When he said the second half of the sentence, the engineer had an unbelievable expression on his face and looked at his boss with curiosity.
Li De also had a complicated expression on his face, as if he didn't know how to answer this question.
To be honest, when he saw the results of today's resource collection, he was also very surprised.
According to their past experience, hiring local survivors to help pick up garbage is good enough to collect 300 kilograms of garbage every day. After all, cutting, moving, and compacting all take time, and the natives are relatively stupid, and they are also slow at work, which makes people's blood pressure soar.
However, these blue jackets only took an afternoon to collect more than 500 kilograms per person! It reached 200% of their expectations!
If they were given a whole day, wouldn't the per capita scavenging capacity be more than one ton?
This work enthusiasm is simply unparalleled!
Although it has nothing to do with him, Li De couldn't help but wonder how much their managers paid them to make them so motivated.
"Where are they?"
"They are back and are cooking in the camp now."
Li De nodded.
It's good to be back safely.
At this time, a staff member from the logistics department suddenly came from the side.
"Chief, there's a call for you."
"Transfer the call to me."
Li De took out a toothpick-box-sized headset from his pocket and hung it next to his ear. He stretched out his index finger and tapped the white headset lightly.
The dark green beam projected forward, and soon a three-dimensional holographic image was woven in front of him, showing the other party's facial features and bust.
"Your holographic communication system is good, how much is it?"
Looking at Chu Guang, who was curious about the situation, Li De coughed lightly.
"... We haven't considered selling this for the time being."
"Okay."
Chu Guang in the holographic image nodded, as if to show understanding, and Li De hoped that he really understood.
Li De continued with a smile on his face.
"What's the matter?"
Chu Guang did not answer the question directly, but looked at him and smiled, and said in a relaxed tone.
"Nothing special, I just want to ask, what do you think of the work efficiency of our workers?"
"Very...very good." Li De wanted to say very good, but suddenly thought that the person in front of him was an old fox who was good at disguise, so he immediately changed his words.
Unfortunately, the other party seemed to catch the change in his facial expression, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Li De suddenly felt a little regretful.
Or maybe he shouldn't have brought this holographic imaging communication equipment over.
The original intention of this thing is to make communication more convenient.
But now it seems that only one person is convenient.
"I'm glad to get such a high evaluation from you!"
"Well, it's not as high as you think, but it's not bad. I have to admit that your workers are very dedicated, which is very valuable."
"Then let's talk about the cost issue!"
Hearing this, Li De's expression changed instantly. Although it was far from turning against each other, it was still a bit ugly.
"My friend, haven't we already discussed the salary? A temporary price increase is not a sign of keeping one's word."
"Please don't be nervous, my friend," Chu Guang smiled to ease the atmosphere, and then continued, "I'm not talking about the salary issue, but about... um, value-added services."
"Value-added services?" Li De was stunned for a moment, and his tense expression subconsciously relaxed a little.
It was the first time he heard such a strange word.
Chu Guang smiled and continued, "Yes, when you want to improve the efficiency of the workers, you have to put money in their pockets and bribe them to work harder, instead of giving them a fixed salary... or to put it more euphemistically, you have to give them commissions so that they can feel the joy of growth in the production process. Do you want to know how I do it?"
Li De wanted to say that he didn't want to know, but he always felt that no matter what he said, this guy would find a reason to continue the topic, so he simply stopped talking.
Sure enough, the manager in the blue jacket in front of him did not "disappoint" him. This guy didn't even give him time to respond, and continued to talk to himself without pausing for a second.
"In addition to the stipulated hourly wage, I will give them a sum of money for every kilogram of scrap steel they collect, so they will work hard. The numbers you see on the production list now are not because of their courage and strength and the dedication you mentioned, but because I spent money."
Li De didn't want to listen anymore.
It was actually the same idea after all the twists and turns.
He said with a straight face.
"How much do you want?"
Chu Guang smiled and said.
"Not much. Considering our close relationship, how about 5CR per ton? It's just the money for a few more buckets of instant noodles for you."
Although he would not use this money to buy instant noodles.
After hearing Chu Guang's request, Li De did not express his opinion immediately, but silently calculated in his mind.
If the daily production capacity is 200 tons, it means that they have to spend an extra 1000CR budget.
How to say it?
This number is just stuck in a very ambiguous range.
If I don't pay this money, then the other party probably won't use the "extra" money to subsidize their workers and stimulate them to increase production. By then, even if those blue jackets don't slack off, I'm afraid it will be difficult for them to work as hard as they did today.
Should I spend nearly 1,000 CR a day to buy the so-called value-added services?
Or maintain the current fixed expenses and reduce the production capacity to a "normal" level?
Chu Guang did not urge him, but waited patiently for the head of the logistics department to think.
His brows relaxed and then wrinkled, and he seemed to have made a judgment in his heart. Li De stared at his holographic image with a straight face and said.
"What about today's value-added services? Do I have to pay you extra money?"
Hearing this, Chu Guang smiled happily.
Having worked in sales, he knows this too well.
When customers keep asking for prices or finding faults, it means that he is hesitant in his heart. Maybe he will buy it, maybe not, the probability is 50-50.
And when customers put aside the transaction itself and ask about those insignificant gifts, the transaction is basically stable.
The next step is to make the customer feel that he has taken advantage of it.
"That's not necessary. Today's 6 hours is the trial period of value-added services, which is free of charge."
Li De laughed.
"You taught me a lesson... Are you interested in working in the company? I can write you a letter of introduction and recommend you to the management. To be honest, it's a waste of your talent to stay in this hellhole."
Chu Guang said modestly: "I dare not. I just want my residents to survive in this miserable world, so I live a more frugal life."
I felt a little better.
Li De sighed lightly, looked up at the sky, and slowly lowered his head.
"Deal."
...
It's not unacceptable to spend an extra 1000CR per day.
After all, the labor cost here is much cheaper than the machine cost, and the efficiency of the latter may not be higher than the former in a complex environment.
1000CR is only 500 kilograms of food, or one ton of monosaccharides or polysaccharides that can be synthesized by "consuming a little air".
If they need gunpowder rifles, it would be easier to say. The cost of processing the leftovers from processing parts may be cheaper than crops that need time to grow.
At this time, several soldiers from the Marine Division, drivers, and engineers were coming back from the direction of the shelter camp, talking and laughing, with their shoulders hooked.
"That mashed potato is so delicious!"
"How did they come up with this? They can actually use steam to cook food! And it tastes so good!"
"According to the data, people seem to have eaten this way 300 years ago."
"300 years ago?! That's really a long time ago."
"Yes, it's even longer than the prosperous era... But I doubt that steaming alone can really kill the microorganisms in the food?"
"Look at your ignorant look, the temperature of steam is much higher than that of boiling water!"
"That's the reason... Well, the only problem that can be found is that it consumes more fuel. Boil the water first, and then use steam to heat the food. These blue coats are enjoying their lives."
"More strange knowledge."
Today's work is over. If there is no emergency, the rest of the time belongs to them.
The most pleasant enjoyment in life is to get off work on time after a busy day, take a comfortable hot bath, then go to the cafeteria to get a cup of synthetic milk or hot cocoa, go to the activity room to play two rounds of billiards or poker with colleagues, and chat by the way.
By the way, I have to share the joy of tasting delicious food with everyone!
You can buy a bowl of fragrant mashed potatoes with the price of a bucket of instant noodles, which is really affordable!
And there is also pine nut stewed fish soup tonight! It seems to be called this name.
I don't know what kind of grass those blue jackets put in the soup, but it makes those fishy mutant catfish smell less smelly. When you bite it, you feel full of collagen. The taste and taste are simply amazing!
The food they usually eat is relatively light, with less salt and less oil. Although the nutrition is completely sufficient, the taste is always a little worse.
The "canteen" of those blue jackets was good in every way, except that they needed to bring their own bowls and chopsticks, and there were no disposable bowls.
But this was not a big deal for them.
A few people first found an engineer brother who was engaged in production in the logistics department to discuss it, and soon convinced the guy with a bowl of mashed potatoes, and asked him to operate the processing workshop with a tablet to make them a few thin paper-like steel bowls and spoons for drinking soup.
These steel bowls were not pure steel, but polymer composite steel. The materials were mainly the leftover scraps left over from cutting steel, plus some cheap synthetic resins, and the cost was very cheap. They all used them as disposable bowls and chopsticks, and threw them away after use, saving even the effort of washing dishes.
"...We are busy outside, but those lucky bastards are sitting in the office blowing hot air. It's so annoying!"
"That's right. If I don't show off to them, I'll be sorry for the northwest wind I drank today!"
"I agree. I must show off!"
"Hahaha, these bastards are so greedy!"
A group of young men reached a consensus and got on the elevator with laughter. It felt like finding an oasis in the desert.
Li De, who was standing not far away counting the materials, and the engineer holding the tablet looked confused. It seemed that they understood what they were saying, but it seemed that they didn't understand.
"...?"
"?"