"Southeast."
Su Wu looked back at the downstream waters.
The initial disaster of the apocalypse began with the massive tsunami at the end of that direction.
There used to be the most prosperous economy and industry there.
But now, whether it be people or goods,
Perhaps there is hardly anything left.
Driving the Miniature Mech, Su Wu quickly returned to the farmhouse courtyard.
By the time he sat down at the control center, in front of the main control console,
The investigation into the identity of that group of refugees had already been compiled into a detailed report and uploaded.
This group of refugees came from Shanghe City, about four to five hundred kilometers southeast.
Unlike Jianghe City, which was firmly controlled by the federal authorities in the past,
Shanghe City was initially under the local official organization at the start of the apocalypse, but was unexpectedly wiped out.
Recently, as the survival supplies in the urban area were gradually depleted amidst the chaos of various civilian forces,
A large number of ordinary citizens
Had no choice but to start packing their belongings and migrate deeper inland.
What they found somewhat unexpected was that the living conditions in various inland areas were not much better than their own.
Along the way,
Including official shelters, there was basically no place that would actively take them in.
Even if there were private shelters willing to take them in, they often came with harsh conditions.
Most of them found it unacceptable.
"No one is willing to take us in."
At first glance, this seemed quite absurd.
On the Jianghe City side, not to mention before the apocalypse, even for a long time after,
As long as one was willing, anyone could join the official shelters at any time.
Although they might go hungry,
Basic personal safety could still be effectively guaranteed.
Later, with the emergence of the Rola Virus,
The population-depleted official shelters in Jianghe City even planned to improve their conditions.
They actively sought to attract outsiders to join.
However, in reality,
Looking at the outside world,
This was ultimately just a special case that could only arise under stable order.
In chaotic and precarious areas,
What everyone first considered was always how many resources they could seize, rather than absorbing people for normal development.
"It seems we need to move south a bit faster."
Su Wu felt a sense of urgency.
These people were valuable resources.
Losing even one was enough to make him feel pained.
He couldn't let those from chaotic areas squander them carelessly.
With this awareness,
The operational efficiency of the entire Jianghe City shelter saw unprecedented improvement.
Just 15 minutes later,
Thousands of Spider Robots and humanoid service robots
Boarded 30 medium-sized hovercraft and over a thousand kayaks,
Carrying a large amount of living supplies and various other potentially useful items.
They began to land one after another on the Cruise Ship that Su Wu had inspected earlier.
Making the final preparations for their journey.
As the preparations progressed,
Several ordinary boats, ranging from 20 to 40 meters in length, approached the vicinity of the Cruise Ship.
These boats were fishing vessels and patrol boats that had just been repaired after being intercepted from the Snow Wind Mercenary Group fleet.
They would also follow the Cruise Ship
To other places, collecting the displaced.
These boats had limited space and the internal environment was not very good.
But at least they could ensure the basic safety of the crew.
At the same time, if necessary,
They could also serve as escort ships for the Cruise Ship, engaging with any marauders they encountered along the way.
Su Wu himself was not idle at this time.
He personally went to the manufacturing center.
Using Survival Points to enhance core components sufficient to build 12 communication signal towers.
These components would accompany the fleet southward.
Then, at intervals, the fleet would erect a communication signal tower in relatively remote and safe locations nearby.
So that Su Wu's internet could extend out of Jianghe City and spread southward.
For cost-saving reasons,
These new communication signal towers were specifically enhanced for communication range, weakened in penetration attributes, and only retained the most basic capacity.
The consequence of this was that while the maximum communication radius was extended to an unprecedented 85 kilometers,
The signals they sent out could not reach some shelters hidden deep underground.
And it also meant that not everyone within the signal coverage area could access the internet without delay.
At most, while retaining a very small portion of communication resources for Su Wu's own use, others could only receive television programs from Jianghe City.
"For now, this is the only way."
Su Wu was not very satisfied with the new communication signal towers.
Not being able to connect to the internet meant he couldn't promote his games.
He couldn't harvest more spiritual energy from the outside world.
But there was no way to be dissatisfied.
Just these 12 communication signal towers
Cost Su Wu a total of 180 Survival Points.
To put it in perspective, Su Wu only spent 135 Survival Points to make a Miniature Mech.
The total cost of these communication signal towers was even higher than that of a Miniature Mech.
It could be said that he had invested heavily.
Any more would exceed Su Wu's capacity.
Three hours later,
After all preparations were complete,
A fleet consisting of one large and four small boats, centered around the Garden Cruise Ship,
Carrying a thousand ordinary Spider Robots and an equal number of security team members,
Loaded with weapons, ammunition, and living supplies,
Officially departed from Jianghe City.
Heading towards the downstream southeastern coastline.
This journey had no final destination.
They would return only when they had gathered enough displaced people.
In the farmhouse courtyard, in the underground control center,
Su Wu watched through the surveillance cameras
As the first expedition fleet left Jianghe City.
He then turned his attention to the edge of the urban area, to a temporary port built near the deep water area.
At that location,
About six boats of various sizes were undergoing repairs and modifications.
All of them were from the ships of the Snow Wind Mercenary Group that Su Wu had sunk.
Due to relatively severe damage,
They had not been completely repaired since being salvaged.
However, with Su Wu investing more resources into them,
It was estimated that within 48 hours at most,
They would be ready for use again.
At that time, Su Wu planned to form a second expedition fleet with them.
To continue southward to gather the displaced.
These boats could carry perhaps less than one-tenth of the first expedition fleet's capacity.
But for Su Wu, even a mosquito's leg is meat.
It was better than having nothing.
On the surface,
After several hours of sailing,
The Garden Cruise Ship gradually left the Jianghe City area.
Entering the nearby Tumen City.
Although this city was adjacent to Jianghe City,
Due to belonging to two different provinces,
Their communication before the apocalypse was not as close as their geographical distance would suggest.
(End of Chapter)