NOVPUB
Chapter 221: Chapter 221 Establishing a Base
The construction of the new base progressed in an orderly manner.
Building a base with just over fifty people could be considered a joke elsewhere, but for Han Yi, it wasn’t a difficult task. He was inherently adept at management and strategy, and behind him lay an invisible massive warehouse.
The most critical issues at the moment were heating and food.
Heating. Han Yi had solar heating systems, but they weren’t enough. If they encountered several consecutive days of rain or snow, the heating systems would stop working. Therefore, it was necessary to stock up on coal.
As for food, with about a month left before the Ice Age, they had to build enough warm sheds in this month to ensure that, even with the onset of the Ice Age, they could continue to cultivate and supply crops. The warm sheds also involved heating issues.
In an antique imperial study, Lu Changyuan and Han Yi stood on either side of the desk, conversing.
"The heating problem is relatively easy to solve. There are ready-made coal mines in Qingyang. After Li Jian’s death, his underlings are fighting each other bloody for the top position. We can trade weapons and ammunition with one of them to get a coal supply from him," said Lu Changyuan, pointing at the map spread out on the desk.
As he spoke, he pointed on the map, "But the farm is a bit more troublesome. I’ve had people check it out: the farm has very complete facilities and is only two kilometers from our base, which isn’t far. However, there’s a river and a small forest in between, with no direct route, which is inconvenient and unsafe."
"Then let’s build an overpass directly from the base to the farm, similar to a pedestrian overpass that goes straight to the farm. Plus, this would keep us clear of Alien Species and Mutant Beasts," Han Yi replied. 𝓃𝓸𝓋𝓹𝓾𝓫.𝒸ℴ𝓶
Lu Changyuan’s expression showed difficulty, "There’s definitely not enough time..." Such an overpass, even prior to the apocalyptic world, would take at least several months to build—with their current lack of concrete, sand, and manpower, they certainly couldn’t finish it within a month.
But Han Yi shook his head slightly, "No rush, we’ll first build supports underneath, then use chains to make a cableway. After the Ice Age hits, we’ll find some Ice Type Superpower Users to construct an ice bridge based on the cableway. It should only take a day or two to complete."
At these words, Lu Changyuan’s eyes lit up. An ice bridge! Indeed, that was a solution! Not only was it solid, but it also saved on materials and time!
After thinking a little, Han Yi added, "Though it’s theoretically feasible, the bridge’s best and sturdiest structure should be determined by a professional. We are all laymen after all, and when it’s time to hire, we should hire."
Lu Changyuan nodded, "Hmm, in the next few days, Xiao Jian and the others are going to buy cement and sand from several bases, and they can spread the word about hiring at the same time. It’s also a good opportunity to let others know about our new base."
As he said this, he paused, looking at Han Yi with a teasing smile, "We’ve been calling it ’the base’ for several days now, isn’t it high time we decided on a name for it?"
With a slight smile, Han Yi replied, "It’s already chosen."
Lu Changyuan asked, "What’s the name?"
"Space-Time." As he spoke, Han Yi picked up a pen from the side and wrote two characters at the location of the ancient city on the map, "Space-Time Base."
Lu Changyuan gave him a sidelong glance, "Showing off on purpose?"
Knowing that the Long Family was looking for the Space-Time Beast and still deliberately choosing such a name?
Han Yi gave a faint smile, which served as an acknowledgement, then added, "When you go to hire, you can let slip that the Space-Time Base is very safe and won’t be attacked by Alien Species or Mutant Beasts. As for the reason, just make something up."
Lu Changyuan was taken aback, then scrutinized Han Yi for a while, asking, "Really?"
If it were any other time, he would never question Han Yi, for Han Yi never lied; he disdained making up falsehoods. But to say that the base would never suffer attacks from Alien Species and Mutant Beasts... Lu Changyuan was a bit skeptical. Once the word got out, people would definitely flock to the new base. What if... what if they were attacked by a Mutant Beast? How would they explain it then?
Especially from Mutant Bird attacks, which were nearly impossible to defend against. Currently, it seemed that only Chujiang and Yunan had developed a device to drive them off with sound. Nonetheless, it was still common for bases to find themselves surrounded by Alien Species, prompting many to strengthen their walls lately.
Han Yi nodded with a smile, "Wherever the Space-Time Beast is, that place is safe."
Lu Changyuan was stunned, "You mean... Pepper?"
Han Yi: "Pretty close."
Just as Lu Changyuan was astonished, Han Jiaojiao came running in with a painting, full of joy, "Brother, brother! I’ve finished my painting! Isn’t it beautiful?"
The two people in the room turned their heads at the sound.
——The paper was large, and on it was a banner, using black as the base color, with a beautiful purple and pristine white sketching out the Space-Time Beast’s totem pattern in the center.
It was boldly and heavily colored, but it didn’t feel frivolous; quite the opposite, it gave off a sense of magnificent solemnity.
Appreciation shone in Lu Changyuan’s eyes, "Our base’s flag? It’s beautiful!"
Han Jiaojiao was very proud, "I made several drafts, and this one is the one I’m most satisfied with; the effect after coloring also looks good."
She leaned towards Han Yi, like a little kid waiting for praise, tilting her little face up at her brother, asking, "Do you like it?"
Han Yi took the painting from her hand and looked at it seriously for a while before replying with a smile, "Mhm, it’s very pretty."
Almost jumping with joy, Han Jiaojiao exclaimed, "Then let’s find someone to print it out fast and hang it up high! Letting everyone see it!"
Lu Changyuan replied with a smile, "Give it to me, I need to go down and give some instructions anyway, I might as well take care of the flag as well."
Han Jiaojiao happily handed the painting draft to Lu Changyuan.
Lu Changyuan indulged in mild teasing with a great mood, "Jiaojiao, have you forgotten? You still owe me a painting."
"Ah?" Han Jiaojiao looked at Lu Changyuan, puzzled.
"Didn’t you say you would give me a detailed brush painting of an Alien Species?" Lu Changyuan helped her recall, "Back when we first moved into the villa, remember? You said you would paint a big one for me."
"Oh!...." Han Jiaojiao remembered and smiled shyly, "I forgot, Lu bro, I’ll paint it for you tomorrow!"
"No rush, you can paint it after we get through this busy period," Lu Changyuan rolled up the painting in his hands, waved at Han Yi and Han Jiaojiao, "I’ll go get busy."
After finishing speaking, Lu Changyuan walked out of the study.
The spacious study was left with only Han Yi and Han Jiaojiao.
With nothing better to do, Han Jiaojiao curiously wandered around the study room, touching the hollowed carvings of twisting peonies on the screen, glancing at the classical lacquer painting of dragons emerging from the sea on the columns, and couldn’t help but exclaim, "The colors are so nice, they must have been restored; otherwise, they wouldn’t have stayed this bright."
Seeing her captivated, Han Yi said amusedly, "Don’t we have these kinds of paintings where we live? Haven’t you seen enough?"
Han Jiaojiao’s face turned slightly red as she defended in a soft voice, "But they have been put away by you..."
The place where they lived now was once the palace where the Empress resided. Everywhere was permeated with auspiciousness and good fortune, whether it was carvings or lacquer paintings, all chosen for good omens, like dragons and phoenixes bringing prosperity, or phrases signaling a hundred years of perfect union, or wishes for many children and much happiness...
These splendid patterns, Han Yi might have never paid much attention to, but Han Jiaojiao, who had been familiar with them since childhood, naturally knew their meanings.
